_Forasmuch as in open Contempt of the Laws of your Country, ye have all of you been wickedly united, and articled together, for the Annoyance and Disturbance of his Majesty's trading Subjects by Sea. And have in Conformity to the most evil and mischievous Intentions, been twice down the Coast of_ Africa, _with two Ships; once in the Beginning of_ August, _and a second Time, in_ January _last, sinking, burning, or robbing such Ships, and Vessels, as then happened in your Way._ _Particularly, ye stand charged at the Instance, and Information of Captain_ Chaloner Ogle, _as Traytors and Pyrates, for the unlawful Opposition ye made to his Majesty's Ship, the_ Swallow, _under his Command._ _For that on the_ 5_th of_ February _last past, upon Sight of the aforesaid King's Ship, ye did immediately weigh Anchor from under Cape_ Lopez, _on the Southern Coast of_ Africa, _in a_ French _built Ship of_ 32 _Guns, called the_ Ranger, _and did pursue and chase the aforesaid King's Ship, with such Dispatch and Precipitancy, as declared ye common Robbers and Pyrates._ _That about Ten of the Clock the same Morning, drawing within Gun-shot of his Majesty's aforesaid Ship the_ Swallow, _ye hoisted a pyratical black Flag, and fired several chace Guns, to deter, as much as ye were able, his Majesty's Servants from their Duty._ _That an Hour after this, being very nigh to the aforesaid King's Ship, ye did audaciously continue in a hostile Defence and Assault, for about two Hours more, in open Violation of the Laws, and in Defiance to the King's Colours and Commission._ _And lastly, that in the acting, and compassing of all this, ye were all, and every one of you, in a wicked Combination, voluntarily to exert, and actually did, in your several Stations, use your utmost Endeavours to distress the said King's Ship, and murder his Majesty's good Subjects._ To which they severally pleaded, _Not Guilty._ * * * Then the Court called for the Officers of the _Swallow_, Mr. _Isaac Sun_, Lieutenant, _Ralph Baldrick_, Boatswain, _Daniel Maclauglin_, Mate, desiring them to view the Prisoners, whether they knew them? And to give an Account in what Manner they had attack'd and fought the King's Ship; and they agreed as follows. That they had viewed all the Prisoners, as they stood now before the Court, and were assured they were the same taken out of one, or other, of the Pyrate Ships, _Royal Fortune_, or _Ranger_; but verily believe them to be taken out of the _Ranger._