I have here enclosed a few lines[2] Concerning a Brigantine that sailed out of the Capes last wednesday.[3] it should been sent you before this. I had it this Day from Capt. Cole at Church. If the Capt. had sent the Master on shore (who had no boat of his owne) or a line to me about it, Your Excellency had sooner Notice. [Footnote 2: Doc. no. 98.] [Footnote 3: May 1.] The french Prisoners are equally Divided amongst the three Capts., who have them under Guard. the wounded men att John Smiths died last Night. Suppose this Pink is that that was taken a coming from Barbadoes, and the longer he lyes the more harme he do and gather more strength, which is all that offers from Your Excellys humble servt. to Command WM. WILSON. I did designe to have sent this by an Express, but there came one from your Excell'y with a Letter to Capt. Passenger. _98. Captain Michael Cole to William Wilson. May 5, 1700._[1] [Footnote 1: Bodleian Library, _ibid._ Capt. Michael Cole was master of the _Friends' Adventure_; he had come into James River on his way from South Carolina to London.] KIQUOTAN Satterday morning being aboard the man of Warr _Shoreham_ there found the Master of Brigantine which came in here the Evening before, who sayes that on thursday morning last he was taken by the Pyrates about 2 leagues Southward the Cape Henry, in a Pink, who tooke from him his Sailes, Masts, and provisions, and all his Necessaries and Cut of[f] the head of his Rudder as low down as they Could, to disable him of getting in. his fore Yard they also tooke from him. he likewise sayes that they spoke some English aboard and that they are about 40 or 50 strong besides the Prisoners, but they would not suffer him to Speake to any of them, but was threatned to be Shot for Speaking only to one and asked (and that softly) what are you, who answered, I am a Carpenter who belonged to a vessell of about 110 Tons loaded in York River which they sunk. when they left him they stood NE. and believes they Intend of the Coast as soone as they meet a vessell which they have an Accot. of, Dayly Expected here from Guinea. MICH'LL COLE. May 5, 1700. _99. Libel by Captain William Passenger. May 11, 1700._[1] [Footnote 1: Bodleian Library, MS. Rawlinson A. 272, f. 91. A libel, in admiralty law, is a plaintiff's or claimant's document containing his allegations and instituting a suit--in this instance a prize suit.] Virga. ss. Att the Court of Admiralty held at Hampton Town on Saturday the 11th day of May in the 12th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the third, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King, Defender of the faith, etc., annoq Domini 1700, Before the Hono'ble Edward Hill, Esqr., Judge of the sd Court,[2] came Capt. William Passenger, Commander of his Maj'tes ship the _shoreham_, and Exhibited the following Libel in these Words