'By this publick Instrument of Protest be it made known and manifest, that on the 30th Day of _August_ 1718, _John King_, lately Commander of the _Neptune_ Hagboat of _London_, but now in the Island of _Providence_, one of his Majesty's _Bahama_ Islands, came before me _Woodes Rogers_, Esq; Governor, _&c._ and declared to me, that on the Day and Date above-written, he sailed with the said Ship _Neptune_ Hagboat over the Bar of _Carolina_, in Company with three more Ships bound for _London_, _viz._ the _Emperor_, Captain _Arnold Powers_, Commander, and the Pink _Antamasia_, Captain _Dumford_, Commander, and the Pink ......, Captain _Evers_, Commander, and about two Hours after he was over the Bar of _South-Carolina_, he saw four Sail of Vessels standing some one Way, some another; but one of them being a Brigantine, gave Chase, and, in about two Hours time, came up with his Ship with a black Flag flying, and after having fir'd several Guns, demanded him to strike, and to come on Board the Brigantine, commanded by one _Charles Vane_, a Pyrate, who detained him and four of his Men on board the said Brigantine, and sent several of his Men on board the _Neptune_; and when they came on board they commanded him to make Sail, and began to rob and rifle as they thought fit, _&c._ taking only the _Neptune_ and _Emperor_ with them; for by the Information of the Captain of the _Neptune_ and _Emperor_, the other two were loaded with Pitch and Tar, which was not for their Turn, so they would not give Chace to them; but in a small Time after they had held a Consultation together, they concluded to carry the Ship _Neptune_ and _Emperor_, with their Crew, to _Green Turtle Key_, on _Abbaco_, so steered their Course accordingly for the said Place. About four Days after _John King_, Commander of the _Neptune_ declares, he fell sick of a violent Fever on board the said _Vane_'s Brigantine, and _Vane_ asked him, if he would go on board his own Ship? he readily answered, Yes, if he pleased; so hoisted out his Boat, and sent him on board. And about four Days afterwards the Pyrates held a Consultation on board their own Vessel. The Captain, and most of the Officers, were for taking what they wanted out of the Ship _Neptune_ and _Emperor_, and so let them go about their Business; but the rest of the Company was not willing for it, because, they said, What should they clean their Vessel by? And what Defence should they have whilst they were cleaning? So concluded to proceed on to _Green Turtle Key_, which they did, and arrived there on or about the 12th of _September_ 1718, and began to make Preparations for careening their Vessels, which held about three Weeks, and at the latter End of this Time they had taken from both Ships such Things as they wanted, and then took their Leaves of the said Ships and Captains, wishing them a good Voyage home, so set Sail; but in a little Time after made a Sloop coming into the Harbour of