March 1643
[13 March, 1642/3.]
The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, foreseeing
the great Inconveniencies. Distractions, and Troubles, that must
of necessity befal these Kingdoms of England and Ireland, by the
approaching of Foreign Forces now in Preparation against the
well-affected Subjects of both the said Kingdoms, and that the
woeful Effects thereof do begin to appear, by the Narrow Seas
being already infested, not only by Sea Rovers with Commissions
from the Rebels in Ireland, but also by Pirates of our own Nation,
lately come forth of Falmouth, in English Bottoms, to destroy
their own Countrymen, and in all Probability to join with our
Foreign Enemies, and so hinder all the good Endeavours of the
Parliament for Relief of distressed Ireland, and interrupt all
Trade and Commerce in these Seas.
Wherefore the said Lords and Commons, for the Prevention
of these great Mischiefs, do once more Declare and Ordain, That
the Fleet now in Preparation to go forth, and all Things thereunto conducing, may hasten to Sea with all possible Expedition;
and that, for the better encouragement of the Officers and Seamen who shall be employed in the King's Ships, besides their
Pay, One full Third Part of all Prizes that they shall take in
this their Employment, the other Two Thirds to be reserved to
the State; and to those in the Merchants Ships, One full Third
Part for the Officers and Seamen, and another Third Part to the
Owners in respect of their hazarding their Ships, and the other
Third Part reserved to the State as aforesaid, which divisions are
to be according to the Custom of Men of War.