[Footnote 10: Johnson, pp. 397-398, gives verbatim the text of these articles of agreement (_cf._ doc. no. 50), a very curious set, to which these pirates "swore upon a Hatchet for want of a Bible."]
[Footnote 11: Now Vineyard Haven, in Martha's Vineyard.]
Then the Prisoners being taken away and all withdrawn but the Register, The Court maturely Weighed and Considered the Evidences and Cases of the Prisoners and by a Plurality of Voices found the sd William Phillips Guilty of the Pyracies, Robberies and Felonys Exhibited against him, and by an unanimous voice found the sd. Isaac Lassen, Henry Gyles, Charles Ivemay, John Bootman, John Coombes and Henry Payne not Guilty.
Then the Prisoners were brought to the Bar and the President acquainted William Phillips That the Court had found him Guilty of the Pyracies, Robberies and Felonies Exhibited against him, and asked him if he had any thing to say why sentence of Death should not pass upon him for his Offences.
And he offering nothing Material the President Pronounced sentence of Death against him in the following words--
"You, William Phillips, are to go from hence to the place from whence you Come and from thence to the place of Execution, and there you are to be hanged by the neck until you are dead, and God of His Infinite Mercy save your Soul."
And the President Pronounced the said Isaac Lassen, Henry Gyles, Charles Ivemay, John Bootman, John Coombs and Henry Payne not Guilty.
Then the Court adjourned till to morrow morning Eight of the Clock.
_121. Trial of William White, John Rose Archer, and William Taylor. May 13, 1724._
The Court met according to Adjournmt. and was opened by Proclamation.
Present The Hono'ble William Dummer, Esqr., etc. President. William Tailer Nathaniel Norden } Samuel Sewall Thomas Hutchinson } Penn Townsend Samuel Browne } Esqrs., of the Council of Edwd. Bromfield Thomas Fitch } the Massachusetts Bay. John Cushing Adam Winthrop } Spencer Phipps. }
John Menzies } Thomas Durell } Esqrs., Commissioners appointed in Thomas Lechmere } His Majesties Commission, etc. John Jekyll }
A Warrant issued out for the bringing into Court William White, John Archer, otherwise Called John Rose Archer, and William Tailer, and they were brought to the Bar accordingly and arraigned upon the several articles Exhibited against them for Piracy Robbery and Felony.