me to make their Defence Adjournd till
three a Clock post merediem.

The Court met about that time and the Prisoners were sent for and
brought again to the Barr, when the President[3] Observed to them,
that this Court had Given them time, till now, to make their own
Defence, Then demanded what they had to say for themselves.

[Footnote 3: Governor Shute. The court consisted of the governor,
William Dummer, lieutenant-governor, nine members of the council, John
Menzies, vice-admiralty judge, the captain of H.M.S. _Squirrel_, then
on the New England station, and the collector of the plantation duties
at Boston. See doc. no. 201, note 1.]

Simon Van Vorst Alledged that he was forced by Capt. Bellamys Company
to Do what he did, and would have mad known his Intentions to make his
Escape from the Pyrates unto the Mate of the sd Pink, but that he
understood by the Mates Discourse that he Inclined to be a Pyrate
himself, and therefore he did not discover his mind to the Mate.

Thomas Brown pretended himself also to be a forced Man, but produced
no Evidence to make it Appear to the Court.

Thomas South Alledged that he belonged to a Bristoll Ship[4] whereof
one James Williams was Master, That he was taken by Capt. Bellamy and
forced to tarry with him, otherwise was threatened to be put upon a
Desolate Island where there was nothing to Support him.

[Footnote 4: The _St. Michael_.]

Thomas Baker Saith that he and Simon Van Vorst were both taken out of
one Vessell, That he Attempted to make his Escape at Spanish Town,[5]
and the Governour of that place seemed to favour his Design, till
Capt. Bellamy and his Company sent the Governour word that they would
burn and destroy the Town, if that the sd Baker and those that
Concealed themselves with him were not delivered up, And afterwards he
would have made his Escape at Crabb Island[6] but was hindred by four
of Capt. Bellamy Compa.

[Footnote 5: The old Spanish capital of Jamaica, founded in 1525 by
Diego Columbus under the name of Santiago de la Vega.]

[Footnote 6: See doc. no. 72, note 5.]

Hendrick Quintor saith That he was taken by Capt. Bellamy and Monsr.
Labous; and they had Agreed to let him go to the Coast of Crocus[7] in
the French Vessel which they took him in, But the Commander thereof
soon after dyed and so Captn. Bellamy would not permit him to proceed
the sd. Voyage and he was unavoidably forced to Continue among the
Pyrates.

[Footnote 7: Caracas?]

Pet