We stricltly adhere to Bartholomew Roberts's articles.
I. Every man has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to the fresh provisions,
or strong liquors, at any time seized, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity
(not an uncommon thing among them) makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a
retrenchment.
II. Every man to be called fairly in turn, by list, on board of prizes because, (over
and above their proper share) they were on these occasions allowed a shift of clothes:
but if they defrauded the company to the value of a dollar in plate, jewels, or money,
marooning was their punishment. If the robbery was only betwixt one another, they
contented themselves with slitting the ears and nose of him that was guilty, and set
him on shore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter
hardships.
III. No person to game at cards or dice for money.
IV. The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night: if any of the crew,
after that hour still remained inclined for drinking, they were to do it on the open deck.
V. To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for service.
VI. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man were to be found seducing any
of the latter sex, and carried her to sea, disguised, he was to suffer death; (so that
when any fell into their hands, as it chanced in the Onslow, they put a sentinel immediately
over her to prevent ill consequences from so dangerous an instrument of division and
quarrel; but then here lies the roguery; they contend who shall be sentinel, which happens
generally to one of the greatest bullies, who, to secure the lady's virtue, will let none
lie with her but himself.)
VII. To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished with death or marooning.
VIII. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to be ended on shore, at
sword and pistol. (The quarter-master of the ship, when the parties will not come to any
reconciliation, accompanies them on shore with what assistance he thinks proper, and turns
the disputant back to back, at so many paces distance; at the word of command, they turn
and fire immediately (or else the piece is knocked out of their hands). If both miss, they
come to their cutlasses, and then he is declared the victor who draws the first blood.)
IX. No man to talk of breaking up their way of living, till each had shared one thousand
pounds. If in order to this, any man should lose a limb, or become a cripple in their service,
he was to have eight hundred dollars, out of the public stock, and for lesser hurts, proportionately.
X. The Captain and Quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize: the master, boatswain,
and gunner, one share and a half, and other officers one and quarter.
XI. The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath Day, but the other six days and nights, none
without special favour.