Dr. Oldish's plea for some seamen who were condemn'd as pyrates for fighting under K. James's commission.Oldys, William, 1636-1708.[ca. 1693]Manuscript on paper, in a single hand, containing two speeches relating to the prosecution of seamen as pirates who had been fighting under King James' commission. The first piece consists of Oldys's testimony before the Lords of the Council and Commissioners of the Admiralty, in which he refused to prosecute these men, declaring that "pyrates are common enemies to all mankind, having no Legal Authority for what they do, but these shew a Commission signed James Rex," while the Lords of the Council argued that James II had no power to write such a commission, having been deposed by King William III. The second piece consists of the speech to Parliament by the prisoners John Golding, Thomas Jones, John Ryan, Darby Collins, Richard Shevers, Patrick Quidly, John Slaughter, and Constaine De Hartley, in which they appeal the decision to condemn them as traitors.Binding: Middle Hill boards.For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator.Phillipps MS 4851.Title taken from title page.text