John ALSTON A Pirate [15891]

  Research Notes:

State Papers Apr 24 1699:
(1) Deposition of Robert Wright about Capt. Evans' cruelty to John Alston, a pirate, and about his releasing him from on board the Richmond for a sum of money.
(2) Deposition of John Alston.
Ref: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=71033&strquery=John%20Alston

This may not be correctly placed?
1 Jul 1698 New York
622. Governor the Earl of Bellomont to Council of Trade and Plantations. I sent you by my last a copy of my proclamation respecting the ports of the Jerseys, but I find that since then Colonel Basse has published a counter-proclamation in the Jerseys, copy enclosed. He has also written me several letters on the subject much disputing my orders and asserting the right of the port of Perth-Amboy, but he has since been with me and seen the King's orders, and I thought he was so well satisfied, that the Jerseys would submit to the Admiralty Court of New York without dispute. Soon afterwards a ship was seized there by Mr. Randolph and tried in the Admiralty Court here; but some time since, two pirates of Every's crew being seized in the Jerseys, a precept was issued from this Court of Admiralty to bring them hither. On this Colonel Basse called his Council, who were unanimous not to deliver them until the Commission for the Court of Admiralty was published and recorded in the Jerseys. Thereupon by my Council's advice I sent a command to Colonel Basse, by which being startled he ventured to send me the two prisoners. I enclose their examinations before Colonel Basse. I can find no evidence against them, so that they would be cleared on trial here, and I have no instructions to send them to England, so must admit them to bail. One of them, John Alston, is but nineteen years old, and was forced away by Every as a cabin boy of thirteen. He had no share with the rest, but only what they voluntarily gave him, and he had no share in any ill thing with his own hand and could not help being forced away. Such is his account, which appears to me probable and may seem to you sufficient to recommend him to mercy.
Ref: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=70961&strquery=Alston