Army officers or soldiers who desert or mutiny shall suffer death
or such other punishment as decided by a court martial of senior
officers rather than the usual form of law, which is too slow.
Seamen not showing up on board after notice shall serve six months
without pay, but shall not suffer as deserters. Seamen do not have
to perform service in the Army.
Pirates may be punished by death and loss of all lands and
chattels. Any person aiding, advising, or concealing pirates may
be likewise punished. Officers and seamen killed or wounded in the
defense of a ship or who seize or destroy pirates may be paid by
the owners an amount up to 2 pounds per 100 pounds of freight as
determined by a group of disinterested merchants and the judge.
The amount due to a man killed will be paid to his widow and
children. This is to be done when the ship arrives in port. Any
person who informs of any combinations or confederacies planning
to run away with or to destroy a ship shall be rewarded by the
commander or master of such 10 pounds for a ship 100 tons or
under, and 15 pounds for a ship over 100 tons. The trial may be in
England or the American colonies, whose authorities may issue
warrants for arrest of alleged pirates. Deserters from ships,
because they often become pirates, shall forfeit all wages.
Masters forcing any man fit to travel to stay or shore or
willfully leaves him behind shall suffer three months in prison
without bail.
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