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piratical act brings the offender within reach of
the common law may be inferred from the language of
"An Act for the more effectual suppression of
Piracy" 11 William III, c.7, s.9, which provides
•
"If any commander or master of any ship.
shall in any place where the Admiral hath juris-
diction..... turn pirate.......and piratic ally and
feloniously run away with his
• •
.
ship.
• •
• •
he
shall be adjudged deemed and taken to be a pirate
felon and robber and being convicted there of according
to the directions of this act shall have and suffer
pains of death...
•
as pirates felons and
robbers upon the seas ought to have and suffer."
By the same section it was provided that "If any
person shall lay violent hands on his commander
whereby to hinder him from fighting in defence of
his ship and goods committed to his trust or that
shall confine his master or make or endeavour to
make a revolt in the ship, he shall be "similarly
punished. The legislature here declared certain
acts to be piratical in character and yet at the
same time found it necessary to provide by statute
for their punishment. It is even more interesting
to note that in the Piracy Act, 1721, 8 George I,
;
c.24, s.1 it was enacted that "In case any pers on
or persons belonging to any ship or vessel whatsoever
upon meeting any merchant ship or vessel upon the
high seas or in any port haven or creek whatsoever,
shall forcibly board or enter into such ship or vessel
and though they do not seize and carry off such
ship or vessel shall throw overboard or destroy any