Petition of John Russell and James Vine

Petition of Russell and Vine

This petition was filed in 1717 by John Russell and James Vine, former crew of the ship St. Stephen. It appears they became involved in piracy activities and then sought the mercy of Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General, and Governor in Chief of the provinces of New York and New Jersey.

The following relates the second half of the petition:

"The humble petition of John Russell, late chief mate of ship St. Stephen, and James Vince, late boatswain of the same. Humbly sheweth that your Excellency's petitioners having ... grant of your honorable chief justice to be admitted to bail with a proviso that your Excellency would be pleased to ... grant us that favor."