Articles of Agreement
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the the Code of Piracy in the Caribbean, see Pirate code of the Brethren.
Articles of Agreement is a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law. In short, it is another name for a Contract.
[edit] See also
- Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund
[edit] Pirates Articles of Agreement
In the second half of the 17th century, buccaneers began operating under a set of rules called the Chasse-Partie, or Charter Party. These eventually became the Articles of Agreement, or Pirate's Code. Many pirate ships developed pirate rules. Each crew member was asked to sign or make his mark, then swear an oath of allegiance or honor with his hand on a Bible, crossed pistols or swords, or a human skull. When a ship was captured, the able-bodied prisoners were asked to sign the articles and become pirates themselves. Most refused, but were then forced into piracy anyway. However, these "forced" pirates could not be found guilty of piracy because they had not signed the articles.
The "pirate rules" listed below are compiled from several sources and offer a sampling of "law and order" among a pirate company. If there were any doubt about interpreting the code, a jury was chosen to bring in a verdict. - Of course not all pirate ships had "Articles of Agreement"
- Every man had a voice in all affairs
- Every man had equal title to all fresh provisions and strong liquors seized.
- Captain and Quartermaster received two shares in a prize. Sailing Master, Boatswain, and Gunner receive one-and-one-half shares. Other officers one-and-one-quarter shares. Sailors, one share. If one lost a limb or became a cripple in the common service, one received more of a share.
- No gaming for money at cards or dice at sea.
- Lights and candles out before 8 o'clock.
- To desert the ship or abandon quarters in time of battle was punished by death or marooning. The marooned was usually given a bottle of water and some powder, shot and a pistol.
- If someone cheated the company of an article of value, he would be punished by marooning.
- If robbery took place between two crewmen, the guilty one had his nose and ears split and would be marooned.
- No women were allowed on board. If any man carried a woman on board disguised, he would be put to death.
- No striking another on board ship. Every man's quarrel would be settled on shore.
Quartermaster would accompany both to shore. The disputants were set back to back at 20 paces. At the command, they turn and fire immediately. If both miss, they take up their cutlasses.
Another example of a Code of Conduct for Pirates was drawn up by Captain John Phillips for his ship, Revenge :
Article 1: Every man shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full share and a half in all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner shall have one Share and quarter.
Article 2: If any man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marroon'd with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm and shot.
Article 3: If any Many shall steel any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marroon'd or shot.
Article 4: If at any Time we should meet another Marrooner (that is Pyrate) that Man that shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our Company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit.
Article 5: That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive Mose's Law (that is 40 stripes lacking one) on the bare Back.
Article 6: That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoak Tobacco in the Hold, without a cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article.
Article 7: That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.
Article 8: If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement he shall have 400 pieces of Eight; if a limb 800.
Article 9: If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death.
