I have donated my index of warrants (commissions, letters of marque) issued to ships travelling to East India (1768-1826) to FIBIS, www.new.fibis.org and they can be seen online there in the Maritime – Other Records section. There are some 316 ships and their masters named. Hopefully it will be of some help to those searching that era of vessels. Original Warrants (Commissions) provides the ship’s name and that of her commander, its burthen and the number of men and guns on board. The first commission is dated 22nd Dec 1768 for the Duke of Grafton and the last (in this register) on the 22nd Dec 1827 for the Reliance. A number of the commissions were granted coincidental to the ships’ launch, most are unique (though some successive) and the all were recorded as ships excepting those couple noted as a snow or cutter. The commissions stretch from the reign of King George, through the Prince Regent’s monarchy to Queen Victoria’s. There are several examples (varying little in content) of the actual Commissions (instructions to the masters of the vessels). Commanders were instructed to secure enemy ports, seize their vessels, force them to yield and bring them back to a legal trial. They were to keep an exact journal of their undertaking, set down names of the pirates, officers and companies of the ships, the quantities of arms, ammunition, and provisions and laden, and provide a true value of the same. Especial care was to be taken of any official papers found on board. It was emphasised they not offend or injure “by colour or pretence” any British subjects, allies and friends, their ships or their possessions, and not to abuse their privilege. The 316 vessels named reflect 261,220t of shipping carrying 8475 guns and 31,719 men. The steady increase in the size of vessels indicates the changing needs in the sea trade, and the rising careers of the commanders (and often their obvious connections) can be seen. The commissions were issue to the commanders by Admiralty representatives who were purposely granted a Warrant for that process. Usually granted at the Court of St James the warrants were alike: ‘Warrant for affixing the Great Seal to (Two) Commissions for seizing of pyrates’ & ‘Warrant granted to (eg)Counsellor Charles Lord Camden, Baronet Camden Place, Chancellor of Great Britain, issued by HM command (signed eg) WEYMOUTH’. The commission went on to name the vessel, commander, and provided instructions. The original documents are held at TNA, England, in HO 118/1, and can be viewed there. cheers Jenny Fawcett

Thankyou for this Jenny. I just did a surname search on the off chance as I research an unusual surname. Found a birth I have been looking for for ages. Pretty unexpected but very welcome. :) Regards Lyn In Oz. > -----Original Message----- > From: mariners-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:mariners-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of J. Fawcett > Sent: Tuesday, 16 August 2011 3:12 PM > To: mariners-l@rootsweb.com > Subject: [MAR] Warrants Index - Ships travelling to East > India 1768 - 1826 > > I have donated my index of warrants (commissions, letters of > marque) issued to ships travelling to East India (1768-1826) > to FIBIS, www.new.fibis.org a