In February 1718, Lt. Governor Bennett was optimistic about the pardon, reporting that he had been giving certificates to pirates who surrendered, and requesting instructions regarding how to ensure surrendered pirates would receive their pardon. (345, 3 February 1718) The need for such instructions became more pressing as pirates became impatient to leave Bermuda. (384, 16 February 1718) The following March, Bennett reported that there were pirates who refused to take the pardon without assurance that they would be allowed to keep their plunder. (474, 29 March 1718) From March to July, Bennett's worsening predicament was repeatedly relayed to Secretary of State James Craggs by the Council of Trade and Plantations, (466, 27 March 1718; 485, 3 April 1718; and 539, 16 May 1718) (580, 1 July 1718) which also blamed the fact that surrendered pirates were returning to piracy on governors' lack of any power to pardon without a commission. Bennett would receive this commission by the following October. (714 , 10 October 1718)
