Lee (1974) concludes that although Spotswood may have thought that the ends justified the means, he had no legal authority to invade North Carolina, to capture the pirates and to seize and auction their goods.
O autor Lee conclúe que malia que Spotswood pensaba que o fin xustificaba os medios, non tiña autoridade legal para invadir Carolina do Norte, capturar ós piratas e incautar e vender os seus bens.