'Arr, ' said Long John Silver, 'Arr, arr,' by way of clearing his throat, before addressing his 9 remaining companions.

'We've sailed the seas for 7 long years, and plundered a pirate hoard, and the time has come to divvy the loot at last. It goes without saying that each of you lubbers wants all the treasure he can lay his hands on.'

'Now, as ye know, the Rules of the Sea require that the Captain shall propose a division, and all then vote, democratical-like; if the proposal be passed, then all take accordingly. If the lots cast be tied, the Captain votes again, to break the tie. But if the division be rejected, the Captain forfeits his share, and the right to propose passes to the next in rank, and so on until a division be agreed at last.'

Now gather round me hearties, and listen to me proposal, according to rank:

Long John Silver, Cook and Captain: 75 shares
Abe the Master: 1 share.
Ben the Mate: 1 share
Caleb the Gunner: 1 share
Dave the Able: 1 share
Eben the Bosun: 1 share
Fergus the Feeble: 2 shares
Gabe the Gimpy: 4 shares
Ham the Hopeless: 6 shares
Jesse the Cabinperson: 8 shares

'I'm sure you'll agree, lads, I've done you all proud.'

Of course, it's endlessly debatable whether Long John's proposal is fair; but should his proposal be carried, or not?

Maybe the wording could have been "would his proposal be carried, or not? "

I don't think so Brian.

The word 'should' is there to convey that the reader consider how the pirates ought to vote in the given circumstances, and is thus preferable to 'would'.

The names given are just for identification in case anyone cares to put forward a formal solution - there are no secret clues in them!