State of Maryland Baltimore County to wit

To the honourable Benjamin Nicholson Esquire Judge of the Court of Admiralty erected by the honourable Convention of Maryland to take Cognizance of and determine the Propriety of Captures of Vessels, brought into the State of Maryland, pursuant to the Resolves of the honourable Continental Congress.

The Bill of William Hallock Esquire Commander of the continental Ship of War called The Lexington duly commissioned under the honourable Continental Congress, who, as well for himself as the Officers, Mariners, Seamen and all others belonging to and concerned in the said Ship in this Behalf prosecuting, in all humble Manner sheweth, That the said Ship was fitted out, equipped, victualled and armed at the Expence of the united States of America, and the said William Hallock; being duly commissioned, authorized and appointed with his Officers, Mariners & Seamen on Board the said Ship to cruize and sail on the high Seas, did, on the twelfth Day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy six, within the Jurisdiction of this Court, discover on the high Seas, pur sue, apprehend and as lawful Prize take the Vessel a Brigantine called Mary Ann commanded by Anthony Gilchrist Burthen about two hundred and fifty Tons together with her Apparel, Tackle, Furniture and Cargoe belonging to a Subject or Subjects of the King of Great Britain — And the said William Hallock doth further shew that the said Brigantine Mary Ann at the Time of the Capture aforesaid and long before and the Tackle Apparel, Furniture and Cargoe of the said Brigantine did belong to the Subjects of Great Britain not residing in or being Inhabitants of the Bermudas, [New] Providence or Bahama Islands — Wherefore the said William Hallock prays this honourable Court that the said Brigantine called Mary Ann with her Tackle, Apparel, Furniture & Cargoe may be adjudged and condemned as forfeited to the Use of the Captors thereof and those concerned in the said Ship called The Lexington according to the Resolutions of the honourable Continental Congress in that Behalf made & provided.

Baltimore Town Jany 21st 1777. —