The Petition of Walter Hatch late 2^nd. Lieu^t. of the Brigg Hazard; in the Service of this State; humbly Sheweth—That your Petitioner has been inform'd that Sundry Depositions has been taken relative to his conduct on board said Brigg in her late Cruize;¹ Your Petitioner having been confin'd by a severe fitt of sickness, could not attend at the taking said Depositions, neither was he ever notified for that purpose; but is inform'd your Honours have ordered his Prize Money & Wages to be stop't—Your Petitioner is concious of his intire innocence of the Charges he supposes are brought against him & wishes for an Oppertunity to vindicate his much injured Character;² which he values as his Life, he therefore humbly Prays your Honours to appoint a Committee, before whom he may be heard relative to the matter, or in any other way give your Petitioner an oppertunity of being heard in his own defence, as to your Honours may seem best, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever Pray—