[Extract]
Know all men by these presents That we the Officers and Major Part of the Company of his Majestys Ship Liverpool Have constituted Ordained and made and in our Stead and place put, and by these presents do Constitute Ordain and make and in our Stead and place put Capt Henry Bellew of the said Ship and Mr George Sherry of the Eagle our agents for all Such Prize or Prizes as shall have been sent or may hereafter be sent by us to the Port of New York. To be our true Sufficient and Lawful Attorneys as aforesaid for us and in our Names and Stead and to our use to ask demand Levy Recover and Receive of and from all and every Person or Persons whomsoever the same Shall and may concern all and Singular Sum and Sums of money Debts Goods Wares Merchandize Effects and things Whatsoever and wheresoever they shall and may be found due owing payable belonging and coming unto our Constituants by any ways and means Whatsoever nothing excepted or reserved. Giving and hereby Granting unto our said attorneys our full and whole strength Power and Authority in and about the Premisses; and to take and use all due means Course and Process in the Law for the Obtaining and Recovering the same and of Recoveries and Receipts thereof; in our Names to make Seal, and Execute due Acquittances and discharges: and for the Premisses to appear, & the Persons of us the Constituants to Represent before any Governor Judges, Justices, Officers, and ministers of the Larr whatsoever, in any court or Courts of Judicature and there on our behalf to Ansxver Defend and Reply unto all actions Causes Matters and things Whatsoever relating to the Premisses with full Power to Make and Substitute one or more Attorneys under our said attornies and the same again at pleasure to Revoke. And generally to say Do Act Transact Deliv[er] Accomplish and Finish all Matters and Things IVhatsoever relating to the Premisses as Fully, Amply and Effectually to all Intents and Purposes as we the Said Constituants ought or might or Could Personally, altho. the matter should require more Special authority than is herein Comprised We the said Constituants Ratifying, allowing and holding firm and Valid all and whatsoever our said attornies or their Substitutes shall Lawfully Do or Cause to be done in and about the Premisses by Virtue of these Presents. In Witness whereof We have hereunto set our hands and Seals the seventh day of October Annoque Domini 1776 in the Sixteenth year of his Majestys Reign
Signed Sealed and delivered in the Presence of us
1. Vice Admiralty Records, Register of Letters of Agency, 1776-1781, N.S. Arch.