Cause

Henry Bellew Esqr Commander of his Majestys Ship of War the Liverpool VS the Ship Hester & Cargo a Recaptureー

Libel filed and entre'd Order made thereon as on file
Hugh Goold Purser of his Majestys Ship of War the Liverpool being Duly Sworne deposeth that on or about the 20th of September last the Ship Hester whereof was one David Crombie Master was taken by the Liverpool Man of War on Georges Banks bound to New England that the said Ship had been before taken (as the Deponant was Informed) by a Privateer fitted out from. the Colonies now in Rebellion calle'd the Collumbus mounting 32 Guns in the Lattitude 36° Longitude about 50" that the papers are in the possesion of the Master David Crombie

Hugh Goold

5th Octobr 1776 Sworn to before me

Charles Morris junr

Court open'd by makeing Proclamation as usual & adjourn'd to thursday 10th Instant, no Claimant haveing appeard

Court open'd by makeing Proclamation as usual David Crombie the Master appear'd & entre'd his Claim to the Ship Hester and Cargo as on fileー
Deposition of David Crombie taken before the Register read as follows.

David Crombie Master of the Ship Hester being Duly Sworne Deposeth as follows that on or aboot the 28th of August last Lattitude 39'40" Longitude 48°45" he was taken by a Rebel privateer from some of the Colonies now in Rebellion call'd the Collumbus whereof was Master one Abraham Whipple mounting 28 Carrige Gunns. that they took out all his People and put on board 14 of the Privateers men that they then shap'd their Course for some Port in New England, that on or about the 21st of September the Deponant fell in with Captn Henry Bellew of his Majestys Ship Liverpool on Georges Banks who retook the said Ship Hester and brought her into this Port of Halifaxー

David Crombie

Sworn to before me this 10th Day of Octobr 1776

Charles Morris junr Regrー

1776 ー Court open'd by makeing Proclamation as usual
The Libel Order and return thereon read
The Depositions taken before the Register also read
Then the Claim was read as on file
The Warrant of Appraisement and return was also read
William Nesbitt Esqr his Majestys Advocate General in this Court then move'd for a Decree in this Cause
Which the Judge order'd'to be Pronounc'd as on file whereby the Claimant was orderd to pay to Henry Bellew Esqr his Officers and Crew one neat eigth part of the true value of the Ship Hester and her Cargo in lieu of all salvage ー Court adjourn'd without Day in this Causeー