State of the Massachusetts Bay
Middle District ss
To the honble Timothy Pickering junr Esquire Judge of the maritime court for the said Middle District.
Be it remembered, That on the twenty ninth day of July in the year of ourLord One thousand seven hundred and seventy six, Jonathan Glover of Marblehead in the County of Essex merchant comes into court, and in behalf of Samuel Tucker commander of the armed schooner called the Hancock, and his company of marines and mariners, and John Skimmer commander of the armed Schooner named the Franklin, and his company of marines and mariners, and the owners of the said schooners, to all whom the said Glover is agent, libels, propounds, and gives the said Court to understand and be informed, that on the twenty second day of July current, the said Tucker and Skimmer, in the schooners aforesaid, with their said respective companies attacked and took on the high Seas the ship named the Peggy, about two hundred and thirty tons burthen armed with five carriage guns and commanded by one James Kennedy and laden with the goods mentioned in the schedule annexed;'2 which ship was then on a Voyage from Halifax to New York, and improved in supplying the fleet and army then and ever since employed against the United Colonies or States of America, and the master of said ship than had designs of carrying said Supplies to said fleet and army, and infested the sea coast and navigation of America, contrary to Law & the acts of this Colony or State in such case provided, and the said Tucker & Skimmer and their respective companies afterwards on the twenty eighth day of July current brought the said ship and her cargo into Marblehead aforesaid within said Middle District. Bymeans of all which the said ship, her cargo and appurtenances are forfeited, and to be distributed as by law and said Acts is directed. Wherefore as this is a matter within the jurisdiction of this honble court, the said Glover prays the advisement of the court thereon, and that by a due course of law and proceedings the said ship and her cargo and appurtenances may be decreed to be and remain forfeit, and be applied to the uses aforesaid —
