State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations

To the Honble John Foster Esqr Judge of the Court  of Justice erected for the Trial of Prizes in and throughout said State.

Be it remembered that on the fourth Day of Novr, AD 1776, Richard Derby Esqr by Francies Dana his Attorney comes into Court and claims the Brigantine Kingston Packet with her apparel Boats and appurten[ances] together with Two Hundred Quintles of Dry Fish and Thirty five Barrels of pickled Fish or Mackrel part of her Cargo against which a Libel is filed in said Court by Esek Hopkins Esqr in behalf of himself and others as is set forth therein and saith that said Brigantine Dry Fish Pickled Fish or Mackrel are his property and were so at the time of their Capture -Wherefore he prays the same may not be adjudged forfeit but be restored to him as to Law and Justice appertaineth