East-Florida ss

To the Honorable Robert Catherwood sole Judge of that Court

The Libel of Arthur Gordon His Majestys Advocate General in and for the province of East-Florida aforesaid who for and on Behalf of Our Sovereign Lord the King in this Behalf prosecutes humbly Sheweth unto Your Honor, that a certain Ship or Vessel called the Friendship of the Burthen of One Hundred and Twenty Tons or thereabouts whereof Mark Powell lately was or is Master after the First Day of January which was in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven Hundd and Seventy Six to wit on First Day of December Instant wa5 found on a Voyage From the port of Boston in the Massachusett's Bay to the port of Charles Town in the province of South Carolina with a Cargo of Onions Cranberries, Tobacco Apples, Cabbages and other Articles; the said Ship and Cargo being the property of some of the Inhabitants of those provinces or one of them That the same was taken on the Day above-mentioned by His Majestys armed Brigantine called the Hinchinbrook under the Command of Alexander Ellis Esquire and as lawful prize brought within the Jurisdiction of this Court where the same now remains under. prosecution For Condemnation For that the said Ship and Cargo are of the property of the Inhabitants of the provinces of Massachusett's Bay or South Carolina or some of them, who were therewith coming From Trading and going to trade with the Inhabitants of those provinces they being Two of His Majestys Colonies then and now in open Rebellion against his Majesty and His legal Government, contrary to the Form and true Intent and Meaning of the Statute in such Cases lately made and provided. And thereupon the said Advocate General prays the advisement of this Court and that the said Ship Friendship together with the Cargo apparel and Furniture thereof or thereunto in any Wise belonging by the Decree of this Court May be condemned as forfeit to the Use of His Majesty as the Ship of Open Enemies in Terms of the said Statute.