A Libel of David Brooks commander of the schooner of war called the Chatham, and also of Joshua Griffith commander of the schooner of war called the Fessey, for themselves and associates, against a certain schooner called the Hope Amos Hilton late master (which comes by adjournment from the session of this court on the 14^th. day of July last) was now read, and is in the words following viz^t.

“State of Connecticut Ss. for Hartford County.

"To the honourable Jabez Hamlin Esq^r. and the rest of the honourable Judges of the county court in the County of Hartford, who are authorized impowered . . . constituted and appointed to try judge and determine by jury or otherwise concerning all captures that have or shall be taken upon the high Seas and bro^t. into said County—

“The Libel Appeal and Information of David Brooks commander of the schooner of war called the Chatham, and also of Joshua Griffith commander of the schooner of war called the Fessey in behalf of themselves the owners and setters forth of said Schooners and their respective ships companies, against a certain schooner called Hope, Amos Hilton late master, burthen about sixty tons,¹ her tackling apparel and cargo consisting of west-India goods.² And your Appellants, this 15^th. day of June Anno Dom: 1778, come into this honourable court and do libel appeal inform and say, that your appellants and informers wish the aforesaid two schooner's of war's companies, being duly and properly commissioned and instructed to proceed in said vessels of war, against the enemies of this and the united States of America, and their goods vessels and effects to apprehend seize and take upon the high Seas or between high water and low water mark, and them bring into any of the united States of America in order for adjudication. Whereupon your libellants say, that in prosecution of their said commissions, and being consorted together, they with their companies on board said schooners of war, did on the 7^th: day of June instant apprehend seize and take upon the high Seas the aforesaid schooner Hope, then belonging to and in the service of the enemies of the united States of America and in open hostility; and have brought said schooner Hope with her cargo into the county of Hartford: Wherefore as this is a matter of prize and cognizable only in this honourable court, your informants humbly pray the advice of this court in the premises, and that the usual monitions may be issued for notifying all persons claiming the said schooner Hope, or her cargo, that they may appear and claim the same, complying with the rules and regulations of Congress in such case made and provided; and that thereupon this court would proceed to sentence and condemnation of the said schooner Hope and her cargo as lawful prize; so that the same may be disposed of as to law and justice appertains, and your informants shall as in duty bound ever pray. Dated in Middletown the 15^th. day of June Anno Dom 1778.