Godly inclin'd, it being the
Lords day.

_Munday 17th._ The Court mett According to Adjournment. Examind Juan
Baptista Domas concerning the freedom of the prisoners. took his
depos'on in writing. all the Evidences [and] deposition were read in
Court, Sworn too and Signed, then the Court Adjourned till Wednesday
10 of the Clock. no Lawyers in the place, the only blessing that God
coud bestow on such a Litigious people.

_Tuesday 18th._ We Gott out Our mast and Sent it ashoar to Gett it
fisht and make it fitt for the Cruize.

_Wednesday 19._ Att 10 AM. the Court being opened and the Libell Read
I beg'd Leave of his Honour to be heard, which being Granted I spoke
as follows.

May it please Your Honr.

As there is no Advocate appointed by this Hon'ble Court too
Appear in behalf of the Captures[60] of a Sloop that was
taken by Don Pedro Estrado July the 5th, belonging to some
of his Majestys Subjects of Great Britain or Ireland, and
Retaken by Capt. Benj'n Norton and Comp'y in a private Sloop
of War Called the _Revenge_ July the 28th, and brought into
this Court for Condemnation, As Capt. QMr. I appear in
behalf of the Owners, Capt. and Comp'y to prove that the
said Sloop and Cargo togather with the three Mollattos and
one Negro, all Slaves belonging to some of the Vessells or
Subjects of the King of Spain, ought to be Condemned for the
benefit and Use of the Captures as aforesd.

[Footnote 60: Captors.]

I'm Certain I'm Undertaking a taske no ways Qualifyed for
it, But as I have Leave to speak in a Court instituted by
the Laws of England and before a Judge whom Im Certain is
Endued with the strictest Honour and Justice I dont doubt
that if through Ignorance I shoud omit any proof that woud
be of advantage to Us Your Honour will be so Good as to Aid
and Assist me in it.

It will be needless, I believe, S'r, to bring any further
proof than what has been already bro't and Sworn too in
Court to prove the Right and power we had in Seizing this
Sloop and Cargo on the high Seas and bringing of her here
for Condemnation. There is a Late Act of parliament made in
the 12 y'r of his present Majestys Reign,[61] wherein it
says that all Vessells belonging to his Majestys Subjects of
Great Britain or Irel'd that shall be taken by the Ennemy
and have been in their possession the