Observe. By the Depo[sitio]ns of the Witnesses there Appears to be some Variation relating to the Seizure of the Brigantine by the Spanish Mercht. Ship. Thos. Smith, Master of the Brigantine, and his Mariners Swear that the Spanish Mercht. Man after seizing and plundering her gave him the Ship.
Jeremiah Hariman, who was put on board by the English Privateer in Order to keep Possesn. of her, differs from them in his depo[sitio]ns.
Q.[2] Are not the Owners and Comr. of the English Privateer intitled to a Moiety of the said Brigantine and her Lading for Salvage by reason the Brigantine was in Possessn. of the Spanish Privateer above 96 hours before she was retaken, and whether they have not Just Cause of Appeal.
If Capt. Norton, the Commander of the English Privateer, after having retaken the Brigantine from the Spanish Privateer, had kept possession of her, and Carried her safe into a British port, he and his Owners would have been entitled to Salvage, According to the Directions of the Act of Parliament. But as the Brigantine was afterwards taken by another Spanish Ship, before she got into Port, and not protected against the Enemy by Capt. Norton, it seems to me very doubtful whether he can Claim the Salvage According to the Act of Parliament, For Salvage is understood to be a Reward to the Recaptor, who has not only rescued the Ship and Cargo out of the hands of the Enemy, but has also effectually Secured the same for the benefit of the Owners, till the safe Arrival of the Ship in a British Port, Which not having been done in the present Case, makes me doubt of Success in an Appeal from the Sentence.
Will. Strahan.[3]
Doctrs Commons, May 17, 1742.
According to the Evidence given in this Case I am of Opinn. that the Brigantine the Sarah, being taken the 17th of Septemr. 1741 by a Spanish Privateer in a voyage from Barbados, and retaken on the 26th of Septemr. 1741 by the Privateer the Revenge from Rhode Island, commanded by Capt. Norton, and convey'd to Boston, The Captain of the Privateer the Revenge will be well entitled to Salvage for the Brigantine and her cargo, and the said vessel having been 96 Hours in possession of the Spaniards, the Revenge Privatr. will be well entitled to a Moiety of the value of Ship and Cargo.
The said Brigantine being seiz'd on the 4th of October by a Spanish Merchant Ship and plunder'd will not abate the Revenge's Right to Salvage. If the Spanish Merchant Ship did actually give the Brigantine (on the 5th of October at the request of a Spanish Priest) to Mr. Thomas Smith, that will not barr the Salvage because such Ship could have no property in the Brigantine. I therefore think that there's good Reason for an appeal if this Case be truly stated.
G. Paul.[4]
Dr. Commons, July 10th 1742
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