NRS-14492 | Instance and prize papers

Miscellaneous records, which appear to have been accumulated by the Registrar of the Vice Admiralty Court. The majority relate to the granting and revocation of letters of marque; provision of sureties by masters or shipowners for obedience to Instructions issued by His Majesty in Council; copies of Instructions to masters of merchant vessels (which detail conditions governing the issue of letters of marque, conditions to be observed after seizure of prizes, etc.); minutes of court proceedings respecting the claims against prize vessels; printed commissions ordering general reprisals against the ships, goods and citizens of hostile nations, eg. France (1807), the United States of America (1812); together with standing interrogatories to be administered to all commanders, masters and officers of seized vessels.Other papers include: letters received; minutes of court proceedings; precepts summoning members of the court; revocation of the power of the court to act as a prize court (1813); warrants appointing officers or instituting enquiries; and papers relating to the salvage of the "Daphne" and to the condemnation of the "Phoenix".1795-1814, 1824-25 (5/1163, photocopy COD295; 4/7025). 1 vol, 1 box.Note:This description is extracted from Concise Guide to the State Archives of New South Wales, 3rd Edition 2000.