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Prize-of-War
byDavid W. TrenholmDAVID W. TRENHOLM04 DECEMBER 2008HIST 3663 X1DR. STEPHEN HENDERSON
 
FADE IN:INT. VICE-ADMIRALTY COURT - HALIFAX – DAYIt’s mid-morning in a stuffy, mid-18
th
century stylizedcourtroom. The oak and mahogany furnished room is filled withmany attentive observers, including MASTER HEVELY (in civiliandress), CAPTAIN MARINUS and lieutenants DAVIS AND O’REILLY (inthe navy blue uniform of the Royal Navy). Also seated is MRCLARENCE, an attorney for the court, and MR BELLEVEAU, anattorney for MASTER HEVELY.The mood is quiet and sombre; with a handful of curiouswhisperings abound, the court awaits the arrival of JUDGE SPRY.The faint BOOM of a cannon shot can be heard from outside, andas if on cue, JUDGE SPRY enters the room, followed by REGISTRARPERCIVAL, MARSHAL HOWARD and ADMIRAL COLVILLE to take theirplaces at an ornately carved elevated bench. The room growsquiet.REGISTRAR PERCIVAL(in a loud, articulate voice)I, the Honourable Spencer Percival,henceforth announce the convening of HisBritannic Majesty’s Vice-Admiralty Courthere in His Majesty’s port of Halifax, fromwhich it derives its power and authorityfrom the High Admiralty Court of London,England, from where it is given Royalauthority to exercise the powers andobligations as it is due from His BritannicMajesty. It is my honour to announce thatHis Right Worshipful William Spry, the
 
Doctor of Laws, proceeds henceforth in thename of His Britannic Majesty, King GeorgeIII, and will accord this Court lawfully andwith the due diligence that accompanies hisesteemed position.JUDGE SPRY(in a dry tone)Thank you, Mr Percival. I would like to addthat Mr Charles Howard is in attendance asMarshal of this Court, and we are alsoprivileged to have with us Rear-AdmiralAlexander Colville of the White,representing the lawful authority of theRoyal Navy in this Admiralty Court.JUDGE SPRY(turning to the seated MR CLARENCE)This Court has convened today to deal withthe matter of the seizure of the Dart by HisBritannic Majesty’s Ship, the Resolute.Commanded by a Captain William Marinus, am Iright?MR CLARENCEThat is correct, Your Honour.JUDGE SPRYHas the libellant prepared his complaint indue form?MR CLARENCEYes, Your Honour. Representing CaptainMarinus, I am prepared to present a libel
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