The Virginia Gazette

By letters from London we learn that the bill brought into Parliament for the recovery of penalties and forfeitures in America et al. arising from Courts of Vice Admiralty on this continent, viz. at Charlestown, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Halifax, which are to have original jurisdiction in and over the particular districts of colonies assigned to each; and in cases of proceedings had in the Admiralty Courts already established are to hear and determine upon appeal from the judgments or decrees of such courts, without the respective jurisdictions assigned. The present appointment of the court at Halifax over all North America is to cease and determine after passing the new bill. Mess. Garth, Charles, Mountague, Franklin, Delancey, and other Colony Agents, had a meeting on the bill being ordered to be brought in; when, finding that no new extension of power was intended, but only to reduce the extent of jurisdiction of the court at Halifax, giving to the others the same power, but more confined in jurisdiction, for the ease of both Crown and People, they concluded that any application against it would be unnecessary, as well as improper. The appointments of the Judges are to be such as to engage Gentlemen of science and abilities to execute the office, and are not to arise from fees or condemnations.