1778-11-17 (static/transcriptions/1778/11/051.jpg)

1778. 4 Term. [Tuesday] Nov. 17.

and the other was Lieutenant Bruce who is dead, beyond the Province of Behar.
Mr. Swainston, Swore that Mr. De Viel went to England above a year ago, and that he had heard and believed he intended to return hither, and that he was expected by the last Ships of this Season or by the first of the next: Nevertheless Mr. Swainston was permitted to prove the hand writing of Mr. De Viel.
I remark’d to Impey (Chambers being gone before this Cause began) that in the Court of King’s Bench, they suffer’d the hand-writing of Men gone an East India Voyage to be proved, as if they were dead, though they were officers of Ships and therefore expected back in the Course of those Voyages.
Mr. Harry Grant, Swore that he heard by a Letter from Major Duff, that Lieutenant Bruce was Dead: that he got that Letter above a Month ago: that he never heard it contradicted; and that the Death of the Witness Mr. Bruce was commonly reported, to be and beleived.
On this he was permitted to prove Mr. Bruce’s hand-writing.