The petition concerned the suit instituted by Isaac Grover and his two partners, owners of the ship Brighton, against Thomas Richardson and several other London merchants, insurers of the vessel on a voyage from London to New York. According to Grover and his partners, the ship was seized by pirates on the high seas, and subsequently they pressed claim against the insurers. The latter suspected fraud and refused to pay, which led Grover to sue. Richardson and Associates now asked the Court of Exchequer to order the shipowners to produce all documents and instructions in their possession relating to the ship and its cargo. Richardson et al., also sought an injunction against the owners to restrain them from proceeding with their suit until the truth of the matter could be determined.
