The Deposition of Thomas Pickerin in the Cause of Andrew Snape Hammond Esqr Captain & Commander of his Majesty's Ship of War the Roebuck, who as well for himself and the Honorable Charles Phipps Esquire Captain and Commander of his Majesty's Ship of War the Perseus, as the other Officers and the Crews of the said Ships of War and all others interested therein in this Behalf prosecute, against the armed Brigantine Defence her Apparel & Furniture, and every Thing else on Board, taken upon the Standing Interrogatories filed in this Court.

First, to the first Interrogatory this Deponent saith, that his Name is Thomas Pickerin; that he is aged twenty Eight Years and upwards, that he is a Mariner, and that his proper Place of Residence is Piscataway in the Province of New Hampshire.

Secondly, To the second Interrogatory this Deponent saith, that he knows the armed Brigantine Defence now under Prosecution in this Court for Condemnation as lawful Prize; and that he has known her about Eighteen Months.

Thirdly, To the third Interrogatory this Deponent saith, that he was on Board the said Brigantine Defence, at the Time she was taken as Prize; that he was the Captain and Commander of the said Vessel;² that he took the Command of the said Brigantine Defence at Charles Town, in South Carolina, & that he sailed from thence on a cruize, and was to have touched at Martinique.

Fourthly, To the fourth Interrogatory, this Deponent saith, that the said armed Brigantine Defence was fitted out by the State of South Carolina.

Fifthly, To the fifth Interrogatory this Deponent saith, that there were no Goods, Wares or Merchandize on Board the said Vessel at the Time she sailed on her Cruize abovementioned, except three Casks of Indigo, or when she was taken as Prize; that the said three Casks of Indigo were to have been delivered at Martinique, that they were shipped at Charles Town in South Carolina by the Commissioners of that State, in order to be sold at Martinique aforesaid.

Sixthly, To the Sixth Interrogatory this Deponent saith, that he sailed from Charles Town in order to make a Cruize against all Vessels belonging to his Majesty and all other British Property, to seize them as Prize.

Seventhly, To the Seventh Interrogatory, this Deponent saith, that he was three Days out of Charles Town and in the Latitude of thirty three and Longitude Sixty nine, when the said Brigantine Defence was taken as Prize.

Eighthly, To the Eighth Interrogatory, this Deponent saith, that there were no Papers or Letters respecting the said Brigantine Defence or her said Cruize at the Time she sail'd from Carolina, except his the Deponent's Commission from John Rutledge President of the State of South Carolina, his Orders from the Commissioners of that State, and his common Entry Book.

Lastly, To the last Interrogatory this Deponent saith, that he does not know, nor has he heard any Matter or Thing, inquired after in the Interrogatories abovementioned, which may tend to discover whether the said Brigantine Defence is lawful Prize or not, other than what is above by him deposed.

Taken the 25: Sepr 1777
D: Mathews Register