The Deposition of David Brook Commander of the armed Boat called the Chatham, and Joshua Griffith Comdr. of the Armed Boat called Theresia,1 and Shubael Brainard Lieut. of the Chatham Boat & Jona Done Lieut of the Boat Theresia, all of Chatham & of Lawfull Age, is as follows Vizt.
That on the 7th. Day of June last about sunrise we discovd. a Vessell between Block Island and point Judah2 the Wind being south, light Breeze, and after a Critical Observation we found her standing steadily in for Newport, we then being at Point Judah on the Sea Shore & our Boats hauled up; upon w'h we launch'd our Boats, & put our Warlike Stores on Board, and put after her she still continuing the same Course till we came within about two Miles of her, at w'h time she altered her Course and hauled her Wind to the Eastward, soon after we came up with her & fired two Guns at her, upon w'h she immediately struck to sd Boats shewing no Colours; Upon Examination we found she had Brittish Colours and Papers on board, and no other Colours, & that she was bound from Jamaica to Newport according to the Concurrant Declarations of the Capt. of sd Vessell & the Seamen. The Deponent farther say that after we came on Board sd Vessell Andrew Grover one of the Seamen told us that he had the Spy Glass in his Hand when the said Boats fired at said Vessell, and upon Mr. Bardin's3 asking him sd Grover what Colours the Boats had, he replied “American Colours" upon w'h Bardin said, “By God then we are taken.”—
And upon further Examination found the above said Vessell was the Schooner Hope Comd. by Amos Hilton, we then took the possession & Command of sd Schooner, & they did themselves and the said Vessell up to us-And before We carried brought her into port there was a strong Gale of Wind and we carried full sails, and the Master never Complained nor did any of the Men on Board mention one Word to us of the Masts being Sprung, & that the Masts appeared not strong and Good—4
Chatham [Conn.] July 4. AD 1778.
Hartford County Ss, Chatham 4 July AD 1778. Appeared Capt David Brook, Capt Joshua Griffith, Shubael Brainard, and Jona Dean Done all of Chatham (and now bound on a Voyage to Sea) & made solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Written Declaration before me
Ebenr. White Justice of Peace
NB. This Deposition was taken at the desire of Mr G. Erkelin5 and Chancy Buckley6 of Chatham being on the one part, the oposite part, being Mr. Aaron Lopez &c. and living out of this State, was not Cited nor present
Ebenr. White Just. Peace
Open'd in the Special County Court at Hartford July 14th. 1778.
By George Wyllys Regr. of sd Court.
A true Copy as on file
examind
By George Wyllys Registr.