[Philadelphia, April 17, 1775]
The following affidavits were taken some time past, and might have been ready to insert in last Paper, but by accident were detained; however, by giving them a place in next Packet the Public in general will probably receive a satisfaction, as well as
We have, no doubt, generally seen an attempt made in a late number of the Pennsylvania Packet by Dashwood Bacon and others (probably confederates,) in order to exculpate the perpetrators of the atrocious fact [attack] committed upon the body of George Taylor, in his own vessel, in the King's road, by some of the Diana's crew, under the command of Captain [Thomas] Greaves.2 That they should attempt to clear themselves, in the manner they have, is not much to be admired, since it commonly happens that the most daring murderers plead "Not guilty" but when those who are called men, are grown so callous as to be insensible of the compunctions of conscience, and hardened as to deny the voice of truth, even in the face of the Sun, it then becomes necessary more methodically to arraign them, and investigate their conduct before the tribunal of the People, that so, if possible, they may be subjected to the punishment and contempt which they justly deserve; for which purpose the following depositions relative to the aforesaid abuse, are here presented to the world, viz:
Wilmington Borough, ss.
Personally appeared before me John M'Kinley, Esq; chief burgess of said borough, Nathan Wood, who being solemnly affirmed, doth declare and say, that he was lately a passenger on board George Taylor's shallop, at the time when on her passage from this borough to Philadelphia, she was brought to by a party belonging to the Kings armed schooner Diana, Captain Greaves Commander, that on coming on board the shallop, an officer asked what was on board, and being answered by Taylor, only rum and limes, and the officer demanding proper papers, Taylor immediately produced them, The hatch was then opened and the hogsheads counted and compared, which agreeing with the papers, the officer asked further, whether Taylor had not something more on board, or in the cabin,and in a very scoffing manner enquired whether he had not some teas, Taylor replied, he was welcome to go into the cabin and see himself, assuring him at the same time that nothing was on board besides the rum and limes: then the officer and two sailors went into the cabin and stayed some time, on which Taylor went to the cabin door and looked in; the Officer asked what he wanted, Taylor replied, I did not know there was any body in the cabin but you ー the officer then got into a violent rage, cursing and swearing in the most dreadful manner, and coming upon deck used many horrid imprecations and threats against Taylor, that he would kick him over-board, &c. for suspecting the King's men, and still vaunting that he was a King's officer, at the same time striking and wounding Taylor so that the deck was prodigiously besmeared with his blood. ー And this affirmant farther saith, that Taylor gave not the least provocation, but, on the contrary, both in his words and behavior shewed the greatest respect and submission, and never resisted or attempted to touch the officer. The shallop coming a breast the schooner, the Officer told Captain Graves, who was walking on the quarter-deck of the schooner, that "this fellow has rum and limes on board" whereupon the Capt. immediately got into the boat with several sailors, came on board the shallop and without any examination highly approved of the conduct of the officer in beating Taylor, (who at that time was leaning bleeding violently in the cockpit) and said that if he had been on board he would have given him twice as much, and threatened to kick his teeth down his throat, and to take him on board the schooner, and there to tie him up and whip him. ー The Capt. then ordered four men into the boat to tow the shallop along side the schooner, which had then drifted a small distance a stern, but findings they could not tow her against the wind and tide, the anchor was ordered out, and the Captain asking for the papers, they were handed to him, and he having examined and found them authentick, ordered Taylor to go about his business after having been detained nearly an hour and a half. ー And further this affirmant saith not.
Nathan Wood.
Affirmed this 1st day of April, 1775, before John McKinly.
Likewise, William Carter, Mary Johnston, and Daniel Nicholson, being solemnly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almight God, do severally depose and say, that they, respectively, were on board George Taylor's shallop, at the time aforementioned, and were particularly attentive to the transactions aforerelated, and that what Nathan Wood, the above affirmant, hath declared in his examination, is just and true, and particularly, that George Taylor gave not the least provocation, but on the contrary, behaved in the most respectful and submissive manner,
William Carter.
Mary Johnston.
Daniel Nicholson.
Sworn this 1st day of April, 1775, before
John McKinley
Now, if conduct of this kind is permitted with impunity, let us no longer exclaim against the piratical states of Barbary for committing outrages upon the subjects of George the Third, since we see British barbarians, the subjects of George the Third, under his commission, sanction and authority, commit such audacious outrages upon the persons and property of his subjects. From what hath been heretofore offered against the present cause of complaint, some may, perhaps, have been ready to treat it as a fiction, but since the matter is here so amply confirmed, may we not with confidence look to the King, and call aloud upon him, or those who represent him in cases of this nature, strictly to examine into this conduct of his servants, so that justice which is the boasted glory of the English nation, may take place, and that they may thereby, in some measure, redeem the honbur and dignity of the Crown from the obloquy and contempt to which such conduct has too justly subjected it.