The Deposition of Thomas Doyle late a Mariner of the Schooner Dolphin be­longing to the State of Maryland and lately commanded by Capt^n. William Patterson taken before me one of the Justices of the Peace for Ann Arundell County. The said Thomas Doyle being duly sworn on the Holy Evangells of Almighty God deposeth and saith That some time in November Seventeen hundred and seventy six the schooner Dolphin then being at Martinique Sailed from thence in pursuit of the Schooner Grace which he understood was lawfull prize, and which had sailed from the same place a few Hours before. That the Chace continued about seven or eight Hours before the Grace hove to, and when she Hove to some Hands were sent by Capt Patterson on board of her to request that the Capt^n. would come on Board of the Dophin and bring his papers. When the Capt^n. of the Grace (Capt^n. Dickenson) came on board with one of the owners, and He was asked by Captain Patterson for his papers upon which he produced a small paper which this Depon^t. understood was a Clearance from Mar­tinique and of the same kind with that which Capt^n. Dickenson Patterson had himself obtained, and which he Capt Dickenson said was the only paper or protection he had. That he this Depon^t. did not hear Capt Dickenson or any other person say that the Grace was a flagg of Truce, But that he heard Capt^n. Dickenson say that he had a half part of the Grace, that She was Bermudian property, and that if Captain Patterson took her He would injure a Friend, but He did not as this Depon^t. saw or understood pro­duce any paper or Evidence to prove that she was a flagg,¹ or that he had any share in her or that she was Bermudian property. This Deponant further saith that he never heard it supposed or pretended that the Grace was a Flagg until in March last after Capt^n. Patterson was arrested, he was informed at Annapolis of it. on the contrary he heard the Mate of the Grace say after she was taken that he expected she would be taken before they could get to Dominique And that the Grace when taken was he thinks nearer to Dominique than Martinique. And further saith not.

31. Oct^r. 1777

Taken before
Allen Quynn