This day came before me Valentine Morris Governor in Chief of his Majestys Island of S^t. Vincent: Josiah Durham Captain of a trading vessel; and maketh information, & on his oath declareth, that on or about the 5^th instant an armed vessel from America came into the harbor of S^t Pierre in the Island of Martinica, and was saluted by the Guarda Costa there; that an american Ship the S^t. Peter with 18 Guns,¹ came round from Fort Royal in the said Island to S^t. Pierre there to try to get more hands to go out on her cruize, that the Washington Brig from Boston in america, carrying 18 Guns, & 110 men² as this deponent was credibly informed, came also in S^t. Pierre & brought in with her two Prizes, one from Florida to Ireland; the other a Sloop from Barbadoes to new york as this deponent was informed that the Washington is a remarkable fine, very fast sailing vessel & as soon as she had got a slight careening, was immediately to go out again on a cruize as was said. that there was at the same time in S^t. Pierre harbor an American Sloop mounting 14 guns from Georgia, commanded by a Captain Sampson, also a Brig from Philadelphia of 14 guns Captain Stevens,³ getting men, also a 14 gun brig Captain Ourd,⁴ together with his Tender the Howe a prize that was made, mounting to the best of this Deponent's recollection 10 Guns commanded by Captain Staunton,⁵ having compleated their men sailed out on a cruize, whilst the Deponent lay in the Harbor. that the Rattle snake⁶ was launched, & fitting out for a cruize with all expedition as a ship, all of whose owners as this deponent was informed lived in Martinica, that there was also a large topsail Schooner fitting out of 14 Guns to be commanded by a Captain Patterson, that there were many other smaler Privateers to a great number fitting out & owned to the best of this deponents information knowledge and belief by french Men living in Martinica; in all as he was credibly informed twenty two; that whilst he remained there a Captain Mansfield in a very fine Sloop of 14 guns came in very much shattered by an engagement She had with two Liverpool GuineyMen, that Captain Mansfield lost his Arm, or hand in the engagement, & nine men on his own deck, besides [illeg.] very much wounded & besides considerable numbers as this Deponent was informed killed on board the Guiney Vessels in attempting to board them; that Captain Palmer formerly commanded this Sloop. that he saw many English Sailors in chains, on board the Philadelphia Brig and on his asking why they were so treated, was answered that the Captains of the Privateers had orders so to do, and to carry, or send all those they should take to America

That all prizes were openly, & publickly, carried into S^t Pierre harbor; only the Americans came in without Colours. that if any of the Captains of the American Privateers had their Men runaway from them, by applying to the french Commandant or some other person in command, a guard was granted them, & strict search made for the men, & these taken and sent under guards to their respective Ships that the Guard a Costa's examined strictly as to what was their business & the reason of their coming the Captains of every English Vessel, or such as called themselves Royalists, but permitted all the Americans or such as declared they were not Royalists, to go on shore & greatly carressed these. that notwithstanding all these things the Americans one and all declared that the impositions & exactions they were made suffer by the french, in the disposal of their prizes, & in the purchase of anything they wanted were so great that they longed for a re-union with Great Britain & a Joint War against the French, whom they longed to avenge themselves on for their exactions.

That there were great preparations at Martinica for a War which they expected would be with the English and the sober part of the inhabitants seemed to dread it much & the Americans to wish it. Taken sworn to, and subscribed to the day and year above written by me

Sworn before me
Valentine Morris