Antigua.

Be it known unto all Men That on this present Tuesday thetwentieth Day of February in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and seventy six Before me John Wilkins Notary Public by Lawful Authority duly admitted and sworn residing in' Antigua, Personally came and appeared Christopher Kelly, William Armitage, and Robert Welford Surgeons Persons worthy of good Credit, who being all duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, severally depose and say ー That on Wednesday the twenty fifth Day of October last past they sailed, from the Downs by Virtue of an Order from Government, in the Ship Fanny Daniel Sinclair Master which said Ship was laden with Porter, Coals, Hospital Stores and sundry other Articles, and bound to Boston for the use of his Majesty's Garrison there.ー

That on Sunday the seventh day of January following they discovered land, which they were told was about five Leagues distance to the North West. ー That towards noon the following Day it grew calm and a fog came on which continued an hour or thereabouts, and between three and four o'Clock the same afternoon they saw plainly a Building of a Pyramidal form at a considerable distance which they took to be a Light House, and the Captain's Orders being very strict as they understood, they for a great part of the Night kept sailing in two Hours then wore Ship and sailed out again for the same space of time in hopes of meeting with a Man of War or getting a Pilot on board, but could not meet with either. ー That on the next Day being the ninth in the Morning the Wind shifted and blew very fresh, and towards noon it became so violent that for the preservation of the Ship and Cargo and their own lives they endeavoured to get out of the Bay as soon as possible which they did in the Evening. when it blew a perfect Storm and continued so for some time. ー That being under the apprehension of not having sufficient Water to serve them to any of the West India Islands should the Captain be again frustrated in his Attempt to get into Port, and being also at that time actually limited to an allowance of no more than a quart of Water per Day and obliged to catch all the Rain Water they could as it fell from the Clouds, they bore away, and arrived in Basseterre Road, St Christopher's on Monday the fifth day of February following.ー

And the said Christopher Kelly and William Armitage speaking for themselves depose and say that on the Day following in the forenoon happening to be at the Tavern commonly known by the name of Stro[torn] Tavern in the Town of Basseterre in the said Island of Saint Christopher's they met with Captain Sinclair, who informed them that he intended to Sail that afternoon for Jamaica, where he meant to dispose of the Cargo he had on board and said he should be answerable to Government for his Conduct in that respect, that in consequence of such his resolution these Deponents must leave his Ship; or else proceed to Jamaica with him where he had no objection to putting them on shore; But farther advised them to go to Antigua where they would meet with a Passage to Boston for a small consideration and might probably go much sooner from thence than from any other place.ー

And the said, Robert Welford speaking for himself deposeth and saith that in consequence of the information he received from the before mentioned Deponent Christopher Kelly of the sudden intended departure of Captain Sinclair to Jamaica, he went directly to the Tavern where he met with the said Captain Sinclair, and taking him to one end of the room expressed his Surprize at what he had heard, and asked him if he was really determined not to go to Boston. To which he answered he had formed that resolution and had acquainted the Gentlemen with it, meaning the said Christopher Kelly and William Armitage, and that he should proceed immediately to Jamaica, Whereupon this Deponent then demanded of him what they were to do there, and how they were to be conveyed from thence to Boston; When he replied that our best way was to [hire] a Vessel in St Christopher's to convey us to Antigua where in all probability a passage might be got at a trifling expence; that if we pleased he would take us to Jamaica, but as he was determined not to go to Boston, it would be much out of our way, as in that place he should finally set us ashore, that if he took us to Jamaica we should certainly be a fortnight or three Weeks bearing up from thence to Antigua, and concluded by adding that he should be obliged to us if we would go aboard and pack up our Baggage.

And these Deponents further deposing say that they accordingly did pack up their Baggage and got it ashore, and also say that the said Captain Sinclair sailed from thence the evening of the same Day.ー

That on Thursday the eighth of the said Month of February they hired a Sloop to bring them to Antigua where they arrived on Saturday the Tenth and on the Day following the Deponent Robert Welford waited upon Vice Admiral [James] Young Commanding his Majesty's Squadron in these Seas and informed him of the above Circumstances.ー

All which Matters and Things being solemnly sworn to by the said Christopher Kelly, William Armitage, and Robert Welford, I the said Notary, Do hereby Certify and make manifest the same.ー

In Testimony of the Truth whereof the said Deponents have hereunto respectively set their Hands; And in Faith and Testimony whereof I, the said Notary have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my Notarial Seal at Antigua aforesaid, the Day and Year first aforesaid.ー

John Wilkins. Notary Public.
²

C Kelly

William Armitage

Robt Welford