City of New York ss.
David Collins Late Master of the Amboy Passage Boat called the York, and Nathan Culver one of the Hands belonging to the said Boat being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God depose & say That they sailed from Amboy aforesaid with the said Boat on Monday Last past [February 19] about Eleven of the Clock in the Forenoon having on board nothing but Passengers bound to this City, That about four of the Clock in the afternoon of the same day as They were nearly entering the Narrows a Gun was fired at them from his Majesty's ship Phoenix, Then at Anchor under Long Island Shore a Little below Demesse's reef; That the Deponents still kept on in hopes of getting Clear of the said Ship, But being pursued by one of the Barges which also kept firing at them and the wind being very Light They found it Impossible to Escape, That they then were as near Staten Island shore as it was possible for them to go and the Wind directly on Shore, and the Barge gaining upon them at a great rate and being under the Command of the Phoenix's Guns They were obliged to bring too and The Barge's Crew coming on Board carried The said Passage Boat along side of the Phoenix, and still have her in Possession, That These Deponents did every thing in their Power to Prevent the said Boat from being taken and should have been happy in Escaping and were not directly or Indirectly concerned in any Steps That occasioned the said Boat being taken and further say not.
David Collins Nathan Culver
Sworn this 24th day of February 1776 Before Me
P. Mathews
And the said David Collins further saith That on being carried on board said Ship of Warr, the Phoenix, Captain [Hyde] Parker [Jr.], who commands the said Ship told the Deponent That the only cause of his taking the said Passage Boat was because she had been Employed in taking the Store ship That was Lately carried to Elizabeth Town Point.
David Collins
Sworn this 24th day of Febry 1776 Before Me
P. Matthews
