Edward Cheeseman, Commander of the Brigantine Success off and belonging to the Port of Pool in Great Britain, being duly sworn . . . on the Holy Evangelists of Almight God, deposeth and saith,

That on the 16th day of July last, he the Deponent together with Captain [Samuel] Cooper of the Ship Unity and Mr. Bowan, were going from Wilmington to the Flatts and overtook Col. [John] Ashe, who had embarked before them at Wilmington with a party of armed men on board Roger's boat which was pressed for that purpose; that on coming up to the said Sloop they were hailed by a person on board her and invited to go alongside to drink some Toddy with Col. Ashe; that the Deponent and his companions aforementioned went on board the said Sloop and while they were there they heard the purpose of their Expedition declared to be to take or to destroy Fort Johnston and His Majesty's Sloop Cruizer; that a certain person on board of the name of Robinson as this Deponent thinks, in the hearing of Col Ashe and his officers, desired the seamen in Captain Cooper's Boat to hold themselves in readiness to assist them in the glorious enterprize which they refused &c. The Deponent further declares that the same person after asking him and Captain Cooper whether they wanted any fresh beef, and being answered in the affirmative, said they would send them the quarters of the Governor to the shipping at the flatts for fresh provisions. And further this Deponent saith not.