Copy.
Abram Russell late Master of the Sloop James of Greenock declares that upon Tuesday the 8th Instant about two or three o'Clock in the afternoon when off the Mull of Cantyre he fell in with a provincial Privateer called the Mufflin2 mounting Twenty Guns six Pounders commanded by Captain Dayes, and that when the Privateer came near him having Colours flying which were all white with the Figure of a Pine Tree thereon and the Motto "Appeal to Heaven" was ordered to bring too when his Vessel was taken possession of and he and the Crew ordered on board the Privateer, that after Plundering his Sloop and taking all the Rigging and Provisions from on board [she] was immediately sunk, and that after being detained on board 'til the next Day he and the rest of the Prisoners the number of which he does not particularly know, were ordered on board a Brigantine of the Burthen of about Eighty or Ninety Tons, belonging to Ellen Foot which was taken the Sunday before loaded with Salt from Liverpool bound to Ballyshannon in Ireland with directions to proceed to the said Port of Ballyshannon, as being a place so much out of the way that early intelligence might not be given of such a Privateer being on the Coast, that after being fairly out of her sight the People on board the Brigantine put on shore at Port Patrick himself and two Men and a Boy belonging to the said Sloop James, and then with a fair Wind steered straight for Whitehaven and that upon quitting of the Privateer she steered her Course South from the Light House of Belfast with all her Sails set intending to proceed immediately for Bordeaux in France and further declares that he was informed by the people on board of the privateer that they sailed from Boston about a Month ago in company with ten other Privateers all with an intention to be upon this Coast.
The following is a List of the Prizes taken by the said Privateer as he was informed while on board. Vizt A Ship from the South 'of England with Wine and Fruit on board bound for New York taken off the Banks of Newfoundland and sent to Boston. A Ship from Liverpool commanded by Capt Bell with Merchant Goods on boarq bound for New York was taken the 7th Instant off the Mull of Cantyre and sent to Bordeaux. The Sloop James of Greenock, and the Brigantine belonging to Ellen Foot particularly mentioned in this Affidavit. A Sloop from Sligo loaded with Linen Yam bound to Liverpool sent to Bordeaux. A Sloop from Greenock loaded with Wool and Soap bound to the same Port in Lancashire was taken Yesterday Morning off Lame and sent to Bordeaux.3
Stranraer 10th July 1777.
Before me one of the present
Magistrates of this Burgh.
John McDouall
