Deposition of Joseph Dixon, Mate of the Ship Rebecca, and James Fagan, Seaman, September 12, 1777

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Cumberland, to wit, On the twelfth Day of September One thousand and Seven hundred and Seventy Seven, Before me Joseph Farrer, Notary Publick and one of the Masters Extraordinary in Chancery Personally Appeared Joseph Dixon late Mate of the ship Rebecca of Workington and James Fagan a Seaman on board the said Vessel at the time she was taken by the American privateer called the General Miffling, Captain William Day, And jointly, and severally made Oath, and say, That on the Sixth day of July last, the said. Vessel Rebecca being off of Inster hull met and were taken by the said Privateer, and on the Eighth of July Captain Day ordered the prize Master of the Rebecca (with these Deponents on board) to proceed to the first port they could touch at in France, and in Consequence of such directions they proceeded and arrived at Morlaix in France on the twenty fifth day of July aforesaid. And these Deponents further say, that the same Day they Arrived at Morlaix in the Rebecca, Captain Johnston of the Lexington came on board and ordered, the Word or Name, Rebecca, which was printed on her Stern to be Tared out, and the Vessel in future to be called Baltimore, and farther Ordered all hands (if any Questions were asked) to say she was bound from Calais to Baltimore and waited for a fair Wind, and ordered the Deponent Joseph Dixon on board the Lexington where he was Confined for a fortnight and afterwards allowed to go on Shore, That whilst the Deponents remained on shore a part of the Rebecca's Cargo was discharged, and on the twenty fifth of August the Rebecca (Now the Baltimore) Sailed from Morlaix under French Colours, with a Captain and Crew all french, but where bound, these Deponents could not learn; —