WHEREAS many and false reports, have been industriously and injuriously circulated, respecting Capt. THOMPSON's¹ conduct, on the 9th day of March last, when the Alfred, our consort, was taken by two of the enemy's ships.² And as it is reported, that “the officers on board of the Raleigh disapprove of Capt. Thompson's conduct during that day,” WE, the Subscribers, do hereby testify, That the above report is false: That his orders during that day's transactions, were regular, uniform, and consistent with the rules and discipline that ought to be observed at sea, in such cases: That the ship was in every respect fit for action: That every officer and seaman expected to engage: And that our coming to action was prevented solely by the Alfred's bearing away at such an unseasonable time, and without orders. Why Capt. Hinman³ bore away, when the ships were in such an unfavourable position, and without any signal from Capt. Thompson, we are at a loss to guess. And what renders it still more unfortunate is, we were then going to put about, to stand by the Alfred, and could have got along side of her long before either of the enemy's ships could have possibly reached within gun-shot of her. That the Alfred's colours were hauled down so soon after she bore away, that it put it out of Capt. Thompson's power to relieve her, notwithstanding sail was set on board the Raleigh, with the utmost dispatch. 

Every circumstance, as mentioned in his accounts sent to the Navy Board,⁴ and printed in the Boston Continental Journal, of the 30th April,⁵ is absolutely true, just, and impartial: From which account we hope judges will determine between right and wrong, and do justice to the much injured reputation of Capt. Thompson, under whose command we have served with the greatest Satisfaction. 

Peter Shores, First-Lieutenant,
Josiah Shackford, Second ditto.		Officers on
Hopley Yeaton, Third ditto.		board the
Thomas Manning, Master,		Raleigh.

On board the Raleigh, Boston, May 2, 1778.

Massachusetts State, THE above-named Peter Shores, Josiah Shackford, Hopley Yeaton, and Suffolk County. Thomas Manning, severally made oath to the above-written declaration, by them subscribed; taken at their request, in perpetuam rei memoriam. 

Corum. 

SAMUEL PEMBERTON,		Justus Paica
JOSEPH GARDNER,		at Quorum.

Boston, May 2, 1778.