The Deposition of David Brook Commander of the armed Boat called the Chatham, and Joshua Griffith Comd^r. of the Armed Boat called Theresia,¹ and Shubael Brainard Lieut. of the Chatham Boat & Jon^a Done Lieu^t of the Boat Theresia, all of Chatham & of Lawfull Age, is as follows Viz^t.

That on the 7^th. Day of June last about sunrise we discov^d. a Vessell between Block Island and point Judah² the Wind being south, light Breeze, and after a Critical Observation we found her standing steadily in for Newport, we then being at Point Judah on the Sea Shore & our Boats hauled up; upon w'h we launch'd our Boats, & put our Warlike Stores on Board, and put after her she still continuing the same Course till we came within about two Miles of her, at w'h time she altered her Course and hauled her Wind to the Eastward, soon after we came up with her & fired two Guns at her, upon w'h she immediately struck to s^d Boats shewing no Colours; Upon Examination we found she had Brittish Colours and Papers on board, and no other Colours, & that she was bound from Jamaica to Newport according to the Concurrant Declarations of the Capt. of s^d Vessell & the Seamen. The Deponent farther say that after we came on Board s^d Vessell Andrew Grover one of the Seamen told us that he had the Spy Glass in his Hand when the said Boats fired at said Vessell, and upon M^r. Bardin's³ asking him s^d Grover what Colours the Boats had, he replied “American Colours" upon w'h Bardin said, “By God then we are taken.”— 

And upon further Examination found the above said Vessell was the Schooner Hope Com^d. by Amos Hilton, we then took the possession & Command of s^d Schooner, & they did themselves and the said Vessell up to us-And before We carried brought her into port there was a strong Gale of Wind and we carried full sails, and the Master never Complained nor did any of the Men on Board mention one Word to us of the Masts being Sprung, & that the Masts appeared not strong and Good—⁴ 

Chatham [Conn.] July 4. AD 1778. 

Hartford County Ss, Chatham 4 July AD 1778. Appeared Capt David Brook, Capt Joshua Griffith, Shubael Brainard, and Jon^a Dean Done all of Chatham (and now bound on a Voyage to Sea) & made solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Written Declaration before me

NB. This Deposition was taken at the desire of M^r G. Erkelin⁵ and Chancy Buckley⁶ of Chatham being on the one part, the oposite part, being M^r. Aaron Lopez &^c. and living out of this State, was not Cited nor present 

Eben^r. White Just. Peace

Open'd in the Special County Court at Hartford July 14^th. 1778. 

By George Wyllys Reg^r. of s^d Court.

A true Copy as on file   

examind    

By George Wyllys Regist^r.