Interrogatories answered by James Watson of New York.
June 29th 1776

Intergo 1st Where was you Shipped on board the Brigantine called the Rover, And at what Time? ー

Answr At the Town of St Johns in the Island of Antigua, about the 30th Day of May or first of June 1776.²

Intero 2nd Was you on board the said Brigg when She was taken by the Privateer Montgomery, Capt Daniel Bucklen Commander?

Answr Yes. ー

Quest. 3. At what Time was the said Brig: taken? ー

Answr On the Eleventh or Twelfth Day of June AD: 1776 ー

Interog. 4th Do you know who were the Owners of the said Brig at the Time She sailed from Antigua?

Answr Messrs Hunter and Tayler, Merchants in Antigua, as I was informed by the Clerk of the Stores there.

Interog: 5th Was the said Hunter you mentioned the Capt of said Briga

Ansr No. it was one Mr Hunter a Merchant at Antigua.

Interog: 6th Did Capt Hunter shew any uneasiness at the Time when he discovered said Privateer? ー

Answr Yes, and he said that he would not be taken and carried into America for Five Hundred Pounds, and Jibed the Brigg and made all the Sail he could to get away.

Interog: 7th Did you see the Capt or the Mate of said Brigg, heave overboard any papers, at the Time She was taken ー

Answr Before the Sloops Boate came onboard, I saw the Mate come out of the Cabin, with a Bundle of Papers, and went forward and hove them overboard. ー

Interog: 8th Did you over hear Capt Hunter say that he owned any part of the said Brigg & Cargo

Answr No, not until a few Minutes before She was taken, when he said he owned part of said Brig: and Cargo and expected to loose it. all and would take a Dollar for his part. ー

Interog: 9th Do you know what Countryman the said Capt Hunter is?

Answr ー I have often heard him say before he was taken that he was an Englishman born, and valued himself upon being so. But after he was taken he said he was born in America though begotten in England, and that he had Property in America. ー

Interog. 10th Why did you alter your Name from James Watson to James Vandike?

Answr ー Because I left the Argo, one of the Ships of his Britanic Majesty, which took the said Brig. when called the Betsey, and being afraid I should be taken up in Antegua. ー

Interog: 11. What Character did Capt John Hunter bear in Antigua, had he the Name of being a Friend to America in the present Contest with Great Britain and with what persons did he keep Company, in Antigua? ー

Answr ー I can not tell whether he was a Friend or a Foe to America but he kept Company with one Mr Tweedy who was there said to be a great Foe to America who said that he would stand Hangman for all the Americans. ー

[Endorsed] Providence ss. In Providence June 29th AD: 1776 ー

The aforenamed James Watson in his own proper Person came and made solemn Oath to the Truth of all the several Answers to the aforewritten Interrogatories on this Sheet of Paper, and by him subscribed; Capt John Hunter late Commander of the Brigantine Rover, being present at the Time and Place of Caption ー Before me ー

Jn^o Foster Judge of the Court for Tryal of
Prize Vessels