Bermuda. als Somer Islands

By His Excellency George James Bruere Esqr Governor, Commander in Chief and Vice Admiral of these Islands ー .

To all to who in This Present Writing or Instrument of Protest shall come or may concern Greeting.

Know Ye that this twenty fourth da-y of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and Seventy Six, before me personally appeared John Bynoe Master of a Certain Brigantine called the Betsey who Solemnly made Oath on the Holy Evangelists of almighty God that he arrived in Virginia from the Grenadoes in His Brigantine on, or about the Twenty Second day of October last past, that he landed some part of his Cargo, and kept some Rum & Sugar on board belonging to the owner; that soon after he was directed by His owner to get the Vessel in Order to proceed to Bermuda to carry him there & that she might be repaired in that Island, that he accordingly took on Board, some Plank and other Necessary Articles for the use of the Vessel, and was ready to proceed when the Provincial Troops came to Norfolk, that he understood his Owner Doctor Archibald Campbel was gone to Williamsburgh by Order of Colonel [William] Woodford, that in his absence David Anderson his Clerk, sent Sundry Articles, chiefly Household Furniture on board, belonging to said Campbell; who told him, he apprehended them unsafe in Town, as they expected it would be destroyed, that Lord Dunmore and the Capt of the Kings Ships put all the Vessels in the Harbour under their Directions, that after the Arrival of his Owner from Williamsburgh he understood he had applyed for Leave to get his Vessel and Effects out of the Fleet, but without Success, that soon after an Order was Issued out by Lord Dunmore forbiding all Species of Goods to be landed under the Penalty of Confiscation of Vessel and Cargo, that he remained with the Fleet during the diferent movemen[ts] in Virginia untill the thirtieth Ulto when Lord Dunmore sent for the Captainrs] of the Vessels in the Fleet on board him and told them that they were at Liberty to proceed where they pleased, accept [sic except] to the Continent And that he would furnish them with a Clearance to prevent them from being taken by the Kings Cruisers, that he obtained a Clearance from him, and gave the same to all the other Vessels, that he Sail'd for these Islands of Bermuda on the Sixth Instant in Company with the Otter Sloop of War & many other Vessels in Order to meet his owner; that on the Twenty second of the same Month (August) in sight of the said Island, he was brought too by the Andrew Dorear an Armed Vessel belonging as he understood to the Continent of America Commanded by Capt Bidle, that he was ordered on board & that some Officers & part of the Crew belonging to the said Armed Vessel went on board of his Brigantine, & carried away Sundry Articles the Property of said Campbell to wit, one Hogshead of Rum, one Sixty Gallon Cask of old Rum, two Quarter Cask of Wine, one hogshead & part of a Hogshead of Sugar sundry Articles of Household Furniture such as Beds Picktures, looking Glasses, a Clock, Pewter, one Table, some Glass, & Stone Were & many other Articles together with a Box of Books & Papers, also five Negro Men Slaves, three of which, to wit Ben Jack & Phil belonging to the Estate of John Gilchrist, and [blotted] Luke belonging to sd Archibald Campbell, which were all the Men he had to Navigate his Vessel, that he was then qrdered on board his Brigt & allowed to proceed & by the Assistance of John Marshead a Passenger he Carried the Brigt to Bermuda, that he knows Many of the owners of Vessels & Goods in that Fleet, who now live in Virginia but could not get their Property out of the Fleet, Wherefore the said John Bynoe for himself his Mariners, Owners & Freighters & all others whom it doth or may Concern does hereby Protest against the Matters aforesaid & all damages occasioned or Sustained thereby as also against all Costs, delays disappointments, Expences and other Matters & things wch can or may lawfully be protested against in as Large & Ample Manner as the same can or may be done by Law or form. And Persevering in the said Protest the said Appearer hat11 hereunto set his hand the day and Year first within writtenー.

This done and Protested before me the Governor & Vice Admiral aforesd. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Caused the Great Seal of these IsIands to be affixed the day & year aforesaid.

George Ja^s Bruere

By His Excellency's Command.
Jn^o Randle D: Secy