I Elisha Cole, master of the schooner Triton, bound from Kennebec to Cape Francois, testify and declare, that on the twentieth day of July last, I was taken by the Milford man of war, John Burr commander, who took from me my bed, bedding, sea cloaths, and every thing else, except what I had in my chest; when I got on board Capt. Burr he asked me, after taking my papers, where my money was, I answered that I'had not any, then he ordered his Clerk to search me, and I was searched accordingly: He then took away my watch but returned it. Nest morning the Captain called for me and demanded the key of my chest, and when opened, took every thing out of it to search for money, finding none, they gave me the chest, and ordered me to carry it to my birth. ー On the twenty fifth of July we discovered a ship, which he took near Newbury-Barr. ー Capt. Burr then ordered me to the fourth gun, and the opposite forward, and compelled me to go, which I was obliged to do after a long dispute, and my mate and all my men were put on the ship's books and compelled to do duty, and obliged to fight against their American brethren, as are all the prisoners they take, which I often heard the officers of the Milford declare. I left Halifax the eleventh day of August, leaving my mate and men all on board the Milford. ー I told Capt. Burr our people gave the masters, mates, &c. their adventures, and it was very hard to have my all taken from me. He replied he could not do it, his people would not allow it, and swore by God he would not give me any thing. ー The Yankey Hero's men, by the information of the steward and others belonging to the Milford, had but three quarters of the common allowance of provisions to seamen for their support, and no allowance of cloathing.

Boston, Sept. 25, 1776

Suffolk, ss. Elisha Cole made oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed before me.

Joseph Greenleaf, J.P.