of the Council of Safety, 1776. 381

company which this deponent did not hear, that as they went
down a beef was killed and brought on board, that this depo-
nent heard Isaac Coston and Francis Rritt say that they
help'd bring the beef on board, but who the others were he
cannot tell, that he heard Levin Townsend say he paid a half
joe for it, and that he obliged the company to pay their
proportion. his
Solomon x Butler
Sworn before Joseph Dashiell. mark

November 30^th 1775.
William Willis being sworn on the holy Evangels of
Almighty God deposeth and saith that Levin Townsend sent
for this Deponent and that he accordingly went and said
Levin Townsend told this Deponent that if he wanted salt he
might have it down at the mouth of Pocomoke River and that
this Deponent asked him who had it and that said Levin
Townsend said it was his brother Luke and that he might
have it almost for going for, and that this deponent agreed to
go, and after they had proceeded so far as Oystershell Town
this Deponent asked where the Vessel was that had the salt
and that said Levin Townsend said he imagined it was lower
down and in their going further down, said Levin Townsend,
Levi Townsend and Isaac Costen went on shore where they
killed a beef and brought it on board uncleaned, which they
said they paid for, & upon this deponent's making further
inquiry after the salt and finding there was none, this said
Deponent requested that he might return home, but that
Levin Townsend said he should not and immediately hauled
the boat upon deck and put this Deponent with others under
the Hatch way and there kept them, till they arrived at Nor-
folk and upon their arrival there, said Levin Townsend &
Isaac Costen went on board Lord Dunmore's Ship, where
they stay'd some short time, upon their return said Levin
Townsend asked this Deponent and others if they were will-
ing to inlist under Dunmore, that if they were they should
have a suit of regimentals, a guinea & crown, a gun and
bayonet and that this deponent replied he could not stay on
them terms, well replied said Townsend if you won't agree to
that will you stay and go with me privateering up & down
the bay to take prizes and this Deponent said he could not do
it and this Deponent further saith that the said Levin Town-
send said that Isaac Costen was to be his Lieutenant and that
he intended to visit Maryland as soon as the Governour cou'd
get him a commission for that purpose and that he intended
up Pocomoke river in a very short time that he wou'd take if
possible the Committee of Worcester whilst they were asleep

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