of the Council of Safety, 1776. 383

Depon^t further saith that the aforesaid Levin Townsend came
with an officer who administered an oath to him, the contents
of which this Deponent can't particularly recollect; and further
saith that the said Levin Townsend was fitting out a small

vessel fur a Leader and that said Levin Townsend told this

Deponent that he intended to come up Pocomoke River in the
Tender aforesaid, and that a certain Edmond Scarborough of
Virginia was to go to Pocomoke with as an assistant and that
the said Levin Townsend said that after he took a cruize or
two up the bay in order to make some prizes, he shou'd lay
his vessell against the Cypresses in Pocomoke river & that he
wou'd then seize the Committee of Worcester County whilst
they were asleep in their beds and convey them on board his
vessel and then proceed down to the Governour as quick as
possible, and this Depon' further saith that when Levin Town-
send was insisting on him to inlist under Governour Dunmore,
William Bartlet Townsend press'd this Depon^t to do it, and
told him (this Depon^t) that he cou'd not any thing that was
better for him and very strongly recommended it to him and
the said William B. Townsend further told this Deponent he
should come up Pocomoke river in the tender with his son
Levin, and this Depon^t further saith that the said Levin Town-
send desired this Depon' and the others that returned with
him to keep a look out on the Annamessix shore for his
return to assist the said Levin in his scheme: and further
saith not. his
Thomas + Cluff
mark
The above oath taken before Joseph Dashiell.

Original
Copies

[Robins to Townsend.]

Sept 12^th 1776.
Sir. Upon request of your wife I was this day going to a
magistrate, to give my deposition, respecting your case; but
am informed the Magistrate will not take it, but refers me to
the committee, and time will not permit the calling, and my
going before the Committee for that purpose at this time.
I am informed that you charge my oath against you, as the
principal cause of your preasent troubles. This is to assure
you that I never to my knowledge swore an oath against you
that could in my opinion injure you was it fairly laid before
the Hon^ble Convention, nor indeed could I with truth. I
cannot now charge my memory what the several questions
were that was asked me about you in Committee, or what my
particular Ans^rs, if I said any thing that was construed to shew,
that you intended to go on board any of the fleet under com-

Original.