132 Assembly Proceedings, March 26- April 15, 1707.

L. H. J.

William Pearson says that Cooper asked him to go with him
to which he agreed and that he had got Provisions. That he
went to the Water Side but not finding Cooper there he re-
turned. John Murphy says That being much in Debt in fear
of being arrested he had Thoughts of running away that he
discoursed Cooper about it and that Stimpson was privy to
their Intentions.

p. 152

William Cooper declares that he had agreed to run away
with Peacock, Afterwards Hickcock and Pearson agreed to
go with them after that John Keyton who asked them if he
and Stimpson designed to go a Privateering whereto he ans-
wered he knew not but if he would come to Town a Parcel of
them had agreed to go together. Says Stimpson did not
agree to go with them though he discoursed several Times
about it That Peacock and Hickcock agreed to take Bruff's
Boat, and if that were not sufficient to take M^r Jones Shallop
and go to the Capes of North Carolina Says he saw Wells,
Stimpson and the Privateer at Smither's That he went thither
but was not suffered to come into their Company That Stimp-
son desired him to go Home and Stimpson stayed drinking
with them all Night Says Richard Williams knew their Intent
and discoursed several Times in the Old Field about it Stimp-
son told him that Clarke designed to be up in a little Time and
blow up the Town and that he and the Privateer that carryed
off Wells would buy a Sloop and come and play some Prank
here and then go to Privateering they would fit out of North
Carolina Since Friday Morning he said he believed Daniel
Wells was gone to Clarke says John Murphy was much in-
debted, designed to run away, sold some of his Goods, raised
four or five Pounds, got Biscuit, Meat and two Gallons of
Rum for the Voyage.
Then M^r William Bladen withdrew and M^r Levin Denwood
was called in
Who solemnly declared that John Tunston brought in some
Servants which he sold in Somerset County that they had
Caballs together wherein they proposed and designed to run
away with M^r Gale's Sloop and a Woman Servant belonging
to Nehemiah Covington discovered it to her Mistress as also
two other Servants of his That Philip Covington's Servant had
been run away three weeks and concealed by them in a Loft
and that they fetcht him from thence That they had a Design
to go to the Southward, and that the Day he came from Home
they were apprehend with Design to be carryed before a
Magistrate.
Then M^r Denwood withdrew and M^r George Gale called in
who declared That he was informed by M^r Nehemiah Coving-
ton that Servants to the Number of nine whereof were six