Appendix. 433

acquainting us that the Sloop Speedwell has been condemned in the
Court of Vice Admiralty, and representing that the said Seizure
and Condemnation was looked upon to have been unfairly brought
about, by M^r Moreton's means, We called upon M^r Moreton to make
answer thereto, and we beg leave to lay before Your Honor a copy
of M^r Moreton's Representation, together with an Extract of the
above mentioned Letter from our Officers at Annapolis and M^r More-
ton's answer thereto, — M^r Moreton has our directions to attend
your Honor to give his account of the matter, and if from a perusal
of these papers, & what other information you may receive, you
should be led to form a different opinion of M^r Moreton's conduct,
than what is represented in the Collector & Comptroller's Letter, we
hope your Honor will be pleased to give him your Protection in the
execution of his dutys. — We have directed M^r Wootton one of our
Inspectors General, to proceed to Annapolis to make enquiry, &
report to us on this matter, & he has our directions to wait upon
you with this Letter — And we take leave to recommend him to
your Honor's Countenance in the execution of his Duty.

We are
Sir
Custom House Boston. Your Honors
6.^th July 1773. Most obedient humble Servants.
W.^m Burch
Hen. Hulton.
Chas Faxton[ ?]
The Honorable Rob^t Eden Esq^r Governor of Maryland

APPENDIX III

(6)
DEPOSITION OF JOHN MCMACHAN, MAY 10, 1773

The Deposition of John M.^cMachan Aged 31 Yrs or there about
being Sworn deposeth & saith, That he is an Assistant to M^r Robert
Morton Inspector of the King's Cumstons, in the district of Balti-
more Town, That upon the information of one M Lewin on or about
the 25 of April last of the Arrival of the Sloop Speedwell, Charles
Allen Commander from Turks-Island Mr. Morton & this Deponant
went on Board of the said Sloop, and found her Cargoes to Consist
of Salt, that upon enquiring for the Capt.ⁿ they were informed he was
not on Board — that this Deponant then enquired whether they Stopt
at Patuxent or Annapolis, the Mate en formed them the said Mortan
& this Deponant that the Vessel had not Stopt at either of those
ports, Mr. Morton then requested that the Mate would desire the
Capt.ⁿ to come to his the said Mortons House and bring the Papers
of the said vessell with him, That M^r Morton & this Deponant
waited at M^r Mortons House the whole Day and finding that the
said Captain did not come, they went on Board of the said Ves-

MS Vertical
File, Md.
Hist. Soc.