PERIOD FROM 1818 TO 1836. 369 



would get some assistance there, and go with the Ft^iend and retake 

 the Reindeer. Came up as fast as I could, and my vessel grounded 

 before I got in ; then hove out the boat, and Reindeer's crew got into 

 the boat with me and one of my crew, and the Diligence towed us up 

 to Lubec. Then went to the revenue cutter, Smith; told him the 

 story, and asked him if he could not go and retake them as they came 

 in by East Quoddy? He said he could not, but gave me a line to the 

 Collector; the Collector refused to let the cutter go. Then went to 

 the wharf and hailed my brother, who was master of the Madison, 

 and asked him if he would let the Madison go and retake the Rein- 

 deer, if I could obtain a crew ; he said he would. I called round to get 

 men to go on board ; got four, and two rifles, and two muskets, and 

 two pistols, and powder and ball ; took the men on board the Madison, 

 and went to Eastport, then having seven men and four muskets, my 

 brother having the command. When at Eastport, hailed the men on 

 the wharves, and asked them to send us two more muskets ; they did 

 send us two, and a man came with them; then ran down and spoke 

 the Diligence. Mr. Howard and Mr. Fields came on board, and it 

 was agreed that they should board the Ruby, and me the Reindeer. 

 We then ran down for the Reindeer, and they for the Ruby. We board- 

 ed the Reindeer first, my brother having charge, and being on deck 

 with one man and one boy, the rest below. Brother hailed him, and 

 told him to heave to. Mr. Jones called his men to quarters; brother 

 told him he would give him five minutes to consider whether to give 

 the vessel us before he compelled him to do so, and run his vessel so 

 near that we could step from one vessel to the other. Jones said, the 

 first man that steps his foot on this vessel shall be a dead man. Brother 

 then called all hands from below, and we went up with our muskets, 

 seven of us, there being only ten men on board, besides two or three 

 boys. Jones then laid his sword down and said, the vessel is yours. 

 We put four men on board, and told skipper Small to make his way 

 to Eastport. Jones then went on board his barge with his men. Then 

 brother hailed him ; asked him to come on board the Madison and take 

 something to drink, and he did. He then said we were good fellows 

 for having retaken them; he took them according to his orders, but 

 without any provocation, and was glad we had got thern; he then 

 went his way, and we ours. There was no gun fired till after the ves- 

 sels were recaptured. Mr. Howard is a lad, 17 or 18 years old; has 

 never been a captain of any company of militia. I have heard that he 

 was captain or a company of boys, in Eastport, who trained with 

 wooden guns and sworos. 



( )w the 29th of August last, being on Grand Menan Bank, saw the 

 Dotterel take pi ion of the Pugrim^ Bhe being (hen about nine 

 leagues distanl from the Grand Menan. The Madison was also cap- 

 tured at the same time and place. 



The injury to me, by breaking up my ashing cruise, has been five 

 hundred dollars. 



B. W. Coooins. 



Sworn to before — 



Ether Shepley. 



No\ BMBEB •">. L824. 



Henry Coggins, on oath, say : He has heard the statement signed 



by B. VY. CoL r L r in- read ; is acquainted with the whole transactions on 



