DEPOSITION OF THOMAS H. COOPER. 321 



the ease aforesaid, did thereupon depose and say as follows, that is to 

 say: 



Thomas H. Cooper, called on behalf of the United States, sworn. 



Mr. Lansing : Q. What is your name, age, residence, and occupa- 

 tion? — A. My name is Thomas H. Cooper; age, 56; 

 residence, northeast corner of Laurel and Sacra- Experience. 

 mento streets, San Francisco; occupation, black- 

 smith. 



Q. How long have you been a resident of San Francisco? — A. Thirty- 

 three years. 



Q. Are you an American citizen? — A. No, sir. 



Q. You have never been naturalized? — A. Never. 



Q. You have been the owner of several vessels which have been en- 

 gaged in sealing?— A. Yes, sir; they are in my Nominal owner of the 

 name, I presume. " Say ward," "Thornton," 



Q. They were in your name? — A. Yes, sir. " Anna Beck," "Dolphin," 



Q. What were the vessels of which you were" Grace >" and "Onward." 

 the owner? — A. To tell you the truth, I know very little about them. 

 They were sold at sheriff's sale up there, and I bought them for one 

 dollar. I was advised to do so by Captain Warren. 



Q. Up where? — A. Up in Victoria. 



Q. What were the names of the vessels? — A. I really couldn't tell. 

 There was the Sayward and one was called the Thornton. 



Q. Can you give the names of the other vessels? — A. I can not give 

 the names. 



Q. Would you know them if they were repeated to you ? — A. Yes, 

 sir; I would know some of them. 



Q. The Anna Beck? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. The Dolphin?— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. The Grace or Gracey ? — A. Yes, sir ; I think so. 



Q. And the Omcard? — A. I was only up there a week or two. I 

 know very little about them, and I have not been interested in them 

 since. 



Q. Will you state how you came to purchase these vessels? — A. By 

 the advice of my brother-in-law, Captain Warren. 

 He was to manage them. He had my power of How ownership acquired. 

 attorney to manage them, and he knows all about 

 them. 



Q. And you paid one dollar for them? — A. No, sir; I paid one dollar 

 for the whole lot. 



Q. For the whole lot? — A. I think so. 



Q. When was this?— A. In 1886. 



Q. When you made the purchase they were sold under a mortgage? — 

 A. I believe so. 



Q. Who held the mortgage? — A. A man by the name of Boskowitz. 



Q. What is his first name? — A. Joseph, I think; Joseph Bosko- 

 witz. 



Q. How many vessels did you purchase for one dollar? — A. I couldn't 

 tell you; I bought them all. 



Q. Were those mortgages ever paid on those vessels? — A. I really 

 couldn't tell you that. 



Q. Were you the sole owner of these vessels? — A. I bought them for 

 one dollar, I believe. 



Q. All of them? — A. Yes, sir. I suppose they were subject to a 

 mortgage. I couldn't tell you that. 



Q. Did you buy these vessels for yourself ? — A. I was advised to buy 



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