brought her into New Haven, where judgment was awarded captors Feb. 14, 1783, in Maritime Court.

(Total, fifteen prizes recorded.)

Captain Dayton doubtless captured other prizes which were probably taken into other ports for libel. The above are those recorded as brought to New Haven only. (See Porcupine.)

SUCCESS, Armed Schooner.

According to Maritime Court Records of New London County, Capt. Samuel Field of Saybrook, commander of the schooner Success, on the 17th of August, 1782, while cruising on Long Island Sound, captured the sloop Jersey of 45 tons burthen (Thomas Kilby, commander), claiming libel on the ground of illicit trade. The Success does not appear to have been commissioned as a privateer by the United States Congress. The important deposition of Capt. Israel Deming of Hartford, in connection with this capture, would indicate the injustice of the decree for libellant, perhaps, although many of the returning exchanged prisoners did possess British goods with their belongings and effects, which formed a technical excuse for the Court decision in this case favoring the captors. The circumstances surrounding the entire case are quite fully contained in Captain Deming's testimony evidencing the particulars as to the errand of the sloop Jersey, which had been a "Flagg" returning to New York with British prisoners for exchange under the direction of Mr. Joseph Webb of Wethersfield. After the exchanges had been completed and the American prisoners made free by the process, and while returning to their homes in Connecticut, Captain Field of Saybrook took them and their vessel the Jersey, immediately after entering Connecticut River, much to the discomfiture of all concerned. Among the papers found on the Jersey was her register as an American owned vessel duly executed by the proper official in New Jersey, indicating clearly that no subject of Great Britain was interested in her and that she had been temporarily chartered by Mr. Joseph Webb, after being repaired at Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and placed in condition for transporting the prisoners who had been collected at Middletown for the trip under

LOG CHIP AND REEL, AND TIME GLASSES

From the Collection in Marine Room, Peabody Museum, Salem, Mass.

Flag of Truce. The fact that Captain Field did not consider the returning Americans as his prisoners along with the sloop Jersey and the illicit merchandise, was evidence of his knowledge of the circumstances and errand of the sloop Jersey.

The following testimony of Capt. Israel Deming forms the detailed history of this capture and portrays quite vividly the experiences of the times:

The Testimony of Israel Deming of Hartford, of lawful age, is as follows:

That he was late Lieutenant of the Privateer General Green -that he was taken by the British on the 7th of May last, and carried into New York and there confined with the crewthat he felt distressed for himself and his fellow sufferers, & petitioned leave of going out to Connecticut to Endeavor an Exchange for the General Green's people-that on the 15th day of July last he obtained his parole from Admiral Digby to go to Connecticut for forty days and return-that he came out in a flagg procur'd by Ebenezer Ledyard Esq' to New London, and went directly to Governor Trumbull and laid before him the unhappy situation of his poor countrymen. "I told his Excellency they thought themselves neglected by their Country. Governor Trumbull was truly affected and hurt at my description-said nothing that was in his power consistent with his duty should be neglected. From His Excellency I went home to Hartford & waited on the Relatives of our prisoners in Hartford, Wethersfield and Middletown-who with one voice and mind all agreed to wait on M' Joseph Webb, and urge his undertaking for us. Mr Webb Refused-said his Business was such he cou'd not. He had just before refused the Governor & a great number of Applications from all Ranks of people had even to get rid of the Importunities of his Neighbors, distressed Parents & Relatives, taken a Journey to Boston & but just got home-but after much urging & painting to him our Anxiety, distresses & Wishes for his Undertaking, He reluctantly complied much against his Inclination once more to do his endeavors to help the distressed American Prisoners in York-but still urged we would think of some other person. He then recommended several Gentlemen and said it would be too much damage to him, but Accepted if the

flagg was sent in his Name & we could think of no other. He next Morning, at our request, set out for Governor Trumbull & further painted the Situation of our Prisoners. Governor Trumbull then sent orders to the Commissary to give us all the remaining British Prisoners taken at Sea & Collect those out on parole & put them in Jail which the distressed Relatives undertook & collected 35 & sent Capt. John Warner to let the Gov. know what was done & obtained a flagg for Mr Joseph Webb. We then applied for a convenient Vessel & found the Sloop Jersey which we understood was the property of some Gentlemen in the Jersies but in the care of Mr Webb, commanded by Thomas Kilby. We applied to Mr Webb for her, but he was unwilling, so was Kilby, but as she was the most convenient vessel in the River, we urged M' Webb-told him she wou'd be safe as flaggs was sacred, besides he would be handsomely paid. He then said he cou'd not Consent, yet as we all wish for her so much he wou'd not refuse, tho' she was not in order. From that the Friends of the prisoners who Mr Webb was going for, went to Rockyhill, repair'd the said Jersey & put her in order. On the 30th July, 35 British prisoners was put aboard & we went to Midd". Mr. Webb came on board with his flagg compleated from Col° Hamlin's according to his Excellency's Command. From this hour we made our greatest dispatch towards New York. We was Stopt by his Britanick Majesty's Sloop of War Vulture at City Island when Mr Webb went on board. The Captain told him he must remain & all in the flagg untill he sent to New York to know what permission he cou'd get for us. There we remained part of two days-when permission came from Mr Webb to come to New York with all the Prisoners of every denomination (& no others) in a King's Vessel they sent up for usthe Sloop Jersey, our flagg & people to remain at City Island. From this we went to York-where we arrived & from the time of Mr Webb's getting to the City he pusht for the Exchange of the American Prisoners & to make the utmost dispatch & return-& to the last moment no mortal could do more. No person could be more attentive, kind & faithful to all the American prisoners-first made the Exchange of Capt. Stillman & myself & we expected to aid & Assist Mr Webb in the difficult unhappy task of going amongst the sick & dis