p would have been a prize to them,
and their great Argument was that they were sailing towards Cuba
before they had seized them, and that they were laden with ammunition
and goods sutable to the spanish trade: but uppon triall in the Court,
their billes of Lading appeared that they were bound to Jamaica, their
cocketts and dispatches being cleere from the Kings Custome-house at
Dover; this deponent speaking in Court to Sr Charles Littelton (then
sitting Judge of the Court)[2] that hee knew the Master Robert Cooke,
and that hee lived in Ratliffe[3] neere to him, which also testifies
Captn: Isack Bowles Comander of the _Blackmore_ (one of the Royall
Companies Ships),[4] the Governor (Sr Charles Littelton) did thereupon
declare them to be a free ship, and to have their liberty of trade as
any other Ship whatsoever that was then in the Harbour; And further
saith that the aforesd Captn. John Morrice told this deponent that hee
had hoped to have had a good prize of the _blew-dove_, but hee gott
nothing of them but an English Ensigne, and a hogshead of strong
beare, and that the sd _Blew-dove_ came in with English colours, and
did on all occasions weare them.

[Footnote 2: Lord Windsor was governor of Jamaica in January, 1664,
Sir Charles Lyttelton deputy governor.]

[Footnote 3: Ratcliff, London.]

[Footnote 4: Bowles was one of the captains, and the _Blackamoor_ one
of the ships, of the "Company of the Royal Adventurers of England
trading into Africa", the predecessor of the Royal African Company.]

Taken upon oath, 27: 5: 64. Before me
ELIA. LUSHER.

_23. Deposition of John Hunter. July 26, 1664._[1]

[Footnote 1: Mass. Archives, vol. 60, p. 225.]

John Hunter Aged a bout 40 years deposeth and sayth

That this deponant was shipped by Captaine Robert Cooke, Commander of
the _blew dove_ of London so Caled, to sayle as a sayler in the said
shipp from Jameco to Dover and so for Amsterdam: the time this
deponant was shipped was about the begining of Aprill Last past in
Jameco.

This Shipp _blew dove_, as I was informed by the people in Jameco, was
brought in by a Captaine of a privat man of war uppon susspition that
shee was to trade with the Spaniard as a hollander, haveing Jewes
Goods on bord as thay Alleged, but was there Clered by the Governer,
sir Charles Littelton, and had fower moneths trade there afterwards.
this was the Common report of the people there. farther this deponant
testifieth uppon his owne kn