Deposition: *La Marie Aime* of Nantes, arriving from Saint-Domingue [150 tons]
Taken before us on June 3, 1718
(Source: Rapports des capitaines à l'Amirauté de Nantes, Les Archives départementales de Loire Atlantique, B4578, 63.)
By Mathew Carey (engravers/printers: Bellin, Jacques Nicolas, 1703-1772; Scott, Joseph T.; Varle, P.C.) - https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~640~50079:Carte-De-La-Partie-Francoise-De-St-?sort=Pub_List_No_InitialSort%2CPub_Date%2CPub_List_No%2CSeries_No#, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3308882
There appeared before us Mr. Noel Francois, Master of the ship named *La Marie Aime* of Nantes, of a burthen of 150 tons or thereabouts, armed with 12 cannons and manned by a crew of 27 men (all included), fitted out by Mr. Alphonse Du Boeil—the shipowner—in whose employ the said Captain serves. Having taken the oath with uplifted hand, he promised to speak the truth; and what he had to tell and declare is as follows: that his said vessel, having been loaded with authorized merchandise for the voyage to Saint-Domingue, departed from the lower reaches of this river—being fully manned and having obtained all necessary clearances for such a voyage—on May 31, 1717. It arrived safely at Léogâne on the following July 3rd, at which place he completely discharged the cargo of his said ship. He then reloaded it for the return voyage—acting on behalf of his shipowner—with a cargo consisting of five hundred and ninety-eight casks of sugar, sixty-six casks of indigo, 336 dried hides (hair-on), and various other items such as old assay vessels and barrels of preserves. Upon the completion of this loading into his said ship, the deponent states that—a ministerial proclamation having been published regarding the lifting of the embargo—several buccaneers voluntarily came forward (though he does not know the exact number). These men declared that there were five pirate ships—ranging from 28 to 36 cannons—along with ten smaller vessels carrying 6 to 8 cannons, which were cruising in the area—specifically from La Havane to La Merveille—waiting there to intercept a Spanish fleet expected to depart from that port bound for Europe. This is all he had to state; he further declared that he departed from Léogâne on April 12th last to make his way to this port—his intended destination—and affirms that during his crossing, he neither saw nor encountered any pirates. And finally, [the deposition] is... Having fortunately arrived in Paimbœuf on the 2nd of the current month, he reported that Henry Popequey, a carpenter, died on July 31st, and Jean Pespellee, a native of Le Pouvtiguey Mare, died on September 6th, 1717; regarding these individuals, he is required to conduct an inventory and sale of their personal effects, which he undertakes to deposit immediately with the Registry, in accordance with the ordinance. He presented to us the verification regarding the four indentured servants and his six buccaneer muskets—said certificate being dated April 12th, 1718, signed by Château-Morant and Mishon—which he submitted under oath, together with his discharge papers that he has retained. This constitutes his declaration; upon having it read back to him, he swore that it is sincere and contains the truth, and thereupon signed it.
Noel Francois
No comments:
Post a Comment