25th November Captain Cornelis Ewoutsen sent on the 16th November with the Snow to bring hither Capt. Vonck's inward bound little vessel, which lies dismasted near Nantucket in New England, returned this day and reports that said ship was taken off by one Captain Diedson and carried to Boston in New England; therefore hath Cornelis Ewoutsen, pursuant to the orders given him, taken and also brought hither four ketches on their way home, three belonging to Salem and one to Piscattaway.
At a Council holden in Fort Willem Hendrick this 29th November 1673.
The Captains of the ketches brought here yesterday by Captain Carel Ewoutsen, being examined, declare as follows:
Richard Hollingworth declares he is commander and owner of the ketch Providence, taken in the neighborhood of Blocx Island on his way from Virginia, freighted on account of Wharton and Company, merchants at Boston, with 47 tubs of tobacco; Item, 6 tubs of tobacco for Matthew Cartright, and 13 tubs for himself and crew, whereof a part is loose; in all 66 tubs, with 8 hides, which he declares to be, as far as he knows, all the cargo on board.
John Ingersol, Skipper of the ketch Nightingale, belonging to John Graftin of Salem, taken in Tarpaulin Cove, declares he has on board:
Thomas Bearch, Skipper and owner of the ketch named The Friends' Supply of Boston, where he resides, declares he has a cargo of divers goods according to bill of lading delivered with his book to Capt. Ewoutsen, and says he has nothing more on board but 4 guns and one pistol; declares further that he hath heard that Mr. Diedson, backed by some Boston merchants but without the consent of the Boston government, hath taken the flyboat near Nantucket and carried her to Boston.
David Kalley, commander, and James Coffin, merchant, of the ketch Neptune, belonging to Mr. Richard Cotts of Piscattaway, declare to be loaded with some wine, rum, salt, sugar &c., according to inventory handed to Captain Cornelis Ewoutsen, and that they have seen Captain Thomas Dudson, some 14 days ago, with a brigantine carrying 2 @. 4 guns, and 14 @. 20 men take Captain Vonck's flyboat, near Nantucket, and that they were informed by the Governor, Thomas Gardner, that said Dudson had shown him Letters of Mark from his Majesty of England, in virtue whereof he hath taken said flyboat and carried her to Boston. Furthermore, James Coffin in particular declares that he himself was on board the flyboat after she had been taken by said Dudson, and that he had heard that the Dutch crew were lodged ashore at the governor's and his brother's, and afterwards went in the flyboat to Boston.
