William Rotch
Memorandum, Continued...
part 4
if they would put my question that they thought would throw
more light on the subject, I would answer it without equivocation
or mental reservation. The Chairman General Ward made me a low
bow, and asked no question, by which they appeared satisfied.
They then took the Complaint, and examined the witnesses, one
by one upon each charge – "What do you know of this Mr. such a
one?" (reading the Charge) "nothing" -- and so to the next, and
throughout the whole charges, and the whole Witnesses, when
"nothing" was the universal answer, except from Marshall Jenkins
-- He began to tell what the Refugees told him at the Vineyard
when they returned from Nantucket.
The Chairman stopped him, and said, "were you at Nantucket?"
He answered "no" – "Then you can give no evidence."
One charge against me was corresponding with the Enemy. This
correspondence was a letter given to Ebenezer Coffin, addressed
to General Prescott, requesting the release of his son, and assuring
him that he had not been in an armed vessel.
This same Ebenezer acquainted his Brother Alexander that I had
furnished him with this letter, who used his utmost against me.
The Committee were composed of the two Branches, the House
and Senate, who reported to their several Departments. The House
then took the vote and cleared us fully except one single vote. But
the Senate in their vote held us -- The House then desired the
Senate to appoint a Committee of conference, and they would do
the same. They met, and reported, each Branch adhering to their
former vote,
Thus we were discharged by the House, and held by the Senate,
(but not detained) and so it remained until we were set at liberty
by the Peace.
In the Complaint I was charged with being the means of pre-
venting a Brig which had much of Jenkins’s property on board from
being re-taken -- I suppose that was the case, by reasoning with the
Owners of the Vessel then present.
The seven armed vessels had now gone over the Bar, and
anchored, waiting for the flowing of the tide to take the Brig out --
It was then suggested by some hot-headed men, that they could
re-take her -- I admitted it, but asked the Owners if it would be
an even stake, observing "they have now got what they will take at
this time, and if this vessel is stopped, it will bring the whole seven
armed vessels into the harbor again, and no doubt the destruction
of the Town will be the consequence" -- For there was no effective
force to prevent it. "If you (the Owners) will let her go, I am will
ling to contribute to the loss of Vessel and Goods on board, in the
same proportion that I should pay in a Tax of equal amount."
-- A great number of people were present, who generally united in the
proposal. The Owners let the Vessel go, and I contributed Seven
Hundred and Twenty dollars toward the loss of the property, which
was more than double my proportion of a like Tax.
When this circumstance was known while we were in Boston,
it raised great indignation against Jenkins, that such a charge should
be in the Complaint, when I had made double compensation to
what I ought.
In a conversation at the time of our examination with him, sev-
eral others present, I understood him that I ought to make some
concession. My answer was "if turning my hand over by way of
concession, would withdraw the Complaint, I will never do it -- If
my innocence will not protect me, and my life should be taken
my blood will be required at thy hands" -- This shocked him very
much, but it did not last long, as he told some of his friends that
he believed Samuel Starbuck and myself were clear. They then
asked him why he did not take our names out of the Complaint --
He replied "because it suits me best to keep them in."
So callous a heart I hope is not often to be met with, thus play-
ing with our lives as with a Tennis Ball. I am glad to leave this
tragic scene and proceed --
Some-time in the Year 1780 Admiral Arbuthnot returned to Eng-
land, and Admiral Digby succeeded him. As soon as Arbuthnot
was gone, those plundering Refugees were upon us again. our
protection having ceased by his Departure. This renewed our
perplexity. The Town was convened to consult about measures to
prevent destruction -- The result was to send a Committee again
to New York. to solicit an Order from Admiral Digby similar to that
which we had before. It was proposed for me to go with two
others. I had then been confined nearly nine months with the
Rheumatism, had just left my crutches, and was hobbling about
with a cane -- Therefore I could not think of such an undertaking.
But all others utterly refused to go, unless I would accompany
them.
This brought a great straight on my mind -- To go I thought
I could not, and to omit it seemed almost inevitable destruction. At
last I consented, under great apprehension that I should not live to
return. We accordingly set sail, and when we were off Rhode
Island, I was obliged to have them go to the East side of the Island,
and lay there several days, for my pain was so great that I could
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