Saith that on the twenty fifth day of July about two of the Clock in the Morning he
this Deponent and his Brother George Stoat< no role > Philit Martin and others were in
The Fishmongers Barge near Bull Stairson the Surry side of the River Thomes
endeavouring to get her up to the Barge House at Vaux Hall that on Cooking out of
Window he saw a Boat a Long side and three men and also a Large Case
[..] st therein that Instantly his said Brother George Sloat< no role > who was the
Deck called out and said Step [..] here them Chaps are after no Good
[..] upon he this Deponent his said Brother George Sloat< no role > and one
[..] Babbington went into a Wherry and instantly Rowed away
[..] suit of the said Boat with the said Three Men therein and soon
[..] up with it and upon his said Brothers endeavouring to get hold of the
said Boat he this Deponent Knew one of the Persons therein to be James
Bird that he this Deponent saw the said James Bird< no role > hold a Pistol in
his hand saw him present it towards his said Brother George Sloat< no role > 's
andhead and Fire it of at him that the said James Bird< no role > and his two
Companions then endeavoured to shove away their Boat with a lead
Coloured Scull but could not and then one of the said Three Persons
in the Boat again called to this Deponents and his said Brother and
the said George Babbington< no role > and said they would fire again and
instantly another Pistol was fired at them by one of the said Three
Men in the aforesaid Boat and this Deponent Further saith that the Boat
in which he this Deponent and his said Brother and the said George
Babbington were< no role > , was then about two or three Yards Distance From
the Boat in which the said James Bird< no role > and his two Companions were
on the Surry side of the River aforesaid and that he saw the said James Bird< no role >
with the Assistance of the others throw the said Large Case or Chest over
Board and then Rowed away. That immediately upon this the other Deponents
William Hobs< no role > and Philit Martin< no role > came to them and they all endeavoured to
get the Case or Chest into their Boat but could not that they then Towed
it near the Shore by Cuppers Bridge where they unpacked it and found
therein Three or Four Dozen of Quadrants and other Mathematical
Instruments and this Deponent Philip Martin< no role > for himself saith that
he was with Thomas Sloat< no role > and George Sloat< no role > in the Fishmongers
Barge in the Morning of the Twenty Fifth day of July last That about
two o'Clock a Boat came along side with Three men [..] and a large
case or Chest therein and That Thomas and George Sloat< no role > and one
George Babbington< no role > Rewed away in a wherry in Pursuit of the said
Men That immediately after the above Named Deponent William
Hobs together with the said William Warner< no role > came along side the said
Barge and called out for Assistance and then he this Deponent went
into their Boat with the said William Hobs< no role > and William Warner< no role > and
Rowed away in Pursuit of the said Boat and the said Three men with
The Case and presently he this Deponent heard a Pistol Fired and as they get
near saw the said Case or Chest Floating on the Water That they endeavoured
to get hold of if but on hearing George Sloat who was in another Boat
call out and Tell them to let it go and follow the Thieves which they
Accordingly did and soon came up with and alongside of the said
Boat in which were the said three Men one of whom said Buggar Your
Eyes what do you want with us and he this Deponent then instantly