John Hipps, Prisoner, said in his Defence, that he did not in any wise enter with Bunce and his Company; but went on board the aforesaid Scooner, to enquire for William Greenaway his Captain, where he was immediately confined by Bunce, together with Greenaway, and afterwards put on Shore with Mr. Kerr and others, where Bunce beat the said Prisoner, and compell’d him at length to join Bunce, but nevertheless declared his Intention to leave the said Bunce and Company on the first Opportunity, and desired Mr. Kerr, Captain Greenaway, Richard Turnly, Thomas Terrell, Benjamin Hutchins, John Taylor, John Janson, Thomas Petty and David Meredith, might be examin’d for him.
Mr. James Kerr being sworn as Evidence for the Prisoner declared, That Bunce used much threatning Language against John Hipps, Prisoner, that if he did not join him the said Bunce and pyratical Company, and go with them into a Boat, provided on Purpose to carry the Pyrates to their Rendezvous, Hipps should repent the Refusal; and farther says, that he saw or knew of no Blows given to compel the Prisoner to assist or join the said Pyrates, but that the Prisoner afterwards accepted the Office and Command of Boatswain to the said pyratical Company.
Captain Greenaway being sworn for the Prisoner says, that the Prisoner went with him on board the Scooner, and was in the Cabbin with him, and made Prisoner with him on board the said Scooner, where the Prisoner made Proposal to the Deponent to surprize Dennis Mackarthy, Prisoner at the Bar, then a Centinel upon Deck, and throw the said Mackarthy over-board; but the Deponent seeing no Probability of escaping the Rest, advised the Prisoner to keep his Mind to himself, till he could have a better Opportunity; and farther saith, that the Prisoner was put ashore with Mr. Kerr, &c.
Richard Turnly being sworn for the Prisoner deposed, That to the best of his Knowledge and Remembrance, the Prisoner was forc’d to accept of any Duty the said Bunce and Company put upon him, if the Command of Words be allowed by the Court sufficient to excuse him; but he never saw Bunce, or any of the rest of the Pyrates, use Blows to force him to join them.
Thomas Terrell, Inhabitant, being sworn, gave the Prisoner the Character of being an honest Man, who was recommended to him by Thomas Bowling, Master of the Sloop Sarah, belonging to the said Thomas Terrell, that during a late Voyage perform’d to Cuba, about two Months ago, there was a Mutiny suspected by Thomas Bowling, of which the said Bowling declared, that John Hipps Prisoner, was not only innocent, but believed a Suppressor of the said Mutiny; and farther declares, that Thomas Bowling had acknowledged the Safety of the Vessel to be much owing to John Hipps, Prisoner at the Bar.
Benjamin Hutchins being sworn for the Prisoner, and examined, declared, that the Prisoner after having been matriculated and seduced by Bunce and his Accomplices, often complain’d to him the Deponent, that he would desert them the first Opportunity, and shew’d his Intentions by many Tears shed, as Tokens of Sorrow for his late Misfortune.
John Taylor being examined upon Oath declared, that the Prisoner was confined as a Person not trusted by Bunce and his pyratical Company.
John Jansen being examined upon Oath, had nothing to declare for or against the Prisoner worth Notice.
Thomas Petty being sworn for the Prisoner declared, that Bunce threatned the Prisoner, that if he would not consent to be of his pyratical Company, he should be frequently beat; and also be put on the first Moroon Key, where he might not find Provision, Water, or any other Sustenance, which the Deponent thinks compell’d the Prisoner to proceed with Bunce for his Safety.
David Meredith being also examined upon Oath declared, That when Phineas Bunce first made Seizure of the Vessel, he particularly spoke to Hipps the Prisoner, that if he would not take on in their Way, he the said Bunce would moroon him, upon some desolate Key or Island; and the more to compel him, gave him several Blows with his Cutlash, and thinks the Prisoner was forced to join with Bunce, &c.