I Samuel Myrick lately belonging to ye Brigantine of War called the Hazzard belonging to ye State of ye Massachusetts Bay in New England of Lawfull age Mariner testify & declare yt I was on board ye sd: Brigantine on or about ye twenty second of April last bound on a cruize yt there appeared an Uneasiness on board among ye Men upon account of their long Absence in Consequence of which a petition was wrote by one William Spear intended to have been presented to Capt. Sampson1 but was not, said petition having been shewn to Lieut. Hatch2 who disapproved of it saying that would not do but they must have a Round Robbin When said Hatch told said Spear yt there must be a Round Robbin he Replied he did not know what a Round Robbin was upon which said Hatch undertook to inform him in manner following—You must draw a Circle and write your names round it so yt it may not be discovered who Signed first soon after I heard there was one on foot which was offered to me to sign & I signed it accordingly—I further testify that I heared it said that Thos McCann then on board said Brigantine wrote the Above Round Robbin & further I say not.
Samuel Myrick
Boston June 17. 1778.
DS, M-Ar, Mass. Archives Collection, vol. 168 (Revolution Council Papers, 1777–1778), fol. 312. Docketed: “Deposition/of Saml. Myrick/June 17th. 1778—"
1. Capt. Simeon Samson, commander of Massachusetts Navy brigantine Hazard.
2. Lt. Walter Hatch, second lieutenant of brigantine Hazard.