414
on board at the time of capture a cargo
Consisting of 4,850 bags Sugar and 400 packages of sundry articles of Chinchew Gordo with 17 persons and 10 passengers - Armed with 12 Cannons and 20 Muskets FE when Sailing Moolaw near St John's about 100 Miles from Hongkong on the 26th ultimo at 8 o'clock in the morning they were attacked by 4 large piratical Boats Containing about 40 men each - who on approaching opened a fire of Cannon which was returned by boat attacked and Kept up by both parties for about 4 to 6 hours during this time 4 men were killed and six wounded by the fire of the Pirates, who then closed, threw on board Stink pots - boarded - took possession of boat and cargo and placed the crews and passengers under hatches - After being detained for five days informant having no Cargo or interest in the boat was permitted to leave for the present when informant left the Pirates. the boat and Cargo were still Captured at Koolan the latter having been sold - The boat taken is a large Tow-man of the 1st class value # 10,200, Cargo can identify to 30,000.
Informant knew all the Bonto and several of the Pirates.
The four piratical boats by which they were attacked had been seen previously to separate from a fleet