Examination of James Linch FitzSteephen

fol. 164r

1286
The Examination of James Linch fitz Steephen touching the seizeur <A> of Captain Clarkes ship <January the 20th 1652>
the Examinant sayth that he was in the towne of Gallway when Captain Clarkes ship was seised vpon and that he knoweth Noething therof but by hearsay and Denieth to haue Carried any armes <A> to those that Did it, and sayth that he knew N ot the boatmen which went to the said ship he further saith that Sir vallentine Blake tould the Examinant that the said Sir vallentine Blake and Nickolas Bodkine weare Imployed to bargaine with Captain Clarke for his ship and that they weare allmost agreed and that Captain Clarke had borrowed time for to Resolue them of the same, and the said Sir vallentine Blake afterwards tould this Examinant that Captain Clarke had sent word that he would not sell his ship at any Rate and within A day or two after the Examinant being at Sir vallentine Blakes Chamber one thomas Linch <B> fitz Andrew D Domnick Kerwan with three or foure More (Whom the Examinant Remembreth Not) Came into the said Sir vallentine Blakes and asked the said Sir vallentine how the buisnes wen{t} betwixt them and Captain Clark Concerning the Ship vpon which the said Sir vallentine Answered that Captain Clarke would Not parte with his Shipp and that the bargaine was broake off

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1287
Wherevpon the afforsaid thomas Linch fitzAndrew Sayd I Can tell yow a good Way to ffasten the bargaine <C> vpon Captain Clarke ffor his ship and Sir vallentien Asked him what was that way vpon which the said thomas Linch answered that he would Imploy Men to Secure the said ship vntill the said Captain Clarke would be Glad to take Mony for the said ship then Sir vallentine asked him Whoe Weare the Men or in what maner would he Imploy them to Accomplish it the said thomas Linch Replied he would Imploy such of the Comons and young Men of the towne (Whome the Shepmen Would Not suspect) soe as the said Comons and young men should gett som thing for thier paines Where vpon the said Sir vallentine and the Examinant tould them that it was a ffooleish Attempt and the said thomas Linch Said that if he Did take it in hand he would bring it to pass then the said sir vallentine tould the said Thomas that he had Noe Monnies to giue him and that if he the said sir vallentine had any thing to Doe with the Surprisall of the said ship he would giue Mony or this Examinant as Security for [ ] to those that weare Imployed for that purpose and on the Next Morning the said Sir vallentine <D> Blake tould this Examinant that he had tould the Afforsaid thomas Linch that he would Not Medle with Imploying any Men about the said ship at all

fol. 165r

1288
Whervpon the said Thomas Linch Parted with the said <E> Sir vallentine Blake and in few dayes after the Examinant heard that the afforsaid thomas Linch and Domnick Kerwan had Imployed a party for the surprisall of the said ship and had performed it and had kiled some and Wounded som of the said shipsmen and further this Examinant knoweth Not
James Lynch
fitz stephen
Examined [by] vs
Peter Stubber
Robert Clarke

fol. 165v

1289

Examinations
Concering the takeing
of Clarks ship

The examinacion of
James Lynch fiz Stephen
prisoner.