Book of Prostest Vol 1, pg 195 (reel 46) 1781-1786

Bermuda alias Somers Islands
By his Excellency William Browne Esquire, Captain, General, Governor, Commander in Chief and Vice Admiral of these Islands

To all to whom this present writing or instrument of Protest shall come, Greeting.

Know ye that this 9th day of February 1783 before me the Governor aforesaid personally came and appeared Capt. Abraham Vesey Master of a certain brigantine called the Betsy, who solemnly made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God that he sailed on and with the said brigantine from Tortola on the 23rd day of January last past bound to Bermuda that on the 1st day of February following in latitude 27.11 and longitude 64.2 or thereabouts a violent gale of wind came on and increased to such a degree as obliged him (this deponent) to send under his ___ ___. That the gale still increasing at her she took the ship ___ sea forward, the vessel at the same time labouring accordingly. That at 12 oclock he hove to under the head ___ mainstay sail and during the gale discovered that he passed up rum. That the gale continued with unremitted violence until the third day of February, when he found himself in Latitude 29.46 and Long:63.42 or thereabouts. That the following day viz. the fourth of February the weather growing he made sail and directed his ___ for these islands, where he arrived on Friday the eighth instant. And in like manner also appeared John Eveson mate of the said brigantine Betsey, who solemnly declared what the before mentioned Abraham Vesey has deposed is true. Whereas the said Abraham Vesey for himself, his mariners, owners and freighters and for all others whom it doth, shall, or may concern, does hereby protest against the matters of said and all damages occasioned or sustained thereby and also against all costs, delays, disappointments, detention, losses, charges and expences and all other matters and things which he lawfully can or may protest against. And persevering in the said protest the appearers aforesaid have hereunto set their hands.

Abraham Vesey
John Eveson

Thus done and protested before me the Governor aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of these islands to be hereto affixed the day and year above written.
By his Excellency's command
Henry Tucker Sen'r Secretary