I James Forbes of the State of Maryland Commander of the Brig Nesbit belonging to North America and now riding in the Port of L’Orient, Do hereby certifie that James Cheston, who came passenger in the Vessel with me, Made No Secret of his Departure, or came away in a Clandestine Manner, but on the contrary, his Intentions were generally known, So Much so That Many Inhabitants both of Baltimore and Annapolis Mention’d the Circumstance to me, immediately on My taking command of the above Vessel, which was about the Middle of June. On the 27th. of the Same Month, I sailed from West River in Maryland With Mr. Cheston on Board and put into the Mouth of Paluxest River, where the Vessel was detained by contrary Winds and a Number of the Enemies Privateers being in the bay below, for a fortnight, all which Time Mr. Cheston was openly on board and on Shore Every Day at the Different Gentlemen houses in the Neighbourhood. At the End of the forthnight, seeing but little probability of sailing, he Returned home to his Family and there Staid till the 27th. of July, when Upon receiving a Letter from me, he Joined me and you at the Mouth of the River—having Spent the preceding Evening at the house of Col. William Fitzhugh, a Member of the house of Delegates and in Company with the Honb. Nicholas Thomas Esqr. Cheif Judge of the State of Maryland, both of whom to my Knowledge were acquainted With Mr. Cheston’s intentions of coming to Europe, And Who came on board of my Vessel the last time in a pleasure boat belonging to the Former of those Gentlemen. In Witness whereof I hereunto Subscribe My Name this 20th. Day of October 1780.