St Mallo June 28th 1777 —
Gentlemen,
This will inform you of my Safo Arrival at this Port Yesterday in Company with Captain Samuel Nicholson of the Sloop Dolphin, We parted from Capt Johnston on the day before Yesterday a little to the East of Ushant — Now for the History of our late Cruize. We Sail'd in Company with Captains Johnston & Nicholson from St Nazair May 28th 1777, the 30th fell in with The Fudrion [Foudroyant] about 40 leagues to the West of Bell Isle who Chased us, fired Several Guns at the Lexington, but we got clear of her very Soon, and persued our Course to the No West in order to proceed. round into the North Sea, in our way hither we brought too, Several French, Portugeas & Dutch Vessels all of which we let go, as Soon as we found who theywere nothing more happen'd till we Arrived of[f] the No end of Ireland June 19th when we took two Brigs &two Sloops one of Each we Sunk, the other a Small Smugling Cutter we let go, and the other a Brig from Newry, sent into Portin Ballast, 20th took the Sloop Jassan [Jason] from White Haven, bound to Petersburgin Ballast sentherin 21st took Scotch Sloop from Prusia bound to Liverpool loaded with Wheat, took a Small Scotch Smugler and Sunk her 22d took the John & Thomas from Norway bound to Dublin loaded with Deals, the Brig Jenny & Sally from Glasgo bound to Norway in ballast. Sent them forward 22d took a Brig from Dublin bound to Irwin, Sunk her, took three large Brigs loaded with Coals from Whitehaven bound to Dublin Sunk them in Sight of that Port, after taking all the People out of them, took the Brig Crawford from Glasgo bound to St Ubes in Ballast — 23d took the Ship Grace, from Jamaica bound to Liverpool Loaded with Sugar, Rum, Cotton & Tobacco & the Brig Peggy from Cork bound to Liverpool loaded with Butter & hides, sent them forward, 24th At 8 P M, Gave the Brig Crawford to the Prisoners & sent them forward to Whitehaven, We Stood Down theIrish Channel. 25th took the Sloop John & Peter from Haverdegrass bound to Dungarvin in Ballast, gave them their Vessel & let them go; this day we passed between Scilley and the Lands End 26th At 4 P M took a Snow from Gibraltar bound to London loaded with Cork,2 sent her forward. at 8 AM, Saw a large Ship of War off Ushant, Stood for her at 10 AM discovered her to be a large Ship of War standing for us,3 Bore away and made Sail from her, She Chased us till 9 P M, and Continued fireing at us from 4 till 8 at Night, she was Almost within Musquet Shott, & We escaped by heaving our Guns overboard and lightning the Ship, they pay very little regard to the Laws of Newtrality, as they Chased me and fired, as long as they dare stand in, for fear of runing aShore.
As I shall be under the Necessity of getting the Ship refitted here I hope you will furnish me with a Credit for what Money I want here, as soon as Possible, we Can get Supply'd here with Guns and every thing Necessary on tolerable easey Terms, I am in hopes you'll soon hear of Captain John stons Arrival as I saw him Clear of the Ship that Chas'd us. I think you had best Sell the Cutter and purchase some other Vessel for Capt Nicholson, as She is only a pickpocket and will want a heavy repair, if fitted out again for another Cruize, I shall look out and see if there is any Vessell in this port fitt for a Cruizer, If I should find one, will let you know, As I had not the pleasure of knowing Captain Johnston before I could not give him a Caracter Sufficient to his Merrit & Now beg leave to recommend him as a Very brave Active Officer & worthy your Honours utmost Attention. I little tho[ught] of Reaching St Mallo, as the ship fired near a H[undred] Shott at us, all of which reached & passed us—
The Prizes is Sent into L'Orient, Nantz, Bilboa or St Sabastian's, or the first port they Can reach. from Gentlemen [&c.]
