Extract of a letter from Montego Bay, Jamaica, to a gentleman in New York, dated July 29, 1778.
"On the 8th instant, cruizing off the east end of this Island, we saw a vessel in shore and southward of us.1 We gave chace, the Leowstoff's prize of 8 three pounders, commanded by Lieutenant Hibb, being in company, but 7 or 8 miles astern.2 The chace on our drawing near made several signals; we made the signal of the day, which not being answered, shewed she was none of our fleet. We continued the chace, on which she shortened sail, hoisting a French flag. We fired a shot athwart her forefoot,3 and Captain Rainer4 hailed the supposed Frenchman to lay his head the other way and he would send a boat on board him. He answered he would, but immediately discharged a broad side into us and hoisted the stripes (colours of the United States;) we instantly returned the salute, and the action became very hot on both sides. He wore and gave us the other broad side, and shot athwart our bow. As we had a little way, he fell on board us; on which Capt. Rainer ordered me at the head of some fine fellows to board the enemy. The first salute I had was a pike, which entangled in my hair, which forced me of[f] the fore peak. Returning, another struck in my ankle. On this we retired from the fore peak and employed ourselves in returning the pikes, tomahaws, &c. thrown by the enemy. After this, I mounted the fore-peak again and made a third attempt, when I received a pike in my throat, by which I was disabled. The gunner of my party received a ball in his head and another through his body; two others were killed, and some wounded. The privateer then sheered from our bow and made a discharge of musketry, by which Capt. Rainer was wounded through his body and leg, and our Master killed. The conduct of the Ostrich fell to the Boatswain. Still the fight continued very briskly, and the privateer played round around us with great dexterity, and indeed throughout the action was worked to admiration. We should, however, soon have silenced her, if our boys had not suffered some cartridges to take fire, by which eight or nine fine fellows were blown up, and the vessel set on fire. In the confusion, some cried “hawl down the colours.” Just at the moment the truck of the flag-staff was shot away, and the colours fell. The crew of the Leowstoff's prize imagined we had struck. Capt. Rainer in the cabbin hearing the cry to lower the colours, ordered them to be hoisted in the mizzen shrouds, which was done. In two or three minutes the fire was put out; and now the action was renewed with double spirit. Soon after the Leowstoff's prize came up, and in about a quarter of an hour after the enemy struck.5 The action lasted from three to six. We had the Master and 5 other killed and 27 wounded; the privateer about 60 killed and wounded, as we learned. We threw 23 of their dead over board. She is called the Polly, Mons. Piegant, Commander, a resolute, daring man, who luckily fell in the latter part of the fight, else more bloodshed would have happened, for our Captain was determined never to yield.6 The crew, save two or three, were all French. She mounts 6 nine pounders, 16 six pounders cannon, 30 swivels, and 8 cohorns in her tops, and had 140 men;7 a vessel compleatly fitted, but much shattered in the action.8
“The Ostrich is an old merchant ship, without a fore-castle, with a windlass and masts as formerly, carries four pounders, and goes heavily. Admiral Gayton purchased and fitted her.9
"We daily expect to hear great events from you, either through the Commissioners,10 or fleet and army. We have no news for a long time from America or England.”