on our return to my station in the Delaware, I took a Charles Town Privatier ³ by the stratagem of disguising the ship so as to be taken for a three decked West India Man. The Privatier after taking some pains to reconoitre us, actually run up alongside, and was in the attempt to board, when the Marines rose up & pointed their Musquets into him, which made the captain call out lustily for Quarter, and which being granted, not a single offensive act took place in the Capture. She was a stout Brig carrying 20 Guns & 115 Men and sailed remarkably well. I put my First Lieutenant Mr John Orde (now the Admiral of that name) to command the Prize, and sent him with my Dispatches to Lord Howe at New York informing him of my arrival on the Coast, who received Mr Orde (on my recommendation) on board his Flagship the Eagle, and took the Privatier into the Kings Service.