Williamsburg, September 29.
Last Wednesday morning [September 27] 100 volunteers from this city, under the command of Major [Francis] Eppes, marched for Hampton, agreeable to the recommendation of the Hon. Committee of Safety, to replace those formerly sent down, who are returned, without having had the pleasure of shaking hands with capt. Squire, or so much as seeing any of the ministerial trumpery.
By the brigantine Polly, capt. [John] Barrett, from St. Kitts, we learn that a certain William Priddis, a merchant of that island, sent last July a sloop with provisions for the ministerial troops at Boston; and, in the captain's hearing, declared, that he would supply them with every thing that lay in his power: But, as for the Americans, they might starve and be d————d. This said rascal Priddis (who by the bye, it seems has some negro blood in him) is possessed of a very large estate, which he has got solely by the American trade, and not many years ago, when at the northward, received the kindest usage, from many gentlemen of distinction.
Last week the Richmond packet was seized in Norfolk harbour, just after the passengers got on shore, by some banditti from the Kingfisher sloop, capt. [James] Montague. After rifling the passengers trunks, they went off, taking with them a middling of bacon, one pig, two hunting shirts, a tomahawk, two fowling pieces, and a silver hilted sword.
A few days before, mr. Joseph Middleton, of Annapolis, in Maryland, with his wife and family, being on a visit to some relations in Norfolk, they were brought to by capt. Montague, who, after much insulting language, ordered them ashore in his boat, and made prize of their vessel, worth 150L a valuable negro man in her belonging to mr. Middleton's brother, four mattrasses, one bed and furniture, a blue shirt, a case of cherry rum, seven swivel guns and one musket. Some time after, mr. Middleton went on board the man of war, to demand his vessel, &c. when the valiant captain, with the usual insolence of the small gentry in the navy, damn'd him for a rebel, and said, had it not been for his wife and children, he would have sent him to Boston in irons, pointing to some that were lying upon deck.