[Extract]
On Monday morning, about nine, the same number of shipping appeared in the offing, and seemed by their motions approaching the harbour, the wind still continuing to blow hard from the north-west. About eleven we perceived them within Cape Elizabeth, and spreading all their canvass to secure the harbour, and at three they had beat up to Hog Island and came to anchor, almost a league from the town.
Soon after their coming to an anchor, we observed the barge from the Commodore rowing in pursuit of a small schooner, which, notwithstanding the discharge of several muskets and two cannon, escaped in safety to the town. The populace which were gazing by hundreds were immediately thrown into furious agitation by this incident, and vowed revenge with the utmost menace and caution.
The Committee, composed of tradesmen and persons of no property, prompted only for a flaming zeal for the liberty of their country, were not less enraged at this hostile appearance, and, to display their wisdom and courage, they ordered the company of guards to take possession, who in obedience to these instructions, stole safely down in the close of the evening to secure the cattle, to intimidate the tories and to observe the motions of the enemy.
