[Off St. Augustine]

Made the Mattanzes at night; came to under the fort, in seven fathoms water and rode all night. At 6 A.M. got under way, and run down towards the bar of Augustine; where, we saw a sail at anchor off the bar. We ran down to her, and hailed her; and found her to be the brigantine Betsey, commanded by Captain Alvere Lofthouse, from London. We boarded her with our sloop, and upon strict search, found on board of her a large quantity of gun-powder; of which we took one hundred and eleven barrels, one half barrel, and thirty small kegs. Said vessel had on board of her, twelve soldiers from the shore, eight seamen, the captain, two mates, and steward, which was in number twenty-three men; and our number was twenty-one whites, and five blacks. Our situation was such on this occasion, that we thought it most prudent to bribe the men; which we did with one hundred pounds currency: and the captain accepted a draught for one thousand pounds Sterling for the powder, drawn on Mr. John Edwards, of Charlestown. And at half past 11 A.M. after spiking up two pieces of cannon, that were mounted on board said brigantine, we re-embarked our men, and made sail with a light air at E.N.E. The wind weared to the Northward, at 4 P.M. we passed the River St. John's, and passed a small boat stretching to the Southward.