[Extract]

There was last Friday [January 26] two Ships taken within a Mile & half of the Light House just by the Men of War, not one of them offered to rescue them, as they had no Orders till they were carried off. The Admiral made it a rule, not to suffer any of h°is Ships to go out, if they should see any Privateers, or any Ships attacked or taken in the Bay, till they have sent up to him, which must take them 5. Hours, so that you need not wonder at the Ships being taken, as we have no Cruizers out ー if he don't take himself away very soon, we shall get but few of the Ships in. We depend much upon Admiral Shuldham.

The little fresh Meat we get is from Nova Scotia, & that at a very great price. What is to become of us the Lord only knows, for it is impossible for many of us to hold much longer, myself in particular.