[New York] Die Sabbati, 3 ho. P.M.
Feby. 3d, 1776.
Samuel Isleton, the pilot, returned from the Hook, and informs that he is just landed from the Hook; that about 11 o'clock the day before yesterday, vizt. on Thursday last, he saw a large ship off, about E.S.E. from the light-house, 12 or 14 leagues from the Hook; appeared so large that he took her for a man of war; that yesterday morning she lay at anchor without the outward middle; that yesterday afternoon about 3 or 4 o'clock Francis James' pilot boat came near said ship and beat round under her lee, and as he supposes put a pilot on board; that the said pilot boat beat round her several times, and about 4 o'clock the ship got under way and came up within the middle, and came to an anchor about 8 o'clock last night within the middle; that they saw a second large ship this morning, off about 8 or 9 leagues from the Hook, as he imagined; that the ship he left at anchor has bright sides and quarter pieces; no head; has a mizentop-gallant yard across; does not appear deep loaded; that James' boat took the pilot out of the Pennsylvania Farmer and proceeded to the ship; that James' boat came up yesterday and went down today; that the schooner Tender went down this morning with a pennant hoisted, and jack at bowsprit end; when the schooner came within a mile of the ship he hove her ensign out, and the ship hove her ensign out; that the schooner proceeded and anchored near the ship, and was there when he came away; that he met James' boat near the buoy at the west bank this day as she was going down; that they heard one gun fired on their way up; Killigrove, or one of his company, carried out the Farmer; Jack Squillion was also taken out of Mr.Lowther's sloop by James' boat.