On our return from the Banks it was very Foggy on the Coast of Nova Scotia and a Rocket was frequently fired to discover the proximity of our Ships - A little to the East­ ward of Halifax the Fog being very dense, Capt McNeil spoke the Commodore & enquired whether he would ring the Bells as usual, who replied Yes, if all the British Navy was near him — But (Note. The Fox when captured was manned with Mr [Stephen] Hill as Capt from the Han­cock, and Simon Groce [Gross] 2d Lieut of the Boston & 67 Men & under Officers from the Boston — they were ordered to keep in Company during our Cruize — The Fox ahead, the Commodore in the Center, & the Boston in the Rear —)

Discovered a Sloop & gave Chace, she proved from Spanish River bound to Halifax with Coal & Dry Goods — The Commodore took her in Tow — This day made Cape Sables — Cast off the Sloop & scuttled her —

At 6 am discovered a Vessel standing athought our Fore Foot — At 8 she hawled round & stood in our wake - giving each of us a Broad side without trailing up even the Courses (that is the Fore & Main Sails) to get along side of the Fox which before belonged to the British Navy and was their determined purpose to recapture — The Flora being graved and pressing all Sails passed us who had been 4 months at Sea - and overhaled the Fox which continued her Course to the Southward till 2 pm when we saw her Colours struck, & Boats passing & repassing from Ship to Ship — during the time of the Flora's Chase, Guns from the Boston called Stern Chases were continued — At 10 oClock the Flora passed us and fired a Broad side on the Commodore, — we received three Shots between Wind & Water, Several were killed and wounded on board of the two Ships — After the Flora had passed the Commodore, still pushing on for our prize, The Commodore hove about to plug up the Shot holes and ordered the Boston to follow him — The Captn told him that his Ship was injured and could not wear Ship until he had the injury remedied — By the time the Shot holes were stopped, a large Ship we Saw to leeward some while before had got in reach of our Guns shot, which caused Capt McNeil to consult his Officers whether to follow the Commodore after the strange Ship which was afterwards known to be the Rain­bow of 44 Guns, the only Ship on the Halifax Station with a Poop, which gave reason to suspect she was a Ship of the Line — This consultation terminated in our Standing to the Northward — The Commodore made all sail to the Southward the Rainbow pursuing after her — The Fox now a prize to the Flora was at a considerable distance to Leeward — we lost Sight of them all by Sunset —