Nantes July 3. 1777
[Extract]
. . . Capt Wicks in the Reprisal Capt Johnson in the Lexington & Capt Nicholson in the Dolphin cutter have been on a months Cruize up St Georges Channel & Round Ireland they have made Eighteen prizes Seven of which they Sunk one they gave to the Prisoners two Smugglers they Returned to their Captains & Eight they Sent to the first port they could make in either France or Spain of these Last one is Arrived here & one I hear is at Dunkirk the other Six we have not yet heard of on their return the three Cruizers fell in with a 74 gun Ship but have all had the good Fortune to escape Capt Johnson got into Morlaix Wicks &Nicholson into St Malo Wicks was very hard press'd & saved himself only by throwing all his guns overboard & Sawing three of his Beams in two — Capt Nicholson's Vessel may not yet be known to you he came hither address'd to me & is on Congress Acct. . . .
1. Jonathan Williams Letter Book, January-August, 1777, YUL.
