Septr 1777
The Soermost part of the Isle of Holt [au Haut] NWbN about 2 or 3 Leagues
Monday 1st 5[AM]
Saw a Sail to the Wtward made Sail & Gave chase Observed the chase Standing in for the Land Mount Desart Hills NBE½E about 7 Leagues
8
Modt and Cloudy
11
tackd Ship fired 3 Guns at the chase the chase Still kept her wind fired a Gun to Leeward & hoisted Rebel Colours the Chase then bore down towards us Shortend sail tackd Ship & Brat too Main top sail to the Mast Sent the Cutter on board the chase whitch proved to [be] a French Brig from Martinico2 took the people Out & Sent a petty Officer & Men to take charge of her
1. PRO, Admiralty 52/1865.
2. Brigantine Topinambou, Joseph Jean Pichot, master, from Nantes to any port in America, with brandy and dry goods, Howe's Prize List, October 30, 1778, PRO, Admiralty 1/488, 489-90. She was condemned at Halifax as a lawful prize on October 28, 1777, N.S. Arch., vol. 496, Vice Admiralty Register, vol. 6 (1777-1782), 76-80. A memoir on this seizure by Pichot is in AN, Marine, B4 130, 196-215.
