[Extract]

[Lord Romney's plantation, St. Christopher's, Leeward Islands]

June 24, 1778 . . . Our Company at Dinner, besides our own party, were as follows, V^izt., Cap^t. Crass¹ and one of his Lieut^s. of the Thetis, a Dutch 24-Gun Ship now laying at old Road, Mr. Bees, a Dutch Gentleman of uncommon strength, Mr. Virchild, &c &c. 

Cap^t. Crass, of the abovementioned Dutch Man of War, came here as usual, for a supply of Water; but it seems he has been refused taking any on board, by General Burt,² on acco^t. of the American Flag, being permitted to fly at S^t. Eustatia; and suspecting, from the very freq^t. trips, the Dutch Ships make to this place, for that necessary article, that they supply the American Privateers &c, with it. They will hereafter, be obliged to go as far as Guadaloupe, being the nearest Island, to S^t. Eustatia, where Fresh Water, can be procured. . . .