[July 5, 1776 to September 11, 1776]
...we had not been long out before we fell in kith an armed Brig (Letter of Marque) with whom we had a severe action for upwards of two hours, when she struck to us, she was loaded with rum & had a large turtle on board with Lord Norths name on it, brought it in & gave it to Mr [Robert] Morris: we had all our officers killed or Wounded the Captain & Myself excepted, so that I was obliged to take the command of the, prize & which circumstance obliged the Sachem to return into port.2
1. Manuscript Autobiography, DARL.
2. The brig Three Friends, Anthony Stalker, master. The engagement took place on August 12. The prize and Sachem, Captain Isaiah Robinson, arrived at Philadelphia on September 7. Pennsylvania Gazette, September 11, 1776.
