September 14th 1776 ー 8 o'clock in the Morning Comeing in the Mole of St Nicholas, I, John Douglass, Commander of the Schooner Lady Caroline, come from Philadelphia Loaded with Flour, Kegs of Biscuit, Fish, Pork, Cheese, Gammons &c &c

I declare I was at Five o'clock in the Morning within Five Miles of the Land & North of the Point of St Nichola Mole in the Island of St Domingo. I have been chased by one English Frigate & a Sloop, and them two pursued me fireing a great many Shot at me both Nine Pounders & Swivels, ti1 the Sloop came to the distance of one Mile from the Entry of the Port of St Nicholas Mole; where I saw a French Frigate with her Colours flying and she firing several Shot but it! being Calm she could not get out of the Harbour, but I saw her send a Sloop out of Sixteen Guns, with two of her Barges, towing ahead the French Frigate, having part of her Sails unbent and was Setting up her Main Rigging, Main Top Mast and Main Top Gallant Mast was also down. And she was getting ready as fast as possible to come out, the Sloop not minding the Shot stil kept her Pursuit not careing for the little distance I was from the Land, then I was oblig'd to abandon my Vessel with my People and I came into the Mole for protection And all the Inhabitants both ashore and the Shipping came running down to the Shore, they haveing seen the Event, I was sure I was near enough to the Land not to be Molest'd in the least, but to go in the Harbour Peaceably

I have Declar'd the above
in the Mole of St Nicholas
to all the Superior Officers

[Endorsed] Copy of the Declaration of John Douglass, Master of the North America Schooner Seiz'd by His Majs Ship Squirrel, annex'd to the claim of the Chevr de Monteil dat'd 16th Septr 1776.

[Endorsed] (A Copy) Clark Gayton