Decr 1776 Wednes 11th
Cape N[e]gro No. 55d W Dist 41 Leags At 7 AM Saw a Sail in the No W. Quarter made Sail & gave Chase Do Tack't Ship out Reef Tp Sail At 8 Do up Tp Gallt Yards & Set Tp. Gallt Sails at Noon Still in Chase Fresh Breezes & Clear Wr Middle little wind & Clear latter fresh Breezes & hazey Still in Chase hoisted a french Jack at the Mizn Tp Mat head as the Alfreds Signal.2
Thursday 12th
At 2 AM brot too the Main Tp Sail to the Mast the Chase to Windward bearing down to us up Hammocks & Barracaded the Ship for Action Do She proved to be his Majestys Ship Unicorn at 3 made Sail to the westwd in Campy with the above Ship . . . At 7 Do parted Compy with the above Ship she being bound to Halifax
1. PRO, Admiralty 52/1865.
2. The Continental ship Alfred's signals apparently became known when the Milford recaptured the John, a prize of the Alfred.
