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Sir This serves to acquaint you, that on the 13th Inst on my Passage to this Island, ABreast of the Isle de Vache; I saw a large Ship to the Southwest, standing to the Northward, with Her Top Gallant Sails half Mast up ー And as soon as she got right a Head of us, She wore Ship to the southward, she hauled her Courses up, took in her Top Gallant [sails] laid her Mizon Top Sails aback; with an intent as we supposed, to speak us. On my seeing him do that, I hauled down my Steering Sails, hauled my Courses up, & took in my Top Gallant Sails ー She being then about ¾ of a Mile distant from us: then she fired a Gun to Leeward, & hoisted Blue or White Colors; but which we could not distinguish, she being between us and the Sun. This happened about ½ past 5 o'clock in the Afternoon. ー I immediately hoisted my Colors, & fired a Gun to Leeward; after which, She Edged away; filled her Mizon Top Sail, &set her Fore Sail. Then I set my Fore Sail, & fired a Gun athwart her Forefoot; of which [s]he took no Notice ー After which I fired another; when She hauled down her Colors & made all the Sail, that She possibly could; & stood away right before the Wind for some Minutes: Then I fired another, (which I believe) struck her: After which she hauled her Wind & hoisted her Colors, (which could then distingust to be White) after their being down at least 10 Minutes [she] fired a Broad Side at me; which I returned. She then Wore Ship, & fired another Broad Side; which I also returned. Afterwards she fired 3 Guns; they were again returned by me. Then she made all the Sail that she could, & stood in Shore; being then distant about 6 or 7 Leagues off Port Louis.

She Mounted 24 Guns on her Gun Deck, & 6 on her Quarter Deck. [As] I had a great number of Passengers on Board, some of whom being Ladies, & night coming on; I did not think it proper to follow her, but kept my Course for this Island ー In company with the Mermaid Capt Bowie from Glasgow. ー I am well satisfied, as are also all the Gentlemen passengers; that from every Manoevre She made (as well as from Information we received at St Kitts, "of an American Privateer of large force, cruzing to the Leeward of those Islands." that this was the Ship Meant ー Althoug[h] that She £aught us under french Colors. ー

In consequence of the Above, I thought it my Duty to Acquaint you with the particulars; at the same time not omiting to inform you, that She had a Great Number of Men; her Decks & Tops being lined with them. ー ²

I am with the Greatest respect Sir [&c.]

Dated the Ladies Adventure
Off the Navasa 14th April 1777. ー

P:S At Madeira, his Majesty's Ship the Levant Capt [George] Murray, took an American privateer,³ the day after we arrived, that is, on the 7th March Ulto: whom it was suppose'd She had carried to Lisbon or Gibralter; the latter of which place she was the Station of: And sent from thence by Adml [Robert] Man, upon the Application of the Consul of Madeira informing him that the coast of that Island was infested by American privateers; some of whom he chased & engaged Vessels, even into the very Road of Funchall.