[1777] April 1. To-day I took an emetic of the doctor. There is another one of our company attacked with the small-pox, and to all human appearances it will go through the company. I do not know that I ever can have it better than now, as I am well dieted, and therefore do not try to escape it.

2. To-day the Admiral² and his lady, with several other ladies, came on board this ship to dine. This afternoon the man with small-pox was sent on shore, to the hospita1.

3. Windy, cold weather. We hear that three American privateers went into Ireland, victualed and watered, and went out again, before it was known who they were.

4. This ship is bending her sails; it is reported that she is bound to sea soon. I suppose she is bound to Spithead, where a number from this place have gone.

5. Last evening the master-at-arms told us that we were to go on shore to-day at.ten o'clock, but we are not there yet. To-day we.had an opportunity of reading a newspaper, wherein is. an account of the Americans taking nine hundred Hessian troops, on Christmas evening. ³ As we are not allowed a paper, when we get one we are obitged to be very cautious how and when we read it.