Admty Office 9th April 1776
Examination of John Sands.
He is Mate of the Snow Dicki[n]son Messrs B[a]yard & Jackson Owners.
| Cargo on board is 2,220. |
Bars Flour |
| 260. |
Boxes Sperm: Candles |
| 13. |
Casks of Wax. |
| 5,600. |
Bars Staves. |
The Snow sailed from the Capes on the It March bound for Nantz ー Seven more Vessels were in Company — Names two Vizt Hancock & Adams, Smith Master: & Sally, Rawling's, Master.
The Cargo is the property of the Continental Congress.
The Master on opening his Orders found he was to load at Nantz with Arms and Ammumtion; was greatly hurt at this; told his Orders & Opinion to the Mate, the Mate related the Facts to the rest of the Company, and by their concurrence he took the Command from Meeston [William Meston] the Master who at the same time delivered up all his Papers.
Their design was to come to London, went to Bristol owing to the Winds being fair.
The Cargo they were to take on board at Nantz was to consist of 15. Tons of good Powder
1,500. Stand of Arms &c. &c.
The Ship on return to Philadelphia (according to Instructions) was upon appearing off Cape Delaware to hoist Jack at the Foretop Mast head, and to be answer'd from Cape May by hoisting a white Sheet.
Meeston did not know his Orders till he open'd them, knew, only, that he was to proceed with his Cargo to Nantz.
Besides the Eight Vessels which sailed as aforemention'd, Two more Vizt Neptune Collins Master; Aurora, Ketchy, were taking in the like sort of loading for Ports in France or Spain.
Brings Intelligence that thirteen row Gally's were at Philadelphia which had been ready for Service since Septemr last: except Men, of which they had got only from 50. to 60: in part of their Complement which is 70. Men.
That five Privateers had sailed from Philadelphia about the middle of Feby Vizt
Alford — Commr Hopkins 30. Guns & 300. Men
Columbus
Sebastian Cabot
Providence
——Name forgot.2
That they were Victualled for six Months.
That 13 Frigates were under Orders to be built ー of which four were on the Stocks at Philadelphia. The rest were to be set up at Baltimore & Rhode Island.
Men he says are much wanted & he adds that while he was at Philadelphia A French Pollacre arrived with small Arms from Martinica.
[Endorsed] Examination of John Sands. In Mr Jackson's (to JP) of 9th April 1776. Copy transmitted to Sir Stanier Porten in Mr. Pownall's Letter of 9th April 1776.
