On Sunday in his brig came up Capt. [John] Barry - On the Sunday before, lat.34, long. 70, he fell in with a fleet of 17 sail, convoyed by a man of war, who gave him chace for eight hours, without sensibly gaining or loosing: On loosing another sail, Capt. Barry had the advantage, when the man of war quitted the chace and joined his convoy. Barry then followed, with design to pick up some of the fleet, but discovering that his foremast was sprung, he was obliged to alter his course, and after cruising two days off the Capes of Virginia, returned to get a new mast. From the course of the fleet. he imagined they were bound from the West-Indies for Virginia, but afterwards was doubtful whether they had not proceeded to the north eastward.
Yesterday we were alarmed with an account, that the men of war and their tenders were coming up the Bay, and the signal guns were fired. ー Soon after an account arrived from our vessels at the Chevaux de Frize, that a large ship appeared in sight, and all hands were preparing for an engagement. ー The same day it was said the enemy had got up to Newcastle, and burnt or destroyed it; however, an express last night informs us, that the ships were at Reedy Island point, where it was supposed they were going to get water, steal stock, and do as much mischief as possible.
