I arrived here this morning, after a passage of 42 days from Gibraltar, from whence I sailed, in company with sixteen others, under convoy of the Enterprize, who saw us as far as latt. 44. long. 18.34.W. In latt. 45.26, long. 9.00, was brought too by his Majesty's ship Hector, of 74 guns, who had in company an American ship, the St. Ann, Robinson, of 200 tons, taken on the 16th inst. bound from Carolina to Bourdeaux, with rice and indigo. On the 15th inst. I fell in with the Boyne, Capt. [Herbert] Sawyer, latt. 49.15, long. 8.30.W who on my application to him conveyed me to Plymouth, where I arrived on the 16th. The Boyne had also taken on the 12th an American vessel, with rice and indigo for Bourdeaux, and Capt. Sawyer informed me, that on the 28th of May he had fallen in with three privateers, viz, a ship, a brig, and a sloop in latt. 45. who had hoisted American colours, and to whom he gave chace, but carrying away his topmast they escaped. These vessels, by information received from a Dutchman on the 30th of May, off Porto, came out from Nantz the 12th preceding.2
On the 17th I was chaced by a brig, who fired several shot through my sails and rigging, and by her behaviour, and being American built, I took her for a privateer, but on coming up she proved to be a tender called the Hope, the officer's name Bridges, who brought me too, and insisted on com ing on board; and notwithstanding I informed him of my voyage and desti nation, and of being under quarantine, pressed two of the best men on board, being then very weakly manned, and at the same time carrying away the head of my foretop—mast, I desired assistance, but could only get two such men as he pleased; whilst he was in company a schooner appeared to leeward, on the French coast, which the men he had put on board told was a privateer, that had taken several vessels thereabouts; but the tender left me, and hawled in directly for the land, without taking any notice of her.
