[Cape Henry ESE. 5 Lea^s.]
Light airs & foggy wea^r. At 6 AM weighed in Co with the Emerad Richmond Solebay Otter & Dunmore brig. At 7. saw a sail to the E^t. ward, gave her chace, with the Richmond, the chace ran cross the tail of the Middle ground for Smiths Island. At 11. she ran aground about the Middle of smith Island, then hoisted french colours & fired a shott which we returned with the 4 pounder. At ½ past 11 Anchored in 3 f^m. North end of Smiths Island NNE. S^o. point W ½ N. sent the pinnace with a flag of Truce to speak her, but was prevented by their firing seven shott at the boat. At Noon the french ships Mast fell by the board, soon after her Foremast, the Richmond having sent three boats in case of boarding her, sent them with ours to Assist in saving the people which the[y] effectd & threw her guns over board. She was called the Tonnere of 350 tons, 50 Men & 18 Guns from Cape François to the Rebells.¹
Smiths Island N^o. end NNE S^o. end W ½ N
Fresh breezes & clear wea^r. At 1 P.M. weighed & plyed for C Henry with the Richmond