Emerald off the Tail of Horse Shoe 31st March 1778.
My Dear Sir.
I have great pleasure to inform you, of our having taking the Virginia this Morning;1 she left Annapolis yestherday, and got upon the middle Ground in the Night, and knocked Her Rudder of[f], which is lost; the Captain2 went on Shore in the Barge; She has from 140 to 170 Men on board, makes much water, but expect to be able, to get Her into Lynn Haven Bay, and keep her afloat. The Solebay slipt in the Night, and hope She is gone after a Ten Gun Brig,3 that came down with her;—The Otter could not ride, and was obliged to Slip on Sunday Evening.
The Richmond has joined me this morning, and our Friend Gidoin, brings an account, that he saw a large Ship Yestherday Evening, close in with the Land, and working into York River; thinks from Her size, that it is not unlikely to be the Ship, that we heard of, had 500 Hogsheads of Tobacco on board; that as soon as it was dark, he directed the Dunmoor to work close in Shore, so as to watch her motions, but did not see any thing of her this morning, therefore concludes that She got into York River, or out; the officers of the Virginia, denies its being their Ship, or knowing any thing of any other; I wish the Senegal to join me as soon as possible, and if you approve of it, She with the Richmond, may go up the Bay and look after her.
Captain Gidoin has brought 99 men for General Howe, and there are 300 more ready, when a Ship goes for them.4 I am [&c.]
