Gentlemen

I had the honor of writing to you yesterday — but as the express did not set out as was expected I shall now add what I there Proposed and give you a particular Account of my late Cruise — the inclosed copies of my letters will explain what preceeded the 16th of November — on the 18th we had a Gale from the N E with Snow — it could not be called a hard Gale — however to Prevent seperation I spoke with the Providence and Mellish and Ordered them to Lay too — but to my great Surprise the next Morning I found that the Providence had disappeared. Previous to this Step there had been an Unaccountable murmuring in the Sloop for which I could see no Just foundation And in Vain had I represented to them how much humanity was concerned in our endeavours to releive our Captive ill treated Brethren from the Coal Mines. — Since my Arrival here I understand that as Soon as Night came on they Put before the Wind. — Being thus deserted the Epidemical discontent became General on Board the Alfred the Season was indeed Severe and every one was for returning immediatly to port but I was determined at all hazards while my provision lasted to persevere in my first plan. — When the Gale abated I found myself in sight of the N E Reef of the Isle of Sable & the wind continuing Northerly Obliged me to beat up the South Side of the Island — After exercising much Patience I weathered the N W Reef of the Island and on the 22d being off Canso I sent my Boats in to Burn a Fine Transport with Irish Provision Bound for Canada she having run aground within the Harbour — they were also ordered to Bum the Oil warehouse with the Contents and all the Materials for the Fishery which having effected — I carried off a small fast sailing schooner which I purposed to Employ as a Tender instead of the Providence. — on the 24th off Louisburg, it being thick Weather, in the Afternoon I found myself Surrounded by three Ships. — Every one Assured me that they were English Men of War and indeed I was of that Opinion myself — for I had been informed by a Gentleman who came off from Canso that three Frigates on that Station had been Cruising for me ever Since my expedition there in the Providence — Resolving to sell my liberty as dear as possible I stood for and Took the nearest — I took Also the Other two 'tho they were at a Considerable distance Assunder. — these three Ships were Transports Bound from the Coal Mines of Cape Briton for N. York Under Convoy of the Flora Frigate — they had Seen her a few hours before and had the weather been clear She would then have been in Sight. — they left no Transports behind them at Spanish River but they said the Roe Buck man of War was Stationed there and that if there had been any Prisoners of ours there they had entered.²

I made the best of my way to the Southward to prevent falling in with the Flora the next day — and on the 26th I fell in with and took a Ship of Ten Guns from Liverpool for Hallifax. — I had now on Board an Hundred and Forty Prisoners -So that my Provision was consumed very Fast — I had the Mellish — the three Ships from the Coal Mines — and the last taken Ship under Convoy — the best of my Sailors were sent on Board these Five Ships And the number left were barely Sufficient to Guard the Prisoners — So that Ail circumstances considered I concluded it most for the intrest and Honor of the Service to Form the Prizes into a Squadron and proceed with them into Port. I was unfortunate in meeting with high Winds and Frequent Gales from the Westward — I however kept the Squadron together 'till the 7th of December on St Georges Bank — when a large Ship Gave us chace —³ as She came so neare before Night that we could distinguish her as a Ship of War — I ordered the Mellish (the Clothing Ship) and the rest of the Fastest Sailers to Crowd Sail and go a Head — I kept the Liverpool Ship with me as She was of some Force and her Cargo by invoice not worth more than £ 1100 Sterling — in the Night I tacked and afterwards carried a Top light in order to lead the Enemy away from the Ships that had been Ordered a head — in the Morning they were out of sight and I found the Enemy two points on my lee Quarter at the same distance as the night before. As the Alfreds Provisions and Water were by this time almost entirely consumed so that She sailed very ill by the Wind — And as the Ship I had by me (the John) made much less lee Way I ordered her to Fall a Stern to Windward of the Enemy and Make the Signal Agreed on if She was of Superiour or inferiour Force — that in the one Case we might each make the best of our Way — or in the Other come to Action. —

After a considerable time the Signal was made that the Enemy Was of Superiour Force — but in the intrim the wind had increased with Severe Squalls to a Hard Gale so that in the Evening I drove the Alfred thro' the Water Seven and Eight Knots under two Courses a point from the Wind — towards Night the Enemy Wore on the Other Tack — but before that time the Sea had risen so very high that it was impossible to Hoist out a Boat — So that had he even been near the John it would have been impossible for him to have Taken her unless they had Wilfully given her up and continued Voluntarily by the Enemy through the Whole of the very dark and Stormy night that ensued. —⁴

On the 14th Dito in the Evening the wind blowing hard Northerly and fearing to be driven out of this Bay without Provision if a Gale Succeeded, I resolved to run into Plymouth — but in Working up the Harbour the Ship Missed Stays in a Violent Snow Squall on the South Side which Obliged me to Anchor immediatly in little more than three Fathom. she grounded at low Water and Beat considerably but we got her off in the Morning — and Arrived the 15th in Nantasket Roa:d with a tight Ship and no perceptible damage whatever — I had then only two days provision left and the Number of my prisoners brought in equalled the Number of my Whole Crew when I left Rhode Island had the precaution to Order the Mellish, in case of Seperation, to proceed thro' Nantucket Shoals — as the Prize Master was Acquainted. this saved that Capital prize from being retaken by the Enemy at Rhode Island. —
Thus have I laid before you a particular and Faithful Account of all my proceedings My Success hath indeed fallen far short of my wishes — Yet all Circumstances considered I am perswaded that you will not blame my conduct which I do and shall always Submit with becoming deference to Your Censure or Aprobation — as my wishes lead me to the most Active and enterprizing Services I shall always be Ambitious to receive and Obey your Commands — I have the Honor to be Gentlemen [&c.]