12th [March, 1777]: Had but little sleep last night; the fog has cleared away and we see land about 2 or 3 leagues distant, our Captain tells us it is about Indian River and that he will proceed higher up and land us a little to the southward of the Cape; he therefore crowded sail for this purpose as he meant afterwards to go in search of our ship. About 11 o'clock the wind came to the west and it looking very dark and gloomy over the shore; we reefed our sails and stood on till one o'clock when there came the severest squall on a sudden from the northwest our people had ever before seen. We were in the utmost danger of being laid on our broadside before we could take in sail, some of this was however soon torn to pieces by the violence of the wind, the rest was hauled down as soon as possible and our little schooner scudded before it. The squall lasted near an hour tho the violence did not continue so long, and we saw numbers of small birds blown by our vessel. About two o'clock the wind had abated so far as to enable us to carry a little sail. However it was now impossible to put our first plan into execution as the wind was directly contrary and our distance from the land increased by being driven off by the squall; we therefore determined to stretch in for land to the southward, and about five o'clock came to anchor about half a mile from the shore; the surf ran very high but we were determined to venture on shore and got our things on board the boat for this purpose, taking our leave of Captain Baldwin, thanking him for his civilities while we were on board the Wasp, and left the vessel being rowed towards the shore by the two good seamen. Three or four men assembled on the beach at our approach and advised us to go back, telling us we should be in imminent danger from the surf; we consulted on the matter and agreed to attempt a landing which we effected with safety tho our boat filled just as she struck the beach, the people on shore running into the water to assist in securing our things.

Dr. Williamson and myself congratulated each other on being once more on American ground, assisted the men in emptying the water out of their boat and in getting off, which was done with much difficulty and we saw her arrive to the schooner in safety. On inquiring of those inhabitants who received us where we were, we found ourselves about four miles to the southward of Indian River, they assisted us in carrying our baggage to an house about half a mile distance, the owner of which was named Evans; he received us with the greatest hospitality, we informed him we wished to get to Philadelphia as soon as possible, enquired after a proper conveyance; he advised us to go to Lewistown where he did not doubt of our being provided, and informed us he had a son about three miles nearer Indian River, who could assist us, he furnished us with a Cart and sent a man with us to his son's house, where we arrived about eight o'clock; we advised with him concerning our journey to Lewistown, and found out that we could not go by land, without going around the head of Indian River, and Rehoboth Bay, which would be twenty or thirty mile about, but that if we would lodge at his house in the morning he would set us across the river and bay, in his Pettyaugre, and land us within four mile of Lewistown, to this we assented.