April 1777 Saturday 5th
Ditto [Cape Henlopen] No 35:00Wt 48 Leagues. at 9 A M the Roebuck made our Signal to go ahead saw two sail ahead gave Chace and made the Signal to the Roebuck for seeing them at Noon in Chace and the Roebuck in Sight. Strong Gales and Squally Wr fired several shot at a Schooner & brought her too, sent an Officer & Men to take Charge of her 2 & gave Chace to another Sloop at 5 P M came up with her and fired several 9 pound shot & Small Arms at her, brought her too, She proved to be the Sechem Sloop belonging to the Congress,3 sent an Officer & Men to take the Charge of her, the Longboat in Shifting the Prisoners broke away and was lost
1. PRO, Admiralty 51/688.
2. Schooner Neptune, Daniel Van Vorhus, master, from Philadelphia with flour, hoops and staves, Howe's Prize List, May 22, 1777, London Gazette, July 8 to July 12, 1777.
3. Ibid., Continental sloop Sachem, Captain James Robinson, "sloop on a Cruize; armed for War." The Sachem had been ordered for St. Eustatius, from Philadelphia, on March 29, with instructions to take or send certain dispatches to the Continental agent at Martinique, Marine Committee Letter Book, 64, NA.
