[Extract]
Dear Sir —
The Vessels which I mentioned in my last, prove to be two ships from Philadelphia ー the last of them left Reedy Island the 12th ult ー they are loaded with Tobacco ー another sailed with them ー and seven more Vessels were loading with that commodity ー bound to this Kingdom.
The Delaware has been blocked up by three British ships of War for six Weeks ー they quitted the station for Chesapeake Bay ー which released between forty and fifty Vessels ー most of them small ー and except the three mentioned ー all bound to the West Indies. They were convoyed for three days off the Coast by the Randolph Frigate, Captain [Nicholas] Biddle ー one of the new ships built at Philadelphia ー she mounts thirty six guns and carries two hundred and eighty men.
When she left the Fleet-she stood farther Northward ー supposed for the Coast of New England ー to pay her first compliment to the Milford; she is completely equipped and goes very fast ー The other Frigates (the last of which is called the Effingham) are all ready for sea ー but their crews are with the Army ー under their Officers ー as a Corps of Artilery . . .
Having seen a list of prizes published in the English papers ー taken by the Milford ー I have selected an account of Vessel& taken by the Alfred Frigate, belonging to the States during one month.
November 2d, 1776. Sailed from Rhode Island with one hundred and forty Officers and Men.
12th. Took a Brig with a valuable Cargo from Liverpool to Halifax.
13th. The ship Mellish, a transport, bound to Quebec ー with Clothing for the Army ー she had twelve thousand complete suits.
16th. A Scow [snow] with Fish from Guepuy [Gaspe], to Barbadoes.
22d. Chased a transport ashore off Canso ー loaded with provisions as she could not be got off ー sent the boats, and burnt her.
23d. Three transports under convoy of the Flora frigate.
26th. A ship from Liverpool to Halifax ー mounted with ten carriage guns.
December 16th. ー Arrived safe with the Mellish in Nantasket Road, with one hundred and forty prisoners on board, among whom are the Attorney General of Canada, his lady, and family ー with several officers and soldiers.
