Plymouth, Nov. 7th, 1775.
Sir: ー
Since I parted with you, I have made blackguard snatch at two of their provision vessels, and have them safe at Plymouth, and if you were where you could see me and did not laugh, all your risible faculties must perish. To see me strutting about on the quarter-deck of my schooner! ー for she has a quarter-deck ー Ah, and more than that too ー 4 four pounders, brought into this country by the company of Lords Say and Seal, to Saybrook when they first came. A pair of cohorns that Noah had in the Ark; one of which lacks a touch-hole, having hardened steel drove therein, that she might not be of service to Sir Edmund Andros ー Six swivels, the first that ever were landed at Plymouth, and never fired since.2
Now, that is my plague; but I can tell you somewhat of my comfort. My schooner is used to the business, for she was launched in the spring of 1761, and has served two regular apprenticeships to sailing, and sails quick, being used to it. Her accomodations are fine; five of us in the cabin, and when there, are obliged to stow spoon fashion. Besides, she has a chimney in it, and the smoke serves for bedding, victuals, drink and choking. She has one mast too, which is her foremast; she had a mainmast, but it was put in so long ago, that it has rotted off in the hounds. She has a deck, too. When it was first made, it was new; and because it was ashamed of being old, the first time we made use of a clawed handspike, it broke a hole through; notwithstanding, the wench knew it was directly over the magazine. Upon the whole, if there comes peace, I would recommend her and her apparatus, to be sent to the Royal Society; and I dare eat a red-hot gridiron if ever they have had, or will have, until the day of judgment, and curiosuty equal to her. I havn't time to give you her character in full, but, in short, she is the devil. But while I can keep the sea and light only on unarmed vessels, she will do very well. But if obliged to fire both guns of a side at a time, it would split her open from her gunwale to her keelson.
Pray make my compliments to all friends. Tell friend White, Plymouth is better. than all the Rhode [Island] and Newport to boot. My mast will be finished to-morrow, I hope, and then away goes your most humble servant
To Major Samuel B. Webb A.D.C. to General Putnam, Cambridge
