Niger at Sea, 3d March 1776.
Sir,
If Mr [George] Dawson has not already informed You, I am now to convey to you the disagreeable News, that the Friendship which Sailed lately from Boston for New York was cast away about 4 o'Clock in the Morning of last Friday [March 1] Three Leagues to the Southward of Cape Cod ー My first sight of her as I was standing towards the Land, was about 11 the same day, and appeared to be at an Anchor in a dangerous Situation on the open Coast, on my nearer approach I found she was high and dry on Shore; it blew Violently at NWt by which means it prevented any communication between us; at 8 the same Evening I got round to the Northward of the Cape, came to an Anchor off the Coast and fired a Gun, as I knew there was then but a Neck of land about Two Miles between me and the Wreck; I then expected to have got her Crew on board, but all to no purpose, it blew so Violently that Night and all the next day; ー The Pilot of her is the only Person Secreted from the Rebels, he was conveyed on board the Hope Brig, and Mr Dawson has I believe been prevented putting him on board You aggreable to my directions, by He and Lieutenant [John] Brown
Chasing two Schooners to the Southward of Cape Cod. I am [&c.]