saw from the Mast Bead 8 sail Standing for the Island and soon discovered them to be 2 learge ships, 2 brigs, 3 Sloops, & 1 Schooner — At 7 do the said Vessels Anchored in Hanover Bay, and Supposed them to be a Rebel armament - and to plunder by forse or Chatagem the Kings Forts and Magizines, — I went to Town to Consult with the Governor and council what was to be done on the Occasion; After Various Opinions it was resolved for the good of the Service that His Majestys Schooner under my Command should be brought to Town - her boats and stores were getting on board, Unmoord, Weighed & got under sail - Received a letter from the Governor reccomending it to bring the Schooner down to Stop the Channel Off the East Fort, but at this time being against wind and tide, At Noon complyd with said requisition; While performing said service we saw the aforesaid sloops and Schooners get under sail very full of Armed Men. Received another Message from the Governor and do to bring the Schooner down to Town, and Moor her Head and stern within Pistol shot of the Shore at the upper end of the Town ー Filled 9 rounds of Powder, all hands called to Quarters -Loaded the small arms, got up the handgranades &c -Left on the Carreening Island which we had not time to get off, Fifteen Cask of Water, 3 hogsheads, 10 half hogsheads, 7 bundles of Iron hoops, 30 in each — Half a barrel of Turpentine, 1 barrel Pitch, main & fore boombs, 2 Topsail yards, some Mahogany Plank, 4 Handironleavers, and all the Material that were left after repairing the Schooner -1 barrel beef 1 barrel Pork Chests with books Papers Cloaths &c Strong Gales and clear Wr Employed clearing the Schooner for Action ー At 1 (PM) 4 of the Enemys Vessels got under sail, and run into the Eastern Channel, and landed their Troops 7 Miles to the Eastward of Fort Montagu ー At 2 a pilot came on board, Warp'd and Weighed, and Anchord at the East End of the Town within Pistol Shot of the shore, and road the Enemy must pass and moord — Called all hands to Quarters — Guns loaded with Double round and grape shot ー At 3 saw the Rebel Army take Fort Montagu and the Malitia march out By request of the Governor and Council, Slipped our Cabil a Stern and Weigh'd the other Anchor and left the former behind us ー Came to sail and Anchord, and moor'd to Cover the entrance of the Castle ー Parted our small bower Anchor and Cable, got the schooner on shore ー Got Warpt out and with much difficulty hove her Off, The Vessels being all in confusion and deserting, the inhabitants of the Town all took refuge in the Fort in the utmost Confusion ー At ½ past 10 (PM) got well Moor'd with the broad side within half a Pistol shot of the Shore and Fort Gates ー At 11 do I was Summoned to Attend the Council, On these Emmergencies they told me, that they were resolved to send the Powder away, and asked If I would carry it to Saint Augustine to which, I told them, that it was impractable but that, I would defend it to the utmost of my power, and act in every thing for the good of the service that could be pointed out as far as is consisting with my duty and honour ー They had an answer to their Message sent the Rebel army that they were come here their [aim] was to destroy the Kings Schooner and Carry off the Powder and which they were determined to Execute ー And as the powder was to be Sent away, the Fort in confusion and would make no resistance, the schooner must inevitably fall a Sacrifice ー It was recommended for me, for the Safety of the King Schooner and the Sloop with the Powder to push out and convoy her to Saint Augustine as it was the most likely Method to save both I told the Governor & do I had thai: day put the Schooner in the several stationd they had recommended and where I thought most likely to Annoy and battle their Troops and to protect the province in the best manner the Schooner I commanded would admit of ー The Governor and do were of Opinion, and again repeated as the powder was to go, I could not be of any other service but to defend it.
