[Roebuck Delaware Bay, Sunday 7 April]
Saw a small Schooner vessel at day break that came as far as the Light House and upon discovering the Ship, imediately made off to the Southwd. I sent the Tender & two Armd Boats after her, who drove her ashore about a league from Cape Henlopen where a large Party of Men imediately assembled and kept a constant Fire upon the Tender & Boats, so that they were not able to bring her off.2
Sent the Barge after a schooner under Cape May, which on account of a strong breeze of wind springing up they could not overtake. Saw a sail at I P M in the offing which I imediately gave chace to, which proved to be our Tender the Lord Howe from Virginia who brought me intelligence of the Philadelphia Squadron having been at [New] Providence & St Augustine and that they were certainly on their return to Philadelphia. Lieut [William] Grant of the St John Schooner who escaped from them at Providence, and brought off all the Powder gives the follg acct of their Force
2 Ships of 32 Guns
2 Brigs of 16 Guns
& 3 Sloops of 10 Guns
Upon receipt of this Intelligence I took care to place my Ship in the best Manner I could to intercept them, by cruizing all day within sight of the Light House, and lying close to it in the Night.
