You must 'ere now have heard of our Misfortune; the Blue Mountain Valley, which I sailed in from London with Provisions, in October last, was in January taken in Sight of New-York, by four American Vessels, commanded by one called Lord Sterling, who carried us into Elizabeth Town, about 18 Miles off New-York, where we were all kept Prisoners for two Months, but to the Credit of the Americans I must say, we lived very well, and were well treated: After that Time we were set at Liberty, by an Order from the Congress, to shift for ourselves, and had Passes given us to protect us from being impressed by the American Sea Officers. This was more than we expected. We most of us made for New-York, where all was in Confusion. I offered myself to a Vessel just going for Belfast, and luckily such a Hand being wanted, I was taken on board .. . . The Mate was detained at Elizabeth-Town, on account of the Information it was expected he could give the Americans.
