Williamsburg [December 30].
We have just received an account of the taking 14 whites, and 2 slaves, which were on board a tender sent out, as it is thought, to plunder the inhabitants on the seaboard, and to pick up such other base wretches as might be found to join in this accursed trade, as they had 8 stand of spare arms, besides other military stores, on board. On Friday the 22d instant advice was received at Hampton that the tender was at anchor between the lighthouse point and the mouth of York river. Captain [Morgan] Alexander, with 12 privates of his rifle company, Lieutenant Colmise [Marquis Calmes] and ensign [John] Holder, as volunteers, together with 6 other gentlemen volunteers from the Musquetto, were detached,_ under the command of the afore-mentioned officer, who found the tender at anchor, as had been reported. The party continued reconnoitreing the coast till about day-light, notwithstanding the great severity of the weather. In the course of the night, which was exceedingly tempestuous, she cut her cable, and drifted on shore, when the crew left her, and betook themselves to flight. The party proceeded to examine, and after pursuing some distance, found the crew, whom they took, and brought to Hampton. On further examining the vessel, which could only be done by wading, as the storm continued, and the breakers were so violent, that those in the attempt were frequently beat off their feet. Twenty four stand of arms, some new regimentals, and some other particulars, were found on board.
The last accounts from Norfolk were dated the 25th instant, when the Liverpool, with the Otter, Kingfisher, their tenders, and Lord Dunmore's ships, the Eilbeck and William, were lying before the town with springs on their cables. The captain of the Liverpool had very decently demanded a supply of provisions, which was decently refused by colonels Howe and Woodford. The express says that he heard cannon all day Wednesday and Thursday, and supposes that that had occasioned a cannonade. An incessant firing has been heard by many people from that quarter.
Colonel Howe, we understand, has taken upwards of 50 tories in and about Norfolk, whom he intends sending to this city.