On Friday between the hours of one and two o'clock, P.M. came to my house Miles Henry and William Dodge, formerly belonging to the Roebuck, and made the following report from due examination, viz. They came into Carson's [Corson] Inlet, situate between the Five Miles Beach and Peck's Beach, about sunrise, on Friday, and put into a small creek, by the name of Heake Fish, putting in at the west end of Peck's Beach, in a whale boat, under the command of Thomas Slater, and Rowland Edwards, chief pilot, with three hands, besides the two deserters; the names of the three are, William Hatch, james Herner, John Jackson; they all belonging. to the brig Stanley, Richard Whitworth commander. From their information, I conceived it my indispensible duty with all possible speed, to dispatch a detachment to take the said whale boat, which detachment arrived on the west end of Peck's Beach said afternoon, about five o'clock, under the command of Major Enoch Stilwell, who by certain intrigues took the whole crewwithboat,arms,&c.anaccountofwhichIhereinclose.
I beg leave to inform you, by what means the two deserters made their escape: they were placed as centries, to guard the others, while they took a nap, during which they made their escape. I shall as soon as possible, immediately convey the prisoners to Philadelphia under proper guards.
N.B. Seven men com pleated the expedition.
An account of the arms &c. taken from the enemy on Friday, July 25, 1777.
6 muskets, 6 boarding pistols, 5 cutlasses and 1 scabbard, 6 cartridge boxes compleat, 2 swivels, 1 spy glass, 1 case with ball in, a worm, spunge and rammer, 1 case with 5 bottles of powder, 1 bottle of rum and 2 empty ones, 1 priming horn, 12 swivel cartridges, 5 small bundles of musket cartridges, 1 compass, 1 whale boat, 1 sail, 6 oars.
