St James's 27th July1777.
Sir,
Lord Weymouth has this Morning received a Letter from Mr Elsden, dated Lynn the 25th Inst giving Account that the Patty, John Green, Master, bound from that Port to Wyburgh, was taken on the 21st Inst in the Lattitude of 55.22. North, and Longitude of 3.20. East from the Meridian of London, at 50 Leagues from the Spurn head N.E. by East, by a Rebel Sloop, or Cutter, mounting 16. Carriage Guns, besides Swivels, and about 100 Men. The Master of the Patty was informed that the Sloop was called the Pegasus Captain Richard Allen, of North Carolina.2 One of the People on board the Privateer said privately that she was fitted out at Havre de Grace, and had not been out more than four Days; her Rigging appeared entirely new, and not in the least chaffed. From the Circumstance of the Time of her being out of Port, and from the Name of the Captain, it appears very probable that the Cutter is the Greyhound, from Dunkirk, for one Richard Allen, who called himself the Proprietor, was the Person who cleared out that Vessel from that Port.
Mr Elmsden adds that the Northampton, William Gray, Master, loaded with Deals, had been taken by the Pegasus, and sent away. The Maria, John Warns, Master, and a Ship belonging to Scotland have been taken and burnt.3 The Patty, John Green, was ransomed for six hundred Guineas, in a Bill drawn by the Master on Messrs Muilman & Son, of Amsterdam, and William Grace, or Grice, is the Hostage left on board the Pegasus.
I have Lord Weymouth's Directions to acquaint you with these Circumstances, for the Information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I am &c