Sir this Morning at Eight OClock Saw ten or Twelve Sail of Ships Standing Down the Bay of[f] Swan Point and Stood Down Untill they came as Low down as fo bring Chester Channell Open and then Came all to an Ancour of[f] that River which makes me think they intend to Pay New Town Chester A Visset, and Meeting with the Boat Capt Hall from Chester Capt David and my Self think it Nessery to send you this Intelligence by her. Capt David and I was as high up Yesterday as Pooles Island A Reconitering two Ships and a Tender Going up the Bay and Saw one Large Ship Laying of[f] Cornl Loydes Wind Mill and beleave they have Possession of her as She was A Grinding, there is Hardly oneday but there is Sum of there Ships going Either up or down — I remain Sir [&c.]

Septemr 8 1777
on Board of the Galley Independance at North Point