My Lord

I have the honour to acquaint Your Lordship, of our having taking the Rebel Frigate Virginia, of thirty Guns and one hundred and Fifty Nine Men, (there was many more Men belonging to Her, but some were Sick on Shore, and others left behind,) She Sailed from Annopolis, at 9am the 30^th of March, with a strong Notherly Wind, and in the Night to avoid us, got upon the Middle Ground Shoal, and knocked Her Rudder of[f], and beat into deep Water, and then Anchored; and we took Her in the Morning without opposition.— We were then lying between the Horse Shoe Shoal, and the Middle Ground.— She was going upon a Cruise. 

The Captain² got on Shore, which was not in my power to prevent, as it blew hard, and a large Sea. 

Inclosed is an Account of the officers and Men.³ 

The Ship is very well as a Frigate, Sails fast, and well found in every thing but Cables.⁴ I have the Honour to be [&c.]