[Extract]
Boston April 8. 1778
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 2d instant I recd pr Capt Allen....
Yesterday came into this Port a Capt Smith in 25 days from Martinico, he Brought a Letter from Wm. Leeds 1st Lieut of the Resistance1 dated St. Pierre's Martinico 10 March, the Contents of which though truly disagreeable I will Endeavor to give you, he Informs the Navy Board,2 that soon after they saild from Martinico they fell in with a Letter of Marque Ship Mounting 20 Six & 9 pdrs,3 which they attackt,4 when our friend Capt Chew5 was the first who fell. he with I think three others were kill'd instantly,6 Capt Leeds receivd a Shot in his Shoulder & several others were wounded—Capt Leeds's Wound obliged him to go below, where Mr Geo' Champlin7 had been confined with severe Sickness of which he died two days after the Engagement—
From this Situation of affairs the Brig at the Same time having suffer'd Considerably twas thought best to leave the Ship, which they did, having before taken a Sloop & a Schooner—Mr Leeds's Situation was such that he intimates his apprehension of not returning in the Resistance he speaks very highly of the spirited Conduct of the Crew—
The Relation I had from Capt Smith above mentiond, was, that the Resistance bore down upon the Ship, with design I suppose to board her, when Capt Chew siting upon the Quarter deck tying a Handcherchief about his head and demanding an imediate Surrender (for it seems the Vessells were so nigh each other as to shout at talk with each other) receivd a Shot from her Tops which immediately put an end to his Existance I most sincerely Condole with his Family & Friends this unexpected Loss—I am Dr Sir [&c.]
PS. One misfortune after another, However it does not become an American to be disheartned—The Raleigh8 is Arrived at Portsmo with the disagreeable Information that, on the 9th of March (I think it was) the Alfred was taken by two British Cruizers—9
You will give me leave (though I am not requested to do it) to inform you that I saw the Casks of Powder lately taken out of the Brig't Favourite-and really suppose their size were such as would have containd from 40 to 50 Gallons Each, mostly, which may account for their Contg so large a Quantity of Powder as was intimated by Capt Lamb10