Otter off St. John's [East Florida]
Tuesday July 21st. 1778.
Sir
Agreable to your Orders1 I proceed with His Majesty's Sloop Otter under my Command, and look'd into Nassau Inlet, where I supposed I saw our Troops embarking off the South end of Amelia,2 I immediately sent the Boat in after them, but before she could get near, they were out of sight; after which the Officer in the Boat plainly discovered fifteen Men on foot and one on Horse back armed, and fired once at the Boat:— then stretching away to the Northward I saw two Galleys, one Schooner, the other latteen rigged, at an Anchor to the Southward of the Bar, on the sight of us they both weighed and ran into St. Mary's.3 At 8 o'clock this Morning I arrived here. I am with great respect [&c.]
John Wright
L, UkGrNMM, Keith Papers, KEI/2/2. Addressed at bottom of last page of letter: "Honble Captain Elphinstone." Docketed: "Perseus/Lt. John Wrights letter/respecting Nassau Inlet/&ca—/21st July 1778/Ed: N Swiney."
1. Elphinstone's orders, dated 16 July, are above.
2. On these troops, see Capt. John Mowbray to Elphinstone, this date, immediately above.
3. Mowbray reported that there were three galleys at the entrance of St. Marys River, presumably the Georgia Navy galleys Lee, Bullock, and Washington.
