Rev^d. Sir

As there is no Justice of Peace in this place you’ll please advice the nearest Custom House of the following Information. That being loaded with Provisions for New York, I sail’d from the Fairly Road on the 14 Curr^t. and beating out Channel with a Contrary Wind the length of the Mull of Kintyre; on the 16^th. I and the Ships Crew observed two Vessels one a large Ship and the other a Brig^e. at 3 Leagues distance bearing down upon Us which We at first apprehended to be Merchant Ships home bound—on a nearer survey, they having altered their Sails, and standing close in Channel till we alter’d our Course, on which they immediately altered their’s We then suspected they were American Privateers, and stood in nigh the Craig of Aisla² for Six Hours, we attempted going out a Second time but found the Ships in the same Station, from this We concluded they were Enemies waiting for Ships in the Mouth of the Channel³ upon which we directly bore [away] for the Harbour of Lamblash in Arran for Our own Safety and likewise to give the earliest Information to the Public I am &.