Last Sunday morning [May 19] our guard at Norfolk took a couple of lads belonging to the Otter, regaling themselves ashore with strawberries; also a little boy, whom, after asking a few questions, they suffered to go about his business.
Last night an express arrived from col. [William] Woodford, at Kemp's landing, with advice that lord Dunmore's motley army, after dismantling their intrenchment at the mills, and setting fire to the barracks and other buildings they had erected there for their convenience, had retired on board the fleet, which, to the amount of 70 odd sail, were in motion yesterday morning, and appeared to be bound for sea. They supplied themselves with wood, from a number of houses at the distillery, which they demolished for that purpose; and it was given out, that they intended for Halifax in Nova Scotia, with intent, it may be presumed, to enjoy the free exercise of their limbs, and a vegetable diet, and undergo a complete scouring from the filth in which they have been involved for a long while past. ー They destroyed between 40 and 50 sail of small vessels, after taking out what they deemed to be valuable, but suffered all the salt on board to go to the bottom.
The same night an express arrived from major [James] Hendricks, at Hampton, advising, that Lord Dunmore's fleet had just appeared in the road, and seemed to be bound for sea.
By a gentleman from Philadelphia, who left that city the 11th instant, we learn...that capt. Bellew, having lately asked permission of the Congress for his lady to visit her relations in New England, they despatched a gentleman with a carriage to conduct her to Philadelphia; but upon his going on board the Liverpool, which happened to be just after her engagement with our row-gallies, he found the captain in a very bad humour, who told him he had altered his mind, and that mrs. Bellow should not now go amongst them, as their damn'd gondolas had treated him so un-genteelly. The gentleman who went on board was fully convinced, from what he had an opportunity of being witness to, that the captain had very good reason for his chagrin; for his ship had her quarter rails entirely carried away, and a number of plugs were in her side, which makes it highly probable that he lost many of his crew. The Roebuck also was in sight, at Reedy island, and had stages out repairing her sides.