On the 26 of May 1776 Siting with a prospect glass and Looking out of a Chamber [wi]ndow Saw a Small Sail moving Eastward which appeared to me to be without the beach, immediately after I perceived She Came about and run westerly at which time I Saw another Sail that appeared to be at a greater Distance and Directly Come about and passed each other two or three times and then the Sail first Discovered Stood to the Eastward and Came into the Inlet opposite to fort Neck and Came Directly up the bay within about half a mile of the said Neck and there grounded on a Sand bar as soon as [the] Sails were down I Discovered seven [men] that I Could Count by looking through the glass ー being Dissatisfied with seing more men than Common in So small a Sloop tho large to Come into our bay I Set out about sun set with a boy to roe me aboard and see who they were and what there Business was when I Came Near I hailed her and after asking my Business Several times without my giving a Direct answer I went aboard they Appeared much Surprised when Seeing but three men on board I asked where the other men were. they told me they were gone ashore for Lodging but they knew not to what Landing  that they came from Elizabeth town and wanted to get a Load of Clambs  that they Saw no Sail without the beach and that they made no turns nor tacks until they Came into the Inlet and that they were not obliged to go within Sight of the men of war to Come from Elizabeth town here and that the[y] intended to the Next morning themselves on Shore to hire men to get Clambs for them.