On the 12th there blew a violent Storm, in which an Hospital Ship and the Friendship, which were at Anchor on the other Side of the Bar, were obliged to put out to Sea, but returned in a few Days after. A Schooner, having on board some Provisions and Coals, drifted a little Way from the Fleet, was taken by one of our Pilotboats, and brought to Town. Her Crew took to their Boat, on observing the Pilotboat's Approach.

His Excellency the President,² on the 14th, proposed to the Militia under Arms, on Oath of Fidelity, which was voluntarily and readily taken by every one present excepting three. The next Morning it was proposed to the Country Militia doing Duty in Town, and to the Artillery Companies, where it met with their unanimous Assent.

A Sloop from the West-Indies for this Port, with a Cargo of Gunpowder, Arms, Rum, &c. having, in the Afternoon of the 16th descried the Fleet, attempted to make her Escape; but, through the Ignorance of her Pilot, run aground and bilged. Next Day she was discovered by the Men of War, and a Tender, with several Boats full of armed Men, came towards her. The Crew, being only 12 Men, unable to cope with such a Force, in the Situation the Vessel was in, quitted her. She was soon after boarded, set on Fire, and blew up with a great Explosion.

By some Sailors who deserted from the Ranger Sloop lying near Long-Island, we were informed, That the Land Forces were about 2800, [some say 3300]³ Men, under the Command of Major General Clinton, who had under him Major-General Lord Cornwallis and Brigadier-General [James] Vaughan.

On the 21st, our advanced Party at the N.E. End of Sullivan's Island fired several Shot at the armed Schooner Lady William, an armed Sloop, and a Pilotboat, lying in the Creek between Long-Island and the Main; several of which hulled them. For several Mornings and Evenings the Enemy threw Shells, and fired from Field Pieces on our advanced Post, but without any Effect.

A large Ship hove in Sight on the 25th in the Morning. She was thought to be the Roebuck, but we have since learnt she was the Experiment, Capt. [Alexander] Scott, of 50 Guns; next Day she came over, having her Guns out. On the Day following, the 27th, between nine and ten in the Forenoon, as soon as the Experiment had her Guns all in, the Commodore hoisted his Topsails, fired a Gun, and got under Way. His Example was followed by several others of the Men of War; but a Squall coming on, and Wind shifting from S.E. to the opposite Quarter, prevented their coming much nearer at that Time. In the Afternoon the Commodore again got under Way, and came about a Mile nearer Sullivan's Island.