[Extract]
No 129.

Gentn We have the pleasure to inform you that the enemy's fleet left Potowmack River on Friday last, and is gone off down the Bay; they had collected a number of small vessels, which they had dismasted, and left on the point of St George's Island, with intention to set fire to them, but a high Tide floated them off, and they were driven on Shore near our Guard, who have taken possession of them, and have found sundry goods and other effects on board to the value of three or four hundred Pounds currency; some of the Hulks may be repaired, and made fit for service. ー they burnt some other small vessels, and from appearance expect they are gone down to the Cape ー our Pilot Boat is just returned yesterday evening and says he heard at Pyanketank, that the men of war had Stopt in Hampton Road, and were making demands of fresh provisions and water, and promised, on being supplied, to leave the Bay ー The Deserters, of whom many have come over to us, inform that the Tory families are going, some to the West Indies ー others to Halifax, and the Roebuck to New-York.

[Annapolis] July [sic August] 9th 1776