I had the misfortune to be taken by the Yankee privateer, when bound to the head quarters, loaded with rum for the fleet and the army, from Antigua to New York. In lat. 36.40. long. 74.50. west, the said privateer, in the grey of the morning; gave chace, and got along side us about nine o'clock.

We had but 2 four pounders and 12 shot, and gave 11 of them; the other gun lost the fore-truck, or wheel, and we could not get it to bear; and he being close along side, his guns loaded with round crop bar and canester shot, that we were obliged to strike and hoist the boat out, and go on board with the Captain and papers; the people were all detained, as also the Captain; and their people sent on board our ship, and some more of ours were sent in the second boat, I being one of the number.

They had taken one three-decker before they took us, she was from Jamaica, with sugar and rum, for London; and three days after parted with the two ships, they having orders to make the best of their way for Boston, Marble-head, or Cape Ann. We soon ran them out of sight with the privateer. We having been eight days on board as prisoners, concerted measures to rise, and take her from them, which we accomplished, without lives lost on either side. We went in search of our own ships, but fell in with two American privateers, which made us bear up, and make all the sail we could to get from them; for if they had taken us, we should have expected nothing but death, but we were determined to fight to the last man, and would have sunk her rather than been taken.

We had a fair wind all the way to London, and fetched all the prisoners here with us, which were 25; and of us 14, officers included. After we were masters for 20 days and nights we durst not go off the deck for fear of a revolt from them. We did not put any in irons, but one, and that was for his impertinence. She is a fine sloop, mounts 9 four-pounders, 16 swivels, and two cohorns.²