May it please Your Lordship,
Upon the thirtieth of July last, the Dinah Brig a Victualler whereof I was Master sailed from St Helens under the Convoy of His Majesty's Ship Perseus; the Brig sailed very heavy upon a Wind in so much She would scarcely steer keeping the Helm for the post part a Lee. I kept Company with the Fleet, until the sixteenth of August, when being far to Leeward, tho' could see the Man of War back & fill his Main-Top sail, & told twenty Sail of Ships to Windward; the Burstwick Brig, a Victualler being to Leeward tack'd and joined me. We made the proper Signal as Leewardmost Ships: Vizt the Main-top Sail clued up with a Jack at the Main-top-mast-shrouds; the Signal continued out from three until four O'Clock P. M. of the same Day. We kept sight of some of the Fleet 'till dark, having our Starboard Tacks on board, the Wind NWBW, lying SWBW that same Night We lost Sight of the Fleet intirely. I kept Company with the Burstwick & steered to Westward inclining a little Southward as the Winds permitted, and endeavoured to keep to the Westward as much as possible to shorten the distance. Upon the 24th of August I parted from the Burstwick & joined Company again September the first, steering as before as the Winds favoured. Upon the 18th instant at 6 A M saw a strange Ship W N W from me, it being calm & great Sea from the Westward ー upon 19th at 1 P M a Breese sprung up from the Southward, the Burstwick being some distance from me to the N W, I steered down to join Company, this Ship did the same. the Wind coming to the Westward, I fell to Leeward of the Burstwick & could not join her, this Ship steered for the Burstwick, I stood to the Northward from them, it was dark, cloudy & variable Weather. at 6 A.M. the Ship gave Chace to me, She appeared to be a Transport, I kept on as before, having the Wind at SWBW, at 9 Do they hailed me & run up along Side, having all Hands at Quarters with lighted Matches & Tompkins out, order'd me on board with my Papers. She mounted 14 Guns formerly 16 with eight Swivels about twenty hands or Men ー She proved to be the Nancy of London fitted out by Messrs Muir; Son & Atkinson, sailed from Cork about Six Weeks, was taken Eight Days before? the Master of the Privateer not being able to man both Vessels, sent me and Company on board the Burstwick & set Us at liberty. Upon the 22d instant We joined His Majesty's Ship Diamond & fleet & kept Company 'till our Arrival at this Port.
The above account is as exact and real as I am able to give. I am, with profound respect, Your Lordship's [&c.]
Dated at New York, 21st Day of October 1776.
(Copy) Howe
