Lewis Town, Aug. 2, 1777. 8 o'clock, A.M.
When I wrote to you last, I acquainted you of a large fleet being near the Capes; they made for our bay till the evening, and I expected next morning to have seen them within the Cape, but when day light appeared they were several leagues further out than they were the night before, which I imagine was owing to their being but very little wind and a whole ebb tide in the night; however at 9 o'clock, A.M. of the 31st ult. the Commodore, which was one of the nearest ships to the Cape, fired a gun and hoisted a flag, and bore down on the fleet, the wind being to the Westward. About noon it fell calm, and about 2 o'clock, P.M. the wind came to the South ward, and the fleet stood off by the wind, except 4 frigates and 4 tenders, which are in and near our road. Just before sun set we were alarmed from the light house that the fleet was standing in again; however, on the 1st of August they were entirely out of sight. Whether they are gone to the Southward or Northward is not in my power to tell. When they disappeared the wind was about South. I should have sent off this express before, but delayed it from reports being often brought that they were standing in again. The Roebuck went off with the fleet, and has not been seen since.
N.B. Nehemiah Field and Samuel Edwards, both pilots, went on board the enemy's ships from the beach.
