The Virginia Gazette

On Friday last a coaster, belonging to Scituate, was passing one of the ships of war in this harbour, when they doused their main sail, but it not being quite to the satisfaction of the Commanding Officer of the ship, they sent their boat on board, and upon the Officer’s stepping upon the sloop’s deck, he immediately drew a cutlass, with which he struck the master of the coaster on the cheek, which cut a gash near three inches long, after which he damned him for not shewing more respect to the King’s ship, and then cut the halliards of the main sail, and let the sail run down upon deck. We are told that the coaster applied to the Lieutenant Governor for his advice and assistance in procuring redress for this naval and insolent, but now a days too common, treatment, given one of his Majesty’s American subjects. We do not yet learn how his Honor advised or conducted on this occasion.