The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Capt. Samuel Nicholson, of the Deane frigate, to the Marine Committee of Congress.

FALMOUTH, September 3, 8 o'clock, 1779.

Gentlemen,

"My last to you was of the 29th of July, dated from Hampton in Virginia, and on the same day I left the capes with two Virginia state ships, their tender, and 3 sail of merchantmen. The state ships and tender quitted us soon after we left the cape.

On the second of August we discovered two sail, and gave them chase; they endeavoured to separate our convoy, but we were fortunate enough to take them both, being privateers from New York, one the Tryall schooner of 10 guns and 37 men, and the other the Flying Fish, mounting the same and 32 men; the former commanded by Captain Warling, and the latter by Captain Blair, both which were sent to Philadelphia under the command of Mr. Long a pilot, and Mr. Porter of the Boston.

On the 9th instant we chased and took the Glencairn from Glasgow, mounting twenty guns, of 18, 9, and 6 pounders, bound for New York, laden with goods, &c. She had about 30 men, and commanded by Captain M'Caul.

On the 11th, we came up with the Sandwich packet, from New York, bound to Falmouth in England, mounting 16 guns and 60 men, commanded by Capt. Hill of the navy, who was going home with dispatches, which he threw over, and had on board Lieut. Col. M'Pherson of the 71st regiment, Major Gardiner of the 16th with his wife and child, which we let remain on board on account of better accommodation, Capt. Ross of the 71st regiment. Capt. James of the navy, and Mr. Robertson Purser of the Swift, also Mr. Powell and Mr. Ashley merchants, besides the officers of the ship.

The 23d, we chased and took the brigantine Venture from Madeira, commanded by Capt. Leake, mounting two guns and about 15 or 20 men, and laden with about 150 pipes of Madeira wine, bound for New York, she was dispatched for Boston in care of Mr. Day Midshipman of the Boston frigate; by her we got the declaration of Spain against England.

Capt. Tucker on the 24th was preparing to quit me, but just on the moment of parting, we discovered a sail bearing down upon us, upon which we agreed to keep together till we saw who or what she was; and thereupon gave her chase, which continued till one o'clock next morning, when she struck without firing a gun. She proved to be the Thorn, a sloop of war from Portsmouth in England, pierced for 18 guns but only mounted 14, was copper bottomed, and complete in every respect as a ship of war for six months, and only ten months old, had 48 men on board, and was commanded by Capt. Wardlow, bound for New York; she was going with the Spanish manifesto and other dispatches, which were destroyed.

Upon my coming into this river, I found the Sandwich packet lying here, who had got in about four hours before us, having fallen in with Sir George Collier's fleet returning to New York; but they took no notice of him, and he got clear.

On board the Glencairn a person says he had in charge a box, which was to be delivered to some person in New York, but upon our coming up with them and the ship striking, threw it overboard; upon which we sent immediately after it, and with difficulty got it before it sunk, when upon examination we found it contain materials for counterfeiting our currency, consisting of types, paper with silk and isinglass in it, &c.

We have however determined to secure the person, as we believe him to be the sole intender of the villainy: The box we have on board, and shall bring it with us to Boston.

I gave the command of the Thorn to Mr. Yeaton, my first Lieutenant; he is an excellent officer, and wish he may be appointed to the command. other."

P. S. I saw the merchantmen a hundred leagues to the eastward of Bermudas.

Published by order of Congress,

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.