The Enquirer

NORFOLK, September 3.

THE ENEMY.

Thursday, September 2.—This morning at half past 7, the enemy's ships in Lynnhaven Bay consisting of THIRTY ONE SAIL, (18 ships, the remainder brigs and schooners) were under a press of sail & standing up the bay. Five ships, the headmost of which was Ad. Cockburn's were some distance advanced, & appeared to be making for Hampton Roads. Admiral Warren who led the van of the remainder of the fleet, made signals to those ahead, when they tacked about and the whole stood down again: at half past 10, they were all at anchor off the Light-house. The squadron must have received a reinforcement very recently, as we believe it has at no time been so numerous, particularly in Ships.—We may hourly expect some important movement on the part of the enemy. One thing may, we think, be safely relied on, that he will make no serious attempt on this place, with his present military force.

Friday 3—Last evening the enemy remained at anchor, having made no movement since the preceding report;—From an intelligent gentleman who came up in the evening, we learn, that the whole force (including the Plantagenet, Dotterel and the tender in co. with them) amounts to THIRTY-SIX SAIL, viz. six 74's, 11 frigates, two transports, 7 brigs and 10 schooners. The two Admirals lay below the rest of the squadron. Two frigates went to sea yesterday morning.

Of the enemy we have no tidings this morning.

The species of warfare waged by Capt. Lloyd, of the Plantagenet, on the inhabitants of Princess Ann c'y. is of that pitiful & dishonorable kind which cannot fail to attach a lasting stigma to his character, and cause his name to descend to oblivion coupled with that of the infamous Dunmore, and clogged with the bitter execrations of all who shall hear the tale of his rapacity.

On Sunday last six negro fellows belonging to different farmers in the vicinity of Cape Henry, went down to the beach and made signals to the Plantagenet and Dotterel, when a boat immediately put off and took them on board—A great many others have eloped in the same way, which induces us to believe, that the enemy holds a secret correspondence with the negroes on shore. This proceeding of the enemy suggested to some of the inhabitants a plan which, if it had been managed with more circumspection, would have made him pay dear for the negroes. A party of militia (17 in number) stationed themselves behind the sand hills, while two white men with their faces and hands blackened, went down upon the beach and waved their handkerchiefs to the ships, when a boat with six men immediately came ashore, followed at same distance, by two other full of men. Just as the men from the first boat were preparing to land, one of those disguised in walking a few steps shewed his bare ancles which he omitted to blacken, when the enemy exclaimed "White men in disguise by —.! Let us push off?" which they did, and at the same moment the militia ran out and fired upon them until they were out of gun-shot; they killed two out of the six. Had real negroes been made use of, the deception would have been compleat and effectual.