The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Capt. Meeke, of the Liberty and Property, lying off Dover, to his Friend in London.

"On Wednesday the 26th of June, Cadiz bearing about N. N. E. eight or ten Leagues distant, we fell in with several Sail of large Ships, which we concluded to be the outward-bound Galleons; it being calm, we laid by the Fleet 'til eight o'Clock at Night, when the Wind sprung up at N.N. E. at Eleven at Night, fine Moon-light Weather, we saw a Ship a Head, which we took for a Galleon. He steered away under his Top-Sails, and was then not above half a Cable's Length from us, about a Point on the Lee Bow, when he fired a Shot very near us; we thought then he had been a Man of War, and lowered both our Top Gallant Sails 'till he should pass by us; when he bore about three Points on the Lee Bow, about half a Pistol Shot from us, he fired a Grape Shot into us, from one of the Guns out of the Waift. We were surprized at such Usage, haled our Courses up, and put the Helm a Lee; during which I hailed him, for he never had spoke a Word to us, notwithstanding we were so near; upon asking why he fired into us, he answered, what Ship? I told him an English Ship; where do you come from? Ivica, bound to Dantzick, --Bonne Voyagio-- upon which we got our Tacks on Board in Order to make sail; then he ordered us to bring the Boat on Board him immediately; we hoisted out our Boat and pick'd up several Splinters to shew the Captain; as soon as we got near him in the Boat, he ordered us back, and would not suffer us to come on Board; I told them I should be glad to speak with the Captain; as he ordered the Boat on Board; they answer'd, the Captain no want to speak to you; go about your Busines. He wounded our Main Mast, cut one of our Main Shrouds, broke the Rails on the Half Deck, made three Holes in the Main Sail, and injur'd almost every other Sail; and yet Providentially no Person received any Damage, altho' we were standing on the Half Deck when he fired. Had it prov'd calm, I should have gone on Board the Commodore, and demanded to know the Reason of this Usage; but they were out of Sight in the Morning."

I am yours, &c.