of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 83

[Hair to Neill.]

St. Eustatia 28^th Decemb^r 1775.
Dear Sir.
After a passage of 1 5 days, from Cape Henry we arrived here
on the 10^th ult^o the day following (in the morning) a ship of war
appeared in the Offing of this Road, which made Cap^t Dickin-
son & I anctious to have the Cargoe landed from on Board
the Schooner to effect, which we were both on shore endeav-
ouring to make sales, or find a convenient place in which to
store it. In the mean time to our great surprise we perceived
the Schooner under way at the appearance of which I applied
to some boat men to row me off, but before I could reach her,
she was under the guns of the above mentioned ship of war
who positively denyed to admit me on board of her, at my

return on shore; I found, three of the people who gave Cap^t

Dickenson & I the following relation; that the mate & one
man had cut the cables and delivered themselves with both
vessel and cargoe up to the above ship that they were obliged
to make their escape in the boat after many imprecations &
threats from the Two villans who were each armed with a
Broad ax. I consulted M^r Jennings what to do who advised
me to apply to the Governor of this Island to demand her
again as Dutch property being anchored under the guns of the
Fort & regularly reported. This I did and obtained a flag of
Truce pass with letters to Adm^l Young, giving a detail of the
matters and demanding the vessell and cargo to be returned.
I went to Antigua where the adm^l was supposed to be and
delivered the governors letters when I received for answer
that he could not comply with his request his orders being
such it was out of his power; all I could obtain from him was
an order for my cloths and that with difficulty whatever money
I had in my chest was taken and confiscated along with the
cargo. The schooner & Cargoe is now at Navis where they
will be tryed & sold. I shall attend the tryall and if it is pos-
sible you may depend upon it to take any further step for your
advantage I shall not fail to do it. There was neither letters
nor papers of any kind left on Board that could argue any
thing against us but that of not having a regular clearance what
ever expence I have been at I was obliged to borrow here,
being left without the means of procuring a dinner or a shift
of cloths. I shall write you again after the trial of the vessel
in the mean time I am D^r Sir Your very humb^l Serv^t
J. Hair
Inclosed I Returned the Bills of exchange.
To M^r William Neill Merch^t Balt^o

Original.