January 1-December 31, 1781 169

were brought to George Town yesterday by Cap^t Fraser of the
Schooner Peggy from Baltimore now lying at Alexandria.
These Gents with sixteen more, composed a Party on board a
small Tender (alias a Pilot Boat) who were hardy enough to come
up to Alexandria and board a Vessel there in the Night, with an
Intent to carry her off; but luckily they were discovered by Cap^t
Fraser, who fired upon them, and they immediately deserted their
Prize and proceeded down the River in their own Vessel. Capt.
Fraser pursued them, and cauS^td them to run ashore near Boyd's
Hole in Virginia, where they fled from their own Vessel (which he
has brought to Geo. Town) and soon after were captured by the
Militia and delivered to him.
I have the following Description of these four Prisoners from
M^r Thompson, who examined them last Night Viz :
First. Robert Etherington. A Person bearing a Commission as a
British Subject, Instructions &c — (now enclosed)
2^d Richard Judd. Who says he was second in Command to
Robert Etherington on this Expedition, and sailing Master of the
Surprize, one of the Privateers described in the Commission.
3^d Duncan McBeane. A Caledonian. Only a common Sailor.
Etherington and Judd are Englishmen —
4^th William Dixon, late an Inhabitant of George Town, and Sub-
ject of this State, who took the Oath of Fidelity before M^r Thompson
on the 22^d of June 1/78 — having been absent at the Time limited by

Law for taking that Oath —
Master Dixon was this Day committed by M^r Thompson to our
County Goal on strong Suspicions of Treason — i e by his having
adhered to Persons bearing Arms and employed in " the Service of
Great Britain "; — As to the other three, who are now under a Guard
of Militia in George Town, I request your orders in what manner to
dispose of them —
I also enclose you a Letter from Col^l Peter Wagener Lieu^t of
Fairfax County, which Col: Deakins received about 12 o'Clock last
Night by Express, and wish to know from you whether I may order
the Militia of this County to march to that Part of Virginia, in Case
of an Invasion, and should they be ordered as far as George Town,
on their Way, whether Provisions may be issued by the Commissary
at that Place —
I wrote you on the 27^th Ult. respecting Instructions how to dis-
pose of the Recruits now raising; and I again request your Direc-
tions as to that matter, not having yet received any Answer thereto.
M^r John Haymond Nicholls, son of the High Sheriff of this
County, who never to my Knowledge, held any Commission in the
Militia, has had the Influence to raise a number of Volunteers to act
as select Militia, who have chosen him their Captain; these and others

April 7