[<--page 5]
March 1779 I received orders from the Navy Board in
the Eastern Department to cruise in Boston Bay for the Safety of
the Navigation, and in quest of the Enemys cruisers, and returned
the 4th of April Following, there lay until the 23rd of June, when I
again received orders from the same Board to proceed on a cruise
with the Ranger, and Queen of France under my command. On the 24th
of July we fell in with, and followed the Jamaica Fleet, and by
various Maneuvers took Ten of them having on board 6000 lbs. of
Sugar and Rum, bailed Ginger, Pimento, and Cotton. Eight of these
Prizes (mounting 118 Guns) we carried into Boston. On the 23 of
November the three Ships being repaired I received orders from
Congress to proceed to Charleston in South Carolina, for the
purpose of Co’operating with General Lincoln in the defense of
that Capitol. The Season being tempestuous the Squadron under my
Command (consisting of 4 Ships) arrived considerably damaged on
the 18th of December.
On the 20th of January 1780 by the consent of General Lincoln, I sailed on a Cruise of observation, fell [-->page 7]