From Thomas Digges
als: Historical Society of Pennsylvania
London Apr. 17. 1780
Dr. Sir

Mr. Saml Bailey (of Newberry Port) has been with me & I am trying to get him out in a direct road to his home. He has related His singular storey to me. It appears manifest to me that the Privateer who took him had no right to commit such an act of hostility so near the shore of a Neutral Country; The People of Flores, particularly the Governor or Commandant, were openly hostile to the Americans & appeard to have given information to the English Privateer (calld the Achilles Capt Wm. Yawkins beloning to London) to come round from another part of the Island of Flores to seize the American Ship. Just before the period of their striking to the Cutter, seventeen of the Men belonging to the Bemus made their Escape in the boat to the Island and are left there in a miserable situation. Their names & discreption are below. Can any means be usd to get them away? There is no trade to the Island of Flores save in the summer time just after the Harvest. A few ships goes from Lisbon for the only produce of the Island Wheat. I am yr very Obt Ser

T.D

Captain Pettice of Middletown Connecticut
John Lewis Boatswain of the Ship Behmus
Danl Ely Cooper to make the Hhds. for the Molasses
Thos. Merrell
Saml Foot
Saml Long
Seamen, all of Newberry Port

Dorrington Seaman, an Englishman Forgoson an Englishman Enock Rolf—Newberry two Boys Young New berry Port and five others names forgot When the Vessel was taken She was within one quarter of a mile of the shore on the western part of the Island & near one of the two small villages of the Island. n.b. there is only two villages like Whigwams on the Island one to the Et. and the other to the Wt.

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