This morning a great number of Gentlemen came on board, and amongst others Col Johonnot,1 with a son,2 of his who is a going to France with us. There are a great number of Passengers and the Frigate is very well mann'd. Col Johonnot introduced me to his son, with whom I hope I shall form, an acquaintance, which will be very agreable to me and I hope I shall endeavour to make myself agreable to him. This afternoon Captn. Tucker,3 came on board, and told us that he saw a day or two agone two ships and a brig off Cape Ann: we were very glad he told us of it, so that now we can take proper Measure for shunning them.

This morning a brig and a schooner went out I suppose after wood to the eastward. About 8 o clock the Gentlemen went to breakfast. Sammy Charles and I dont breakfast with them. About ten o clock we set sail in company with a brig which is to carry back the Pilot and the Courier De L'Europe1 who came from France with us. About half after three the Pilot went away from us; he told us he would stay off Cape Ann till eleven o clock next morning.

Yesterday and day before there was nothing remarkable only that all day yesterday there was a calm but last night it freshen'd and now we have a Gale of wind.

12 o clock. The Gale continues. Nothing else remarkable. 6 o clock. The wind has abated a great deal. There is now only a fresh breeze of wind.

This morning about 6 o clock spy'd a sail about 2 miles off. We sent the courier de L'europe to speak with her. She put about and run. About nine o clock she set royals studden studding sails and chased us. About one o clock she came up with us and 4 5 hoisted american colours. We hoisted french flag and pendant; we spoke with her. She was a brig1 eight weeks out of Salem. She has taken three prizes. She says she spoke with the ship the Jack belonging to the same owners with her that the ship Jack has taken two prizes since she came out. The mate came on board. He says they saw an english twenty Gun ship and seven sail he suppos'd a going to Cape Breton for coal. He says there is no English cruisers off the banks; I wrote a Letter to my Mamma2 by her as she is agoing directly to Salem. A clever breeze of wind.