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154 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
sound the Bar. July the 4th, they got under sail and came to in the
right way off the Channel so that we expected to be attacked next day.
The General came, on board of us and made a very handsome Speech
encouraging us to stand by our Liberties and Country. For his part
he was resolved to stand it out, and would not yield one inch to them
tho' they appeared so formidable. He was convinced they were much
superior in Numbers, but then he was sure his men were much better,
and did not doubt (with the favour of God) but he would get the better.
We having but 10 seamen on board, the General sent us 100 Soldiers,
and being well provided with warlike stores, were ready for twice the
number of Spaniards. There were several Vessels in the Harbour which
we (as Commodore) placed in the following order, viz:—
" 'The Success, captain Thomson, 20 guns, 100 men, with springs
upon our cable.
" 'The General's Schooner, 14 guns, 80 men, on our starboard bow.
" 'The St. Philip Sloop, 14 guns, 50 men, on our starboard quarter..
" '8 York Sloops close in Shore with one man on board each in case
of being overpowered, to sink or run them on shore.
" 'July 5th. The Spanish Vessels got all under Sail and stood in.
They sent two Quarter Galleys carrying 9 Pounders, and one Half Galley
with two 18 Pounders in her bow to begin the Attack which were warmly
received by the Fort, which exchanged several Shot with them. The
Wind and Tide both serving, they soon came up with us and fired upon
us, which we returned very briskly. They .attempted to come up under
our stern, upon which I run out two 6 Pounders at the Stern Ports
(they being the Guns I commanded) and fired upon her which made'
them lye upon their Oars, and drive with the Tide. The Admiral came
next and was saluted with our whole broad-side, then by the Schooner
.and Sloop, which made him sheer off from us. In short we received
all their Fire and returned the same very briskly, having fired near
300 Shot out of our Ship, they coming on one by one just gave us time
to load, so that I believe there was not one Ship but had some Shot in
her. They fired at the York Sloops which had run aground. After,
they came to anchor and landed a great many men, of which they had
great Plenty.
" 'The General sent us off Thanks for our brave Resistance and
ordered his men ashore and us with what other Vessels could go to make
the best of their way to Charles Town or anywhere to save the Vessels;
upon which, we gott ourselves in train for going to sea, and cutting our
Cable dropped down with the Tide. The Schooner and Prize Sloop
followed us, next morning got over the Bar, and said 4 Galleys standing
after us, we got all ready for a second engagement, and having sea-
room, would have made a market of them, but they did not care to coine
over the Bar.
''' All that night saw several fires, and a sloop blow up, which proved
the General destroying all that might be of service to the Enemy, intend
ing to march all his men to frederiea and there hold it out.
" 'July 7th. Got all into Charles Town. Captain Thomson peti
tioned the Assembly for assistance to the General, and to have his own
Ship manned to go against the Enemy with the Man of War and what