December 24th, 1775
All hands to cleaning our firearms today, in readiness against an inspection by the Captain.
The word came also that Command hath sent to the shore to demand provisions, so many going hungry in the fleet; and that the rebels hath refused to supply us at any price; and hath furthermore requested, “that if His Lordship must indulge in midnight orgies with his Negroes, that he at least forbid the wretches to sing, as it disturbs the town and frights the cattle.”