[A letter from a
militiaman named Barrett Gray to Clepp Asquith of Burn
Acres]
August 7th, 1776
My dear Mr. Asquith —
There is excellent news from here sir, excellent news. We have drove Lord Dunmore’s fleet out from the Chesapeake Bay, it is departed and shall not return, the Lord be praised. After their flight from Gwynn’s, they was moored near St. George’s Island and was pleased to send a small fleet up the Potomac, we reckon with an aim to sack General Washington’s home and take Lady Washington for a prisoner and free his servants, to his great confusion. But the Lord hath delivered us out of our distresses, and a fog came upon them, and we put up a strong fight, and they has gone out of the Bay entire. They head mayhap for New-York or some say one half the fleet to Jamaica for to sell the Ethiopian Reg. now there ain’t no use for them.
So sir we see the last of this dog Dunmore, blacker than hell, whose crimes shall be recalled in all ages and he be called cursed by all men. Let us sing the praises of JEHOVAH for He hath given us victory for He hateth the coward and despiseth the slave who seeks to take his master’s life. Now there is in all parts rejoicing.
I have made inquiries with those who recovered some few of the papers from the Devil’s Own Ethiopian Regiment, among which there is several morning reports with names of such slaves as escaped to Lord Dunmore’s side. There is none called Pro Bono nor called Gitney nor called Asquith. I reckon he never joined with Lord Dunmore, but set out straight for the forests, he is such a rogue.
I mislike to carry no word of him; but I know you shall be rejoiced at the news of our victory. The Lord be praised, and the hymns be led by
Your humble servant,
B. Gray