de la Fayette, and the
French fleet advanced to the Shoe. Thus is York Town shut in both by
sea and land, and it becomes evident that they intend more and more
closely to press us in till they completely invest our positions. The
troops and seamen engaged hard at the works. The shipping removing
further up the harbour.

September 1st.--The French landed 6000 troops up the James river, which
joined the Marquis de la Fayette at Williamsburg. The enemy now far
outnumber us. I was sent for by the commodore that night, and directed
to guard, till she had safely passed the French advanced ships, an
express boat which was sent off to convey important despatches to New
York, describing the dangerous position in which we were placed. The
risk of being captured was very great. My greatest safeguard was in the
very boldness of the undertaking. The night was dark, and as the roads
where they were anchored were very wide, I might hope to slip by without
being observed. As soon as night fell we sailed. The wind was fair,
and we stood boldly on, looking out for the dark forms of the enemy's
ships. One after the other were passed, till at midnight we were clear
of the enemy, as we believed, and the despatch-boat stood on her course
for the northward, while I made the best of my way back to port. Here I
arrived by daylight, and my report seemed to give great satisfaction to
the commodore.

2nd.--The seamen of the fleet were removed on shore, and took up their
quarters in tents. Engaged night and day in throwing up works towards
the sea, from which quarter an attack may be expected.

3rd.--Nine of the French ships advanced to Tous Marsh, and the rest
employed in landing the artillery and stores up James river.

4th.--Mounted all the Charon's eighteen-pounders on the new sea works.
The seamen engaged in pulling down the front of the town, and in cutting
trees for stockades.

5th.--The enemy preparing to commence the attack.

6th and 7th.--The seamen unrigging the ships and hauling some transports
on shore for the defence of the place. The army, as before, employed
without intermission on the works, day and night.

8th.--The enemy's advanced ships quitted the river and joined the main
body at Lynhaven Bay in consequence of Admiral Graves having appeared
off the Capes with twenty sail of the line. After some slight
skirmishing with the French, the British admiral was compelled from
their great superiority in strength