"[With the French ships approaching] our two convoys sailed ahead of the fleet to wait for them. Finally they were so near that our ships realized that they were not strong enough for them, because they were four large ships and three privateers. Hence they sailed as best as they could right through the French fleet and all the rest followed. Half of the fleet was cut off. The front part, in which I was, continued on its course to Norwich while the rear ran hither and thither. The privateers took eight or ten of them. The warships also met together. They shot very rapidly upon our commander Salisbury. After a considerable battle, he surrendered and also the transport with 30 cannons."
"As the weather was rainy and gloomy, we did not see them any longer, but we reached England before night. Thus on this short trip more things happened to me than lately on my whole journey."
"I make every possible preparation for what will contribute to good progress. I buy all kinds of goods which I regard as useful [and, no doubt, profitable]. Meanwhile I shall not forget you, but will make arrangements to receive you there as best I may, the sooner the better."
Yours ready for service, L. Michel
[This material does not make it clear whether Ochs made it to America or not. Some historians say that he did, on more than one occasion.]
The next letter from Michel of which we have a record was written from Arundel County, Maryland in May of 1704, a whole year later than the previous letter from London. It too was written to Ochs.
"I send you this with my friendly greeting and the hope that you will receive it in good condition as a small token of our unchangeable acquaintance and friendship. The great distance between us does not hinder us to renew at times our old oneness of mind. Especially, since I entertain the hope that I shall soon be able to receive such a dear friend in my cabin, quickly erected, not indeed according to new fashions, but in the old simplicity. It is not my intention to write at length, although the material is not wanting, because I am still at work to fulfil my promise to send, God willing, next year an elaborate report and guide, of which I have made a good beginning. I do it with the hope that those who are willing or intend to visit this country, for the sake of profit, curiosity, or settlement, will not suffer harm. It was not possible in this short time, alongside my private business and journeys, to investigate everything thoroughly. Besides I am now equipped to undertake a new journey of discovery. I shall, therefore, as briefly as possible, give a summary of what happened to me hitherto, fearing that, if I should pass it by entirely with silence until my undertaking is completed, you would not receive it well, and believe that I had no regard for our agreement."
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.