From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol II. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
August 29.—Yesterday, the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty, commanded by Admiral Count D’Estaing, arrived safe in Nantasket Road, and this morning three of his frigates anchored off Boston. The fleet has received considerable damage in the late storm; the count’s ship (the Languedoc, of ninety guns) is particularly much damaged, her masts and bowsprits being carried away, and her rudder injured. In this condition she was attacked by a British ship of fifty guns, when, to her mortification, she could bring but five or six of her guns to bear upon the enemy. After firing four hours upon the Languedoc, the British man-of-war left her, having made very little addition to the damage she sustained in the storm, and killed only one man and wounded two or three. The damaged ships are repairing with the utmost expedition, and in all probability will soon be in a condition to give the dastardly Britons a drubbing, should they have the effrontery to attempt to stand before them.
This afternoon the Count D’Estaing, with his suite, came up to Boston in his barge. He was saluted on his landing by the cannon of the American fortresses and ships in the harbor, and all respects were paid him that tune and circumstances would allow. The count and his officers, General Heath, the Marquis de la Fayette, the principal officers of the American marine, and other gentlemen, dined with General Hancock.1
1 New Hampshire Gazette, September 8.