[Extract]

There have been a Number of Privateers lately fitted out of the English Islands, which greatly annoy & molest our Trade — They carry no Commissions, but make Prizes of our Vessels under the Authority & Sanction of the Kings Proclamation, which dooms us to be the Prey of every Invader; — The English Admiral on the Station has seized upon several of their Prizes in the Kings Name, & a Law Suit commenced in Antigua, to determine the Property, when it was adjudged to the Captors. —

The favorable Issue of their Suit has occasioned many of the Islands to follow the Example of Antigua, & I expect that these Seas will soon be covered with Privateers; —

As they began, So they continue their Depredations, in a lawless Manner, & are, under no. Restraint in the Exercise of their assumed Authority — They have lately stopped, searched & carried into Port several French Vessels, bound for this Place, one of which they have libel'd in the Court of Admiralty, for no other Reason, than that She had Cannon & Small Arms on board, which they suspected, as being intended for a Supply to the Rebels in Martinico; — This was their only Plea — The General remonstrated with the Governor of Dominica against the Violence of these Proceedings, & in a Spirited Letter which he wrote to him, demanded the Restitution of these several Prizes;

Whatever might have been the Governors Inclination, he certainly had it not in his Power to surrender them, as this Matter came altogether under the Jurisdiction of a Court of Admiralty. — The General, not receiving a satisfactory Answer, immediately ordered the Seizure of all British Property — In Consequence of which three English Vessels have been stopped, stripped of their Sails, & will be detained untill the Issue of this Affair is Known. . . .