We have certain Advice from France, — That Dr. Franklin arrived at Bourdeaux 1 the seventh of December last, in good Health — That the Ship which carried him took two valuable Prizes in her Passage, and carried them safe into that Port — That the greatest Preparations for a War were making both in France and Spain that ever were known, which, it was expected, would soon be declared against Englan[d] — And that it was said at Bourdeaux, that the British Court had engaged 20,000 Russians to come to America; but that the French Court is determined to prevent them.

Last Week arrived at Ipswich, from Halifax, a Schooner, laden chiefly with English Goods, who left the 23d of January: The Captain of which informs — That there have been 4 American Privateers carried into that Port lately, taken by the Milford and Liverpool pirate Frigates: — That the noted Captain Burr, of the Milford, died at Halifax lately, and the Command of his Ship was given to the well known, brutal Henry Mowatt, who cruelly plundered and burnt CascoBay: — That Lieutenant [John] Knight, a Prisoner of the British Navy, who was taken some Time since, in the Diligence [Diligent] Schooner, by Captain Jeremiah OBrien, had, with his Officers, together with a Number of English Captains, who lately went in a Cartel from Marblehead, fitted out a Privateer Brig at that Place, mounting 14 Guns, and carrying 85 Men; she is now cruising on this Coast, and commanded by said Knight; and it was generally believed in Halifax, that she is gone on a secret Expedition against some Part of this State, suppos[e]d in the Easte[rn]: —Th[at] Dawson has his Brig cleaned and al[t]ered every Cruise; she is now painted black, with an Intention of deceiving our Cruisers; he carries 70 Men, and is cruising in the Bay of Fundy, together with the Albany Philadelphia-built Ship of 18 Guns, commanded by a Lieutenant: — That the Milford and Liverpool Frigates are careening in Dock there, as are several other Frigates and Tenders, supposed to get in Readiness to watch the Motions of our Navy — That our Countrymen, to the Number of about 200, are confined on board the Bellona Guard-Ship of 50 Guns, where they are treated in the usual barbarous Manner, by the inhuman Commodore Arbuthnot ... That [George] Dawson had a considerable Number of his Men killed in the Engagement with Captain [Simeon] Sampson, and greatly shattered, as lately mentioned in this Paper. — That 2 Frigates, lay near Fort-Cumberland: — That they expect an Attack that Way very shortly: — That a Cartel, with a Number of Prisoners, was preparing to come to this Port, — no Doubt, with an Intention to gain what Intelligence they can, in Regard to the Situation of our Force in this State: — That Capt. Sampson, and his Men, are treated severely, and were, when first taken, put in Irons; they are now in close Confinement, on board the Guard-Ships, in Halifax Harbour.

One of Captain Sampson's Lieutenants, and a Number of his Men, made their Escape in the above Vessel.

A Gentleman from Halifax, informs, "That when the Howes Proclamation was proffer'd to the American Prisoners there to sign (notwithstanding they were confined on board a Guard-Ship, and told that General Howe was in Possession of Philadelphia) they, like true Americans, to a Man, nobly disdained to accept it; they declared, they solicited no Person or Persons Pardon, but their Maker's, nor ever would they while they had Existance." A noble Example! worthy the Imitation of every American! O ! foolish Blunderland.

Captain Edward Rolland, arrived at Salem, a few Days ago, after a short Cruize, during which he has taken 4 Fish Vessels, with 11,000 Quintals merchantable Fish, and a Brig laden with Wine; three of the former are safe in Port.

To be sold at Auction, at the Store of Joshua Loring, in Congress street, Boston, on Friday the 21st Instant, at 12 o'Clock, — The Sloop Oliver Cromwell, about 90 Tons burthen, 2 Years old, New-York built, with Sails standing, and running Rigging, as she now lays at Mr. Wheatley's Wharf. Inventory of Stores may be seen at said Store.

N.B. At the same Time and Place will be sold, a Pair of double-fortified Four Pounders, seven Swivels, a Number of Small Arms, Pistols, Cutlasses, Sails and running Rigging, a Quantity of Powder, a Chest of Medicines, a compleat set of Doctor's Instruments, 5 Barrels Pork, 4 Barrels Bread, and a Number of other Articles.

J. Russell, Auctioneer.