The French enjoy all the advantages of a war, without any of the inconveniences; prizes are brought in here every day by privateers, who call themselves Americans, but are in reality French property, manned by French, Spaniards, &c. Guineamen are their principal objects, which they frequently fall in with. Above a dozen have been already brought in here and sold, with their cargoes, from ten to twelve Joes a head. I have been here this week past, endeavouring to recover a sloop of mine, with fifty-four new Negroes, taken by a sloop belonging to this island, under American colours; she had French papers, and notwithstanding I have proved her to be French property, the General absolutely refused to give her up, merely because he supposed her having cleared out at Grenada for Tobago; such injustice never was heard of; for suppose her English ,property, and the sloop an American, this is a neutral port, and can afford no Court of Admiralty for the condemnation of their prizes; in short, nothing but a war can stop their iniquitous proceedings.

Your brig, the Venus, Capt. Sharp, was taken the 18th inst. close in with St. Vincent, on her way to Grenada, by a sloop belonging to Mr. Pregent, of this island, but under American colours, named the Retaliation, Capt. [George] Ord, (the only American on board her.) The Venus made a noble defence, and had it not been for boarding, would not have surrendered; she fought the sloop three hours, and even when boarded, would not strike. Mr. Wilson, the supercargo, was shot through the body by a pistol, of which wound it is thought he will die; three others were terribly wounded with cutlasses. I have done all in my power to serve them, and made Mr. Pregent promise, that when they can be removed, they shall be sent to some of the English islands. The Venus is lying in a bay about a league from hence; !should claim her as English property, did I think it would avail any thing, but I know it would not. The Governor, on my too peremptorily demanding the sloop and Negroes to be restored, told me, that had I not brought him a letter from Lord M'Cartney, (our Governor at Grenada) he would lodge me twenty-four hours in the common gaol for my temerity.