By a Gentleman just arrived here, who was in Jamaica the 27th of last Month, we learn, that the Continental Sloop of War Hornet, was carried in there (not into Antigua) the 9th, by the Porcupine Sloop of War (lately Capt. Johnson's, purchased at Curacoa) mounting 20 Iron and 2 Brass Cannon, commanded by the Hon. Capt. Cadogan — that the Porcupine had 5 Men killed in the Engagement — and that Capt. Nicholson and his Crew were confined, in Irons, on board Admiral Gayton's Ship. — That every Vessel which the Men of War carried into Jamaica, even Bermudians in Ballast, and Frenchmen, were, under some Pretence or other, condemned and sold there. — And that a large and rich Fleet, was certainly to sail from thence for Great-Britain, by the 15th Instant, under Convoy of the King's armed Ship Kent of 36 Guns and 160 Men, Capt. Joseph Tathwell, and the Lively Man of War of 20 Guns, with a like Number of Men.
A French Scooner, laden with Rice, is taken and carried into Jamaica, by the Porcupine Sloop of War.
The Brig Anne, James Garrigues, Master, of Philadelphia, with 18 fine Brass Field Pieces on board for the Use of the United States, has also been taken and carried into Jamaica.
The Cotesworth-Pinckney Privateer of this Port, of only 2 Swivel Guns, 4 Patteraroes, and 13 Men (Officers included) commanded by Capt. William Ranking (of whom some mention was made in this Gazette of the 9th Inst.) returned last Tuesday from a Cruize; of which he has favoured us with the following particulars. On the 23d of May, off St. Augustine, he a second Time fell in with Capt. Mowbray's Sloop, and the Ship which Capt. Allen in the Comet engaged four Days after, which he had approached near enough to know what they were, they gave him Chase for six Hours, but he happily got clear of them. The next day he again saw them, but they did not then chase. This did not discourage him from continuing to cruise off St. Augustine and on the 8th Instant he took within half a mile of that Bar (having cut him off from the Breakers) the SloopMary, Robert Harrison, Master, from Antigua for St. Augustine, laden with Rum, Sugar, Beef, Butter, Candles &c. On the 9th he discovered three sail at Anchor to the Northward, in about seven fathom Water, between St. John's and St. Mary's Rivers. He thereupon ordered the Prize to run in shore, while he stood toward the Ships, to see what they were. He soon discovered that one was a Frigate, the others Transports or Merchantmen (probably the same that stole the Negroes off this Bar Sunday the 1st.); the Prize was then ordered to make the best of her Way, while he stood in Shore toward the Mouth of St. .John's; where he a third time saw Mowbray, He thereupon returned to his Prize, and ordered her to stand to the Eastward; but, about noon he had the Mortification to see the Frigate come up with and retake her; she afterwards chased him till Night, but he left her at his Pleasure, and ended his Cruize, his Crew being then reduced to six Men.
On Tuesday last Capt. Richard Wells, as Prize Master, brought into safe Port, the Scooner Industry, from Jamaica, taken on the 8th of May, by the Privateer Sloop St. Louis, of Georgia, commanded by Captain Samuel Spencer.
Capt. Wells put into the Havana on the 6th Instant, where he met with a most hospitable Reception, and was readily supplied with every Thing he wanted. Captain [Woolman] Sutton in a Letter of Marque Brig, belonging to Philadelphia, put into the same Port, on the 7th, and Captain Spencer on the 8th, who both met with the like reception and treatment.
The Day Capt. Wells came in, about 9 in the Morning, he saw two Ships and a Scooner, about 5 Leagues S.E. of this Bar, standing off, who did not offer to chace, but are likely to be the same that drove ashore and burnt the Mississippi Brig, mentioned in our last, near Stono. — The Brig was the Union, Capt. Bell, from Mississippi, laden with Barrel Staves, bound for Ireland, and had been taken on the 5th Instant, by the Letter of Marque Brig Lively, of Philadelphia, commanded by Capt. W. Sutton.
Capt. Downham Newton, of the Sloop Vixen, and Capt. Andrew Groundwater, of the Sloop Swift, both Privateers of this Port, having learnt that a King's Scooner, of 10 Guns, was in the Harbour of Nassau in New Providence, and had seized a French Sloop which had put in, in Distress, the Scooner Industry, Jonathan Spooner, Master, of that Island, under Pretence of being American Property, as well as a Ship at Harbour Island, belonging to New-London, that was loading salt; they formed the Design of cutting her out, and for that Purpose entered the Harbour on the 1st Instant, but finding the Scooner hawled up under the Guns of the Fort, into which the Crew had retired, and a Man of War Sloop of 16 Guns, appearing in the Offing, after exchanging a few Shot with the Fort, they were obliged to put to Sea again. The Sloop Swift since struck a Rock on the Bahama Bank, in a Gale of Wind, and soon went to Pieces; but Captain Groundwater and his Crew got on board the Vixen — The Man of War and armed Scooner were to sail from Nassau last Yesterday se'nnight, with several Vessels they had seized, for Jamaica.