From the Jamaica Gazette.
Kingston, July 5.
The ship Elizabeth, Capt. Byrne, about three weeks ago on her passage from Liverpool to this port, after an obstinate engagement of three glasses, was taken off Deseada by a sloop privateer, under the Congress colours, called the Fly, Capt. Palmer, mounting 14 six-pounders, 25 swivels, and had on board 106 men, all French except the Commander, she was fitted out by a Merchant at St. Pierre's in Martinico. The Elizabeth had four men killed and 15 wounded, Capt. Byrne dangerously so. The privateer had eight men killed, eight mortally wounded, and a great number slightly wounded.
The passengers were plundered and stripped by the privateer's crew almost naked; application was made to the French Governor upon their being landed at Martinico, but from whom they could obtain no redress; the Agent for American Affairs, however, furnished them with some old clothes.
Capt. Byrne arrived here in the Thynne packet on Monday last, together with Mr. Eccles of St. Thomas in the Vale, and the rest of the Elizabeth's passengers.
Letters from the North Side mention that the American privateers continue to swarm on the coast, and unless the most effectual measures be soon taken to remedy the evil, all communication between that part of the island and this port must cease, few vessels chusing to venture out of the harbours.
