London. Monday, August 11.
The following is a copy of a letter to the Collector and Comptroller of the Custom-house in Newcastle, received by Tuesday's post.
Gentlemen,
Yesterday afternoon Captain George Corney, of the Nautilus, of Liverpool, with part of his crew, were put on shore here, who came to this office and informed us, that on the 20th of July last, about five o'clock in the afternoon, when about five or six leagues from the north of the butt-end of the Lewis's Islands, bearing then south east and by south, he was taken by a rebel privateer called the [American] Tartar, John Grimes, master, from Boston, with 24 guns, viz. ten nine-pounders, eight six-pounders, four three-pounders, and two four-pounders, and about 110 men.
The Nautilus was on her passage home from Greenland, 34 men, had on board 93 buts of blubber, and about two tons of whale-fin. The master of the privateer kept the Nautilus for two days, taking from on board all her fishing stores, cordage, sails, and provisions he wanted, and then put on board eight of his own people, three of Capt. Corney's apprentices, and a seaman belonging to his Majesty's service, which was on board a vessel the privateer had retaken, and ordered her for Boston.1
The privateer then steered directly for the Naze of Norway; the master said his orders were "to take, sink, burn, and destroy all ships that might fall in his way from the Baltic."
On the 28th of July, about 15 or 16 leagues from the Naze of Norway, then bearing east north east, he took the Peggy of Glasgow, from Memel with lumber; about half an hour after he· took the brig Fanny of Berwick, Joseph Mills, from Christiana, with deals; the same night at ten o'clock he took the Thomas and Elizabeth, of this place, Anthony Watson master, from St. Petersburgh with deals and iron. After having plundered and taken out of the ships what he wanted, he set fire to the two last mentioned, and on board the other ship he put the crews, except keeping some for himself.
The word Tartar was done in paint upon her stern; but having taken some paint out of the Nautilus, he brushed the name out: Captain Corney says he likewise painted her black and yellow, and tarred her sides, that she might look like a King's ship; and that Grimes was an officer on board the Tartar ship of war, Capt. Lockhart.
Hemp, flax, sail cloth, and linen ships, are what he wants. Ships loaded with wood and iron he burns — he ransoms none.
An express was last night sent off to the Lords of the Admiralty of this rebel being off the Naze of Norway. We are, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servants,
Ja. Burgh.
Jer. Robinson.
Custom-house, Whitby, Aug. 3, 1777.
P.S. We thought it very necessary to acquaint you with this for the information of owners and masters of ships at your port.
