Advice is received from St. Maloes, that the Americans carry on a very extensive trade to that place; that no less than seven vessels arrived there the first week in June, and at the time the account came away, there were four more just arrived.
The certain accounts daily received of the many captures made by the American privateers, have roused the Underwriters from their lethargy; the Ministry have lulled them a long time with a notion, that the Americans had very few privateers out; and those were of such small force, that a merchant ship which carried a few guns might beat them off; but behold they are convinced, to their great cost, that they have been led into an error; for that the Americans are very powerful at sea; that some of the privateers carry guns enough to engage the largest frigate we have; and it is well known that New-England produces as fine and brave sailors as Old England.
The ministerial gentry in the City have taken great pains to stifle the report of four Jamaica ships being taken by the Provincial privateers, and have prevailed on many to give no credit to it. On the other hand, others believed, that it would not have been entered in New Lloyd's book, without they had some foundation for it.