The nine English Ships, mentioned in Saturday's Paper, were all taken by two Provincial Privateers, with the greatest Ease, after they had been convoyed 150 Leagues from the Ports they respectively sailed from, and left by the Men of War under a Supposition that they were totally out of Danger. The privateers which took them were but thinly manned, and weakly armed. One carried ten and the other twelve Guns. Several of the Ships had a greater Number, but (which is very extraordinary) no Powder on board, the Governors of the Places they sailed from not allowing any to be shipped for fear enough should not remain with them to defend their Situations in Case of an Attack, which was something more than probable.
A petition is preparing by the West India Merchants, to be laid before the Admiralty, praying there Lordships to appoint Cruizers and Convoys for the better Protection of their Trade.
The certain advice received on Friday of nine sail of ships being taken by the American privateers, have raised the insurance on all Jamaica ships, and ships from the West-India islands 20 per cent. more than it was before; and many of the underwriters even refuse to enter their names on a policy; for they look upon it a very hazardous venture, as there are a vast number of privateers out to intercept our homeward bound West-India ships.
