Edinburgh, Aug. 14. We are desired from good Authority to contradict a Paragraph in last Night's Edinburgh Advertiser, mentioning Sir William Erskine's being taken by an American Privateer with the Money of the 71st Regiment. This is without any Foundation, as he sailed on board the Ocean, a Ship of 18 Carriage Guns, and proceeds entirely upon the Supposition of his having been on board the Venus, Capt. Wilson, which, with the Crawford Capt. M'Lean, was taken and carried into Boston: On board the first was Capt. Fraser's Company, and Captain M'Leod with his Company on board the other. Upon their Arrival off Cape Ann, they were attacked by four Privateers, whom they fought a considerable Time, and obliged them to sheer off. They then went into Nantasket Road, in Expectation of finding the Men of War; but, in place thereof, were surrounded by a great Number of armed Schooners, who, with the Assistance of the Privateers formerly beat off, carried them into Boston.
A Sailor who came home with the Howe transport, which arrived on Sunday at Greenock, in 25 Days from Halifax, gives the above Account, He went out with the Mayflower, of Whitehaven, Capt. Crosbie, having on board Capt. Aeneas M'Intosh's Company of the 71st.... On their Way to Halifax from Boston, they were attacked by a Privateer of 10 Carriage and six Swivel Guns, whom they fought for seven Glasses, and were on the Point of being taken, when a Man of War came in Sight, and relieved them.
The Mermaid, Capt. Yoward, which sailed from Clyde with 120 of Fraser's Highianders, fell in on the 10th of June, off Cape Ann, with an American Privateer, mounting 10 Six-pounders, and 14 Swivels. An. Engagement ensued, which continued four Hours and a Half, when the Privateer sheered off. It is not known how many on board the Privateer were killed, but it was imagined the Musquetry of the Soldiers (who behaved exceedingly well) did great Execution, as the Ships were within Pistol Shot for two Hours of the Engagement. Capt. Yoward, one Seaman, and three Soldiers, were wounded on board the Mermaid; they afterwards proceeded for Boston, but found that the Provincials had erected a Battery upon an Island, and had driven all the Men of War and Ships from Boston Bay. The Mermaid arrived safe at Halifax the 23d of June.