Sir,
I think it proper to acquaint you, that a North American privateer sloop is now cruising on the coasts of this kingdom; she has already taken on the 1st instant, at a few leagues N.W. of cape St. Vincents, the brigantine Mary and James, of London, last from Falmouth, with a rich cargo, and sent away the captain with six of his men, who landed at Setuval and bring this account. They learned farther from the privateer's people, that four other American privateers were now at sea between the Western Islands and Portugal; that she had already made on these coasts five other prizes; and proposed, with a rashness that will not I trust go unpunished, to try a cruize on the Mediterranean coasts of Spain.
I send you this advice, to the end you may take the best precautions in your power for the security of the British trade within your jurisdiction; and am, Sir, [&c.]
P. S. It appears by express just received from Algarve, that of the masters of the vessels taken, three of them put on shore at Algarve prove to be as follows: Gregory Potbury, of the brig Sarah Anna, from Exeter for Gibraltar and Malaga; William Carter, of the snow Lively, from Chester for Genoa; Wm. Davis, of the brig Good Intent, from Newcastle for Gibraltar. The Guinea vessel blown up was the Africa, of Bristol, Capt. [John] Baker.
