So eager are the French for piracy, that many Planters in Martinico have sold their property, and vested it in pirate vessels with the permission of their Governor. In short St. Pierre is full of pirates and their prizes. Had ever British thunder a more proper object than the destruction of such a thievish place? Or could any gov~rnor deserve the exaltation of Haman more than he, who, in a vile association with thieves and robbers, prostitutes the honour of a great King, his master, and sullies the character of a gallant, loyal people? but indeed, why do not our Governors send to demand all British property carried into French and other neutral ports? An answer of restitution or refusal would be well worth the trouble. An open enemy is much better than a secret enemy, and we trust Britain will yet take severe vengeance on every pitiful associate of the American rebels.

One piece of management in the French deserves recommendation. If the vessels they take be too good to be sunk or burnt, they immediately change her from a ship to a snow, or from a snow to a brig, and so stand it out that the owners are mistaken in their challenge; this, in Martinico, is done at an out bay called Lamontan. There the pirates first bring in their prizes and divide the spoil, which, if slaves, they are immediately dispersed over the country, and sold for what can be got for them. Two slave ships were carried in there about the beginning of March; one Enfanton purchased both cargoes from the pirates, and sold them afterwards all over the islands.

One Piegent [Prejent] who was of service to Dargout in the sedition of St. Domingo, and is now his chief favorite, a fellow of no visible property, is the ostensible owner of four pirate vessels, and is said to be concerned in many more for his Excellency's benefit. Besides the flag and rendezvous for pirates in the heart of St. Pierre, there is another flag and rendezvous close to the garrison at Fort Royal. There the pirates are publicly careened and supplied with every conveniency. Lord [George] Macartney has sent several pressing demands to the French Governors at Martinico and St. Lucia to get the English property restored, which has been carried in by the pirates, but the answer has been, "they know nothing of the matter." Yet it is to be supposed his Lordship will continue the demand, till he forces out of these pirate Governors, something like an explanation. (Oh! how the royalists flounce and fling.)

On Friday the 11th inst. all the forts and batteries at St. Eustatius, cannonaded his Majesty's pilot boat Balaboo, for. contaminating herself by going near a vessel which the Dutch supposed to be a pirate or rebel. The Dutch ought to publish a reward for the best poem on the subject. The vessel which the Balaboo spoke, was from Demararo. The Balaboo had her colours flying and all sail set, and only passed within hail of the vessel; but conscious guilt made Mynheer suppose it was one of her beloved rebels. (Tory news.) ²