Last Saturday arrived here from Port L'Orient in France the ship Lyon, a three Decker of about eleven hundred Tons burthen, commanded by Captain Michaell1 having a defensive Commission mounting 40 Guns and has upwards of 200 Men deep laden with European and India Goods to a very large Amount: She left Port L'Orient the 31st of December in Company with another French Ship of 20 Guns2 and the Continental Ships Alfred and Raleigh, but parted company with the two latter 13 Days after they came out of Port: the other Ship kept Capt. Michael Company till about three Weeks ago when both Vessels arrived at the Mouth of James's River, and the former going into the River was taken by a British Man of War;3 upon which Capt. Michael stood to the Eastward. Four Days before his Arrival here he saw a Fleet of 13 Sail with two Men of War under Continental Colours, but supposes they were a British Fleet.
A talk of War with Great-Britain still continued when this Ship left France and the Captain says it was expected would be soon declared.
Connecticut Courant, and the Weekly Intelligencer (Hartford), 17 Mar. 1778.
1. Capt. J. Michel.
2. French ship Vicomte de Vaux, Pierre Marie Donat de La Garde, master, from L'Orient to Chesapeake Bay, mounting 24 guns. Howe's Prize List, 23 Apr. 1778, UkLPR, Adm. 1/488, fol. 241.
3. Vicomte de Vaux was captured by H.M.S. Solebay on 23 Feb. in Hampton Roads. See Journal of H.M.S. Solebay, 23 Feb., above. Howe's Prize List credits the capture of Vicomte de Vaux to H.M.S. Solebay and H.M.S. St. Albans on 24 Feb. Howe's Prize List, 23 Apr. 1778, UkLPR, Adm. 1/488, fol. 241.
