The Alfred Man of War, of the American Navy, with the Sloop Providence, sailed from Rhode-Island, the 2d of November. — On the 12th they took a Brig with a very valuable Cargo from Liverpool for Halifax; and on the 13th off Louisburg they took a fine Transport, laden with Cloathing, for Canada — the 16th, of[f] Cape-North, they took a Snow, with a Cargo of Fish, &c. from Gaspey for Barbados — in the Night of the 18th, the Providence disappeared. — The Alfred kept the Transport Ship under Convoy, having mounted her with Guns, and manned her well. — on the 22d they were off Canso, the Alfred's Boats were sent to bum a Transport, laden with Provision, as she had got ashore within the Harbour, and could not be got off — the Boats also burnt the Oil Stores, with their Contents, and all the Materials for the Whale Fishery. — The 23d, the Alfred took three Transport Ships from Spanish River for New-York, under Convoy of the Flora Frigate; it was then hazy, otherwise the Flora would have been within sight. — On the 26th, the Alfred took a Merchant Ship, of 10 Guns, from Liverpool for Halifax; she had now five Ships under Convoy, and being unable to man a greater Number proceeded for Port. — On the 8th December, on St. George's Bank, she was chaced by a large Ship and ordered the Quebeck Transport to make Sail and run a-Head, some of the fastest sailing Ships accompanied her, and the Alfred fell in between them and the Stranger; the Wind shifted in the Night. — The Alfred carried a top Light, and stood to the Northward — The Cloathing Ship and others that had been a-Head stood on to the Southward — the strange Ship was near the Alfred in the Morning, and appeared a Man of War with St. George's Colours —The last taken Ship, as she sailed fast, was sent astern to view the Enemy and make a Signal agreed on, if she was of superior Force, she made the Signal that the Enemy was of superior force — the Wind increased to a violent Gale in the Evening, and by that Means the Alfred and Prize Ship got clear of the Enemy, and the Alfred arrived safe in Nantasket Road the 16th current, having on board one Hundred and Forty Prisoners, among whom are the Attorney-General of Canada, with Lady and Family, and several Officers and Soldiers — she had only two Days Provision left, and left RhodeIsland with more than one Hundred and Forty Officers and Men. — The Quebeck Transport is called the Melliah [sic Mellish] — she was lately a Bomb in the English Service, and was then named the Thunder

Thursday, last week, Captain Palmer, in the Brig Elizabeth, belonging to the United States of America, arrived in a safe Port, from Mars[e]illes in France, which he left the 7th of October with a valuable Cargo of Linnens and coarse Woollens. He informs that greater Preparations for War were making in France, when he left that Place, than had been known there for 20 Years past; that two large Squadrons, one from Brest, the other from Toulon, were to sail on the first of January next, on an Expedition some where, but that their Destination was a profound Secret.

Silas Deane, Esq; was well in Paris, a Day or two before Captain Palmer sailed.

Last Friday, the Enemy landed 200 Troops, from four Vessels, on the Elizabeth Islands, and plundered from thence about 200 Sheep, besides burning a House and Barn, belonging to Mr.John Read, of this Town.