Charlestown, February 20.
Last Night, Capt. [Robert] Cochran, in the armed Brigantine Notre Dame, arrived here from France, with a valuable Cargo, after a Passage of 7 Weeks.
Accounts were received in France before Capt. Cochran's Departure, of the Arsenal and Dock Yard in Portsmouth having been 'burnt in the beginning of December; the Loss is computed at two Millions sterling, but at the present critical Situation of Great-Britain, being to all Appearance on the Eve of a French and Spanish War, and the Supplies of Naval Stores from America being discontinued, it will be hard to determine what the loss may be estimated at.
Capt. Cochran, on his Passage, fell in with, and after exchanging a few shot, took an armed Victualing Ship, the —— Capt. Coombes bound from Corke to New-York.1
Capt. [Edward] Allen's Prize Ship, mentioned in our last, is since arrived at a safe Port.