Dr. Franklin's Privateer, in her Passage to Nantz, made Prizes of two British Merchantmen. The Conduct of the Court of France, respecting the Restitution of these Vessels to the proper Owners, will be a better Comment on their political System, than all the flimsy Colourings of a deceived and deceiving Ministry 1
A Vessel belonging to Bristol has been brought into Bilboa, by an American Privateer; and as the Yankees attempted to sell the Cargo in the Name of her own Captain, this naturally induced the Master and Mates of another Ship in the Port, belonging to the same Owners, to go on board, in order to see their Townsmen and Friends; but none of their Acquaintance appearing, the true State of the Case was soon discovered. Information was immediately given to the British Consul, who wrote to Lord Grantham at Madrid; and the Event of his Application to the Spanish Ministry, in Behalf of the Owners, will be a sufficient Test of the Dispositions of that Nation.
The Success of the first Outset of Privateers from the Provincials, had raised such a Spirit amon,g them, that Hands were soon found to man the Vessels; but now the King's Ships have taken a few of them, they begin to relax greatly of their piratical Scheme, and seem, contented with what they have already got.
