The Capture of the Orange Packet is a complete Refutation of what we have been so often told concerning the reduced State of the Americans. They have hitherto kept us in sufficient Play on their own Coasts, and now, in their Turn, they even venture to assail ours. Old Twitcher 1 may blush for once at having suffered such an Insult so near our very Doors, after such repeated but impudent Boasts about the Number and Readiness of his Ships. But his Fleets seems to be literally Fleets of Observation only.
The Imprisonment and Detention of the Crew of the Surprize Privateer at Dunkirk, is so far from being true, that we are assured by Letters received from thence Yesterday, that the greatest Encouragement is given not only there, but all over France, to the fitting out Privateers against the English; that no less than Thirty are now equipping in different Ports of that Kingdom, and that they want only a sufficient Number of American Captains to send them all out. These Letters add, that Dr. Franklin is permitted to grant Letters of Marque to every Ship that is commanded by a Native of his own Continent. As to the Crews, they are suffered to be composed of French, Scotch, Irish, English, or any that will enter; but among them are said to be a Number of our best Seamen, who enter readily, allured by the Prospect of getting a great Deal of Prize Money.
