On Thursday last arrived here, in 12 days from St. Eustatia, in the armed schooner Caswell, Mr. John W. Stanly, of this place. He sailed from Ocracock Bar the 26th of January, in the brig Sally, Captain Ridge, and the 12th of February made the island of Martinique; where the vessel was seized by the Pomona frigat, Captain Young, while she lay becalmed about two miles from the town of St. Pierre, and while Mr. Stanly was gone on shore to obtain permission to anchor there. The Pomona had anchored that night in the harbour of St. Pierre, and came out disguised like a merchantman. A sloop from Fairfield, in the same situation, was taken in company with the Sally.

Among the many vessels seized under the prohibitory act are the following, viz. From New York, the sloop Sally, Doge, Charming Polly, Truxen [Thomas Truxtun] America, Campbell, and schooner Polly, Alstine.

Rhode Island, ——, Capt. Sweet,

Fairfield, sloop Diamond, Whitney.

Salem, brig America, Lambert.

Philadelphia, ship Nancy, Kirby, and brig ——, Gregg.

North Carolina, brig Sally, Ridge, and schooner ——

James Green, cleared by Governor Martin.

Georgia, a brig, Capt. Deane.

Virginia, a brig.

South Carolina, brig Union, Boyd.

Connecticut, a sloop, Capt. Jones.

New York, a sloop, Capt. Gibbs.

The cruisers are so exceedingly vigilant among the Islands, that few vessels escape them. Notwithstanding which, a brig from Baltimore, a ship (Liberty, Capt. Monro) from Philadelphia, and two pilot boats from the same place, had got in safe to St. Martin's and St. Eustatia early in this month.

The following quantities of powder were shipped from Martinique and Guadaloupe within a few weeks, besides large quantities from the Cape and St. Eustatia which has caused that article to be as high as Ss. 6d. a pound, and none now to be had even at those extravagant prices.

A brig belonging to New York, with wines from Lisbon, got into St. Eustatia the 11th inst. The master says a requisition was daily expected to be made by the Court of Great Britain for the delivery of all American vessels in the port, which would undoubtedly be complied with. In Martinique and Guadaloupe there are at this time about 8000 troops, not long since arrived from France, who are industriously employed in repairing their old fortifications, and erecting new ones, particularly on the heights that command the plain through which the British troops passed to the back of Fort Royal when they reduced that place.

The French appear exceedingly friendly to the American cause, which they would have promoted by a much larger supply of arms and ammunition than they have hitherto imported, had they not been doubtful of the American submission to the claims of Parliament, and of course a discontinuance of the demand for warlike stores, which in that case would remain in the hands of the importers.

The common toast among the French, from the General down to the merchants, is the independence of America; until which is declared, they say our war with England can only be looked on as a domestic broil, unworthy the public countenance of those powers who would cheerfully enter into friendship and alliance with them, could it be done with propriety. It is a truth, that a certain great man in those islands wishes to have the honour of transmitting to his Most Christian Majesty an application from the Continental Congress to the Court of France, which he would engage should be presented and answered, provided it was dated the first year of the republic of America.

On the seizure of the before-mentioned brig, Captain Ridge, a memorial was presented to the Count de Choiseul, Governor of Martinique, and the General Nozier, representing the taking loaded provisions, so much wanted in the island, and within so small a distance of their harbour, as contrary to the established custom, distressing to the inhabitants, and insulting to the flag of his Most Christian Majesty, praying that orders might be given to prevent the like in future. The General ordered two frigates immediately to receive their full complements of men, and to cruise for the security and safe conduct of American vessels bound into that island, and demanded by a flag of truce a restoration of the brig and sloop taken as beforementioned. These frigates protected several vessels while Mr. Stanly was there, particularly Captain Denison of this port.

A privateer sloop of 10 guns, and a fine brig of 16, were fitted out, the first in Martinique, the second in St. Eustatia, and sent to America; and it is not to be doubted but that any continental armed vessels that might cruize in those seas, would be admitted into the French ports, and protected while there.