London [May 8].
The Cause of the Ships being burnt at Georgia arose from General Howe's sending some Transports for Provisions, the Officers of which seized several Vessels in the Harbour for the Use of the King's Troops, which so irritated the Inhabitants, that they rose and destroyed some of them, which obliged the Captains of the others to throw their Cargoes overboard and run for it, in order to avoid a like Fate. 1 The Fleet of American Privateers under the Command of Commodore Hopkins, which were sent out some Months since, and supposed to be gone to intercept the homeward bound Indiamen that touch at St. Helena, it now appears have made their first Attempt at New Providence, which they have the Possession of. This Island is so situated as to command the Jamaica and other West India Trade.
1. A badly garbled report of the rice ships at Savannah.