Last Wednesday morning a brigantine (supposed to be the Defence late belonging to this State, and taken by the Roebuck and Perseus), accompanied by a scooner having top-sail yards rigged aloft, came in from the N.E. right before the wind, to this bar, and, being so disguised as to have all the appearance of a merchant vessel, by 8 o'clock, ran up along-side, surprised, boarded, and went off with, the ship Franklin, bound for Bourdeaux, Madet Engs, master, very soon after she had got over the bar, having on board 920 tierces and 140 half tierces of rice, about 1200 lb. of Indico, and the following passengers, viz. Mr. Charles Prince (a Lieutenant in the navy on half pay, who had resided here many years) Mrs. Prince, and their four children: The ship, as soon as taken, steered a S.W. course, now and then hawling more southwardly, the brigantine steered nearer in shore, under her top-sails on the caps, and the scooner kept without both: They passed Stono about 10 o'clock, and at 11 were out of sight: 'Tis probable they proceeded immediately for St. Augustine, all the pilots that were at sea, agree, that the brigantine was the Defence, and suppose the Scooner to be another prize.
The same day it was reported, that a man of war sloop and two tenders, were at the watering place, near the entrance of Cape Fear river: But, on Thursday, Capt. Cheese arrived from thence, who informs, that nothing like an enemy had been seen upon that coast lately, except a brigantine, a scooner and a sloop, which had anchored and staid at the watering place 3 days, and sailed from thence the 25th past; and that they were suspected to be West India privateers — But it seems more probable, that the brigantine which took Capt. Engs, and the scooner in company, were two of the vessels.
Last Thursday arrived at a safe port, the prize sloop Blakeney, of and for Jamaica from Cape Nichola, laden with flour, brandy, Geneva, beef &c. taken on the 2d of June, by the Washington, privateer, Capt. Anthony, of this port. 1 The prize-master informs us, that Capt. Anthony had made two more prizes since the six mentioned in our last, one a sloop of 90 tons from the Bay of Honduras, laden with logwood; the other a small sloop, which he cut out of Dry Harbour in Jamaica the same day, in order to put on board the contents of two long-boats laden with sugar, which he had taken. Capt. Anthony had put into Havana for necessaries, with which he was supplied in the most expeditious and friendly manner.
On Saturday last arrived in a safe, port, the prize sloop cut out of Dry Harbour in Jamaica by the Washington privateer, Capt. Anthony. She has on board, besides 7 hhds. of sugar, taken out of the long-boats, some linens, castile soap, candles, &c.
The sloop Swallow, Capt. Gray, of Philadelphia, from this port bound for St. Eustatius was taken on the 26th of May last, at the watering place at St. Thomas's, at anchor, after having beat off the. enemy three times, by the privateer sloop Reprisal, Capt. Phillips, of Antigua. Capt. Gray had but 4 hands, one of whom was killed during the defence of his vessel. — The same privateer had, 4 days before, taken the scooner Elliott, of this port, Capt. Pitt, from Surenheim, and carried her into St. Thomas's, where the vessel and cargo were immediately sold.
From Bermuda we learn, that the fort lately demolished at Nealy's Harbour, has been repaired, remounted with cannon, and the command given to a Lieutenant of the Nautilus; That the Galatea's tender having lately taken a scooner, Capt. Gilbert, and a sloop, Capt. Pennistone, both from North-Carolina, the sloop was armed, with 10 guns, and stationed in Nealy's Harbour. That Governor Bruere was going to England, and a West India Packet was daily expected to call for him. And that the Daphne man of war was expected on that station.
Friday last being the first anniversary of the glorious formation of the American empire, when Thirteen Colonies, driven by necessity, threw off the yoke, and rejected the tyranny, of Great-Britain, by declaring themselves Free, Independent and Sovereign States, the same commemorated by every demonstration of joy. Ringing of bells ushered in the day. At sunrise, American colours were displayed from all the forts and batteries, and vessels in the harbour. The Charles-town regiment of militia, commanded by the Hon. Col. Charles Pinckney, and the Charles-town Artillery Company, commanded by Capt. Thomas Grimball, were assembled upon the parade, and reviewed by his Excellency the President, who was attended, upon this occasion, by His Honour the Vice-President and the Hon. the Members of the Privy Council. At one o'clock the several forts, beginning at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island, discharged 76 pieces of cannon, alluding to the glorious year 1776, and the militia and artillery fired three general vollies. His Excellency the President then gave a most elegant entertainment in the Council Chamber, at which were present all the members of the Legislature then in town, all the public officers, civil and military, the clergy, and many strangers of note, to the amount of more than double the number that ever observed the birth day of the present misguided and unfortunate King of Great-Britain. — After dinner the following toasts were drank, viz. 1. The Free, Independent, and Sovereign States of America. — 2. The Great Council of America — may wisdom preside in all its deliberations. — 3. General Washington. — 4. The American army and navy — may they be victorious and invincible. — 5. The nations in friendship or alliance with America. — 6. The American Ambassadors at foreign courts. — 7. The 4th of July, 1776.— 8. The memory of the officers and soldiers who have bravely fallen in defence of America. — 9. South-Carolina. — 10. May only those Americans enjoy Freedom, who are ready to die for its defence. — 11. Liberty triumphant. — 12. Confusion, shame and disgrace, to our enemies — may the foes to America (slaves to tyranny) humble and fall before her. — 13. May the rising states of America reach the summit of human power and grandeur, and enjoy every blessing. Each toast being succeeded by a salute of thirteen guns, which were fired by Capt. Grimball's Company from their two field pieces with admirable regularity. The day having been spent in festivity and the most conspicuous joy and harmony; the evening was concluded with illuminations, &c far exceeding any that had ever been exhibited before.