LONDON.

A Letter from Bristol, dated the 4th Instant, says, this Day arrived here the Brittania, Furse,¹ from Honduras, which Place she left the 26th of January; on the 17th of February Captain Furse spoke the Gayton, armed Ship of 12 Guns, and 60 Men, Chambers Martin,² in Latitude 30.20.N. Longitude, 75.40.W. from London, belonging to Hercules Ross, Esq; of Jamaica, had been out three Months, and had taken 12 Prizes; he gave the following Account, that he had been six Days from New Providence, which Place was taken the 27th of January, by an American Continental Sloop from Charlestown, mounting 12 Guns, and 90 Men, 30 of whom were Marines from the Randolph,³ they having had Intelligence at Charlestown of several Prizes which the Gayton had taken and carried into Providence, and also of the Ship Mary, belonging to Mr. Ross,⁴ who had put in there by Stress of Weather, to refit, loaded with Rum, for New York, and which was the Reason they sent the Sloop to take the Place; they likewise took five of the Gayton’s Prizes, and 500 Barrels of Rice, which they had rolled into the Sea; the Inhabitants gave the Americans all the Assistance they could wish in the Interim. Captain Chambers was cruising about the Keys, a small Distance off the Island, not knowing what had happened. The next Day, going into Harbour, the American Colours were hoisted on the Fort; the Vessels and Fort fired at him, and killed his second Mate, and one Man, and damaged his Rigging. An eighteen Pound Shot from the Fort struck him on the main Beam, and fell into his Hold. The Day after Captain Chambers returned at the East end, when the Rebels quitted the Fort, and slipt the Cables of the five Prizes and the Mary, they set two of the Prizes on fire, and got clear off with the rest,⁵ leaving Chambers Possession of the Island. On the 14th of February the Gayton fell in with a Continental Brig of 14 Guns, and after engaging two Hours, the Brig sheared off; the Sloop, during the Action, lost no People, but a double headed Shot wounded her Mast, and by that Means could scarce make any Sail. When the Sloop left Charlestown, there were 12 Sail of Privateers ready for Sea, none less than 14 Guns.