Sir

The Ship Ranger an American privateer, John Paul Jones Master carrying Eighteen Six pounders pierced for 20—150 Men landed 30 Men at this Port between two and three o clock this Morning with an intent to set fire to the Shipping. David Freeman a Man belonging to the privateer and of the party who landed was either by accident on their return, left behind, or escaped, which, is not yet certainly known, He alarm’d the Town to prevent their destruction, One ship was in a blaze, and as the Harbor was then dry, it might soon have spread and burnt the whole which are numerous but providentialy it was got the better of by about Six and no other damage happened but to this Single Ship Matches of an extraordinary nature were found on board several other Vessels.

The Town is much alarmed, the Magistrates and Merch^ts call’d a meeting and have sent expresses to all the Capital Sea ports in this Channel, likewise by Sea to Dublin, Belfast &c

The Privateer continued off this port till ten o clock then made Sail to the Northward.

Inclos’d is the Weekly return. I am [&c.]

The Privateer is of Piscatua
She Sail’d from Brest 1 April