Sir

Information has been brought here by a Vessel the Mary Ann Robinson—Mast^r Who left Belfast last night at 7 oclock, that the Drake Sloop of War was taken on Friday afternoon off that port by three American privateers, after an engagement of two hours, the Master declares he was within view of the privateers soon after he Saild, Two Ship rigg’d and one a Brig off Belfast about half Channel over, Steering to the Northw^d under an easie Sail, often seeming to be speaking to each other, and not making away.¹ He was not near enough to distinguish their force, but the Ships appear’d remarkably long, expresses have been sent by the Merchants and Magistrates of this place to all the Capital Sea ports, with this information² I am [&c.]