“This morning an American privateer, of about 14 guns and 120 men, appeared in the Bay. The alarm was instantly spread. Mr. Leigh, formerly a Captain in the 64th regiment of foot, and who commanded one of the divisions of the volunteer battalions, marched down to the Castle-hill, from thence he went down to the Beach, and was joined by Mr. Watson, who commands another division. Capt. Mackenzie, with 35 regulars who are quartered in the town, also joined them; in the whole making 235 men. Mr. D. Morice, who commands another division, with Mr. Pocock, remained in the town as a reserve. The Privateer weighed anchor about eight o’clock, and hoisted thirteen stripes; set in for the shore, and fired a gun. They anchored again about three quarters of a mile from the shore, and remained in that position till near nine, when they fired another gun and weighed anchor again, and came within gunshot. In this position they remained another hour without taking notice of any thing; but while the volunteers on the beach were busied in staring about them, they fired such a broadside that made them all tremble. The volunteers lost six men, and 10 wounded. Mr. ---- was killed; upon which Capt. Mackenzie took the command, and saluted the rebels with a fine discharge, which killed five men, and wounded two. The firing lasted exactly fifteen minutes; the Aberdeen’s men losing in the whole 20 men killed and 15 wounded. About 11 seeing it in vain to land, the Privateer sheered off. God knows what we shall do, but the dead carcases frighten the People more than the Privateer. However, we are not afraid of her coming again, as she lost between 30 and 40 killed and wounded.”