[Extract]

One of the frigates Biddle's will have 14 Guns onboard on monday and will be ready in every thing, men excepted, in a fortnight, the additional encouragement to Seamen in the continental Service by which they are put on a footing with Privaters & have the whole property of armed Vessels which belong'd to his British Majesty will soon make up that deficiency. The Effingham [John] Barry Ship & the repulse a Galley were launched yesterday She is I think the finest vessell of the whole. The Guns cast here turn out very ill, they split; full one-half of them.

Privatering is attended with amazing success in New England not a day passes without a fresh acquisition, they took a Vessell not long ago with 1600 pieces of woolen on board,² the Soldiers may bless God for that. Also an armed Vessell of 16 Guns & the Privateer which took the latter was left in pursuit of a three decker with Sugars mounting 20 Guns & by a private letter we are informed that this last was taken and on her way into Newbury port.³

The Portsmouth, Newbury and Providence frigates are out. We shall soon hear of some mischief they have done — at least I hope so.⁴