Thursday last was sent into this Port, by his Majesty's Ship The Experiment, Sir James Wallace, Commander, the Privateer Ship Portsmouth, Roach, Master, of 22 Guns, and 156 Men, taken the 7th Instant off St. George's Bank, only four Days out from Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire: This Ship was built on Purpose for a Privateer, and has been very successful both in the European Seas and in the West-Indies, and is owned in Boston,1
Two Ships of about 300 Tons, with Rice, were on the 10th ult. carried into St. Augustine, one of them by the Privateer Brig Lord Howe, of this Place,2 and the other by a Privateer Sloop belonging to that Port.
Saturday Night last arrived here from the Granades the Letter of Marque ship Minerva, Edward Morrison, Commander, of 16 Guns and 40 Men; who, on Tuesday the 26th ultimo, in Lat. 38, and ½, Lon. 73, fell in with a Rebel Privateer Brig of 14 Carriage and 24 Swivel Guns, with 6 Cohorns and 100 Men, whom he engaged within Pistol Shot for four Glasses (from 8 o'clock in the Morning to 10) during which Time he had 6 Men killed and 10 wounded, among the former is the Carpenter; and both Mates are of the Number of the latter. The Captain had a Ball thro' his Hat, and his Vessel so disabled that put it out of his power to pursue the Privateer, by which Means she escaped. The Minerva's Masts and Rigging are much hurt: There are 170 Shot thro' the Topmast Staysail, 8 Cannon Shot thro’the Ensign, and one thro' the Pendant, and scarce any Part of the Vessel but what is much hurt. Several Shot went into the Cabbin, and many into the Hold, which greatly damaged the Cargo. No Man could behave with more Coolness and Bravery during the whole Action, than Capt. Morrison, and his brave Crew followed the Examples3
The Rebel Privateers Blaze Castle,4 and New Oliver Cromwell,5 have lately taken and carried into the West-Indies, a certain Capt. Blair; a Vessel from London for Philadelphia; and a Vessel from Leith.6