The New Hampshire Gazette

LONDON.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at Dover, to his Friend in London, dated January 1, 1758.

"Our brave Capt. William Watson, of the Fly Privateer, of 10 Three Pounders, and 50 Men, is just come into Dover in a most shattered Condition. Yesterday, about 12 o'Clock, a little to the Eastward of Calais, he saw a very large sloop, which was just come clean out of Dunkirk, mounted 14 Six pounders, and 100 Men: Not discouraged at the Frenchman's Superiority, he like a true Englishman, gave him Chase: The Frenchman, altho' double his Force, would gladly have declined the Fight, but the Fly soon came up with him, and a bloody Engagement ensued, which lasted Board and Board for 2 Hours and 40 Minutes, when the brisk Fire from the Fly made the Frenchman begin to desert their Quarters, and many of them being killed and wounded, the brave Capt. Watson immediately prepared to board his Enemy, but unfortunately both Vessels were fast a ground, and one of the Fly's Guns bursting, did her great Damage, which obliged her to get off into deeper Water, and Night coming on, was very unwillingly forced to leave the Frenchman beating on the Ground: half full of Water. In the Beginning of the Engagement one Man on board the Fly had his Head shot off, three dangerously wounded, and Several slightly; all the Crew behaved with great Courage; they are now fitting out, and will be at Sea in a few Days, determined to have another stroke at the Frenchman."