The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from an Officer on board the Hunter Privateer Capt. Veale, at Lisbon.

WE are arrived here after several sharp and bloody Engagements, for we had not been three Days at Sea, before we fell in with a French Man of War of 38 Guns and 480 Men, with a Prize along with her; she engaged us about an Hour, but finding nothing likely to be got but broken Bones, She run for it, and left her Prize, which proved to be the Salamander Privateer, that she had taken three Days before. - On the 14th of Febr. we saw a Sail and chased her 'til Night, when it proved calm, so we could not engage 'til Morning, when we took her after an Hour's Engagement. She came from St. Domingo, laden with Sugar, Cotton and Indigo, her Cargo worth 12,000l. the Captain and I found near 600 Dollars in his Cabin near the Prisoners, and on searching the Surgeon, discovered 25 Doubloons, which he had concealed near his private Parts. Three Days after this Engagement with another Ship, in which we lost her. - This was a French Man of War of 42 Guns and 550 Men; about Eleven o'Clock came up with each other, and had a desperate Engagement for three Hours within a Ship's Length, and tho' the Enemy was twice our Force, yet (as God ordered it) we set her Quarters on Fire three Times; on which she made Sail from us, and our Mizen-mast being cut by the Board, the Shrouds and Running Rigging shot to Pieces, we could not go after her. In about three Hours he bore down on us again, but finding us prepar'd to receive him, he made all the Sail he could from us. The first Engagement and the last, the Captain only on the Quarter-deck, and myself and First Lieutenant fore and aft; the other Officers being on board the Prizes and 50 of our Men. Our Third Lieutenant was killed, and the Mate and some Midshipmen and 14 wounded. The first or second Broadside I could not keep our Men to the Guns, 'til I forced them with Pistol and Cutlass, but in a little Time they fought like brave Englishmen, - and behaved well. We had not at any Time above 110 Men upon Deck. The Captain has added a Share more for my Bravery, and has promised me a Present from the Owners. - I had a Ten Pound Shot came into my Cabin, which tore all my Bedding to Pieces so that I was forced to throw it over board. We are now preparing our Ship in order to proceed on a second Cruise. -I thank God, I am very well and received no Hurt, tho' the Shot flew about like Hail, and killed and wounded Men lay by me on all Sides, and yet I had no more Thoughts of dying than if I had been eating or drinking. I am, &c.