The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman on board the Calmar, Capt. Ekman, from China, bound to Gottenburgh, dated off Plymouth, Aug. 2.

"As we are now the first Ship from the China Seas for Europe this Season, I suppose you have heard nothing of the Success of the Four English Men of War, viz. the Deptford, Preston, Medway, and Dolphin, commanded by the Captains Barnet, Earl of Northesk, Peyton, and Moore. Capt. Barnet, and the Lord Northesk, went together to the Straits of Sunda, to intercept the Passage of three French China Ships, in case they proceeded that Way, had the good Fortune to meet, and took them, and carried them to Batavia; the Medway and Dolphin went to the Straits of Malacca, to intercept their Passage that Way. And, happily for the English Company's Ships, they went into Archeen Road, and there took a French Privateer of 50 Guns sent out by the Governor of Pondicherry, to cruise upon the English, whom they would infallibly have taken, had not this prevented it. They afterwards took in the Streight of Malacca, a French Ship, bound from Manilla to Pondicherry, having on board 72 Chests of Dollars, of 3000 each; and two Chests of Gold, alone worth 30,000 l. These Ships we came up with in the Streights of Banca, proceeding on their Way to Batavia, to join the Commodore. -The Second Captains of the French Ships and some other of the Officers are now on board the York, Capt. Lacelles, and the Stafford from China. An English Privateer (Supposed the Fame) has taken a French Country Ship, bound from China to Mauritius, worth 12,000 l."