The New Hampshire Gazette

St. JOHN's (in Antigua) December 31.

Capt. Laforey, of his Majesty's Ship Echo, arrived at English Harbour the 21st inst. with two French Privateers; of the manner of taking them we have had the following account, The Echo being at anchor in a bay of Dominico, and it being dark and very calm, a midshipman and 18 men were sent out in the barge to intercept the small vessels which generally take the opportunity of the night to pass between that island and Martinico. It happened that the first vessel the barge met with was a French privateer sloop of 8 guns and 18 men. They were very near before they discovered each other, and the people in the barge had but just time to take a resolution of boarding the vessel suddenly, before they were hailed by the privateer. They answered the hail by a swivel gun which was fixed in the bow, plied their oars, and boarded sword in hand, cleared the privateer's decks, and obliged the fifty eight Frenchmen to surrender.-- This sloop being carried to the Echo, he was sent out to look for vessels in the offing, and was presently chased by a French privateer schooner. The sloop run from her towards the place where the Echo lay, till he was so engaged between the Echo and the sloop that it was impossible for her to escape; and thus, after some firing the schooner was obliged to strike--She mounted 8 carriage, and 8 swivel guns, is reckoned the swiftest sailer in these seas, and had already done incredible damage to our trade.