The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Capt. John Hatie, of the privateer Hawke, belonging to Clyde, to the owners, dated St. Michael's, one of the western islands, July 23.

The 5th of June I had an engagement with two French privateers, one a ship the other a brigantine, for half an hour, when they sheered off. The next afternoon we fell in with them again, and fought three hours; they set sail and put about. Our rigging, &c. being a little hurt, and three men wounded, I did not think proper to proceed after them. We are employed in scrubbing the Hawke's sides, and plugging up the shot holes we received in the hull. They were all well found shot. The brigantine mounted 24 nine and six pounders; the ship mounted 16 nines and sixes. I have been informed by the English Consul, that there was a fleet of 20 ships to sail from Martinique the middle of June last; I intend to proceed to the westward, to endeavour to fall in with them. Our carronades were of great service in the engagement. We sent our 9 and 12 pounders, carronades, through both sides of the brigantine. This we were informed of by a vessel we boarded, and which they had spoke with the same day.