The Enquirer

London, Aug. 22.

American Privateers.—The directors of the Royal Exchange and London Assurance Corporations, strongly impressed with the necessity for greater protection being afforded to the trade in consequence of the numerous captures that have recently been made by American cruisers, represented the same to the lords commissioners of the admiralty on Wednesday last, & on Saturday received an answer, of which the following is a copy:

Admiralty office, Aug. 19.

Sir—Having laid before my lords commissioners of the admiralty, the letter of the 17th inst. signed by you and the secretary of the London Assurance Corporation, on the subject of the depredations committed by the American privateers therein mentioned. I am commanded by their lordships to acquaint you, that there was a force adequate to the purpose of protecting the trade, both in St. George's Channel and the Northern Sea, at the time referred to. I am, &c.

(Signed)

J. W. CROKER.

Since Wednesday, the date of the letter to the admiralty, accounts have been received that 2 privateers captured five brigs between the Smalle and the Tuskar; and that the York privateer, of 14 guns and 120 men, took a ship from Miramichi to Liverpool, off Crookhaven on the 12th inst. The Constant gun-brig which arr. at Liverpool on Thursday from Cork, chased an American privateer off Tuskar the day before, but was not able to get up with her, and gave over the pursuit.

Should these depredations on our commerce continue, the merchants and traders will not be able to get any insurance effected, except at enormous premiums on vessels trading between Ireland and England, either by the chartered companies or individual underwriters; and as a proof of this assertion, for the risks which are usually written 15s. 9d. per cent. the sum of five guineas is now demanded!