The New Hampshire Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, September 1.

Extract of a Letter From London, dated June 16, 1757.

"I believe you will be amazed to hear that the French Privateers have taken upwards of 700 Sail of our Ships, since the Declaration of War, but we know the Names of that Number already; and tho' we had taken 350 Sail of their Ships before the War, we have not taken more than 550 in the whole, to this Day. Out of 25 Sail of Ships that sailed last from Carolina, 22 are taken; and the whole Crop of Indigo carried into France; in Value 150,000l. sterling, which is a cruel Stroke on a young Manufacture;—And of the last 30 Sail of Ships from Jamaica, 18 are taken, and 6 missing, which are also taken no Doubt. What is more surprising is this, that notwithstanding we have lost 100 Sail of Ships within 7 Months past, we have taken 90 French Privateers. Some of 36 Guns, superior to our 20 Gun Men of War. By this, you may be convinced how impossible it is to cover Trade in Time of War, by any other Way than sailing under Convoy; for the Privateers of France are innumerable, and their amazing Success has given them great Spirits; but it is certain, they have never behaved well in any Engagement."

"We have a fine Prospect of a plentiful Crop this Year, which will be very acceptable; for the Distres of the Poor in England, and more particularly in Ireland, has been, and still is, very great. The King has consented to a Grant of Parliament for a Sum of Money to build a Fort at Milford Haven for the Defence of that fine Harbour, and the Trade calling there, and to station Convoys to the British Channel; so that the Ships coming North about to Ireland, and to Milford, will escape the French Privateers, and it will now be made a most useful Harbour."