Several French Letters found on board this Prize confirm the Arrival of the Squadron mentioned in our last, commanded by Monsieur Beaufremont;[4] and that he had sent out two Frigates to clear the Coast of our Privateers; but that the English Squadron approaching, they ran into Porto Paix,[5] and informed the French Admiral thereof; who thereupon put to Sea, and a great Number of Cannon were heard for several Hours; so that we may expect to hear of some smart Engagement.
[1] From the Boston News-Letter of May 19, 1757.
[2] Port au Prince, on the west coast, the present capital of Haiti.
[3] He was brother-in-law of Captain Simeon Potter, and sailed with him, as clerk, on the Prince Charles of Lorraine (see docs. nos. 176, 177) in 1745. His son, James De Wolf, United States senator 1821-1825, was one of the most successful of owners of privateers; one of his vessels, the Yankee, captured or destroyed five million dollars' worth of British property during the war of 1812. Munro, Tales of an Old Sea Port, pp. 214-223.
[4] The Chevalier de Bauffremont, prince de Listenois, chef d'escadre in the French navy and later vice-admiral, had sailed from Brest at the end of January, with a squadron of six vessels, for St. Domingo, capturing the Greenwich, 50, on his way. From the West Indies he sailed for Louisbourg, where he arrived May 23. Lacour-Gayet, La Marine Militaire de la France sous Louis XV., pp. 383, 495.
[5] Port au Paix, on the north coast of Haiti.
199. Letter of William Smith, jr. April 8, 1757.[1]
New York 8 April 1757.
Sir,
On the 6th Instant, a French Snow[2] laden with Sugar[3] and Indigo, to a very considerable Value, was brought into this Port, by two English Merchant men, who captivated her on the High Seas in March last, tho they had neither Letters of Marque nor other Commission.