Abstract of several Letters, dated Martinique, February 25th.
"The King's vessels, Robuste of seventyfour guns, commanded by the Count de Grasse, commander of the squadron; Magnifique of seventyfour, by M. de Branche; Dauphin Royal of seventy, by M. de Mitton; and Vengeur of sixtyfour, by M. de Retz, having sailed from Brest the 14th of January, arrived at Fort Royal the 20th of this month. They had on board the second field regiment, eight hundred and fifty recruits, and a company of miners."
March 6th. "We learn that Admiral Byron has on his part also received a reinforcement, but we do not know the force of it. He has not yet undertaken any operation. He has only twice sailed out with some ships, but he returned the day after. It is true, that he has not troops enough to make conquests and to preserve them. Sickness continues to make great ravages among those that are at St Lucia."
March 9th. "The convoy from France, so much wished for, has just arrived, attended by many vessels.
"The islands of St Martin and St Bartholomew, which the English had taken from us, have just been retaken without much exertion by three of our frigates, and an end put to the triumph, which our enemies had reaped from this easy conquest.
"M. de Kersin, the lieutenant of the ship, took two prizes last week; one a merchant store-ship called Eliza, armed with twentyeight twelve pounders. Her crew consisted of one hundred and forty men, and her cargo of provisions and sails, to the value of twentyfive thousand livres. The store-ship was sheathed with copper. The other is a privateer of eighteen guns, and with a crew of seventysix men. Some American privateers have sent here two prizes coming from Halifax, loaded with fish and boards. The Minerva has also carried to Cape François another English frigate of twentyfour guns. The ability of the captain saved her from the danger of being taken by a ship of war and three frigates, by which she had been surprised in a calm."
Baltimore, April 2d. "The captain of a sloop, which has arrived in twentytwo days from Martinique, reports that sickness had made dreadful ravages in the English army and fleet at St Lucia, that the two squadrons are supposed to be nearly equal in force, that the French frigates, are constantly at sea, often engaging with the English, that one of the former has taken the frigate Liverpool of twentysix guns, that in other respects, the situation of the French is entirely satisfactory to them, and that they appear to be unconcerned with regard to the success of the operations, which Admiral Byron intends to undertake."
Martinique, March 14th. "We learn from France, that news has been received by Portuguese vessels returned from India, that the English commenced hostilities against the French in the month of April. A ship of war and a frigate attacked at that time the Brilliant, of seventyfour guns, commanded by M. de Tronjoly, who repelled the attack. We learn also, that they are making great exertions for the repair and arming of a force of fortyfive privateers, which the royal navy has taken from the English, and that the greater part of these vessels will in a short time be ready to sail."
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Translation.