Sunday last arrived here the Otter man of war, Capt. Ballet, in 7 weeks from Portsmouth, who is stationed here for the protection of our trade; so that we have reason to hope (particularly from the character of the Commander) that our coast will soon be clear’d of the privateers now infesting it. Captain Ballet came out with the Virginia fleet, under convoy of the Hector man of war, but parted with them about six hundred leagues off. In his passage, about 300 leagues off, he met, and had a smart engagement with, a very large ship for 4 hours, and would have carried her had not the Night come on. He had one of his hands killed, and seven or eight wounded.