and his crew were set at
liberty, and with some address and intrigue he got again to sea from
the same port, in a swift sailing cutter, mounting fourteen six
pounders and twenty two swivels, with one hundred and six men. His
first adventure greatly raised insurance on the northern trade, even
the packet boats from Dover to Calais were for some time insured. On
his leaving the port of Dunkirk the second time, he had orders to
proceed directly for America, but he and his crew, full of resentment
for the insults they had received from the enemy whilst in prison at
Dunkirk, and afterwards, attacked the first vessels they met with, and
plundered and burnt as they went on. Our last accounts are, that they
had taken or destroyed about twenty sail, and had appeared off the
town of Lynn and threatened to burn it unless ransomed; but the wind
proving unfavorable, they could not put their threats into execution.
In a word, Cunningham, by his first and second bold expeditions, is
become the terror of all the eastern coast of England and Scotland,
and is more dreaded than Thurot was in the late war. But though this
distresses our enemies, it embarrasses us. We solicited his
enlargement, and Mr Hodge engaged for his going directly for America.
I know not how his engagement was expressed, but to appease the
British Ministry and drive off an instant war, Mr Hodge has been
arrested and confined. His friends need not be in distress for him; he
will soon be at liberty. He merits much from his country, having been
ready at all times to promote and serve its interests.

Just before the sailing of Cunningham, Captain Burrall arrived in a
Maryland pilot boat. He made several prizes in his passage, and
brought one into Cherbourg with him. He came to Paris for our advice,
but on his return suffered himself to be enticed on board an English
cutter in the port, where he was instantly seized, and the cutter came
to sail and carried him off prisoner. We complained, and were promised
that he should be reclaimed by this Court; it has probably been done,
but we have received no answer. The ship General Mifflin, after
cruising some time on the coasts of England and Ireland, put into
Brest, and there, under Continental colors, saluted the admiral, who,
after consulting his officers, returned the salute, which causes much
speculation, and shows that the officers, as well as the other orders
in this kingdom, are much in our interest. But, the politics of