The New Hampshire Gazette

B O S T O N. November 7.

In the Halifax Gazette of the 22d of October last there is an Account of the Arrival there of two Flags of Truce from Quebeck, one a Brig, the other a Schooner, but last from Louisbourg, with a Number of English Prisoners lately taken at Fort William Henry, and Parts adjacent. In the Brig arrived Mr. John Samuel Petit, late Boatswain's-Mate of the Massachusetts Snow Prince of Wales, Capt. Dowe, who was taken the second Day after he left Halifax, off Louisbourg, by the Fleur de Luce, Frigate of 26 Guns, and carried into the last mentioned Place: Mr. Petit, among other Things, gave the following Particulars, That he was put on board the Duke of Bayonne of 80 Guns, where he was kept a Prisoner 20 Days, but by the kind Offices of Mr. Labore, a French Gentleman, to whom he was known, who applied to the Admiral for Liberty for him to go home to his Friends in Boston, urging in his Behalf, that he had formerly been the Means of saving a Ship and her Crew which he met with at Sea in Distress, took Charge of, and bro't safe into Louisbourg, and that he might not be Sent home to France along with the rest of the Crew; the Admiral was at length, with much difficulty prevailed upon to comply with Mr. Labore's Desire, and promis'd he should be sent home by the first Opportunity: Mr. Labore then had Leave to take him ashore to his own House, which he accordingly did, where he was treated very kindly, during which Time Mr. Labore inform'd him, that some Indians had Lately bro't in a Number of Scalps, for which they had received the Bounty; a short Time after they were found out to be French Scalps, (suppos'd some of the Neutrals formerly so called) whereupon the Governor and Admiral immediately order'd the Bounty on Scalps to be taken-off. and only to be paid for such as were bro't in alive, and also ordered that whatever Indian should for the future presume to bring in any Scalp, should be severely punish'd, which, if true. may be the Means of saving many an Englishmen's Life. He also inform'd, that it was very sickly in the Fleet, chiefly for want of Provisions, and that during the 20 Days he was on board the Duke of Bayonne, upwards of 100 other Men died; also that during said Time he had not, above half a Pound of Meat allowed him; That the Sickness also rages amongst the rest of the Fleet, some losing from 100 to 200 of their Men thereby: That all the Land Forces were gone to Quebeck, and the Men of War returning thither away: That in the last Storm, one drove ashore, Bottom, but that they had got her off again, and were repairing her: That the Number of Top-sail Vessels in the Harbour did not exceed 25, among which were 17 Line of Battle Ships, 4 of which were Flags, and 4 Frigates, the rest Merchantmen: That a small Privateer Schooner had taken and sent in a fine large new Snow, Capt. Boyce arrived also in said Flag of Truce, and two Schooners, unknown: That all the People, except 170, belonging to the Tilbury, who was unfortunately cast away in the last Storm, are safe: That Provisions of all Kinds, fresh especially, are so exceeding scarce, that even the best Gentlemen among them are glad to catch at a Mouthful now then at any Rate; and that he verily believes, that if they do not by some Means or other procure some very soon they must all inevitably perish.