The New Hampshire Gazette

St. JOHN's (in Antigua) February 24.

The reduction of Martinico was celebrated here last Saturday, with all the pomp and solemnity possible. At 12 o'clock the cannon at Monk's hill and James's fort were discharged, and the vessels in the harbour, and guns placed at different places in the town, continued to fire all the day. His Excellency the General, and most of the principal persons of the island dined in public; and upon the whole, the rejoicings were suitable to the value and importance of the conquest, which is beyond all doubt the greatest that Great Britain ever made.
The possession of Martinico will effectually secure all our windward sugar islands (though Guadaloupe and its dependencies should be restored upon a peace) and occasion so great increase of the navigation, revenue, and consumption of British manufactures, as will make us ample amends for the expences, great as they are, of continuing the war, till our enemies can be brought to reason.

March 10: Admiral Rodney has lately received two expresses from Jamaica; one by a vessel dispatched by Capt. Forrest, commander of his Majesty's ships on that station, and the other by the return of his own tender, which the Admiral had sent down some time before. By the first of these expresses we hear the Admiral was informed that there were 22 sail of Spanish ships of the line, and 8000 troops at the Havanna, ready for an expedition; and it was believed they intended to attack Jamaica, but might probably wait for the formality of a declaration of war, which they expected every Day: And the other express (the Admiral's tender) had the good fortune, in her passage up, to take the express which had been sent from Spain for the Havanna, with the Spanish Declaration of War, and afterwards to take a vessel from Spain laden with bombs, shells, cannon balls, and other ordnance stores.
Since our last arrived here a French ship from Marseilles, bound for Martinico; but taken by the Cinque Ports sloop of war, which was sent by Admiral Saunders to the commanders by sea here, and at Jamaica, with an account of a Spanish war. We hear six other ships sailed from Marseilles with this prize, bound on the same voyage; one of which has been taken off Martinico by Captain Barrington, in a Brig belonging to Lancaster; and Capt. M'Pheron, of the Britannia Privateer, was seen in chase of a ship, which was supposed to be another.
Accounts from St. Eustatius represent the trade of that island as being almost at an end, and that the greatest part of the inhabitants were preparing to leave the place. We are told that one gentleman had the keys of stores and houses, which rented for three thousand a year, delivered up to him in one day.
We hear there are seven ships of the line now upon the Jamaica station, besides frigates, and it is reported they have taken a Spanish frigate. There are two regiments of regulars (wanting four companies) upon the island; and it is said Sir James Douglas will be sent down with more ships.
March 24. It is said a strong squadron will immediately go from hence to Jamaica, and that Admiral Pocock may be expected here very soon, in his way to Jamaica.
By the ship Black Prince, which arrived here yesterday from Cork, we hear, that the Admirals Hawke and Pocock were ready to sail with 25 ships of the Line.
By this ship we also hear, that the King had made Mr. PITT very particular compliments on his penetration and advice relative to Spain (which events have shown him to be right) and requested the continuance of his services.
March 31. Two vessels bound from Virginia to St. Kitts, were lately taken to windward of this island and sent down to St. Thomas's, or Porto Rico. The Capt. of the French Privateer said, six or eight other privateers were destined to cruise to windward of this island.
April 7. We hear from St. Christophers, that Com. Sir James Douglas sailed for Jamaica the 2d inst. with 12 ships of the line. Commodore Swanton is at Martinico, with part of the ships still remaining on this station, and Admiral Rodney is gone to sea with the rest, the Admiral has yet upwards of 20 of his Majesty's ships.