Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

Extract of a letter to a gentleman in New York, dated New Orleans, August 19.

"Some time since a number of reports were circulating here of the intended invasion of this country; at one time by the British, and another by the Spaniards, and again jointly by both. Lately we have nothing further on this subject, and I presume we are as secure as you are in New-York. The government of the U. States are making arrangements (it may be only for appearance) for the supply of a large military force in this quarter. It is said there will be six thousand troops in addition to those already here, (about 3500) for which rations have been ordered to be prepared by the contractors for the army. The smuggling business at Barrataria, or Grand Isle, situated 60 or 70 miles from this place, continues to be carried on to a great extent, as was ever done in any other part of the world. One of the principal leaders of this banditti has been secured, and will be tried for piracy: but still that trade goes on. Within the two last weeks four new prizes have been brought into Grand Isle, one said to be a Russian, from England, bound to Pensacola--Another a Dutch galliot, and strange to tell, of the number of vessels taken by these pirates, not one of their crews have ever been seen, or heard of, doubtless all murdered--and still stranger to remark, that the general rendezvous of those robbers should remain within 60 or 70 miles of this place, having 3500 regular troops, and all the militia of the country, and not a single effort made to dislodge them."