National Gazette

Circumstantial account of the aristocratic forces from Martinico, taking the French transports out of the road of St. Kitts.

Basse Terre, Oct. 4.—A squadron of French transports, consisting of 10 or 11, with about 2200 national troops on board, escorted by a frigate, lately arrived at Martinique, but were not suffered to land, being ordered away immediately. A part of them put into Montserrat, and three came here for water and provisions, being in great distress for both—They have neither money or credit. They went to Guadaloupe, but were refused any kind of assistance, and forbid, on pain of death, coming there. Those at Montserrat, with the commodore, have since sailed, but where they are gone, we have not been able to learn. Yesterday a French 40 gun ship, and another frigate anchored in Old Road, and ordered the three transports away immediately, with directions to quit these seas. The President sent an officer on board, to inform the Captain, that they were then under the protection of the British—He answered, that if they were under the protection of the devil he would have them. He, however, saluted the officer (Lieut. Hay, of the artillery) both on going and coming, with four guns. In this situation matters remained till this morning, when the officers of both parties were to meet the President, and submit the whole to his decision.

Since writing the above, we are informed, from undoubted authority, that the commodore of the French frigate is MALVO, the same that threatened last war to take the Proserpine, Capt. Byron, and actually sailed from 'Statia for that purpose, but was in the end taken himself by Capt. Byron off Montserrat; he is a native of Guadaloupe. He sent an insolent letter to Mr. Esdaile, our President, last night, threatening to carry off the transports, and if the national troops were not delivered up, that when he got the ships to sea he would land his troops with field pieces and put them all to death. He said that a counter-revolution took place in France on the 3d of September, and that he absolutely must have the traitors now landed at Old Road. They all landed last night, in number about 1500—The former part of his threat he has already put into execution, as he is now standing to windward with all the ships.

But whether he means to execute the latter, time is to determine. The commander of the troops declared, that rather than be given up to the frigate, he would kill himself, knowing well the consequences should he fall into their hands: The frigates are manned with a parcel of freebooters of all descriptions, picked up as volunteers in Martinique and Guadaloupe.

8 o'clock, Thursday evening. We are just informed, that in consequence of another message sent off by Lieut. Hay, M. Malvo has brought to under Brimstone hill, and is to come on shore to-morrow, to show by what authority he took these ships away.

His excellency General Woodley has given orders to supply the French troops here with provisions, &c.