The Virginia Gazette

WILLIAMSBURG, Feb. 16.

We have undoubted intelligence, that the man of war lately arrived in Hampton road is the Roebuck, of 44 guns, capt. Hammond, lately from England, but last from Halifax, in Nova Scotia. She landed at that place Marriott Arbuthnot, esq; formerly commander of the Garland sloop of war, on this station, who is appointed commissary of the king's stores, and commodore, at Halifax. She brings intelligence of things being in a train of accommodation at home, every one seeming heartily disposed to forward so benevolent and desirable a purpose, by placing us as we were at the end of the last war. It is to be hoped, likewise, should the ministry be really in earnest to sheathe the Sword, that they will, without hesitation (having been the aggressors) pay costs, or grant an equivalent.

The brigantine Anne, capt. Wetcott, is gone up to Norfolk, from London. She brings letters and papers to Nov. 27th, which mention, that lord North had brought in a bill for the repeal of the Boston port bill, the fishery bill, and that which relates to sending suspected persons over sea for trial, besides some other particulars which relate to all the colonies; that the general cry of the nation was for PEACE, and that our friends in both Houses of Parliament were exerting themselves to bring about a happy reconciliation, to effect which they had been joined by several members of the court party, who, it is to be hoped, will be able, before it is too late, to save the sinking vessel of the state, and safely moor her in the wished for port.----Which GOD grant, and that this unnatural contest may be settled to the satisfaction of both countries, upon a solid and permanent foundation.

Commissioners, we hear, are to be sent to the different colonies, who, past doubt, will be referred by them to the Continental Congress, into whose hands they have delegated all power, and in whose wisdom and virtue we may repose all confidence, either to restore us peace on honourable terms, or prosecute a war so unjustly begun on the part of Great Britain, and so cruelly and treacherously carried on.----The best way to make peace is with swords in our hands, that we may be prepared against every contingency.

On Tuesday last the Hon. Committee of Safety made choice of the following gentlemen to command the artillery company, viz. James Innis, captain; Charles Harrison, 1st lieutenant; Edward Carrington, 2d lieutenant; and Samuel Denny, 3d lieutenant.

Under the Cambridge head, it is said that general Clinton, with a considerable number of grenadiers and light infantry, sailed from Boston, the 19th ult. Supposed for Virginia.