The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter received by the Board of War in Boston, from an eminent house in France, dated May 27, 1779.

"The English who had a great number of privateers ready to put to sea when the hostilities began, took unawares the best part of our West India merchantmen (on their return) and for some time continued to make deep wounds to our trade, but now, we every day see some of their privateers and frigates brought into our ports, they were always conquered when the number was equal.

An expedition which we attempted lately on the islands of Jersey and Guernsey, miscarried for want of wind and tide. We may however attribute a success to it, because Admiral Arbuthnot, who set sail with a squadron of men of war, to carry reinforcements to New York and Georgia, made a diversion to his intended voyage, by going to the assistance of those islands, and we hope that delay will be favourable to the Americans. Our fleet consisting of 31 ships of the line, without frigates, is ready to put to sea; we have besides 10 other ships of the first rate on the stocks. France will have in less than a year's time 80 ships of the line in a good condition, with a great number of frigates. M. de la Fayette embarks immediately with 15 or 1800 dragoons to join your brave Generals.

France, by her mediation, has concluded peace between the Russians and Turks. She has also brought about an accommodation of the contest between the King of Prussia and the Emperor of Germany: The treaty of peace is signed. We flatter ourselves that all these powers will concur with Spain, to determine or compel England to make a peace advantageous both to France and America. The Spanish galleons are arrived; Spain has four or five ships of the line ready to put to sea, and people presume the order for their sailing will not be delivered before every measure for peace have been tried unsuccessfully by the Spanish Ambassador at St. James's Court.

Ireland is very dissatisfied, there is a kind of insurrection, and the English apprehend we shall land some troops on that island.

Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Russia, are making armaments to support their trade, and protect it against the depredations of the English, who invade every thing they meet at sea; in a word, all bids fair for us, to have the satisfaction of seeing their tyrannick pride humbled.

This, Sir, is a compendium of the political news. The debates in the English Parliament are still very warm, and Lord Sandwich remains in office, notwithstanding all the efforts of the navy."