The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Halifax, July 15.

66 M Company of Militia mount Guard. Martial Law is publish'd here... a every Day j...an Embargo is laid on all Shipping for about ten Days. We are putting this Town in the best Posture of Defence that is possible; and, should the French pay us a Visit, we shall be in a Condition to give them a very warm and suitable Reception....This comes by Capt. Church, who is permitted to sail, by Reason of his carrying some public Letters... Our Harbour is filled with Topsail Vessels and Schooners from Newfoundland: but no Advice is received from Authority of the Particulars of St. John's being taken: but in general, 'tis said, that the Inhabitants had 8 or 9 Days allowed them to settle, and dispose of their Effects to the best Advantage they could... The French Commodore has weighed the Gramont Frigate, and fitted her for the Sea.
Extract of another Letter from Halifax.

Herewith enclose you a Notification, which was sent to the Inhabitants of Bay of Bulls, viz.

"We, the Commander of his Most Christian Majesty's Fleet in Bay Bulls, make it known to all the said Inhabitants of the said Place, that they may come to their Habitations without being molested."

Aboard of his Majesty's Ship the Ro. bute, the 24th of June, 1762.

(Signed) Le Ch. de Turnay."

THE Antilope of 20 Guns, with her Convoy from England, are thought to be upon the Coast of Newfoundland at this Time, but hope they will receive some Advice of this sad Affair, before they get too near and are taken by the Enemy.
By several Vessels arrived from Newfoundland since our last, we have the following further Accounts from thence; the Master of one of them informs, that he left Ferriland the 1st of July, that he was at Halifax on the 14th, and was inform'd by a gentleman who left Ferriland in the Afternoon of the 1st of July, that he saw on the Said Day, four French Men of War come out of the Bay of Bulls, and steer as he judged for St. John's, that two of the Ships were of 74 Guns, one of 40 Guns, and a Frigate; and it was generally tho't there were no other French Ships on that Coast; but that the other four supposed French Ships which had been seen off are now judged to be English Ships bound up the River St. Lawrence: It was said the French landed 1500 Men; 1000 of which were disembarked from the two large Ships, and the Remainder from the other two Ships, there being no Transport Ships in Company with them.

We have Advice from Halifax, that Capt. James Brocks, Master of one of the Vessels that were taken at the Bay of Bulls, which he left on the Appearance of the Enemy's Ships, has deposed, that having got to Ferriland, on the 30th of June last, a Man came there and declared to him, that he was in the Fort of St. John's when it surrendered, which was on the 27th; that he left the Fort that Day; that the Number of the Enemy who invested the Fort was said to be from 1200 to 1500 Men; that they march'd by Land to St. John's from the Bay of Bulls, where the Ships lay; that they brought no Cannon with them against said Fort; and that they had not at the Time of his Departure destroy'd any of the Houses at St. John's; but he knew not any of the Particulars of the Capitulation.

And last Evening arrived here Captain Cochran in a Brig from Newfoundland, but last from Halifax in 6 Days, in whom came Passenger the Master of a Vessel who was taken at St. John's, and made his Escape from thence the 4th of July, 6 Days after that Place surrendered, who informs, that the French Force which march'd from the Bay of Bulls to St. John's consisted of 1600 fine Troops, and that the Garrison submitted without making any Opposition or any Articles of Capitulation: That the French were erecting new Fortifications at St. John's and were determined to keep the Place; that they had also fitted out 14 sail of Privateers, which were all sail'd on a Cruise before he got from thence; that they had destroy'd the Bay of Bulls, but had done no Damage at St. John's, the Inhabitants remain'd in quiet Possession of their Houses: but that a Guard of French Soldiers were placed at all the Stores: That the French Fleet consisted of but 2 Ships of 74 Guns: one of 44, and two Frigates, the latter of which kept constantly cruising off the Mouth of the Harbour; and that they all came from Old France.

Captain Cochran informs that no English Men of War were arrived at Halifax, neither had they received Advice of any being on that Coast: so that the Fishermen's Accounts, who arrived at Marblehead last Week, of 11 Sail being there, is without any Foundation.......The Embargo was taken off at Halifax two Days before Capt. Cochran sail'd.

The following is a Paragraph from M. d'Arc of the Commerce and Navigation of the Antients; which no doubt the French would be glad to put into Execution.

"Ye must attack the English colonies, for all the strength of our enemies lies there. I shall keep to this point, and shew the means of putting it into Execution. A superior fleet will cut off the English commerce entirely. The opulence of their colonies consists in, and arises from, their connection with their mother country. We must cut off this connection by our fleet, and then they will dwindle away and become our prey."