Alexandria Daily Advertiser

ANTIGUA TAKEN!
A letter received in town last evening from St. Thomas, dated June 10th, states, that the combined fleets then consisted of THIRTY-Two sail, one half of which went against and captured Antigua.
that the harbor of St. Thomas was crowded with vessels of Antigua, waiting every description, from till the storm had subsided.
It adds,
[Balt. Telegraphe.]
Captain Haylander, from Martin (Mart.) informs, that the whole of the combined Fleet sailed from Martinique on the 6th ult. except two 80-gun ships and a frigate, just arrived from France. On the 13th captain H. passed Antigua, and saw a large fleet in the dusk of the evening. of the harbor of St. John's, standing off, and apparently making observations, which he believes was the French fleet, as the number corresponded, and they all appeared to be large ships. The probability was, that they had only arrived there that day, after taking in at Guadaloupe such particulars as they had occasion for. The general opinion at Martinique was, that the taking of Antigua would be their first object. Previous to their leaving Martinique three 74's were sent against Diamond Rock, garrisoned by 117 British troops, who made little resistance, and capitulated after a siege of four days. the garrison were sent to Barbados in a cartel. The French frigate which arrived last from France bro't dispatches in 27 days from L'Orient, but nothing of their contents transpired: it was the report of the day, that the two French commanders of the army and navy did not perfectly agree, which was a principal cause for their stay so long at Martinique : it was also reported that Bonaparte, to deceive lord Nelson, had a number of letters written by the relations. of. the officers of the Toulon fleet. wishing them success in their expedition, against Egypt, which letters had been put on board of fast sailing luggers which were to throw themselves in the way of. Nelson's cruisers, in order to lead them astray, and which was supposed to have the desired effect, as no account had reached Martinique on the 11th of any English fleet arriving in those seas. It was said that the French fleet were in want of many things; their arsenals then being totally unprovided, their main object was to get possession of some of the English arsenals, to which they might have recourse in case of any accident happening their vessels: the number of troops on board the fleet was 10,000.
He heard nothing of the sickly state of the Spanish fleet, as heretofore reported.
[Ibid.]