The Enquirer

SALEM, September 24.

FROM GIBRALTAR.

Captain Israel Williams, who arrived last evening from the Mediterranean, has obliged us with some minutes of intelligence, which he had collected. He left Gibraltar the 23d of August; previous to which, they had no certain accounts of lord Nelson: the report, however, was, that he arrived at Ferrol, 2 days before the combined fleets, and not finding them there, had gone back to Newfoundland, in quest of them.

Neither had they any particular account of the action between admiral Calder and the combined fleets: the official account of the Spanish admiral was published, and stated that they had gained a victory over the British, which would have been more complete if the French had not unfortunately been too far to leeward, which brought the whole brunt of the battle upon the Spaniards: finding that 2 Spanish and 1 French ship were missing, he gave over pursuing the British, and informs that the fleet, though much dispersed, had arrived safe, part at Vigo and part at Ferrol.

Capt. W. informs, that a few days after the action the combined fleets formed a junction at Ferrol and with the squadron in that port, sailed for Cadiz, where they had arrived, so in number, two days before the Friendship's sailing, and, with 5 ships in that port, formed a fleet of 33 sail of the line. This intelligence was received at Gibraltar 8 hours before captain W. sailed, together with a further account, that the Carthagena squadron, of 8 sail of the line (the same that was to have joined the Toulon squadron when bound down the Straits, but was not ready) had arrived at Malaga, 20 leagues from Gibraltar only. Just before sunset (says capt. W.) an easterly wind sprung up, with which the Carthagena squadron probably started, as they were in plain sight from the Rock some time before dark, 8 sail of the line and many gun-boats; this created a most serious alarm at Gibraltar; all was bustle; the alarm guns were constantly firing, which were heard on board his ship till 10 o'clock at night, at which time the wind had increased to a very strong levanter, and the night being very dark, it must have given them a fine chance to pass the Gut.

At the time the alarm was given, the squadron under Sir R. Bickerton was at anchor in Gibraltar Bay, consisting of the Queen of 98 guns, Tonant 84, Minotaur and Bellerophon 74's, 2 frigates and two gun brigs. This squadron had been some time waiting at Gibraltar for reinforcements from England, to go up and blockade the Carthagena squadron abovementioned. Immediately after the alarm, the squadron got under weigh. it was said to join the squadron off Cadiz; under Sir Roger Curtis, who according to some accounts, had 12 sail, and according to others 8 sail of the line.

Capt. W. was informed by the American consul. and other gentlemen at Gibraltar, that a WAR between Spain and America appeared inevitable; and that the Spaniards were in daily expectation of war being declared against them by the United States. Mr. Pinckney, whose negociation had failed, was expected at Tangier every moment: and Mr. Bowdoin had thought it expedient not to proceed to Madrid, as we have before known. In the mean time, the Spaniards treat these things with contempt, and insult, and capture the American flag daily: and the common observation is, that our government cannot much longer brook such hostile and insulting treatment.

The English have a ship of war called the Transit, which has five masts; and said to be the fastest sailer in the world.--She lately arrived in England from Malta.