Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Atlas	98	Capt. J. Jones.
Formidable	98	E. Thornborough
Ramilles	74	R. Grindall.
Robust	74	G. Dountels.
L'Uranie	44	G. A. Towry.
Phoenix	36	L. W. Halstead
Triton	32	T. Gore.

Last night arrived here the Dolly cutter, of 8 guns, lieutenant A. Watson, with the important intelligence of the French fleet being at sea. It appears by the best account we can collect, that they sailed from Brest on Friday last, consisting of 17 sail of the line besides smaller vessels, and full of troops, which places it beyond a doubt that Ireland is their intended destination. The Nymph, of 8 guns, capt. Frazer, was left by the Dolly reconnoitering the enemy, of whom Lord Bridport had received certain information, and has a perfect knowledge of their situation and force; he has with him 16 sail of the line, 5 of which are three deckers, and was, from the latest accounts of him, not more than seven hours sail from the French fleet, using his utmost endeavours to cut them off from the land, and, in the event of bringing them to action, to prevent their returning to Brest.

The dispatches by the Dolly, were forwarded this morning to London; all is bustle on board the men of war in this harbour; and every ship that can possibly put to sea, will sail this day. The following ships are already unmoored; but the wind being at South, with very light airs, they will make, it is feared, little progress.

Every exertion is using to get down from Hamoaze, the Bellona, of 74 guns, Captain Sir. T. B. Thompson; that gallant officer has a longing desire to share in the glory of another action, and to be revenged of the Great Nation for his capture in the Leander, which he so nobly defended in the action with the Généreux, of 74 guns.

Another report is very generally circulated, and seems to gain credit, which states, that the Dolly is immediately from Lord Bridport, and left him last Sunday morning: the Nymph frigate being then in sight both of the English and French fleets, and that his Lordship had so far effected his purpose, as to be between the French and the land, and at the same time to windward, with every prospect of bringing them to action: so that hourly intelligence may be expected of something decisive. The Fowey cutter, of 24 guns, Lieut. Narby, is arrived here, and saw the French fleet on Friday last, at Anchor in Bertheaume Bay, on which day they put to sea from thence.

There are at this time upwards of one hundred transports in the river ready for sea, some of which are fitted up for the accommodation of cavalry. Their destination is at present unknown.