National Gazette

London, March 9. The following particulars of the defeat of the French before Williamstadt, were communicated to a respectable merchant in this city, brought by the messenger arrived yesterday from Holland. It is with an honest pride that we have to state, that a part of our country were actively engaged in so glorious a business.

Capt. Manley, of the Syren, having previously concerted the business with the governor of Williamstadt brought his ship to bear successfully on the French army. The French made an attack, in which they were much annoyed by the fire of the English frigate. This, as it was unexpected, Dumourier was unprepared for. The garrison made a sally, and 700 of the French were killed by the fire of the garrison, and the Syren together.

The French fell back, but returned again to the attack—At this moment a sluice was opened which had the desired effect—upwards of 1000 of the enemy were killed by the fire of the Syren, the spirit and vigour of the garrison, and the effect of the inundation. Dumourier found it in vain to persist. He abandoned his works, and retired to the distance of a league, up to the middle in water.

The people at Amsterdam and Rotterdam are in the utmost confusion. They have packed up all their valuable moveables, and are preparing themselves on a moment's warning for flight, but scarcely know which way to take themselves. Several have endeavoured to obtain a passage by the packets, but there was no room—others hired vessels which are to be in constant readiness to sail.