Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

AMSTERDAM, Dec. 26.

Our rejoicings on the supposed approach of peace, have been as short as the motives were light, on which they were founded. To-day the opinions of the people here, are turned entirely to the continuance of the war. The movements which are taking place in the several kingdoms around us, the secret agitation of their cabinets—and the appearance of new armaments, totally destroy every pacific hope, notwithstanding the news of negociations, by which we are to be no longer amused. Our attention is now turned towards England. Our misery, and our distress, sufficiently bespeak our wishes, and Europe, whose councils Great-Britain at present appears to direct at her will, looks with anxiety at the fate of our Provinces. Every bosom here is distressed and discouraged, and the pacific assurances, which we have lately received, serve but to add to the bitterness of our disappointment.

The checks which we daily receive, and the advances made by the enemy on our territory, increase and strengthen their feelings. We just now learn, that our troops have evacuated Fort St. Andre, and at the same time the Bommel Waert.

By this retreat, we are reduced to the mere defence of the right Bank of the Waal, where our troops may be continually harassed by the enemy, who are encamped on the other side, without any apprehension from the fire of those ramparts, to which we before owed our protection.

This manoeuvre, if such it can be called, by no means accords with the reports of an armistice, of which our Gazettes have so long spoken. They have assured us of the departure of the Commissaries MM. BRANDZEN and PEPERELAER, from the Hague, for Paris; adding, that these gentlemen have received their passports from the French Generals. On the contrary, it is this instant reported, that the enemy has refused to let them pass, and that they are on their return to Dort! To this last rumour it is impossible, at this moment, to say what degree of credit should be attached.

On the evening of the 22d, the French made an attack on the side of fort Capel. Their force consisted only of 200 men on skates. They seemed to be a party to reconnoitre the place, previously to an attempt in the night. We know that they have ordered 3000 pair of cramp irons, at Waalwyck, for the purpose of walking, in safety, over the ice.