The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

LONDON.

Extract of a letter from Paris, dated May 31.

The Court has at last received the original dispatches of the Count de Grasse, respecting the unhappy affair of the 12th of April. They are not yet published: but it is certain the King has been entirely affected with the news. But resuming by degrees that firmness that marks his character, he assembled the Council, when he spoke, it is said, in these terms:

"Gentlemen, as we must not suffer ourselves to be cast down by this severe reverse; we ought, on the contrary, to redouble our zeal to repair the consequences of it. Mr. de Castries! give orders for the speedy construction of twelve new ships. I shall take care that the brave men who fell in the action shall be replaced. I do not however pretend that the surplus of the expenses of this augmentation shall fall on my people, I would sooner pledge my jewels to supply it. Let them go to work immediately in the dock-yards; I shall take care that money shall not be wanting. My enemies are mistaken if they rely on this success to rise in their demands. Mr. de Vergennes! you know that I will make no alteration in the condition on which I have resolved to establish peace: I will have the honor of my arms repaired."

A language so manly, so worthy of a king, made the deepest impression on a nation naturally sensible and lively. We cannot on this occasion forbear mentioning some words that display the sensibility and humanity of that young Monarch. They were lately talking at Court about the ships lost in that fatal engagement:--Would to God, cried the Monarch, that we had lost nothing more than these ships! That loss is easily repaired with money and labour; but who shall restore me those brave sailors who have sacrificed their lives in my service! The Queen shares this misfortune with her Royal Consort. On that melancholy occasion she countermanded a concert that was to be given in her apartment.