Gazette Of The United States & Evening Advertiser

Foreign Intelligence.
LONDON, Dec. 20.
Copy of a letter received yesterday morning from an officer in Lord Howe's fleet, dated Torbay, Dec. 14, 1793.
We arrived here on Wednesday last, after an unsuccessful cruize, the object of which, (as was reported), was to intercept the French West India convoy. They, however have thought proper to go to America, and in all probability will remain there, as neither life nor property appear secure in France. On the morning of 18th November, we fell in with a French squadron, consisting of seven sail of the line, two frigates, two brigs and a schooner. They were within two leagues of us before they discovered their mistake. Lord Howe made a Signal for several Ships to give chase; which they did, and came up so fast, that before 2 o'clock, two of our ships began to fire: but whether from their superior judgment, or our wilful stupidity, I know not, but on the morning of the 10th not a French ship was to be seen. It was the general opinion that we could capture every one of them. So sanguine were we in our expectations, and at the same time so confident of success, that calculations were made of the prize money which should fall to each man, but these hopes entirely vanished with the return of light. Never was such apparent disappointment seen, as in the morning when the French fleet had got clear off.

The troops left at Guernsey with the Earl of Moira, are mostly sick. The expedition is certainly frustrated for the present. Whether or not it will ever be resumed, is another question.