The New Hampshire Gazette

BRITISH ACCOUNT
Of the defeat of Gen. CLAIRFAYT, by Citizen Jourdan, on the 17th, 18th and 19th of September. The French account of which, we have published. It must be observed that this defeat was previous to the total rout and dispersion of the 80,000 Austrians from before Maestricht and the capture of Aix-la-Chapelle and Juliers, as this latter victory happened on or about the 4th of Oct.

Philadelphia, Nov. 27.
GLORIOUS NEWS.

By the Pigou Loxley, arrived yesterday, papers are received only one day later than those before come to hand, but they contain intelligence of the FIRST IMPORTANCE. The siege of Maestricht, that key to part of Holland, may be considered as the immediate consequence of the victory.

From the Courrier of 26 Sept.

Yesterday a messenger arrived from the continent, with intelligence of an event perhaps as calamitous as any that has occurred this war. Gen. Clairfayt has been defeated after an engagement of three days. His army consisted of between 60 and 70,000, and was posted between Maestricht and Liege; his right wing encamped in the neighbourhood of the former, and his left occupying the strong post of La Chartreuse. It was on the left wing the French made their principal attack--It commenced on the 17th inst. and it was not till the 19th that the French succeeded: with a loss on the side of the Austrians of from 12 to 13,000. The Duke of York was defeated on the 17th with the loss of 500 men.

From the Morning Herald of Sept. 27.
[A MINISTERIAL PAPER.]

The mail due yesterday is not arrived. Government, we are informed, are in possession of intelligence of the most melancholy nature from the army of General Clairfayt. This brave, but unfortunate officer, with about 70,000 men under his command, was attacked by the enemy, in immense force, on the 17th instant, between Maestricht and Liege. He sustained the vigorous assault with his wonted courage and intrepidity, in a manner which although eventually overpowered by superiority of force, must reflect on him immortal honor. The engagement it appears, lasted near three days with very little intermission; the two first of which he had apparently the advantage: but on the third, the enemy unfortunately succeeded in turning his left wing, and obliged him to make a precipitate retreat to Aix la Chapelle, with the loss of upwards of 12,000 men. This of course occasions a total change in the plan of operations in that quarter. Maestricht is now, we fear, left entirely unprotected, and General Clairfayt must content himself with acting on the defensive in the best manner he can, and saving the shattered remains of his defeated army. General Jourdan commanded the French troops in this affair, whose loss is not mentioned, but must have been considerably greater than that of the allies.

Such is the account of the above disaster which is said to have been received: but we entertain a confident hope that it will prove to be an exaggeration in the most material circumstances attending the transaction.

General Pichegru is pursuing the Duke of York with a force consisting of 80,000 men; and, as his Royal Highness cannot now hope for any succours from the Austrian army, his plan, doubtless, will be, to effect a further retreat from the dangers with which he appears to be threatened.

The accounts from Holland are most alarming. The Duke of York is said to have passed Nimeguen, and to be evidently on his retreat across the Rhine: while, by the last movement of Clairfayt, he seems also to be on the route to cross the same river. What may be the consequences of this complete surrender of the field to the French, our intelligent readers will readily see. The possession of Holland, which nothing could have given the French but the guilt and folly of our ministers, will add to the marine of our enemy such power as must be tremendous, particularly when we consider the situation and extent of the coast and ports from which this additional force will issue. If already they have committed such devastations on the north seas, what must be the havoc on our trade, when to such a length of coast they add the shipping, the skill, and the industry of the Dutch? We may then be reduced to the melancholy situation, when even our aristocrats will not object, in Parliament, to the cutting of canals, as there will be no other means of supplying London with coals.