Portland Gazette

From the West-Indies.

The latest news from the West-Indies, at this port is by capt. Stephenson, who arrived on Saturday last, in 18 days from Martinique. By him we have particular accounts of the arrival of the combined French and Spanish fleets, who had commenced their offensive operations against the English Islands. It appears that on the 3d ult. the English fort at Diamond Rock, surrendered to the French after a very obstinate engagement, in which (the French account) states the loss of the English at 52 men killed, and 35 French. Corroborative news of the above has been received at Norfolk.

In addition to the above, intelligence received by yesterday's mail states that accounts from Martinico, to the 10th June, have been received at New York. They state, that the combined fleet sailed from Fort Royal the 5th June, for Guadaloupe; and from Guadaloupe, on the 8th, for Antigua, as was supposed: The two frigates from the Ferrol squadron had arrived; and which had left the squadron at sea; in a gale of wind: And that no information had been received at Martinico, of the arrival of a British fleet at Barbadoes.

Capt. M'Lellan, also arrived at this port from Trinidad, states, that on the arrival of the combined fleets at Martinique, an embargo had been laid for 3 weeks, which was taken off in consequence of favorable reports from the other English islands, which account seems to corroborate the report of Lord Nelson's fleet, with reinforcements from England, having also arrived in the islands. The Boston paper of Saturday last, contains the following article respecting Nelson's Fleet.

Capt. Hall, who arrived here, on Thursday, from the Mediterranean, informs that he came through the Straits of Gibraltar, the 6th May, in company with Lord Nelson's fleet of fifteen sail of the line, and parted company off Cape St. Vincents, on the 9th of May. If this fleet then stood for the West-Indies, it gives it 23 days to arrive at Barbadoes, to correspond with the reports, of its arrival there, the 1st June.

The vessel, at New-York, from Martinico, contradicts the account of the arrival there of a second French fleet.

We understand that Commodore Preble has instructions to build two small vessels in this port for the Mediterranean service. Two others are building under his direction in Newburyport.