The Virginia Gazette

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 28.

LETTER from St. Eustatia, dated Jan. 27th, to a gentleman in this city, says:

We have had some late arrivals from England, by which we learn that a bill for sending foreign troops to America had been thrown out by both Houses. That another for seizing American vessels, it was thought, would share the same fate: However, there is one passed for indemnifying the captains of the king's ships for what they have done, or may do. The papers say, there are 36 commissioners going to America, to treat with each province separately, for conciliatory measures. In the interim, every vessel that can swim is taken up to carry troops, ammunition, and provisions, to America. General Gage was kept in the channel some time before the ministry would let him land. It is no doubt that the French have 11,000 men in Martinico and Guadaloupe, and more expected. It is said they have an equal number at St. Domingo. The ships of war are very strict here yet; they have taken the ship that capt. ---- went in from Demarara to this place, with Dutch goods.

Provisions are a drug at present; the ground provisions are now come in, which account for it. At St. Kitt's they have had flour from England, which is not very good; it stands about 25s. per cwt. landed there; also beans, bread, staves, &c. The latter, which we call shock staves, cost them 30l. per 1000.
Monday last arrived here the ship Hope, capt. Curwen, from Bristol, by which we learn that lord Cornwallis, with five regiments, were to sail about the middle of December, to rendezvous in Virginia, and a part, or all of them, to proceed for South Carolina. That the act allowing piracy against the Americans would probably not receive the royal assent till January. That the commissioners would sail about the middle of January, and were to be followed by as large an armament of ships and troops as was possible for Britain to raise in her present state. That the ministry breathe nothing but murder; and it is thought that the commissioners are only sent out as a stop-gap, while they have time to raise troops, or try the arts of corruption. Among the commissioners, it is said, are lords Howe and Littleton, capt. Barrington, governours Pownall and Johnstone, and general Gage, who are all to come out in an 80 or 90 gun ship.