Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

A letter from L'Orient, dated the 15th of Dec. says, " The first of the French ships that came up with the Alexander, was a sloop of war, carrying 20 guns. In less than five minutes she was sunk, and every soul on board perished. The two 80 gun ships came upon her nearly together, 'and she engaged them with obvious advantage for three hours. By this time the three 74 gun ships, having relinquished the chase of the Canada, came up, and the Alexander, with the most undaunted spirit and resolution, was engaged for more than an hour longer with the whole five. Her loss was great indeed, only fifty of her crew remained fit for duty when she struck, of which number her brave commander, Admiral Bligh, was one. The first Lieutenant, who distinguished himself greatly in the action, has lost an arm and a leg, but his wounds are not likely to prove fatal. The slaughter on board the French ships was immense. One of the 80 gun ships was completely a wreck, and had upwards of five feet water in her hold when she entered Brest, notwithstanding her chain pumps were kept continually at work."