The New Hampshire Gazette

LONDON.

Copy of a Letter from the Right Hon. the Lord Colville,
to the Right Hon. Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated Northumberland at Quebec, Sept. 12. 1760.

Capt. Byron, senior Officer of the King's Ships at Louisbourg, in Consequence of Intelligence he had received from Brigadier General Whitmore of some Ships of the Enemy being at Restigouche, in the Bottom of the Bay of Chaleurs, immediately sailed with the Fame, Dorsetshire, Achilles, Scarborough, and Repulse, and found the French Ships at the Place described; being the Machault Frigate of 30 Guns, two large Store Ships, and 19 Sail of smaller Vessels, most of which had been taken from our Traders last Year and this: All these with two Batteries and 200 Houses, were destroyed, and the Settlement totally Ruined.

But I cannot do Justice to Capt. Byron's Spirited Behaviour, than by enclosing a Copy of his Letter to me; which being dated in the Bay of Chaleurs on the 14th of July, I imagine was immediately after this Service was performed. The Frigate and Store Ships came out in the Spring; but finding our Squadron had got up the River before them, put into the Bay of Chaleurs.

Capt. Wallis, with the Prince of Orange, Rochester, and three armed Vessels, was (in pursuance of my Orders) going up the Bay of Chaleurs, but met Capt. Byron coming down.

The joint Request of Generals Amherst and Murray, concurring with my own Inclinations to serve Capt. Dean of the Diana, has induced me to send him to wait on you with this Letter. He commanded the Vessels employed on the Expedition from Quebec to Montreal; and from his own Abilities, has surmounted the Difficulties of an unknown, intricate, and dangerous Navigation. To sum up his Merits in one Sentence, he has approved himself a most deserving Officer; and as such I presume to recommend him to your Favour.

He is very capable of giving you an Account of whatever you desire to know, with Relation to this Country.

I am, &c.

COLVILLE.