The Virginia Gazette

MAY 20.

Extract of a letter from Nantz, dated March 10, 1777.

The English ministry received the advices of the Hessian defeat, or rather surrender at Trenton, long before we had it, and falsely retailed it to us little by little every post day, most pompously boasting of the taking general Lee, and endeavouring, by that means, in some measure to balance the victories gained by us.

But the arrival of the brig, capt. Bartlett, in 29 days which he left the 2d of February, bringing accounts as late as the 24th ult. has enabled us to understand the mystery, by giving every matter in its real light. The loss of general Lee is much regretted, but it is hoped he will be retaken.

War is not yet declared, but Europe seems prepared for a general rupture, and seems to want nothing but the match put to the train which it is hoped will be forwarded by capt. Weeks's having taken and brought into L'Orient the Lisbon packet of 16 guns and 50 men, which defended herself 45 minutes. She is since sold, with sundry other prizes at the same time brought in; but the packet being a king's vessel, it is thought it would bring on an explanation between the French and English courts. The emperor has published an edict prohibiting the emigration of the subjects of his empire, without his permission, which it is thought is intended to prevent the British recruiting in Germany, and which, although it may not extend to that effect however, will doubtless be of good service to the other princes of his empire: Holland is recruiting as vigorously as possible, but her force will be, it is thought, principally naval. Our commissaries are yet at Paris, and matters go on very well.