The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

ANNAPOLIS, September 20.

We have it from the best authority, that the Count de Grasse is returned to his Station at Cape Henry, having driven the British fleet from the coast, formed a junction with the squadron of the Count de Barras, and captured two British frigates.

About 4000 French troops, with a train of artillery, marched into this city on Tuesday last, from the southward, and will embark this evening or to-morrow morning, for Virginia; they are to be convoyed by the Romulus.

BALTIMORE, September 18.

Early on Sunday morning last, his most Christian Majesty's forces, consisting of several thousand choice troops (who arrived here on Tuesday last) attended by several Generals and other officers of distinction, marched for Annapolis, where they are to embark with all possible expedition for Virginia. The behaviour of every corps, during their stay here, deserves universal applause.

The same morning the ship Sharpe, bound from Charlestown to York-river, Virginia, commanded by Capt. Alexander Bugg, laden with rice, coffee, &c. arrived at Fell's-point, having been captured by one of the French Fleet near the mouth of the Chesapeake.

On Thursday night last, a fleet of transports from the Head of Elk, having on board the artillery, grenadiers and light troops of the allied army, arrived at Annapolis, on their route to James-river. They sailed again for their destination on Sunday.

Within a few days past several hundred waggons and carts, loaded with the baggage, provisions, &c. of the allied army, passed thro' this town on their way to Annapolis.

The British fleet under the command of Admirals Graves, Hood, and Drake, on the 7th inst. made a feeble effort to enter the Chesapeake, but were attacked and driven to sea by the Count de Grasse, who, after pursuing them several leagues, with 26 ships of the fleet, returned safe to the Bay, with 23 ships, the other three having been left in chase of a single British man of war, supposed to be the Royal Oak.

While the Count de Grasse was chasing the British fleet, the Count de Barras, with 8 French line of battle ships, besides frigates, transports and victuallers, arrived in the Bay, and brought in two British provision ships, bound from St. Lucia to New-York.

On Tuesday last the British frigates Iris and Richmond, the former commanded by Capt. Dawson, and the latter by Capt. Hudson, were captured near Cape-Henry, by a part of Count de Grasse's fleet, as they were returning into the Chesapeake. The frigates (one of which fought with great bravery and perseverance against a superior force) were coming into the Bay, under the idea, it is supposed, that the Count de Barras's squadron was British.

The French fleet in and near Chesapeake, now consists of about 20 sail of men of war, transports, victuallers, &c. 25 of which are of the line.

Eighty pieces of battering cannon, many mortars, and an immense quantity of shells, shot, and other warlike stores, have been brought in by the Count de Barras's fleet, for the use of the allied army.

The Romulus of 44 guns, and le Gentille of 22, with 8 transport ships, and one brig, arrived at Annapolis, for the purpose of transporting the troops which left this place on Sunday last, with their baggage, &c. for Virginia. The embarkation will commence this day. It is said they are to disembark at Burwell's-ferry, in James's-river, 4 miles from Williamsburg.

The allied army, which will, in a few days commence very serious operations in Virginia, under the command of his Excellency General Washington, will consist of between 15 and 20,000 effective men.