The New Hampshire Gazette

Invasion of Ireland.
DUBLIN, Dec. 30.
The following letter from his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, was yesterday received by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor.
"Dublin-Castle, Dec. 29, 1796.
MY LORD,
The last accounts from Gen. Dalrymple, are by his aid de camp, Captain Gordon, who left Bantry, at 10 o'clock on Tuesday, A. M. and arrived here this morning. Seventeen sail of French ships were at that time at anchor on the lower part of Bear-Island, but at such a distance that their force could not be ascertained. A Lieutenant of a French frigate was driven on shore in his boat, in attempting to go from his vessel, which was dismasted, to the Admiral.
He confirms the account of the fleet being French, with hostile views to this country, but does not appear to know whether the whole fleet, which consisted of about 17 sail of the line, 15 frigates, and including transports and luggers, amounting to 50 sail, were all to re-assemble off Bantry. General Hoche was on board commanding a considerable force.
I have the honor to be,
my Lord; &c.
T. PELHAM."
The French officer alluded to in the above letter, has been brought up to the metropolis, and was yesterday examined at the Castle.
Extract of a letter from Cork, Dec. 27.
The only official accounts received since yesterday, are one written by Capt. Pulling of the Navy, who was dispatched by Admiral Kingmill, by land, for the purpose of reconnoitering the fleet in the Bay: his dispatch is dated at four o'clock on Sunday evening, from the heights of Beerhaven; he ascertains they were French, and that 17 sail of ships of war, viz. 6 sail of the line, 3 razeurs (ships of the line cut down) 4 frigates, 2 brigs, and 2 luggers, were at anchor at outside Beerhaven island, and it blew so hard that their bows were under water; the remainder of the fleet and transports were driven entirely out of sight.
Accounts since received from Mr. White of Whiddy Island, advise, that one of their frigates has been run down, and all perished, except one Lieutenant and seven men, who are sent prisoners to head-quarters at Dunmanway or Bantry.
The squadron is commanded by Richery--the troops by Hoche. I am not certain what number of troops are on board.
We are anxious to hear of Lord Bridport.
Dublin, Dec. 31.
An express from General Dalrymple, dated 28th, states, that the French fleet has gone to sea, the 27th--wind S. S. E. It blew a violent storm on the following night, and they have not since been heard of. They lost a 74, and a frigate.