The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

S A L E M. January 10.

Last Monday the brig Chance, Capt. Gage, arrived at Beverly from Martinico. He sailed from the island on the 6th ult. and advises, that Count de Grasse with 31 sail of the line, had arrived there from Chesapeake-Bay; and that a detachment of five sail more had arrived at Cape-Francois.

The Count was procuring flat-bottomed boats, and making every other necessary preparation for a speedy expedition; and it was supposed, as a reinforcement of 10 sail of the line and a very large body of troops were expected to join the very formidable French armament now in the West-Indies, that all the British windward islands would, in the course of the winter, be reduced by the victorious arms of France.

By the arrival of Capt. Gage, we have the pleasure of announcing the confirmation of the re-capture of the island of St. Eustatius, which was most happily effected, by a coup d'eclat, on or about the 1st ult.--The Marquis de Bouille, Governor of Martinico, having embarked a body of troops (said to be about 1200 in number) sailed from that island with only three frigates and a sloop of war, and soon after landed, very early in the morning, on the windward side of St. Eustatius, about 380 men. The rising of the surf, and the natural obstructions of the place, rendered it impracticable for the Marquis to go on with the debarkation of the remainder of his troops; and the same causes precluded the possibility of re-embarking those who were on shore. Thus circumstanced, this small body, remaining undiscovered by the enemy, pushed on with the utmost celerity for the fort, and passing the moat, before the bridge which covered it could be drawn up, entered at the gate, and took possession without any loss.--The surprize was compleat.--Only 9 men were found in the fort. --The garrison, consisting of 670 men, who were at no great distance, were soon apprized of this capital manœuvre, and immediately surrendered at discretion. The officers were, however, indulged with their paroles; but the privates were sent to Martinico,

where Capt. Gage had the pleasure of seeing upwards of 600 of them land, a short time before he sailed. Besides the warlike stores, &c. which fell into the hands of the captors, they had the good fortune of sharing 49,000 johanneses in specie.

The 670 men which the garrison above-mentioned consisted of, were exclusive of officers.

Capt. Gage also advises, that he spoke with Capt. Elwell, in a cartel in 17 days from Antigua, who informed that the British fleet from New-York had arrived at Barbadoes.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Martinico, dated December 5, 1781.

"The private brig of war Hooker arrived this day from a cruize. She had been out a month, during which time she has captured one brig from Cork, a sloop from Barbadoes, two schooners from Demarara, and one from Antigua. The prizes it is supposed, will amount to upwards of 300,000 livres.

"I have the pleasure of assuring you of the capture of St. Eutatius, by the Marquis de Bouille, with 1200 troops, only 380 of whom were on shore at the taking of the island. They took possession of 670 of the enemy.

By the next vessel I will forward you the particulars. Each soldier and sailor received 300 livres for their share of money taken in the island, and every officer in proportion to his rank."