The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from St. Eustatia, to a Gentleman in this city, dated September 29, 1779.

By a Gentleman from Martinique we have the following intelligence:

That the English fleet in the channel consisted of 47 sail of the line, with goods of rich ports under their convoy, said to be bound to New York and the West Indies, had moved out to sea; the French and Spaniards got knowledge of it, and made the signal where they expected to sail in with them, which they did; the English first covered their transports and got them safe, they then formed a line of battle, and a very obstinate engagement ensued, after some considerable time, the British returned to port; but not till they had lost four of their ships, three sunk, and one taken. The French and Spaniards lost three sunk, and remained masters of the seas; it is also said, the French dispatched ten of their fastest sailing frigates and light ships in quest of the transports.

The English fleet is still at Barbadoes. The friends to Great Britain have great confidence in their new Admiral, and are very sanguine, and expect he will soon make some great alteration in their affairs; they are anxiously waiting every day to hear of Grenada being retaken, whilst others in the same interest are inveighing with great bitterness against him, because he has not already taken that advantage which they suppose D'Estaing's absence has put in his power.