The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

ATTACK ON CALAIS.

It would appear, by comparing the different accounts which have reached us, that the attack on Calais ceased with the cause which gave rise to it. A number of gun-boats were known to be there preparing to sail, and accounts had been received by our cruizers that a much greater number, some say 150 gun-boats, were about to leave Ostend. Of course it became an object of importance to prevent if possible, any kind of co-operation, and an attempt was made to destroy those at the former place.

The attack commenced on Tuesday, as we have before informed our readers, but we have since learnt some important particulars not yet stated. A cannonade was first made to the Eastward, at Dunkirk it is believed to draw the attention of the enemy that way, and this manoeuvre succeeded so effectually, that when our squadron bore in upon Calais, the cannonade and bombardment was so sudden and unexpected, that the enemy could not get their gun and flat bottomed boats up the harbour, out of the reach of our fire. It was even a considerable time before they recovered so much from their surprise and confusion as to be able to fire a single shot ; so that our vessels were able to do them a great deal of mischief. They afterwards opened a fire upon our squadron from every point of the shore, but we are happy to state, that on that occasion not a single individual was killed, or even wounded, on board our vessels.

The greatest part of our shells were seen to fall among their gun boats, where they could not fail to do a great deal of damage. None of them fell short of the boats, but some went over into the town, where they did much mischief, especially in the East quarter, which was set on fire in different places.

Whether the enemy had the temerity to imagine they could face our flotilla, or found themselves so much annoyed where they were, that they thought they would be as safe to endeavor to skirt along the shore to some other port under the protection of the numerous batteries which line the coast, and in consequence ventured to quit the harbor of Calais, we cannot take upon us to determine. We are however rather inclined to attribute their movement to the latter motive, which would also be strengthened by the consideration that, by quitting the harbor, they would draw away our fire from Calais, which was suffering severely by the bombardment, the town being in a blaze in different quarters.

But whatever was the inducement. it is certain, that on Wednesday morning, from 25 to 30 of the gun boats were seen to come out of Calais harbor, as we yesterday stated. They appeared at first to have an intention to proceed to the Eastward. but soon after, probably in consequence of perceiving some of our vessels too much in shore to allow of their passing, without more risk than they were willing to encounter, they changed their course and proceeded along shore towards Boulogne. Our flotilla pursued them, keeping up a brisk fire, and sailing as near shore as the depth of water would allow. The gun boats could be plainly seen from Dover, between our vessels and the shore. One of the frigates and a gun brig were constantly enveloped in smoke. The whole of the French coast, extending from the Cliffs at the westward of Calais to the entrance into Boulogne Bay, was one continued line of smoke, and the wind being to the Eastward, almost every gun was heard on the opposite English coast. Some of the enemy's boats were driven on shore, but the greater part, it is believed, made their way into the Bay of Boulogne, whither our fleet was seen to be chasing them about half past two o'clock on Wednesday, still keeping up such a tremendous fire, that they must have suffered very severely.

It would appear, however, by the accounts that have reached us this morning, that they are likely to experience as little civility from our squadron in their present quarters as in those they last quitted; or with the dawn of day, a fresh cannonade and bombardment commenced again yesterday, and continued til between three and four o'clock, when it became most tremendously heavy. The French coast being covered with a heavy fog our squadron could not be seen from the coast about Dover, but from the sound, its direction plainly appeared to come from Boulogne, whither our brave tars had chased the enemy the preceding day.

Next post we expect will bring us more interesting particulars respecting the attack.