The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

SALEM, March 7.

Last Monday the privateer ship Hendrick, Capt. Benson, of this port, arrived from a cruise. She sailed from Martinico on the 2d ult. and brings intelligence, that a large French fleet was then just arrived at Fort Royal from France, among which were a considerable number of capital ships, and many transports, with a large body of troops. The men of war as fast as they arrived, and were recruited, sailed to reinforce the fleet at St. Christopher.

It was said at St. Pierres, that the above French ships had had an engagement with a British squadron, and that M. de la Motte Piquet was killed; but that no ships were lost by either side.

We have the pleasure to hear, by the Hendrick, that several of the privateers from this place and Beverly have been successful. The Porus, Capt. Carnes, has got two prizes into port; one of them taken in company with the Mohawk. The Mohawk, Capt. Smith, had captured three, including the one taken with the Porus. The Scourge, Capt. Robinson, and the Pilgrim, Capt. Parker, have captured two in company; and the Scourge had taken another alone.

One of the above prizes was a packet from England bound to Jamaica. One or two others were also from England, and loaded with provisions and dry goods. The others were loaded with fish from Newfoundland.

Our late accounts of the surrender of Brimstone Hill, it now appears, were premature.

The intelligence at Martinico, just before the sailing of the Hendrick, was, that the British squadron, under the command of Sir Samuel Hood, had, in the night, slipped by the French, who were standing off and on, and anchored under Brimstone Hill:

That the French army, besieging that fortress, had possession of a hill near it, and were bombarding the enemy with so good effect as, it was hoped, would soon induce a surrender.

Admiral Rodney was daily expected at St. Lucia from England, with several men of war.