The New Hampshire Gazette

The 10th Inst. arrived at New-York in 16 Days from Charles-town, South Carolina, Capt. Lempriere who we hear came Express to His Excellency General Amberst. from the Governor of Carolina, desiring Assistance against the Indian Enemy.

CHARLES-TOWN. (South Carolina,) November 22.

On Saturday last an Express arrived with the dispatches to his Honour from Capt. Benjamin Gordon, of the Royal Scots, Commanding Officer at Congarees, and Ensign Miln of the Independents, Commandant of Fort Prince George, Keowee.

Fort Prince George, Nov. 5.

The following particulars appearing to me of such general and weighty concern, I have forwarded the same to Charles-town with all possible dispatch. On the 1st instant John Welch came in here from the Middle Settlements, and informed that Louis Lantinac, a Frenchman born, who was a Cadet in Capt. Nellson's independent Company, thereafter a trader from Carolina among the Cherokees and now a French officer, arrived very lately at Chote with presents from the French to these Indians. He immediately sent down for Salloue or the Young Warrior of Estatoe, who obeyed the summons, and delivered to him two letters which were in Salloue's hands, written by me to Judd's Friend and Occonostota. Lantinac being master of both the English and Cherokee tongues, interpreted those letters as best suited his own interest; and having presented Salloue with a box of paint, which was accepted, he pulled out a bloody hatchet, drove it into a log, and cried out Where is the man that will take that up for the French? Salloue immediately seized the hatchet, saying, I am not tired of war yet, I will give them the English more of it, and danced the war dance; after which all the others took up the hatchet, and declared for the French. Lantinac enquired if they could give him a plan of this fort, or an account how it was situated; what force we had in their opinion, &c. To which they gave as true answers as they could, adding, that we had plenty of ammunition if he could but take it. He assured them that they alone should have the fort, and all that should be taken in it for neither he nor any of his people would touch any of the plunder, adding that he should go off down the river Tenasee, to L'Assomption, and bring cannon and men of his own to come against the fort; and as a proof of his determined design to return, left the ten Frenchmen which accompanied him as a pledge thereof, which he assured them would be in three weeks from that time at furthest. Welch likewise informed me, that the French commandant of Fort L'Assomption sent an invitation to the Standing Turkey, Judd's Friend, Occonostota, Salloue, &c. to come to his fort; but if they accepted the invitation he knew not. He likewise informed me that some Indians were gone to Col. Byrd with three white prisoners, and that after the Cherokees had declared in favour of the French, a runner was dispatched to bring them back: but whether he overtook them or not he could not be certain.

A. MILN.

Thus hath the restless and enterprising spirit of our old inveterate enemy found means to change every appearance of peace with the Cherokees, who seem now to be doomed to certain and unavoidable destruction, as they have so often wantonly spurned the olive-branch stretched out by the hand of mercy. The fate of the three hundred white prisoners still in their hands demands the most serious attention.

Letters from New Providence of the 1st inst. say,

The Evening before last, Capt. Benj. Clifford arrived here from Turk's Island, who says that our men of war on the Jamaica Station, cruising off Cape Francois, took the French homeward bound fleet, consisting of 2 King's Frigates and even merchantmen.

The same letters mention the death of Capt. Tyrrel of the Foudroyant, and a report of a strong British fleet being arrived in the West Indies, destined against Martinico, where the French Troops are making preparations against an attack.

Affairs in the Cherokee nation have taken such an unfavourable turn, that the prisoners not long since sent up to the Congarees, are now ordered to be brought back to town, and will come with the Royals who are likewise to bring down the villains that have been detected procuring goods for the Cherokees.

Some letters from Philadelphia received yesterday, mention a report, that the famous Major Rogers will be appointed to succeed the late Capt. Paul Demere, in the command of one of his Majesty's independent companies here.

The Captain of a vessel just arrived from Bermuda, informs us, that On the 4th inst. about 35 leagues W. of Bermuda, he saw seven sail of large ships which gave him chase, they told him they were British men of war, last from England, one of them came up with him, who told him being asked, whither bound? answered, on a cruise. The Captain adds, that the men of war were standing to the Northward, and that the ship that came up with him was the Stirling Castle.

Our letters from Fort Prince George of the 5th inst. mention one scalping party of six Cherokees being gone out to war from Estatoewih; and that 30 fellows were going from the Middle Settlements on the same design.

It is expected, on good grounds, that the southern parts of the North America continent will be very speedily the theatre of some interesting and long wished for events.

N E W-Y O R K. Dec. 15.

Our further Advices by the Express are, that the Creeks and Shawanese, join'd with the Cherokees, are supposed to make up their number 5 or 6000, some say 7 or 8000, who intend to lay siege to Fort Prince George, and to destroy all the Country before them.

That the Regulars under the Command of Major Hamilton (about 500 or 600) were at Congarees, and that the Carolina Provincials amounted to about 1500. That

tho' it might seem strange that the Province of Carolina could not raise a sufficient Force to repel such an Enemy, yet that in Fact it was so, near two thirds of the Inhabitants being Negroes, who required a large Number of Whites to keep them in proper Subjection.

That the Indians had fully rebuilt their Towns and Houses destroy'd by Col. Montgomery and had sufficient supplies of Ammunition and Provisions, (to which some of our own People contributed) so that they were in a Condition to carry on the War, and in a Disposition to do it with the utmost Fury. That they greatly despised the English, and treated their Threats with Contempt; especially since Col. Byrd with his Army, notwithstanding his Menaces, was so far from being likely to molest them, that they were retired, to winter in Augusta County. The Indians refused to accept of the Prisoners of their own Nation, in exchange for ours, with the greatest Disdain.