The New Hampshire Gazette

Defence of Williamstadt,* against the French.

Letter from the Governor of Williamstadt to their High Mightinesses.

To HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS.

"I have the honor to report to your High Mightinesses, that I have been invested by the French troops, since the 23d February last. On the 28th, at 5 o'clock at night, one Berneron, calling himself Camp Marshal in the pretended Republic of France, sent me a summons, to which I answered in writing, that "far from intending to give up the place, which was intrusted to me, I should defend it as a man of honor." Accordingly, on the next day, about five o'clock in the morning, the enemy commenced a very lively bombardment of this fortress, attacking it, at the same time, with red hot balls, bombs and grenades. This lasted, with the interval of some moments until the 6th of this month, when, at 11 o'clock in the morning, I received a second summons, to which I gave again my refusal in writing. Upon this refusal, the cannonade recommenced in the most violent manner, and it continued, at intervals, until this moment, ten o'clock in the morning, when I perceive that the enemy has retired. I sent directly a detachment, which found the batteries the enemy abandoned, with some cannon, two mortars, and a great quantity of ammunition and siege utensils. I have had the whole transported into the town.

"High and Mighty Lords,

"I cannot sufficiently praise the conduct of the brave garrison, which is under my orders, as well as that of the Burgeeses. The town has suffered much. There is not one house, which is not damaged by the bullets of the enemy. I shall have the honor to send your High Mightinesses a more detailed report, referring myself to the verbal report, which the Lieutenant of the Regiment of Saxe-Cotha, Esau, the bearer of the above, shall have the honor to make to your High Mightinesses. He and Lieutenant Staal, of Holstein, of the Regiment of Calmette, served as volunteers, during the siege of the town, and conducted themselves in a manner, which does them the greatest honor."

(Signed) C. DE BOETZLAAR, Governor.

Williamstadt, March 16, 1793.

* A seaport town of Holland. It is a handsome, strong place ; and is 15 miles N.E. of Bergen op-Zoom.

Dumourier has withdrawn himself from before Williamstadt ; it is conjectured, in consequence of the news of two such signal defeats as his Colleagues have experienced. He has retired to the distance of a league from that Fortress. If he is not expeditious in retreating out of the Dutch Territory, it is more than probable that his retreat will be entirely cut off ; for the victorious armies of Clairfayt, and the two Princes above named, will pour in upon him, and surround him.

The effect this intelligence has had in Holland is inconceivable. The people before were calmly determined to sacrifice their lives for their country--now they look forward to victory and revenge, for the unprovoked aggression of the French, and the evils which it has brought upon a part of their country.

March 20. Since Dumourier's retreat from before Williamstadt, his main body, after reinforcing Breda, moved back into Brabant. He is, in person, at Louvain. About five or six hundred of his rear guard still remain in the neighbourhood of Williamstadt. Brabant will become the inevitable seat of war. There Dumourier must either make a vigorous stand, or yield to the increasing power of the confederate armies !

The Hanoverian forces did not march before the 19th inst. so that their arrival cannot be looked for until early in the next month. The gallant veteran, Boetzlaar, is daily expected here, to receive the honors due to his valor.