The New Hampshire Gazette

Further Advices from Martinico.

NEW YORK, March 29.

Saturday Evening last the Ship Amherst Frigate, Captain Nicholson, arrived here Express Vessel from General Monckton, at Port St. Piers, in Martinico, which Place she left the 23d of February last: and has had 38 Days Passage, three Weeks of which Time she was beating on the Coast, between this Port and Bermuda, occasioned by the late hard Gales. On board this Ship came Captain Clarke, of the 77th, and Lieut. Monro, of the 4th Battalion Royal Americans, with Dispatches to His Excellency General Amherst, and to his Honour Lieut. Governor Colden: from which, and from private Letters, we have been favour'd with the Particulars of the Attack, Siege, and Surrender Of that very important Island MARTINICO, to his Britannick Majesty's Arms, on Tuesday the Sixteenth of February last:--A Conquest that will always beautify, and add an additional Lustre to the Annals of Europe: --One that none but the British Nation could complete in so short a Time:--And ONE that none but Englishmen deserve.

We found in the harbour of Fort Royal, 3 Ships, 3 Snows, 1 Schooner, and 8 Sloops afloat. Sunk, 9 Ships, 3 Brigs, 1 Schooner, and 2 Sloops; also 6 Sloops at a Bay above the Harbour.

The Names of the Officers killed were, Captain Cobure, Lieut. Barclay, and Lieut. H. Gordon, of the Royal Highlanders,--Lieut. Stamper of the Artillery, --Lieut. German, of the 22d -Lieut. Hume, of the 4th -Ensign Van Dyke, of Ogden's Rangers; also that Capt. Edmonton of the 48th was badly wounded.

FLEET at MARTINICO, Feb. 8. 1762.

Dear SIR,

We have the pleasure to advise you of our arrival the 3d instant, and had the satisfaction to see the surrender of Fort Royal the 6th. It happened on the evening of the 4th that one of the Royals by being a little drunk, strolled too nigh the centry at the gates of the fort, and was apprehended. By him the French understood we were to Storm on the next day; a lucky galconade indeed, for they immediately sent out a truce at midnight to propose a capitulation, which being agreed on, the next day our troops marched in, and took possession at 5 o'Clock P. M. This was a scene well worth seeing, for which we arrived very opportunely; the like mayn't be met with in the course of my life. The taking Granea, or Granier, was the taking of Fort Royal with about 300 men by intercepting its communication with the fort, and 6000, they say, were put to flight; upon which we obtained the town and great part of the country round. The panick was great, and I hope it's not over. Monsieur Latouche walked off into a mountain called La Montaine, with a number of men, and did not give any orders at Fort Royal for six days before the surrender. The language in general is, that they ought to be hang'd for giving up so strong a place.

It is true they were well plied with shot from our several batteries; but had they kept close, and hauled in their guns, and only guarded against a storm, it might have been along time before we could have taken it.

It is surprizing to see its strength, which is beyond expectation.

The men of war did very right in not attacking it as they must inevitably have been drub'd.

It would amaze you to trace the march of our troops from first landing (a kind of providential assistance at least must be acknowledged) against most advantageous redoubts.

The French Governor of Guadeloupe came in some time since, and seems to be well pleased at his lodgings in the head quarters.

An old priest, or Friar, who lodges at the same place, makes this remark: If the said Governor deserv'd hanging for giving up that in three months, what will Monsieur Latouche merit for this of Martinico, or Fort Royal?

The 6th instant I had the singular pleasure to accompany my namesake into the fort, who, as Commissary of the Artillery, surveyed the lines, and found the following ordnance.

Powder, 650 barrels, shells about 575 of 13 inches and a half bore, and 22 ditto of 10 inch, besides a great number of cannon at our Forts.

Yesterday I went with him in his cutter about three leagues above Fort Royal, to a bay where six sloops were sunk. I landed, and traversed a spacious house, commodious garden, and fine potters work, with sugar pots, &c. and must confess it often touch'd me, the reflection of flying one's own habitation, where, by appearance of furniture, &c. they lived in splendor.

Oh the devastation of war! it's enough to make one tremble at the thoughts, yet could not but with eager curiosity pursue the search of ruin upon ruins.

We met a canoe with sundry French Gentlemen, who told us they were going to propose a capitulation (whether for themselves, or any body of inhabitants I can't tell)

As to the surrender of Fort Royal, the number of men that marched out was 800, and those of sick and wounded left about 400.

Terms of capitulation are not known, except what was ocular, namely, about 530 regulars & militia marched out with arms, ammunition, colours, and baggage, preceded by two brass 6 pounders, to the head of the harbour, where the flat bottomed boats were ready to carry them on board the transports.

After this about 270 privateer gentry marched out, grounded their arms, and were conducted on board.

These terms at present bespeak the honour and humanity of British subjects.

The capitulation relates only to Fort Royal, and not any other part of the Island.

About 250 English prisoners were found in the Fort.

As to the description of their town, with a most comfortable and elegant hospital, you have many about you to be informed of.

This place is of little trade, being old it chiefly centered at St. Pierre: So that there's no merchandise as yet to be bought.

I two Nights ago had the pleasure of spending the Evening with two Gentlemen of the first Character, immediately from Martinico; they were several Times in Company with our Admiral and General, and saw the Capitulation, which was completed, and the following are the Heads of it, viz.---

Oath of Allegiance, & become British Subjects.

To be govern'd by what Laws his Majesty pleases.

Duty for Sugars agreeable to their superiour Quality to ours.

To find Barracks for our Troops in every Quarter of the Island.

And to be liable to the same Expense relative to their Forts &c.

Two Vessels from Boston are just arrived here, one belonging to Mr. John Brown, the other to Mr. Gould, --- Hill, Master.

Extract of a Letter from a Captain of a Vessel at St. Eustatia, to his Friend here, Feb. 22, 1762.

FORT Royal mounted from 42 pounders to 18, with 4 Mortars, 3 of which 13 and half Inch Diameter. The Garrison marched direct from the Fort to the flat bottomed Boats, and embarked, sans Ceremonie, for Europe, 220 Prisoners that Day were happily delivered by their victorious Countrymen.

The 12th the whole Island capitulated, the Terms not known; in general 'tis said by those who pretend to be in the Cabinet, upon the worst to the Enemy of any Place this War; a Punishment duly merited for their Arrogance in treating the Conquerors of Canada and Belleisle with so much Levity,

I hope I shall soon have the Pleasure of informing you of the Grenades and Neutral Islands being in the same Situation. We have 4 French Privateers in this Road, that have run from Martinico; you'd imagine by the Appearance of Officers and Men, they had buried all their Friends: an universal Gloom is visible in their Faces; they treat us with the utmost Politeness, and something in their Countenance says, Would to God I had been born an Englishman--that name which carries such Terror to our Enemies, who, my Friend, would not glory in? For my part, Sir, rather than not be that, should chuse not to be at all. Adieu.

Iron guns mounted.	Mortars.
14 42 pounders	3 13 inch. & half.
9 32 dito	7 dito.
23 26 dito
4 24 dito
26 18 dito
1 12 dito brafs.