The Kentucky Gazette

Turkey.
CONSTANTINOPLE, November 25.

Intelligence of a very disastrous kind has just been received from the Grand Vizier. He took six months to march from Scutari to Damascus, and the contributions that he raised for the subsistence of his army, have alienated the minds of the inhabitants of Asia Minor, from the government of the Porte.

When the news reached him at Erzeroum, that the Turks were defeated at Aboukir, nearly one half of his army disbanded on its way to Aleppo.

The French General Kleber dispatched to El-Arish a body of troops, to protect that place, and prevent the passage of the Desert. The Grand Vizier transferred his camps to the utmost cultivated part of Syria, at the beginning of the Deserts of Egypt. He remained there 15 days, making every preparation, and collecting camels and skins, to enable him to traverse a desert eighty leagues in extent.

General Kleber having been informed of his preparations, reinforced the French advanced guard at El-Arish, repaired to that place in person, and on the 22d October marched forward at the head of 2000 dragoons or French hussars, and a regiment of 1000 men mounted on dromedaries, with foot soldiers behind them. He also took with him a great number of light field pieces, and having made a circuit in the desert arrived in the rear of the enemy's camp at break of day nearly about the same time when a corps of 1000 infantry had arrived at the well of Sebakhah, about a league & a half distance from the camp. The Grand Vizier thus unexpectedly attacked, could not make a long resistance; and the French took the camp, a part of his baggage, and several thousand prisoners.

The Grand Vizier immediately retreated with the remains of his army towards Damascus which is 10 days march from Gaza.

The French have levied very large contributions in the province of Gaza, particularly in oil and tobacco, which are very much wanted in Egypt. They have left a strong garrison in El-Arish, and a number of engineers to complete the works. They have also collected at that place near 10,000 Turkish prisoners, who are constantly employed in finishing the works. The intelligence has caused a great consternation among the members of the Divan, and increased the number of those attached to the French. It is thought that the Grand Vizier will be disgraced, and no hopes are entertained at Constantinople of re-conquering Egypt.

Lord Elgin has arrived at Constantinople, and has assumed the character of Ambassador of his Britannic majesty to France.