The Virginia Gazette

BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 20.

The Little John, a row-boat, sent in two prizes last week, one a small schooner loaded with salt, sugar, and rum, from Halifax to Cape Sable; the other a sloop from Bermuda to Halifax, loaded with rum, &c. Reports from Nova Scotia shore say "the Falkland private ship has foundered at the bay of Fundy; and a frigate and a 74 much shattered in a late storm there: These ships, with 500 troops on board, were bound to Penobscot, as a reinforcement to General McLane, but were all separated in the bay, and compelled to return to Halifax again, without effecting any thing. These ships, troops, &c. were despatched from Halifax in consequence of the following requisition from McLane; "Unless he had immediate support, he must surrender to the Americans, who were numerous and formidable, both by land and sea," By the above prize we learn that it was doubted in Halifax, "that the American Fleet, on a late secret expedition, had sailed, it appeared so unreasonable; nay almost impossible."

The following is accurate list of the land and sea forces in Halifax, viz. The Duke of Argyle's Scotch regiment, 1000 men; the Duke of Hamilton's Scotch do. 1100; the 70th British, 500; the Orange rangers (a dirty tory corps) 500; and a Hessian regiment, 700; commanded by a Lieut. Col. Campbell, in McLane's absence. Naval force: An old 74 gun ship, an old French frigate, a sloop of war, three 20 gun ships, private, &c.

Five hundred of the above troops are at Penobscot, with the valiant McLane. The assp anegyric and corrosive reptile Johnny Butler, has fitted out another 20 gun ship from Halifax: This animal was sole owner of the ship Blaze-Castle, taken and sent in here several times: Said Butler declares he has a very great antipathy to the "rebels" and abhors the man who has not. He is an idiot, known and conspicuous for his inhumanity and insolence to prisoners.