The New Hampshire Gazette

BOSTON, July 4.

EXPLANATIONS.

Alexandria, once an opulent and elegant city, comprehending a circumference of fifteen miles, inhabited principally by Jews, Copts, Turks, Greeks and Armenian Christians, is situated near the most westerly branch of the Nile, in 31 degrees 11 minutes North Latitude. The port is formed by the isle of Pharos, which extends across the mouth of the bay, and is joined to the continent by a causeway and two bridges, 90 paces in length. Upon the east end of this island stood the ancient Pharos or light-house, so famous as to be classed among the seven wonders of the world. What is called the new port, lies on the E.S.E. side of the city, and is now generally used; the old port lies on the W.S.W. side, and the city stands on the neck of land between them. The canal of Alexandria, running in a direction to the south of east connects the old port with the western navigable branch of the Nile. The canal is now dry, and the distance is about 45 miles. The Canopic Bay, or, as it is called in the dispatches, the bay of Aboukir, lies directly east from Alexandria, at the distance of about 10 miles, connected by a ferry with the large bay, setting up from the sea, in which Nelson destroyed the French fleet in '98. The castle of Aboukir stands N. E. by N. about fifteen miles from Alexandria, upon Cape Bokier. Four miles east of Alexandria, with a sandy plain in front, and the canal and lake on the left, was fought the battle of the 21st of March, in which the French were defeated with the loss of 3000 men. Rosetta is situated 25 miles to the N. E. of Alexandria, in 31 deg. 5 m. N. latitude, and stands on the west side of the westernmost navigable branch of the Nile, about four miles from its mouth. It is pleasant and healthy and defended by two castles, one on each side of the branch. After the action of the 21st Gen. Hutchinson dispatched Sir Sidney Smith, according to private letters, against Rosetta. If this expedition proves successful, it is expected Alexandria will fall without the necessity of attacking it. In that case, Sir Sidney is to proceed up the Nile to Cairo. for which place the Grand Vizier is in motion. His camp is at Gaza, an ancient and celebrated town of Palestine, lying N. E. from Cairo. It is stated, that a strong column of his army has entered Egypt and were expected at Salehieh the 26th ult. This place is situated on the easternmost branch of the Nile, at the distance of about 130 miles from Cairo. Bonaparte ordered a fortress to be erected here under the command of Berthier, but the garrison is now reduced to a few companies. The natives are every where revolting, and joining the imperial standard. Rhamania lies to the south of east from Alexandria, at the distance of about forty-five miles, near the western navigable branch. It appears from the last accounts, that 4000 men had been sent to take possession of this place, which will enable the English to cut off the communications of the French, except on the side of the desert, where the Arabs and Mamelukes are in arms to oppose them.