The New Hampshire Gazette

NEW PORT. July 29.

Mr. John Hackburn, of Providence, who left St. Croix the first of this Month, informs us, That a Vessel arrived there from Antigua with Intelligence, that one of His Majesty's Ships of 60 Guns, after touching at Barbados came Express to Antigua, dispatched from a large Fleet of Men of War and Transports off Madeira. advising. that they were bound directly to Martinico, in order to invest that Place; and requiring all the Assistance the Islands could possibly afford them. Just as Mr. Hackburn sailed, a large Spanish Ship arrived at St. Croix in her Ballast, which on the Appearance of about 20 large Ships ( by the Captain's Account) precipitately left Martinico, to prevent her falling into the Hands of the English Squadron.

By a Gentleman from Martha's Vineyard, we are informed. That on Monday the 21st instant, a Schooner arrived there from the Mount, the Master of which ( a Gentleman of undoubted Veracity ) acquainted him, that Martinico was actually besieged and block'd up by a Fleet of 12 Ships of the Line, a large Number of Transports full of Soldiers, &c. to the Amount of 10 or 12,000.

And also,That the Master of a Whaling Sloop. which came in there from the Southward the same Day, informed him, that while he was on the Whaling-Ground, a Vessel From the West-Indies. passed by him, and after hailing him, asked him, If he had heard the great News ? and upon the others replying, he had heard none at all, he told him, that the Island of Martinico was taken by a large Fleet of Men of War and Transports from England; and that upon his Return Home, he might report it for Truth.

It is very probable, that Martinico may be invested; but as no mention is made of its being taken, by a Vessel which is arrived at Marblehead, in 22 Days from the West- Indies, 'tis thought it must be a Mistake for the Island of Dominico, where Commodore Douglas had cut all the Vessels and destroyed a Village, as by Letter from Eustatia, before inserted.