The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from JAMAICA, February 10.

"The times here are very troublesome; all the European ships are taking in cannon, fearing to be attacked by our privateers cruising off the banks of Newfoundland for them; the French seem to be much in favour of the Americans, likewise one third of this island at least: This town has been in confusion these two days past, occasioned by the arrival of the Squirrel, Captain Douglas, who brings intelligence that he spoke with three sail, being part of a French fleet, together with a great number of transports, amounting to 17,000 men, bound for Hispaniola; another account says that nine sail of the line, with the above number of men, had actually arrived.

"The Admiral's barge stopped here this moment, and confirms the above, as also two Frenchmen that have just been examined. This town is in much the same situation as Newport was upon receiving the account of the Lexington battle. It is reported that martial-law will be read on Monday morning; the Council have been sitting these two days. The Admiral's ship, and the Squirrel, are all the force here. No flour in this island but what is musty and hard; the newest being six months old."