The Virginia Gazette

The only news which has transpired, brought by the packet from Halifax, is a confirmation of what was before reported of General Howe, with his forces, being arrived there, after a long and dangerous passage; in which he had lost many of his men, especially the sick and wounded who were taken in their hurry out of the hospital when they quitted Boston.

It also brought an account, that the army is so much reduced it is impossible to attempt any thing against the Americans, till a reinforcement arrives from England. That when the packet left the place, General Howe had not received any intelligence of the forces which we are to be sent to his assistance. That unless some victualling ships arrive soon, his men would be in a starving condition, and it was impossible for that colony to supply them with the common necessaries of life, nor could they go to any other place, nor did the General believe himself quite safe there, for though the inhabitants of Nova Scotia made no resistance on his landing, yet he was very apprehensive of a design to take the advantage of his unhappy situation, and betray him and his small force in the hands of the provincials, as he had got intelligence that some of the principal people of that colony, since his landing, had set off for Philadelphia, to give the Congress, as it was supposed, an account of the General's deplorable situation. The ships therefore were kept in readiness for them to embark, in case the provincials should send an army down upon them.