The Virginia Gazette

NEW YORK, June 1.

Extract of a letter from London, Feb. 13.

You will hear ere long what force they are preparing for the next campaign. The following is their army, upon paper: Hessians 12,000, Brunswickers, Wolfenbuttelers, and Waldeckers, 5,000; six regiments under lord Cornwallis, 3,000; eight more to sail in the spring, 4,000; Highlanders, 2,000; now in America 8,000.

The sailing and destination of this armament are thus: Those under general lord Cornwallis are now embarked at Cork, and wait for sailing orders; their destination Virginia. By the treaty just now signed, the Germans are to be ready the 27th of this month to march to the sea coast and embark, but for what part of America is not exactly known. The march by land is near six weeks, so that they cannot sail before April. The second embarkation from Cork will be about the same time, and it is probable that their destination will be against Canada, under general Burgoyne, who is soliciting that command. In the mean time, the 29th regiment, with general Carleton's brother, is to sail from hence immediately, to reinforce Quebec, supposing that they can get high enough up the river, as far as the Isle of Orleans, to make good their march by land. The regiments under lord Cornwallis are, the 37th, 33d, 54th, 15th, 28th, and 46th. Those for the spring are, the 34th, 53d, 62d, 3d, 9th, 11th, 20th, and 24th. Lord Howe is appointed to the command at sea, but the commanders at land are not known.

Certain, however, it is, that there are two lieutenant-generals, and one of them old, who go with the Germans; so that it must be some one of great reputation, and old in the service, to command over them. It is therefore conjectured that Count La Lippe will be the man; he commanded the army in Portugal the last war. They are taking up East Indiamen for the transport service, supposing they will be able to beat off the cruisers. A great number of artillery and wagon horses are to be sent, and a train of large battering cannon are preparing, which it would seem can only be intended against Quebec, should it be taken by general Montgomery.

The English and Irish troops go with infinite reluctance, and strong guards are obliged to be kept on the transports to keep them from deserting wholesale. The Germans too, I am well informed, are almost mutinous; but the landgrave of Hesse is an absolute tyrant, and must be obeyed. It is therefore conceived, that if the Congress have proposals prepared, in English and German, to distribute among them when they land (which no precautions can prevent) multitudes will desert. Upon the whole, the ministry, if every thing favours them, may have about 30,000 men in America the latter end of June. They will have no horse, but two regiments of light dragoons, that are now there, and Burgoyne's, which is to go. If the Americans have horse well trained to the woods, it will harass such an army infinitely; and if they act upon the defensive, intrench well, harass them continually, cut off their convoys, and, if ever they hazard an engagement, make their push upon one wing, it is imagined here that no general upon earth can make the campaign succeed, and it is hardly possible that this country can stand another. They have found it impossible to recruit in England, Ireland, or Scotland; though the leading people of the last are, to a man, violently against America.

They have therefore been obliged to draught from the other regiments, to complete those who are going; so that, when the whole are embarked, there will scarce be 2,000 men remaining in Ireland, and as many in England, besides the foot guards and cavalry. I am well assured, that the French government will wink at the exportation of arms and ammunition. The ministry will encourage the forging the paper of the colonies to distress them. The whole of the American war is now confided to lord George Sackville. His abilities are moderate, his pride infinite, his enmity most inveterate to liberty, and his mind unprincipled enough to execute the worst designs against it, by the worst means. Col. Allen, and his fellow prisoners, were kept in irons in Pendennis castle; but before they could be reached by a habeas corpus they were put on board the Solebay man of war, and carried to Cork, from whence they are, it is said, to be sent prisoners to Boston. God bless you, and prosper your undertakings.

Extract of a letter from Bristol, March 22.

The wind has been so long to the westward, that the fleet of transports have been retarded, some of them full two months. The newspapers will give you all the information it is in my power farther to present, or furnish. The design of administration is declared to be, absolute, unconditional submission, on your part; and, to effect this, they are straining every nerve. It is the opinion of some of the most intelligent, that if you are successful this campaign (and it is most devoutly to be wished) you may bid defiance to any future efforts to subdue you. The expenses attending this merciless business are already enormous, and at the close of the year the national debt will be as great as at the close of the last war. Many manufacturers are loudly complaining, and the Coventry trade is in a state of stagnation. The iron branches in the north are nearly in the same situation. What then must the year produce? We have the news confirmed of the unfortunate defeat at Quebec. We hope, however, it may yet be subdued, before any succour can arrive from hence. The 29th regiment was sent, with Carleton's brother, some weeks ago; but it is still at Portsmouth, detained by contrary winds. It has been a matter of astonishment that the town of Boston has not been destroyed. We imagine it might have been burnt long since. It would have been a happy circumstance if the troops could have been dispossessed of it. They would then have had no place of security. The burning of Norfolk has made serious impressions, and the like fate to a few towns more will increase the number of those who have long lamented and exclaimed against such unexampled cruelty. The foreign troops will not, it is imagined, all be ready till the beginning of May; some may be sent probably next month. Burgoyne is destined for Canada, with 10,000 British and Germans. Clinton and Cornwallis are destined to the south, Virginia and Carolina. It is certain that the whole army (the Scotch excepted) are disinclined to the service. An idea has been suggested, that foreigners have nothing to do in this quarrel; that if, on invitation, they should not readily join, or refuse to act, a proclamation, declaring that every soul taken should be put to death, officers and men, without distinction, it would not be unreasonable, but equitable. They are invaders of the worst kind, and should be treated accordingly. A measure of this nature would be productive of more favourable consequences in the army than you may be aware of. Desperate situations require desperate exertions. The government keep us all ignorant of what is passing on your side; they have not published any thing since December, and that only about St. John's, excepting the Congress's account of the late Quebec misfortune. It would be a happy circumstance if some mode of communication could be thought of.

You will get verbal information respecting many transports now outward bound, their size, &c. Several in this port are large, carrying 14 or 16 guns. One of the captains told me they had a double quantity of stores and ammunition, and that he apprehended they were to be sent on some service after the delivery of their respective cargoes. Every possible care should be taken to intercept some of these. All the masters of them are not enemies.

Doctor Price has published a very able pamphlet. It has had a rapid sale, and will tend to open the eyes of the nation. You will soon receive it.

Sir Peter Parker's squadron was entirely dispersed. Many are put back, some into French ports, and others into Lisbon; and as the wind is now likely to come about, they will be again collected together. Sir Peter, with lord Cornwallis, did not put back, so that they probably weathered the storm.