The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

By an express which arrived here this afternoon, we have the following very important Intelligence.

Extract of a letter from His Excellency General Washington to the President of Congress, dated Chester, September 5. Three o'Clock, P.M.

"With the highest pleasure I do myself the honor to transmit to your Excellency the inclosed copy of a letter from Gen. Gist; it announces the arrival in the Chesapeake of Admiral de Grasse, with 28 ships of the line. -On this happy event, I beg your Excellency to accept my warmest congratulations."

Dear Sir,
Bath, Sept. 4, 1781.

"I have the pleasure to inform you, that the Sloop Cutter of 18 guns, Capt. Ama de Laune, has this moment arrived here with dispatches for your Excellency, from the Count de Grasse, who arrived in Chesapeake Bay with 28 ships of the line the 26th ultimo. The next day he landed 3000 troops on the south side James River, in order to form a junction with the Marquis De Lafayette. The fleet on their passage took a packet from Charlestown with Lord Rawdon on board bound to Europe.

"The grand fleet have taken their station from Middle Ground to Cape Henry, from whence they detached three ships of the line & one frigate to York River, where one 22 gun ship fell into their hands. Capt. de la Laune informs me, that he left the Fleet the day before yesterday, & that he has particular directions from the Admiral, to forward his dispatches to you by one of his officers; but as this gentleman cannot be in readiness to proceed immediately, I have thought it expedient to forward this intelligence by express, to assist your Excellency in the government of such movements as may be judged necessary to adopt on this occasion.

"I do myself the honor to inclose a list of the fleet, delivered to me by the Captain of the cutter, who will wait here for your orders, as I have ordered all the vessels in this harbour, to sail immediately for the reception of the troops at the head of Elk."

I am, &c,
W. GIST.

His Excellency General Washington.

N. B. The above fleet is exclusive of that under the command of Count Barras.