[Extract]
On the 2d Instant in the night, and next morning we had a hard gale of wind from N.E. to S.E. which occasioned a prodigious high Tide So that a number of Stores on the wharffs were overflowed, and great quantitys of Sugar, Salt &c were lost and damaged and we hear of great Devastation in many parts of the Country . . . by the washing away of banks, overflowing of meadows, Carrying away bridges, mill-dams mills, Stores and Spoiling of the roads &c &c
we have also accot from Reedy Island that a number of vessells being there outward bound, parted their Cables and drove on Shore on the Marshes at high water, where Some of them must be Unloaded before their got off, . . .
Capt [Nathaniel] Falconer is Just arrived from London, by him we have papers to the 13th July, which are filed with the regular advices from America to the 1st of June, as also with a great Number of Lyes, with regard to affaires on this Continent, ー They have an Account ー of the appointment of General Washington: of taking the Army at Cambridge into the Continental pay, &c. by the papers &c it dont appear that any more troops are Coming out to this Country, they having Only 7000 in Ireland, & 9000 in England for their own defence, and are apprehensive of a visit from the Spaniards: but its sd several Frigates already had saild and more for Sailing: the Ministry having determined to beat down our towns: to starve us in a plentiful Country: or force us to build a fleet to protect our trade: Capt Mckenzy is arrived at New Castle from Newry with 150 Passengers, says the news of the battle at Bunkers hill was arrived in Ireland; the 9th Instant being the day, after which our exports to England, Ireland and West Indies were to cease, Agreeable to the resolutions of the Honourable Continental Congress, all the vessells which were intended for Sea (to the amount of 52) Saild from this place, & has left us with hardly a vessel in port, ー Several of the above vessels arrived or were taken up and loaded within the last 48 hours: . . .
From Virginia their is shocking Accounts of the damage done by the last Storm of wind & rain, how that most of the mill dams are broke, the Corn laid almost level with the ground ー and their fodder distroyed: many vessels and ships ashore and damaged at Norfolk, Hampton & York, amongst which the Mercury man of war broke from her station a breast of the town of Norfolk & stuck fast a ground in shoal waters its sd she will not be got off without a deal of trouble, the Otter's tender went ashoar in the night, near Hampton: a number of the inhabitants boarded her next day, secured the riggen, guns &c. and then burnt the vessel. Six of the tenders men were made prisoners, but have since been released in Consequence of some threats from the Governor, & that he, Lord Dunmore, keeps Cruising about (wandering like Cain) & at the time of Late Storm was up in James River, on a Reconnitring party: . . . .
From North Carolina is Melancholy Accounts of the effects of the late gale of wind, its said that about 50 Sail are Cast away upon that Coast: near 150 lives being lost at the Bar & 13 in one Neighbourhood at Matamuskeet &c &c
