By advices from the army under col. [Robert] Howe, we learn that they abandoned Norfolk last Tuesday [February 6], after removing the poor inhabitants, with what effects they could carry along with them, and demolishing the intrenchments which Lord Dunmore threw up a little before he fled on board the fleet now lying before that place. What few houses remained after the late bombardment were likewise destroyed, after being valued, to prevent our enemies taking shelter in them. Thus, in the course of five weeks, has a town which contained upwards of 6000 inhabitants, many of them in aflluent circumstances, a place that carried on an extensive trade and commerce, consequently affording bread to many thousands, been reduced to ashes, and become desolate, through the wicked and cruel machinations of lord North and juncto, aided by their faithful servants, my lord Dunmore with his motley army, and the renowned capt. [Henry] Bellew, commodore of his Britannic majesty's fleet in Virginia, and his generous and valiant crew. Truly may it be now said,
Never can true reconcilement grow
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd so deep.
The troops are now stationed at Kemp's landing, the Great Bridge, and in and about Suffolk.
The cannonading heard last Thursday se'nnight [February 1], at Norfolk, was occasioned by a detachment of our troops, under major [Francis] Eppes, attacking a number of black and white people from the men of war, who had landed to steal tobacco. Major Eppes drove them back, after killing four negroes, and two white men, upon which the ships began to fire. ー We hear lord Dunmore and his friends are exceedingly uneasy, and a good deal frightened, upon hearing that the continental fleet is designed against them, and indeed they have very good reason, for, as sure as a rifle (and that, they will know, is pretty sure) commodore [Esek] Hopkins will pay them a visit so soon as he is joined by the Maryland squadron.
