The times here are very troublesome; all the European ships are taking in cannon, fearing to be attacked by our privateers cruizing off the Banks of Newfoundland for them; the French seem to be much in favour of the Americans, likewise one third of this island at least. This town has qeen in confusion, these two days past, occasioned by the arrival of the Squirrel; Capt. [Stair] Douglas, who brings intelligence that he spoke with 3 sail, being part of a French fleet, together with a number of transports, amounting to 17,000 men, bound for Hispaniola; another account says that 9 sail of the line, with the above number of men, had actually arrived.
The Admiral's barge stopt here this moment, and confirms the above, as also two Frenchmen that have just been examined. This town is in much the same situation as Newport was upon receiving the account of the Lexington battle. It is reported that martial law will be read on Monday morning; the Council have been sitting these two days. The Admiral's ship, and the Squirrel, are all the force here ー No flour in this island but what is musty and hard; the newest being 6 months old.
