Some time last week Lord Dunmore was alarmed with information that 19 pieces of cannon were fitted up, and would be soon placed on the wharves, &c. in Norfolk, to annoy the ships of war, and that a number of men were daily expected from Williamsburg, who were to fire them from behind hogsheads filled with sand. Yesterday se'nnight [October 13], in consequence of the above intelligence, his Lordship sent ashore a party of soldiers, under command of two officers, who marched through Norfolk to the place where the cannon were, destroyed 17 of them, and carried off two for their own use, without molestation. The above cannon we are confident were never intended for such a purpose; on the contrary, they belonged to sundry private Gentlemen, who had them removed there for safety.

Two companies of regulars are just arrived, viz: Capt. John Fleming's from Henrico, and Capt. Robert Ballard's from Mecklenburg.

We hear from Norfolk, that Capt. Matthews, of the Norfolk minute-men, Mr. William Robinson and Mr. John Hancock, have been taken prisoners by Lord Dunmore, but for what we cannot learn.

A large sloop from St. Eustatia, mounting 16 six pounders and a number of swivels, is said to be gone up the bay with a large quantity of gunpowder. Mr. [John] Goodrich of Portsmouth, whose vessel Lord Dunmore suspects of having brought in a supply of that article lately, is confined in irons on board a man of war.