Wednesday evening an express arrived here with advice, that a fleet of the enemy's transports had sailed from New York, about a hundred sail, standing to the southward, the wind then favourable, and that it was imagined their intention was to make an attempt upon some of the southern colonies; that General Burgoyne had returned with his army to Quebec, where they will probably remain during the winter; also, that the army under General Howe, finding their attempts against our army utterly fruitle~s, had retired to the city for winter quarters.

On the 16th instant was stranded .on Cape Henry, the brigantine Beckey, or Lady Washington, laden with flour and bread, from Alexandria, bound to Charlestown in South Carolina, Captain's name Harper.