Star.
London, England, 1803-12-24 00:00:00

RUMOURS OF IMMEDIATE INVASION.

There have been different arrival., from the Conti-
nent, with information fur Government, within thefe
few days ; and, from combining circumßances, we
think there can be hula doubt that the fum of the in•
telligenc: is, that the enemy means, if the weather
and outer circumaances will admit of it, Jib to
make tome attempt, either with the view of trying
what degree of alarm may be excited, or ferioully
to endeavour to effe& an eflabliihment on our (bores.
One perfoß arrived yeßerday with an account of
the (fate of preparations at Boulogne. Another
brought fmilar intelligence from Holland.
In the pins of Holland every thing is in filch a
(late of motion and atlivity, as leaves little doubt
that from that quarter we may expel finnething fe-
rious in a few days. In the French ports alto there
is fome hurtle, probably with 4 view to divert oar at-
tention from dm preparations going on to the North-
ward.

Government will not, however, be taken by fur.
prize. They know of the enemy's movements, and
are providing accordingly, Orders were 'yeiterday
font to Sheernefs for every Ihip that can he fent to lea
from that port, immediately to join the North Sea
li-inadron, under the command of Lord KEITH
llifpatches of 'reat importance were alfu fent off ez
preG laa night for Admiral Cotawneets, to be for-
warded by a fall failing cutter. DitPatches were at
the fame time f,:nt off fur Lord GAILDNeIt, on the,.
hint Ration.

In the political circles, next week is confidently
talked of as the time when the Frcnch will make
their attack ; but of this nothing certain can be
known. Nccefftry inftruElions have, however, beet;
lent to the Gene, als commanding the feveral dilfries;
and in every direaion %%hue there is any probability
of the enemy ria VII an attempt, the troops arc kept
in a Rate of readinift, and :n tll our ports there is the
greaten aEli7ity.

Governio:nt have orilt,rs, that no neutral
varelfball ent.; any port between the I lumbes and the
Downs, Yarrnoifth Roads and the' Downs czceptrd
It will he Gen av our Portfmouth letter, that a
rcput t wasvcty curr:nt there, the day before yefter.
day, that the French fleet had put to lea, and alfo
tlic Dutch. This n.ccs, which has lien Ruck up at
LLovn's, occalioned an untflual lodation in the Cit♦
this morL:ng. We could not flod, however, that it
had been confirmed at the time nor Paper was put to
ptcl;; nor do we t:.:ok the Public fliJiil.l lend a ready
ezr to intelligence of this :and, as we have no doubt
that Covet =cot, to prevent uLnecerfary alarms,

will adopt tiroperO'lns to fc:bith the pt:blic with
correZt accounts, fliould the enemy once aThially at-
tempt fo decided a nic vement.
It will be leen by the fubjoined letter, that we
have nn rcaltn whattvcr to believe that the enemy's
fleet at Boulogne cap,, as yet, be at lea; nor is the
wind favourable for its failing.
As to the accounts from Portfmnnth, we have no
dou! t that in that quarter, a falfe inference has been
drawn from orders received there from London. Dy
comparing the two fobjoined letters, it will be feen
that the news which occafioned the movement there,
had been received from town.—Here many people
confider the news as originating in Portfmouth. This
circumaance :s fufF.:ient to prove the intelligence
premature at leall ; for had inch intelligence been
received here, we thonld not have needed to wait t'''
it travelled to Pcrtfmouth and back again before
acquired publicity.

PORTSMOUTH,. DECEMBER 23.

Arrived the MiRCURY frigate from a cruize.—
A ftrong report prevailed yeflerday, that the Trznch
fleet had put to fca ; and alfo the Dutch, which had
occaftoned the COURAGIIEVI map of war to haul
down the Agnal for the Well India fleet, and pro-
ceed to fea ; as have the following, viz. the Isis
man of war, DISCARD frigate, CullilW, and SPSIDY
loops of war. The men of war remain at St. HsLites,
but it is reported they will fail to•morrow.