Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-03-27


we immediately set all the sail we could,
thinking to cut her off t.om the land We
ran so close along the French shore, that
the soldiers employed horses to drag field
pieces along the beach TO keep even with
our course TO fire at us, which they did We
ry briskly; the schooner, after very ac-
tive FIRE from the cutter, gotunder the bat
teries and escaped; so, that though we
cannot boast of any victory, we can say
with the Poet,
IT'S not in mortals 70 command success,
But we'll do more, *"s**
Wen deserve it.
It's, however, very vexing, that with
all our vigilance, they are continually add
ingto the very numerous hotilla in Bou-
logne harbor; and, perhaps, it is as vex-
ing to the French that we dare anchor on
their owa coast, in defiance, in sight of
that deluded army, who anticipate the ruin
and plundering of England, but whose pro-
lects, | trust, will be rendered abortive,
without severe trial Of that patriotism
and loyalty which animate beyond all for
mer example the regular military and vo-
lunteers of Great- Britain"
February l8.
Al . late hour las night we received variety
of extracts from tie Paris ournais, to the s5Ist
ult. They contain no Intelligence of impor
lance, They mention the march of the cavalry
from Campegne for Boulosne; and the convic,
tion of "a few persons accused Of having contriv-
ea some curious Instrument for the destruction of
tire First Consul. This plot is, as usual, attri-
butcd by the MOnitcur to English agency.
Tie latest accounts from our squadron off Bou
l,gnc state, chat the Leopard, Lsda, Immorta-
l,te, Squirrel, Locust, Archer, Duchess of Cum
berland, and Grafip cutters, remained at anchoF
cosc to Bouiogne barbour the whole of Sunday'
Monday, Tuesday, and almost all Wednesday,
They observed that The addition Of force at Bou-
logne of late has been very considerable. lhtre
are upwards of Izo sail of briggs, schooners, &c.
exclusive Of gun boats, in all not less that 800
sail The principal part have moored Up the
harbour into the different new basons which have
been MADE.
On Sunday the 1mmortalite, Dutchess Of Cum
berland,s and Griffin cutters, attacked some gun
boats between Cape ;Grianez and Boulcgne, on
their way to the latter. A severe FIRE was kept
I'D from the batteries on shore, upon our vessels,
bit without doing them any injury. The I'm
mor5sate shot away the mast OF one of the gun
boats.
For upwards of an hour On Wednesday morn.
ing cur squadron was becalmed. The enemy
perceived it, and FIRE was lighted on the beiehls,
which was supposed to be signal Tor attack
Great bustle was immediately perceived, and
the pier head was crowded with soldiers, and o.
theirs dragged out gun boats to attempt the a.
ia 90 our squadron, for whict, they considered
the circumstances as favorable. A breeze
sprngng up, however, they again returned into
harbour.
At break of day on W7ednefd2y lea a prodi
gious volume offmosk was obferved from fcyerai
pats of the coat for four hours, in the direction
of Boulcgne, and at intervals the hori zon above
that place, feemed entirely Illuminated. This
phenomenon has given rife to various conednres,
aud til hpppoled that it was occaGoned by
confagration of the enemy IS Aotilla, which by
that fome of the Frcnch troops have laid down
their arms, and that the utmost dia4tisfattion
prevails along the whole coat. TIE poor deIud-
ed wretches VINO compole the French army dzni,
ned for the expedition agalnt this country, are
it is faid funk into DEPENDENCY, aad have ioa all
hopes of ever being able to effect landing, as
they are 10 clolcly watched by our bockading
fqaadron, the commanders of which are certainly
entitled to the highei pfaile for their perleve-
rance, having remained at anchor clole TO Boz.
logne during 70 tenpessuons weather.
Ictesday morpine there was fome fling eff