Intelligence Front The London Gazettes .

SIR , ' After the reduction of Trinidad , the force destined for the expedition against Porto Rico being assembled , on the 8 th of April the fleet sailed from ¦ Martiuico , and arrived at St . Kilt ' s on the ioth , where we waited the arrival of Captain Woolley of his Majesty's ship Areihusa , who had been sent to Tortola and St . Thomas to procure Pilots and Guides . This occasioned the delay of a few days . ' On Monday the 17 th , we ' marie the island of Porto Rico , and came to ail anchor off Congrejos Point . The whole of the north side of this island is

bounded by a reef , and it was with much difficulty that a narrow channel was discovered , about three leagues to the eastward of the town , through which his Majesty ' s sloops the Beaver and Fury , with the lighter vessels , passed into a small bay , in which the troops , on the next morning , were disembarked , with little opposition from about a hundred of the enemy , who were concealed in the bushes at the landing place . ' In the afternoon of the same day , the troops advanced , and took a position very favourable for our numbers , with our right to the- sea , and the left lo a

lagoon , which extends far into the country . The artillery was brought up without loss of time , and every preparation made to force a passage into the island on which the town of Porto Rico is situated . It is necessary here to observe , that as the Moro Castle completely commands the passage into the harbour , the Enemy kept open their communication with the southern and western pari of the Island , and even teazed and harassed our left flank with their numerous gun-boats . The only point , therefore , on which we could attack ( he town , was on the eastern side , where it is defended by the castle and lines of St . Christopher , to approach which it was necessary to force our way over the lagoon , which forms this side of the Island . This passage was

strongly defended by two redoubts and gun-boats ; and the enemy had destroyed the bridge which connects in the narrowest channel the island with the main land . After every effort on our part , we never could sufficiently silence the fire of the enemy ( who had likewise entrenched themselves in the rear of these redoubts ) , to hazard forcing the passage into the island with so small a force ; and this indeed would have been in vain , as the enemy could support a fire ten limes more powerful than we could have brought against fhem . The only thing left , was to endeavour to bombard the town from a point to the

southward of it , near to a large magazine abandoned by the Enemy . This was tried for several days without any great effect , on account of the distance . . ' It appearing , therefore , that no act of vigour on our part , nor that of any combined operation between the sea and land service , could in any manner avail , I determined to withdraw , and to re-euabark the troops , which was done on the night of the jofh of April , with the greatest order and regularity . c All our artillery and stores were brought off , except seven iron guns , four iron mortars , and two brass howitzers , which were rendered unserviceable , it

being impossible to remove them . Not a sick or wounded soldier was left behind , ami nothing of any value fell info the hands of the enemv . ' During the whole of our operations , 1 have experienced from Admiral Harvey the most cordial co-operation , and every act of personal kindness . At my request he landed three hundred seamen , under Captains Toddy and Browne , of the Royal Navy , to whose exertions while on shore we are under the greatest obligations . From the arrangements of the Admiral , the landing and re-embarkation of the troops- were conducted in the best order . To Captain Renoti , of lhe Royal Navy , principal agent of the transports , I desire to express the sense I have of his good conduct upon . all occasions . '

ADMIRALTY-OFFICE , JUNE 6 , 1797 . Extract of a letter from Viee-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker , Knt . Commander in Chief of his Majesty's ships and vessels at Jamaica , to Evan Nepean , Esq . dated on board his Majesty ' s ship Queen , at Cape Nichola Mole , April 27 , 1797 . ' Having on the 16 th instant received information from Captain Bissett , of his Majesty ' s ship Janus , that he had chaced into Maregot the French frigate Harmonie the evening before , and being myself obliged , for want of provisions , to return to this port with the Ouecn , Thunderer , and ' Valiant , I directed