The Virginia Gazette

May 14. Wednesday night a board of admiralty was suddenly held here, though Lord Sandwich was in the country. Several Captains of the Royal navy received their final orders to go down to the respective ports where their ships lie, though they had been permitted to go into the country on their own private concerns. It is rumoured that this sudden and unexpected turn of affairs is owing to a courier's arrival from the court of Versailles on Wednesday, with an account that the Spanish ships have set sail. All is bustle, or business, throughout the whole department of the navy. Several messengers were instantly dispatched to Lord Sandwich, and to the different ports and dock yards. The board sat till nine o'clock at night.