Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
An English gentleman in Havana reports slow progress on his seized vessel, fears it will be made a prize by Spaniards despite no contraband. Two other Jamaica-bound ships, Loyal Charles (Capt. Way) and Dispatch (Capt. De la Motte), also captured. Warns of open war locally. P.S.: 800-900 soldiers imported, heading to St. Augustine, urging Carolina and Georgia vigilance. Dated Aug. 26, 1737.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the letter from an English gentleman at the Havanna detailing Spanish seizures of English vessels and implications for colonial trade; relabeled to domestic_news as it pertains to American colonial interests.
Clippings
1 of 2
OCR Quality
Full Text
Gentlemen,
I make bold to trouble you with this, to make you Sensible I am not negligent of embracing all Opportunities.
I make more apologies for the scantiness of writing, more than for what good News I can send you content with. Our Affair here goes on very slow. But am afraid the Spaniards will make our Vessel a Prize; for they stick at nothing, notwithstanding my Plea, that I received what Money they found on board from the Company's Agents at Jamaica. I acquainted you in my last Advices, after what Manner and where we were taken; the same Cruizer has since taken and brought into this Place, the Loyal Charles, Capt. Way, and the Dispatch, Capt. De la Motte, both from Jamaica, bound for London, and they will make Prizes of them both, altho they have not found any Thing contraband on board them: So Gentlemen, I can't tell how Things may be at Home, whether Peace or War: but I am sure it is open War here on their Parts. I should have come away by this Opportunity, were it not to wait the Issue of my Trial, and to have something to satisfy the Insurers, tho' I don't know but at the same Time I run a Risque of my Liberty: for if a War breaks out I am doomed to Imprisonment. I shall take the next Opportunity that offers to come Home, or go any where rather than stay here. I am now on Shore at the English Factory, which gives me a more convenient Opportunity of writing than when on board.
P. S. Since my Arrival here, there have been no less than 8 or 900 Soldiers imported, and more expected, who are now going to embark on a Vessel for St. Augustine; so that it is Time for Carolina and Georgia to keep a good Look-out.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Havanna
Event Date
August 26, 1737
Key Persons
Outcome
vessels loyal charles and dispatch to be made prizes despite no contraband; writer's vessel at risk; 800-900 soldiers imported to embark for st. augustine
Event Details
English gentleman's vessel seized by Spanish cruiser near Havanna; same cruiser captured Loyal Charles (Capt. Way) and Dispatch (Capt. De la Motte) from Jamaica to London, to be made prizes. Writer awaits trial at English Factory, fears imprisonment if war breaks out. Spaniards act as if at open war. Soldiers arriving and heading to St. Augustine, warning for Carolina and Georgia.