The Virginia Gazette

By the Report of Persons from Corsica, 3 Ships came upon the Coast of Aleria, said to have been separated by a Storm from two others that were in their Company. 'Tis given out, that the Baron de Neuhoff came in this Squadron with 12 Pieces of Cannon, from 18 to 21 Pounders, 26,000 Bullets, 5 Culverines of 18 Pounders each, and 400 Bullets, 6000 Muskets, 200 Bayonets, 1000 large Muskets, 580 small ones, 2000 Pair of Pistols, 180,000 Pounds Weight of Gunpowder, 100,000 Pound Weight of Leaden Shot, 400,000 lb. Weight of Flints, 20,000 Pick-axes, and other Iron Tools for breaking Ground, 400 Casks with Iron Hoops, 400 lb. Weight of Balls, 4000 lb. of Copper, 30 Drums, one Kettle-Drum, 24 Trumpets, Cloth for 200 Life Guards, 6000 Pair of Shoes, 55 Colours and Standards, 6 great Chests of Copper, 4 of Pewter, 3000 Grenadoes charged, 700 wooden Shells charged, 80 Trunks, Chests, and Bales, full of the Baron's Equipage, with a numerous Retinue. 'Tis added, that the said Baron found Means to circulate a Letter among the Malecontents, to acquaint them, that he was ready to go on Shore with his Ammunition, as soon as ever they sent him Hostages, for a Security that they still continue in their Loyalty; but that they took no further Notice of his Letter, or of his Arrival, than to send Advice of it to the French General at Bastia.

Sept. 16. O. S. We have received the following Particulars of the Baron de Neuhoff's Return to the Island of Corsica. The Baron arriving a Week ago off of Porto Vecchio, with 3 Ships carrying Foreign Colours, sent a Person on Shore to deliver a Letter to the Chiefs of the Malecontents, wherein he told them, 'That the Affection he had for them, and the Engagement he had entered into to maintain the Justice of their Cause, had determined him to rejoin them; that he hoped to find the same Loyalty in them, and the same Attachment which they had sworn to him; that, nevertheless, he would not come ashore, 'til he was sure of their good Dispositions towards him; and that if they were not such as he hoped for, he would leave them to their own Destiny, and return immediately from whence he came.' To give the more Weight to this Letter, the Baron added a List of the Artillery, Arms and Ammunition, that were on board the 3 Ships; which List gave a sudden Turn to the Minds of the Malecontents. They judged it would be imprudent not to accept of the Ammunition, which might one time or other be of Service to them; and therefore the Chiefs returned Answer to the Baron, that they should be glad to see him. Upon this he went and landed at Campoloro, which is but a small Distance from Porto Vecchio, and there put ashore 24 Cannon, 6000 Muskets, and a great Number of Bullets and Barrels of Gunpowder. The Corsicans, to express their Gratitude to the Baron, cried out several Times, Long live our King Theodore. We are assured that the Baron afterwards caused an Edict to be published, exhorting the Malecontents, to lay hold of the Opportunity of his Return, and of the Efforts he intended to make for the establishing them in a free Condition, independent of the Genoese. They add, that in order to give the greater Credit to this Edict, it begun with these Words, Theodore King, to our Subjects at Corsica, Greeting. But in what Manner soever the Malecontents have received the Baron, they are loth to believe at Bastia, that they will forfeit those Promises which they have made to the King of France, to whom they have sent Hostages for the Security of their Performance. The Ships with which the Baron came, are returned home. Two others that came out in Company with them, but were parted by Stress of Weather, were expected every Day at Corsica with other Provisions. 'Tis confirmed, that the Malecontents persist in their Refusal to lay down their Arms, so that the Troubles of that Island are far from being at an End.