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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
British ships Roe and Shark arrived in Charlestown harbor on Saturday last with a letter from St. Augustine's Governor to the local Lieutenant-Governor, surprising the Spaniards who sent a flag of truce. The letter's contents are secret but reportedly complain of harbor blockades and war preparations. Fortifications at Port-Royal are complete, and those at Charlestown are progressing.
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On Saturday last his Majesty's Men of War the Roe, and the Shark, arrived in this Harbour, with a Letter from the Governor of St. Augustine, to his Honour our Lieutenant-Governor: They came to an Anchor before the Bar of St. Augustine, in the Night, and the next Morning the Spaniards seeing them from the Town, were very much surpriz'd, and immediately fir'd Alarm Guns, the Cavalry mounted, and they sent a Lance with a Flag of Truce, they hoisted a red Ensign, but when our Boat took down their Flag of Truce, they hoisted it again, and came up to them to receive a Letter, which they carried to the Governor, who after having immediately call'd a Council of War, sent in the Afternoon, the aforesaid Letter to his Honour our Governor, the Contents whereof are not made publick.
But we hear that the Spaniards complain of our blocking up their Harbour, and hindering them from receiving any Provisions, also of our warlike Preparations in Time of Peace, when (as they say, and what if they could perswade us to believe it!) they had no Design against us. But, thanks to the wise Precautions our Governor has taken, we are now perhaps less afraid of them, than they are of us: The Fortifications at Port-Royal are finish'd, and in good Order; and at Charlestown they are advancing as fast as possible.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Charlestown, South Carolina
Event Date
Saturday Last
Key Persons
Outcome
fortifications at port-royal finished and in good order; fortifications at charlestown advancing as fast as possible.
Event Details
His Majesty's Men of War the Roe and the Shark arrived in the harbor with a letter from the Governor of St. Augustine to the Lieutenant-Governor. The ships anchored before the Bar of St. Augustine at night; the next morning, Spaniards were surprised, fired alarm guns, mounted cavalry, and sent a lance with a flag of truce. They hoisted a red ensign, received the letter after some confusion, and the Governor called a council of war before sending the letter to the local Governor in the afternoon. Contents not public, but reportedly Spaniards complain of harbor blockade preventing provisions and warlike preparations in peacetime, claiming no designs against the colony. Local precautions have reduced fear of Spaniards.