The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Leghorn, August 26. An affair has happened here, which may be probably attended with very serious consequences.--A Danish merchant ship, called the Esperance, sailed from this port a few days ago, with a design, according to the Captain's account, to proceed to Marseilles; an English General, and two gentlemen of the same nation were on board. Scarce was the vessel got out of port, when a French Chebeck pursued it in great haste, and came up with it the next day. The French Commander then compelled the English gentlemen, with all the crew, to go on board, and after interrogating them he sent some of his own people on board the Danish vessel with orders to make strict search there, which they did, by opening all the chests, trunks, boxes, packets, and letters, in order to discover the true destination of the ship. We know not yet whether they met with any thing to satisfy their curiosity, tho' these proceedings lasted four hours.-- The Captain of the Chebeck then set the Danish vessel and all their crew at liberty, telling the master he might proceed to any port he pleased excepting Corsica, adding, that in conformity to the King's orders, he should treat every ship in the same manner that dare to approach that isle.