The Virginia Gazette

Hamburg, March 18. The Magistrates have sent Orders to Mr. Forth, our Consul at Algiers, to acquaint the Dey, that this City finds it absolutely impossible to keep the Treaty lately concluded with the Regency of Algiers, because the King of Spain is highly offended at such Engagements, and that it is of the utmost Consequence, in regard to its Interest, not to disgust so great a Monarch as his Catholic Majesty. These Orders have Been communicated to M. Ponto, the Spanish Consul, who has judged it might return hither from Algiers, as his Court did not send him fresh Orders to leave this Country. This Affair will be very expensive to us; for, besides the Presents sent to Algiers, which will turn to as good Account as if they had been thrown into the Sea, we will perhaps be obliged to make more Presents to the Dey and the Members of the Divan, in Order to obtain Permission for Mr. Forth to come away with his Effects: And, which is still worse, we shall find the Algerines in a very ill Humour about the Loss of their Capitana, and consequently the more reluctant to break off all Engagements and Correspondence with us.