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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Captains John Smith and A. King arrived in New York from Jamaica in August, reporting that Jamaican authorities imposed an embargo and martial law in May due to French naval threats, British ships captured French and Spanish privateers, and a large merchant fleet was set to depart. Smith escaped a French privateer chase; King sighted possible French warships.
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Thursday last, Capt. John Smith, and on Saturday Evening Capt. A. King, arrived here in 19 Days from Jamaica, the latter of them came out in Company with near 20 Sail of other Vessels bound to this and the neighbouring Governments. The most material Intelligence we can learn by them is, That the Government of Jamaica, on the News of the Arrival of Mon. Caylus's Squadron in the West-Indies, being apprehensive of an Attack or Invasion, and having then but few Men of War at that Island, had, on the 19th of May last, laid an Embargo on all Shipping there, and proclaim'd Martial-Law throughout the Island, which continued upwards of 8 Weeks, to the great Stagnation of Business and Trade; but that they were now in daily Expectation of having a Reinforcement from England.
That about 12 Days before Capt. Smith sail'd, one of his Majesty's Sloops of War, met with and took a French Privateer of 16 Carriage Guns and 26 Swivels, full of Men, who struck without firing a Gun; and in bringing her down to Jamaica, off Port Morant, met with a Spanish Privateer of 6 Carriage and 10 Swivel Guns, which he also took, and brought them both in together. That his Majesty's Ship the Ascension, of 20 Guns, had on a Cruise, taken and brought into Jamaica, a very large French Ship of 36 Guns. And that a grand Fleet of about 60 or 70 Sail of Merchantmen, was to sail from Jamaica the beginning of August.
Capt. John was chased two Hours after he came out of Port Mahon, by a French Privateer, but he having the Heels of her, got clear. The 27th of last Month, off Cape Francois, Capt. King saw 12 Sail of large Ships, which he imagin'd to be French Men of War.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
New York
Event Date
August
Key Persons
Outcome
embargo and martial law continued 8 weeks; british sloop captured french privateer (16 carriage guns, 26 swivels) and spanish privateer (6 carriage guns, 10 swivels); hms ascension captured french ship (36 guns); grand fleet of 60-70 merchantmen to sail beginning of august; capt. smith escaped chase; capt. king sighted 12 large ships believed french men of war.
Event Details
Capt. John Smith arrived Thursday last and Capt. A. King Saturday evening, both in 19 days from Jamaica with near 20 other vessels. Jamaican government, fearing attack from Mon. Caylus's squadron, laid embargo on shipping and proclaimed martial law on 19th of May last, lasting over 8 weeks, stagnating trade; expecting reinforcement from England. About 12 days before Smith sailed, British sloop captured French privateer which struck without firing, then Spanish privateer off Port Morant, bringing both to Jamaica. HMS Ascension on cruise took large French ship of 36 guns into Jamaica. Capt. Smith chased two hours after leaving Port Mahon by French privateer but escaped. On 27th of last month off Cape Francois, Capt. King saw 12 sail of large ships imagined to be French men of war.