The Virginia Gazette

The following is a Translation of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle's Letter to M. Van Hoey's, a Copy of which we received by the last Mail from Holland.

SIR,
Whitehall, June 3, 1746.

I did not receive till the Day before Yesterday the Letter which your Excellency was pleased to honour me with, dated the 3d Instant, N. S. enclosing one which the Marquis d'Argenson had wrote to you of the 26th of May.

I laid it immediately before the King, who was in the greatest Astonishment at the Contents of that Letter, which, as well in what relates to the Subject of it, as to the Manner of treating it, is so contrary to his Majesty's Honour, and to the Dignity of his Crown, that his Majesty cannot but consider himself as too much offended by it to return any Answer to it.

You know, Sir, (and so do the French Ministers) with how Scrupulous an Exactness his Majesty has, on his Part, executed the Cartel agreed on between him and the Most Christian King, in its utmost Extent, in releasing on their Parole all the Officers in French Service, who were made Prisoners within the Limits of these Kingdoms, and who were not his Majesty's natural born Subjects; although the Service on which they were then employed, might very justly have excused his Majesty from it.

It is impossible, after this, to doubt of his Majesty's The Desire to do every Thing which the Law of Nations can require between Powers engaged in War with each other, even beyond what is usually practised: But the Law of Nations, the Cartels, nor the Practice or Example of any Country, authorize any Foreign Power at War with his Majesty, to intrude themselves, or to make any Demand from his Majesty, relating thereto.

The Most Christian King knows too well himself the Right inherent in every Sovereign, to imagine that his Majesty can think otherwise.

I cannot conceal from your Excellency his Majesty's Surprize, to see that the Ambassador of a Power strictly united with him, and so essentially interested in every Thing that concerns the Honour and Security of his Majesty's Person and Government, could charge himself with transmitting to his Majesty so unheard of a Demand. And I am very sorry, Sir, to be obliged to acquaint you, that his Majesty could not avoid complaining of it to their High Mightinesses the States General, your Masters. I have the Honour to be &c.

HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

Copy of M. Van Hoey's Letter to the Duke of Newcastle,
July 8, 1746.

SIR.

M to Y great a Monarch, whose Friendship Misfortune, my Lord, to have so much displeased is so pre- cious to the Republick, so sensibly affects me, that I find myself obliged to make use of this Opportunity, to repeat my Instances to your Excellency, that you would have the Goodness to honour me with your Intercession to his Majesty. - I have erred, my Lord, but I love Peace, Mankind, and my Country; I esteem nothing useful which is not just and honest, and my Prayers for the Accomplishment of the just Desires of the King your Sovereign, and for the Glory of his Reign, are incessant and sincere.

These Sentiments, my Lord, which are also your own, give me some Sort of Title to aspire to your Friendship, and Hopes of the most acceptable Success from the good Offices of your Excellency for my obtaining his Britannick Majesty's Pardon.