The Virginia Gazette

Various Accounts having come, in Relation to the Affairs of Corsica, I shall collect them together, and present them to my Readers, in the Words and Dates they come to me.

Sept. 8. Letters from Genoa, of the 29th of last Month, import, That by Advice sent to the Senate, their Troops in Corsica, had made a Detachment of 600 Men to attack the Rebels; but having not been able to succeed, they were forced to retire: That Lord Theodore was again at the Head of a considerable Body of Troops. Upon Which Advice, the Republick is raising Troops every Day: and has publish'd a Proclamation, granting a free and general Pardon to all Murderers, Highwaymen, Foot-pads, &c. that will serve her against the Corsicans.

Sept. 16. We have Advice by the last Mail, That 'tis certainly confirm'd Lord Theodore is supported underhand by the Spaniards; and that pursuant to the Measures he has lately taken, 'tis not doubted but he will soon be Master of the whole Island of Corsica.

October 1. The Malecontents in Corsica, who have formed a Third Faction, have put themselves under the Command of one Luke Oriani, descended from one of the most ancient Families in that Island. This new General is retired with a considerable Body of Troops into the Mountains, where he takes all Opportunities to weaken the contrary Party. On the other Side, Lord Theodore, who has now two Enemies on his Hands, has assured his Troops, to keep up their Spirits, that if the long expected Succours do not arrive before the End of October, he will readily lay down his Command. It is reported, that he has caused 12 of the Genoese, who were made Prisoners at the Red Island, to be executed, by way of Reprisal, for some Rebels that were hanged at Baitia.

October 5. By our Letters this Post, from Corsica, it seems, the late Resolution of the Malecontents, in their General Assembly, to depose King Theodore, and the Declaration to that Purpose distributed in all Parts of the Island, were only Feints to amuse the Genoese, til they could gain an Opportunity to surprize them; and that King Theodore, at the Head of a numerous Army, had actually taken a Fort, in which were great Quantities of Cannon and Ammunition. He has coin'd about 4000 Pieces of a new Species of Money, from the Silver produc'd by the Mines lately discovered: on one Side of which is the immaculate Conception, with these Words, Monstra Te esse Matrem; and on the other, the Arms of the Island, with Theodorus Rex Corsicae, on the Exergue.