The Virginia Gazette

Hague, Jan. 21. The Grand Pensionary Fagel has received an express from Count Welderen, the Dutch Ambassador at London, with dispatches relative to the taking of the Dutch ships under convoy of the Count Byland; at the reading of which, it is said, all the members of the Assembly of the States were greatly affected, however, it is not imagined that this affair will have any bad consequences, from the offers of payment and indemnification made by the Court of London.

We do not find that the French Ambassador has taken any farther measures relative to the seizure of the Dutch vessels than to speak to some of the members Prince of the government, and to the Stadtholder. It is imagined he reserves what he has to say on that subject till the meeting of the states, which is fixed for the 26th of this month. In the mean time we hear, that Minister has acknowledged that he has received authority from his court to exempt any particular merchants in the republick from the duty of fifteen per cent, &c. declaring, at the same time, that the King his master for reasons known to himself had judged it proper to act in that manner towards the Dutch merchants, and that even after the conclusion of a peace.

This arrangement, however, does not please this country.

The Viscount D'Hereria, the Spanish Minister at the Hague, has received an answer from the States General to his memorials, relative to Gibraltar. This answer is very favourable, and conformable to the placard published on that subject by their High Mightinesses. At the end of the answer, the States General request the Ambassador to use his good offices with the King his master, that it may please his Majesty to order that the procedures against Dutch vessels may be as short as possible, that they might obtain exact justice, and that in future they would not act in so peremptory a manner against them, but examine the case well.

We hear that a deputation of merchants from Rotterdam came to the Hague last week, and presented a request to the States General, signed by 16 merchants of that city; in which it is said they complain grievously of the strange and even inimical conduct of the Court of Madrid towards the Dutch vessels, &c. and request redress on that head. It is said that they at the same time hint their disapprobation of the placard published by the States on the 31st of December, as being in their opinion too favourable to the Court of Spain.