The Virginia Gazette

London, May 1. They write from the Hague, that the Marquis de St. Gilles, Ambassador from Spain, continues to have frequent Conferences with the Deputies of their High Mightinesses, the principal Intent of which, on the Part of the Marquis, seems to be to excite Jealousies and Misunderstandings between the Court of Great-Britain and the States-General: It's certain, he has not yet taken one Step towards giving the least Satisfaction to their High Mightinesses upon their many well-grounded Complaints; from whence it's easy to conclude, that the only Means of reducing Spain to the Necessity of performing Promises, is for the Maritime Powers to act, in all Respects, in Concert; by this Means she may possibly be oblig'd to enter into such a Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with the Two Nations, as shall insure to them a perfect Liberty of securely sailing to their respective Colonies, and bringing from thence the Produce thereof, without being liable to the Insults and Cruelties of the Spanish Guarda Costas. To prevent so strict and necessary an Union between these Powers, the Spanish Ambassador gives their High Mightinesses the best Words in the World, and endeavours to make them believe, that the King his Master is ready very punctually to execute every thing that he has promis'd; but from a long Experience their High Mightinesses well know how far the Promises of the Court of Spain are to be depended On, which are made when she is under Difficulties: They Seem to be very much like the Vows made by Sailors in Danger, which, when over, they neither remember Saint nor Vow. Their High Mightinesses are said to act in this Affair with great Candour; they promise nothing to the Court of Great-Britain, and insist upon an ample Satisfaction from the Court of Spain for the Injuries done the Two Nations.

That his most Christian Majesty has caus'd a Declaration to be made to the States-General, that he readily offer'd his impartial Mediation to accommodate the Disputes, arisen on Account of the Captures made by the Spaniards upon the English and Dutch Shipping, to prevent a Rupture, when the greatest Part of Europe desires Peace. This Declaration is said to have been made to Mr. Van Hoey by M. Amelot, and repeated by the Cardinal himself.