The Virginia Gazette

Tuesday arrived here Capt. English from Cagliari, last from Malaga who advises, That on the 20th of May, being to the Southward of Minorca, not less than 15 Leagues Distance, he heard the firing of Guns from 11 o'Clock in the Forenoon till six in the Evening, which he imagined to be an Engagement between two Fleets. On the fourth of June he arrived at Malaga, where he reported the above: Two Days afterwards he sailed; but in two Days more, he was obliged to return to said Port, when he was told by the Gentlemen there, that his Report was confirmed, as an Express came in the eighth of June from Barcelona, who brought an Account, that the English Fleet appeared off the above Island the 20th of May, when the French Fleet engaged them: and, by the French Account, they had a very smart Engagement, which lasted seven Hours, and then left off with Consent; many Men killed on both Sides, and the English Fleet superior in Number. The Accounts also mentioned, that, after the Engagement, the English Fleet stood to the Southward; but as Capt. English was to the Southward of them, and not meeting with any the next Day, it is probable the English Fleet had so much the Advantage as to get into Port-Mahon with the Reinforcements. The Wind at the Time of the Engagement was at W. or W.S.W. light Winds and hazy Weather.

We have no later Account of the Siege of Port-Mahon by Capt. English; and as he left Malaga the ninth of June, it is thought the Fort continued to make a good Resistance; and if the Succours timely arrived, they would oblige the Enemy to raise the Siege.

Capt. Dewar arrived the same Day from Cadiz, which Place he left the 16th of June, who informs, that the next Morning after he sailed, he fell in with eight British Ships of War from 90 to 60 Guns, about 16 Leagues from Gibraltar, under full Sail, with a fair and strong Gale of Wind, bound to the Mediterranean, to reinforce Admiral Byng's Squadron: They had such Way, that he had only Time to let them know there had been an Engagement.

Yesterday Morning Capt. Staniford arrived at Ipswich in 43 Days from Lisbon, who confirms the Account of the Engagement between the English and French Squadrons off Mahon; and adds, that they had Advice that, after the Action was over, the French Ships had stood away for Toulon, or some other Port, to refit; and as they had then received no Account of the English Squadron, 'tis concluded that they had got into Port-Mahon Harbour. A Letter from Lisbon, of the 10th of June, confirms the Declaration of War against France in London, the 18th of May; and adds, that it was declared in France against Great Britain on the 22d; and mentions, that, by the last Accounts, the French had advanced very little in their Attack upon the Castle of Port-Mahon.