The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, August 12.

The Reign of King Theodore, in Corsica, has been like a Meteor, unexpected in Appearance, surprizing in Effect, short in Continuance, cast a great Blaze whilst it lasted, and vanish'd in a Moment: From a Brow wreath'd with Laurel, be is glad to thrust his Head into any Bush where he can hide it. His Soldiers, dispirited, are every where beaten by the Genoese Garrisons, who make daily Sallys upon them, and seize their Provisions. The Corsicans which the Baron appointed to attend in State about his Person, serve at present only as Spies, to hinder his making his Escape. The Letters from that Island, which are handed hither, by the way of Holland, mention, that the Baron finding some of his Courtiers desert him, and fancying himself still a King, determin'd to stop the Desertion of the rest, by hanging up three of the pretended Rebels in Terrorem, but that nobody would obey his Orders, and he had the Mortification to see Derision in the Face of every one round him. As the Affair of the Succours he promised the Malecontents, is discovered to be nothing but an Artifice to support his Credit, 'tis not doubted but that the Genoese will take this Opportunity to strike in with the Disaffected, who seem ready to make a Sacrifice of the Baron, as a sort of Atonement to the Republick. The Inhabitants of the Districts of Nebio and Calenzana in Corsica; as also those of the Northern Provinces, seeing the declining and desperate Condition of the Malecontents, have thought it their best way to submit to the Genoese. As for Baron de Neuhoff he retired to the Middle of the Island, with those who still build upon his mountainous Promises: But they kept a watchful Eye over him, for fear he should make his Escape. The Baron, however, by bribing his Keepers, found Means to escape to some Sea-port, where he now skulks, till he can meet with a favourable Opportunity of putting to Sea. These last Accounts we have from Leghorn: But the Advices even from Genoa, are far more favourable to the Malecontents, who are said to have lately maintained an Engagement with the Genoese, tho' superiour in Number, for Eight Hours, with unparallel'd Bravery; and then being seasonably relieved, they forced these haughty Republicans, consisting of above 1000 Men, to retire with great Loss and Precipitation.

We have an Account from Smyrna, That the Captain of the English Ship that landed K. Theodore in Corsica, upon hearing his Britannick Majesty had order'd him to be seized as soon as he should arrive at any Port of his Dominions, had shot himself with a Pistol.