The Virginia Gazette

The illfounded rumours which have been circulated for some years past of pretended assistance in men and ships to be furnished to England by Russia, no longer have the least credit. The Court of Russia has determined to follow the example of Sweden and Denmark, and to protect their trade with France. In consequence of this resolution M. de Mouflin-Pouschkin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Empress at our court, has lately made the following declaration to Lord Weymouth: 'That notwithstanding the many friendly representations against the English arrogating to themselves a right to detain and search all vessels belonging to nations no ways interested in the differences between France and England, the Court of London has hitherto given no redress. On the contrary, every day neutral ships are stopped on the high seas, and carried into English ports, where they are detained under many frivolous pretexts, and subjected to tedious and expensive process, highly prejudicial to their owners. That therefore her Imperial Majesty, determined to put an end to this violence, is necessitated to follow the example of the Kings of Sweden and Denmark, by equipping a squadron to protect the trade of her subjects. And that if any English vessel attempts to stop a vessel carrying the Russian colours, her Majesty has ordered force to be opposed to force, and that such English vessel shall be treated as pirate. Such procedure being contrary to the treaty of commerce subsisting between the two Crowns, and by virtue of which Great Britain enjoyed a free trade with the Ottoman States during the war between Russia and the Porte. &c.'