The Virginia Gazette

They write from Amsterdam, that tho at present it does not appear to be a Truth, that Curacao has been Surpriz'd by the Spaniards, yet it is not at all to be wonder'd that such a Report should be spread abroad, seeing the States General have, within a few Days, received a Letter from their Ambassador at Madrid, wherein he gives them Advice, that not only all his Attempts to clear up the Matter, or to justify themselves concerning the Spanish Ship, which, it's pretended, was insulted by some Vessels belonging to the Republick, were utterly insignificant, as not being hearkened to; but that he had even received Information, that Orders had been issued from Madrid to the West-Indies, to attack all the Dutch Ships there that should be met with, and to attempt a Descent upon Curacao.

M. Vander Meer adds, that it's probable Hostilities of this Nature would not really be put in Execution in a Time of perfect Peace between the two Nations; but that it rather appears, as tho' Spain had no other Design than to intimidate the Republick in such a Manner, as to hinder her from insisting upon an Indemnification of the Losses she has sustained by the Spanish Guarda Costas; as also to obtain, in supporting a kind of Point of Honour, the Satisfaction which the Catholick King demands for the Insult which the Spaniards say has been committed upon their Flag.

This Ambassador further adds, tho' these Conjectures may, or may not be true, yet it appear'd to him absolutely necessary, for maintaining a perfect Security, to take such Measures as should prevent a Surprize: And it was the Contents of this Letter, which gave Grounds for the Deputies of their High Mightinesses holding a Conference with the British Minister at the Hague, which in a late Paper has been taken Notice of.

It has sufficiently proved, that the Violences and Hostilities with which Spain accuses the Dutch, have no real Foundation. All the Truth that there is in them, is this; at the Time when it's said these Hostilities were committed, a Dutch Man of War did actually stop a Spanish Ship, and took out of her some Provisions: It also happened, that some Dutch Barks went upon the Spanish Coasts to supply themselves with Necessaries: But the Dutch say it is absolutely false, that in either of these Transactions, they either pillaged, burnt, destroyed, or massacred; of all which they are accused by the Spaniards.