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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
London news from October 26 reports French war preparations and inevitable rupture with England. British intelligence reveals pre-independence assurances of support to American Congress from France and Spain by 1777. King vows to persist in American war, orders new Highland regiment, commissions ships, and issues harsh prisoner policies to Gibraltar and East Indies.
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By a Maryland paper of the 6th instant, we have London news as late as the 26th of October, which advise that the French are making preparations for war, and a rupture with England is looked upon as inevitable: That Lord George Germaine had received positive intelligence, which he laid before the King, that the American Congress, before our declaration of independency was published, received positive assurances of support from France and Spain, by March or April 1777; and that it had been requested sooner, but were answered, it was impossible, as the preparations of France were not in sufficient readiness: That orders are sent to Scotland for raising immediately another regiment of Highlanders for the American service; and that a Scotch Nobleman had undertaken to raise the same: That ten sail of the line are immediately to be put into commission, and that the King has declared, repeatedly, that he will persist in the American war, were it to be at the hazard of his crown, and will next summer send a sufficient force to finish the dispute in one campaign more, being much encouraged by the bloody junto: That inhuman orders are issued from the privy council for American prisoners to be carried to Gibraltar, and when there, the Governor will be vested with a power of granting pardons, on condition that they serve five years in the company's settlements in the East Indies; those who refuse, to be sent to England, and tried as rebels: That the East India Company (it was said) had agreed to allow Government five pounds a man for every American prisoner fit to bear arms who shall be delivered to them by the 29th of March next.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
26th Of October
Key Persons
Outcome
orders issued for american prisoners to be sent to gibraltar, then pardoned for five years service in east indies or tried as rebels in england; east india company to pay five pounds per fit prisoner by march 29; raising of another highland regiment; ten sail of the line to commission; planned sufficient force next summer to end american war.
Event Details
French preparations for war and inevitable rupture with England anticipated. Lord George Germaine informed King of American Congress receiving assurances of support from France and Spain before independence declaration, delayed until preparations ready by March or April 1777. Orders sent to Scotland to raise another regiment of Highlanders for American service by a Scotch Nobleman. Ten sail of the line to be commissioned immediately. King declares persistence in American war at hazard of crown, encouraged by recent events, planning to send sufficient force next summer to finish dispute. Inhuman orders from privy council for American prisoners to Gibraltar, where Governor grants pardons for five years in East Indies or trial in England as rebels. East India Company agreed to allow Government five pounds per fit American prisoner delivered by March 29.