The Virginia Gazette

Hague, Aug. 31. The following is an Extract of a Letter from Madrid, dated August 20. People have, for a long Time past, talked as though a good Understanding between this Court and that of Great-Britain would never be perfectly well established 'til the latter should consent to restore Gibraltar to Spain. Our Ministers have very often insinuated this to his Britannick Majesty as well here as at London ; but these last have always turned a deaf Ear thereto. It nevertheless now looks as though there were some Change in this Respect, and that Mr. Keene had received Instructions which were relative thereto It cannot be said what they precisely are, but People of the justest Way of Thinking here are generally persuaded that, without this Restitution, the English will never obtain such a free Navigation to the West-Indies as they are desirous of, notwithstanding the great Abilities of Mr. Keene, and the Pains which he takes to cause the Negociation to succeed with which he is charged.

Though it's much doubted here whether the Court of Great-Britain can venture to restore Gibraltar, yet there may, possibly, be some Foundation for the above recited Letter from Madrid, if any Dependence may be had on some received from another Place, importing, that Spain is upon the Point of entering into a strict Alliance with the Courts of Vienna and London; that those of Naples and Parma will likewise accede thereto; and that 'tis not doubted but that the King of Sardinia will do the like. These Letters add, that France is far from being in the same Esteem and Credit at the Court of Madrid as heretofore.