When was it published?

September 9, 1773 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News September 9, 1773

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Court News, Royal Event, Naval Affairs

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

The King, Lord Sandwich, French Ambassador

Q: What keywords are associated?

King Portsmouth, Royal Levee, Lame Sea Officer, French Ambassador, Naval Fleet, Confectioner Bill

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

Anecdotes from King of England's Portsmouth fleet visit: inviting lame officer aboard Barfleur; levee with foreign ministers, declining French; ambassador's praise comparing to Prussian king; confectioner's bill of 200l for expedition.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

The King, on Board the Barfleur, intimated a Desire to See a certain brave Sea Officer who was lame. The Admiral sent a Messenger to intimate the King's Desire to the Captain: He modestly begged Leave to decline the Honour, as he must approach his Majesty very awkwardly, being hoisted on Board. The King very kindly said, "Let him but come, I shall be glad to see him any how."

When the French and other foreign Ministers attended his Majesty's Levee at Portsmouth, he told them he should be very glad to see them afloat, but put them in Mind that he was no more than a Visitor himself, and a Guest of the Admiral; and that Lord Sandwich would take Care to entertain them, for a King of England must never speak French when on Board his Fleet.

The French Ambassador observed, at Portsmouth, that he had now seen two of the finest Sights in the World, "The King of Prussia at the Head of his Army, and the King of England at the Head of his Fleet."

The Confectioner's Bill (who provided every Thing for the King and his Attendants, necessary to eat and drink on Occasion of the Portsmouth Expedition, we are well assured, amounts to the Sum of 200l.

What sub-type of article is it?

Court News Royal Event Naval Affairs

What keywords are associated?

King Portsmouth Royal Levee Lame Sea Officer French Ambassador Naval Fleet Confectioner Bill

What entities or persons were involved?

The King Lord Sandwich French Ambassador

Where did it happen?

Portsmouth

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

Portsmouth

Key Persons

The King Lord Sandwich French Ambassador

Outcome

confectioner's bill amounts to the sum of 200l.

Event Details

The King on board the Barfleur desired to see a lame brave Sea Officer, who modestly declined due to awkward approach but was kindly invited anyway. At his Majesty's Levee in Portsmouth, French and other foreign Ministers were told he would be glad to see them afloat, reminding them he was a guest of the Admiral and Lord Sandwich would entertain them, as a King of England must never speak French on board his Fleet. The French Ambassador observed he had seen two finest sights: King of Prussia at head of his Army and King of England at head of his Fleet. The Confectioner's Bill for the Portsmouth Expedition provisions for the King and attendants amounts to 200l.