The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Falmouth, to a Merchant at London, dated November 21, 1737.

Here arrived on Thursday the 18th Instant, from Lisbon, a Gentleman who left the Havanna the 29th of August last, and is the very Person who has taken and carried into that Port most of the English Ships that have been taken by the Spanish Guarda Costas. He is a Frenchman by Extraction, though born in London, and professes himself a Protestant and Subject of England, but says, when he did this, he was in the King of Spain's Service, and has his Catholick Majesty's absolute Orders to take all Ships belonging to Great Britain, and carry them in, whether they had contraband Goods or no: and he being touch'd with Remorse at so unjust a Proceeding, (though he had a Salary of 1000 Pittoles a Year,) could not be easy, but left the Station, and making the best of his Way for Lisbon, incognito, there surrender'd himself to our Envoy, who dispatch'd him here. Orders how to proceed with him are expected from London. In the mean Time he remains a Prisoner in this Town. He presumes, the great Discoveries he is capable of making of the Designs of Spain, will be so highly advantageous to the Court as to obtain his Majesty's Grace and Favour. He is a Prisoner at the same House I am at, so have had frequent Opportunities with him.