The Virginia Gazette

London, August 1. A private Letter from Spain intimates, that some Cannon Shot have lately been Exchanged between the Garrison of Gibraltar, and the Spaniards thereabouts.

We are credibly informed, that the Government have taken up several Ships in order to transport Timber for a Draw-Bridge and Pallisadoes for Port Mahon, with Bombs, Pieces of Cannon, a great many Thousand Cartridges, and other warlike Stores.

It is suggested by some, as though a certain Power is at the Bottom of certain Affairs: But however that may be, we are under the greatest Consternation that Spain should, instead of complying with our reasonable and just Demands, seem to be resolutely bent on provoking us to a War. Whether they have committed any Act of Hostility, as lately mentioned, we are told that no less than three Messengers arrived on Tuesday in the Evening, within a few Hours after one another, at Kensington, where a general Council was held the same Night, when the Lords of the Admiralty were present, which did not break up 'till next Morning; and that Yesterday another grand Council was held, and several of the King's Messengers were dispatched with Instructions to the British Ministers at the several Courts of Europe, and Orders were dispatched the same Day to haste the Bomb-Ketches designed for the Mediterranean; and several Expresses were dispatched to all the Ports in Great Britain and Ireland, with proper Instructions under the present Juncture.

Letters from Gibraltar advise, that an Engagement was every Day expected between Admiral Haddock's Squadron and the Spaniards.