The Virginia Gazette

LONDON. June 27.

The Lords of the Admiralty have sat twice every Day this Week, and frequent Messengers were sent thence to the Secretary of State's Office, and to Kensington.

Next Wednesday an Experiment is to be taken at Woolwich before the proper Officers, of the Mortars to be made use of, on board the Ketches that are to join Admiral Haddock's Squadron.

The 14 Men of War that were put into Commission Yesterday, are all of them from 50 to 70 Gun Ships, and the Lieutenants, Gunners, Boatwains, and other Officers thereunto belonging were appointed at the same Time. Commodore Matthews is appointed to command a Squadron of 12 Men of War design'd for the Spanish West-Indies.

There are now 86 Men of War in Commission.

Yesterday there was a Rumour upon the Exchange, that Gibraltar was actually invested with 20,000 Men; and that a small Skirmish had happened between the Garrison and the Spaniards; but we can give no Credit thereto.

The Rulers of the Company of Watermen have received Orders from above, to supply the Government in 20 Days with 1000 able Seamen.

We hear that Orders have been sent to all the Lords Lieutenants of Counties, for impressing Men for the Sea-Service in their respective Provinces.

Yesterday it was talk'd in the City, that an Embargo would be laid on the Shipping, in order to transport some Troops to the Mediterranean. It is impossible to express the Joy that appeared among the Generality of People on Thursday, on the Hopes of a War with the Spaniards, to revenge the Robberies, Murders, and Insults committed on the British Subjects for Years past.