The New Hampshire Gazette

PORTSMOUTH
More Certain NEWS of a SPANISH WAR.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Boston to his friend in this town, dated Monday, March 22, 1762, and after the Boston papers were published.

I have just time to acquaint you, there is arrived since the papers were published, a schooner from Youghal in Ireland, belongs to Mr. Freeman of Marblehead, and has brought London prints to the 22d of January, which I have just now read, containing His Majesty's speech to both houses of Parliament, with their address on the 5th of January, on which WAR was declared against Spain; it's a most spirited speech, and the addresses equal. So orders are issued for taking into His Majesty's service a number of ships, that the whole navy may be complete five hundred sail, as soon as the war was declared. A prodigious number of seamen entered on board the men of war; and at least, it's said, 100 sail of privateers were fitting out. Mr. Pitt was sent for to council from his country seat, which held from Saturday evening till Sunday morning; no mention made as yet of his coming to the helm, but it's added he is the pilot. The Antiguans have fitted out privateer of 20 guns, among several others of equal force. The Earl of Bristol was arrived in London from Portugal. The King of Portugal had asked the court of Great Britain for 20 men of war, and 14,000 men; it's said the Spaniards had begun depredations on them. The King of Spain had taken 50,000 Bavarian and other troops into his pay. The Algerines were receiving great supplies from England to engage against Spain; the Spaniards had the island of Minorca ceded to them by France in August last. A fleet was going from England to Corsica to take that island under British protection, by the desire of the Corsicans. Admiral Saunders was cruising in the Gut of Gibraltar with 33 sail of men of war. Colberg taken by the Russians. It was expected that Denmark would declare immediately. The Hon. Charles Townshend going ambassador to Denmark. The King of Prussia was nearly surprised in the night at Strelitz, in person, with but few guards round him, was saved by an intercepted letter from the enemy; is preparing for the next campaign. The French troops in winter quarters, also Prince Ferdinand; the French generals were gone to Paris. The Dutch were augmenting their navy and army, but had declared on no side, though it was expected they would for us. Several fleets fitting out, chiefly designed against Spain. On computation is found we have 10,000 Spanish seamen taken among the French, now in the English prisons. That it's thought the Spaniards will have but a scurvy fleet. No depredations had been committed by sea by the Spaniards, though they had stopped a number of vessels at Alicant, Cadiz, Bilboa, &c. On our side 100 sail was detained in the river, of Spanish ships; those that were cleared out, has passports in the most generous manner. The Spanish ambassador was ordered home, who took his leave with high resentments on Mr. P--t: and was surprised with the Earl of Bristol's return. That it's thought the Spaniards did not design to carry the joke so far.

By a letter to a gentleman in this town, we hear that MINORCA was given by the French to the Spaniards last November, which confirms another account of that matter. It is last time for the French to give, lest all should be taken from them.