The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, March 20.

Extract of a Letter from Dublin, March 12.

ARRIVED at Cork, from Madrid, the 2d of this Month, where I
have been for near eight Months; and being well acquainted with
some of the Heads of that Place, I had an Opportunity of knowing many
Particulars relative to the Disputes between Spain and England, and do
assure you that a Plan is concerted by Spain which will soon astonish all
Europe. The Scheme is kept very secret, and is intended to be carried
into Execution in less than three Months. Their Army is now in full
March in all Parts of Spain, are well disciplined, and joining in large Bodies
marching close to the Seaports, in Order to hold themselves in Readiness
to embark on the first Notice. Their marine Divisions are in good Order,
and their Ships are well supplied with Sailors, many of whom are English,
Irish, and Scotch. I was told by some of the Officers that they expected
to attack our Fleet at Gibraltar, which they were assured would be beat,
and that they should besiege that Place by Sea and Land; for which Purpose
they intended to assemble a great Fleet of Men of War, and by forming
a Chain of Spanish Ships across from Gibraltar to Tetuan prevent our
Ships from passing the Gut. They say that Gibraltar will surrender in five
Days after they make the Attack. Ceuta is now full of Soldiers with that
Intent, as well as old Algezira. The great Army now before Gibraltar,
as well as those on the Hill of St. Torowk, it seems, is also, to make a
Descent upon the Island of Minorca; and to assist in that Expedition, they
have an Army at Majorca, as well as in Barcelona. But Gibraltar is the
Place where they intend to strike the first Blow. They say that when
they have taken Gibraltar they are sure of Minorca, and all the English
Ships of War that are now up the Mediterranean. They declare that
Prince de Maserano was sent to England with no other Intent than to
patch up a Kind of a Declaration, in Order to blindfold England for a little
Time, until Spain is ready for War. They say they will then begin a
Fandango, which Dance will be led off by their old Friends the French.
I was in Company with an Officer of Distinction in Madrid, who said he
did not doubt but that in less than two Years Spain and France would
make a Riding School of England for their Dragoons.