Virginia Argus

SALEM, September 24.

FROM GIBRALTAR

Captain Israel Williams, who arrived last evening from the Mediterranean, has obliged us with some minutes of intelligence which he had collected. He left Gibraltar the 23d of August; previous to which, they had no certain accounts of lord Nelson; the report, however, was that he arrived at Ferrol two days before the combined fleets, and not finding them there, had gone back to Newfoundland in quest of them. Neither had they any particular account of the action between adm. Calder and the combined fleets: the official account of the Spanish admiral was published, and stated that they had gained a victory over the British, which would have been more complete if the French had not unfortunately been too far to leeward, which brought the whole brunt of the battle upon the Spaniards; Finding that 3 Spanish & 1 French ship were missing he gave over pursuing the British, & informs that the fleet though much dispersed, had arrived safe, part at Vigo and part at Ferrol.

Captain W. informs that a few days after the action the combined fleets formed a junction at Ferrol, and with the squadron in that port, sailed for Cadiz, where they had arrived so in number, two days before the Friendship's sailing, and with 5 ships in that port, formed a fleet of 35 sail of the line. This intelligence was received at Gibraltar 8 hours before captain W. sailed, together with a further account that the Carthagena squadron of 8 sail of the line (the same was to have joined the Toulon squadron when bound down the Straits, but was not ready) had arrived at Malaga, 20 leagues from Gibraltar only. Just before sunset (says captain W.) an easterly wind sprung up, with which the Carthagena squadron probably started, as they were in plain sight of the Rock some time before dark, 8 sail of the line and many gun boats: this created a most serious alarm at Gibraltar; all was bustle; the alarm guns were constantly firing, which we heard on board his ship till 10 o'clock at night, at which time the wind had increased to a very strong Levantar, and the night being very dark, it must have given them a fine chance to pass the Gut.

At the time the alarm was given, the squadron under sir R. Bickerton was at anchor in Gibraltar Bay, consisting of the Queen of 98 guns, Tonant 84, Minotaur and Bellerophon 74's, 2 frigates and two gun brigs. This squadron had been some time waiting at Gibraltar for reinforcements from England, to go up and blockade the Carthagena squadron above mentioned. Immediately after the alarm, the squadron got under weigh, it was said to join the squadron off Cadiz, under sir Roger Curtis, who according to some accounts, had twelve sail, and according to others eight sail of the line.

Captain W. was informed by the American Consul, and other gentlemen at Gibraltar, that a WAR between Spain & America appeared inevitable; and that the Spaniards were in daily expectation of war being declared against them by the United States. Mr. Pinckney, whose negotiation had failed, was expected at Tangier, every moment; and Mr. Bowdoin had thought it expedient not to proceed to Madrid, as we have before known. In the mean time the Spaniards treat these things with contempt, and insult and capture the American flag daily; and the common observation is, that our government cannot much longer brook such hostile and insulting treatment.