The Virginia Gazette Foreign News July 22, 1737

Extract of a private Letter from the Hague.

All that has been mention'd concerning the Arrest of King Theodore at Amsterdam, proves confirm'd. As this is a very extraordinary Event, we shall give some further Particulars in relation to it. Baron Neuhoff, being sometime since at Amsterdam, contracted several Debts there, to the Amount of 20000 Florins. A certain Merchant, among others, who had lent the Baron 5000 Florins, died, after whose Decease the Executors found the Baron's Bond for the said Sum; and having heard the Report that he was incognito at Amsterdam, endeavour'd a good while in vain to find him out, because tho' his Domestics lodg'd at a House upon the Sea Dyck, and he himself had an Apartment there, yet he never lay there, pretending always that he had Journeys to take, sometimes to one Place, sometimes to another, but in reality skulk'd about in Amsterdam, so as never to be met with by his Creditors. In this manner, however, he has carried on his Affairs, having, 'tis said, sent Ammunition to Corsica, to the Value of 200,000 Florins and upwards: At last a certain necessitous Person, call'd Van Hockum, to whom the Baron was well described, undertook to discover and take him, for a Reward of 100 Ducats. He dressed himself very fine, and went directly to the Sign of the Stag, near the Place where the Baron lodg'd, in order to watch for him, who not long after appear'd; upon which Van Hockum address'd himself to him as though he positively knew him, making him an Offer, by Way of Pledge for his Fidelity and good Behaviour, of 80000 Florins, in case his Majesty would give him a Captain's Commission. Into this Snare the crafty Mock King very easily fell, telling him he would consider of his Proposal, and give him an Answer the next Day; when he confess'd to the Traitor Hockum, that he was actually King Theodore, and would grant his Request. This Wretch, to make sure of his Prize, return'd next Night out of Breath, and throwing himself at the pretended King's Feet, cry'd out, I am undone, protect me, the Officers are at my Heels! Which indeed was Fact, because he had conducted them there: They immediately enter'd the Room; whereupon Hockum, as in a Passion, drew his Sword; which they little regarding, address'd themselves to the Baron, telling him he was their Prisoner, at the Suit of such and such, and the next Day conducted him to Prison. Many Persons, even of Distinction, have been to see him, whom he received tolerably well, but in a very concise Way. He is about Five Feet and a half high, square, and well set, a goodly Mien, of a bold and lively Countenance; he speaks High and Low Dutch, French, English, Spanish, Italian, and the Lingua Franca. According to Letters from Amsterdam, he has petition'd to be removed to the Town-House, which it seems has been granted him. Many Persons of Note, being affected with his Condition, have interested themselves on his Behalf. His Debts amount to 18 or 20000 Florins: Besides these, it is well known, that there are two other Creditors, one of 8000, the other of 6000 Florins, who have not yet charg'd him. The Success of the Conferences held with the Persons who have engaged to assist him, is expected with Impatience. During this Negotiation, many Reports are spread; and, 'tis thought, that if the Genoese, to whom Hockum has wrote, to demand the Reward set on his Head, have timely Notice, they will insist on his being delivered up to them; which, as it would greatly embarrass their High Mightinesses, many wish that he was already discharg'd.