The Virginia Gazette

BOSTON, April 3.

Paragraph of a Letter from Jamaica, to a Merchant of Note, in this Town.

Jamaica, Feb. 13, 1737-8.

We hear by Letters Capt. Maccolough St. Jago de Cuba, via Carthagena, to Mr. Henry Crawford, of this Place, That he had been detained there 3 Weeks, on Account of the Preparations made by the Spaniards, in order to take Georgia and Carolina, this Spring; that 4000 Men are already arrived from Old Spain, and that 6000 were daily expected from Mexico. That they were supplied with Ships and Provisions by the French; the French having this last Year exported from Cork, near 10,000 Barrels of Beef, which it's thought was chiefly designed for this Expedition. It is whispered at St. Jago, that since the Arrival of their new Governor, there is a Design to invade Jamaica in the Spring.

The South-Sea Factors here, have Letters from the other Side, corroborating the same Thing, which Letters will this Day be communicated to the President.--- A Spanish Sloop is now in Port here, under Pretence of being put in by Stress of Weather; but it is generally believed that She came in for Intelligence, which it is supposed will be embargoed here.

The Kingsale Man of War, Capt. Dent, has been to the Havanna, in order to demand the Ships that were taken by the Spaniards; he sent his Lieutenant, Mr. Watson, on Shore, who was immediately confined that Night, and the Boat's Crew sent on Board one of their Men of War, and the next Day he was sent, with the Men, on Board their own Ship. The Governor told him, to depart immediately; that the Ships were condemned; that he had a Master at Home to answer for his Conduct; that he would not return any of the Ships taken; and that he had given the King of Great-Britain Credit for them. By which, it's generally believed we shall speedily have hot Work.

By Advices from Curaco, we hear, that the Dutch had lately retaken one of their own Vessels, and burnt a Spanish Guard de la Costa. Two Sloops were lately fitted out there, to Cruise on the Main, with Orders to destroy all that oppose them. A Man of War is now there, and another is daily expected. We believe this may be depended on, as Mr. Cox, Factor at St. Jago de Cuba, has fully wrote to the South-Sea Agents here, confirming what Capt. Maccolough wrote Mr. Crawford.

Yesterday another Vessel arrived here, (Boston) from Jamaica, by which we hear, that an Embargo is actually laid upon all Vessels in that Island, on Account of the Danger they apprehend themselves in, from the prodigious Preparations making by the Spaniards at the Havannah, where they are collecting together a Body of 10,000 Men.