The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, November 23.

The minority, it is said, of both Houses, have entirely withdrawn themselves, being determined no longer to give a sanction to measures, by their presence, that they cannot check, though palpably to the ruin of our country. A report is current, that in consequence of some dispatches received from lord Grantham, at Madrid, by particular desire his lordship is recalled from the above court. An embargo on all the shipping in our ports is talked of as a measure likely to take place immediately. Government offer 5 l. a man bounty one day, and, without waiting the issue of such a fair bait, the next set loose an hundred gangs of ruffians, who, half drunk with brandy, and quite so with a shameful power, not fit to be put in such mens hands, revel in acts of cruelty. Last Monday morning a board was held at the admiralty office, Charing Cross, at which several lieutenants, pursers, and surgeons, on half pay, were put upon full commission, and ordered on board different ships that are now fitting out for sea. Orders are given to raise three new regiments of volunteers, for the space of three years, or during the rebellion in America; one to be raised in England, one in Scotland, and one in Ireland. Their pay is to be 1 s. per day. It is now no longer an idle rumour that we are on the eve of a war with France. The ministry themselves talk most seriously of the matter, and in all probability a declaration of hostilities will take place in a few days. Certain advice is received from the Hague, that very large sums have been advanced to the French by the merchants of Holland. Not less than 100 lives have been lost by the present shameful press, and that too at a time the minister says he has every assurance of peace; it is a wonder he did not say plenty too. A great personage sent for admiral Keppel on Monday, and desired he would take the command of ten sail of the line, and be ready to proceed to sea immediately. Another battalion is going to be added to the royal regiment of artillery, on account of the number now out on foreign service, and more that are wanted at this period. No less than 18 privateers have been fitted out from Marblehead, and it is computed that upwards of 90 have been fitted out from the several provinces of New England. At the commencement of last war, Great Britain and America were united against France alone. Now Great Britain alone is to cope with France, Spain, and America. Then the national debt was 86 millions, now it is upwards of 150. The land tax was then at 3 s. it is now at 4 s. with every other tax augmented in proportion, and every resource exhausted.

Our commerce was then prosperous, and credit good; now they are both failing. America then added to our force against France 20,000 men by land, and 15,000 by sea; now she employs 50,000 of our best land forces, and 18,000 seamen, so that the difference is 70,000 soldiers; and 33,000 sailors. This is more than a moiety of our whole force in the last war. The Romney man of war, capt. Salter, and the Surprise frigate, capt. Linzee, though just arrived at Portsmouth from Newfoundland, and very foul, having been off the ground 11 months, are ordered out to sea immediately, to cruise after the American privateers. The Princess Amelia, of 80 guns, is ordered to be fitted out with all expedition, to go to Spithead, to receive impressed men, and capt. Deane is appointed to command her. The Hampshire, capt. Wolff, who is arrived at Portsmouth from Malaga, is said to bring letters which mention that the Spaniards have absolutely sent off a considerable force to America, and that, as soon as possible, six sail of the line, and several frigates, are to follow them; that the first fleet which sailed had 10,000 soldiers on board. All the guardships have orders to take in stores and provisions of all species for six months, and to be ready at a day's notice for going to sea, in case they are called upon. Great bets were on Wednesday made in the city, that war would be proclaimed against Spain on or before the first of January next. The number of sailors in the king's service, at present in America, is 26,000. The fleet of observation to rendezvous at Spithead is to consist of 14 sail of the line, and two frigates. The rest of the ships which were commissioned are to remain at the several posts where they are fitted out, but to take on board all their stores, and be ready for sea at 24 hours notice. Monday night there was a general private search for seafaring men in the neighbourhood of Wapping, when a great number were apprehended, and on Tuesday examined before justice Sherwood and other magistrates at Shadwell, pursuant to the late order of council, when above 50 stout seamen were sent under the care of a strong gang, assisted by the peace officers, on board the tender at the Tower. Tuesday were examined before the rotation justices, at Hicks's hall, 93 disorderly persons. One of them who had stole a pint mug, with 50 others who could not give a good account of themselves, were sent on board a man of war. Wednesday the earl of Buckinghamshire was appointed lord lieutenant of the kingdom of Ireland, and at the same time had the honour to kiss the king's hand. Sunday morning the wife of a journeyman bricklayer, in Petticoat lane, was delivered of three children, who were all alive.
Baptized by the names of HANCOCK, ADAMS, and WASHINGTON. Hancock died the day of his birth, but Adams and Washington are in perfect health. The combined fleets of France and Spain will consist in Europe, fit for sea, of 46 men of war of the line, 28 French and 18 Spanish, and 23 frigates from 35 to 18 guns. Besides this fleet in Europe, Spain has now in South America, and the West Indies, 15 men of war of the line, and a number of frigates, sloops, and vessels. Taking France into the account, with a proportionable number, then the French and Spanish armaments in America and Europe together, they will consist of 72 men of war of the line, which, when we know that the intentions of those powers are hostile, and that the most sanguine promises of lord Bute did not go farther than that we should have a fleet of 40 men of war of the line fit for service by the first of March, is a matter of the most melancholy consideration.