The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Leghorn, August 26.

"An affair has happened off this port, which may probably be attended with very serious consequences. A Danish merchantman, called L'Esperance, commanded by Capt. Thys Hason, sailed from hence a few days ago, said to be bound to Marseilles: on board of which ship was an English General, and two other Gentlemen of the same nation. She was scarcely got out of port, when a French xebeque pursued her, and soon coming up with her, the French commandant obliged the English Gentlemen and all the crew of the Danish vessel to go on board the xebeque, and after interrogating them, sent a certain number of his own people on board their ship, with orders to make the strictest search there: and they accordingly opened all the chests, boxes, and portmanteaus, with all the packets and letters found therein, in order to learn the real destination of the Danish vessel. They were employed in this work upwards of four hours, but we don't know whether they made any discovery of consequence. However, when the search was over, the Captain of the xebeque released the Danish ship and all the passengers and crew, telling the master that he might return to Leghorn, or go wherever he pleased, provided it was not to Corsica: adding, that, in conformity to the King's orders, he should treat in the same manner all ships, of whatever nation they might be, who should attempt to approach that island. These are the particulars related here of this rencounter, which there is great reason to fear will be followed by reprisals, unless the different powers, in conformity to a declaration of the court of France, have forbid their subjects to approach the island in question."