The Virginia Gazette

Madrid, June 26. O. S. Upon the Receipt of an Express from London, Mr. Keene went to Court, and declared to the Ministers of the King, that Affairs between the two Crowns were so circumstanced, that his Britannick Majesty was determined To permit his Subjects to make Reprisals upon the Spaniards; whereupon fresh Orders were sent to the Ports to continue diligently to equip all the Men of War capable of being fitted out. It's said, that at Cadiz and in Galicia, 24 are at present ready to put to Sea. The Fortifications of several Ports of this Kingdom, and particularly those of Ferol in Galicia, are repairing and augmenting; upon which, together with the Naval Armament, the Court has already expended 6,000,000 Pieces of Eight. Orders have been given for a great Number of Ships to cruize upon the Coasts of Galicia, and upon that near Cadiz. Mr. d'lturalde, Secretary of the Finances, has presented a Project to the Court, which has been approved of, for reducing the Appointments of several Officers, both Civil and Military, to whom this Scheme gives great Discontent. The Stipend of 36,000 Ducats given to the Duke de Montemar, as General in chief, was thereby reduced to 12,000; but that Lord made such strong Representations thereupon, that it has only been reduced to 24,000 Ducats.

Madrid, July 3. O. S. It is said, that Mr. Keene, the British Plenipotentiary, has declared to the Marquis de Villarias, That the last Express he received from his Court, had brought him an Order from his Britannick Majesty to suspend the Conferences. Since the Arrival of the said Express, and of another which the Court received at the same Time from Don Geraldino, the Spanish Minister at London, fresh Orders have been sent to hasten the military Preparations; so that a Rupture seems unavoidable. All the General Officers are order'd to repair to their Posts without Delay. Troops are also sent to reinforce those already at Gibraltar; and 'tis said, that those which are assembled in Galicia will also be re-inforc'd with some Regiments, in order to watch and guard the Coast of that Province: But there are some who think they are to be put on board Transports, to be carried elsewhere; because tis affirm'd that Orders have been likewise dispatched, to lay an Embargo on all Ships. According to the Advices from the Ports, there will be at least 28 or 30 Men of War ready to sail before the End of July.

July 15. Since the last Declaration given by Mr. Keene, the British Minister, fresh Orders are dispatch'd to all the Ports, to repair and augment the Fortifications, as well as to equip all the Men of War fit for Service; and the Orders for compleating the Land Forces are renew'd. The King seems to act wholly in Concert with France, which Court has not yet advised ours to insist no longer on the Recall of the British Fleet. The Count de la Mark, who continues to have frequent Conferences with the King and Queen of Spain, having lately received an Express from his Court, went and read the Dispatches that came by it to their Majesties, without communicating one Word to the Ministers of State; which gives Room for a Conjecture that some secret and very important Affair is in Agitation.