The Virginia Gazette

London, May 12. By the mail arrived yesterday from Petersburg, the Czarina had published a declaration of war against Turkey, setting forth that the Grand Signor having refused to procure her proper satisfaction for the affront she had received from the Tartars, her majesty was resolved to take it by attacking Azoph and the Crimea; hoping that this important step, founded upon justice and the right of sovereigns, would by no means give umbrage to any European power.

The audience which the Czarina gave to the new ambassador from Persia was conducted with a magnificence so surprising to the ambassador that when he approached within some paces of her person, he fell into the utmost confusion, and could not go through the speech he intended to make, but breaking off abruptly, addressed himself thus: Madam you must forgive the disorder I am in, the glory of so great a princess would confuse the boldest man living.

Her majesty has three armies in Turkey; one of which is before Azoph; the second to make an irruption into the Crimea; and the third to prevent the Tartars making any attempts upon Ukraine.

She has set up a new manufacture in Petersburg for making of gold and silver.