The Virginia Gazette

London, August 22. They write from Madrid, that Mr. Keene, the British Minister there, having declared at that Court, That tho' the King his Master had been obliged, in Justice to his Subjects, to permit them to make Reprisals upon the Spaniards, yet his Britannick Majesty did not thereby intend to be understood to break the Peace, but only to make use of the Right which Treaties gave him; and as a Proof of his Majesty's good Intentions, he had charged him to assure the Ministry, that as soon as the Catholick King shall pay what is demanded of him, Reprisals should cease and give place to an Accommodation. To which the Marquis de Villarias answer'd, That the King of Spain was very far from considering Things in the same Light as the Court of Great Britain seemed to do, not believing it had any Right by Treaties, either to make Reprisals itself, or authorize others to make them; that the Equity of the Conduct of the Crown of Spain was evident in every thing which had passed since the Convention of the 14th of January; the Catholick King therefore could not help looking upon the making Reprisals as an Act of Hostility, and would on his Side, permit his Subjects to repulse the Insult which might be made on them; that he hoped, with the Assistance of Heaven and his Allies, he should be able to support a good Cause: and that he intended to publish a Manifesto, that all Europe might be inform'd of the true State of the Case between Great Britain and Spain, not being in the least afraid of making known his Conduct before as well as since the Convention. That Minister at the same Time added, that as soon as any Hostility should be committed, Mr. Keene should have Notice to withdraw; but till then he might continue at Court in Safety.