The Virginia Gazette

LONDON April 14.

Extract of a private Letter from Amsterdam.

NEVER was a Piece of Policy better disguis'd than that of supporting the Malecontents of the Island of Corsica. Great Pains have been taken, though hitherto to no Purpose, to discover the secret Springs of that Affair, and it still remains a Doubt, whether the Baron de Neuhoff has acted his Part in that Island by the Direction of the Court of Spain, or whether he has been employ'd there by some other Power. It's however very evident, that the Nation who has made him its Instrument, interests itself greatly in the Success of the Project; and it's undoubtedly from that Power that such frequent Succours of Ammunition and Provision have been sent there. 'Tis the same Power likewise that would make the World believe, that the Corsicans will never be brought again under Dominion of the Republick of Genoa, by forging and publishing the most romantick Relation of the advantageous Situation of the Affairs of the Malecontents; such as, amongst many others, are, King Theodore's Order of Knighthood, his pretended Fleet, his Army of 40,000 men, and the taking of the Island of Capraia. Another remarkable Story was rais'd, in order to intimidate the Genoese; that the Malecontents proposed to sell the Prisoners they should take, to the Beys of Algiers and Tripoli, for Slaves. However, whilst these Things are thus managing, it has been found out, that the Baron de Neuhoff has taken up his Residence at Nice in Savoy, under the Title of the Baron de Franckenburg, where he waits in a whole Skin the Issue of Affairs relating to Corsica, in Expectation of drawing some Advantage for it, not choosing, though to be sure very full of Affection for his faithful Subjects, any more to hazard his Life amongst them, still with Terror remembring the Danger he run from Poison when upon the Island, which was given him no less than three Times in one Day, without doubt from a Principle of Conscience, by the pious Bishop of Corsica.