The Virginia Gazette

This Day arrived a Mail from Holland, which brings Advice from Madrid, That on the 16th ult. a royal Decree was published there, by which his Catholick Majesty forbids in his Dominions all Manner of Commerce with the Hamburghers, and in Consequence of this Resolution orders, that after the Expiration of 30 Days none of their Ships be admitted into any of his Ports; that all the Merchandize of Hamburgh found in his Kingdom after the Expiration of three Months, shall be seized and confiscated; and moreover, that all the Consuls, Merchants, and Subjects of Hamburgh, at present in Spain, must retire within the same three Months which his Majesty has granted them to put their Affairs in Order.

The following is the Letter which the King of Spain has caused to be sent on this Subject to all the Governors, Commandants, and Intendants, of Marine in the Ports of this Kingdom.

The King having perceived, that notwithstanding the great Advantages the City of Hamburgh draws from its Trade with Spain, the said City has entered into a Treaty of Commerce with the Emperor of Morocco, Enemy of his Crown, his Majesty has thought proper to prohibit all Commerce absolutely with that City, under this express Condition, that after the Term of 30 Days no Hamburgh Vessel be permitted to enter into any Port of Spain, and that within the Space of three Months all the Merchandize of the said City be sent out of his Dominions, and also that the Consul and Hamburgh Merchants retire within the said Term, &c.

This sudden and unexpected Prohibition has caused a great Consternation at Madrid amongst the Hamburgh Merchants, Factors, and Correspondents. The Hamburghers thought to carry on their very advantageous Commerce with Spain more securely by entering into Treaties with the Powers of Africk; and if these Treaties had been confined to the Article of a free Navigation, they would probably have passed unnoticed by his Catholick Majesty: But his Majesty is greatly displeased to learn, that the Hamburghers, instead of a Treaty of Navigation, had concluded one of Commerce with an Infidel and an Enemy to Christendom, who is to be furnished by them with Arms, Artillery and Ammunition, and thereby be enabled the more to exercise his Enmity towards the Spanish Nation.