The New Hampshire Gazette

Charlestown, South Carolina, Jan. 30.

CAPTAIN William Thompson who arrived on Thursday evening in Rebellion road from Cadiz, and is just come up to town, has brought the following extraordinary piece of intelligence, viz.

That on the 14th of last month, being at an English house in Cadiz, and just as they sat down to dinner, he heard, a letter was just come to the consul from the Earl of Bristol, the British Ambassador at Madrid, acquainting him, "that a rupture between the courts of Spain and Great Britain was unavoidable; that he expected war would be declared on their part in two days," & advising, "he would give notice thereof to all the British subjects, merchants, and masters of Vessels, that they might depart the kingdom forthwith.".

That upon hearing this he went on board the Favourite man of war to enquire into the truth of what he had been told; that the captain was gone to the consul's at Port St. Mary's, but the lieutenant, assured him it was true, as he did other masters of vessels, that thereupon people were hired to get all the British vessels ready to sail early next morning: the 15th, when the Favourite made a signal, although the wind blew very fresh into the Bay, for all such vessels to cut or slip, and make the best of their way to sea, which they accordingly did, some without having landed half their cargoes, and all, except our informant, who made directly for this port, and a sloop belonging to New York, on Patetson master (who could not get out) proceeded with the Favourite and Gramont, to Gibraltar. Captain Thompson adds, that when he left the Bay of Cadiz, 7 sail of Spanish ships of the line, and a frigate, were there; all rigged and with their sails bent, ready to put to sea, but that they were very ill manned.