Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

Extract of a Letter.

The HAGUE, April 4th, 1795.

"The conquest of this country, and the internal Revolution of government, are among the most interesting events which have taken place, since the commencement of this year. The magnitude of the object, and the importance of the acquisition, to the French Republic, will doubtless be magnified among you, much beyond the real benefit which may result to the conquerors. It is true they are in possession of the United Provinces; but the fathomless treasures, which were supposed to be concealed in the public Vaults of this Country, have not yet been discovered. The famous Bank of Amsterdam supposed by many, a mine of Gold, in itself, has turned out to be an Exchequer of paper bonds and obligations, worth something less than six-pence in the Pound-upon the highest average. So that instead of diving into an exhaustless fund of real wealth, so far as respects the Public Coffers, the French Republic, has found a Bankrupt. Nation, and insolvent Corporations.

Individual wealth does not form a part of this statement: but the French have promised that private property shall be respected; and they have hitherto fulfilled this engagement, with scrupulous exactitude. The property of the government, and that of other Powers at war with France, which was found here, is seized as lawful prize, by right of conquest: but it it, comparatively, a very trifling acquisition.

As you will find in the Gazette de Leyden, all the political information which I could give, I shall not put you to the trouble of reading the same thing twice. It is enough to observe, that the conduct of the French army here has been unexceptionably marked with the strictest discipline. An hundred thousand men, with arms in their hands, and in full possession of both power and right over a Country, which their valor has subdued, giving an example of obedience and regularity, which all former experience has proved rather desirable than practicable, is a spectacle which cannot be viewed without emotion, even by their enemies. Such conduct unfolds a trait, in the character of the people by whom it is held, which is, in some degree, an atonement for the horror of past transactions in their own country.

It is yet undecided, whether the promised Independence of this People will, eventually, turn out any thing more than nominal. The French did not intend to liberate them from their former thraldom, without receiving an equivalent: and whether this equivalent will not be considered greater than the real value of nominal sovereignty by this nation, remains for future events to determine."