The Gazette

From a New York Paper.

Curiosity is alive to know the destination of the Toulon fleet, and various conjectures are formed on the subject. Algiers cannot be the object, for the number of land forces on board is not equal to an effectual enterprise against the numerous and ferocious Moors. It is hardly probable that Naples is the object: for that small kingdom is too weak to give the Directory any uneasiness. It may rest at present, and be subdued when France has more leisure for her forces. We have not heard that the French fleet has attempted to leave the Mediterranean, and may presume it is bound to the Levant. The question occurs, what is its object? We can only indulge conjectures. The efforts France has made and is making to excite insurrections in India would lead us to conjecture that the fleet is in view to overthrow the British government in India, and if possible, deprive her rival of her possessions in that quarter of the globe. The opening of the ancient course of trade by the Red Sea, has been suggested as an object of French politics: and if France could get possession of a large part of the Peninsula of India, it might be suspected that these two objects are connected in view. But although France may strongly desire to expel the British government from India, and monopolize the trade, there are great difficulties which oppose themselves to the undertaking, and the object seems to be of too remote and uncertain advantage, to occupy the present government of France. Several circumstances concur to lead us to believe the object of the Toulon fleet, is some part of Turkey; probably the Morea first, and afterwards the Romelia, and all the country of ancient Greece and Macedonia; or perhaps on the Asiatic shore, Smyrna or the Syrian coast. The capture of the Isles on the Gulf of Venice and the care which the French have taken to keep possession of those Islands, lead us to conjecture, that these were intended as stations from which to annoy Turkey, and finally to make a lodgment on the continent, raise the inhabitants into rebellion, unite with the malcontents, as they have in Holland, placing strong garrisons in the country and finally subdue all the fine countries on the Archipelago, thus getting command of the whole trade. The French are at present almost excluded from the Atlantic by the British fleet-and it is obvious they intend to push their advantage to the Mediterranean, to compensate for that loss. The entire command of the Levant seems to be in their power. An open rupture with the Porte may even be secretly desired, as this will enable France openly to aid the rebel Pasha Oglou, and shake the Sultan's throne. The possession of the Black Sea would open immense prospects of trade and dominion to an ambitious nation, and as numerous mines of wealth as are to be found on earth. It may be policy in France to begin the revolutionizing frenzy in the east, before she pushes the spirit any further in the west.