National Gazette

LONDON, Sept. 10.

Our Ministers insisted upon the indispensable necessity of the Russians relinquishing Oczakow; and, to convince the Empress they were right, equipped, as all the world knows, a fine fleet; but as she was so obstinate as to resist this precious and plausible mode of argument, they, our aforesaid Ministers, now say they will tell the Mahometans it would not do;—that they must, therefore, make peace with her on the terms she has dictated, for that really no better conditions could be obtained. They will, no doubt, urge as a proof how highly we value an alliance with the descendants of the Prophet, our having spent a million of money.— It would be very provoking, if this unchristian people applied the old adage to us—"Fools and their money, &c."

I am told we are not to have any additional taxes:—But do you think, Mr. Editor, that if our great calculator, the Premier, could hit upon another, what he calls productive, efficient object of taxation, his fingers would not itch?—When he produced his budget to pay off the Spanish armament, we were told the expenses would be liquidated by the additional taxes within four years; and I remember very well, he previously told us there was a surplus of revenue, beyond paying the annual million of the national debt:—What then did he mean by an additional permanent tax on bills and receipts? I don't recollect that he hinted at any relief to the poor by this heavy tax on commerce, and, by his own account, as a permanent one, superfluous?—But, perhaps, his great mind will deign to consider the poor in the article of small beer, for they certainly contribute more than they can well bear to supply him and his friends with burgundy.—Surely Mr. Editor, you don't imagine our Ministers to be so highly gifted, that they foresaw they should have occasion for an odd million for a flourish this year at Portsmouth and Plymouth, or for another next spring, and so on, ad libitum, to maintain the dignity of Great Britain at home and abroad. In my opinion, the public will begin to have a little foresight, as well as Ministers. I fear the former will be too late convinced of their credulity, and the latter of having too much imposed upon a generous, unsuspecting people.—Both parties may profit, if they take a timely hint.