The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Amsterdam, Nov. 1.

The Fate of the Cardinal of Bourbon being determined in respect to the Resignation of his Hat, which the Holy Father has accepted of, the next Business is to find a Wife for him. There does not seem to be a more advantageous Match yet proposed for him, than Madam Henrietta of France, with whom he will probably have immediately the Crown of Corsica, and the Duchies of Parma and Placentia, or the Dutchesses of Lorrain and Bar, in Expectancy. We have some Politicians here who will needs marry him to the Dutchess of Berria, eldest Daughter to the King of Portugal; and all the Reasons they give for this Opinion are, that by this Step another Crown, and an important one would be at least put under the Direction of the House of Bourbon, who would then be in a Manner possess'd of those of France, Spain, and the Indies, Portugal, the Two Sicilies, and Corsica, with the Duchies of Parma and Placentia. But then the Question is, Whether the Portuguese would be willing to expose themselves to the Danger of falling again under the Yoke of Spain, which this Marriage would insensibly bring them under ? Then again, it is scarcely to be imagined that the King of Portugal would give a Master to his Daughter, who stands fair to be Queen, and the Infant, late Cardinal, is not seemingly of a Disposition to be content with being only her Captain of the Guards. Is there not some Likelihood, if such a Match should take Effect, that Don Pedro, Brother to the King of Portugal, would try to succeed his Brother ? but is it not more probable, in order to avoid entering into a War, that the Portuguese will engage his Most Faithful Majesty to cause his eldest Daughter to marry his Brother, which was actually proposed at the End of the late King's Reign ? In Short, is it to be supposed, that the House of Austria and the Crown of Great Britain would not employ all the Credit they have at the Court of Lisbon to prevent an Alliance, which would give such a terrible Turn to the Balance of Power ?

Some People have lately mention'd a Daughter of the King of Sardinia for this Infant of Spain; but in that Case, where will they find an Establishment which might satisfy the Ambition of the Mother of this Prince ? There are some People who attribute such Views and Designs to this Dowager-Queen, upon her Son's renouncing the Cardinalship, as must spread a general Horror : But 'tis a Question, Whether there be any thing more in them than Chimeras formed in their own Imagination?