The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

April 15.

We have been favoured with the following extract of a letter dated February 2, 1799, from the Continent of Europe, to a gentleman in Philadelphia. The public may rely on its authenticity.

"Our vessels sail about the European seas with little or no protection, and great numbers are captured and condemned. Not being in a state of war, our merchants and captains vainly flatter themselves that muster rolls and registers will protect them; and notwithstanding the examples before their eyes, this delusion continues: they catch at every silly story, or paragraph in a newspaper, and are perpetually cajoled by the delusive promises of French agents.

The elections in the Southern States afford much consolation for some disgraceful events. I see you are likely to have some trouble with Kentucky and Virginia, which the agents of the directory wish to convert into an American La Vendee, and when their schemes are ripe, to make the medium of their attack on our liberties. In this mode they began with Switzerland, exciting rebellion in the Valais, and then marching troops to assist the friends of liberty. Though I do not doubt their designs, I do not fear the result. You have wisdom and foresight in the government and a spirit of independence in the people, which will frustrate their nefarious schemes.

The agents of France, finding the love of their country is no longer the order of the day in the United States, change their conduct. Preserving their ambition, tho' cloaked under exterior professions of friendship, they will excite sedition and rebellion under pretence of oppression, as in Ireland, and when they have inspired a portion of the people with a hatred of their own government, then they will kindly offer their aid. I hope these views now are well understood in America. There will be no fear of invasion unless the above plan succeeds—Should the discontents spread, without doubt an attack will be made.

At a late entertainment given at Madrid by the French Ambassador, Col. Humphreys was not invited; but classed with the Sardinian and Neapolitan ministers.

I see by the late French papers that the minister of war complains sadly of desertion—he says that the conscripts march fast enough when called out, but that they desert immediately after. The minister of finance on his side complains of the emptiness of the treasury—more plunder must be sought—they have already ransacked Piedmont—they will probably soon have Naples, and then they will try their hands at Spain and Portugal. In the mean time, my dear sir, let our own country go on in strengthening its army and navy, or our time will come next."