The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from the Hague, dated July 10.

The Return of the British Ambassador to this Place, at this Juncture, very much excites the Attention of the Publick. The Minister, since his Arrival here, has had several Conferences with the President of the Week, and with the Members of the Government, in which he hath declared to them, that the King of Great Britain having always laid great Stress upon the Friendship and good Intentions of the States-General, his Britannick Majesty therefore did not question, but that in Case of his having Occasion for the Succours stipulated by the ancient Convention between England and the Republick, their High Mightinesses would readily grant them; and in the mean Time, give the necessary Orders for holding them in Readiness to be sent whenever they are demanded. This Affair is to be deliberated upon, in the Assembly of the States-General, where it's apprehended that the Marquis de Fenelon will find Means of making some Opposition to the furnishing of such Succours. Their High-Mightinesses are nevertheless before-hand resolv'd punctually to fulfil their Engagements, but not to take Part in the Differences which may happen between Great-Britain and other Powers, wherein the Security of the Republick is no way interested. As there is Reason to believe, that the Crown of Great-Britain will be very earnest in demanding of these Supplies, some of the principal Members of the Government, pursuant to the Principle of Self-Interest, which does not a little prevail here, have already remark'd, that this would be a very favourable ConJuncture to demand a new Treaty of Commerce between Great-Britain and the United Provinces, and that the burdensome Conditions of the present Treaty should be abolished, by granting for the future to the Subjects of the Republick, the Liberty of carrying their Merchandizes as freely from England, as the English bring theirs to Holland: It's however assur'd, that Orders will be given to form a Body of 6000 Men to send on Occasion into Great-Britain. The Admiralty hath likewise had Orders above a Fortnight ago to keep some Men of War ready to put to Sea on the first Demand.