The Virginia Gazette

Feb. 7. Yesterday, at Lord North's levee at the Cockpit, there were upwards of 250 Lords and Commoners. It is said to be the declaration of the present Premier that he will preserve himself in his office against all opposition, not by the usual methods of his predecessors, but by an open, spirited, and upright conduct. We are assured a great personage has declared that the present Ministry shall be upheld.

On Monday his Grace the Duke of Grafton was at Court, and had a conference with his Majesty. Monday evening the Earl of Chatham set out for his seat at Hayes, and intends being in town on Friday next, to attend the House of Lords.

By some words that fell from the lips of the Earl of Chatham on Friday last, it appears that a great personage entertains so high an opinion of Lord Camden that he even offered his Lordship the place of first Lord of the Treasury.

A correspondent desires to know who it was that, according to some of the papers, let drop hints of foreign assistance, if the people should proceed to greater lengths than addressing? To this question we are unable to give any answer, or even to answer him whether such hints were really dropped.

If is said that the petition of the American merchants, praying that the Parliament will repeal all the laws for internal taxation, is in consequence of a plan concerted between some of the principals in that trade and Administration. This mode of redress is entirely disagreeable to the Americans, and has been declared so by many of them who are now in England.