Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Indications of WAR.--We understand Government has received advices of undoubted authenticity from Constantinople and the Black Sea, that Russia is preparing very large armaments in the latter place. The advices do not state what is the object of these armaments; but our Ministers of course have good intelligence on this point from St. Petersburgh. Judging from the spirited and manly remonstrances of the Emperor Alexander, against the violation of the territory of the Elector of Baden, and the murder of the Duke of Enghien, no doubt can remain that they are destined against France.--The Mediterranean will of course be the scene of attack, and the rescue of Italy the first object. In this the Russians will be assisted by Lord Nelson, by all Italy, probably by a British Army, and probably also by an Austrian Army, which will perhaps come forward whenever Russia and England, by the extent of their Armaments, hold out a prospect of success. The daily interviews which for a long time have taken place between the Russian Minister in London and our Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, may have this project in view; by them the terms of mutual co-operation may have been adjusted. The offence recently given by France to Russia by the seizure of a Russian subject in Italy, may afford a plea for the interference of Russia in that quarter, and the occupation of the Neapolitan garrison by French troops, may be a measure of precaution to counteract the designs of the Emperor Alexander. Malta will, perhaps, be given to Russia. We are persuaded, a treaty of alliance, if not signed, between Britain and Russia is in a forward state. We have already given our opinion, that it would be more for the honour and the interests of this country to continue the war for some time longer at least single-handed, as a war on the Continent will release Buonaparte from the shame of having made vain threats of invasion. But if Russia is determined to attack France, it is the duty of our Ministers to take advantage of the circumstance, and by establishing a good understanding with her, render a mutual co-operation more effectual.

July 6.

The departure of General Hezouvill, the French Minister, from Petersburgh, which has been frequently reported, upon the authority of private letters, is positively stated in a German Paper received yesterday. He left the Russian Court on the 8th ult. and arrived at Berlin on the 22d, a residence so favourable to Frenchmen, that, tho' he must have quitted Petersburgh on the pretext of some urgency, he remained at Berlin on the 26th, the date of the last letters from that place.

A variety of articles in the Foreign Papers, tend to confirm the opinion we advanced yesterday, that Russia is arming against France, and meditates an attack against her on the side of Italy, by means of an armament from the Black Sea, and the co-operation of the English fleet in the Mediterranean. Russia has already a considerable number of troops in the islands of the Adriatic; and by a Proclamation which we insert this day, she seems desirous to cultivate the esteem of the people in those parts where her troops may find so convenient a resting place, previous to their landing in Italy. Should Austria feel it advisable to join the confederacy, as in the event of a prospect of success, she no doubt will, we are happy to find she is in a condition to interfere with effect. A Private Letter from Vienna, dated the 20th of June, says: "Though we desire to continue in peace, we are prepared for war; our Imperial treasury is better supplied, than in 1792; our regiments are more than complete, our military arsenals overstored, and, within twenty months, six hundred pieces of artillery of different calibres have been cast merely for encampments, not to speak of those of a calibre for sieges and ramparts of fortresses. According to the official list delivered to our military chancellery the 1st instant, our army of the line, including troops of all kinds, amounted then to 360,500 men, and 9466 men supernumerary in the different recruiting depots. Our militia is as well disciplined as our troops of the line, amounting to 96,444 men. All our troops are regularly paid; but such is the prudence and economy of our Emperor, and his respectable brother the Archduke Charles, that the Imperial Caisse de Reserve contains no less than one hundred millions of florins, in ready money."

It is probable that Russia could attack France in Italy more effectually from the Black Sea, than she could attack her on her northern side. In the present state of the Continent, Russia must convey her armies by sea to come at France on any side.--It is possible she may meditate a descent, in conjunction with England, on the side of Holland. Letters from Riga mention, as a fact, that the Russian fleet at Revel has already sailed, and that it will be joined by the fleet from Cronstadt; they say, that on board these fleets is a numerous corps of Russian troops, whose first destination is Ireland. Notwithstanding these warlike appearances, the common opinion is, that during the present year the peace of the Continent will not be interrupted, because the Russian troops are only regarded as English auxiliaries. It is probable, however, that these troops will be deposited in Ireland till the spring, then to go on some expedition against France.--They could not be brought out of the Baltic till a late period, in consequence of the frost.