Independent Journal, Or, The General Advertiser

August 7.

The Dutch Mail, which arrived yesterday, brought no newspapers from Utrecht. The article from Utrecht, that is in the mail, is copied from a Leyden paper. This circumstance, occasions a suspicion, that the siege of Utrecht has commenced; or at least, that the Prince of Orange's army have cut off the communication between Utrecht and Holland.

In reasoning from past to present events, the analogy often determines the truth of prophecy. The French Court now affect to have countermanded their former orders for a Camp at Givet, in Flanders. These assurances are perfectly similar to those they made to Lord Stormont, Mr. Forth, &c. at the beginning of the late American war: although at the same time, France was privately supporting the Americans with money and officers. Precisely the same thing she is now doing, with respect to the disputes in Holland. She furnishes the Dutch with money to pay their army, and she furnishes them with officers. In the Dutch accounts of the skirmish near Utrecht, there are two French officers killed. So early as when the American army besieged General Gage, in Boston, there were French officers in the American Camp: at the same time, France was assuring us of her pacific disposition: and our King reported these assurances to both Houses of Parliament. The analogy is obvious. These pretended assurances are only made to dupe us.

Dr. Falconer says that tea is very pernicious to the Constitution. The Dr. is right, for it has proved highly so to the Constitution of England, and seems now to be making as great depredations on other Countries as it has done on this. The pernicious Effects of that Weed is now operating in a violent degree in the Netherlands and in Holland, and though they have endeavoured to mitigate its baneful influence, by mixing a little Orange Juice with it, it is doubtful whether that Acid may be capable of correcting its corroding Qualities. The Tea-Kettle, which boiled over on the other Side of the Atlantic Ocean, seems to have scalded the nations on this.

The States of Holland in consequence of the resolutions taken by the States General to punish all officers and others, who obeyed the orders of Holland, have come to a resolution, which they have signified to the Advocate Fiscal (Attorney General,) that if he, or any other person whatsoever pays the least regard to, or attempts to inforce the said resolution of their High Mightinesses, they will punish him or them with all possible rigour.