The Virginia Gazette

By a private Letter from the Hague, of which the following is an Extract, we are made acquainted with the Grounds of the Misunderstanding that some Time since happen'd between the Cardinal de Fleury, and M. Van Hoey, the Dutch Minister at Paris.

The Grand Pensionary Slingelandt, having remark'd a greater Intimacy than he approv'd of, between M. Van Hoey, and the Cardinal de Fleury, waited for an Opportunity to destroy it, lest the Dutch Minister should not have Resolution enough to withstand the insinuating Behaviour of the Cardinal, but should lend too attentive an Ear to the Designs of this Minister, or perhaps jealous of his being a Rival in the Cardinal's Favour. The Method he took to effect what he intended, was as follows: M. Van Hoey, soon after his last Return from thence to Paris, being in a private Conversation with Cardinal Fleury, the Discourse happen'd to turn on the Affair of Juliers and Bergue. The Dutch Minister said, there was great Reason to apprehend violent Contests on this Occasion, between the King of Prussia, and the House of Palatine; and that the latter would utterly be unable to support itself, against the Efforts of his Prussian Majesty: Whereupon the Cardinal reply'd with some Precipitation, that a Body of French Troops might possibly protect that Country from any Designs of the King of Prussia: Though after recollecting a little, he desir'd, as what had been said on this Subject was only by Way of Friendship, and not as publick Ministers; and as it was yet uncertain what Turn those Affairs might take, that no Mention might be made of what had pass'd. But M. Van Hoey being unwilling to let so favourable an Opportunity pass, as he thought, of recommending himself to his Masters, by acquainting them with his Address in extorting the Secret from the Cardinal, transmits the Substance of the above Conversation.

sent in a Letter to M. Fagel, with an Entreaty not to make use of it, as that it might come to the Cardinal's Knowledge; M. Fagel acquaints the Pensionary with this Letter, and at the same time, advises to have Regard to the Desire of M. Van Hoey.

The Pensionary, glad of this Opportunity of executing the Resolution he had taken, declar'd himself of the contrary Opinion, and urg'd the reading this Letter in the Assembly of the States-General; which being accordingly done, their High Mightinesses resolv'd to represent to the Courts of Vienna, France, and to the Elector Palatine, that finding the Affair of Juliers and Bergue being likely to raise great Contention amongst the Interested Parties, it would be very proper, in order to prevent violent Measures, to endeavour to bring about an Accommodation between them. The Marquis de Fenelon, always too soon inform'd of what passes in the Assembly of the States, having inform'd the Cardinal of this Resolution, before their High Mightinesses had communicated it to their Ministers at Vienna, Paris, and Manheim, his Eminence warmly reproach'd M. Van Hoey with Breach of Promise, and appear'd much irritated, that a Discourse like what had pass'd between them, should occasion such a Resolution.