The Virginia Gazette

Hague, Feb. 14. Our Letters from Paris tell us, that there are frequent private Conferences at Court, whereby it is perceived, that there are important Affairs upon the Carpet. There is much Talk of entering into fresh Alliances. Tis given out that the Peace cannot possibly subsist long. Tis assured that Measures are privately taken to support a War; but, in Reality, the Publick knows nothing of what passes in the Cabinet, and only judges from taking a View of the great Preparations which are making on every Side. These Conjectures, nevertheless, appear to be well grounded; for notwithstanding the peaceable Spirit which governs the King, it is to be feared that Circumstances will not permit his Majesty to follow his pacifick Inclination; but, says one of these Letters, let what will happen, we are the People who have the least to apprehend, our Troops being in as good a Condition as can be desired; and as to our Number, they may be augmented in a very short Time. Our naval Forces begin to vie with those of Great-Britain, so that, if Necessity should require it, France might engage afresh with greater Advantage than she began the late War.