The Virginia Gazette

An Extract of a private Letter from the Hague.

They write from Antwerp, that the Imperial Commissioners, who have renew'd their Conferences with those from England and Holland, have declar'd, that their Instructions are only to draw up a new Tariff, the Court of Vienna being of Opinion, that if any Matter be treated of in those Conferences which does not directly concern the Commerce of the Austrian Netherlands, it would be proper to adjourn it to a general Congress.
It relates to the said Tariff. It is greatly to be feared that the Congress at Antwerp will be put out into too great a Length, if not prove altogether unsuccessful. It is said, that this is agreeable to the Dutch Sentiments, whose Commissaries may possibly throw many Obstacles in the Way to prevent a speedy Conclusion: To that Effect, by Way of Preliminary, they insist that several Grievances the Republick has suffer'd by the Inexecution of the Barrier Treaty be redress'd, more especially that which concerns regulating the Limits of Flanders. To which the Imperial Commissaries reply'd, that an Affair of this Nature ought to be negotiated between the two Courts, and not to be treated of in Conferences which have nothing further in View than to settle a Tariff, nor are they provided with any Instructions. It is strongly apprehended that this Affair presages no Good. The States-General seem dispos'd to maintain their Rights and Interests with Vigour: but many People fear, that if the Congress proves unsuccessful, the Emperor will prohibit all Commerce between the Austrian Netherlands and the United Provinces.