National Gazette

Translation from the Leyden Gazette, of a late date.

If we may give any credit to the reports of a counter revolution in France, there now exists in Europe a combined army sufficient to attack the frontiers of the kingdom with a prospect of success. According to these reports, this army is every day visibly increasing, and the allied princes have put things in such a train, that they would meet with little or no opposition to the very gates of Paris; where, it is expected, the internal disputes of the citizens would complete what panic had begun. There is no doubt but this is exaggeration, but it is nevertheless too certain, that a spirit of discord has taken possession of the capital of France. The ill humour, occasioned by the high price of bread, is without end; and only a few days ago, a reinforcement of troops was sent for to preserve order in the market houses. All excesses of this kind may be considered as the effect of the manoeuvres of the anti-revolutionists, who desire nothing so much as to see the people in a state of turbulence and discord, in order to have a pretence to say, that the king was constrained to accept the constitution. The anti-revolutionists are, also, much spirited up by M. de Noailles late report to the National Assembly on the actual state of the French army. Indeed, if the negligence of the war department has left the kingdom in such an indefensible state as this deputy reports it to be, there are sufficient grounds for uneasiness. But when we call to mind that only a few months are elapsed since M. de Noailles made a very favorable report on the same subject—it may be asked, which report must we give credit to?—It is our opinion that he has said too much on both occasions; having too much praised the army in his first report, and too much depreciated it in his last. It is certain that the present establishment of the French army is not so respectable as it would be, if under the most perfect subordination. But their want of discipline is not so glaring as many would persuade us. It is the same with the troops on the frontiers: although not in the best possible state of defence, they are very far from being either neglected or ruined. They are kept at work day and night; and many of the old fortifications have been repaired with incredible celerity and a degree of resolution, that could only be inspired by true patriotism. As the particulars mentioned by M. de Noailles are upon the point of being either verified or proved false by letters and travellers,—his report has not as yet had any effect upon the public credit.