The Virginia Gazette

WILLIAMSBURG, May

A CORRESPONDENT observes, that as Britain used to pay 4s. good sterling annually to Spain, Russia, Norway, and Sweden, for the single article of iron, before she encouraged the importation of it from America, it is not probable that any of those kingdoms will assist her to recover the American trade, and much less will Russia do it, whose interest it is to make Britain altogether dependent on her for her naval stores. She must, indeed, keep up Britain's hopes of conquering America, but she knows too well that her own fairest prospects of being shortly a great maritime power will vanish the moment America submits to be the provinces of Britain; for as long as the naval power of Britain remains so vastly superior to that of any other, or indeed of almost all the kingdoms in Europe, Russia cannot hope to send a single ship out of the Baltic without the permission of Britain; and therefore she will do well to keep in with her, and make a good use of her time in exerting every means in her power to increase her navy, and to be expert in the use of it. But then she must be very cautious how she aids Britain in the present war; for should she enable her to conquer America, Britain will have no farther occasion for the immense supplies of naval stores, &c. she furnishes, or for her assistance by sea or land, and will be able to tell her, thus far shalt thou go, and no farther. Besides, although it is honourable enough to the petty states of Germany to be called on to assist such a powerful kingdom as Britain, yet it is stooping beneath the dignity of a mighty empire, like Russia, to assist Britain in any such war as the present; she will assist her, no doubt, against any power in Europe. But should Russia so far mistake her interest, and lose sight of her dignity, as to be willing to lend her troops to Britain to conquer America, we should consider that a war with the Turks would prevent her sparing them, and that it is not the interest of any power in Europe to see Britain again mistress of America; and therefore a war between Russia and Turkey, and probably between France, Spain, and England, would be the immediate consequence of an attempt to send over a body of Russians. As long, indeed, as England only piddles with America, and sends her armies by way of Quebec and Ticonderoga, to attack Philadelphia, France may remain from war, knowing that America will do her business for her. But when any great effort is made, she must act openly, or perhaps be ruined by the conquest of America.