National Gazette

Translated extract of a letter from France, Dec. 1

It is the general opinion of people of discernment here, that all the powers of Europe are at this moment acting a hypocritical part towards France. Hardly a doubt exists with the better informed, that the ex-princes are more or less assisted by these powers with money, and even encouraged to try their fortune in the invasion of their native country in the spring. This idea, and this only, accounts for the obstinate opposition of the princes, and their refusal to return into the kingdom, which might, if not thus supported, be justly denominated rashness, desperation and madness.

An opinion exists throughout Europe, with regard to France, a good deal like that which prevailed in England with respect to America, during the whole of the unfortunate war between the mother country and the then colonies; that is, that the greater part of the people were disaffected to the usurped government, and were only waiting a powerful support to declare themselves and restore the old domination. The European powers, it is thought, will in this affair act towards the princes much in the manner France did towards America - (not, I hope, with similar success) - They will be supported in a private manner, will be urged on to invade France, and if they should then be joined by those innumerable hosts, those irritated millions, who, it is pretended, are groaning under the tyranny of those ambitious demagogues, the national assembly and their adherents; the emperor, and the rest of them, will then throw off the masque, and immediately re-establish despotism.

There is no doubt that they all reckon France too great an object to be lost to the common cause, if there be a possibility to prevent it; and they well know, that if France does really become the freest kingdom in Europe, her freedom will as naturally in a short time pervade the other parts, in the fullest extent of the word, as water finds its level. With regard to an invasion of the eastern frontiers, it is therefore more than probable it will be made in some force, with a view to feel the pulse of the nation. That it will not succeed is morally certain to every man who travels through the kingdom, as I have done, and is not blinded by prejudice, the nation being now determined and unanimous, and the great reservoir of the base blood exported into Germany.

The Pope has lost Avignon, Carpentras, and the territory Venaissin, a delightful fertile country in the midst of France, formerly gifted to the Pope by a worthless monarch, and now resumed into the hands of the people, to whom these provinces justly belong.