The Virginia Gazette

January 7. Private Letters from Paris mention, that they have Reason to judge, by several Circumstances (which they would not attempt to write) that before the Expiration of this Month great Motions will be observed among both their Land and Sea Forces; and several assert, that general Orders will be issued to press every Man that is able to bear Arms, even Livery Servants and Mechanicks not excluded.

They add, that the present War between Russia and the Porte, which at its Beginning was looked upon as very insignificant by the rest of the Courts of Europe, is now become very important to several, so that it must absolutely draw another and most hot War after it. Russia meets with great Success, as well by Sea as by Land. The Russians are at present Masters of the Crimea, as likewise of Syria, and will, in all Probability, render themselves Masters of Romelia in a very Short Time.

Their naval Forces increase every Day, and are countenanced by several great Maritime Powers, and of Course will not recede from the least Terms of Peace proposed by her at the two late Congresses, which it is almost impossible the Porte can comply with; and the longer the War lasts, the more its enormous Expences increase, and the more Difficulties it will create on both Sides to agree in the Terms of Peace.

And as Russia has hardly any Thing to fear (for in Case her own Army would meet with ill Success, there are two powerful Armies of her Allies in Readiness to support her instantly) consequently the Porte must either consent to such Terms as would be very advantageous to Russia, or must at last fall a Prey to the three united Powers, both which Cases cannot but be very disagreeable to the Court of France, who always strove to keep up the Superiority of the Ottoman Porte, as a Rod and a Scourge to Europe, and who was long enough most jealous of the increasing Power of Russia, and particularly now on her becoming so near a Neighbour, by rendering herself Mistress of the Black Sea; so that there is no Doubt but that Court will intermeddle very soon, by the Aid of the Court of Spain.

And they add, that above twenty Ships of the Line are just fitted out at Ferrol, and twenty at Carthagena, under Pretence of carrying on a War against Morocco, whilst they at Paris are better informed of the Intention thereof. If this Speculation is well grounded, a most violent Flame of War must break out all over Europe, as well by Land as by Sea, as there will hardly be a State which will not be involved in that universal Quarrel.

They farther add, that several of the Chiefs of the Polish Confederacy are at present at the Court of Spain.