The Virginia Gazette

B O S T O N, APRIL 26.

FRIDAY last arrived here Capt. Munroe, in a sloop from Surinam, after a passage of 38 days. By this vessel we learn that a ship had arrived at Surinam from Holland, in 30 days, as short a passage as was almost ever known, which brought an account there, that Holland had been nearer to a revolution than was ever remembered since the seven provinces were formed into a distinct state: That the commotions had not yet subsided; and that their high mightinesses, the States General were in great perplexity how to conduct affairs in this trying situation.

The court of London, it is said, has peremptorily demanded the 12 ships of the line, and the land forces, which Holland is bound by treaty to furnish, in case France declares war against the former. The States know not how to comply with this demand, nor how to evade it. The Stadtholder, and some leading men in the city of Rotterdam, are warmly in the British interest; and the court of London spares no cost or pains in their critical situation to increase this interest. On the other hand, the generality of the merchants and inhabitants of the United States, warmly oppose a compliance with this demand, and every measure proposed to be taken in support of Britain: They complain loudly, and in the most determined manner, that the flag of Holland has been grossly insulted, and the rights of their neutrality shamefully violated by the British cruisers : That the most intolerable cruelties and predations, have been made upon their trade, under pretence of stopping supplies from going to France and America: That a great part of their Norway fleet had been taken by English ships, and no satisfactory answer given to their complaints on this head. Amsterdam, the first city of Holland, takes the lead in these warm remonstrances; a large number of the principal merchants, and men of the first estates and influence, lately went in a body, in near forty coaches to the Hague, to present them to their high mightinesses. They insist that the fleet and armies of Holland should not be employed for the support of a power that would ruin its commerce, and wishes to monopolize the trade of the whole world. They publicly declare that rather than submit to this, they will take their ships and merchandise to France, and other powers, where they shall find protection. They call upon the States to defend the trade of their subjects, and the honour of their flag. They offer the loan of any sum, should it be needed for this purpose; and scruple not to intimate, that if this is not done soon, they will do it at their own charge, and indemnify themselves for the losses they have sustained. At the same time they profess their desires for an accommodation, between France, England and America, that shall be fair and reasonable, and not prejudicial to the trade of Holland, and the other maritime powers in Europe. This is a general idea of affairs in Holland, given by an intelligent person who came from Surinam, in the above mentioned vessel. America ought to know its own importance; to be steady to its allies and friends; and extend its views in all treaties, to the whole commercial world.