The Virginia Gazette

Hague, Sept. 9. The English Ambassador, ever since his Arrival at this Court, has been indefatigable in his Endeavours to interest the Republick in their Quarrel with the Spaniards. On the other Hand, the Ministers of Spain and France, who act in Concert on the present Crisis, are no less vigilant in observing all the Motions of the States, and in refraining them from taking any Measures detrimental to the Crown of Spain. Notwithstanding those secret Minings and Counterminings, the Ambassadors do not cease treating and feasting one another, as if their respective Masters were in perfect good Humour, and not the least Grudge subsisted among them.

The States, who have had two extraordinary Meetings on the present Emergencies, at last came to a Resolution, which they communicated to Mr. Walpole, as that Minister has done to his Court. The Substance of that Resolution, it is assured is, That their High Mightinesses conceive their entering into any New Treaties, at least for the present, was not very necessary, so as much as there are several Treaties already made and subsisting in their full Force; in Virtue of which the Republick engaged herself to assist Great-Britain with a certain Number of Troops, which Engagement she is now, as at all Times, ready to fulfil. Their High Mightinesses added, it was their Opinion the British Court should make no more Bustle than was absolutely necessary, for fear of awakening other Great Powers: That their Neutrality and good
Offices might be a Means to keep off the Elder Branch of the House of Bourbon, a Thing infinitely to be desired by Great Britain: Whereas, did they openly declare themselves Parties, that Crown by Way of Counter-balance, would not hesitate a Moment to take Part with Spain; and to a Fire would be kindled in Europe, which it might not be easy to extinguish.

Amsterdam, August 24. Letters from Paris advise, That Cardinal de Fleury has proposed to the British Court, to defer committing Hostilities against Spain for five Weeks, in order to have the dernier Resolution of his Catholick Majesty. Tho' this looks a little like beating the Chamade, it's believed by some, and hop'd by others here, who seem to be in the Interest of the British Nation, that his Britannick Majesty will reject those Terms of Capitulation, being calculated, it is thought, rather to amuse the British Court, till the Ships are equipped in the French, Spanish, and other Ports which they are endeavouring to accomplish, than with any real Design to surrender upon any just and reasonable Terms.