The Virginia Gazette

Conjectures on the Consequences of the WAR between the TURKS and RUSSIANS.

The great and continual Successes of the Russians against the Turks, since the breaking up of the Congress, is a sufficient Reason to apprehend that the Russians will go a considerable Way this Campaign towards the Conquest of Constantinople, and that the Turkish Empire in Europe is drawing apace towards a Conclusion; especially if the House of Austria should, as it seems very probable it will, take a Part in the War this Summer, by attacking, and endeavouring to regain, those Provinces on the Side of Belgrade which formerly belonged to the Austrian Family, and were taken from them by the Turks. The numerous Body of Forces which the Emperor of Germany hath now drawn together, on the Confines of those Provinces, plainly indicate he has some Intentions of that Nature, and which are very probably taken in Consequence of some Treaty or Agreement with the Russian Empress; and if that should be the Case, it will be hardly possible for the Turks to make any long or considerable Resistance. The only Event which can, morally speaking, preserve the Turkish Empire in Europe any longer from falling, is some Quarrel or Disagreement between the three great confederate Powers, about the Partition of Poland; for if they should continue to agree and act in Concord, nothing, according to human Probability, could prolong this Fate, and put off the Fall, of the Ottoman Empire. It is said, indeed, that the Turks have long had a Prophecy among them that their Empire would be destroyed, and put an End to about this Time, by the Russians; but from whence they had such a Prediction, we have not heard. However, let them have it from whence they may, it seems very likely to be soon fulfilled, and to the Completion of which the Belief of it may have contributed by sinking the Spirits of the Turkish Soldiery.