Jenks's Portland Gazette

Foreign Affairs.

Received By Arrival at this port.

HAGUE, FEB. 8.

The ordinary taxes, particularly on daily and necessary articles of consumption, have undergone no reduction; as, on almost every thing, two thirds must go to the revenue. The guilds are in a deplorable condition: and the mechanics in the principal cities are nearly deprived of all resource, as a free and general importation has been admitted since the new order of things took place.

Since the signing of the preliminaries of peace, our naval force has not been augmented; on the contrary, the dock yards are nearly destitute of workmen; and a great number of sailors are about to be discharged. Of the land forces, twelve men out of each company will be disbanded: but, on the other hand, it is proposed to raise 6000 marines and colonial troops, who are chiefly to be formed of volunteers out of the standing army, and in the ensuing spring, will be sent to the East and West Indies, the coasts of Africa and Guinea, and to the Levant.

A few marines, incorporated with the French, have already taken their departure for St. Domingo. The appointment of this last mentioned force, with the expedition employed in getting it in a state of readiness, has for one of its objects, the securing of the colonies to the new system of Government: and, for another, which manifests a still greater share of policy to convey, during this period of calmness, a respectable force to our foreign possessions. Since neither the navy of this country, nor of France and Spain can counterbalance that of Great Britain. This combined force will amount to 54,000 men.

FEB. 10.

It is asserted that the deficiency on the expenditure of the State for this current year, 1802, amounts to 3 millions; for the raising of which, the Government of State has proposed a plan to Legislative Body of a voluntary loan by way of lottery; and we hear, that as soon as the manner of the ways and means for this year shall be resolved on by the Legislative Assembly, the means also which are sanctioned by that Body for making good this deficiency will be made public.