The New Hampshire Gazette

From the Gentleman's MAGAZINE For January last.

In the Declaration of War against Spain, all Europe is in agitation. The Dutch begin to be alarmed. The Demand for Succours will be made from more Quarters than one...France is exerting all her force...Spain is marching Troops to her frontiers from all Quarters...Seamen and Shipping are every where collecting, at whatever pains, and whatever price; and in short, if enterprizes were as easily executed as talked of, both England and Ireland would soon become the Seats of War, and be made to feel the Horrors of it, which they now only read at a Distance; but Thanks be to Providence, there is an impassible Gulph between us.

Extract of a Letter from Marseilles, December 26.

Nothing can be more deplorable than the Present State of this great City. The Decline of its Commerce since the commencement of the War, has engaged near a fourth Part of its Inhabitants (i. e. about 25,000 Souls) to seek Subsistence elsewhere, and its real Losses, independent of what it has suffered by a Cease of Gain, amount to above 40 Millions of Livres. The Count Ross de Corgs, who armed the first Privateer, and in his own ridiculous Person, declared War against the King of England, has paid for his Temerity, since he is supposed to have lost 800,000 Livres.

Paris, Jan. 12. Couriers are daily passing between this Court and that of Spain, who are jointly concerting Measures for moderating the Delires of the English. We reckon up already twelve Ships of the Line, from 74 to 80 Guns, that have been offered the King; and several Provinces, Cities, and Communities as well as private Persons, are still disposed to give substantial Proofs of their Zeal, in furnishing either Money or Ships.

We learn from Rennes, that Troops are daily arriving in Brittany, where the Ministry design to form an Army of 60,000 Men, as well for the Safety of the Coasts, as to return the English a Compliment, by ravaging theirs, as soon as the Fleet shall be able to favour some enterprize of that nature. To augment still further our troops in the Kingdom, the 6000 Men we have at Fort St. Philip, will be drawn home: The Return of the Island of Minorca, to the Power of the Spaniards will probably be the first Signal of Hostilities on their Part.

Notwithstanding all the Projects on the Anvil, some Politicians seem not to despair of seeing Peace re-established even without any further Effusion of Blood: But to speak truly, in the present Situation of Affairs, we cannot conceive whereon they found their Hopes: Thus much is certain, that we are daily offering up our sincere and fervent Prayers, that the Almighty, who holds the Hearts of Kings in his Power, would behold with an Eye of Compassion the poor People who groan under the Scourge of War.