The Gazette

Miscellaneous Articles.

From a London Paper.

THE following calculation of the sums raised by the French as contributions, in the different countries of Europe, which their armies either entered or conquered, is extracted from one of their own journals. If the sums which they acknowledge to have been thus publicly levied, are so great, what must have been the amount of those privately extorted, either by the military for their own pockets, or by the secret agents of the Directory. The conduct of the latter in their negociations with the American Envoys, fully proves by what spirit they are actuated, and gives reason to believe that the douceur demanded from America, is not the only instance in which they have displayed their insaciable avarice and rapacity.

Prussia for Cleves 3,650,000
Holland, contribution of 20 millions negotiated at 65 per cent. 13,000,000
Pay of 30,000 men for four years at 14,000,000 56,000,000
Low Countries and Liege 12,000,000
Countries between the Rhine and Moselle, and Moselle and Meuse 43,000,000
Franconia 12,000,000
Wurtemberg 4,400,000
Baden 3,225,000
Suabia 27,500,000
Bavaria 15,990,000
Parma 3,650,000
Modena 10,000,000
The Pope 30,000,000
Genoa 4,000,000
Tuscany 8,000,000
Milanese and Cisalpine 62,000,000

60,955,000
-Between 25 and 26 millions sterling.

But the known amount, and the money, are nothing compared to the value of other articles. If we attempt to appreciate these, we must count by milliards, particularly if we undertake to calculate what the maintenance of several great armies has cost the invaded countries, and what the conquest of all the property declared to be national, is worth to the Republic. The mind is lost in the calculation. Will not the lessons which result from them be also lost to the people and to governments?

The silence of the French papers as to the publication of the American negociation, is not very surprising; for there is certainly some merit in being silent when one has nothing to say!-

Thus says a London editor.