The Virginia Gazette

By a private Letter from Stockholm we learn, that there still subsists a great Fermentation in the Minds of the People of the Swedish Nation. There seems to be a Design not only form'd, but in a great Measure executed, to overthrow the Party that Russia had made amongst the principal Lords of the Kingdom, in order to make way for the Partizans of France and the Duke of Holstein to get into the highest Credit.

The King, who keeps himself retir'd, and who has little or no Share in the Management of publick Affairs, views all these Things with much Concern. He did all that was in his Power, by means of those who were in his Interest, to prevent the deposing of the five Senators.

It's certain that the Succession to the Crown is one of the principal Matters that employ the Time of the Secret Committee. The Party of the Duke of Holstein grows every Day more powerful than the other, which is now more easily perceiv'd than before, because many who were in his Interest, and who, before the present Circumstances of Things durst not openly discover their Sentiments, now do not in the least disguise them.

The Count de St. Severin, Ambassador from France, who has Instructions to favour the Party of the Duke of Holstein, makes use of all his Address to succeed therein. M. Pecklin, Minister of the Duke of Holstein, has frequently secret Conferences with that Ambassador. The Counts de la Gardie, Baner, Lieven, and the Family of Cederhielm, are also firmly attach'd to that Duke, and to the Interest of France, and are consequently opposite to, that of Russia.

One remarkable Thing, and much to the Honour of the Russian Government, is taken Notice of in this Letter, which is, That Emissaries having been sent into the Provinces conquer'd by Russia, to enquire into the Dispositions of the Inhabitants, found, contrary to Expectation, that they were perfectly contented with the Sovereignty of the Czarina, and had not the least Desire of changing it, enjoying many more Advantages under her Government, than they had done under that of the King of Sweden.

P. S. There are some late Accounts of the Duke of Holstein's Death.