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Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
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Letter from London in July reports on Britain's under-manned naval fleet of 16 ships, no Dutch ships joining England despite Lord Auckland's efforts in Holland, rejection of Spanish plan to reinstate French king, Spain's ongoing armaments since 1787, and Europe's growing respect for rising America leading to concessions.
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Extract of a letter from London, dated in July.
"Whatever report may lay on the subject of the naval armament of Britain, you may rely on it, that the fleet equipping consists of but sixteen sail of the line, and which to this moment are by no means manned, notwithstanding every exertion by impress; even the much talked of popularity of a war with Spain, has not prevented their sweeping the prisons, and yet the fleet must remain unmanned till the arrival of their West-India ships.
"You will hear much of ten sail of Dutch line of battle ships, having joined the English; but in this report there is no truth; neither is it possible for Holland to arm ten ships at present, were they so inclined; five sail of the line they can and will man. Lord Auckland is at the Hague, urging a compliance with the treaty: Amsterdam, however, gives every opposition to his measures, and despises the Prince of Orange, as the tool and creature of Britain.
"You will be told of counter-revolutions in France, but to such reports, pay not the least attention, as every idea of the sort is entirely abandoned. The King of Spain demanded of the Count FLORIDA BLANCA, to name an officer to command a body of troops to reinstate his brother of France. The Count asked permission to refer his Majesty to Count D'ARANDA, who from his personal and accurate knowledge of the situation of France, was well qualified to head an army for this purpose. With what body of troops, demanded the Monarch, can you penetrate into the heart of France? I believe, Sire, replied the Count, at the head of fifty thousand men the thing is practicable; but I beg leave to add, as my opinion, that not a man of them would return, because the National Assembly have thirteen hundred thousand troops devoted to them: The difficulty was deemed insurmountable, and every idea on the subject has since rejected.
"As to Spain, it is well known they have been arming, without intermission, since the commotions in Holland, in 1787; and were powerful enough, before Britain was alarmed, to have crippled the naval nerve of England, by intercepting the East and West-India fleets; but they want enterprise, and in case of war will have cause to lament omitting this blow.
"America is rising very rapidly in consequence; and since the prominent national features that she displays by her new constitution, the powers of Europe heretofore unwilling to do her justice, discover symptoms of more than respect. This Court, I aver, will concede many points that they have heretofore obstinately contended for; and Spain is already soliciting your friendship, by having ordered the Governor of New Orleans not to interrupt you in a free navigation of the Mississippi."
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
Dated In July
Key Persons
Outcome
british fleet of 16 sail remains unmanned; no dutch ships join england; spanish plan to reinstate french king rejected due to french national assembly's 1,300,000 troops; spain arming since 1787 but lacks enterprise; europe shows respect to america, britain to concede points, spain allows free mississippi navigation
Event Details
Britain's naval armament consists of 16 sail of the line, not fully manned despite impressment and prison sweeps, awaiting West-India ships. Rumors of 10 Dutch ships joining English fleet are false; Holland can man only 5. Lord Auckland urges treaty compliance at The Hague, opposed by Amsterdam. No counter-revolutions in France; King of Spain's demand for troops to reinstate brother rejected by Count Florida Blanca recommending Count d'Aranda, citing insurmountable difficulties against 1,300,000 French troops. Spain has armed since 1787 Dutch commotions, capable of intercepting British India fleets but lacks enterprise. America rises via new constitution, prompting European respect; Britain to concede points, Spain solicits friendship by freeing Mississippi navigation.