The Virginia Gazette

Nov. 5. As France has within these three Years made so great a Progress in her Plan to raise a Navy capable of maintaining the Ballance of Trade (a Term which her Ministers have on some Occasions used, with, at least, as much Propriety as we make use of the Ballance of Power) it may not be unseasonable to observe;

That if ever she encreases it to the same Number of Ships which ours consists of, she will then be in Fact superiour to us.

That in such a Case our Fleet would be but a precarious Protection, unless we could find Means to make a great Number of Malecontents in France.

That the best Way to practice there successfully upon such as might be inclinable to Discontent, would be previously to leave off ill Practices at Home, not only as it is an essential Step towards gaining Confidence abroad, but also to deprive the Enemy of the Advantages he would otherwise have over us; for in Politicks, as in Morality, Men ought not to preach that to others which they don't chuse to practise themselves.

That Power which lyes on the Defensive by Sea, in order to prevent an Invasion, requires at least, double the Number of Men of War requisite to make the Invasion, especially if the Coasts to be guarded are very extensive, and there be considerable Numbers of lukewarm Subjects and disaffected People in the Country:

A numerous Army and powerful Fleet, with Plenty of the Sinews of War and at the Same Time no such Incumbrance as a National Debt. would still be found a precarious Security without Virtue : For where there is no Virtue, Armies are ill commanded and ruined : Fleets are sent out on sleeveless Errands, or idle romantic Expeditions; Trade is ill protected, the public Treasure imbezzled and misapplied, and new Debts contracted.

Therefore let those whom these Reflections may concern provide themselves in Time, with such Arms as cannot fail of making them invincible.