National Gazette

The French appear not to be at war with the Spaniards. Indeed, the marine of France, is the only rational security the Spaniards can have for the dependence of South America on them: and of this truth they must be satisfied by a single moment's reflection: for a war against the Spaniards was barely prevented by the interference of the French National Assembly but two years ago in favor of Spain, and the designs of the British cabinet against that part of the Spanish dominions, was then a point of notoriety every where. We can scarcely suppose then, however disagreeable some of the late proceedings of the French may have been to the Spaniards, that they will violate the first principles of national policy, by siding with their natural enemy against their ancient friends. If Spain, therefore, should not interpose in the quarrel, and the Dutch are attacked in the vitals of their power by a direct invasion of their country, the British will be very likely not to profit much by their absurd and impolitic resentment, which they have so freely expressed against the French, and by their hostile preparations.—For if their resources are compared, the French have the utmost advantage.—as these last have an immense territory, which they can dispose of to the amount, it is said, of at least one hundred and thirty millions sterling— while the British must depend on taxes alone to support their operations—the French have acted with spirit in anticipating the meditated blow of the British nation against them, and thus far profiting by their own experience in a similar situation.—The British king complains indeed with ill grace on this point.—as it is well known in the war before last, eight thousand French seamen were captured by the British, before a declaration had taken place—And in the last war St. Eustatius was taken from the Dutch without the least regard to this national formality.

(Boston Gaz.)