The Virginia Gazette

A long Article has been inserted in the Peterburgh Gazette, relating to the Death of the King of Sweden, and the Accession of the Prince Successor to the Throne of that Kingdom, wherein they say, among other Things, "That Russia never had the least itch to attack Sweden without a Cause; but as some dangerous Projects were hatching in that Kingdom, which seemed to aim at reviving Arbitrary Power in Sweden, she thought it incumbent on her to keep in Readiness against the Event: That the Armaments made on this Occasion, these two Years past, have cost vast Sums; but this Expence is not grudged, since it appears that those Armaments have been the Means of procuring the Declaration which the new King has just given. That the Empress of Russia is charmed to find herself thereby dispensed with from unsheathing the Sword. That the Glory which redounds to her from having secured the Liberty of Sweden, only by keeping in a Posture of War, is not less than the Pleasure she finds in having given that Nation a King with the Olive Branch. That Russia takes no Umbrage at Sweden's resolving to transport a Reinforcement of 8000 Men to Finland, because the Senate, not knowing whether Russia would be satisfied with the Successor's Declaration, could not decline such a Step without affording the Dyet a Pretext to accuse them of not having made sufficient Provision for the Safety of the State. That, nevertheless, it was hoped this intended Embarkation would be laid aside, when they should hear in Sweden, that no Measures are pursued in Russia capable of alarming any of her Neighbours; but in the mean Time Russia is obliged, by all the Rules of Prudence to remain armed, 'til she sees, whether at the approaching Dyet of the Kingdom the good Intentions which the new King has manifested will be so well confirmed as to leave them no Room to apprehend any Thing farther, &c."