The Virginia Gazette

Paris, August 10. France every day discovers more and more the immense resources it has within itself; under the government of a Sovereign who considers every moment lost, in which something is not done for the happiness of his people and the honour of his crown. The reign of Lewis XVI, will be the most brilliant epoch of our annals. Posterity will fix their admiration on this happy reign: They will distinguish it, by that grand support of all government, a Prince governing the hearts of his people, by his own good example; by justice and humanity guiding the sceptre, wisdom, and truth in all his Counsels. All the movements of his Ministers are directed by the same plan to the common good, and the genius of the great Henry animates this his august descendant.

If the people of France, had not already proved beyond all doubt that their affection for the King is their ruling passion, there could now no longer be any doubt. At this instant a good Prince finds in the hearts of his subjects, the richest tribute. From the highest rank to the lowest, the whole nation is alive to promote the glory of their Sovereign. The Princes of the royal blood, the Prince of Conde, the Duke of Bourbon, marshal Broglie, Richelieu, and almost all the Lords of the court, have solicited for permission to serve in the present war; and if there is no opportunity of giving them command, they have offered to march with their regiments. Six hundred Gentlemen of the King's body guards have solicited the same favour from their Captains. The King with his usual goodness has given them the most flattering evidences of his gratitude.

The following letter, written by 50 Gentlemen to the King, characterizes the French nobility, who are more devoted to glory than pleasures:

SIR,

"Fifty Captains, belonging to your Majesty's regiments, cannot observe but with the utmost concern, that while other officers of your Majesty have an opportunity given them, to signalize their zeal for your service, and for the benefit of their country, they can indulge themselves only in a generous, but fruitless envy, of the happy lot of others. Shall we continue to be less honoured than the lowest of your soldiers? Deign Sir, to accept of what little services we have the honour to offer you, with our blood and lives. From love to our country, which animates our breasts, we devote them to its service. Under the command of such General officers as you may please to appoint, we will form a company of volunteers, we will forego every indulgence, every luxury shall be proscribed among us, and we will lay aside every superfluous ornament of dress. We will be studious to merit by our subordination and regularity of conduct, and the intrepidity of our efforts, the honour which we now pray your Majesty of being permitted to serve you."

The King favoured the writers of these Gentlemen, and a considerable number of young Noblemen are to march with them, under the command of the Prince of Conde.

His Most Christian Majesty's letter to the Duke de Penthièvre, Grand Admiral of France,

MY COUSIN,

THE desire that I have always had in lessening, as much as in my power, the calamities of war has induced me to cast my eyes upon that class of my subjects whose employment is fishing, and who have no other subsistence than the resources which this commerce affords: I have thought that the example I shall give my enemies, and which arises from no other motives but the Sentiments of humanity, will determine them to grant to the fishery the same liberties which I have conferred to countenance. In consequence of which I have wrote this letter to inform you, that I have given orders to all commanders of my ships, and to owners and Captains of privateers, not to trouble, until a new order, the English fishery, and not to stop their vessels, notwithstanding they are loaded with fresh fish, and even though this fish may not have been caught on board of these vessels, provided they are not armed with any offensive arms, and they convince that they have not given signals, which announce a suspected intelligence with the ships of war of our enemies. You shall make known my intention to the officers of the Admiralty, and to all those who are under your command. And the present being to no other end, I pray God, my cousin, &c.

(Signed)

LOUIS.