The New York Packet

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in this city to his friend in Philadelphia.

“There can be very little dependence upon the tidings which are sent us by the English news-papers, respecting the circumstances of the United Netherlands. Britain, that kingly republic, laboured by every artifice to carry her point in the contest with America; and in the Netherlands, endeavoured to raise a subject in opposition to his sovereign (for in that light the Prince of Orange and the States must be considered) by promising through their minister, Sir Joseph York, to support the Stadtholder in acting against the voice of the national council. The States General have, indeed, declared that they will not suffer any power to interfere in their domestic affairs, nor will they admit the idea of a mediation between a citizen and the government (an idea properly rejected by every independent nation in the world) so that on that ground a general war is possible though not probable: And the Stadtholder will, in that event, vainly have recourse to the British promises, which he cannot exact, and they cannot perform. The faith of the nation now, as in the days of Elizabeth, can only be ascertained by their interest; and it is notorious that that celebrated Queen, notwithstanding all her assurances of friendship, and zeal to protect a republic that then began to receive the protestant tenets, meant nothing more than to promote her views in politics and religion at the expense of Holland. At this time however, the friendly interposition of France may be the means of producing peace, and of restoring union to the States. In the State of Gelderland indeed where the greater number engaged in the government, are nobility without the means of supporting their dignity, some difficulty may arise from the ambition of acquiring military rank and emolument, which instigate certain characters to disturb the quiet of their country. But even there some patriots will step forward (for some there are as well as in the other provinces, witness Baron Schemmelpenning, &c.) and still preserve the liberties of a people, who, after 80 years war, forced Philip the Second to recognize their freedom-and independence."