The Virginia Gazette

Hague, May 4. We are assured, that there was a Passage in a certain Paper delivered the latter End of last Year, by Order of his Prussian Majesty, to the Count de Puebla, Minister from their Imperial Majesties at Berlin, in Relation to the Election of a King of the Romans, which is very remarkable, and wherein it is advanced, "That their Imperial and Britannick Majesties had been solliciting and endeavouring to bring into their Measures most of the Electors; and that the Cadet of the Electoral College had made use of Means that were illicit, that were prohibited by the Golden Bull, and that were contrary to the Oath which it requires; in Order to secure a Majority of Suffrages for the Candidate these Powers propose to be elected King of the Romans."

Here are some People who think it was this Remark (so insulting to most of the Members of the Electoral College, whom it charges with being capable of selling their Vote, and to their Britannick and Imperial Majesties, whom it accuses of having corrupted them) which has determined the Elector of Cologne, to break his last Treaty of Subsidy with the Maritime Powers, to the End that he might not be suspected of Collusion, and of being corrupted. The same Consideration has hindered the Elector of Bavaria from entering into any Negociation of the like Nature; but 'tis assured, that these Persons are not less devoted to the Imperial Court, though they have rejected Treaties of Subsidy.

But there are other People, who pretend to be better instructed in the Affairs of the Court of Bonn, who assure us, that the present Favourite and Prime Minister of the Elector, has been the Cause of his so abruptly breaking off his Negociation with the Maritime Powers. This Minister is not rich, and every Body is intent upon making their Fortunes. Tho' the Abby Goebrian, the French Minister at Bonn, was never very favourably look'd upon at that Court, yet it was observed, that there was always an Intimacy between him and the Minister Favourite, who, 'tis said, has taken the Opportunity of breaking these Engagements, to get 160,000 Crowns from the Court of France, which it owed to the Elector. It is very probable, that too much Parsimony prevented the Count de Wartenfleben from succeeding in his Negociation.