The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from Amsterdam, Sept. 17.

"It is whisper'd here, by some who would be thought more penetrating than the Generality of Coffee-House Politicians, that the Negotiations of certain Courts for preventing new Broils in Europe, will prove abortive; and yet they acknowledge at the same Time, that it is France's Interest to maintain Peace, as a War would, in all Probability, if managed well by Sea, defeat all her Projects to extend her Commerce. The Republick's Allies, it must likewise be confessed, are but in indifferent Circumstances to embark in a War, the one by Reason of the Situation of her domestick Affairs, the other on Account of the Dispositions of some of her Neighbours: So that if the Prospect of Profit and Loss was duly considered by all Parties, it could not fail of inducing them to remain quiet. Nevertheless, as enterprizing Spirits are generally sanguine in their Hopes, and seldom give Attention enough to the Probabilities of ill Success, no Conclusion can be drawn, in Favour of the Continuance of Peace, from the manifold Disadvantages which almost all the Powers of Europe must labour under in a new War; every one losing Sight of his own Danger, encouraging himself with the Superiority he fancies to have in some Respect or other over his Neighbour."