historical chrowcic. sv 



-¥f Europe in general fhoulJ agree to recognise it as a legal govemmenr. 

 It is not at all impofsible but on these terms Britain might obtain pofsefsion 

 of Dunkirk without bloodftied, as a security that such stipulations as fliould 

 be agreed upon by the truce, for disarming the navy of France to a certain degree 

 fhould be adhered to. It is unnecefsary to specify terms more particularly; but 

 it is not difficult to foresee, that if Britain, Holland, and the other allied powers, 

 were as seriously disposed to obtain a reasonable security only against the hos- 

 tile encroachments of France, as all parties will be now willing to deciare 

 they are, it would be no difficult matter for an able negociator who had no si- 

 nister views, to establilh such a truce in a very fhort'vime. France might then 

 be allowed to scramble as long as flie pleased about the best form of go- 

 vernment for her, while other nations were allowed to prosecute their own 

 domestic affairs in tranquillity and peace. 

 Poland. 

 It is the interest of the Emprefs of Rufsia to aid the emperor and the 

 king of Prufsia, or at least to seem to aid them, by fair speeches, but with as 

 little expence as pofsible, in regard to their secret views on France and the 

 western parts of Europe, in order that they may not too scrupulously pry- 

 in to the transactions of Poland. The Poles are not yet sufficiently tamed ; 

 and, like a spirited horse which has lately been taken into hands, they fret 

 and make a little disturbance : But the power that is over them so far ex- 

 ceeds their forces, that there is little doubt, if left to themselves, how that 

 contest will end. The coffers of the emprefs are now a little drained, or it 

 is probable flie would have found means of doing it before now. The late 

 convention of Grodno, discovered that they submit to the harnefs with 

 jeluctance. . 



Domestic. 



Though the commercial distrefses of Britain have somewhat diminilhed 

 since our last, they are yet far from being removed; and the capture of 

 yefsets, and the great interruption that long delays occasion, tend to sour the 

 minds of the people, and render them every day more and more averse to the 

 war. It is hopc»l thqt administration will not be so blind to their own in- 

 terests as to disregarded these circumstances so long as to excite a general 

 clamour. Happy is it for that minister who foreruns the wilhes of the 

 people ! 



Ireland. 



During the last scfsion of Parliament the Irilh have made one useful re»' 

 form, that does not appear to give room for apprehensions of any hurtful 

 consequences. It is an absentee act ; by which persons who have been non 

 residents in Ireland for a certain time, are declared to be incapable of being 

 elected to serve as members to Parliament. This act and the ast wh'ch 



