Tude to a peace; but thefe feem at 
1796. J 
A BRIEF ACCOUNT 
(57 t) 
O¥ THE 
STAPLE OF PUBLIC. APFALRS 
1 
Be oR 
IN 
eee ees 
rpHE commencement of the year 1796 
found many nations of Europe ftill 
involved in the bloody and d: Waftrous war, 
which, fpringing from the French Re- 
“athe has now fhed its baneful in- 
fluence over feveral years. Though 
fome of the powers concerned have with- 
drawn from the conteft, and the field of 
‘contention has been narrowed, enough 
fill remains to make the friend of man- 
kind anxioufly folicitous for the conclu- 
fion of fcenes of hoftility fpread, more or 
lefs, through all the quarters of the 
globe. The portion, however, of the 
new year, which has hitherto paffed, has 
‘rather been a ftate expectation and pre- 
paration, than of action. Since the ex- 
pulfion of the French from the eaftern 
‘fide of the Rhine, the mutual loffes and 
wants of the armies, together with the 
wetnefs of the feafon, have obliged the 
Imperial and Republican generals to con- 
fent to an armiftice, he at one time 
gave fanguine hopes of being the pre- 
pre- 
fent to have vanifhed, and the dreadful 
preparations for a renewal of all the hor- 
‘rors of war at its expiration, are carry- 
ing on by both parties with incefant 
diligence. The fuccefs of the French 
in rae likewife, appears to have been 
followed by a ftate of inaction, provably 
owing to the deficiency of refources on 
both fides. Meantime, a mot uncom- 
Mion duration of fouth-wefterly winds, 
attended with frequent tempeits, has 
prevented the mighty armament, fitted 
out by Great Britain, at an immenfe ex- 
pence of time and money, for the Weft 
Indies, from proceeding on its deftina- 
tion; and has even forced it back into 
port, after undergoing multiplied hard- 
fhips and loffes. In confequence, none 
of the important enterprizes, planned’ 
beyond the Atlantic, have yet been en- 
tered upon, but a petty and marauding 
war has been carried on in the iflands, 
more productive of diftrefs than of 
change. 
MontTuty Mac No. i. 
they may be inclined to 
en conditions 
“o 
Oreo Ee 
We fhall now procee give a ket ae 
of the political tate of ae sv eral co 
tries from the commencement of aw 
vee beginning with 
‘FRANCE. 
The greateft vigour and activity appear 
to be exhibited in the military department 
of Paris; the requifitions of young men are 
firi€tly enforced; and every exertion is 
makimrg to equip and to fupply the armies. 
‘The French adminiftration feem difpofed 
to manifeft to their enemies, that theugh 
they arcs 
notwithftanding, prepared for war. The 
forced loan, which was expected to have 
excited fome commotion, has been fub- 
mitted to with a degree of readinefs, 
which has exceeded the expectations, ’. 
even of the friends to the republic. 
The two legiflative councils appear alfo 
to have applied themfelves, with great 
diligence, to the arrangement and meli- 
oration of the French finances. 
Cn the 25th of January, 1796, the 
executive directory addreffed tothe coun 
cil of ancients, the. following meffage ; 
which, as we confider it as an important 
paper, we fhall lay entire before our 
readers : 
“ Citizen Legiflators, 
«* The enemies of France have fpoken 
of peace, but it was to relax our prepa- 
rations, while they themfelves redoubled 
their efforts for continuing the ,war. 
They with to weaken the courage of our 
defenders, by lulling them with a 
hopes of approaching peace, which the 
themfelves do not ceafe to elude by ce 
moft evafive forms, and the moft fee 
lous pretexts. This perfdy on their 
part is not new: and the reports which 
they have affected to circulate on this 
fubjeét, fince the commencement ‘of 
hoftilities, have always been feized and 
! 
sbe lieved by the foreign faction, which 
they maintain among-us. But thefe 
manceuvres have never been counte- 
nanced by the ex cecutive directory, who; 
in offering peace to the coalefced powers, 
moderate as are conhf- 
lea 
eat: 

£ 
