Perhaps this
formidable combination, should it take place, may prevent the war of the
western powers, as it would seem that neither England nor Prussia would
carry their false calculations so far, as, with the aid of the Turks
only, to oppose themselves to such a force. In that case, the Patriots
of Holland would be peaceably established in the powers of their
government, and the war go on against the Turks only, who would probably
be driven from Europe. This new arrangement would be a total change
of the European system, and a favorable one for our friends. The
probability of a general war, in which this country would be engaged
on one side, and England on the other, has appeared to me sufficient to
justify my writing to our agents in the different ports of France, to
put our merchants on their guard, against risking their property in
French or English bottoms. The Emperor, instead of treading back his
steps in Brabant, as was expected, has pursued the less honorable plan
of decoying his subjects thence by false pretences, to let themselves
be invested by his troops, and this done, he dictates to them his own
terms.
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