" A similar surmise has come in a letter from
a person in Rotterdam to one at this place. I am satisfied that the
King of England believes the mass of our people to be tired of their
independence, and desirous of returning under his government; and that
the same opinion prevails in the ministry and nation. They have hired
their news-writers to repeat this lie in their gazettes so long, that
they have become the dupes of it themselves. But there is no occasion
to recur to this, in order to account for their arming. A more rational
purpose avowed, that purpose executed, and when executed, a solemn
agreement to disarm, seem to leave no doubt, that the re-establishment
of the Stadtholder was their object. Yet it is possible, that having
found that this court will not make war in this moment for any ally, new
views may arise, and they may think the moment favorable for executing
any purposes they may have, in our quarter. Add to this, that reason is
of no aid in calculating their movements. We are, therefore, never safe
till our magazines are filled with arms. The present season of truce, or
peace, should, in my opinion, be improved without a moment's respite,
to effect this essential object, and no means be omitted, by which money
may be obtained for the purpose.
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