It seems to depend on the Dutch,
therefore, whether the Barbary powers shall learn the way to our coasts,
and whether we shall have to decide the question of the legality of
selling in our ports vessels taken from them. I informed you, in a
former letter, of the declaration made by the court of Spain to that of
London, relative to its naval armament, and also of the declaration of
the Count de Montmorin to the Russian minister here on the same subject.
I have good information, that the court of Spain has itself made a
similar and formal declaration to the minister of Russia at Madrid.
So that Russia is satisfied she is not the object. I doubt whether the
English are equally satisfied as to themselves. The season has hitherto
prevented any remarkable operation between the Turks and the two
empires. The war, however, will probably go on, and the season now
admits of more important events. The Empress has engaged Commodore Paul
Jones in her service. He is to have the rank of rear-admiral, with
a separate command, and it is understood that he is in no case to be
commanded. He will probably be opposed to the Captain Pacha on the Black
Sea.
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