That between England and Prussia is
supposed to be stationary. Monsieur de St. Priest, the ambassador from
this court to the Hague, has either gone, or is on the point of going.
The Emperor of Morocco has declared war against England. I enclose you
his orders in our favor, on that occasion. England sends a squadron
to the Mediterranean for the protection of her commerce, and she is
reinforcing her possessions in the two Indies. France is expecting the
arrival of an embassy from Tippoo Saib, is sending some regiments to the
East Indies, and a fleet of evolution into the Atlantic. Seven ships of
the line and several frigates, sailed from Cadiz on the 22nd of April,
destined to perform evolutions off the Western Islands, as the Spaniards
say, but really to their American possessions, as is suspected. Thus
the several powers are by little and little, taking the position of war,
without an immediate intention of waging it. But that the present ill
humor will finally end in war, is doubted by nobody.
In my letter of February the 5th, I had the honor of informing you of
the discontent produced by our _Arret_ of December the 29th, among the
merchants of this country, and of the deputations from the chambers of
commerce to the minister, on that subject.
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