England and Prussia
have offered their mediation between Sweden and Russia, in such
equivocal terms, as to leave themselves at liberty to say it was an
offer, or was not, just as it shall suit them. Denmark is asking the
counter-offer of mediation from this court. If England and Prussia make
a peace effectually in the north (which it is absolutely in their power
to do), it will be a proof they do not intend to enter into the war;
if they do not impose a peace, I should suspect they mean to engage
themselves; as one can hardly suppose they would let the war go on in
its present form, wherein Sweden must be crushed between Russia and
Denmark.
The _Garde des Sceaux_, M. de Lamoignon, was dismissed the 14th instant,
and M. de Barentin is appointed in his room. The deputies of Bretagne
are released from the Bastile, and M. d'Epermesnil and M. Sabatier
recalled from their confinement. The parliament is not yet reinstated;
but it is confidently said it will be this week. The stocks continue
low, and the treasury under a hard struggle to keep the government in
motion. It is believed the meeting of the States General will be as
early as January, perhaps December.
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