t transpired; it is only supposed, in general, to be very firm. You
will see, in one of the Leyden gazettes, one of the letters written by
the ministers of England to the courts of their respective residence,
communicating the declaration before mentioned. In the mean time,
Holland has been sooner reduced by the Prussian troops, than could have
been expected. The abandonment of Utrecht by the Rhingrave of Salm,
seems to have thrown the people under a general panic, during which
every place submitted, except Amsterdam. That had opened conferences
with the Duke of Brunswick; but as late as the 2nd instant, no
capitulation was yet concluded. The King of Prussia, on his first move,
demanded categorically of the King of Poland, what part he intended to
act in the event of war. The latter answered, he should act as events
should dictate; and is, in consequence of this species of menace from
Prussia, arming himself. He can bring into the field about seventy
thousand good cavalry. In the mean time, though nothing transpires
publicly of the confederation between France and the two empires,
mentioned in my letter of September the 19th, it is not the less sure
that it is on the carpet, and will take place. To the circumstances
before mentioned, may be added, as further indications of war, the
naming as Generalissimo of their marine on the Atlantic, Monsieur de
Suffrein, on the Mediterranean, Monsieur Albert de Rioms, the recalling
Monsieur de St. Priest, their ambassador, from Antwerp, before he had
reached the Hague, and the activity of their armies by sea. On the other
hand, the little movement by land would make one suppose they expected
to put the King of Prussia into other hands. They too, like the
Emperor, are arranging matters at home. The rigorous levy of the _deux
vingtiemes_ is enregistered, the stamp act and _impot territorial_ are
revoked, the parliament recalled, the nation soothed by these acts, and
inspired by the insults of the British court. The part of the Council
still leaning towards peace are become unpopular, and perhaps may feel
the effects of it. No change in the administration has taken place since
my last, unless we may consider as such, Monsieur Cabarrus's refusal
to stand in the lines. Thinking he should be forced to follow, too
seriously, plans formed by others, he has declined serving.

Should this war take place, as is quite probable, and should it be as
general as it threatens to be, our neutrality m