[Plymouth] Decr 14. Saturday. — An embargo as I hear is laid upon all shipping in this State — The reason given is — To get men to man the State's ships of War — & also a number of Merchant ships wch the State is fitting out for the Bahama Ilands on a publick commercial acco — I will prophecy for once — and if my prophecies should not come to pass I shall not be the first prophet who has made a mistake — * lf I do now foretell that the fleet of Merchant ships will never return here again — It is not designed that it should -These mimick politicians — These wretched State Founders -plainly see That their case is desperate — They are now providing for the worst — They will now impose upon the ignorant country Representatives, & persuade them to grant whatever sums they want, to equip & Load this f!ota, under pretence of purchasing warlike Stores for the campaign the next Season when it is arrived at the Bahamas, or wherever it is destined for — The interest will be deposited for the use of any of them who shall be so fortunate as to escape the hands of Justice — perhaps some of them may think proper to go in the fleet —
*Greatly mistaking — ²