Honble Gentlemen
The present serves to convey to you a few Newspapers which I have regularly sent to me from London.
The Honble Commissioners do not know of this Opportunity or I should no doubt have some Dispatches to forward. I hope however soon to have a packet Boat to fit out.
The public talk here is that there will soon be a War, but we have had so much talk to so little purpose that it is not believed by every one. The little american Squadron under Commodore Wickes have made very considerable havoc on the Enemys Vessells in the Irish Channel, this has created an universal Terror in all the Seaports through out Ireland and on that side of England and Scotland, in some places they muster'd their militia in apprehension of a Descent, and their fears have taught them to respect our naval Force, to so ridiculous a height did these rise, that Chester Fair (one of the most considerable in England,) was obliged to be omitted this Year, because the Linnen Ships were afraid to cross the Channel. Our Cruizers are safe in Port, but under arrest by the french Court, who do it in order to satisfy the English ambassador openly, tho' privately the Ships receive a favour able Reception, and are making every necessary preparation to proceed when the arrest shall be taken off. The Reason a War has not yet taken place appears to be only because France wishes England should be the aggressor, and England is too sensible of her wretched State to be gin; but their general opinion is that this Situation of things cannot long continue and tho' a War may not be so near as the News of the Day says it is, yet it cannot be very far off. l have the honour to be [&c.]
