Column 1

VERSAILLES, November 9.

WE wait with great Impatience, for the Opening of the
British Parliament, in order to see what Judgement that
respectable Assembly, (in whom the principal and legisla-
tive Authority is vetted,) will form of the Situation of
Affairs, which is submitted to their Examination, and of
the Nature of the Dispute which endangers the Repose of Europe.-
The Court of Versailles may probably by this Time be satisfied on this Head,
and perhaps greatly staggered by the Firmness and Resolution apparent in
the Addresses of both Houses.

LONDON, October 16.
Letters from France To-day mention their being greatly exasperated
against the English, and Letters of Marque and Reprizal would soon
be granted,

Last Thursday his Majesty sent an Order to the War-Office to make out
Commissions for twelve Independent Companies, to consist of an 100 Men
each, which are now raising with all possible Expedition; and we hear
they will be immediately sent to do Duty, and guard the Coast of Essex and
Suffolk, as an Invasion from the French is daily expected on those Parts.

We don't find in any late Advices from Paris, that they pretend to guess
at the Destinations of the Squadron fitting out at Toulon, which is to consist
of 16 Ships of the Line, including the four Men of War purchased at
Genoa: But some Letters from Genoa seem to hint, that the Squadron
may be suddenly employed, by Way of Reprizals, without a Declara-
tion of War, against a certain Island in the Mediterranean. But then
there must be a good Number of Land Forces on Board the Fleet: and
we have not yet heard of any Preparations made at Toulon for an Em-
barkation.

October 21. The following Ships have been taken and sent into Ply-
mouth since last Post. La Marguerite, from Newfoundland, for Granville,
taken by the Experiment. Le Jacob and Marie, from Ditto, for Ditto,
in Ballast, with 112 Men on Board, taken by the Rochester. Le Heu-
reux, of and from Honfleur, for Martinico, taken by the Lyme. La Tri-
omphe, from Newfoundland, taken by the Peregrine. Le Jeune Henri,
from Ditto, taken by the King William Tender.

November 4. On Friday a French Frigate arrived at Plymouth, with a
Lieutenant and thirty Men, who had been taken out of the Blandford
Man of War, and were left behind.

November 5. The Success of General Johnson in North-America, is a
clear proof that Britons do not degenerate in that Part of the World,
and that the French regular Troops are no more invincible than ours. It
affords us an happy Omen of Success on that Side, and will convince the
Court of Versailles, that she has no Cause to plume herself on the martial
Disposition of her Subjects in Canada, as if there was no Comparison be-
tween loobily Planters, and Gentlemen Hunters. But we are all too prone
to entertain such Prejudices, and if they could have been brought to think
beating them was a Thing possible, it may be neither General Braddock
or Baron Dieskau had been beat.

It may seem a little paradoxical, but it will be found true, that a con-
temptible Enemy is always a formidable Enemy. The strange Advantage
gained over our Troops on the Ohio, produced probably our Advantage
near Crown Point. Whatever Omissions or Mistakes our General might
fall into, they never came up to attacking Intrenchments without Artil-
lery, and persisting in that Attack 'til the Enemey sallied out, and became
the Aggressors. The General and the Baron both behaved like very gal-
lant Men, but as to their military Capacities, no shining Instances have
been transmitted to support those sanguine Expectations that had been
formed here in Europe of either.

We see from hence, that in Regard to this War, at least the Country
and the Cause will furnish Forces sufficient. Our Countenance, with the
Assistance of proper Supplies of Arms and military Stores, will enable
our Countrymen to do themselves Justice on that Side, and leave us at
Liberty to act with the more Vigor on any other. It furnishes also ano-
ther favorable Circumstance. When we come next to negotiate, we may
very reasonably insist, that no regular Troops shall be sent to these Parts,
as in Time of Peace we have good Grounds to believe, that either Side
will be able to defend themselves, and not very willing to break with each
other.

Nov. 13. At the Court End of the Town, People long to know what
will be done with the French Ships; and are full of it, that the Parlia-
ment will go directly on Ways and Means for raising the necessary Sup-
plies, and to distress our Enemies; building much on the great Harmony
subsisting betwixt the King and them at this Juncture. Merchants and
Agents in the City are for selling Ships and Cargoes forthwith. Brokers
for entering, weighing, valuing, and disposing of the Sugars, Indigos, &c.
&c. with all possible Speed. The Sailore are impatient to break Bulk,
that they may know and dispose of their Shares. Some Coffee-Houses
are at Times in great Joy, at other Times all a mort, according as War
or Peace prevails in Change Alley. But they hope in all Cases that the
Goods will be sold here, either by us or the French.

The Amiable Rose, from Canada for Rochelle, and the Colombe,
from Oporto, for Bolurdeaux, are sent into Portsmouth.

Column 2

The Humble ADDRESS of the House of Commons to the KING.

Most Gracious Sovereign,
WE Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Commons
of Great-Britain, in Parliament assembled, beg Leave to return
Your Majesty our humble Thanks for Your most gracious Speech from
the Throne; and to congratulate Your Majesty upon Your safe and happy
Return into these Kingdoms.

With Hearts full of Gratitude we offer to Your Majesty our duitful
Acknowledgments for Your paternal Care and Endeavours to preserve to
Your People, the Blessings of Peace; and when Terms consistent with the
true Interest of this Kingdom could not be obtained, for the great Expe-
dition, with which Your Majesty caused Your Naval Force to be got
ready; and the Magnanimity and Resolution Your Majesty has shewn, at
the Hazard of all Events, to defend the British Dominions in America,
not only encroached upon, but openly attacked, by the French, in a Time
of full Peace, and further threatned and endangered by a large Embarka-
tion of Troops from Europe.

We are truly sensible of Your Majesty's great Wisdom and Mode-
ration, in being desirous, though so highly provoked, to listen to a
reasonable Accommodation; and in endeavouring to avoid the Cala-
mities of a general War, by confining Your Operations to Measures ne-
cessary for Defence; a Conduct, which must demonstrate to the other
Powers of Europe, the Uprightness of Your Majesty's Intentions, and
convince them, that Your Majesty is not the Aggressor.

The King of Spain's generous Concern for the common Welfare of
Europe, and the Assurances he has given your Majesty of his Desire to
preserve the public Tranquillity, give us the greatest Satisfaction.

We beg Leave to assure Your Majesty, that Your duitful and faithful
Commons will vigorously and chearfully support Your Majesty, in all
such wise and necessary Measures and Engagements, as Your Majesty may
have taken, to vindicate the just Rights and Possessions of the Crown, and
to guard against any Attempts which France may make, on Account of
Your Majesty's not having submitted to her unjustifiable Encroachments;
and that we think ourselves bound in Justice and Gratitude to assist Your
Majesty against Insults and Attacks, that may be made upon any of Your
Majesty's Dominions, though not belonging to the Crown of Great-Britain,
in Resentment of the Part Your Majesty has taken in a Cause, wherein
the Interests of this Kingdom are immediately, and so essentially, con-
cerned.

We are humbly thankful to Your Majesty, for Your tender Care, in di-
recting the necessary Augmentation of Your Land Forces to be made in
the Manner the least burthensome to Your People.

We assure Your Majesty, that Your faithful Commons will grant Your
Majesty such Supplies as shall be found necessary in this great Conjunc-
ture; and that we will, in all our Deliberations, manifest to the World,
that we have sincerely at Heart the Honor of our King, the Support of
His Government, and the true Interest of this Country.

Nov. 15. The House of Peers sat 'til Seven o'Clock on Thursday,
and the House of Commons 'til Five o'Clock Yesterday Morning.

There were 400 Members in the House of Commons that Day.

This Day a Court of Aldermen was held at Guild-hall, in Conse-
quence of a Letter which the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor has received
from one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State.

A Court of Common Council is to be called next Tuesday, in Order to
consider of a Petition to Parliament for putting the Militia throughout the
Kingdom on a proper Footing.

The several Marching Regiments, and Regiments of Horse, quartered
in the inland Northern Counties, have received Orders for marching to
the Coasts of Essex, Kent and Sussex.

The Bontems, from Gaspie for Bourdeaux, and the Jeune Pierre, from
Gaspie for St. Malo's, are sent into Portsmouth by the Colchester Man of
War.

November 18. We are credibly informed that the Merchants of
France have presented to their Monarch a Petition, setting forth that the
great Number of their Ships taken by the English had reduced them to
the Brink of a general Bankruptcy; and humbly praying such Reli[illegible, faded] as
to his Majesty in his great Goodness should seem most meet: That i[illegible, faded] in
other Words, begging Peace for God's Sake, To which the King made
Answer, That he was extremely sensible of their Hardships, but [illegible, blurry]
them to have Patience a little longer till the Meeting of the British Parlia-
ment, for that there were such Dissensions among the Members thereof,
as would enable him to make them (the Merchants) a [illegible, torn]
Amends. Voltaire tells us (siecle de Louis xiv. cap. 17[illegible, torn]
King sent over to England 250,000 l. Sterling, in Ord[illegible, torn]
to oppose King William's engaging in a War against [illegibel, torn]
of Charles the II of Spain, to procure sufficient [illegible, torn]
England and the States General for the Nav[illegible, torn]
their Subjects, and to prevent an Union of the [illegible, torn]
and Spain; and that even after the Quadrup[illegible, torn]
Most Christian Majesty, trusting to the Divisio[illegibel, torn]
raise in England, despised his Enemies.-[illegible, torn]
perhaps been tried now, what Satisfaction [illegible, torn]
Houses give to every honest Briton [illegible, torn]

Column 3

Column 1

[illegible, torn]Majesty's Ship the Orford, Capt. Stevens, of 70 Gns, (one of
Admiral West's Squadron) fell in with the L' Esperance, a French Man of War
{illegible, torn]4 Guns in the Bay of Biscay, and fought fairly Ship to Ship for nigh
three Hours, when Capt. Stevens finding his Rigging so mangled as to
be unable to tack about, he laid by to repair, and then begun a second
Attack, which lasted near two Hours, when he found the Frenchman very
tardy in firing, and expected them to strike every moment. However,
finding his Rigging in the same or worse Condition than before, oc-
casioned by their Double Chain Shot, he lay by a second Time to mend it.
In the mean Time Admiral West came up, when the French, proud
when an Opportunity offers of striking to a Flag, immediately paid him
the Compliment. Capt. Stevens does them the Justice to say, they fought
the Ship very well. The L' Esperance was the last Ship the French had
in North-America, which they had really sanguine Hopes, as she was
quite in fighting Order, in thorough Repair, and had 500 picked Men on
Board. The Numbers killed were 12 on Board the Orford, and 26 on
Board the L' Esperance.

Extract of a letter from Portsmouth, November 17.
"The Royal William of 100 Guns is ordererd to be fitted for Sea, and
when her Upper Deck is taken off, 'tis thought she will be the finest Ship
in the Navy, as she will carry 85 Guns on two Decks. This Ship is 36
Years old and was never out of this Port.

"The Royal George and Duke, both fitted to receive pressed Men,
are also ordered to be fitted for Channel Service.

"Friday ended the Court Martial on Board the Prince George, Admi-
ral Osborn, President, on the Lieutenant who fired into the Merchant-
man, and killed three Men; when he was acquitted.

"Seven French Prisoners seized a Boat at Gosport, and went to Sea in
the Night, but have not been heard of; it is thought they are all drowned.

"Friday Evening arrived at St. Helen's the Monarch, Admiral Moystn,
and the Somerset, Capt. Geary; and on Saturday arrived Admirals Bosca-
wen and Holbourn, in the Torbay and Terrible, with the Ly's, Capt.
Suckling; the Yarmouth, Capt. Norris; the Chichester, Capt. John
Brett; Grafton, Capt. Holmes; Nottingham, Capt. Marshall; Dunkirk,
Capt. How; Augutta, Capt. Willett. - The Alcide is left at Halifaz.

Extract of a Letter from Kinsale, Nov.[illegible, faded]
"Yesterday in the Afternoon, when the Tide had ebb'd some Time,
it suddenly returned with a Violence and Impetuosity, impossible to describe.
A Sloop of 60 Tons, which lay at an Anchor in a Creek, secure, even if
a Hurricane blew, was torn away from her Moorings, and two new
Cables broke like two Threads, by Force of the Current (for a Breath of
Wind did not blow) and drove ashore in a Moment: The Fishing Boats
were whirled about like so many Corks, and with a Motion quick as the
Fly of a Jack. By special Providence the Boats were just returned from
Sea, with the Sailors on Board, or they would have all been dashed to
Pieces against each other; those that were empty, and had no People to
manage them, sunk directly in the Eddy Waters as in a Whirlpool. Some
others were drove with great Violence on the Land, where they must re-
main until got off by great Labor. These sudden and suprizing Fluxes
and Refluxes of the Sea continued from Three in the Afternoon till Ten
at Night, seldom more than a Quarter of an Hour between each Return,
to the infinite Amazement and Terror of the Inhabitants, who feared
Doomsday was at Hand. The Waters did not rise gradually, but, with a
hollow and horrid Noise, rushed in like a Deludge, and rose six or seven
Feet in a Minute and as suddenly subsided. It was as thick as Puddle,
very black, and stuck insupportably. We hear that some Shocks of an
Earthquake were felt yesterday at Cork, and possibly this suprizing Phae-
nomenon may proceed from such Cause at the Bottom of the Sea."

Extract of a private Letter from Leyden, November 4.
"On Saturday last, in the Forenoon, a most extraordinary and appa-
rently inexplicable Phrenomenon alarmed the several Cities in this Pro-
vince: The Water in the several Rivers, Canals, Lakes, &c. being agi-
tated to such a violent Degree, that in different Places, as at Woubrugge,
Alphen, Boshoop, and Rotterdam, Buoys were broken from their Chains,
large Vessels snapped their Cables, and smaller ones were thrown out of
the Water on the Land, and others lying on the Land were, by the
sudden Inundations, set afloat; and in the Lake of Harlem particularly,
the Course of a Vessel on full Sail was suddenly suspended, and the Rudder
unhung. Several Conjectures have since arisen concerning the Cause of
these very peculiar Circumstances which appear the more extraordinary,
as no Motions on Land of Houses or other Buildings was any where sen-
sibly felt by the People therein; so that the vulgar Opinion of these Cir-
cumstances being the Consequence of an Earthquake is highly improbable,
especially as the pretended Appearance of the Motion of several Weather-
cocks on the Churches was peculiar to the Spectators on the Water, which,
with the following Particulars, is judged by the Curious in Physicks ex-
tremely remarkable: During the Time of this Agitation, which continued
near four Minutes, not only the Water in the Rivers and Lakes, but also
all manner of Fluids, in smaller Quantities, as in Coolers, Tubs, Backs, &c.
equally agitated, dashed over the Sides, notwithstanding no Motion was
perceptible in their containing Vessels. In such small Quantities also the
Surface of the Water had apparently a direct Ascent, prior to its turbulent
Motion, and in many Places, even the Rivers and Canals, rose twelve
Inches perpendicularly. It is asserted also from Amsterdam, that during
this interval the Mercury in the Barometer, which about this Time was
uncommonly high, descended instantly near two Inches, and made several
consequent Vibrations, to the great Astonishment of the Observers."

Extract of a private Letter from Amsterdam, Nov. 7
"The late very extraordinary Agitation of the Water felt in this Pro-
vince, we are informed, extended beyond Utrecht, and also Southward
[illegible, torn], where, in the District of Hertogenbosch, in particular, it lasted
[illegible, torn] occasioning Wrecks of Vessels long since sunk, to
[illegible, torn]e, and float for several Minutes, notwithstanding there
[illegible, torn]ind, nor any Motion discovered in the Land, in all or
[illegible, torn]re this Phaenomenon was seen."

[illegible, torn]Letter from Portsmouth, dated Oct. 22.
[illegible, torn]ng Admiral Osborn changed his Flag from on
[illegible, torn] at Spithead, to the Prince George, in the Har-
[illegible, torn] a Court-martial on Lord Harry Pawlet; which
[illegible, torn] same Morning, and is not yet finished. There
[illegible, torn]ce to pass; whether it is to be in his Lordship's
[illegible, torn]dy can roll this Post."

Column 2

Extract of a Letter from the Island of Jersey, dated Oct. 12.
"Our Neighbours the French still continue to come here from Time
to Time, but are closesly watched, and obliged to keep within the Towns.
General Huske, our worthy Governor's Orders, (forbidding their being
allowed to go near any of the Fortifications, or any of the Hills from
whence they might have a Sight of the Country) being strictly put in Exe-
cution. All our Accounts from Granville, St. Malo, and other Ports on
the Coast, inform us of the Aversion the Monsieurs have to a War, many
Merchants being already knocked up by the captures of their Ships; and
those who come here shake their Noddles at the Armament they see this
little Spot fitting out against them. I here send you a List of such Priva-
teers as are ready to sail:

	Carriage-Guns.	Men.
The Molly, of	20	200
Charming Nancy,	18	150
Phoenix,	16	120
Success,	10	90
Cumberland,	4 8 Swivels	60
Boscawen,	2 8 Swivels	60
Revenge Row-Boat,	2 8 Swivels	50

"All these have their Crews ready, and can put to Sea at a Day's
Notice; and there are eight or nine more that will be ready in a Week.
We only wait for a Declaration of War to send our Fleet to Sea."

Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, Nov. 3.
'Saturday sailed the Lancaster and Essex, to join Admiral Byng, and
'will be followed by the Elizabeth Tomorrow.

'Yesterday sailed into Harbour to be docked, the Falmouth, Capt.
'Brett.

'To-day is to be an Entry of as many Ship-wrights as can be procured;
'several Caulkers, Bricklayers, and House Carpenters. Several extra-
'ordinary Clerks are entered in the Victualling, and every Thing here has
'the Aspect of a War.

'It is strongly insisted on by the Men in the Dock-yard, that they felt
'an Earthquake there on Saturday last, about Twelve o'Clock at Noon.

'Remain at Spithead, Admiral Osborn, in the Royal George, with the
'Chesterfield, Lynn, Tillbury, and a large Dutch Convoy.

'Remain in the Harbour Admiral Hawk in the St. George, with the
'Prince, Prince George, Barfleur, Duke, Nassau, Medway, Newcastle,
'Falmouth, Gosport, Firebrand, Hornet, Peggy, and a Dutch Man of
'War that wants a Foremast.

Yesterday it was said, that the Toulon Squadron, consisting of twelve
Ships of the Line, sailed from that Harbour on the 22d of October; but
this is doubted by those who seem to know the true State of the Fleet
there.

The following is the Substance of a Letter from Cherbourgh in Normandy,
dated September 22.
"Last Monday Morning, about Seven a Clock, sixteen Merchantmen
which were returning from Rouen, Honfleur, Caen, and other Ports of
Normandy, met off Cape Barfleur with an English Man of War of 50
Guns, which discharged several Vollies of Shot at them, and pursued them
into the Bay of Bretteville, about a League and a Half from this Place,
where several of them were forced to run a ground. Captain Blandin,
of Peners in Britanny, was obliged to abandon his Ship, after loosing some
of his Men by the Shot of the Enemy, who kept a constant Fire. A-
bout Three in the Afternoon, the English Captain sent his Boat to bring
her off. This Capture, being made in Sight of Shore, spread a general
Alarm. All ran to their Arms; but the Cannon not being mounted, the
Musket Shot could not hinder the English from getting off the Vessel. The
rest escaped by steering between the Island of Pele and the Land, and got
safe in here, where they found a secure Asylum.

On Thursday Evening six large Men of War, supposed to be Admiral
Byng's Squadron, were seen off Torbay, standing to the Westward.

Oct. 23. The Men work Night and Day to complete the Royal
Sovereign and Princess Royal, first and second Rate Men of War, put
into Commission to guard the Mouth of the Thames and Medway; and
the Ships at Sheerness are taking in their Guns, being to be employed in
the same Service.

The following is said to be the present State of the British Navy.

	Ships.	Men.
In the Plantations	30	5725
With Admiral Boscawen	30	7775
In the Mediterranean	5	750
In the East-Indies	6	1865
Cruizing in the Channel	63	14890
At Home	45	14506
	166	45511

From the LONDON GAZETTE.
The King has been pleased to grant unto William Johnson, of the Co-
lony of New York, in America, Esq; and to the Heirs Male of his Body
lawfully begotten, the Dignity of a Baronet of the Kingdom of Great-
Britain.

St. James's, November 20. His Majesty has been pleased to appoint
the Right Hon. Henry Fox, Esq; to be one of his Principal Secretaries
of State, the Oath of Secretary of State was this Day administred to him
in Council.

Whitehall, November 22. The King haing been pleased to appoint his
Grace Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, Knight of the most Noble
Order of the Garter, the Right Hon. Henry Earl of Darlington, the
Right Hon. Sir George Lyttleton, Bart. Thomas Hay, Esq; commonly
called Lord Viscount Dupplin, and Robert Nugent, Esq; to be Commis-
sioners for executing the Office of Treasurer of his Majesty's Exchequer.

The King has been pleased to grant unto the Right Hon. Sir George
Lyttleton, Bart. the Office of Chancellor of his Majesty's Exchequer
and also to grant unto the said Sir George Lyttleton, the Office of Under
Treasurer of his Majesty's Exchequer, in the Room of the Right Hon.
Henry Logg, Esq;

William Viscount Barrington, to be Secretary at War to all his Majesty's
Forces raised, or to be raised, in the Kingdom of Great-Britain and Do-
minion of Wales, in the Room of the Right Hon. Henry Fox, Esq;

The King has been pleased to grant unto the Right Hon. Sir Thomas
Rob[illegible, faded]