attempt to deceive
mankind into a belief that these were the points which determined the
king of England to issue orders for seizing the French vessels; whereas
the works at Dunkirk were not begun till after two French ships of
war had been taken by an English squadron; and depredations had been
committed six months upon the subjects of France before the first
battalions began their march for the sea-side. In a word, the most
christian king, laying aside that politeness and decorum on which his
people value themselves above all the nations upon the face of the
earth, very roundly taxes his brother monarch's administration with
piracy, perfidy, inhumanity, and deceit. A charge conveyed in such
reproachful terms, against one of the most respectable crowned heads in
Europe, will appear the more extraordinary and injurious, if we consider
that the accusers were well acquainted with the falsity of their own
imputations, and at the same time conscious of having practised those
very arts which they affected so much to decry. For after all, it must
be allowed, that nothing could be justly urged against the English
government, with respect to France, except the omission of a mere form,
which other nations might interpret into an irregularity, but could not
construe into perfidious dealing, as the French had previously violated
the peace by their insolence and encroachments.

ADDRESS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.

Whatever might have been the opinion of other nations, certain it is,
the subjects of Great Britain heartily approved of the hostilities
committed and intended against a people whom they have always considered
as their natural enemies, and the incendiaries of Europe. They
cheerfully contributed to the expense of armaments,* and seemed to
approve of their destination, in hopes of being able to wipe off the
disgraces they had sustained in the defeat of Braddock, and the loss of
Minorca.

* Immediately after the declaration of war, the French ships
and cargoes which had been taken were tried, and condemned
as legal Prizes, exposed to public sale, and their produce
lodged in the bank: but in what manner this money, amounting
to a large sum, was distributed or employed, we have not
been able to discover.

The last event made a deep impression upon the minds of the community.
An address was presented to the king by the lord-mayor, aldermen, and
common-council of London, containing strong hin