I have the pleasure to forward to the care of your Son in Boston. a packet which I presume comes from your friend Mr. Hollis—1 neither Lord Wycombe nor Mr. B. Vaughan are in Town. but your Letters I have been careful to forward.

The Campaign by Sea as well as by Land is thus far severe & bloody—in the Naval Engagement the French Suffer’d a severe loss, which they consider as compensated in a great degree by the safe arrival of the convoy from the Chesapeak.— Towards Spain & Italy their Armies are Victorious.— on the Rhine they have lost ground.— 295 in Flanders where the great Effort is made, they have gaind more than they have lost.— & Ypres if taken as it is universally beleivd to be. gives them the command of all maritime Flanders.— on the Whole they appear to be in a condition (so long as their present internal union & energy continue) to overpowr all external opposition.—

their Government approaches daily nearer to a dictatorship in One person instead of in commission. as it has been in fact for some time:— Danton &c &c are gone. and all competitors appear to sink before the mighty popularity & power of Robespierre— how long he can retain these, or avoid the Guillotine & the Dagger we know not.

Poland is making a much firmer struggle against her Oppressors, than her best friends could have expected.— it is suppos’d that the Turk will side with her against Russia in which case She has some distant chance of success.— in the mean time it occasions a most important diversion in favr. of France by calling off entirely the King of Prussia.2

In this country, the language of the mercantile & manufacturing interests are favorable to peace with us. how far their wishes will influence the conduct of the Government, a little more time will Shew.— we at least may found some hopes of peace. upon the combination of internal & external motives which equally appear to press in our favor.

You will excuse this line—& believe me to be / with much Respect / sir / Your Oblig’d. & real friend & servant

I have the Honor to forward a packet which I presume is from your friend Mr. Brand Hollis: and also to add two or three the latest Newspapers.—1

The Affairs of the Combin’d powers have very much chang’d their Aspect since the Opening of the Campaign. within four or five Weeks all Flanders, as far as Namur on one hand & Antwerp on the other is lost by them:—

The Austrian Troops are said to be exhausted with fighting. the English Dutch & Hanoverians are not equal to Number to their Opponents: to whom great reinforcements are said to be now on the March:—so that considering that there are no VERY strong positions in front of Breda on one hand & Maestricht on the other it is a prevailing opinion here that All Flanders is lost; & there are who tremble for the Fate of Holland.

The Effort of Poland has call’d off the attention of the King of Prussia:— The Spaniard is thought to be negotiating for a separate peace.— & the Emperor is believ’d to be tir’d of ineffectual Efforts:— The Loan which He obtain’d here two months since cannot be paid of course; it was taken by 50 Men at £50,000 each, & the security was the Revenues of Flanders:—while the fate of this part of his Dominions was doubtful no person would buy his Scrip:— now that this fate is decided in a way so destructive to him, no one will. & the original subscribers if the could (which I doubt.) will not pay.

My Conjecture is that the war by Land is nearly at an End:—& that this Country will soon turn all Her attention to the Sea.

How our Affairs are to Issue is yet uncertain at Loyd’s Coffeehouse a Policy was offer’d on Saturday last to ensure Peace with America One Year:— Fifteen Guineas upon an Hundred pounds were offer’d, but nobody would write:— I will only say in the words of Scripture— Be Ye also ready;—neither put your trust in Princes.2

I congratulate you (on Newspaper Authority) on the appointment of your Son in Holland. & hope We shall soon have the pleasure to see him.—

Mr. Freire whom you remember, sail’d a few days ago for New York as Minister from Portugal.3

I beg to be remember’d to Mrs. Adams. / & am / With the highest Respect / sir / Your Oblig’d & Humble servant / & friend