I herewith transmit four of the latest Gazettes printed in English at Schiedam & shall hereafter continue to send them as occasion may offer.

In the two last numbers are some with digested observations on the conduct of the Prussian Govt which tend to shew that nations as well as Individuals expose themselves to misfortune & disgrace by a deviation from good faith & other correct principles which form the standard of moral rectitude.

A few days past I sent you a late decree of the Emperor of France interdicting the Commercial intercourse with English Ports in a manner which I apprehend may expose our trade with that Country & her Colonies to renewed vexations on the part of the french Creusiers especially in the west Indies.1 By said decree the English Isles—(meaning Great Britain Scotland & Ireland in all probability) are declared in a State of blockade & the commerce therein forbid—but as Jamaica, Tortola, Dominica Trini⟨dad⟩ & others are Islands of England—I fear that the rapacity of Privateers men will lead them to give the utmost latitude in their construction of the terms of the decree & that the molestation of our West Indi⟨an⟩ trade may result therefrom. The Conflict betw⟨een⟩ these two great contending Powers is constantly chang⟨ing⟩ form & assuming new aspects, embarrassing to neu⟨tral⟩ Commerce, but without effecting the object they especially have in view—that of forcing each o⟨ther?⟩ to terms of peace—which causes me to believe ⟨that?⟩ Europe will yet long continue the theater of conf⟨u⟩sion & disaster. I have the honor to be With the greatest Respect sir yr Ob svt