was arming generally.  War being now imminent, Eden, since Lord Aukland, questioned me on the effect of our treaty with France, in the case of a war, and what might be our dispositions.  I told him frankly, and without hesitation, that our dispositions would be neutral, and that I thought it would be the interest of both these powers that we should be so; because, it would relieve both from all anxiety as to feeding their West India islands; that, England, too, by suffering us to remain so, would avoid a heavy land war on our Continent, which might very much cripple her proceedings elsewhere; that our treaty, indeed, obliged us to receive into our ports the armed vessels of France, with their prizes, and to refuse admission to the prizes made on her by her enemies:  that there was a clause, also, by which we guaranteed to France her American possessions, which might perhaps force us into the war, if these were attacked.  ‘Then it will be war,’ said he, ’for they will assuredly be attacked.’  Liston, at Madrid, about the same time, made the same enquiries of Carmichael.  The government of France then declared a determination to form a camp of observation at Givet, commenced arming her marine, and named the Bailli de Suffrein their Generalissimo on the Ocean.  She secretly engaged, also, in negotiations with Russia, Austria, and Spain, to form a quadruple alliance.  The Duke of Brunswick having advanced to the confines of Holland, sent some of his officers to Givet, to reconnoitre the state of things there, and report them to him.  He said afterwards, that ’if there, had been only a few tents at that place, he should not have advanced further, for that the king would not, merely for the interest of his sister, engage in a war with France.’  But, finding that there was not a single company there, he boldly entered the country, took their towns as fast as he presented himself before them, and advanced on Utrecht.  The States had appointed the Rhingrave of Salm their Commander in chief; a Prince without talents, without courage, and without principle.  He might have held out in Utrecht, for a considerable time, but he surrendered the place without firing a gun, literally ran away and hid himself, so that for months it was not known what was become of him.  Amsterdam was then attacked, and capitulated.  In the mean time, the negotiations for the quadruple alliance were proceeding favorably; but the secrecy with which they were attempted to be conducted, was penetrated by Fraser, Charge des Affaires of England at St. Petersburg, who instantly notified his court, and gave the alarm to Prussia.  The King saw at once what would be his situation, between the jaws of France, Austria, and Russia.  In great dismay, he besought the court of London not to abandon him, sent Alvensleben to Paris to explain and soothe; and England, through the Duke of Dorset and Eden, renewed her conferences for accommodation.  The Archbishop, who shuddered at the idea of war, and preferred a peaceful