I write this Line with the greatest Pleasure to acquaint you, that, by a Messenger who arrived on Monday Morning last from the Duke of Bedford, We received the Preliminary Articles of Peace signed the 3d Instant at Fontainbleau, between his Grace & the Plenipotentiaries of France & Spain, As this previous Agreement will be followed by a Cessation of Hostilities between the respective Armies in the Empire first & as soon as possible afterwards in all other Parts of the World, I congratulate you most sincerely upon this fortunate Issue of the King's unwearied Endeavours to put an End to the Calamities of so long and destructive a War, by restoring so far as has depended on His Majesty the former happy State of General Peace and Tranquility, And the Ratifications of the said Preliminaries having been exchanged at Versailles on the 22d Inst., His Majesty was pleased immediately to order a Proclamation to be published declaring a Cessation of Arms as well by Sea as Land, which I send You herewith inclosed, & am commanded by His Majesty to signify to you His Pleasure, that you cause the same to be published in all the proper places under your Government, to the End that all His Maty's Subjects there may pay due Obedience thereto and strictly observe the same.