informed of the sentiments of the queen of Great Britain, by 1709. the return of the duke of Marlborough.

The duke, who made but a short stay in England, returned to the Hague, the 18th of May. The first thing he did was to confer with prince Eugene, who arrived there fix days before from Brussels, and had the satisfaction, in his conferences with the pensionary, to receive fresh assurances,

" That the states would never separate from the ge66 neral interest and scope of the grand alliance, upon any “ private considerations whatsoever.” With the duke of Marlborough went over the lord viscount Townshend, as ambaffador extraordinary, and joint plenipotentiary with him, the duke reckoning the load too great to bear it wholly himself. The choice was well made ; for as lord Townshend had great parts, had improved these by travelling, and was by much the most shining person of all our young nobility, and had, on many occafions, distinguished himfelf very eminently; so he was a man of great integrity, and of good principles in all respects, free from all vice, and of an engaging conversation. Upon their arrival, the president of the week and the pensionary went together to the duke, to compliment him on the part of the states, and at the same time to confer with him, which they did for about an hour and an half, and then they returned to the affembly of the ftates-general. The same evening the marquis de Torcy went alone to the duke of Marlborough's lodgings, and had a conference of above two hours with him and the lord Townshend. The 19th in the morning the marquis paid another visit to the duke, and they both went together to prince Eugene's apartment, where they likewise conferred for some time. In the evening, those two princes went to the pensionary, who acquainted them with the resolution of the states-general, not to accept the offers made by the French ministers, nor to take one step farther, but in concert with all the allies. This determination was very satisfactory for the duke and prince Eugene, and begat such an unanimity and good harmony among all the confederate ministers, as intirely baffled all the secret designs of France, notwithstanding the marquis de Torcy managed his purpose very artfully, and did all he could to amuse them with half promises and faint denials.

On the 20th, in the morning, the duke and prince Eugene, together with the lord Townshend, returned the visit they had received from monsieur de Torcy, where Rouillé, who, till then, had been with no other minifters but Buys

and

1709. and Vanderdufsen, was presented to these great generals and

ministers. This same day, the French ministers carried the
amusement so far, as to declare, that their master consented
to the demolition of Dunkirk; that he would abandon the
pretender, and send him out of his dominions; that he
would acknowledge the queen's title, and the succession efta-
blished on the house of Hanover ; that he would renounce
all pretensions to the Spanish monarchy, and yield up such
places as the Dutch demanded for ther barrier. With re-
fpect to the empire, the French offered to restore all things,
as they were settled by the treaty of Ryswick, and to demo-
lish the fortifications of Strasburgh. But the allies infisting
on some other articles, namely, the restitution of Upper and
Lower Alface to the empire, Torcy declared he had no
power to make any further concessions, broke up the con-
ference, and sent to the pensionary to defire passes to return
home. However, upon second thoughts, and as they pre-
tended, at the desire of monsieur Petkum, resident of Hol-
stein, the French ministers consented to suspend their depar-
ture ; and, on the 21st, Torcy went alone to the penfio-
nary, to agree about another conference, which was held
at six o'clock in the evening; and notwithstanding the
French ministers had declared the day before, that they
could not inlarge their offers, they now proposed to surren-
der Strasburgh in its present condition. The allies not being
satisfied with the proposals made in this conference, another
was appointed for the 22d, in the morning, which proved
likewise unsuccessful. Whereupon the French declared,
that they were resolved to go away; and, the better to de-
monstrate their seriousness in this resolution, they sent again
to the pensionary for palles, and took their leave of prince
Eugene and the duke of Marlborough, and the ministers
of the neutral princes; but the states having, the same even-
ing, sent them passes, and the pensionary intimated to them,
that they were not hereafter to expect any passport for their
return to the Hague; and confidering, on the other hand,
how unconcerned the ministers of the allies were at the
threats of their departure, they were easily persuaded to
stay, at the desire (as they still pretended) of some neutral
ministers; and, the better to colour the matter, they fent,
on the 23d of May, an express to the court of France for
new instructions. The same day, in the morning, ano-
ther conference was held from nine o'clock, till about two
in the afternoon ; wherein they began to set down some ar-
ticles in writing, and agreed to meet again about fix in the

evening.

evening. That afternoon count Zinzendori, the emperor's 1709. plenipotentiary, arrived at the Hague, and went iinmediately with monsieur Heems, the imperial minister, to pay a visit to prince Eugene and the duke of Marlborough; with whom, together with the pensionary, count Gallas, and the lord Townshend, the French minifters had another conference in relation to the security of the execution, of the points agreed on. But, though this conference lasted from fix till eleven o'cock, in the evening, yet nothing was concluded in it. The 24th, in the morning, the French ministers had another interview with the depucies of the states, who gave an account of what had passed in it to the duke of Marlborough and prince Eugene; and, the same evening, there was another meeting, wherein they resumed the debate relating to the security of the performance of the articles agreed on, particularly the evacuation of the Spanish dominions. For this the allies demanded several cautionary towns; but the French refused to give any, intilting, · That the

engagement, which the most christian king offered to enter • into, to recall his troops from Spain, and his promise to

give no manner of assistance to king Philip, was a fufficient

security, since that prince, being thus forsaken by his grand' father, would be obliged to quit Spain ; and the rather, be'cause the Spaniards, in such a case, would certainly declare ' for king Charles.' This occasioned warm debates ; last it was agreed, that France should deliver up some places in the Netherlands, that were to be part of the barrier, cefore they entered upon the general negotiations of peace. On the 25th and 26th, there was no interview with the French ministers ; but the duke of Marlborough, prince Eugene, the lord Townshend, and count Zinzendorf, had several con-, ferences with the pensionary and the deputies of the states, wherein they acquainted the new imperial plenipotentiary with what had been transacted since the beginning of this negotiation, and agreed on the further demands to be made to the French ministers. A conference being held on the 27th, in the morning, at which count Zinzendorf afited for the first time, thoie demands were communicated to Torcy and Rouillé, who defired some time to consider of them. But the duke of Marlborough having sent them word, that he and prince Eugene had determined to set out for Flanders within two days, they promised to return an answer at fix in the evening in another conference, which lasted till two o'clock in the morning. After many disputes, the French seemed to comply with all the preliminary articles insisted on by the confederates. VOL. XVII.

L

The

but at

on,

1709

The foundation of the whole treaty was, the restoring of in the whole Spanish monarchy to king Charles, within two The prelimimonths : Torcy said, the time was too short, and that, pernaries agreed

haps, it was not in the king of France's power to bring that
about ; for the Spaniards seemed resolved to stick to king
Philip. It was, upon this, insisted on, that the king of
France should be obliged to concur with the allies, to force
it by all proper methods: but this was not farther explained,
for the allies were well aflured, that if it was fincerely intend-
ed by France, there would be no great difficulty in bringing
it about. This, therefore, being laid down as the balis of
the treaty, the other preliminaries related to the restoring all
the places in the Netherlands, except Cambray and St.
Omer; the demolishing or restoring of Dunkirk';. the. re-
storing of Strasburg, Brisack, and Hunningen to the em-
pire; Newfoundland to England; and Savoy to that duke,
besides his continuing possessed of all, he then had in his.
hands; the acknowledging the king of Pruflia's royal digni-
ty, and the electorate in the house of Brunswick ; the fend
ing the pretender out of France, and the owning the fuc-
cesfion to the crown of England, as it was settled by law.
As all the great interests were provided for, by these prelimi-
naries; fo all other matters were reserved to be considered,
when the treaty of peace should be opened: a cellation of
all hostilities was to begin, within two months, and to con-.
tinue till all was concluded by a compleat treaty, and rati-
fied: provided the Spanish monarchy was then intirely re-
Itored. The French ministers seemed to be confounded at
these demands : but, in conclufion, pretended to submit to
them (p). Torcy told the ministers, he would set out for

Paris

(p) The preliminary articles of Anjou fall evacuate Spain, were as follows:

which, if he refuses to consent togs
1. That a firm and lasting the French king and the allies
peace be forthwith treated of, shall enter into proper measures,
&c.

that this article may have intire
2. That to that end prelimin effect.
nary articles be agreed on, &c.

5:

That the French king shall,
ž. That the most christian within that time, withdraw his
king shall acknowledge king troops out of Spain, &c. and not
Charles III. king of Spain, &c. affift the duke of Anjou for the
4.
The
treaty

shall be finished future with troops, artillery, am-
in two months, during which time munition, or money.
Sicily hall be put into the hands 6. The monarchy of Spain
of king Charles; and the duke shall remain intire in the house of

Auftria,

Paris immediately, to lay the whole before his most christian majesty, and at parting desired the ratifications might be re

turned

1709.

the emperor.

Austria, and no prince of the ' and not disturb him in the enjoy-
house of France ever become ment of Neufchatel.
Sovereign of any part thereof. 22. The French king fall de-

7. France shall never possess the liver up Furnes, Menin, Ypres, Spanish Weft-Indies, or trade Warneton, Commines, Werwick, thither.

Poperingen, Life, Condé, and 8, 9. The French king shall Maubeuge, for the barrier of the deliver up Strasburg, for Kehl, states. and Brisac to the emperor.

23.

He shall restore all the 10. The French king shall towns and forts he has taken in possess Alsace in the literal sense the Netherlands, with the artilof the treaty of Munster, except lery and stores, provided the Landau, which shall belong to catholic religion shall still be pro

fessed there. 11. He shall demolish New 24. None of the cannon or Brisac, fort Lewis, and Hun- stores to be removed from this ningen.

time. 12. Rheinfels shall he possessed 25. The states, as to their by the landgrave of Hesse, till commerce, shall have what was otherwise agreed.

ftipulated at the treaty of Ryf13 The claufe concerning re- wick, and the tariff of 1664 onligion in the treaty of Ryswick ly shall be in force. hall be referred to the negoti. 26. The French king shall acation.

knowledge the ninth electorate. 14, 15. The French shall ac 27. The duke of Savoy shall knowledge the queen of Great- enjoy all that has been yielded to Britain, and the protestant suc- him by the emperor, and whatceflion.

ever has been taken from him 16. The French king shall re Inall be restored. store to Great-Britain what he is 28. The French king mail possessed of in Newfoundland; make over to that duke Exilles, and whatever either party has Ferestrilles, and Chemont, withi iaken in the Indies shall be re the valley of Pragelas, and all ftored.

on this side the mountains, for a 17. Dunkirk shall be demo- barrier. Jished.

29. The pretensions of the 18. The pretender shall retire elector of Bavaria and Cologne out of France.

hall be referred to the general 19. A treaty of commerce negotiation; but the elector pahall be settled with Great- latine to remain in posseflion of Britain.

the Upper Palatinate, &c. the 20. The king of Portugal garrifons of the states to remain in shall enjoy all that is Aipulated Huy, Liege, and Bonne, til! for him by the allies.

otherwise agreed with the emi21. The French king snall ac- peror and empire. knowledge the king of Prusia,

30, 31, 32. The farther de.

mands