know their own Interest as do those States âhould permit Lewis the XIV to âdvance one Foot of Ground more âhan he is already being but too âorwards all that Monarchs fair Promises and his kind assurances of Friendship remaining without âffect not being able to win them to be deceiv'd And perceiving that his Credit was at an end in those Provinces that all the Propositions of the Count d'Avaux his Ambassador were suspected and that he was still entertain'd with much Circumspection as Lions are fed still pulling the hand back finding himself discover'd and cried down not to lose any more time to flatter and amuse ââe said States being not able to accomplish his ends that way he âesolv'd to ruine them at the same time that King James the II. goâ on the Throne he knowing weâ his Genius was satisfied that there wanted nothing but a Golden Apple to amuse him and to follow that itching desire which thaâ Prince had to render himself Absolute Master over all his Kingdom to alter the Laws and thâ Religion of it and to feed hiââ before hand with the hopes of thââ Spanish Indies that he might nââ longer find himself oblig'd to Assemble his Parliament who approv'd not of his Proceeding noâ of that great Alliance he had witâ France which under what shapâ soever it was represented to them did always appear hiddeous Dâring all that long Interval anâ till there were a fair occasion ãâã perform that great Design thâ French Emissaries did continuallâ pour their cold Poison in the English Court which was quaff'd ãâã in large Draughts by some of thâ Grandees which they endeavour'd to Digest without noise seeing that at the same time they thus under-hand set forward their Masters Interest others who were not at such a distance provided themselves with an Apple against draught as did many others in all the Courts of Christendom It was in this contagious time so infected with the French Lewis D'Ors that Europe was to tremble and that all honest people that concern'd themselves in the common Cause of the good of Christendom were to shake at the very sight of that weight which was going to crush Europe to pieces seeing that its general loss had immediately follow'd that of the Seventeen United Provinces the Emperor nor the King of Spain not being then able to prevent nor put a stop to that Torrent which had chang'd it self into a Deluge from which not England it self had been Exempted in its time if afterward it would not have danc'd to the French Flutes and obey'd the Orders of its Ambitious Monarch I am willing to make use of these Terms seeing that all those that are Pensioners of France are soâ but to Execute his Orders and to Work to increase the Grandeuâ of Lewis the XIV not to oppose his Interests but on the contrary Sacrifice their Honour and their Lives to them so oft as the Good and the Interest of France should require it If ever Lewis the XIV had obtain'd his end and had made himself Master of the Forces of the Seventeen Provinces as he plotted it in his greedy Imagination through the King of England's Means there had then been no ways left for this last to retire though he should perceive his Error as Charles the II. had done and he must either by fair or fouâ means have gone on with that he had begun through a weak Complacency and then the Most Christian King had rais'd his Voice and Arm at the same time and had spoken in Magisterial Terms to all the Princes of Europe neither had that of England been left for the last but had been oblig'd to submit to the same Fate with all the others as a Reward for all the good Services that he should have render'd him I once again repeat that the Designs of France were not new that long since Lewis the XIV had had them before him even before that James the II. had got on the Throne and during his Brother's Reign he luckily made use of the Dutchess of Orlean's Management who was Sister to both the Kings Charles and James But the First of them who had continually before his Eyes the Tragical end of his Father and who was still very sensible ãâã the sufferings and troubles of his Exile had much to do to resolve upon it and the Apprehensions which he had of his People did retain him and hindred him from Assisting France in all things as he was solicited to do and he at last did abandon it as we did see by the Peace which he had made with the States of the United Provinces and then he seemingly did relinquish the Interests of his Ally not to Prorogue his Parliament who very plainly did forsee the danger in which the Nation was going to fall had France continued its Progress as it had began in 1672. and the years following After the Peace of Nimeguen the Kings great Design against the United Provinces remain'd as buried during the remnant of King Charles his Reign but he soon rais'd it again for at King James's Ascending the Throne France gather'd new Vigour and beholding there so good a Friend with whom he was tied in Religion and Inclination Lewis the XIV fail'd not to strike the Iron while it was hot and during the Three or Four Years of his Reign the French Emissaries gave divers Assaults and set all Hands to work the French Ambassador Barillon made great Largesses to all those whom he thought propper to do his Master Service the Curtisans tasted of the Cake as well as divers Ministers at Court thus all unanimously did labour to perswade James the II. so soon as he was King to second Lewis the XIV in his Designs divers not knowing them there needed no great Perswasion to attain it because that Prince was already sufficiently inclin'd to it of himself and at that time of all Employs that of Messenger was the most necessary there was nothing seen but such kind of Persons on the Road from London to Paris and from Paris to London till the Treaty was finish'd of which the chief matter and knot of the Business was the ruine and destruction of the United Provinces All the Religious Orders and above all the Jesuits did take a great Interest in that Business and already cried out The Town was their own there was a perpetual motion among them the Ships that cross'd the Seas on both Parties were throng'd with those Zealots and Apostolick Postilions thus were all things in motion for the Good of France and for the Advancement of its Monarchs Designs some through Interest some through Zeal and others through meer Ignorance This Business thus built up with Lime and Stone concluded and resolv'd on betwixt the Two Kings Lewis the XIV the better to compass all things was desirous to strengthen himself towards the North but having lost the friendship of the Sweeds for having fail'd in keeping those Treaties which had formerly pass'd
that remainiââ Barren after some consideraââââ time she might be Divorc'd aâcording to the Laws and Statutââ of that Kingdom All the study of the said Queen was but most particularly a little before her death to labour hard for the advantage of France and at the last her greatest business was to intercede with the King for that Money which was come to Cadiz on the French Account in the last Fleet that was come from the Indies And we have seen that contrary to the right Policy and the true Interest of Spain the Queen succeded in it for that Money ought to have been sequestred under the King's Seal 'till the Council had seen what Course the Affairs of Europe had taken in these present Conjunctures Spain had no want of pretences it had just cause to have kept back without blame those 14 Millions which of truth were Counterbands seeing that no strangers have the liberty to negotiate in the Spanish Indies under pain of Confiscation 'till his Catholick Majesty had seen what satisfaction he should receive from France on all his other Demands and Pretensions and in case he receiv'd none he then might have been his own Pay-Master as it is frequently practis'd even amongst private Persons but what I say here is after Death the Physician seeing the Birds are flown there is no remedy for this time but for the future the Persons concern'd will consider better Another of the late Queens application was to bring the Catholick King to accept of a Neutrality which France offer'd him that joyn'd to the recovering of the Money we lastly mention'd was the only business of the Ambassador Rebenac But while they were thus acting against the Interests of Spain God has taken that Queen away in the prime of her Age before she could render that last piece of service to her Uncle the French King which was so necessary to him at this present How can it be help'd I confess that it is a very great loss for France but it must comfort it self as Spâin has done for parting with the 14 Millions France ever slye and cunning made use of a specious pretence to oblige the King of Spain to accept of the Neutrality endeavouring to perswadâ him that by that means he should become a Mediator betwixt France and the Empire as if the Most Christian King did not know the strict Union there is betwixt those two Monarchs which make but one House and Family Thus their interest being but one and that of the Emperor being the same with that of the King of Spain which is well known to his Christian Majesty let any judge whether France being certain of that Truth which is not to be doubted had a desire to referr her Concerns into the hands of the Catholick King except she were at the very last gasp not knowing what Saint to Pray to But the most probable and the most receiv'd Opinion is that the French King makes his last Efforts to diminish the number of its Enemies and though Spain should be so weak as the French Partisans would make us believe it is and that at most it could but stand on the Defensive part The French must have two Armies on foot to prevent the Spaniards from advancing The one in Catalonia and the other in Flanders and peradventure a third in Navarre which might take him up at least Fifty Thousand Men which he might have employ'd elsewhere If Spain had accepted of that Neutrality and if Lewis the Great mean time had overcame the Empire what would have become of Spain afterwards after all what assurance has it that France would more religiously observe the Neutrality than it has the Peace and the Truce and who had been its Caution that when the French King had had an opportunity he had not fallen on some place of the Netherlands and it may be on Navarre and Mentz all at one time when the Governours were fallen asleep in the arms of a Neutrality as in a deep Lethargy as they did presently after the Peace of Nimeguen in which the Marquess of Grana was reposing at ease filling his Purse by sparing the entertaining of a number of Forces which were so necessary to him while he had to do with so dangerous a Neighbour who no longer remember'd Treaties than while he Sign'd them because they were at that time of use to him he never wanting afterwards Pretences when he would break them A Neutrality in this juncture of time is very hurtful to Spain and to its Allies but above all to the Emperor and to the Empire Spain would do as if when Two Brothers were Attack'd one should look on his Companion with foulded Armes while he was divested of all expecting his turn to be next whereas if they both defended themselves at once they might either overcome their Enemy or drive him away What assurances has Spain that if the French King could overcome the Empire he would not Attack it next as he would doubtless do Wherefore his Catholick Majesty ought to make a last Effort in this present Conjuncture he ought to consider thât France has taken from him Lisle Valiencienne Cambray St. Omer Erre and many other places in the Provinces of Flanders Namur Hainau Luxembourg and in fine the City of Luxembourg which was as a Bull work to the rest of Flanders and of Brabant as well as to the other Provinces while England remain'd with folded Arms against its own proper Interest having been brib'd to let France do what it pleas'd King James as zealous a Catholick as he was did consent that Lewis the XIV should seize on the remainder of the Netherlands while he should sit himself with the Spanish Indies as his Ally had promised him he should thus did they without any scruple divest their Catholick Neighbours of their Rights and shar'd them amongst them without casting of Lots If that Prince had not abandon'd the Throne that Neutrality might have been very considerable but now the Case is alter'd in quitting of the Crown he has Disarm'd himself he is now but like a Wasp without a Sting which buzzes about but cannot sting Spain has lost in him a conceal'd Enemy and a false Ally who sold to France that which belong'd not to him and that consented to the seizing on Goods wherein he had no share but God who laughs at the design of Men would not permit that those of James the II. should come to perfection Providence for the safety of Europe has bestow'd his place to another Prince and has conducted as 't were by the hand William the III. to the Throne he according to all appearance is to be the Instrument through which God will give rest to Christendom Thus Spain in lieu of an Enemy which it had in James the II. late King of England recovers in his Successor a good Friend and Ally faithful to his Word and who being join'd to his Allies may all together labour effectually to establish the King of
Service or at leasâ permit the raising in their Territories a like number of Men by the Emperor and his Allies it being pre-suppos'd that a State can never be counted Neuter so long as it furnishes Forces to one of the Parties that are in Wars together besides such a Neutrality is of evil consequence to the others that pretend to the same There are but very few States that are not glad to sâe their Neighbours weaken'd that they may draw advantage from their Disorders and get to themselves the Trade and to see them from a secure place ruine one another while their Neuter Subjects enrich themselves and improve by the spoil as the Archbishop of Mentâ did think to do if he had not been cheated by France to his great sorrow he has made tryal of Lewis the XIV th's Maxims who has no sooner laid his singer on a place but that he endeavours to thrust in his whole body and to drive from thence the Lawful Lord. Though all has known this yet divers hitherto have been surpris'd with it they call out for help when they thiink themselves lost as we have seen in divers little States which he has appropriated to himself and he had done the like to Geneva had not the Laudable Cantons oppos'd themselves to it The Switz perceiving that his most Christian Majesty did by that design to smooth a Path for himself into their Country and into the States of the Duke of Savoy if they durst but have stirr'd never so little after that Conquest I now pass to the Cantons of the Sonâzers by reason of their Proximity to the Empire and Alliance with the Emperor they have no cause of being better satisfied than many others are of Lewis the Great if they would but return from that blindness wherein they are and make some Reflections on what has pass'd only since his Reign hâw that he amuses them on the one side while he is undermining of their Union on the other together with their Liberty and their Power incompassing them so close on all sides as if he would so girt them in that they should not be able to stir themselves His Design is to make them Tributary ãâã of Money but of divers ãâ¦ã of Men when he has ãâã âor them and when they shâuld be of most use to him to that particularly âends the Usurpation of the French County which was formerly their Barr the Fortresses of Hunning and of Crensack and so many other Forrs and Bridges which the King has cauâ'd of late to be builâ round their Counârey It is that way do the Lewis d'Orâ tend which the French Ambassador does so freely scatter about in the Cantons and so many fair promises and French Compliments with which the Lords are sed ãâã rock them asleep but in âhe meaâ time I humbly desire that those Gentlemen would make a serious Reflection on the ill Treatment and Contempt lately put on their Ambassadors and by that they shall judge whether they have any great cause to reckon on and to trust to the Friendship and Promises of that King and let them not flatter themselves if the King could have made them submit to the French Yoak long since had he done that business because he well knows the need he has of them that the Cantons can supply him with a great number of good Souldiers and that he can build and reckon on their Alliance I know that in Switzerland as well as elsewhere there are Mercenary Spirits that would willingly Sacrifice their Country to their proper Interests who promise much to France without considering well what they do and if the King had enter'd into Germany as he had purpos'd to do as I have before mention'd the Cantons had had great cause to fear that divers Towns whose Magistrates had been brib'd had follow'd the fatal Example of Strasbourg To this purpose the King has always endeavour'd to divide them in their hearts as well as in their Religion But some will say that Things have not happen'd so and that they are still in a good Condition I grant that and I answer that the pass'd danger ought to render us wise for the future the Swallows know their times why should Men neglect theirs Wherefore above all the Switzers ought not to let slip so fair an Occasion by which they may set themselves at rest for ever I Conjure them to it by that which they hold most dear in the World their Liberty Religion their Children and their own Preservation let them remember they are born free that they depend but on God alone and on their Valour and that they ought to maintain themselves in those fair Priviledges which their Ancestors have acquir'd to them by their Swords and their blood being arriv'd at the moment in which they may preserve them they ought not to fall asleep at the sound of the French Gold it is not with this as with the Tide which returns every day and it may be that England shall never again be Govern'd by a King replenish'd with such good Sentiments and that shall be so well fix'd to the General Interests of all Christendom as is that Prince who Reigns there at this present It is a good fortune which must be taken hold of by the foretop for fear she flyes away It is not to be doubted but that at this very present the French Ambassador does indefatigably Labour with the Cantons and that he offers much more than his Master designs to perform and he tails not to tender also the Arrears due to them provided the Cantons will permit the raising of new Forces or only accept of a Neutrality As if the King did offer them any thing more than their own which he ought to have pay'd them long since I very well know that divers Persons whose eyes this Reimbursement causes to be open would willingly grant what the King requires of them in the belief that they might observe a Neutrality with that just as if the Emperor had granted it and at the same time permit Forces should be given to his Enemy which would be two things very incompatible and which no Monarch would ever endure if he were in any Condition to prevent it Wherefore I once more repeat that the Cantons ought to make serious Reflections on the present State of France in particular and on that of Europe in general and rouse up from that dullness and Mercenary humour in which they are kept in the fear the French King has that the Switzers should awaken on the sudden and open their eyes to their true Interest It lyes at present but on a strong and generous Resolution to get out of all dangers prevent ever relapsing into them again and set themselves in a Condition to depend on none but themselves To this purpose they ought to joyn themselves to the Empire and then require from the King that he should demolish those Fortresses which he has causâd to be built contrary
to former Treaties and in case of a refusal by an authentick and general Decree recall their Forces and with those very Troops that are so well Disciplin'd and those they have already go themselves and execute that which France refuses them and pull down those stone Tables which he has set up Besides let the Lords of that Republick consider that the more Souldiers they lend to France the more Men they lose whose hearts are insensibly alienated from their own Country by Death by Offices by Pensions by Mariages and some by the Change of Religion and these last are young Vipers which will one day gnaw their own Mothers bowels I know that the Switzers with divers others have some years since fear'd the Forces which France has to make it self dreaded allways kept in readiness after Peace and after the Truce also which Forces made it to speak with Confidence and required nothing but with threatnings being the only Prince in Europe that did see himself in a Condition to Undertake and to Act before others were in a Condition to Defend themselves which made him to be fear'd by his Neighbours and procur'd him Alliances but particularly that of King James with which he thought himself sufficiently strong to overcome all Europe beginning as I have already said by the United Provinces I doubt not but all these Considerations might have a great influence over the Cantons and oblige the Switzers to grant to France that which perhaps they had not done at any other time but now the storm is blown over the Cause of that Pride with which the King did threaten being vanish'd into smoak the fear ought to cease also and there ought not to remain any consideration capable to retain the Switzers under the Rod of Lewis the XIVth Let them return to their pristine Liberty and to their right Interest Let those Gentlemen know that Kings are Great no longer than they are happy and that they are fear'd no longer than their good fortune lasts I therefore maintain that that Imperiousness with which France was us'd to draw advantages from the Cantons is at an end now that it finds it self over-whelm'd from all sides that all its Alliances on which it founded all its new Usurpations are vanish'd and that at this present he has almost as many Enemies as there are Princes in Europe If they have not yet all declar'd they will not stay long they only wait to see the Dance begin to joyn themselves with the Allies as we have lately seen the Republick of Liege which has scorn'd its threatnings and embrac'd that Party which it apprehended to be the most advantageous and the most necessary for its State Which sufficiently shews the small regard that it had at present for the French King who is no longer in a Condition of doing any great Damage in an open War since England hâs turn'd the Muzzle of her Cannons against him and that the Prince on whose Alliance he so strongly built his hopes is no longer in a Condition to do any good or hurt to Europe for in lieu of succouring his Allie he himself stands in need of him he drains France the Calf in time will kill the Cow with drawing her too hard it is a new Charge to Lewis the XIV and that Unfortunate Prince sees himself on the brink of a Precipice which by a special Grace from Heaven he may yet avoid by retiring into some Convent The Laudable Cantons ought to make other Reflections and have other Considerations at present than they formerly had they should too lift up their Eyes towards England and behold Hiâ Britanick Majesty William the IIId as their Friend and Allie professing the same Religion and who during His Reign will make it a point of Generosity and of Honour to Succour them against all the Assaults of the French King If they declare themselves both through ââe Tye of Communion and that of Esteem which that Great Prince has for them even His great and generous Designs ought to serve to make them reâurn to their ancient Rights and Liberties cause their aincent Limits âo be made good again for greater âecurity but then they ought not âo remain quiet all the while with âheir arms folded but labour with âll their power and assist to bring âbout so great a good and advanâange which the Heavens offers âhem To that purpose they âould Exemplarily punish all those âercinary Persons whose hands ââd their Honours have been defiled with the French Money Incessantly cause their Forces to return which are in the French Service in case of disobedience declare them Rebels and Confiscate their Means oblige those Fathers who have Children there to call them home on great Mulcts never to admit to any Employ nor Dignity either in Church or State all such as shall contradict these Orders and never cease 'till the Fortresses are demolish'd and Burgundy the French County Alsace and Lorain restor'd to their ancient Masters and Soveraigns that they may be as so many Bulwarks to the Cantons all which they can easily do in this Conjuncture which at this present so favourably offers it self and which they ought not to let slip seeing there is at this present between the Protestant and the Catholick Cantons so good a Harmony and firm Union that the Pope âs wholly inclin'd to cause those of âis Party to keep it strictly as a neâcessary good for the quiet of Chriâtendom and the safety of Europe âs well as to abate the Pride of France All this will happen in âeclaring for the Emperor and Empire I come now to Spain formerly âheir Soveraigns Govern'd from âithin their Closets a good part âf the World but since Philip the âd its great Power has began to âecay and that of the Kings of ârance to increase at the same time âhat that of the Catholick Kings âecreased I shall not seek after âe Causes of it because that is beâde my Subject I shall only say ây the by that the Liberty of âonscience in France has much âântributed to its Elevation and ââat contrary-wise the privation ãâã it in Spain has caus'd there ââeat Evils and the loss of Trade âhich is the Soul of States and âângdoms The Marriages which the Kings of Spain have Contracted with France have been so many Levens of Discord and of War which have always prov'd very hurtful to Spain and not to go back any further than to the late Queen who was a French Woman as much by inclination as she was by Birth who by the subtle and dextrous Counsel of the King her Uncle'â Ambassadors had always some new business to propose to thâ King her Husband who most tenderly lov'd her By those meanâ that Princess had acquir'd a greaâ ascendent over the King's minâ sometimes prejudicial to the goââ of his Kingdom for whose prospârity she had not all the Considerâtion she ought to have had sââ having no Children to Succeed ãâã it and still in fears
cannot do well without a Trade with Holland it seems that it would be a good piece of Policy to make him expound himself for it would be a breach which his Danish Majesty would make to the Alliances and he would be falling in his Faith in the Treaties to conâent that Officers should be drawn out of the Troops of his Allies besides it seems as if the Affairs of Europe could not permit at this time any Neutrality to any Prince under what pretence soever that being granted Denmark ought to make his Choice and in his Choice to consider well the advantage he draws from the United Provinces the Trade and Profit that results from it to his Subjects and the advantage that the King's Treasure receives by the Entries and Exportations and let them take care not to fall again in the same Consternation in which they were the last year for scarce would the Affairs settle again a second time on the contrary he can draw no Succour from France in the present Condition it is and though it promises to keep it in the possession of Holstein that can be but a Chymerical Promise seeing Lewis the XIVth can no longer preserve his own Provinces nor keep his Cities part of which he undermines through a foresight he has to be oblig'd to abandon them at the approach of so many Enemies Thus ought Denmark Inviolaâly to joyn it self to that whiâh is soââid which is Uniting with the United Provinces have never any thing to unravel which may br ak âhe Alliance nor give occâsâon to come to a Rupture and follow their Interest as the Shadow follows the Body and generously contemn some pitiful Pension ill pay'd at the best which France âffers it is a broken Reed which will hurt his hand and a Will ' o th' Wisp which leads to a Precipice Lât his Danish Majesty but represent to himself the advantage of being free and that a King ought to depend but of God and of his own Sword it is good being in a Condition of making Choice and of following ones true Interest without being tied by Pensionâ which are but gilded Shackles that are not the lighter for it Sweed which the King of Denmark has continually at his heels and who has no Cause no more than many others of praising Lewis the XIVth not to have any Consideraâion for those Powers that shall Allie themselves with that Monarch who detâ ns from him the Dutchy of Deux-Pont and considerable Sums of Arrears due to him which he would never pay in spight because his Sweedish Majesty would not continue with him the Alliances which had been Contracted The same will happen to Denmark if they take not care beforehand But when it once finds it self deceiv'd then will it have recourse to the States of the Unired Provinces and to the Emperor but perhaps a little too latâ mean time it cannot be thought that the Emperor and the Princes of the Empire will look with a quiet temper on the Alliances of the King of Denmark with their commou Enemies nor even that he should remain Neuter for still that is the way to serve him indirectly and to give the People the means to carry into France all the Provision that it will stand in want of their Merchants growing Rich by the Spoll of those that Fight I would gladly see how the King of Denmark would defend himself when his Allie Lewis the XIVth shall ask him for Powder and Salt-peter for his Money which is that he has most need of at present Mean time it is easie to judge that that would be a great prejudice to the Enemies of France and that it would deprive them from a great advantage which it is likely they might obtain by their Enemies want of Ammunitions wherefore in such a favourable juncture the Allies will not endure any thing to their prejudice nor that can impead their Enterprizes It is much better for Denmark immediately to embrace that party as being its true Interest than to deferr doing so 'till France has had a blow The Most Christian King reckons much on the King of Poland his Allie there is betwixt them a very great Commerce of Money and of Letters that is no News every body knows it though one should not make it ones business to prye into it those Messengers which so frequently pass to and fro shews it sufficiently and no body is ignorant that the French Interest is entirely predominant in that Court That King Employs for the most part French Men for his Ministers in the Foreign Courts The Queen is still French in her inclinations and heart as well as by Birth that is a quality which all the Princesses of France carry along with them when they are Married out of the Kingdom they meddle with Affairs and that which she understands not well how to mannage she is inform'd in by Monsieur the Marquess of Bethune her Brother The Grand Seignior has been infinitely oblig'd to him during the late Campaigns and though that War would not produce any great advantage to the King of Poland yet he is for no Truce he has his particular Reasons which he is not oblig'd to tell If that Prince after the deliverance of Vienna had gone forwards with his Victories long since had the important Fortress of Caminieck been in his hands France flatters him with words that are but wind assuring him that it shall be put into his hands by agreement but who knows whether it will in a little time be in a Condition of keeping that promise It is an unhappiness for Christendom that Lewis the XIVth has found so much Credit in that Court and that the French Coin is so well known in those parts It were well for Prince Jacob if the King his Father did cleave more closely to the Emperor than he has done since Vienna and that preferring the General interest of Christendom to that of France he should give his helping hand towards a Truce to prevent by that means Europe from falling into a greater Mischief than it is lately got out of But let us turn our selves towards its Deliverer Though the English are a Nation which is naturally War-like Undaunted and whose Courage frequently runs even to rashness they loving that Liberty in which they are Born yet it may be said that England during the Reign of its two last Kings has Conrributed to the downfal of Europe into Slavery when it could have prevented it with one word through a deceitful hope that it could save it self from ruine either by the Situation of the Country and by its Forces or by the Illusory promises of France All the Princes of Europe have always pris'd very highly the Alliance with England even in the time of the Emperor Charles the Fifth as we have seen before those Kings have held the Ballance in Europe so long as they have not swerv'd from their true interests and that they have not sold their freedom to
Spain in his ancient Rights and Dominions and cause France to Restore what it had Usurped from it This Foundation being as firm as it is certain Spain ought to join with those who labour for its rest and quiet by that of all Europe to put in a readiness all its Forces in Catalonia Navarre and above all in the Netherlands where the People must copiously bleed their Purses towards the Entertainment of an Army capable to defend it self against the French Assaults let them consider the barbarousness and inhumanity with which they have Treated those Towns that have submitted to them under good Capitulations and such Conditions as had been made by the Dauphin himself let them make Reflections on the cruelty with which the French King has treated his own Subjects against the promis'd Faith and if after that the humour takes them to submit to the French Yoke it may then be said of them as it is said of certain People that they are born to slavery Let Spain further consider the great pretensions the Dauphin thinks to have on the Netherlands on a material Right notwithstanding all the Oaths and Renunciations which the King his Father made of them at the Pirenean Peace and at the time of his Marriage with the Infanta on the Isâââf the Phesants at the foot of the Altar communicating at the greatest and sublimest Mistery that is in the Catholick Church which he has afterwards slighted and if he defers taking Possession of what he pretends to it is not that he renounces it time deprives him of none of his Rights it is only for want of an opportunity which has not yet been favourable enough to him and that his Neighbours the States of the United Provinces are a stumbling block to him and a perpetual Obstacle which he could never so well mannage as he did Jââes the II. because those Lords know better their Interest than that poor Prince ever did We know that Flanders has always been a âone to pick for the Frârââ Kingâ and so long as they will find sâmething to gnaw on they ââll not think of going to Spâin but if they had once made an ând of that bit and well digested it if that which employs them on that side was over what would hinder them from pouring all their Forces into Catalenia and Navarr and from entring with a powerful Army into Spain and even March to Madrid wherefore the Spanish Interest is to strongly unite it self at this present with the Empire with England and with the United Provinces to solicite them not to lay down their Arms till they have recover'd Burgundy the French County all the Usurped Cities in Flanders Hainan Namur and Luxembourg without which it will in success of time relapse again into the same Straits as it hath been in the Reigns of Charles the II. and James the II. of Great Britain if once for all it delivers not it self at this present from that danger whence it seems already to revive and recover by the sudden change of Affairs in England Mean time let the Spanish Council be wary not to be deceiv'd by the French Illusions who promises all when troubled and stands in need of help who ruines it self with Promises but restores it self again with performing none of them more abounding in Crafts than in Integrity the danger pass'd a Fig for the Saint let the same Council hold for certain that when ever the French King has any regard for Spain it is a sign he is at the last gasp and that he knows not whither else to go If that Council can be fully perswaded of this Truth it will not fail to advise his Catholick Majesty to make all his Efforts and to send all the Money he can possible to the Governour of the Netherlands to put themselves in a condition to sustain the first fury of the French after which there is nothing more to fear for the Allies will give it so much Diversion even in France it self that its King will no longer think of going to attack others for so soon as the Germans and the Hollanders shall have clear'd the Countries of Colen Juliers and Treves the Governour of the Netherlands shall not want Men as he has already experienc'd by that Succour which has been sent him But the Marquiss of Guastanaga ought not to grow supine upon this he ought to put himself in a condition to help himself he may by that acquire a great deal of Glory in the condition those Provinces which depend of his Government are in above all he ought very well to supply the Town of Namur its Neighbour has Courted it long because it opens to him a fair and large way all along the River Meuse I add to what I have said before concerning the Death of the Queen of Spain that seeing she has left no Successor through her Barrenness to the Crown of Spain so necessary for the good of the Kingdom and for the quiet of Christendom it appear'd as a kind of necessity for the one and the other that the King should forthwith think of entring into a second Marriage with some Princess of a fruitful Family I know that policy to endeavour to recover Portugal would advise to look on that Infanta but the sterility of the Queen of England her Aunt has made the Council of Spain to fear falling into the same accident again if France had had more Princesses to Marry that had been worthy of his Catholick Majesty's Choice as Spain may thank God it had not it had not fail'd to propose them to make up a match in the hopes thereby to have obtain'd a Neutrality because all those Marriages have always produc'd some advantages to France But having nothing to fear that way Spain has been oblig'd to turn towards Germany and to fix in the Family of the Prince Palatin Nienbourg there was still remaining there a beautiful Princess Sister to the Empress and to the Queen of Portugal though elder than this last she had no mind to go to Portugal by some certain foreknowledge she had such a Marriage would have contracted a more strict Allianee betwixt those Powers and Portugal the German Ladies are usually fruitful that Princess comes not from a House whose Interest should make them to desire Barrenness there being therefore nothing to sear on that side there is no question but that the Queen-Mother has us'd all her Power as well as the Empeperor to accomplish it and that on the contrary the French Emissaries have labour'd with all their subtleties to prevent it but their ill fortune has been such that their Credit has been very inconsiderable in those Courts they are like those petty Saints who no longer work Miracles and whose Feasts are over their falsehood is but too well known already all over Europe wherefore now they begin to take their March into the new World to the Kingdoms of China and of Siam where those good People believe that all