AN ANSWER to a PAPER Written by Count d'Avaux, The French King's Ambassador in Sueden. Concerning the PROPOSALS of PEACE MADE BY FRANCE TO THE CONFEDERATES. LONDON: Printed for Richard Baldwin, near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane. MDCXCIV. A TABLE OF THE Principal MATTERS contained in this ANSWER. I. GEneral Reflections on Count d' Avauxes Paper. Page 1. II. He endeavours to remove the Fear of the Allies about the Offers of Peace made by the King his Master. Page 2 III. Enquiry whether this Fear be well or ill grounded. ibid. iv An Objection against it. ibid. V An Answer to that Objection. Page 3 VI A second Objection, with its Answer. Page 4 VII, VIII. Enquiry into the Conditions Monsieur d' Avaux brags to be very Advantageous: And first into those concerning the States-General; together with an Examination of that important and foregoing Question; Who is the Author of this War? and consequently the Aggressor? ibid. IX. The Interest of the State's General about the Re-establishment of Peace. Page 7 X. Terms concerning the King of Great Britain. Page 8 XI. Terms offered to the King of Spain. ibid. XII. Some Important Reflections on the French King's desisting from his Pretensions to the Spanish Netherlands in favour of the Elector of Bavaria. Page 9 XIII. A continuation of the same Reflections on the pretended nullity of the French King's renouncing to the Succession of the King of Spain. Page 11 XIV. Terms offered to the House of Lorraine. ibid. XV. Terms proposed to the Empire. Page 12 XVI. A Continuation of the Reflections on the same Subject, with a refutation of Monsieur d' Avauxes Reasons. Page 14 XVII. Some particular Remarks concerning the City of Strasbourgh. Page 16 XVIII. Monsieur d' Avauxes Accusation of his Imperial Majesty answered. ibid. XIX. Remarks on the taking of the City of Strasbourgh. Page 17 XX. On its present Condition under the Yoke of France. ibid. XXI. As also on the Importance of this Place. Page 18 XXII. Answer to Monsieur d' Avauxes Objection on this Subject. Page 19 XXIII, XXIV. An Answer about the Equivalent proposed in lieu of the City of Strasbourgh. Page 20 XXV. An Answer about the Mediatorship proposed concerning the reunions. Page 21 XXVI. That the Proposals of France tend only to get more ground upon the Confederates. ibid. XXVII. The Vnbyased Sentiments of his Suedish Majesty compared with those of Monsieur d' Avaux. Page 22 XXVIII. Monsieur d' Avauxes Reasons he makes use of to prove that the King of Sueden is engaged by his Interest to press the Allies to accept of the Proposals made. ibid. XXIX. Enquiry, into his Reasons. Page 23 XXX. A Refutation of what Monsieur d' Avaux alleges against the House of Austria concerning its Pretended Aim at an Universal Monarchy. Page 24 XXXI. An Answer to Monsieur d' Avauxes Reasons, by which he endeavours to engage the Honour of the King of Sueden. Page 26 XXXII. The Conclusion. Page 27 AN ANSWER TO A PAPER written by the Count d' AVAUX, concerning the Proposals of PEACE made to the Allies by FRANCE. I. ONE shall hardly meet with a more specious and subtle Paper, than that by which the Count d' Avaux, the French King's Ambassador in Sueden, has supported the Offers and Conditions of Peace made by his Master. Every thing there seems plausible; and if one only considers the beautiful and lively Colours which he so artificially makes use of, one would think that all the Reason and Justice lay on the French King's, as all the Wrong on the Confederates side; and this too in an Affair of the highest nature, since 'tis to put an end to an almost General War amongst Christians in all the parts of the World, and to re-establish a Peace which is to decide either the Liberty or the Dependency of all the Princes and States in Christendom. But whereas in Affairs of this Importance, instead of being drawn in by outward appearances we ought to sound the bottom, let us narrowly inquire into his manner of Reasoning, without any Passion or Prejudice, which are as blind Guides as they are depraved Counsellors. The matter in hand deserves it; and if ever there was required a true Touchstone in State-Affairs, we stand now in need of it. II. The Count d' Avaux endeavours straight to remove the Fears of the Confederates; who considering the great Eagerness the French King shows to enter upon a Treaty of Peace, have a shrewd guess, That his only Design in doing so, is to separate and disunite them. In order to which he alleges, That the King his Master has offered advantageous Terms to all (not excepting any of) his Enemies. III. Now to judge whether these Fears are well or ill grounded, we ought to remember what has been done in this Affair in particular, with the Duke of Savoy, the Emperor, the Elector of Bavaria, and even to the King of Spain, by the Holy Father's Mediation. Again, we ought to consider what pains have been taken to make this War pass for a War of Religion, with the zealous roman-catholics. The Emergency of the Affairs of England, and the late King James' Misfortunes, have furnished France with some specious Pretences for it. With the Protestant Princes other Engines have been set at work, and a show has been made of some other Pretences, which the Northern Crowns can prove with a witness. Neither ought we to forget the famous Negotiation of the Treaty at Nimeguen, which was no sooner set on foot, but France obtained her Ends, viz. To separate the then Allies. An unhappy Separation which plunged them into all those Misfortunes they have been forced to undergo since that time; and which no man can give a better account of, than Monsieur d'Avaux himself. 'Tis then this sad Experience that has made them more wise, and 'tis also the only and true Reason that has obliged the French King to make Proposals and Terms of Peace to every one of them, as having lost all hopes of disuniting them by Separate Treaties. iv But, says one, what means this wavering? Would it not be better to enter straight upon the matter? Does it not seem strange that the Allies have not thought fit as yet to make the least Declaration about the Terms proposed by France? That they do not name the Place of Assembly? Nay, that they will not so much as hearken to the Preliminaries of a Treaty? And has not France reason to cry out against this Conduct of theirs, and to accuse them that they will have no Peace; but that on the contrary they are resolved to continue the War, for ends sinistrous and prejudicial to the Tranquillity and common good of all Christendom? V To which the Confederates will perhaps answer; First, That they do not like that Haughty Air of Superiority which France assumes in making the Proposals, as if it was her due to give Peace to her Enemies, when and on what Terms she pleases. It was in this manner they were treated at the Peace of Nimeguen; a thing never before heard of amongst Independent and Sovereign Princes. Neither have they forgotten as yet what Statues were erected in the Place des Victoires, and in the Court of the Townhouse at Paris; what Representations and Inscriptions were made there; what Panegyrics, what Speeches, and what Verses were composed; the most outrageous and most ignominious to the other Sovereigns, that ever were heard of; even without sparing the most Generous and Faithful Friend and Ally France had then, I mean the Brave King of Sweden, who after he had in those times hazarded his Kingdom together with his dearest Interest in favour of the French King, had no other Reward but the Injurious Reproaches of his having reestablished him on his Throne. These are the fine and immortal Monuments, which as they strike a just Horror into the Confederates, so they make them cautious not to be treated so a second time. Secondly, It may be alleged by the Allies, That they find no Security for themselves in the Proposals made by France. They know but too well, and by sad Experience, That France acknowledges no other Limits to her Treaties, than what agree with her Designs. 'Tis this which the Pyrenean Treaty, that of Aix la Chapelle, of Nimeguen, and the Truce of Twenty Years, the most solemn, and the most advantageous to France that ever were made, lay continually before her eyes, and of which they are yet more convinced by the Maxims of the French Writers, who maintain, That their King can alienate nothing of what once has been incorporated into that Crown; nay, That he cannot renounce upon Oath his Rights, whether true or but pretended, so as to bind his Successors by it. Who will then assure us, That the Treaty that is now to be made, will last, I will not say for ever, but any longer than those that have been made already, and which have been broken as soon as ever a fallacious Peace has first separated, and then disarmed the Confederates? VI But, says another, at this rate we shall have here an everlasting War, since this last reason will always hold, and be ready to be made use of by the Confederates on all occasions. To which I answer, No; this is not in the least their intention. They desire a Peace as much as France, but it must be a sure, an honourable, and a general one: And to obtain such an one, they believe there are no other means but to reduce her to such Terms, as will make it her interest to live hereafter in Peace with her Neighbours, notwithstanding her dangerous Maxims. This is also without doubt the reason, why the Confederates have not as yet returned any Answer to the Proposals of France; since there is some time required to agree amongst themselves about an Answer proper to obtain these ends, and which at the same time may be approved of by every one of them. VII. Monsieur d' Avaux maintains further, That one cannot wish for more advantageous Terms than the King, his Master, has offered the Confederates. This is a thing worth our enquiry. VIII. He gins with those offered to the States-General, and that he may not leave undecided that question, Who is the Author of this War, and consequently the Aggressor? Since 'tis of great weight in this matter; he charges the State's General of having been the Cause of it, by lending their Assistance to the Prince of Orange, that he might make himself Master of England. A mighty Point which it concerns us to inquire into. All the World knows, That in the year 1688, there was no War in Europe, but that with the Turks, which of all the Princes and States that are now in Confederacy against France, the Emperor bore alone the weight of; all the rest lived in a profound Peace; when France on a sudden, being puffed up with her Fortune and Grandeur, and bend to improve the opportunity of securing to herself for ever, what she did but enjoy for twenty years, made that bloody Invasion into the Empire, that did so little expect it, as thinking itself secure under the shelter of a dear-bought Truce. She attacked and took Philippsburg, and possessed herself of all the Rhine, save only Coblentz, Rhinfelt, and Cologne; and 'tis to be noted, That this Invasion which was resolved upon in the Council of France, as soon as Belgrade was taken by the Emperor from the Turks, was executed immediately after, to wit, at the beginning of September, and consequently two Months before the than Prince of Orange came over into England. What relation then has this War with the Assistance given by the States-General to that Prince? Since notwithstanding there was then a defensive Treaty between the Emperor and the States-General still in being; yet their Alliance was not renewed till May 1689. by a defensive and offensive Treaty, being grounded on the rapture of France. This was not done till a year after the taking of Philipsburg, Heidelberg, Manheim, Frankendal and Mayence; and, in fine, after a general devastation of the Palatinat and the Circles of the Upper Rhine, of Suabia and Franconia. France, as all the world knows, and as the nature of so vast and unbounded designs did require it, had taken her measures to enslave the Rhine, before the Prince of Orange's passing the Sea was ever thought of, either in England or Holland. 'Tis true, some time before its being put in execution, they began to suspect a design of the Prince, by the fitting out a Fleet in Holland, and afterwards by an agreement made with some Princes of the Empire about some Troops of theirs, but 'tis no less true, that in France this Design was looked upon as Chimerical, and those as Blockheads that gave a hint in their Letters that it was laid against England. Howsoever they flattered themselves, that they should have done soon enough with Germany, to be able to bridle afterwards the Prince of Orange and the States-General; and behold here one of the greatest effects of the Divine Providence that ever was! For 'tis certain that if the French King instead of invading the Empire, had sent a good Army towards the Frontiers of the Netherlands, though it had been only to threaten them with a War; never could the Prince of Orange have been able to come over into England. The Emperor, the Empire, the King of Spain, had still been in Peace with France; England had been Enslaved by King James; and the rest of Europe by the French King. Besides, we have still place for another Reflection, which is, that at the bottom France has put the Late King James out of, and set the Prince of Orange on the Thrones of Great Britain. 'Tis long since that France looks on the Power and Greatness of England with jealous eyes, as the only Kingdom capable of prescribing Limits to her unbounded Designs. For which reason she has held for a State-Maxime, to destroy England by its own Forces, by Domestic Troubles, and Intestine Wars. She began to put it in practice in the Reigns of the Two Charles, the First and the Second; and thinking she was just upon the point of obtaining her Ends, when James the Second, with whom she had had a long and strict Alliance, and whose Bigotry and Ambition she but too well knew, mounted on the Throne, she did not fail to improve that opportunity, and the Passions of that Prince, to push him on to a Despotic and Arbitrary Government, and the bringing in of Popery against the Fundamental Laws of the Realm, of which the English are more jealous than any Nation in the World besides is of theirs. This is a Truth the Late King James could not be ignorant of; and consequently he might easily judge, that without a powerful Assistance from abroad, it would be impossible for him to compass so vast and so monstrous a Design; and who was likelier to lend it him but the French King, puissant and dreadful to all the World? In short, the thing was as readily granted as desired; but at the same time it was whispered in the Late King's ear, that all would be in vain except the State's General were overturned, as being the only in the World that might oppose his Designs; and that would infallibly do it by reason of the great Interest, which together with the Prince of Orange, their Stadtholder, they had in this Affair. Wherefore a Secret League was concluded between the two Kings in order to a total destruction of the United Provinces, which was to be put in execution on the first opportunity; and France, who had a mind to strike the Iron whilst it was hot, was not willing to put it off, till after she had finished her Conquest of the Rhine, and forced the Emperor and the Empire to confirm her in the possession of it by a shameful Peace, whilst the Late King James, by the means of his Army, was to render himself Master of all at home, to the Subversion of the Government and Religion established by Law in the Three Kingdoms. This is the true cause of all King James' Undertake in England, Scotland and Ireland, against his true Interest, which was to govern his People according to Law, and to oppose the pernicious Designs of France. But his having been drawn in by her, has cost him very dear; for the English being resolved not to outlive the loss of their Laws, their Religion, their Liberties and Properties, called secretly to their assistance the then Prince of Orange, who was obliged to it by a thousand Reasons. But the Prince being wise and cautious, and knowing perfectly the consequence of so great an Enterprise, suffered himself long to be solicited; and did not hearken at last, but to the Threaten that were made him from England, to abandon entirely his, and that Incomparable Princess his Wife's Interest, and to give way to some desperate Action, would have cost them Rivers of Blood. Nevertheless, it was not till August 1688. that the States-General were acquainted with this great Affair; and they did not grant the Prince their Assistance, till the very time the French King's Armies were on their march to invade the Empire, and to attack Philipsbourg, and then they were not like to refuse it, since otherwise they would only have had the advantage of being swallowed up last. Now this being well considered must not one have a strong Forehead to affirm that the States-General are the cause of this War? But besides, in granting the Prince of Orange's Request, did they do the least thing against France? or did they infringe the least Article of the Treaty that was then in being with her? There is no man of sense can aver it; and Monsieur d' Avaux himself, in his thundering and threatening Speeches, he made then at the Hague, could allege nothing, but that his Master found himself obliged to assist his Ally. Was it then requisite that the States-General should have tamely waited for the mortal Stroke that was prepared for them? and being perfectly acquainted with the League of both Kings that had sworn their ruin, should they have let slip the only means to save them, and which indeed secured them effectually from the Attempts of France, who was going to build on their Ruin her vast Designs of an Universal Sovereignty over all the States in Europe. IX. And now to come to the point; 'tis evident by what has been said, that the great Interest the States-General have to observe by a re-establishment of Peace, is the securing themselves effectually for the future by Sea and by Land, without which, all they have to expect will be a suspension only of their total Ruin, so much the more inevitable, the less hopes they can have ever to meet with so fair an opportunity as they have now at this present, to secure their State, their Commerce, and their Tranquillity for the future. The fatal Consequences of the precipitated Peace of Nimmeguen are yet too fresh to be forgotten; and the boasted of Barriere, France offers to restore, will no more establish their quiet for the future, than it has done for the time past. Besides, France does not offer to restore the entire Barriere, since she pretends to keep Luxenburgh, of which more hereafter. X. Monsieur d' Avaux passes but slightly over the Terms which the King of Great Britain is to have; and it seems he fancies forsooth, His Majesty wants nothing but to remain in possession of his Three Kingdoms, and that on that score he'll not scruple to restore what England has taken from France in the West-Indies. But in this Monsieur d' Avaux is so much out of the road, that we have reason to doubt whether Their Majesties will ever permit that it be inserted as a Condition into a Treaty of Peace, that France is to acknowledge Their Dignity and Title, which is sufficiently established by the right of Blood, and by the Offer the Representatives of both Nations have made Their Majesties of the Three Crowns after the Late King Jame's Abdication, and his Retreat into France. Besides, all Potentates of Europe having acknowledged the Title of, and congratulated Their Majesties, there is no doubt but France will be forced to make use of the same Language, in case she has a mind the King should ever enter with her on Articles of Peace. But do they think us tame enough to rest satisfied with that? or rather, do they not imagine we shall ask for somewhat more, some small Terms for our Safety, being acquainted, as we are, with the dangerous Maxims and Designs of France that tend to our destruction? Is it probable the King will abandon his Principality of Orange, and his other Lands by Inheritance, taken from him, and confiscated against all manner of Justice, a long time before the beginning of this War, and in the midst of Peace? XI. And what are the Terms proposed to Spain? Monsieur d' Avaux talks very high and makes a mighty noise about them. Five fine Places taken in Flanders and Catalonia, which the King, his Master, offers to restore, are no Sugar-Plumbs, and his desisting from his pretensions to all the Spanish Netherlands in favour of the Elector of Bavaria, carries so mighty a weight with it, that Spain cannot but choose to embrace these Proposals with both hands. But has not the Catholic King already rejected them with scorn, and declared rather to die, and to carry on the War all alone, then to accept them? Which if it be done with reason, we are now to consider. The King of Spain knows well that the Places France offers to restore, especially those in Flanders, will be no longer his, than during the French King's pleasure; and that their distance from him, and their Situation, in regard to his Crown, will make them fall again sooner or later with the remainder of the Spanish Low Countries into the French King's hands, at least if it be not prevented by the King of England's Assistance, and that of the States-General. Neither will a Resignation, in favour of the Elector, contribute more to the fixing of that Turbulent Humour of the French, than that which was formerly passed in favour of the Archduke Albert and the Isabel. The King of Spain therefore will think perhaps fit, to demand some greater and more real Pledges of his Safety, by a Barriere that may effectually cover the rest of his Netherlands; and 'tis left to every one's judgement, Whether he has not reason to demand them, after the frequent Infractions of the Pyrenean Treaty, that of Aix la Chapelle, of Nimeguen, and the last Truce, on the French King's side. In the second place, France has a mind to keep for ever the Fortress and Duchy of Luxemburgh, and the rather, because the States-General have consented to the leaving of them in her hands during the space of Twenty Years, and that this Fortress is without the Barriere. But is there no difference between a forced Resignation, and that only for some years, and a voluntary one, and that for ever? Besides, we ought to consider, that the City and Province of Luxemburg is of greater Importance to the King of Spain, than one half of his Low-Countries; not so much by reason of its Extent and Revenue, as by its commodious Situation, which opens and shuts the Gates to the Succours which he that is in Possession of the Netherlands may expect and receive from the Emperor and the Empire; and that it is a Bulwark of those Provinces against France. XII. But there remains yet another Point to be cleared, of a far greater, nay, of the highest nature; which is, That the French King in desisting in favour of the Elector of Bavaria from his Pretensions to the Low-Countries, does still reserve to himself his Pretensions to the Succession of the King of Spain, in case he should happen to die without Issue. Which is in plain English, That in case a Peace should be concluded to day, and the King of Spain happen to die without Issue to morrow, we should then have a new and as fierce a War as ever, in the old world as well as in the new one. Monsieur d' Avaux indeed calls this a very Malicious Interpretation, and charges the Emperor with it, as being the nearest concerned therein. But he is not ware that he does himself establish and confirm it more than any body besides. For to maintain, as he does in his Paper, That the Renunciation made, not by the French Queen only, as he does insinuate, but also by the King her Husband, for himself and for his Successors; I say, that this Renunciation made upon Oath, and the most solemn one that ever was passed amongst Sovereigns, is null and void of itself; and to propose to the King of Sueden the Arbitration of that great Succession, What does it mean else, but that the French King pretends to it more than ever? Otherwise he should have spoke out, That the King his Master scorned to do it, as being resolved religiously to observe the Laws he has dictated to himself by this Renunciation. But by the way, Monsieur d' Avaux flatters himself, that by making these Proposals to the King of Sueden, he has hit the Point in Politics, that will effectually engage that Prince into the French King's Interest; and he boasts of it as an Honour that was never conferred on any Prince within the memory of men. Indeed to see one self an established Arbiter of a Difference that concerns no less than the greatest and richest part of the New World, and so many Kingdoms and Provinces in the Old one, is a thing capable of flattering a mind, though possessed with the highest Ambition; and yet the King of Sueden is too Generous to be drawn in by it. If it was a difference of an intricate and dubious nature, something might be said for it; but since it is about the most frivolous and unjust Pretention that ever was, I think the King of Sueden has not much Honour done him by being made an Arbiter of what undoubtedly belongs to another. All Sovereigns are engaged not to suffer an Example of such ill consequence, otherwise farewell all Right and Possession, since none would be the better for 'em. Would not the King of Sueden think it a great Injury, and a piece of the highest Injustice, in case it should be proposed to him to submit his Kingdom and Dominions that undoubtedly belong to him, to the Decision of a Third Person, though his Brother or his dearest Friend? And save this consideration, the highest that ever was, the Emperor and the King of Spain do confide so much in the King of Sueden's Justice, Candor, and Generosity, that they would gladly receive him as an Arbiter in any other Difference but this: In this they'll undoubtedly stick to the French King's sworn Renunciation, which excludes him from all Pretensions to the Dominions of the King of Spain, and the effect of which will never be removed, for all either Monsieur d'Avaux can say, or the mercenary Pens of France, on which he grounds himself, can write; at least as long as any Contract and Obligation amongst Sovereigns does subsist, and Laws Divine and Human are in force. XIII. Neither does Monsieur d'Avaux prove better the pretended Nullity of this Renunciation, by reason that the Spaniards (as he pretends) have not discharged the Sums they were to pay in a limited time: For in the first place it ought to be proved that it has been the fault of the Spaniards that the Portion of the late French Queen has not been paid, and that they have had no reason to imagine, that the Arrears of the Portion of Elizabeth of France, Queen of Spain, and Mother to the late French Queen, might well account for it. But in the second place suppose the Spaniards had been backward in this point, the Contract of Marriage of the French Queen does not say, That in case her Portion should not be paid within the time prescribed, the Renunciation made so solemnly to the Succession of Spain, was to be null and void. By which it appears, That all the French King had to do, was to oblige Spain to perform the Contract, the Renunciation remaining howsoever entire, as having a Motive and Object far greater, more important, and more glorious than the Five hundred thousand Crowns of the promised Portion can come to, that is to say, (to give it in their own terms), To secure for ever the Public Peace of Christendom, and to procure the Common Good of the Kingdoms and Subjects of both Crowns. The King of Spain and the French King being at that very time willing to prevent the Conjunction of both Crowns, as being too big to be united into one. After which can it be said with the least colour of Reason or Justice, That the French King has the least pretence to annul this Renunciation. XIV. As to what relates to the Terms offered to the House of Lorraine, 'tis a Jest to pretend that the Empire has not Right left to meddle with what regards that Duchy, since the late Duke did not accept of what was stipulated for him at the Treaty of Nimeguen. The Empire says with far more justice, That France having broke that Treaty, can draw no advantage from it, and consequently none neither in regard to Lorraine. 'Tis notorious moreover, that the late Duke of Triumphant Memory, did never accept of what Offers were made him at that Treaty; for which reason the French King has no Right neither to the Four Highways in Lorraine, of the breadth of half a mile, that were granted him on that score. But France, according to her celebrated custom, boasts of Treaties as far as they can be stretched to her Advantage; whilst on the other hand, that part which does not serve her purpose, is most scornfully rejected. Besides, we ought to observe here, That it is the French King's way to take away with one hand what he gives with another. He'll desist forsooth from his Pretensions to the Four Highways, but he'll retain in exchange Four of the most important Places of that Duchy, viz. Sarlewis, Bintche, Hombourgh, and Longivy, reserving over and above to himself a Passage for his Troops through Lorraine, which alone would keep the Duke and his Country in a perpetual Slavery. But according to all appearance, the present Duke of Lorraine will find it as hard to persuade himself to the resigning of these Four Places, as his Father did when he was to grant the four Highways; at least, he will not think himself to be very much beholden to the French King for it. In short, if the French King will make us believe that he has a real design to restore to the House of Lorraine what belongs to it by an undoubted Right, why does he retrench from it so considerable a Branch? Is it perhaps because he still grounds himself on some ridiculous Treaties made with the old Duke of Lorraine, Charles the IIId. possessed in those times with an implacable hatred against his nearest Relations, and blinded by a foolish Love? And does he pretend that they are obligatory to the present Duke, who having had no hand in them, claims with a Just Right what belonged to his Ancestors, and what by the same Right is now his own. XV. After this, Monsieur d' Avaux examines the Proposals made by his Master to the Empire, on which he dwells the rather, because the King of Sweden is particularly concerned therein. Let us follow him step by step. He supposes before all things, That the Treaties of Westphaly and Nimeguen are to remain in their full force and vigour. To which we may reply by the by, That although the French King has rendered himself unworthy of what has been decided there in his favour, yet there will hardly be any dispute about them on the Empire's side, especially about the Treaties of Westphalia; but the question is, Whether the Proposals made by France are capable of restoring those Treaties to their full force and vigour? To which every reasonable and man will be obliged to answer in the Negative, and that we are to prove hereafter. Besides, the old difficulty holds here still, to wit, How we shall be assured that the French King will better keep those Treaties for the future, than he has done for the time past? 'Ts notorious, That that of Nimeguen was no sooner executed, but he raised in the year 1680. a quarrel about his dependencies and his frivolous Reunions; by the means of which, though grounded only on some whimsical Titles and Pretences, and pleaded before his own Courts, where he was himself both Judge and Party; several Princes and States of the Empire were dispossessed of their Countries, there being found out a way to father always on the nearest places a dependency from those had been last taken. A goodly way indeed that would have Reunited at last the whole Empire to France! In the year 1681, he Surprised and possessed himself of Strasburg. The violences and outrages that were committed there, and since that time, are of a fresh date, and aught to be abhorred by all true Germans, as long as they have a drop of blood in their Veins. Monsieur d' Avaux pretends also, that the Truce of twenty years concluded at Ratisbonne, should be converted into a definitive Treaty of Peace. But why would not the Emperor and the Empire consent to it, when that Treaty was made, or since, before the new Invasion by France? They would have prevented by it, what they have suffered from the barbarous Ravages and Desolations that have been carried during this War, into the best part of Germany, but they had but too much reason to refuse it. Wherefore to soften that Proposition, which was from that time rejected, Monsieur d' Avaux thinks to have mended the matter by making some Alterations in it, which he cries up for so many convincing proofs, that the King, his Master, has no thoughts of making the least Conquests in the Empire. These Alterations are as follow, viz. Instead that heretofore, and since the Truce, France demanded that all should remain in Statu quo, that is to say, that she was to keep by a Peace all Places and Provinces she Usurped in the Empire, the Possession of which was not secured to her but during the twenty years of the Truce; She offers now to surrender some of those Places demolished, viz. Mount-Royal, Trarbach, and the Works of Fort-Lewis and Hunninguen, which Works being in regard to France on that side of the Rhine, the meaning of it is in plain English, That she'll raze indeed the Forts built on the Germane side, cover the Bridges of Fort-Lewis and Hunninguen, but as to the body of those Places, Situated in regard to her on this side the Rhine, She'll keep them: She offers besides to surrender Philipsbourg and Frybourg fortified, as they are now at present: She offers moreover to restore the Palatinat and the Duchy of Deux-ponts; and besides all this, she'll submit the Affair of the Reunions made for the time past, to the decision of some Commissaries to be named on both sides, or to the Arbitration of the Republic of Venice. Now according to these fair Proposals, If we'll believe Monsieur d' Avaux, the French King retains nothing, but only the City of Strasbourg, with the Forts belonging thereunto, which indeed by way of Compensation, he'll keep for himself and his Successors for ever. XVI. 'Tis indeed a rare show, to see what pains Monsieur d' Avaux takes to make the Germans relish these Proposals, which with an Assurance peculiar to a certain Nation, he would have them look upon as a Favour his Master has a mind to bestow on them. Add to this the cunning he employs to diminish the Importance of the City of Strasbourg, and its passage, as also what he alleges to justify his Master's keeping of it. Insomuch, that the first thoughts that come into one's head, on the account of so injurious Proposals made to the Emperor, and the Empire, are, that according to the ridiculous ditty, or rather impertinent satire of his Country, he takes them for Allemands, or to speak more intelligibly, for Irishmen, That do not know so much as the bogs of their own Country. But let us see how the matter stands. In case the Places France offers to restore to the Empire, as an Equivalent for Strasbourg, were either part of the Kingdom of France, or got by that Crown by a just Title, 'tis agreed that they might hearken to the Places proposed. But can they name one that does not belong to the Empire, except Frybourg, which was resigned to France by the Treaty of Nimeguen? On what score then can the French King dispose of Places that are not his own, and offer them as an Equivalent to the Emperor, to whom they undoubtedly belong? But, says Monsieur d' Avaux, the King, my Master, is in Possession of them by Right of Conquest, and the Emperor is not like to retake them. To which I answer, 'Tis agreed that in case it were lawful amongst Christians, to Invade without either Reason or Justice, the Countries of their Neighbours when they least think on it, and imagine themselves secure under the shelter of Treaties of Peace, or when they are employed some where else, as the Emperor, and the Empire were by a War with the Infidels, raised by the tricks and cunning of the Most Christian King, and Fomented by his Treaties, and by his Supplies of Officers, Engineers, and Money; I say, if there was no more to be done but to take Possession of another Prince's Country, and then offer to restore him one part of it, on condition to leave that which is the most considerable in the lurch; then, and then only would there be some sense in Monsieur d' Avauxes reasoning. But what right, either Divine, or Human, did ever Authorise so unjust a Title of acquisition? And what security could there be henceforward expected in the World, if this Practice once came to be allowed? Every Society would then be but a band of Robbers, where Force, Violence, and Tyranny, would take place of Right and Justice. 'Tis left to every one's Judgement, Whether it be not the Interests of all Princes to oppose with all their might such pernicious Maxims. In effect, in such cases all Alliances are at an end, and none can be bound by them to Assist so inhuman and barbarous an Aggressor. It has been said heretofore, how France Attacked and Ravaged the Empire in 1688. with the greatest Injustice, and without the least shadow of reason, by Monsieur d'avauxes own tacit acknowledgement, for it is a point he has not thought fit to meddle with; and consequently, if Divine and Human Rights are allowed to take place, the French King, far from getting any advantage by it, or keeping the least foot of ground after so crying an Usurpation, is bound to make Reparation, and the Offended Parties have just grounds to demand Damages of him for what he has caused them to suffer. But, good God What Damages may there not be asked? Entire Provinces utterly destroyed; Cities that opened their Gates, relying on the Faith of Capitulation made with the French Dauphin, Razed to the very ground; Actions innumerable of Cruelty and Barbarity unparallelled in all Histories; what Reparation, I beseech you, is there to be made for all this? Yes, to weigh all things rightly, a good part of France itself would not suffice. Nevertheless, to make the measure full, instead of thinking to give the least satisfaction, the French King sets a price on his Cruelties; for these are the bloody Titles by which he pretends to keep what he has got by them. But, God be thanked, the Emperor and the Empire are not reduced to acquiesce in them, at least they will not think themselves much beholden to him for the offer he makes them to restore some of the places he Usurps in the Empire, in lieu of the City of Strasbourg. XVII. 'Tis this City which sticks closest to the Count d'avauxes heart; for he leaves no stone unturned to inveigle the Empire to abandon it. At one time he endeavours to prove that such a Resignation is not contrary to the Treaties of Westphaly, since the Emperor, if you'll believe him, has infringed them in regard to Sueden as well as France; and that in the Empire itself Instances are to be found of divers Alterations made since those Treaties. At another time he makes bold to maintain, That the City of Strasburgh has surrendered itself willingly to its Master; that it is its Interest to remain under his Protection; that this City is of little or no importance to the Empire; and that unless it be resigned, there will be no quiet for it, nor any assured Peace between the Empire and France; and in fine, that at all hazards the blame of it can never be laid at his Master's door, since he has offered for it a more than sufficient Equivalent. All this fine Gibberish needs no Refutation. Neither do I think fit to meddle with that Question, Whether an Alteration may be lawfully made in the Empire, against and after the Treaties of Westphaly; since it would be no more to the purpose, than the Instances Monsieur d'Avaux gives of it. All I have to say as to that Point is, That no part of the Empire ought to be dismembered from it, nor any Alteration made, except in Cases of the highest Necessity, and when there are some great and visible Advantages to be got by it. But what good will it do the Germans to abandon the City of Strasburgh? Or rather, What hurt will it not prove to them? Since this Place is both the only Key to, and the sole Bulwark of the Empire against the Invasions of France. XVIII. As to what regards the Accusation of the Emperor, as if he had infringed the Treaties of Westphaly, in the Wars of Poland and Denmark, Monsieur d'Avaux makes use of it as an Argument that strikes home: But 'tis not fair to unravel things that have been buried in Oblivion by a Solemn Treaty in 1660. Animosities between Princes are not to be looked upon as Eternal, since they are not only obliterated by Time, but the Interest of their Country often changes them into a sincere Friendship; as indeed since that time we have seen strict Alliance made and kept, and a perfect Correspondency reign between the Emperor and the King of Sueden, to their mutual Advantage and Satisfaction. On the contrary, the strongest Ties are broken, when that Interest which made them, happens to cease: Witness Sueden and France after the Peace of Nimeguen; the latter having treated the first with great Haughtiness, and all imaginable Scorn. Yet suppose there had been some Infraction on the Emperor's side, which yet the Imperial Court has formerly denied, alleging the Defensive Alliance was then in being between the Emperor and Poland, that was the Party invaded; that Difference has been made up by the Treaties of Peace, and does not authorize the French King to do as much after the Peace was made. 'Tis so plain a Point that we need not enlarge upon it. Let us rather consider what regards the City of Strasburgh in particular. XIX. Whether that City has voluntarily surrendered itself, or not, is left to be decided by Matter of Fact, which is of so late a date, that we cannot but remember the Circumstances of it. Three or four Villains in the Senate, Traitors to their Country, corrupted by French Money, and blinded by their ambition, (one of which was soon after * A Principal Person concerned in the betraying the City of Strasbourg sent for to Paris, under pretence of Reward, by the French King's Order, Banished to one of the remotest parts of France. paid off by the French King himself) did the business; and the poor Inhabitants resolved to defend themselves, were intimidated by the approach of a French Army ready to Attack them in the midst of Peace. They saw themselves without hopes of Relief from abroad, and without Advice from within by the Treachery of their Chiefs, and consequently were forced to open their Gates. This is the consent Count d' Avaux does so much brag of. The French King would undoubtedly look on such Magistrates of his Towns as great Traitors, that should act as those of Strasbourg have done, and he would do it with as much reason, as there is but little now, to call those of Strasbourg, The best and soundest part of the Inhabitants. XX. What Monsieur d' Avaux says of this City, viz. That it is its Interest and Advantage to remain part of the Dominions of France, is of the same piece. 'Tis certain that it has found itself well under the Protection of the Empire during several Ages, at least that it has enjoyed a full and entire Liberty in Matters Ecclesiastical and Civil; when on the contrary, it is now subjected to the Tyrannical Government of the French King, who alleges not other reason for his innumerable Edicts, Declarations, and Ordonnances, but what we always read at the end of them, Car tel est Notre Plaisir. For that is Our Pleasure. XXI. But for what a Conjurer would Monsieur d' Avaux pass, and what a Master would he seem to be of the Art of Persuading, if he could make the Germans believe, that this City is of little or no importance to the Empire, and that unless it be resigned, there would be no quiet for it, nor any Peace assured between the Empire and France. To show Monsieur d' Avaux that the Empire knows perfectly well the value and importance of that Place, and far better than he; be it known to him,, if he be ignorant of it, that upon this City depends the Preservation or loss of three Circles of the Empire, viz. of Suabia, Franconia, and the Upper Rhine, that is to say, a third part of Germany, that Strasbourg being under the Protection of the Empire, serves instead of a Wall to these three Circles; but that being in the possession of France, it serves her by the rule of contraries as an † An Inroad, or Highway, is called in the Germane Language, Strass. Inroad (as its name imports) as a Key, and as a Place of Arms, to invade, to ravage, and to enslave these three Circles; that this Place being in French hands cuts Germany off from Switzerland on the side of the Upper Rhine, and renders them Masters of that great and important River, from Basle on to the very Gates of Philipsbourg, which France offers to surrender: And there needs no other proof of it, but a remembrance of the business of the Reunions and Dependencies which after the taking of Strasbourg, was carried on with more boldness and violence than ever. In short, 'tis the most sensible breach of the Treaties of Westphaly that France can make, to desire the keeping of Strasbourg by way of advance. Such a demand has no coherence with the foundations, the Count d' Avaux himself has but just now laid of the Peace that is to be, viz. That the Treaties of Westphaly and Nimeguen, are to remain in their full force and vigour. One might enumerate a hundred other Advantages that Strasbourg yields to the Empire, but we have said enough to convince every reasonable man of the great importance of that place to the Germans. Again, to say that Philipsbourg is a greater Inroad into the Empire, and that consequently 'tis of as great, if not greater, importance than Strasbourg, is still to take them for Irishmen; for to speak soberly, What comparison can there be made between such an inconsiderable Place as Philipsbourg, unwholesome by its Situation, blocked up within the Territories of the Empire, and which cannot contain but a Garrison of 3 or 4000 men at the most; and Strasbourg, which with the Provinces that surround it, may contain an Army of Fifty thousand men? Besides by what has been said, Philipsbourg, as well as Strasbourg, aught to be restored to the Empire. XXII. To answer also to the Objection that has been made, That as long as Strasbourg remains part of the Empire, there can be no assured peace and quiet between it and France; we need but turn the Tables, and say with more reason, that on the contrary, as long as Strasbourg is in the French King's Hands, all Peace, and all Treaties of Peace, will be in vain: For with what Patience can that great Nation behold in the Power os France, a place that has belonged to them during so many Ages? that has been so Treacherously stole from them, that threatens them incessantly with a terrible Storm, ready to break out upon them on the first opportunity, and that in fine is the Capital of that beautiful and great Province of Alsace, in which France by the Treaty of Westphaly is only entitled to the City of Brisac, the Landgraviat of the Lower and Upper Alsace, in the same manner the House of Austria did possess it, the Suntgau and the Provinoial Mayery of the Ten Cities? Nevertheless Count d' Avaux passes over this great and delicate morsel in silence, and pretends to swallow it up without so much as speaking of it. There are no instances, at least for several Ages, That the Empire has Invaded its Neighbours. An Offensive War does not at all agree with its Constitution, since to resolve upon it, more than 200 Voices are requisite, of Princes and States that are of a different, not to say opposite, Interests: When on the contrary all Europe smarts by the frequent Invasions and Insults of France: All Ages furnish us with Instances of that kind, and the present more than all the rest; And how can we expect better for the future from that unruly and turbulent Nation. XXIII. As to the Count's maintaining, That the King, his Master, offers the Empire a more than sufficient Equivalent for the City of Strasbourg; we have already Answered, that the Surrender of whatever the French King has Possessed himself of during this unjust War, is so far from being a Compensation for that Place, that on the contrary he is holden to make the Empire Restitution of it with Cost and Damages. XXIV. And indeed 'tis matter of wonder to see, That Monsieur d' Avaux, who is, and Writ in Sweden, dares not only advance, that more than Two thirds of the Palatinat, belong uncontrovertedly to the Duchess of Orleans; but that also he takes upon him to offer and to dispose as an equivalent of the Palatinat, and the Duchy of Deux-Ponts, the latter of which belongs as undoubtedly to the King of Sweden, as he has Right of Succession to the first. This is a Point indeed of the highest consequence, but 'tis left to the decision of that Prince, who as he is most concerned therein, so he'll know without doubt, how to maintain his Interest. We shall only allege here, the Memorial presented in the year 1685 to the Diet of Ratisbonne, by the Minister of the Prince Palatine, in which it has been made out, that according to the Constitutions and Customs of the House Palatine, which the Duke and Duchess of Orleans have acknowledged by their Contract of Marriage, and by a solemn Acquittance delivered on the Payment of her Portion, the present Duchess of Orleans has no manner of pretensions, no more than the rest of the Princess' Palatin, either to the Territories of that House, or to what depends from them, as long as there are Princes Palatine and Dukes of Bavaria alive, who altogether descend in a direct Line from Stephen Count Palatine their Common Father, and Author, and Founder of this Constitution, which since that time has been acknowledged by so many solemn Renunciations of all the Princess' Palatine, and more particularly by that of the present Duchess of Orleans. We'll content ourselves also with admiring the boldness, to say no more, of Monsieur d' Avaux in offering to restore the Duchy of Deux-Ponts in the Condition it was in when his Master seized it; For what will become of the use and revenues of that Duchy, he has enjoyed during his Usurpation? According to all Laws they ought to be made good at least, to the King of Sweden. XXV. As to what regards the Reunions made for the time past, and the Proposals to submit the decision of them to some Commsssaries, or to the Arbitration of the Republic of Venice; 'tis of the same nature with the Succession of the King of Spain, which we have examined already. The name alone of Reunions, Barbarous and unknown to all other Languages, will be for ever detested by the Germans, so far are they from disputing about, and agreeing to an Arbitration of that kind. And would it not be a tacit acknowledgement, that France had had some reason to make them? For we ought never to enter upon the debate but of such Points, that are not, as this is, obvious, clear, and evident on the Empire's side. What if the Arbiter should happen to decide in Favour of France, Would not that goodly work of Reunions go bravely on anew? And the French Writers, would not they have a fair play to maintain, that what had once been their King's Right, must be always so, in spite of what all future Treaties might decide against it? Far be it therefore from the Germans to submit a certain and undoubted Right, to the chance of a doubtful decision. Besides, the French King pretends to remain in Possession of the Reunions till that decision be made. Now suppose those Commissaries, or the Republic of Venice just and bold enough, to give these reunions to the Germans, How shall they come at them but by the means of a New War? XXVI. And thus far have we followed Monsieur d' Avaux close in the Enquiry of the Proposals he has made; and though we have reason to believe that we have sufficiently demonstrated the Injustice and Unreasonableness of them, yet this will be more conspicuous yet, if we consider that there is not one of the Allies on whom the French King by these Proposals does not endeavour to get ground; and that he treats every one of them, as a Conqueror would do his vanquished and prostrate Enemies; of which I am going to give an Account, but in a few words. France demands of England what has been taken from her in the West-Indies; of the States-General, that they are to acquiesce in the renewing of the Treaties of Peace, and a Commerce with France, on the same foot as they were before the beginning of this War: Of Spain, the Duchy and Fortress of Luxemburgh, with an Establishment of her Pretensions to the Succession of that Prince: Of the Duke of Lorraine, Four important Places, with a Passage for his Troops, that are to pay for what they have: And of the Empire, the City of Strasburgh, will all its Forts; as also, That the Decision of the Reunions may be left to some Commissaries, or an Arbiter. XXVII. The King of Sueden was so sensible of the Extravagancy of these Proposals, that when his Ministers presented them to the Confederates, they declared in the Name of the King their Master, That it was by no means his Majesty's Intention to Persuade, much less to Force the Parties concerned, to acquiesce in them: And yet Monsieur d' Avaux has the boldness (to say no more) to maintain to the King of Sueden's face, That it is his Interest as well as for his Honour, to press the Enemies of France to accept of the Proposals of Peace she has made them; and that whosoever talks to him otherwise, has no true Zeal for his Service, nor a due unconcernedness towards all the other Princes of Europe. Good God who could have expected such a Declaration from the French Ambassador in Sueden, who has so great a Reputation? We need not again but turn the Tables, and say with much more truth, That it is the King of Sueden's Interest, as well as for his Honour, to press France to grant the Allies more just and reasonable Terms; and that whosoever talks to him otherwise, has no true Zeal for his Service, nor a just unconcernedness towards the French King: I say, we might say all this; but we have too much Respect for that King, and too much Consideration for his Ministers, to reproach them with what they do not deserve. XXVIII. Nevertheless let us examine the Considerations Monsieur d'Avaux alleges in order to support his Reasons, and to make the King of Sueden relish them: One regards his Interest, and the other engages his Honour. By the first he pretends, That the House of Austria being the common Enemy of France and Sweden, as the two only Kingdoms capable of opposing its Designs of an Universal Monarchy, (which if you'll believe him, sticks close to its heart) and of protecting the Liberties of the Princes of the Empire; that this House makes it its study to ravish from these Crowns the Territories they are in possession of in Germany; for which reason, says he, 'tis the Interest of both Kings to maintain their Ancient Union; and that the King of Sueden is so much the more obliged thereunto, because in case it should happen that France notwithstanding all her Victories by Sea and Land, should lose a considerable Battle at last, he would hardly be able to raise the dejected Party. On the other hand, he maintains, That 'tis no less the Interest of the King of Sueden to prevent the French King's falling off at Sea, and to oppose the Tyranny which the English and Dutch endeavour to establish there. XXIX. To hear Monsieur d'Avaux reason at this rate, one would be apt to think he had quite forgot the Circumstance of Time. If his late Uncle had made this Harangue at the Treaty of Munster, it might have passed; but what Alterations have we not seen since that time in the Affairs and Interests of State? Has it been forgotten, that since the Peace of Munster, and especially during and after the Negotiation at Nimeguen, France has endeavoured to mortify the King of Sueden a hundred ways, to create him Enemies, and to entangle him into Wars? That she has disposed of the Lands of that prince, as if he had been under her Guardianship, and of her Dependency: That she has abused his Ministers: That she has made a League against him, and come to that height as to send her Squadrons against him into the Sound: That she has offered to hinder him from making Defensive and Harmless Alliances; witness the noise she made at Ratisbonne and in other places, against that was then made between the Emperor, the King of Sueden, some Electors, and several Princes of the Empire, in the very same year she made an end of her seizing the Duchy of Deux-ponts; where she had no more regard for the King of Sueden, than she would have had for the least State of the Empire. On the other hand, Is it not visible, that at the present Juncture of time, the Emperor's and King of Sueden's Interests are absolutely the same? And that 'tis morally impossible to separate them, since one cannot be saved without the other. And 'tis for this reason, that the Houses of Brandenburg and Lunenburgh are in a strict Alliance with that King; and that far from thinking of getting ground upon him in the Territories he possesses in Germany, they are as ready, as they are obliged, to defend them against any body whatsoever. But how does this agree with the pretended Union of Interest which is imagined to subsist at present between France and Sueden? Is it not ridiculous to endeavour to move the King of Sueden to authorize and to be the Guarantee (if one may say so) of the Superiority and the Conquests of the French King? since the latter has declared and made War against the Empire and its Allies, without acquainting him in the least with it; nay, rather against himself, in his Duchy of Deux-Ponts, and by the Desolation of the Palatinate. Besides, France demands this Guarantee, without being willing to let the King of Sueden share in the Conquests she has made, and that are directly against his Interest: For 'tis evident, that if the War with the Confederates, and the need the French King stands in of Sueden, had not brought him a little to reason, never would he have thought of restoring the Duchy of Deux-Ponts to its right Owner: Nay, he would have pretended also to retain the best part of the Palatinate, to the prejudice of the Ancient and Natural Rights of Succession of that King. Was there ever such a Confederacy, unless that of the Lion in the Fable? XXX. But what did Monsieur d'Avaux dream of, when he accused the House of Austria of aspiring to an Universal Monarchy? Does he think that all the world is either blind or out of their wits? For if a Philip II. in the last, or a Ferdinand II. in the present Age, have perhaps conceived such a Design, being tempted to it by the Greatness of their Power, and encouraged by their Victories, it has been buried with them, and none but France has inherited it; she being in reality now, what the House of Austria was formerly. We have seen with our eyes, that since the Pyrenean Treaty France has not only affected an Arbitrary and Absolute Government over all the Princes and States in Europe, but that she has actually exercised it. We appeal to 'em all, whether one can say that he has been exempted from it. Those whom Nature has made their Neighbours, have been all either swallowed up, or put out of a condition to resist; and those whom a kinder Heaven has removed from her, have felt her Insults and Threaten. And without entering into Particulars, which would perhaps be tedious, 'tis enough to make the King of Sueden remember, as we have already said, how he has been used by France, especially when she sent a Squadron against him into the Sound, which till then had never been heard of. For 'tis worth our while to know, That France affects no less a Sovereignty over the Seas, than she does over the Land; and 'tis for this Reason, and not that Monsieur d' Avaux alleges, That England and Holland have united themselves against Her. And now 'tis left to every one's judgement, Whether it be for the King of Sueden's Advantage, to assist the French King in the prosecuting of these wicked ends, as he would do by procuring him such Advantageous Terms of Peace as he demands; and by which he cannot but get more ground upon his Neighbours, and augment considerably his Power: Or rather, Whether it be not his true Interest to oppose it with all his might, together with all other Princes concerned therein, and to hinder that France may not get the better by this War, by obliging her to restore what she has so unjustly taken from her Neighbours. For, in fine, if she has committed so many Outrages before she was in Possession of Strasburgh, Luxemburgh, and so many other Places and Provinces, what will it be for the future, if she comes to keep 'em by a Peace? Two years of a good Harvest and Trade will make up all her Losses, and render her more powerful than ever, and put her in a condition to make all other Princes sensible of the deplorable effects of her Turbulent Humour and Ambition. Now is the time to throw off that Yoke we have felt so heavy. If we let it slip, never must we hope to see it again. For what appearance is there to expect such another Juncture, or to see again so many Means and Forces which a happy Destiny has now united, on purpose to deliver us from Slavery and Bondage? Or now, or Never. Neither is it to be feared the thing should be stretched too far, and the Enemies of France grow too great, by Her becoming less; as yet Monsieur d' Avaux endeavours to insinuate, by a Confessien that undoubtedly has cost him very dear. Ah! how far are we yet from it, and how many things are there still required, to put the Scales into a Balance, which now entirely incline towards the French side? There are some Limits may be prescribed to make that Balance even; which will be done, if things be set in the same posture they were in immediately after the Westphaly and Pyrenean Treaties; for 'tis from that time onwards, that France did extremely outweigh the Balance. XXXI. And now we are come to Monsieur d'avauxes Second Consideration which he lays before the King of Sueden, in order to engage him to his Master's Interest, on account of his own Honour. The King his Master, he says, has straight accepted of the King of Sueden' s Mediation; and on the contrary, the Confederates, (if you'll believe him) have rejected it, as being unwilling to hearken to any Peace, for some particular Ends of the Emperor, and the King of Great Britain; and from thence he concludes, that the King of Sueden is in Honour engaged to make himself to be looked upon as a Great Prince, such as he ought to be; that is to say, according to Monsieur d' Avaux, he should either procure Peace to Christendom, or side with one of the two Parties; it being the thing he advances at the beginning of his Paper. Now though we may very well admit of this Proposition, That the King of Sueden ought either to procure Peace to Christendom, or side with one of the two Parties, yet the Question is, To what Party his Honour, Glory, Reason, Justice, and own Interest ought to incline him; and we need but open our eyes to see that he ought to join with the Confederates, as we have already proved by all we have said in this Answer. In the mean time, 'tis not true that the Confederates have rejected the King of Sueden' s Mediation; they are, on the contrary, ready to embrace it, persuaded as they are, of his Majesty's Justice, Equity, Candour, and Generosity. 'Tis then the French King's fault alone, that the Mediation of Sueden has not as yet taken any effect in a Treaty of Peace; and this Obstacle will not be removed, as long as the French King sticks to his Proposals, which he calls his Vltimata; and the Confederates can never accept of, since instead of a sure and durable Peace, they would only obtain by them a delay of their Ruin and Misery; and that if they should take place, France would soon be in a condition to begin a New War and fiercer than ever; and that at the latest, in case Europe should have the misfortune to see the King of Spain die without Issue; in the mean time France under the shadow of Peace, would be busy in endeavouring to embroil the Affairs every where, especially in England and Holland, which as they are the two great Obstacles to her vast Designs, so are they also the Objects of her Hatred. XXXII. But let us make an end by remembering the King of Sweden once more, That the work of an honourable, sure, lasting, and general Peace, seems to be reserved in a great measure to his Glory: That he needs no more but desire it, by obliging France to restore all things in regard to the Empire, into the same condition they were in by the Treaties of Westphaly; and in regard to Spain, if not exactly according to the Pyrenean Treaty, yet the nearest to it, as Justice, and the security and welfare of the Catholic Countries and Europe requires; and finally, to let the other Confederates have also a just and reasonable Satisfaction; which being done, there will be no more dispute about the Proposals of Peace that then will offer themselves. FINIS. Books Sold by Richard Baldwin. BIbliotheca Politica: Or an Enquiry into the Ancient Constitution of the English Government; Both in respect to the just extent of Regal Power, and the Rights and Liberties of the Subject. Wherein all the Chief Arguments, as well against as for the Revolution, are impartially Represented, and considered, in Thirteen Dialogues. Collected out of the Best Authors, as well Ancient as Modern. To which is added an Alphabetical Index to the whole Work. The Works of F. Rabelais, M D. In Five Books; or the Lives, Heroic Deeds and Say of the Good Gargantua and Pantagruel, and his Voyage to the Oracle of the Bottle As also his Historical Letters. To which is added, the Author's Life and Explanatory Remarks. By Mr. Motteux. Never before Printed in English. The Four Epistles of A. G. Busbequius, concerning his Embassy into Turkey. Being Remarks upon the Religion, Customs, Riches, Strength, and Government of that People. As also a Description of their Chief Cities, and Places of Trade and Commerce. To which is added, His Advice how to Manage War against the Turks Done into English. The Bounds set to France by the Pyrenean Treaty; and the Interest of the Confederates not to accept of the Offers of Peace made at this time by the French King. To which are added, Some short Reflections showing, how far England is concerned in the Restitution of that Treaty. Together with a List of the Towns and Countries that the French have taken since that time. Letters of State, Written by Mr. John Milton, To most of the Sovereign Princes and Republics of Europe. From the Year 1649. Till the Year 1659. To which is added, An Account of his Life. Together with several of his Poems; And a Catalogue of his Works, never before Printed. Mathematical Magic: Or the Wonders that may be performed by Mechanical Geometry. In Two Books. Concerning Mechanical Powers, Motions. Being one of the most easy, pleasant, useful, (and yet most neglected) part of Mathematics, not before treated of in this Language. Mercury: Or the Secret and Swift Messenger. Showing how a Man may with Privacy and Speed communicate his Thoughts to a Friend at any distance. A Compendious History of the Taxes of France, and of the Opressive Methods of Rasing of them. An Impartial Enquiry into the Advantages and Losses, that England hath received since the beginning of this Present War with France. The Gentleman's Journal: Or the Monthy Miscellany. In a Letter to a Gentleman in the Country. Consisting of News, History, Philosophy, Poetry, Music, Translations, &c, June, 1694. Sold by R. Baldwin, Where are to be had complete Sets for the two last years, or single ones for every Month. A Collection of Speeches, Of the Right Honourable Henry, Late Earl of Warrington.