afflicted. He was a prince of an amiable rather than a shining character, brave, good-natured, modest, and humane, but devoid of great talents and ambition. He had always lived in harmony with the queen, who, during the whole term of their union, and especially in his last illness, approved herself a pattern of conjugal truth and tenderness. At his death the earl of Pembroke was created lord high-admiral, the earl of Wharton promoted to the government of Ireland, and ford Somers appointed president of the council. Notwithstanding these promotions of the whig noblemen, the duke of Marlborough declined apace in his credit with the queen, who privately consulted and reposed her chief confidence in Mr. Harley, though he had no visible concern in the administration. THE NEW PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED. THE new parliament, in which the whig interest still preponderated, was assembled on the sixteenth day of November, when they were given to understand by a commission under the great seal, that the archbishop of Canterbury, the chancellor, the lord-treasurer, the lord-steward, and the master of the horse, were appointed to represent the person of her majesty, whom decency would not permit to appear in the house so soon after the death of her consort. Sir Richard Onslow being chosen speaker of the lower house with the queen's approbation, the chancellor, in a speech to both houses, recommended the vigorous prosecution of the war, telling them her majesty hoped they would enable her to make a considerable augmentation for preserving and improving the advantages which the allies had gained in the Netherlands: that she desired they would prepare such bills as might confirm and render the union effectual; and that if they would propose means for the advancement of trade and manufacture, she would take pleasure in enacting such provisions. Both houses having presented addresses of condolence and congratulation, on the death of prince George, and the success of her majesty's arrus during the last campaign, the commons took cognizance of controverted elections, which were decided with shameful partiality for the whig faction. Then they proceeded to consider the dif ferent branches of the supply: they approved of an augmentation of ten thousand men, which was judged necessary for the more vigorous prosecution of the war; and they voted above seven millions for the service of the ensuing year. The Bank agreed to circulate two millions five hundred thousand pounds in exchequer bills for the government, on condition that the term of their continuance should be prolonged for one and twenty years; and that their stock of two millions two hundred and one thousand one hundred and seventy oue pounds should be doubled by a new subscription. The two-thirds subsidy was appropriated for the interest of the money raised by this expedient. NATURALIZATION BILL. GREAT debates having arisen about Scottish elections, the house considered the petitions and representation that were delivered, touching the incapacity of the eldest sons of Scottish peers, excluded from sitting in the parliament of Great Britain. Counsel being heard upon the subject, that incapacity was confirmed: and new writs were issued, that new members might be elected for the shires of Aberdeen and Linlithgow, in the room of William lord Haddo, and James lord Johnstown. Petitions were likewise presented to the house of lords by some Scottish peers, concerning their right of voting, and signing proxies. After warm debates, the house upon a division, determined that a Scottish lord created a peer of Great Britain should no longer retain his vote in Scotland; and that the noblemen who were in the castle of Edinburgh had a right to sign proxies, after having taken the oaths to the government. The Scottish peers and commoners that sat in the British parliament were divided into two factions. The duke of Queensberry was in great credit with the queen and the lordtreasurer, by whose interest he was appointed secretary of state for Scotland. His influence in elections was so great, that all offices in that kingdom were bestowed according to his recommendation. He was opposed by the dukes of Hamilton, Moutrose, and Roxburgh, who were supported by the earl of Sunderland and lord Somers; so that the whole interest in that country was engrossed by one or other member of the ministry. A bill for a general naturalization of all protestants was brought into the house, and notwithstanding violent opposition from the tories, both among the lords and commons, was enacted into a law. The whigs argued for this bill, as a measure that would encourage industry, improve trade and manufacture, and repair the waste of men which the war had occasioned; but one of their chief motives was to throw an addition of foreigners into the balance against the landed interest. The tories pleaded that a conflux of aliens might prove dangerous to the constitution: that they would retain a fondness for their native countries, and, in times of war, act as spies and enemies: that they would insinuate themselves into places of trust and profit; become members of parliament; and by frequent intermarriages contribute to the extinction of the English race: that they would add to the number of the poor, already so expensive; and share the bread of the labourers and tradesmen of England. ACT OF GRACE. AN inquiry being set on foot in both houses concerning the late intended invasion in Scotland, lord Haversham and the other tory members endeav oured to demonstrate, that proper precautions had not been taken for the security of that kingdom, even after the ministry had received undoubted intelligence of the pretender's design: that sinco the attempt had miscarried, many persons of quality had been apprehended, and severely used by the government, on pretended suspicion of high treason; though in all probability, the aim of the ministry, in confining those persons, was to remove all possibility of their opposing the court at the ensuing elections for members of parliament. These assertions were supported by many incontested facts and shrewd arguments, notwithstanding which, the majority were so little disposed to find fault, that the inquiry issued in a joint address to the queen, containing resolutions, that timely and effectual care had been taken to disappoint the designs of her majesty's enemies, both at home and abroad. A bill, however, was brought into the house of lords, under the title of "An act for improving the union of the two kingdoms." It related to trials for treason in Scotland, which by this law were regulated according to the manner of proceeding in England, with some small variation. The Scottish members opposed it as an encroachment upon the form of their laws; and they were joined by those who had laid it down as a maxim to oppose all the court measures: nevertheless, the bill passed through both houses, and received the royal assent. Yet, in order to sweeten this unpalatable medicine, the queen consented to an act of grace, by which all treasons were pardoned, except those committed on the high seas: an exception levelled at those who had embarked with the pretender. Majorgeneral Webb, who had been defrauded of his due honour, in a partial representation of the battle of Wynendale, transmitted by Cardonnel, secretary to the duke of Marlborough, was now thanked by the house of commons for the great and eminent services which he had performed in that engagement (8). This motion was made by the tories; and the whigs did not fail to procure a compliment of the same nature to the duke of Marlborough, even before he returned to England. When the news of Ghent's being taken arrived, the lords and commons congratulated the queen on this last effort of a glorious campaign; and the duke, at his arrival, was thanked, in the name of the peers, by the lord chancellor. As he was supposed to have brought ayer proposals of peace, the two houses, in an address, desired the queen would insist on the demolition of Dunkirk, which was a nest of pirates that infested the ocean, and did infinite prejudice to the commerce of England. The queen promised to comply with their request. But she was not a little surprised at the next address they presented, humbly entreating, that she would have such indulgence to the hearty desires of her subjects, as to entertain thoughts of a second marriage. She told them, that the provision she had made for the protestant succession would always be a proof how much she had at heart the future happiness of the kingdom: but the subject of this address was of such a nature, that she was persuaded they did not expect a particular answer. DISPUTES ABOUT THE MUSCOVITE AM BASSADOR COMPROMISED. Mr. Secretary Boyle, who at last owned, that the laws of the kingdom did not admit of such punishment as he demanded. An information was tried THE laws having been found insufficient to punish in the court of king's Bench for her majesty against capitally the authors of the insult offered to the Thomas Morton, laceman, and thirteen other perMuscovite ambassador, a bill was brought into the sons concerned in the insult, of which they were house of commons for preserving the privileges of found guilty; and the special matter of the privi ambassadors and other foreign ministers; and pas-leges of ambassadors was to be argued next term sed through both houses: as did another, to prevent before the judges. Meanwhile, the queen, by way the laying of wagers relating to the public, a prac- of satisfaction to the czar, condescended to make tice which had been carried to a degree of infatua- solemn excuses by her ambassador; to repair Mation; and by which many unwary persons fell a tueof's honour by a letter, and indemnify him for sacrifice to crafty adventurers. On the fourteenth all his costs and damages: concessions with which day of March the commons voted the sum of one the czar and his ambassador declared themselves hundred and three thousand two hundred and three well satisfied. The convocation had been summonpounds, for the relief of the inhabitants of Nevis ed, chosen, and returned with a new parliament; and St. Christopher's, who had suffered by the late but as the old spirit was supposed to prevail in the invasion and on the twenty-first day of April the lower house, the queen, by writ to the archbishop, parliament was prorogued. The Muscovite ambas-ordered him to prorogue it from time to time, until sador continued to write expostulatory letters to the session of parliament was finished. NOTES TO CHAPTER IX. 1 The French impute the loss of this battle to the misconduct of Villeroy, whc, it must be owned, made a most wretched disposition. When he returned to Versailles, where he expected to meet with nothing but reproaches, Louis receiv ed him without the least mark of displeasure, saying, "Mr. Mareschal, you and I are too old to be fortunate." 2 Burnet. Boyer. Quincy. Torcy. Tindal. Feuquieres. Hist. of Earope. Hist. of the Duke of Marlborough. Conduct of the Dutchess of Marlborough. 8 Lockhart. Voltaire. Kerr. Friend. 4 Had the duke of Savoy marched with expedition from the Var, he would have found Toulon defenceless; but he 5 When the duke arrived in his he Swedish minister came having staid some time, he returned, and accosted him with the most polite address. 6 Burchet. Hare. Bowyer. Lockhart. Feuquieres. Daniel. History of the Duke of Marlb. Conduct of the Dutchess of Marlb. Friend. Barchet. Tindal. Lives of the Admirals. Voltaire. 7 Among the officers who were engaged in this battle, old general D'Auverquerque and the duke of Argyle distinguished themselves by the most extraordinary valour and activity. 8 Burnet. Dan. Hist. of the duke of Marl. Milan's Hist. Tindal. Conduct of the Dutchess of Marlb. Feuquieres. Quincy. Lives of the Admirals. Hare. Voltaire. d 3 3 ANNE. 1701-1714. CHAPTER X. Negotiation for Peace ineffectual-The Allied Army besieges and takes Tournay-The French are defeated at Malplaquet-Mons surrendered-Campaign in Spain-The French King's Proposals of treating rejected by the States-general-Account of Dr. Sacheverel-He is impeached by the Commons -His Trial-Debates upon it in the House of Lords-He is silenced for three Years-Conferences at Gertruydenburgh-Pride and Obstinacy of the Dutch-Douay besieged and taken by the Confederates, as well as Bethune, Aire, and St. Venant-King Charles obtains a Victory over Philip at Saragossa, and enters Madrid-Battle of Villaviciosa-The Whig Ministry disgraced-The Parliament is dissolved-Meeting of the New Parliament-The Duke of Marlborough insulted and reviled-Inquiry into the Conduct of the War in Spain-Severe Votes in the House of Commons against those who invited over the poor Palatines-Harley stabbed at the Council Board by Guiscard; and created Earl of Oxford-Death of the Emperor Joseph-Representation by the Commons to the Queen-Proceedings in the Convocation-The Duke of Marlborough continues to command the Allied Army-He surprises the French Lines-Reduces Bouchain-The Duke of Argyle commands the British Troops in SpainKing Charles elected Emperor-Expedition to Canada-Insolence of the Jacobites in Scotland-A Negotiation set on Foot between the Courts of France and England-Prior is sent to FountainbleauManager arrives privately in England-The French King's Proposals disagreeable to the Allies-Violent Debate upon them in the House of Lords-The Duke of Hamilton's Title of Duke of Brandon disallowed-Bill against occasional Conformity passes-Duke of Marlborough dismissed from all his Em ployments-Twelve new Peers created-Prince Eugene of Savoy arrives in England-Walpole expel led the House of Commons-Vates against the Duke of Marlborough-Resolutions against the Barriertreaty and the Dutch-Acts unfavourable to the Presbyterian Discipline in Scotland. NEGOTIATION FOR PEACE. THE French king was by this time reduced to last campaign, and a severe winter, which completed the misery of his subjects, that he resolved to sacrifice all the considerations of pride and ambition, as well as the interest of his grandson, to his desire of peace, which was now become so necessary and indispensable. He despatched the president Rouille privately to Holland, with general proposals of peace, and the offer of a good barrier to the States-general, still entertaining hopes of being able to detach them from the confederacy. This minister conferred in secret with Buys and Vanderdussen, the pensionaries of Amsterdam and Gouda, at Moerdyke, from whence he was permitted to proceed to Woerden, between Leyden and Utrecht. The States immediately communicated his proposals to the courts of Vienna and Great Britain. Prince Eugene and the duke of Marlborough arrived at the Hague in April, and conferred with the grand pensionary Heinsius, Buys, and Vanderdussen, on the subject of the French proposals, which were deemed unsatisfactory. Rouille immediately despatched a courier to Paris, for further instructions; and the duke of Marlborough returned to England, to make the queen acquainted with the progress of the negotiation. Louis, in order to convince the States of his sincerity, sent the marquis de Torcy, his secretary for foreign affairs, to the Hague, with fresh offers, to which the deputies would make no answer until they knew the sentiments of the queen of Great Britain. The duke of Marlborough crossed the seas a second time, accompanied by the lord viscount Townshend, as ambassador extraordinary, and joint plenipotentiary: prince Eugene being likewise at the Hague, the conferences were begun. The French minister declared that his master would consent to the demolition of Dunkirk: that he would abandon the pretender, and dismiss him from his dominions that he would acknowledge the queen's title and the protestant succession: that he would renounce all pretensions to the Spanish monarchy, and cede the places in the Netherlands which the Statesgeneral demanded for their barrier: that he would treat with the emperor on the footing of the treaty Concluded at Ryswick, and even demolish the fortiScations of Strasburgh. The ministers of the allies, rendered proud and wanton by success, and seeing Torcy was sensible that his country was utterly ex- were abandoned at his approach. On the seventh hausted that Louis dreaded nothing so much as the day of September, mareschal de Boufflers arrived in opening of the campaign: and he agreed to those the French camp at Quiverain, content to act in an articles upon which they insisted as preliminaries. inferior capacity to Villars, although his superior in The French king was confounded at these propo- point of seniority. The duke of Marlborough haysals: he felt the complicated pangs of grief, shame, ing received advice that the French were on their and indignation. He rejected the preliminaries, march to attack the advanced body under the prince with disdain. He even deigned to submit his con- of Hesse, decamped from Havre, in order to supduct to the judgment of his subjects. His offers port that detachment. On the ninth the allies made were published, together with the demands of the a motion to the left, by which the two armies were allies. His people interested themselves in the brought so near to each other, that a mutual canglory of their monarch. They exclaimed agaiust nonading ensued. The French army, amounting to the cruelty and arrogance of his enemies. Though one hundred and twenty thousand men, were postimpoverished and half-starved by the war, they re-ed behind the woods of La Merte and Tanieres, in solved to expend their whole substance in his sup- the neighbourhood of Malplaquet. The confederport; and rather to fight his battles without pay, ates, nearly of the same number, encamped with than leave him in the dire necessity of complying the right near Sart and Bleron, and the left on the with such dishonourable terms. Animated by edge of the wood of Laniere; the head quarters bethese sentiments, they made such efforts as amazed ing at Blaregnies. The enemy, instead of attacking the whole world. The preliminaries being rejected the allies, began to fortify their camp, which was by the French king, Rouillé was ordered to quit naturally strong, with triple intrenchments. In a Holland in four and twenty hours; and the gener word, they were so covered with lines, hedges, als of the confederates resolved to open the cam- intrenchments, cannon, and trees laid across, that paign without further hesitation. they seemed to be quite inaccessible. Had the confederates attacked them on the ninth, the battle would not have been so bloody, and the victory would have proved mere decisive; for they had not then begun to secure the camp, but Marlborough postponed the engagement until they should be reinforced by eighteen battalions which had been employed in the siege of Tournay; and in the mean time, the French fortified themselves with incredible diligence and despatch. On the eleventh day of September, early in the morning, the confederates, favoured by a thick fog, erected batteries on each wing, and in the centre; and about eight o'clock, the weather clearing up, the attack began. Eighty six battalions on the right, commanded by general Schuylemburgh, the duke of Argyle, and other generals, and supported by two and twenty battalions under count Lottum, attacked the left of the enemy with such vigour, that, notwithstanding their lines and barricadoes, they were in less than an hour driven from their intrenchments into the woods of Sart and Tanieres. The prince of Orange and baron Fagel, with six and thirty Dutch battalions, advanced against the right of the enemy, posted in the wood of La Merte, and covered with three intrenchments. Here the battle was maintained with the most desperate courage on both sides. The Dutch obliged the French to quit the first intrenchment; but were repulsed from the second with great slaughter. The prince of Orange persisted in his efforts with incredible perseverance and intrepidity, even after two horses had been killed under him, and the greater part of his officers either slain or disabled. The French fought with an obstinacy of courage that bordered on despair, till seeing their lines forced, their left wing and centre giving way, and their general, Villars, dangerously wounded, they made an excellent retreat towards Bavay under the conduct of Boufflers, and took post between Quesnoy and Valenciennes. The field of battle they abandoned to the confederates, with about forty colours and standards, sixteen pieces of artillery, and a good number of prisoners; but this was the dearest victory the allies had ever purchas. ed. About twenty thousand of their best troops were killed in the engagement; whereas the enemy did not lose half that number, and retired at leisure, perfectly recovered of that apprehension with which they had been for some years inspired and overawed by the successes of their adversaries. On the side of the allies, count Lottum, general Tettau, count Oxienstern, and the marquis of Tullibardine, were killed, with many other officers of distinction. Prince Eugene was slightly wounded on the head: lieutenant-general Webb received a shot in the grein. The duke of Argyle, who distinguished himself by extraordinary feats of valour, escaped unhurt, but several musket-balls penetrated through his clothes, his hat, and periwig. In the French army, the chevalier de Saint George charged twelve times with the household troops, and in the last was wounded with a sword in the arm. The mareschal de Villars confidently asserted, that if he himself had not been disabled, the confederates would cer tainly have been defeated. THE ALLIED ARMY TAKE TOURNAY. PRINCE EUGENE and the duke of Marlborough proceeded to Flanders, and towards the end of June the allied army encamped in the plain of Lisle, to the number of one hundred and ten thousand fighting men. At the same time, the mareschal Villars, accounted the most fortunate general in France, assembled the French forces in the plain of Lens, where he began to throw up intrenchments. The confederate generals having observed his situation, and perceiving he could not be attacked with any probability of success, resolved to undertake the siege of Tournay, the garrison of which Villars had imprudently weakened. Accordingly, they made a feint upon Ypres, in order to deceive the enemy, and convert all their attention to that side, while they suddenly invested Tournay on the twenty seventh day of June. Though the garrison did not exceed twelve weakened battalions, and four squadrons of dragoons, the place was so strong, both by art and nature, and lieutenant de Surville, the governor, possessed such admirable talents, that the siege was protracted, contrary to the expectation of the allies, and cost them a great number of men, notwithstanding all the precautions that could be taken for the safety of the troops. As the besiegers proceeded by the method of sap, their miners frequently met with those of the enemy under ground, and fought with bayonet and pistol. The volunteers on both sides presented themselves to these subterraneous combats, in the midst of mines and countermines ready primed for explosion. Sometimes they were kindled by accident, and sometimes sprung by design; so that great numbers of those brave men were stifled below, and whole battalions blown into the air, or buried in the rubbish. On the twenty eighth day of July, the besiegers having effected a practicable breach, and made the necessary dispositions for a general assault, the enemy offered to capitulate: the town was surrendered upon conditions, and the garrison retired to the citadel. Surville likewise entered into a treaty about giving up the citadel: the articles being sent to the court of Versailles, Louis would not ratify them, except upon condition that there should be a general cessation in the Netherlands till the fifth day of September. Hostilities were renewed on the eight day of August, and prosecuted with uncommon ardour and animosity. On the thirtieth, Surville desired to capitulate on certain articles, which were rejected by the duke of Marlborough, who gave him to understand that he had no terms to expect, but must surrender at discretion. At length, his provision being quite exhausted, he was obliged to surrender himself and his garrison prisoners of war, though they were permitted to return to France, on giving their parole that they would not act in the field until a like number of the allies should be released. THE FRENCH ARE DEFEATED. THE next object that attracted the eyes of the confederates was the city of Mons, which they resolved to besiege with all possible expedition. They passed the Scheldt on the third day of September, and detached the prince of Hesse to attack the French lines from the Haisne to the Sembre, which MONS SURRENDERED. CONSIDERING the situation of the French, the number of their troops, and the manner in which they were fortified, nothing could be more rash and imprudent than the attack, which cost the lives of so many gallant men, and was attended with so little advantage to the conquerors. Perhaps the duke of Marlborough thought a victory was absolutely necessary to support his sinking interest at the court of Great Britain. His intention was to have given battle before the enemy had intrenched themselves; but prince Eugene insisted upon delaying the action until the reinforcement should arrive from Tournay. The extraordinary carnage is imputed to the impetuosity of the prince of Orange, whose aim through this whole war, was to raise himself into consideration with the States-general by signal acts of military prowess. The French having retired to Valenciennes the allies were left at liberty to besiege Mons, which capitulated about the end of October; and both armies were distributed in winterquarters. The campaign on the Rhine produced nothing but one sharp action, between a detachment of the French army commanded by the count de Borgh, and a body of troops under count Merci, who had passed the Rhine, in order to penetrate into Franche-compté. The imperial officer was worsted in this encounter, with the loss of two thousand men; obliged to repass the river, and retire to Fribourg. In Piedmont, velt-mareshal Thaun commanded the confederates, in the room of the duke of Savoy, who refused to take the field until some differences, which had arisen between the emperor and him, should be adjusted. Thaun's design was to besiege Briancon; but the duke of Berwick had taken such precautions as frustrated his intention, though part of the troops under the French general were employed in suppressing a insurrection of the Camisars, and other malThese were entirely co ents in the Vivaraz. de sated in a pitched battle; and Abraham, one of their leaders, being taken, was broke alive upon the wheel; three and twenty were hanged, and the other prisoners sent to the galleys. The pope delayed acknowledging king Charles, under various pretences, in hopes that the campaign would prove favourable to the house of Bourbon; till at length the emperor giving him to understand that his should take up their winter-quarters in the ecclesiastical state, his holiness solemnly owned Charles as king of Spain, Naples, and Sicily. CAMPAIGN IN SPAIN. army THE military operations in Spain and Portugal were unfavourable to the allies. On the seventh of May, the Portuguese and English were defeated at Caya, by the Spaniards, under the command of the mareschal de Bay. The castle of Alicant, guarded by two English regiments, had been besieged, and held out during a whole winter. At length the chevalier d'Asfeldt ordered the rock to be undermined, and baving lodged two hundred barrels of gunpowder, gave Syburg, the governor, to understand, that two of his officers might come out and see the condition of the works. This offer being accepted, Asfeldt in person accompanied them to the mine; he told them he could not bear the thoughts of seeing so many brave men perish in the ruins of a place they had so gallantly defended; and allowed them four and twenty hours to consider on the resolution they should take. Syburg continued deaf to his remonstrances; and, with an obstinacy that savoured more of stupidity than of valour, determined to stand the explosion. When the centinels that were posted on the side of the hill gave notice, by a preconcerted signal, that fire was set to the mine, the governor ordered the guard to retire, and walked out to the parade, accompanied by several officers. The mine being sprung, the rock opened under their feet, and they falling into the chasm, it instantly closed, and crushed them to death. Notwithstanding this dreadful incident, colonel d'Albon, who succeeded to the command, resolved to defend the place to the last extremity. Sir Edward Whitaker sailed from Barcelona to the relief of the place; but the enemy had erected such works as effectually hindered the troops from landing. Then general Stanhope, who commanded them, capitulated with the Spanish general for the garrison, which marched out with all the honours of war, and was transported to Minorca, where the men were put into quarters of refreshment. On the frontiers of Catalonia, general Staremberg maintained his ground, and even annoyed the enemy. He passed the Segra, and reduced Balaguer; having left a strong garrison in the place, he repassed the river, and sent his forces into winter-quarters. The most remarkable event of this summer was the battle of Poultowa, in which the king of Sweden was entirely defeated by the czar of Muscovy, and obliged to take refuge at Bender, a town at Moldavia in the Turkish dominions. Augustus immediately marched into Poland against Stanislaus, and renounced his own resignation, as if it had been the effect of compulsion. He formed a project with the kings of Denmark and Prussia, to attack the Swedish territories in three different places; but the emperor and maritime powers prevented the execution of this scheme, by entering into a guarantee for preNevertheless, serving the peace of the empire. the king of Denmark declared war against Sweden, and transported an army over the Sound of Schonen; but they were attacked and defeated by the Swedes, and obliged to re-embark with the utmost precipitation. The war -still continued to rage in Hungary, where, however, the revolters were routed in many petty engagements. LOUIS'S PROPOSALS OF TREATING REJECTED BY THE STATES GENERAL. THOUGH the events of the summer had been less unfavourable to France than Louis had reason to expect, he saw that peace was as necessary as ever to his kingdom; but he thought he might now treat with some freedom and dignity. His minister Torcy, maintained a correspondence with Mr. Petkum, resident of the duke of Holstein at the Hague: he proposed to this minister, that the negotiation should be renewed; and demanded passes, by virtue of which the French plenipotentiaries might repair in safety to Holland. In the mean time, the French king withdrew his troops from Spain, on pretence of demonstrating his readiness to oblige the allies in that particular; though this measure was the effect of necessity, which obliged him to recall those troops for the defence of his own dominions. The States-general refused to grant passes to the French ministers; but they allowed Petkum to make a journey to Versailles. In the interim king Philip published a manifesto, protesting against all that should be transacted at the Hague to his prejudice. Far from yielding Spain and the Indies to his competitor, he declared his intention of driving Charles from those places that were now in his possession. He named the duke of Alba and count Bergheyck for his plenipotentiaries, and ordered them to notify their credentials to the maritime powers; but no regard was paid to their intimation. Philip tampered likewise with the duke of Marlborough; and the marquis de Torcy renewed his attempts upon that general; but all his application and address proved ineffectual. Petkum brought back from Versailles a kind of memorial, importing, that those motives which influenced the French, before the campaign was opened, no longer subsisted that the winter season naturally produced a cessation of arms, during which he would treat of a general and reasonable peace, without restricting himself to the form of the preliminaries which the allies had pretended to impose: that, nevertheless, he would still treat on the foundation of those conditions to which he had consented, and send plenipotentiaries to begin the conferences with those of the allies on the first day of January. The Statesgeneral inveighed against this memorial, as a proof of the French king's insincerity; though he certainly had a right to retract those offers they had formerly rejected. They came to a resolution, that it was absolutely necessary to prosecute the war with vigour and they wrote pressing letters on the subject to all their allies. ACCOUNT OF DR. SACHEVEREL. THE parliament of Great Britain being assembled on the fifteenth day of November, the queen in her speech told both houses, that the enemy had endeavoured, by false appearances and deceitful in sinuations of a desire after peace, to create jealousies among the allies: that God Almighty had been pleased to bless the arms of the confederates with a most remarkable victory, and other successes, which had laid France open to the impression of the allied arms, and consequently rendered peace more necessary to that kingdom than it was at the be ginning of the campaign. She insisted uvon the |