WILLIAM THE THIRD.

165

puscoa alone, but on Luxemburg and Namur, onHainault,Brabant and Antwerp, on Flanders East and West ? Was'it certain that the united force of all her neighbours wouldbe sufficient to compel her to relinquish her prey? Was itnot certain that the contest would belong and terrible?And would not the English and Dutch think themselvesmost fortunate if, after many bloody and costly campaigns,the French King could be compelled to sign a treaty, thesame, word for word, with that which he was ready un-compelled to sign now.

William, firmly retying on his own judgment, had notyet, in the whole course of this momentous negotiation,asked the advice or employed the agency of any Englishminister. But the treaty could not be formally concludedwithout the instrumentality of one of the Secretaries ofState and of the Great Seal. Portland was directed towrite to Vernon. The King himself wrote to the Chan-cellor. Somers was authorised to consult any of his col-leagues whom he might think fit to be entrusted with sohigh a secret; and he was requested to give his own opinionof the proposed arrangement. If that opinion should befavourable, not a day must be lost. The King of Spainmight die at any moment, and could hardly live till thewinter. Full powers must be sent to Loo, sealed, but withblanks left for the names of the plenipotentiaries. Strictsecresy must be observed; and care must be taken that theclerks whose duty it was to draw up the necessary docu-

crrAp.

XXIV.

mss.