Count Sinzendorf, who ftaid only till Nine of A. C: the Clock, and by the Lord Privy-Seal and the 1712. Earl of Strafford, who continued there till halfw an Hour paft Eleven. In all thefe Conferences, Refult of the there were great Debates about a Ceffation of Arms, between the Conferences and the Conditions whichFrance might be brought States Gene to grant to the States, if they would treat of a Ge- ral and the neral Peace. As to the first, the British Minifters British Pleni urg'd, That Dunkirk, (fome add Ypres and Fur potentiaries, nes) would be deliver'd up to the English, as a Security for the Performance of what the French had promis'd: To which it was anfwer'd, That there ought to be a Security for the States and other Allies, as well as for the English; and to that purpose mention was made of Strasburgh to be deliver'd to the Germans, and Namur, Charleroy, and Ypres to the Dutch. It was reply'd, That Maubeuge and Conde might be put into the Hands of the States General: But this was rejected because it was fuggefted in the other part of the Debate, That their High-Mightineffes fhould furrender to the French, Douay, Lifle and Tournay. The Dutch Deputies being ftartled at this Propofal which, they faid, was more in Favour of France than of the Allies, the British Plenipotentiaries anfwer'd, They hoped France might be prevail'd with to be contented with Life and Douay as an Equivalent for Dunkirk; and, upon that Condition, to grant to their High-Mightineffes the Barrier they demanded in 1709; and the Tariff of 1664, excepting only the following Species of Merchandizes which the Dutch fhould not be permitted to import into France, viz. Whale Oyl, Soap, Sugar and Dry Fish; as alfo the Duty of 50 Sols per Tun, which the French King would not remit. The Earl of Strafford did likewife infift, That the States General Thould with. draw their Forces from Spain and Portugal, and that they should forthwith return a Cathegorical Anfwer to their Propofals. During the Debates, the States General fent to the Minifters of Pruffia and Hanover, to know what they might depend upon, as to the Troops of their Mafters, to which they not only return'à a favourable Anfwer, but,

at

N. S.

،

6

A. C. at the Defire of the States, wrote Letters to the 1712. Generals of thofe Forces, to act according as those Minifters had promised they fhould. On the other Hand, the Emperor's Minifter, fufpecting what would be propos'd, fignify'd to their High-Mightineffes, That if they agreed to a Ceffation of Arms, Prince Eugene had Orders immediately to march off with all the Emperors Force's to the Empire, and leave the Dutch to the Mercy of their Old and New Enemies. This, together with the Remonftrances of the Great Penfionary, the Regifter Fagel and Monfieur Slingerland, enclined the States of the Province of Holland and + July 9th Weft-Friezland to come to † an unanimous RefoluRefolution of on, importing, That they were entirely difpothe Province fed to put an End to this bloody and expensive of Holland, War, by a good Peace; that in order to that Tejecting they were ready to hearken to fuch Proposals the Celation of Arms® as France fhould be willing to make in Writing, in Answer to the Specifick Demands of the Allies; that if the fame were jult and reasonable for all in General, and every one in Particular, in fuch a Cafe their High Mightineffes would readily confent to a General Peace; but that they would never depart from their En. gagements with their Allies, and upon the whole Matter, they could not agree to a Ceffation of Arms, without the unanimous Confent of their faid Allies.' This Refolution could not - but be a Mortification to the British Minifters: So that when the fame was communicated to them, it is no Wander the Earl of Strafford faid with fome Vehemence, That he would go to the Army and execute his Orders. 'Tis faid, this occafion'd a fmart Reply; but that however, he was defired to defer his Journey for one Day, which he refufed unless Prince Eugene were defired to forbear Hoftilities in the mean time. After fome Deliberation, he was told, That an Express fhou'd be fent to Prince Eugene, to defire that he would undertake nothing till 48 Hours after the Earl of Strafford's Arrival in the Army: It being then conjectured, that his Excellency defigi'd to make use of that Interval, either to write to, or

confer

confer with the Marquis de Torcy, and endeavour A. C: to prevail with the French Court to grant the 1712. Places of Security infifted on by the Dutch for a Ceflation of Arms; but, whatever might be the reafon, no fuch Step was made; and on Sunday the 10th of July N.S. between Four and Five of the Clock in the Morning the Lord Privy-Seal_return'd to his Refidence at Utrecht; and Two Hours after the Earl of Strafford fet out for the Army. The Vigorous Refolution of the States of Holland, occafion'd an univerfal Joy throughout the United Provinces; Where all the Well- +This is part affected to the Common Caufe publickly applau- of a Letter ⚫ded the Authentick Proof that Republick gave from Amfter on this Occafion, that Her Promiles and Alli- dam, dared July 12,N.S. ances are folid Supports to be rely'd on, and not fubject to the Uniteddinefs of which another State gave, at this time, a fad Example, which fome People would caufe to be follow'd by others, contrary to the Publick Faith, and the moft ftrict and Solemn Engagements. This Report that was, at that Juncture, the general Matter of the English Difcourfe in Holland and as People are, in all defigno Countries apt to fufpect thofe that thwart their Measures, a Report was spread, that the English had form'd a Defign to feize Oftend: Which Rumour was undoubtedly occafion'd by Sir Thomas Hanmer's repairing to that Town towards the lat ter end of June N. S. his caufing the Depth of the Harbour to be founded; and his viewing the Fortifications with the Burgomafter Bawens, who was fuppos'd to be in the British Intereft. Whether this Surmize was well or ill grounded, Sir Sir Thomas Thomas Hanmer having spent fome Days at Bruges Hanmer's and Ghent, where his Prefence was thought neceffary to prepare Matters for future Designs; .that Gentleman, who from this time began to appear with the Title of the Queen of Great Britain's Minifter, repair'd to Bruffels; where the Earl of See Poft. Strafford arrived the 11th of July N. S. in a Polt Chaife, under a triple Difcharge of the Artillery on the Rampar s. His Excellency alighted at the Poft-Houfe to change Horfes ; and having receiv'd there the Compliments of feveral Perfons of Diftinction,

to

feize Oflend

Condust in

Flanders.

Boy of July

8th.

A. C. ftinction, be proceeded for the Duke of Ormond's 1712: Army, then encamp'd at Chateau Cambrefis w where he arrived the 12th, and found that The Ear! of it was high time to feparate the British Forces Strafford from the Germans, between whom there was the Duke of a great Animofity, that had occafioned frequent Ormond's Quarrels; in which many Men, and even fome Army, July Officers, were kill'd on both fides. The Day t 12, N. 3. before a Council of War was held at Prince Engene's Quarters at Hafpre, wherein it was agreed,

arrives in

That the Army fhould make a Movement the 15th to attack Landrecy; That the Prince of • Anhalt Deffun fhould command the Siege of "that Place; andthat if the English retired from the Army, nothing fhould be omitted to push on the War with greater Vigour than ever, in order to take Winter Quarters in Picardy. The Earl of Strafford forefeeing what a Martial Anfwer he muft expect, in cafe he fhould propofe a Ceflation of Arms, continued at the Duke of of Ormond's Quarters, where he conferr'd only with that General, without fpeaking to any Commanders of the Auxiliary Troops, except the General of the Hanoverians, who was inftru&ted to declare, that his Mafter, as an Elector of the Empire, was obliged to follow the Refolutions of the Head and Members of that great Body. Whether the Earl of Strafford expected the first Vifit from Prince Eugene and the States Deputies, is uncertain; but, if he did, he was difappointed; and his Excellency having notify'd to them his Arrival in the Duke of Ormond's Camp, no fooner than the 14th of July, his Highness and the faid Deputies contented themfelves with returning his Excellency a Compliment thereupon. The News of The News of the Auxiliaries in British Pay rebe Auxilia-fufing to march with the Duke of Ormond, was ries refufing varioufly entertain'd in England, according to of Ormond the different Inclinations, Tempers, and Views Gariously en of the Contending Parties. Those who had eitertain'd in ther oppofed or difapproved the late Meatures, England.

to obey the D.

could not but rejoice at it; the moft Sanguine amongst them openly declaring their Hopes, that the Confederates would carry on the War without England; others, lefs difcreet, fpreading Re

ports

ports of the Duke of Ormond's having been A. C. threatned by fome German Generals: And o- 1712. thers again whispering about their Secret Wishes, under the Notion of Apprehenfions, of a Defign form'd by thofe Generals to confine his Grace, for their Arrears, and even to difarm the British Troops, left they fhould joyn the French Army.

ty of a VVar

Boy, of June

24.

Whether fuch a Thought was ever entertain'd by any of thefe Commanders is very difficult to determine: But 'tis certain no fuch Thing was ever propos'd to the States Field-Deputies; and 'tis more than probable that if it had, it would have been rejected with Indignation. However, 'tis obfervable, That the Friends of the New Miniftry were apt enough to fufpect fuch a Defign, and very induftrious in infufing the Belief of it, in order to render the Allies more odious to the People. For their Agents gave out, • See a PamThat upon the Duke of Ormond's notifying to phlet call'd, 'Prince Eugene his Orders for a Ceflation of The Juftice Arms, and for making a Detachment to take and NeceffiPoffefion of Dunkirk, his Highnefs made a with Holland. 'Movement with the Right of his Army, by Pag. 14. which Difpofition it feem'd as if fome Affront See also Poftwas to have been offer'd to his Grace, if he had thought fit to have caus'd the faid Detach'ment to march. This, added they, caused the • Duke of Ormond to put off the making the Detachment for fome Days, and to fend an Exprefs to London; upon which it was thought fit to take other Meafures, and not to receive the Body of Troops his Grace had with him, but to fend Troops from England, to take Poffeffion of Dunkirk by Sea: Which stop gave rife to a groundless Report, that the French had hefitated, and refused to put the Town of Dunkirk into the Hands of the Englib, unless the latter could bring off all their Auxiliaries. Taking this for granted, 'tis certain however, that the German Generals refufing to obey the Duke of Ormond, gave no fmail Di fturbance and Uneafinefs to the French Court, who could not but fear, that a separate Peace with England, would be of no great Advantage

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