361

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[361]

[Lett. xciii Letters Historical and Galant.]

be called being a Good Husband, and carrying Conjugal Tenderness to the last Degree. But I have said
Enough of my Lord, I have a great deal more to say to you, and every thing must have it's turn. I must
now return to the Congress, as the sole reason of my coming here has been to give you accounts of it.

The Queen of Great Britain convoked it by a Circular Letter she wrote to the Allies, the Copy of
which is as follows

A Circular Letter of her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.

"The Most Christian King having acquainted us with his Desires to see the Quiet of Europe restored, by
"a safe and honourable Peace for us and for all our high Allies; and having offered some Propositions to
"induce us to set on foot Conferences for that End, which propositions have been communicated to all the Allies
"And the States general having thereupon declared, that they were inclined and ready to enter into a Negoti
"ation for a Good and General Peace, and to join with us to invite the Potentates concerned with us in
"the present war, to send their Ministers and Plenipotentiaries to the Congress; the Place and Time of wch.
"have been concerted with the Minister of the said States General; we have judged it proper to give you
"Notice, without loss of time, that we have agreed to fix the opening of the said Congress to the 12th.
"of January next. N.S. in the City of Utrecht. As we have no other View, than to put an end to this
"war by a firm peace, in which every one of the Allies may find their reasonable Satisfaction; we doubt
"not you will likewise agree, to contribute to the forwarding of so Pious and Wholesome a Work. Wherefore
"we desire you to send forthwith the Ministers whom you shall chuse for this purpose, that by the time
"above Specified they may repair to the said City of Utrecht.

"We think it further convenient to acquaint you, that we with the Lords States General, have
"unanimously agreed to send our Ministers to the Congress only in the Qulaity of Plenipotentiaries, and
"that they shall not take on them the Character of Ambassadors, till the Day of Signing of the Peace; there
"by to avoid as much as Possible, Disputes about the Ceremonial, and the delays that the same might
"Occasion. &c. "

You know doubtless, Madam, that the Propositions or Overtures of Peace the King has made,
and which are mentioned in the letter, are seven preliminary Articles, given and signed at London by
the Reestablishing of the General Peace, His Majesty declares.

"I. That he will Acknowledge the Queen of Great Britain in that Quality, as also the Succession
"of that Crown, according to the present Settlement.

"II That he will freely and bonafide consent to the taking all just and reasonable Mea-
"sures, for hindering that the Crowns of France and Spain may never be united on the head of the
"same Prince, his Majesty being persuaded, that this excess of Power would be contrary to the
"Good and Quiet of Europe.

"III. The King's Intention is, that all the Parties in the present War, without excepting any
"of them, may find their reasonable Satisfaction in the treaty of Peace which shall be made: That
"Commerce may be reestablished and Maintained for the future to the Advantage of Great Britain, of
"Holland, and of the other Nations who have been accustomed to exercise commerce.

"IV. As the King will likewise maintain exactly the Observation of the Peace when it shall be
"concluded; and the Object the King proposes to himself, being to secure the Frontiers of his Kingdom,
"without Disturbing in any Manner whatever the Neighbouring States: His Majesty promises to agree
"by the Treaty which shall be made, that the Dutch shall be put in Possession of the fortified places
"which shall be Mentioned in the Netherlands, to serve hereafter for a Barrier, which may secure
"the Quiet of the Republick of Holland, against any Enterprise from the Part of France.

"V The King Consents likewise that a Secure and Convenient Barrier should be formed for
"the Empire, and for the House of Austria.

"VI. Notwithstanding Dunkirk cost the King very great Sums, as well to purchase it, as
"to fortify it; and that 'tis farther necessary to be at very considerable Expence for Razing the
"Works; His Majesty is willing however to engage to cause them to be demolished, immediately.

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