A continuation of the secret history of White-hall from the abdication of the late K. James in 1688 to the year 1696 writ at the request of a noble lord ... : the whole consisting of secret memoirs ... : published from the original papers : together with The tragical history of the Stuarts ... / by D. Jones ...

LETTER XXI. Of Monsieur Pompone's being made Mi∣nister of State: And of some Particu∣lars relating to a Peace, said to be offered by France, to the Confederates. (Book 21)

My Lord,

WHat I observed to your Lordship in my last, how vain the Hopes of the Confederates were like to prove, of any good Advantage to their Affairs, by the Death of Monsieur de Louvois, appears here daily more and more, by divers In∣stances that might be given; But I shall only confine my self to inform your Ho∣nour, that the Advancement of Monsieur Pompone to be Prime Minister of State, is a clear Demonstration of the Truth I have advanced, as 'tis of the King's great Skill and Judgment also; Though indeed, it must be owned, that this new Favourite enters upon his Ministry in a ticklish Jun∣cture of Time; yet for my own part, I am fully satisfied Things are not so bad with France, as the World would believe them to be, and the following Proposals of Peace, intended to be, or, as some say, already offered to the Confederates, would insinuate; of which I communicate to your Lordship a Copy, as I have received them from a Friend, with some difficulty.

First, That the Most Christian King will acknowledge King William for Law∣ful and Rightful King of England, &c. upon Condition he shall allow to the late King James and his Consort a handsom and competent Subsistence during each of their Lives, and the Survivor of them

Secondly, That towards promoting ef∣fectually so good a Work, he is willing to restore to His Catholick Majesty of Spain the City of Mons, and other Places he has taken from him, &c.

Thirdly, That the City and Fortress of Philipsburg shall be restored by him, to the Bishop of Spire, in the Condition it is now in, without any Alteration what∣soever.

Fourthly, That he will entirely quit Strasburg, and restore it to its ancient Pri∣vileges of a Free and Imperial City.

Fifthly, That he will demolish all the Fortresses he has built along the Rhine for several Years past.

Sixthly, and Lastly, That the Duke of Savoy shall be restored to all the Territo∣ries he has lost since the War; and also receive full Satisfaction for all the Losses sustained therein.

But, my Lord, whether any such Offers have been, or are like shortly to be offered to the Confederates, by this Court, I am not fully satisfied; but of this I am, and desire your Honour to be so too, that

Things are not yet brought to that Extre∣mity with France, whatever some Men may be apt to flatter themselves with, as for her to be truly real and sincere in such like Offers: Neither, indeed, do I find it believed here at all; and they are much more concerned to break off the Negotiation which is on foot between the Emperor and the Grand Seignior, than they have present real Inten∣tions to accommodate their own immediate Affairs, and be at Peace with their Neigh∣bours: But what Progress they have made to keep their Mahometan Friend in their Al∣liance, I will not take upon me to inform your Lordship with any Certainty; I only note, that they begin to talk of it here al∣ready with very great Assurance, as a thing at least three quarters done. I am afraid I have been both tedious, and impertinent too; for which I heartily beg your Lord∣ship to pardon me; and to construe all as proceeding from the unfeigned Intentions I have to serve you to the farthest Extent of my Power, who am, and ever shall re∣main,

My Lord,

Your most Humble and Devoted Servant.

Paris, July 27. 1691. N. S.