An Answer to a paper written by Count d'Avaux, the French king's ambassador in Sweden concerning the proposals of peace made by France to the confederates.

XII.

But there remains yet another Point to be cleared, of a far greater, nay, of the highest nature; which is, That the French King in desist∣ing in favour of the Elector of Bavaria from his Pretensions to the Low-Countries, does still reserve to himself his Pretensions to the Succession of the King of Spain, in case he should happen to dye without Issue. Which is in plain English, That in case a Peace should be concluded to day, and the King of Spain happen to dye without Issue to morrow, we should then have a new and as fierce a War as ever, in the old world as well as in the new one. Monsieur d' Avaux indeed calls this a very

Malicious Interpretation, and charges the Emperor with it, as being the nearest concerned therein. But he is not aware that he does himself esta∣blish and confirm it more than any body besides. For to maintain, as he does in his Paper, That the Renunciation made, not by the French Queen only, as he does insinuate, but also by the King her Husband, for himself and for his Successors; I say, that this Renunciation made upon Oath, and the most solemn one that ever was pass'd amongst Sovereigns, is null and void of it self; and to propose to the King of Sueden the Arbitration of that great Succession, What does it mean else, but that the French King pretends to it more than ever? Otherwise he should have spoke out, That the King his Master scorn'd to do it, as being resolv'd religiously to observe the Laws he has dictated to himself by this Renunciation. But by the way, Mon∣sieur d' Avaux flatters himself, that by making these Proposals to the King of Sueden, he has hit the Point in Politicks, that will ef∣fectually engage that Prince into the French King's Interest; and he boasts of it as an Honour that was never conferr'd on any Prince within the memory of men. Indeed to see one self an establish'd Arbiter of a Difference that concerns no less than the greatest and rich∣est part of the New World, and so many Kingdoms and Provinces in the Old one, is a thing capable of flattering a mind, tho possest with the highest Ambition; and yet the King of Sueden is too Generous to be drawn in by it. If it was a difference of an intricate and dubi∣ous nature, something might be said for it; but since it is about the most frivolous and unjust Pretension that ever was, I think the King of Sueden has not much Honour done him by being made an Arbiter of what undoubtedly belongs to another. All Sovereigns are en∣gag'd not to suffer an Example of such ill consequence, otherwise farewell all Right and Possession, since none would be the better for 'em. Would not the King of Sueden think it a great Injury, and a piece of the highest Injustice, in case it should be propos'd to him to submit his Kingdom and Dominions that undoubtedly belong to him, to the Decision of a Third Person, tho his Brother or his dearest Friend? And save this consideration, the highest that ever was, the Emperor and the King of Spain do confide so much in the King of Sue∣den's Justice, Candour, and Generosity, that they would gladly re∣ceive him as an Arbiter in any other Difference but this: In this they'll undoubtedly stick to the French King's sworn Renunciation, which excludes him from all Pretensions to the Dominions of the King of Spain, and the effect of which will never be removed, for

all either Monsieur d'Avaux can say, or the mercenary Pens of France, on which he grounds himself, can write; at least as long as any Con∣tract and Obligation amongst Sovereigns does subsist, and Laws Di∣vine and Human are in force.