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.

XIV.

As to what relates to the Terms offered to the House of Lorrain, 'tis a Jest to pretend that the Empire has no Right left to meddle with what regards that Dutchy, since the late Duke did not accept of what was stipulated for him at the Treaty of Nimeguen. The Empire says with far more justice, That France having broke that Treaty, can draw no advantage from it, and consequently none neither in regard to Lorrain. 'Tis notorious moreover, that the late Duke of Trium∣phant Memory, did never accept of what Offers were made him at

that Treaty; for which reason the French King has no Right neither to the Four Highways in Lorrain, of the breadth of half a mile, that were granted him on that score. But France, according to her cele∣brated custom, boasts of Treaties as far as they can be stretch'd to her Advantage; whilst on the other hand, that part which does not serve her purpose, is most scornfully rejected. Besides, we ought to observe here, That it is the French King's way to take away with one hand what he gives with another. He'll desist forsooth from his Pre∣tensions to the Four Highways, but he'll retain in exchange Four of the most important Places of that Dutchy, viz. Sarlewis, Bintche, Hom∣bourgh, and Longivy, reserving over and above to himself a Passage for his Troops through Lorrain, which alone would keep the Duke and his Country in a perpetual Slavery. But according to all appear∣ance, the present Duke of Lorrain will find it as hard to persuade him∣self to the resigning of these Four Places, as his Father did when he was to grant the four Highways; at least, he will not think him∣self to be very much beholden to the French King for it. In short, if the French King will make us believe that he has a real design to restore to the House of Lorrain what belongs to it by an undoubted Right, why does he retrench from it so considerable a Branch? Is it perhaps because he still grounds himself on some ridiculous Treaties made with the old Duke of Lorrain, Charles the IIId. possess'd in those times with an implacable hatred against his nearest Relations, and blinded by a foolish Love? And does he pretend that they are obli∣gatory to the present Duke, who having had no hand in them, claims with a Just Right what belong'd to his Ancestors, and what by the same Right is now his own.