Folios 158-167. Letter dated [March 15 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to...

Folios 158-167. Letter dated [March 15 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to the King. The previous day Messrs de Pomponne and de Torcy visited on orders of the French King to advise that he wanted to engage him on an important and secret matter; the French King would attest to his utmost confidence in him once he had responded as he should. Monsieur de Pomponne indicated that as both Kings were sincere in their desire to maintain peace, they should reflect on what might disrupt it in order to agree how to prevent it. The death of the King of Spain at an inopportune moment could revive the same troubles from which they had just emerged. Should Spain fall into the hands of the Emperor he could master all of Italy and become too powerful; accordingly the French King wished to enter into discussions with King William regarding the succession, and wished to know if he was inclined and what conditions he had. Lord Portland had expressed his surprise, while he could not fail to consider the death of the Spanish King [Carlos II] as undoubtedly throwing them back into war, it must be regarded as an unavoidable evil, and they could only hope it would not take place soon; in his view the interests of England and Holland were so opposed to an arrangement, both as regards sea-power and world-trade, that he did not see how the King could give any other than a general answer, absent details of the French King's views and his intended proposals. He then spoke of his personal views on the matter and Monsieur de Pomponne considered in response that the question of the Low Countries could be easily arranged to King William's satisfaction; that as regards Spain itself, sufficient guarantees would be given that it would never fall under the dominion of the same king as France; but as to the Indies and the security of the Mediterranean trade no response was given. Lord Portland not wishing to say anything that might imply he knew the King's intentions, awaits his orders as to the line he wishes him to take. Speculates that they may have waited for so long to speak to him about this, in order to be able to make use of the Comte de Tallard (who leaves that day) in this business if they are not satisfied with him.