Folios 211-227. Letter dated [April 2 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to the...

Folios 211-227. Letter dated [April 2 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to the King. Reports that Messrs de Pomponne and de Torcy relayed the following from the French King, who (1) was content, notwithstanding that M. le Dauphin had an incontestable right to that Crown and succession, to leave it entirely separate and let the Spaniards choose between the Duc d'Anjou and the Duc de Berry, and he would send the one chosen by them to Spain, to be educated by natives of the country without having a single Frenchman with him; (2) that to secure the States and leave them the barrier for their safety, he would cede to the Elector of Bavaria the hereditary possession of the Low Countries, as Spain possessed them, and that M. le Dauphin would renounce them for ever, for himself and his successors; (3) that such treaties should be made for the security of the trade of the English and Dutch nations as might be desired, and would give them every satisfaction. When they had concluded, Portland expressed his surprise at these proposals and suggested that the King might better receive them if they were put in writing together with their reasoning. As they stressed what King William had to fear should the Spanish succession be united with what the Emperor already possessed, Portland responded as King William had instructed him. He further shared his personal views that: (1) he did not see, knowing the Emperor's affairs, that the addition of Spain to the Empire was more to be feared than a union with France, whose forces were nearer at hand and more formidable by sea and land, and more dangerous to trade; (2) if the King of France thought to separate the two monarchies by sending to Spain a prince who would be the brother of the future King of France, the Emperor might make a similar separation by sending the Archduke there, who would be the brother of the future Emperor; but that this analogy was not the question and that your Majesty expressed no opinion on the point, and that possibly the son of the Elector of Bavaria had a better right to the Crown than any other; (3) that as to giving the Elector only the Low Countries, which Spain now possesses, gave them in no way the security they desired. Lord Portland further commented on the proposed renunciation of M. le Dauphin, and on trade and the other interests of the nations mentioned by the King. Messrs de Pomponne and de Torcy reported back after relaying the discussion to the King, and Portland agreed to send an express to the King with an accurate account of the day's discussions. He counsels that the King cannot avoid at least stating what he would wish, and queries whether he should approach the Portuguese and Venetian ambassadors, not regarding the French King's proposals but rather what might be done in the event of the death of the King of Spain. The mediation of the King, which the Turks have requested in order to make peace, and which the Venetian ambassador published there, as communicated to him from Italy, has produced a great sensation. M. de Pomponne has enquired as to the meaning of the warlike preparations (armement) which the King and the States were making, in response to which Lord Portland pled ignorance of anything except what had been decided upon, before he left, for the safety of trade. Lord Portland further reports on the French King's health, plans for his own succession, and the request of the present abbess of Orange, the governess of the children of the French royal family, to be continued.