Folios 237-250. Letter dated [April 26 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to...

Folios 237-250. Letter dated [April 26 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to the King. Reporting on an audience with the French King to discuss matters related to the Spanish succession. The French King reported that his ambassador had had an audience with King William and expressed great satisfaction at the manner in which King William had spoken to Count Tallard, and especially at what he had said to him. On the subject of the barrier to the Low Countries he intimated that he was not against the extension, but that it would be reasonable that he [himself] should retain one to cover and secure his dominions. Lord Portland replied that there was enough for both, and that France had no reason to be apprehensive and no such need for a barrier as the Low Countries. The French King spoke of the Emperor, agreeing that it was right for King William to take care that he be reasonably dealt with in Italy, and of the interests of England and Holland including the security of their trade. Lord Portland expressed his views as to the fortified places in the Mediterranean, and as to the Indies (les Indes), which he said these two nations would be unwilling to renounce in favour of France. The French King expressed his desire to see his grandson established in Spain, and queried what Spain would be without the Indies. They then discussed the merits of various locations including: Minorca and Port Mahon, Oran and Ceuta, Gibraltar. Lord Portland stresed the need for secrecy and that King William could not abandon those who had for so long been his Allies as soon as peace was made, noting that the proposals that had been made to him were known to the foreign ministers. The French King expressed his desire for secrecy and speculated that the foreign ministers must have guessed at this given the illness of the Spanish King. Lord Portland then discusses arrangements for a further audience with the French King once he had received instructions from King William. Refers to the removal of crosses at Orange, delays to the restitution of Burgundy related to the Princess d'Isenghien, leave for the Duchess of Portsmouth to go to England, Madame's request for Major Packmore to go home for a year to put his private affairs in order and get married. Encloses a letter from the Prince de Vaudemont, just received from Troye.