Folios 253-265. Letter dated [April 20 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to...

Folios 253-265. Letter dated [April 20 new style] at Paris from Lord Portland to the King. Reporting on his audience with the French King regarding matters of the Spanish succession. The French King handed to Lord Portland a paper from which he read and of which Portland encloses a copy. They discussed the interests of England and Holland in matters of trade and security, which were absent in the note. Lord Portland further raised the insufficiency of the barrier for the Low Countriesand the need to restore Dunkirk, the latter being heard with some surprise. Lord Portland enquired whether the French King's business would detain him much longer in France, given the Comte de Tallard's activities in England to his satisfaction, and the French King replied that there could be no other in whom he had as much confidence or found so agreeable, but that he could ask King William to return to England provided he was assured of his regard for him. Regarding the French King's paper, Lord Portland advises that as far as he can judge they expect King William to claim what concerns the interests of England and Holland. He awaits the King's orders as to his date of return and reports that the complete restitution of the King's property has been agreed, with Monsieur de Torcy to provide the formal document on the earliest opportunity. Discusses furniture to be made for Dieren, the appointment of a huntsman, and dealings with Monsier le Grand regarding horses.