this cafe, the corps of the neutrality is obliged to oppose him; and fo we are engaged in a fecond war, before the first be ended.

If the northern confederates fucceed against Sweden, how fhall we be able to preserve the balance of power in the north, fo effential to our trade, as well as in many other refpects? What will become of that great fupport of the proteftant intereft in Germany, which is the footing that the Swedes now have in the empire? Or who fhall anfwer, that thefe princes, after they have fettled the north to their minds, may not take a fancy to look fouthward, and make our peace with France according to their own schemes ?

And lastly, if the king of Pruffia, the elector of Hanover, and other princes, whofe dominions lie contiguous, be forced to draw from thofe armies which act against France, we must live in hourly expectation of having those troops recalled, which they now leave with us; and this recall may happen in the midft of a fiege, or on the eve of a battle. Is it therefore our intereft to toil on in a ruinous war for an impracticable end, till one of these cafes fhall happen, or to get under fhelter before the ftorm?

There is no doubt but the prefent miniftry (provided they could get over the obligations of honour and confcience) might find their advantage in advifing the continuance of the war, as well as the laft did, although not in the fame degree after the kingdom hath been so much exhausted. They

might prolong it, till the parliament defire a peace; and, in the mean time, leave them in full poffeffion of power. Therefore it is plain, that their proceedings at present are meant to serve their country directly against their private intereft; whatever clamour may be raised by those, who, for the vileft ends, would remove heaven and earth to oppose their measures. But they think it infinitely better to accept fuch terms as will fecure our trade, find a fufficient barrier for the States, give reafonable fatisfaction to the Emperor, and restore the tranquillity of Europe, although without adding Spain to the empire; rather than go on in a languishing way, upon the vain expectation of fome improbable turn for the recovery of that monarchy out of the Bourbon family; and at laft be forced to a worle peace, by fome of the allies falling off, upon our utter inability to continue the war.

SOME

REMARKS

ΟΝ ΤΗΕ

BARRIER TREATY

BETWEEN

HER MAJESTY

AND THE

STATES-GENERAL.

To which are added,

The faid BARRIER TREATY, with the two feparate ARTICLES; part of the Counterproject; the Sentiments of prince EUGENE and count SINZENDORF upon the faid treaty; and a Representation of the English merchants at Bruges.

Written in the Year 1712.

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