“If France be disposed to treat upon this view, it is not to be doubted that the following propositions will be found reasonable.

“A barrier shall be formed in the Low Countries for the States-General; and their trade shall be secured.

“A barrier likewise shall be formed for the Empire.

“The pretensions of all the allies, founded upon former treaties, shall be regulated and determined to their general satisfaction.

“In order to make a more equal balance of power in Italy, the dominions and territories, which in the beginning of the present war belonged to the Duke of Savoy, and are now in the possession of France, shall be restored to his Royal Highness; and such other places in Italy shall be yielded to him, as will be found necessary and agreeable to the sense of former treaties made with this prince.

“As to Great Britain in particular, the succession to the crown of the kingdoms, according to the present establishment, shall be acknowledged.

“A new treaty of commerce between Great Britain and France shall be made, after the most just and reasonable manner.

“Dunkirk shall be demolished.

“Gibraltar and Port-Mahon shall remain in the hands of the present possessors.

“The English shall have the Assiento in the same manner the French now enjoy it; and such places in the Spanish West Indies shall be assigned to those concerned in this traffic, for the refreshment and sale of their negroes, as shall be found necessary and convenient.

“All advantages, rights, and privileges already granted, and which may hereafter be granted by Spain to the subjects of France, or to any other nation whatsoever, shall be equally granted to the subjects of Great Britain.

“And for better securing the British trade in the Spanish West Indies, certain places to be named in the treaty of peace, shall be put into possession of the English.

“Newfoundland, with the Bay and Straits of Hudson, shall be entirely restored to the English; and Great Britain and France shall severally keep and possess all those countries and territories in North America, which each of the said nations shall be in possession of at the time when the ratification of this treaty shall be published in those parts of the world.

“These demands, and all other proceedings between Great Britain and France, shall be kept inviolably secret, until they are published by the mutual consent of both parties.”

The last article was not only intended for avoiding, if possible, the jealousy of the Dutch, but to prevent the clamours of the abettors here at home, who, under the pretended fears of our doing injustice to the Dutch, by acting without the privity of that republic, in order to make a separate peace, would be ready to drive on the worst designs against the Queen and ministry, in order to recover the power they had lost.