THE PREFACE

When IPublished the Discourse called, The Conduct of the Allies, Ihad Thoughts either of inserting or annexing the Barrier-Treaty at length, with such Observations, as I conceived might be useful for publick Information: But that Discourse taking up more room than I designed, after my utmost Endeavours to abbreviate it, I contented my self only with making some few Reflections upon that famous Treaty, sufficient, as I thought, to answer the Design of my Book. I have since heard that my Readers in general seemed to wish I had been more particular, and have discovered an Impatience to have that Treaty made publick, especially since it hath been laid before the House of Commons.

That I may give some Light to the Reader, who is not well vers’d in these Affairs, he may please to know, that a Project for a Treaty of Barrier with the States, was transmitted hither from Holland; but being disapproved of by our Court in several Parts, a new Project, or Scheme of a Treaty, was drawn up here, with many Additions and Alterations. This last was called the Counter-Project; andwas the Measure whereby theDuke of M———h andmyLord T——dwere Commanded and Instructed to proceed, in Negotiating a Treaty of Barrier with the States. I have added a Translation of this Counter-Project, in those Articles where it differs from the Barrier-Treaty, that the Reader, by comparing them together, may judge how punctually those Negotiators observed their Instructions. I have likewise subjoined the Sentiments of Prince Eugene of Savoy and the Count de Sinzendorf, relating to this Treaty, written (I suppose) while it was negotiating. And lastly, I have added a Copy of the Representation of the British Merchants at Bruges, signifying what Inconveniencies they already felt, and further apprehended, from this Barrier-Treaty.

SOME REMARKS ON THE BARRIER-TREATY

Imagine a reasonable Person in China, were reading the following Treaty, and one who was ignorant of our Affairs, or our Geography; He would conceive their High Mightinesses the States-General, to be some vast powerful Common-wealth, like that of Rome, and Her Majesty to be a Petty Prince, like one of those to whom that Republick would sometimes send a Diadem for a Present, when they behaved themselves well otherwise could depose at pleasure, and place whom they thought fit in their stead.