the queen's upon this occasion, that it were better the French should in the course of the treaty declare, "That, whatever they intended to have given the Dutch when the queen spoke from the throne, their conduct has been such, and the situation of affairs so altered, that the king is resolved to have Tournay restored to him." I say, I believe this were better, than to expect that we should consent to an exposition of the queen's words, by which her majesty would yield the town up.
Let the conferences begin as soon as they can, I dare say, business will not be very speedily dispatched in them; in the mean time we shall go on to ripen every thing for a conclusion between us and Savoy, and France, and Spain; and this is the true point of view, which the French ought to have before their eyes.
You will be very shortly particularly and fully instructed to settle the article of North America, and those points of commerce still undetermined: that done, the ministers may sign at Utrecht, as soon as they can hear from lord Lexington.
My lord Dartmouth writes to you concerning a clamour which our merchants have raised, as if, under pretence of not carrying to Lisbon or Barcelona des provisions de guerre ou de bouche, they shall be debarred from their usual traffick of corn and fish, which at those places there are great demands for, in time of peace as well as war, and without any consideration of the armies. The difficulty as to Lisbon seems to be removed, by the Portugueze submitting to come into the suspension of arms; and he proposes to you an expedient as to Barcelona: but in truth that war must be ended of
