gth the plenipotentiaries
returned to France, after having sent a letter to the pensionary, in
which they declared that the proposals made by the deputies were unjust
and impracticable; and complained of the unworthy treatment to which
they had been exposed. Louis resolved to hazard another campaign, not
without hope that there might be some lucky incident in the events of
war, and that the approaching revolution in the English ministry, of
which he was well apprized, would be productive of a more reasonable
pacification. The states-general resolved, that the enemy had departed
from the foundation on which the negotiation had begun, and studied
pretences to evade the execution of the capital points, the restitution
of Spain and the Indies: and, in short, that France had no other view
than to sow and create jealousy and disunion among the allies. Lord
Townshend, in a memorial, assured them that the queen entirely approved
their resolution, and all the steps they had taken in the course of the
negotiation; and that she was firmly resolved to prosecute the war with
all possible vigour, until the enemy should accept such terms of peace
as might secure the tranquillity of the christian world.

DOUAY, BETHUNE, AIRE, &c. TAKEN BY THE CONFEDERATES.

The conferences did not retard the operation of the campaign. Prince
Eugene and the duke of Marlborough set out from the Hague on the
fifteenth day of March for Tournay, in order to assemble the forces
which were quartered on the Maese, in Flanders, and Brabant. On the
twentieth of April, they suddenly advanced to Pont-a-Vendin, in order to
attack the lines upon which the French had been at work all the winter,
hoping by these to cover Douay and other frontier towns, which were
threatened by the confederates. The troops left for the defence of the
lines retired without opposition. The allies having laid bridges over
the scarp, the duke of Marlborough with his division passed the river
and encamped at Vitri. Prince Eugene remained on the other side and
invested Douay, the enemy retiring towards Cambray. Mareschal Villars
still commanded the French army, which was extremely numerous and well
appointed, considering the distress of that kingdom. Indeed, the number
was augmented by that distress; for many thousands saved themselves from
dying of hunger, by carrying arms in the service. The mareschal having
assembled all his forces, passed the Schelde, and encamped at Boucham,
decl