hat they might negotiate in concert
with their allies. A general answer being made to this intimation,
Gualtier made a second journey to Versailles, and brought over a
memorial, which was immediately transmitted to Holland. In the meantime,
the pensionary endeavoured to renew the conferences in Holland. Petkum
wrote to the French ministry, that if his majesty would resume the
negotiation, in concert with the queen of Great Britain, he should
certainly have reason to be satisfied with the conduct of the Dutch
deputies. This proposal Louis declined, at the desire of the English
ministers.

The states-general having perused the memorial, assured queen Anne that
they were ready to join with her in contributing to the conclusion of
a durable peace; but they expressed a desire that the French king would
communicate a more particular plan for securing the interest of the
allied powers, and for settling the repose of Europe. Gualtier was once
more sent to Versailles, accompanied by Mr. Prior, who had resided
in France as secretary to the embassies of the earls of Portland and
Jersey. This gentleman had acquired some reputation by his poetical
talents; was a man of uncommon ability, and insinuating address, and
perfectly devoted to the tory interest. He was empowered to communicate
the preliminary demands of the English; to receive the answer of the
French king; and demand whether or not king Philip had transmitted
a power of treating to his grandfather. He arrived incognito at
Fontainbleau, and presented the queen's memorial, in which she demanded
a barrier for the Dutch in the Netherlands, and another on the Rhine
for the empire; a security for the Dutch commerce, and a general
satisfaction to all her allies. She required that the strong places
taken from the duke of Savoy should be restored; and that he should
possess such towns and districts in Italy as had been ceded to him in
treaties between him and his allies: that Louis should acknowledge
queen Anne and the protestant succession; demolish the fortifications of
Dunkirk; and agree to a new treaty of commerce; that Gibraltar and Port
Mahon should be yielded to the crown of England; that the negro trade in
America, at that time carried on by the French, should be ceded to the
English, together with some towns on that continent, where the slaves
might be refreshed. She expected security that her subjects trading
to Spain should enjoy all advantages granted by that crown to t