e of the proceedings of the house of Austria:--Considering the
critical situation which Europe has been in during the course of this
year, in consequence of measures concerted to embroil all Europe, the
king of Great Britain was willing to flatter himself that the courts of
Vienna and Versailles, out of regard to the circumspect conduct observed
by your high mightinesses, would have at least informed you of the
changes they have thought proper to make in the Austrian Netherlands. It
was with the utmost surprise the king heard, that without any previous
consent of yours, and almost without giving you any notice, the court of
Vienna had thought proper to put the towns of Ostend and Nieuport into
the hands of the French troops, and to withdraw her own, as well as
her artillery and stores, whilst France continues to send thither a
formidable quantity of both. The conduct of the court of Vienna towards
his majesty is indeed so unmerited and so extraordinary, that it is
difficult to find words to express it; but whatever fallacious pretexts
she may have made use of to palliate her behaviour towards England,
it doth not appear that they can be extended so far as to excuse the
infringement, in concert with France, of the most solemn treaties
between her and your high mightinesses. The king never doubted that
your high mightinesses would have made proper representations to the two
courts newly allied, to demonstrate the injustice of such a proceeding,
and the danger that might afterwards result from it. Your high
mightinesses will have perceived that your silence on the first step
encouraged the two courts, newly allied, to attempt others, and who can
say where they will stop? The pretext at first was, the need which the
empress-queen stood in of the troops for the war kindled in the empire,
and the necessity of providing for the safety of those important places,
and afterwards of their imaginary danger from England. But, high and
mighty lords, it is but too evident that the two powers who have taken
these measures in concert, have other projects in view, and have made
new regulations with regard to that country, which cannot but alarm the
neighbouring states. The late demand made to your high mightinesses, of
a passage for a large train of warlike implements through some of the
barrier towns, in order to be sent to Ostend and Nieuport, could not
fail to awaken the king's attention. The sincere friendship, and parity
of interests,