separation，andcertainlyinamuchbetterconditionthantwoorthreeyearsbefore，whenadelugeofbloodwasspilttodislodgethem，forwedidnomore，atMalplaquet。WouldtheGermansandtheDutchhavefounditmoreeasytoforcethematthistime，thanitwasatthat？WouldnottheFrenchhavefoughtwithasmuchobstinacytosaveParis，astheydidtosaveMons？and，withalltheregardduetotheDukeofOrmond，andtoprinceEugene，wastheabsenceoftheDukeofMarlboroughofnoconsequence？Turnthisaffaireverywayinyourthoughts，mylord，andyouwillfindthattheGermansandtheDutchhadnothingintheirs，buttobreak，atanyrate，andatanyrisk，thenegotiationsthatwerebegun，andtoreduceGreatBritaintothenecessityofcontinuing，whatshehadbeentoolong，aprovinceoftheconfederacy。Aprovince，indeed，andnotoneofthebesttreated；sincetheconfederatesassumedarightofobliginghertokeepherpactswiththem，andofdispensingwiththeirobligationstoher；ofexhaustingher，withoutrule，orproportion，ormeasure，inthesupportofawar，towhichshealonecontributedmorethanallofthem，andinwhichshehadnolongeranimmediateinterest，norevenanyremoteinterestthatwasnotcommon，orwithrespecttoher，verydubious；and，afterallthis，ofcomplainingthatthequeenpresumedtohearkentooverturesofpeace，andtosetanegotiationonfoot，whilsttheirhumorandambitionrequiredthatthewarshouldbeprolongedforanindefinitetime，andforapurposethatwaseitherbadorindeterminate。
　　Thesuspensionofarms，thatbeganintheLowCountries，wascontinued，andextendedafterwardsbytheactIsignedatFontainebleu。Thefortuneofthewarturnedatthesametime；andallthosedisgracesfollowed，whichobligedtheDutchtotreat，andtodesiretheassistanceofthequeen，whomtheyhadsetatdefiancesolately。Theassistancetheyhad，aseffectuallyasitcouldbegiveninthecircumstancestowhichtheyhadreducedthemselves，andthewholealliance：andthepeaceofGreatBritain，Portugal，Savoy，Prussia，andtheStatesGeneral，wasmade，withouthisImperialmajesty’sconcurrence，inthespringofonethousandsevenhundredandthirteen；asitmighthavebeenmade，muchmoreadvantageouslyforthemall，inthatofonethousandsevenhundredandtwelve。Lessobstinacyonthepartofthestates，andperhapsmoredecisiveresolutionsonthepartofthequeen，wouldhavewoundupallthesedividedthreadsinone，andhavefinishedthisgreatworkmuchsoonerandbetter。Isay，perhapsmoredecisiveresolutionsonthepartofthequeen，becausealthoughIthinkthatIshouldhaveconveyedherordersforsigningatreatyofpeacewithFrance，beforethearmiestookthefield，muchmorewillingly，thanIexecutedthemafterwardsinsigningthatofthecessationofarms；yetIdonotpresumetodecide，butshalldesireyourlordshiptodoso，onareviewofallcircumstances，someofwhichIshalljustmention。
　　Theleaguemadeforprotractingthewarhavingopposedthequeentotheutmostoftheirpower，andbymeansofeverysort，fromthefirstappearanceofanegotiation；thegeneraleffectofthisviolentopposition，onherandherministers，was，tomakethemproceedbyslowerandmorecautioussteps；
　　theparticulareffectofitwas，toobligethemtoopentheeyesofthenation，andtoinflamethepeoplewithadesireofpeace，byshowing，inthemostpublicandsolemnmanner，howunequallywewereburdened，andhowunfairlyweweretreatedbyourallies。Thefirstgaveanairofdiffidenceandtimiditytotheirconduct，whichencouragedtheleague，andgavevigortotheopposition。
　　ThesecondirritatedtheDutchparticularly；fortheemperorandtheotherallieshadthemodestyatleastnottopretendtobearanyproportionintheexpenseofthewar：andthusthetwopowers，whoseunionwasthemostessential，werethemostatvariance，andthequeenwasobligedtoactinacloserconcertwithherenemywhodesiredpeace，thanshewouldhavedoneifherallieshadbeenlessobstinatelybenttoprotractthewar。Duringthesetransactions，myLordOxford，whohadhiscorrespondencesapart，andaprivatethreadofnegotiationalwaysinhishands，entertainedhopesthatPhilipwouldbebroughttoabandonSpaininfavorofhisfather-in-law，andtocontenthimselfwiththestatesofthatprince，thekingdomofSicily，andthepreservationofhisrightofsuccessiontothecrownofFrance。Whethermylordhadanyparticularreasonsforentertainingthesehopes，besidethegeneralreasonsfoundedontheconditionofFrance，onthatoftheBourbonfamily，andonthedispositionofLouistheFourteenth，Idoubtverymuch。
　　ThatLouis，whosought，andhadneedofseekingpeace，almostatanyrate，andwhosawthathecouldnotobtainit，evenofthequeen，unlessPhilipabandonedimmediatelythecrownofSpain，orabandonedimmediately，byrenunciationandasolemnactofexclusion，allpretensiontothatofFrance；thatLouiswasdesirousoftheformer，Icannotdoubt。ThatPhilipwouldhaveabandonedSpain，withtheequivalentsthathavebeenmentioned，oreitherofthem，Ibelievelikewise，ifthepresentkingofFrancehaddied，whenhisfather，mother，andeldestbrotherdid；fortheyallhadthesamedistemper。ButLouiswouldusenoviolentmeanstoforcehisgrandson；thequeenwouldnotcontinuethewartoforcehim；Philipwastooobstinate，andhiswifetooambitious，toquitthecrownofSpain，whentheyhaddiscoveredourweakness，andfelttheirownstrengthinthatcountry，bytheirsuccessinthecampaignofonethousandsevenhundredandten：afterwhichmyLordStanhopehimselfwasconvincedthatSpaincouldnotbeconquered，norkept，ifitwasconquered，withoutamuchgreaterarmythanitwaspossibleforustosendthither。
　　Inthatsituationitwaswildtoimagine，astheEarlofOxfordimagined，orpretendedtoimagine，thattheywouldquitthecrownofSpain，foraremoteanduncertainprospectofsucceedingtothatofFrance，andcontentthemselvestobe，inthemeantime，princesofverysmalldominions。Philip，therefore，afterstrugglinglongthathemightnotbeobligedtomakehisoptiontillthesuccessionofFrancelayopentohim，wasobligedtomakeit，andmadeitforSpain。Nowthis，mylord，wastheverycrisisofthenegotiation；
　　andtothispointIapplywhatIsaidaboveoftheeffectofmoredecisiveresolutionsonthepartofthequeen。Itwasplain，that，ifshemadethecampaigninconcertwithherallies，shecouldbenolongermistressofthenegotiations，norhavealmostachanceforconductingthemtotheissuesheproposed。OurillsuccessinthefieldwouldhaverenderedtheFrenchlesstractableinthecongress：ourgoodsuccesstherewouldhaverenderedthealliesso。Onthisprinciplethequeensuspendedtheoperationsofhertroops，andthenconcludedthecessation。
　　Comparenowtheappearancesandeffectofthismeasure，withtheappearancesandeffectthatanothermeasurewouldhavehad。Inordertoarriveatanypeace，itwasnecessarytodowhatthequeendid，ortodomore：and，inordertoarriveatagoodone，itwasnecessarytobepreparedtocarryonthewar，aswellastomakeashowofit：forshehadthehardtaskuponher，ofguardingagainstherallies，andherenemiesboth。Butinthatferment，whenfewmenconsideredanythingcoolly，theconductofhergeneral，afterhetookthefield，thoughhecoveredthealliesinthesiegeofQuesnoy，correspondedill，inappearance，withthedeclarationsofcarryingonthewarvigorously，thathadbeenmade，onseveraloccasions，beforethecampaignopened。Ithadanairofdoubledealing；andassuchitpassedamongthose，whodidnotcombineintheirthoughtsallthecircumstancesoftheconjuncture，orwhowereinfatuatedwiththenotionalnecessityofcontinuingthewar。
　　Theclamorcouldnothavebeengreater，ifthequeenhadsignedherpeaceseparately：and，Ithink，theappearancesmighthavebeenexplainedasfavorablyinonecase，asintheother。FromthedeathoftheemperorJoseph，itwasneitherourinterest，northecommoninterest，wellunderstood，tosetthecrownofSpainonthepresentemperor’shead。AssoonthereforeasPhiliphadmadehisoption，andifshehadtakenthisresolutionearly，hisoptionwouldhavebeensoonermade，Ipresumethatthequeenmighthavedeclared，thatshewouldnotcontinuethewaranhourlongertoprocureSpainforhisImperialmajesty；thattheengagements，shehadtakenwhilsthewasarchduke，boundhernomore；that，byhisaccessiontotheempire，theverynatureofthemwasaltered；thatshetookeffectualmeasurestoprevent，inanyfuturetime，anunionofthecrownsofFranceandSpain，and，uponthesameprinciple，wouldnotconsent，muchlessfight，tobringaboutanimmediateunionoftheImperialandSpanishcrowns；thatthey，whoinsistedtoprotractthewar，intendedthisunion；thattheycouldintendnothingelse，sincetheyventuredtobreakwithher，ratherthantotreat，andweresoeagertoputthereasonablesatisfaction，thattheymighthaveineveryothercasewithouthazard，ontheuncertaineventsofwar；thatshewouldnotbeimposedonanylongerinthismanner，andthatshehadorderedherministerstosignhertreatywithFrance，onthesurrenderofDunkirkintoherhands；thatshepretendednottoprescribetoherallies；butthatshehadinsisted，intheirbehalf，oncertainconditions，thatFrancewasobligedtogranttothoseofthem，whoshouldsigntheirtreatiesatthesametimeasshedid，orwhoshouldconsenttoanimmediatecessationofarms，andduringthecessationtreatunderhermediation。Therehadbeenmorefrankness，andmoredignityinthisproceeding，andtheeffectmusthavebeenmoreadvantageous。
　　Francewouldhavegrantedmoreforaseparatepeace，thanforacessation：
　　andtheDutchwouldhavebeenmoreinfluencedbytheprospectofone，thanoftheother；especiallysincethisproceedingwouldhavebeenverydifferentfromtheirsatMunster，andatNimeguen，wheretheyabandonedtheirallies，withoutanyotherpretencethantheparticularadvantagetheyfoundindoingso。Asuspensionoftheoperationsofthequeen’stroops，nayacessationofarmsbetweenherandFrance，wasnotdefinitive；andtheymight，andtheydid，hopetodragherbackundertheir，andtheGermanyoke。Thisthereforewasnotsufficienttochecktheirobstinacy，nortohinderthemfrommakingalltheunfortunatehastetheydidmaketogetthemselvesbeatenatDenain。
　　Buttheywouldpossiblyhavelaidasidetheirvainhopes，iftheyhadseenthequeen’sministersreadytosignhertreatyofpeace，andthoseofsomeprincipalalliesreadytosignatthesametime；inwhichcasethemischiefthatfollowed，hadbeenprevented，andbettertermsofpeacehadbeenobtainedfortheconfederacy：aprinceofthehouseofBourbon，whocouldneverbekingofFrance，wouldhavesatontheSpanishthroneinsteadofanemperor：
　　theSpanishsceptrewouldhavebeenweakenedinthehandsofone，andtheImperialsceptrewouldhavebeenstrengthenedinthoseoftheother：Francewouldhavehadnoopportunityofrecoveringfromformerblows，noroffinishingalongunsuccessfulwarbytwosuccessfulcampaigns：herambition，andherpower，wouldhavedeclinedwithheroldking，andundertheminoritythatfollowed：oneofthematleastmighthavebeensoreducedbythetermsofpeace，ifthedefeatofthealliesinonethousandsevenhundredandtwelve，andthelossofsomanytownsastheFrenchtookinthatandthefollowingyear，hadbeenprevented，thattheotherwouldhavebeennolongerformidable，evensupposingittohavecontinued；whereasIsupposethatthetranquilityofEuropeismoredue，atthistime，towantofambition，thantowantofpower，onthepartofFrance。But，tocarrythecomparisonofthesetwomeasurestotheend，itmaybesupposedthattheDutchwouldhavetakenthesamepart，onthequeen’sdeclaringaseparatepeace，astheytookonherdeclaringacessation。ThepreparationsforthecampaignintheLowcountriesweremade；theDutch，liketheotherconfederates，hadajustconfidenceintheirowntroops，andanunjustcontemptforthoseoftheenemy；theyweretransportedfromtheirusualsobrietyandcautionbytheambitiousprospectoflargeacquisitions，whichhadbeenopenedartfullytothem；therestoftheconfederatearmywascomposedofImperialandGermantroops：sothattheDutch，theImperialists，andtheotherGermans，havinganinteresttodecidewhichwasnolongertheinterestofthewholeconfederacy，theymighthaveunitedagainstthequeeninonecase，astheydidintheother；andthemischiefthatfollowedtothemandthecommoncause，mightnothavebeenprevented。Thismighthavebeenthecase，nodoubt。TheymighthaveflatteredthemselvesthattheyshouldbeabletobreakintoFrance，andtoforcePhilip，bythedistressbroughtonhisgrandfather，toresignthecrownofSpaintotheemperor，evenafterGreatBritain，andPortugal，andSavoytoo，perhaps，weredrawnoutofthewar；fortheseprincesdesiredaslittle，asthequeen，toseetheSpanishcrownontheemperor’shead。But，eveninthiscase，thoughthemadnesswouldhavebeengreater，theeffectwouldnothavebeenworse。Thequeenwouldhavebeenabletoservetheseconfederatesaswellbybeingmediatorinthenegotiations，astheyleftitinherpowertodo，bybeingapartyinthem：
　　andGreatBritainwouldhavehadtheadvantageofbeingdeliveredsomuchsoonerfromaburden，whichwhimsicalandwickedpoliticshadimposed，andcontinueduponhertillitwasbecomeintolerable。Ofthesetwomeasures，atthetimewhenwemighthavetakeneither，therewerepersonswhothoughtthelastpreferabletotheformer。Butitnevercameintopublicdebate。
　　Indeeditnevercould；toomuchtimehavingbeenlostinwaitingfortheoptionofPhilip，andthesuspensionandcessationhavingbeenbroughtbeforethecouncilratherasameasuretaken，thanamattertobedebated。Ifyourlordship，oranyoneelseshouldjudge，that，insuchcircumstancesasthoseoftheconfederacyinthebeginningofonethousandsevenhundredandtwelve，thelattermeasureoughttohavebeentaken，andtheGordianknottohavebeencutratherthantosufferamocktreatytolanguishon，withsomuchadvantagetotheFrenchasthedisunionofthealliesgavethem；inshort，ifslowness，perplexity，inconsistency，andindecisionshouldbeobjected，insomeinstances，tothequeen’scouncilsatthattime；ifitshouldbesaid