POSTSCRIPT. I have in this edition explained three or four lines, which mention the succession, to take off, if possible, all manner of cavil; though, at the same time, I cannot but observe, how ready the adverse party is to make use of any objections, even such as destroy their own principles. I put a distant case of the possibility, that our succession, through extreme necessity, might be changed by the legislature in future ages; and it is pleasant to hear those people quarrelling at this, who profess themselves for changing it as often as they please, and that even without the consent of the entire legislature. SOME SOME REMARKS ON THE BARRIER TREATY BETWEEN HER MAJESTY AND THE STATES-GENERAL. To which are added, The said Barrier Treaty, with the two separate Articles; part of the Counter-project; the Sentiments of Prince EUGENE and Count ZINZENDORF upon the said Treaty; and a Representation of the English Merchants at Bruges, Written in the Year 1712: PREFAC E. WHEN I published the discourse called, The Conduct of the Allies, I had thoughts either of inserting, or annexing the Barrier Treaty at length, with such observations as I conceived might be useful for publick information: but that discourse taking up more room than I designed, after my utmost endeavours to abbreviate it, I contented myself only with making some few reflections upon that famous treaty, sufficient, as I thought, to answer the design of my book. I have since heard, that my readers in general seemed to wish I had been more particular, and have discovered an impatience to have that treaty made publick, especially since it has been laid before the house of commons. That I may give some light to the reader who is not well versed in those affairs, he may please to know, that a project for a treaty of barrier with the States was transmitted hither from Holland; but being disapproved of by our court in several parts, a new project or scheme of a treaty was drawn up here, with many additions and alterations. This last was called the counterproject; and was the measure, whereby the duke of Marlborough and my lord Townshend were commanded and instructed to proceed in negotiating a treaty of barrier with the States. I have added a translation of this counterproject in those articles where it differs from the barrier treaty, |
