Louis XIV of France

“ This is confessing that it suits them far less to let him unite all the dominions of the Spanish
monarchy in his hands; and, consequently, that there is nothing more conformable to their interest than to take some measures,
such as I propose, for the partition of the succession. It remains, therefore, only to see what those measures shall be, since
the king of England perceives inconveniences which he affirms to be insurmountable in the proposals which I have made, and I do
not find any equality in the alternatives which he has made. ”

“ I shall likewise communicate these new alternatives to the Earl of Portland.
Through all my letter have made you sufficiently acquainted with my intentions with respecting the proposal to cede some of my fortresses in the Low Countries, to get the first alternative accepted, I cannot, however, too often repeat to you, that I do
not mean to cede any one for any reason whatever. ”

“ Domingo, would give them a very considerable establishment in the West Indies; would
secure their commerce; and other nations would not so much fear to see theirs interrupted, as they would do if port of the
Havannah were in the hands of the English and the Dutch. ”