The progress of the French in their views of universal monarchy

i.uhj.iu xuox JAN 1 19ZZ

I

THE

PROGRESS

OF THE

F R E N C Hy

In their VIEWS of

Univerfal Monarchy.

Raptores Orbis ; auferre trucidare raperey foljis ns*
minibus imperium & pacem appellant, Tacitus.

LONDON:

Printed for W. Owe n, at Homer* s-Head, near
Temple-Bar,

M.D.CC.LVI.

( iii )

T O
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS

The DUKE of Cumberland \

A N D T O
The Right Honourable

The Lord ANSON.

THE following Sheets, writ by a
Country-Gentleman, and pub-
lifhed at his Defire ; which, it is hum-
bly apprehended, fully lay open the
ambitious Views of France^ and de-
monftrate, that nothing, but a War
vigoroufly carried on againft her, in
whatever Manner the Legislature of
this Kingdom mail judge meet ; and
continued to a proper Reduction of
her exorbitant Power, and the utter
Incapacity of putting her incroaching
Schemes in Execution ; can fave the
Commerce, the Colonies, the Religion ;

A 2 in

( % )

in fhort, the whole Dominions of Bri-
tain (not to mention thofe of the other
States of Europe) from becoming the
Prey of that turbulent, afpiring, per-
fidious Nation ; are, with the greateft
Deference, and the profoundeft Sub-
million, infcribed by

His Royal Highness'/,
a?id his Lordship'/,
mojl dutiful
and mojl faithfully devoted
Unknown humble Servant.

THE

( v)

7b the AUTHOR.

SIR,

/have, to the beft of my Abilities, executed
the *Truft reposd in me of publiflring your
Pamphlet, and taken a Liberty which, thd
without your Knowledge, will, I am perfuaded,
be far from your Difapprobation. 'Tis the
laying it at the Feet of the two very great Per-
fonages, who are by their Prince defervedly fet ,
the one at the Head of our Army, and the other,
in the chief DirecJion of our Navy, and who
from their Situation, have a Kind of Claim to
the Patronage of the following Papers, which,
I think, cant fail of doing the Good they were
intended for , and are juflly calculated to pro-
mote. 'To make their Influence the more univer-
fal, Ifmcerely wijh they were asfafl aspofjible
tranflated into every Language, and difperfed
in every Court of Europe. I have ve?iturd
to infert two or three Pajfages, which I fatter
myfelfyou will not judge improper, as they fall

very

( vi)

very naturally into the Places they Jill. I hope
lam not altogether f anguine in expelling the
Piece, tho' f mall, will be no unacceptable Pre-
Jent to your Country, but rather fiimulate it's
Defire after more Productions from the fame
Hand, and the fpeedy Publication of one you
have by you almofl finijhed, on Commerce,
and other important SubjeBs, would be of the
highefi public Utility, in the Opinion of, "

S I R,

Your Sincere Friend, and
Nov. 25, 1755.

Moll: Obedient Servant.

E R RATA.
Page 4. 1. 4. for Danes read Danaos ; p. 14. 1. 4. dele the
Comma ; p. 17. 1. 1 1. read Pr>'e>ineej, p. 24. 1. 19 and 23. dele
the firft and lad b and 0 in Augbsbourgh ; p. 3 5 . read Luiluque ;
put a full Stop after Virginia in p. 5 5 ; and a Comma inftead
of a full Stop after us in the next Line; p. 55. 1. 15. and
p. 56. 1. z. read Louifiana.

( * )

THE

PROGRESS

OF THE

FRENCH, &c.

TO juftify the Conduct of our Mi-
ll iftry in their preient Hoflilities
againft France, to raife the Refent-
ment of all true Britons, all Lovers of their
Country, its Religion, Liberties, and Laws j
to excite the x\nimolity of all the Patrons of
our Trade and Commerce 5 and to fet be-
fore the Eyes of all Europe, what they
have to expect from that infolent Power
France, if it be fuffered to run its Career of
Violence and Robbery, without Check or
Controul : It feems not amifs to look back
on the Policy and Practice of this perfidious
B Court

( 2 )

Court for above ioo Years pad. From
hence Britain may know what (he has to
dread, Europe to expect, and both to guard
againft. At this Juncture to alarm all our
Neighbours againft the Defigns and ambiti-
ous Views of France, and revive in the
Minds of every Prince and State, her Plots
Plans, and Confpiracies in Times paft, may
tend to difconcert her Meafures, render
her Views abortive, and fruftrate all her
Intentions.

To be thoroughly apprized of the Deiigr.s
of France, muft tend to roufe the Indigna-
tion of every Lover of Peace, Juftice, his
Country, and its Rights and Privileges ;
and induce every Prince to unite for cru fil-
ing this ambkious, perfidious, refllefs, bigot-
ed, perfecuting, plundering Power, which
has long been the common Difturber of the
weflern World, and as long ftruggled for
Univerfal Monarchy. The French aliert
the Right of their Kings to the Carlovin-
g/'an Dominions, and have long meditated
the Recovery of that Empire by Conqueft.
For this End their Politicians have laid
Schemes, their Miniftry adopted them, their
Princes practifed them, and their People

avowed

( 3 )

avowed the Hopes and Expectations of
their Execution. It is greatly to be lament-
ed , that through the Treachery and Folly
of Britain, they have but too well fuc-
ceeded in their Attempts, as their great Ac-
quifitions evince, their Schemes and gra-
dual Approaches to attain which, I am go-
ing tofet forth for the Advantage andUfe of
my Countrymen, in particular.

Cardinal Richelieu feems to have been the
firft, who projected the railing a naval
Power in France, and the Extenfion of its
Dominions. For this End, Colonies were
to be planted, Fifheries to be encou-
raged, and Commerce to be promoted *,
But in the mean Time, 'twas neceffary to
give England a Soporific, — to lull her to
Reft j in Confequence of which, a Dalli-
lah was fent over to bind Sampfon and (hear
his Locks. A Daughter of France was
married to Charles I. of England j and at
this Marriage, feveral Stipulations were a-
greed on, in Favour of the Commerce of

* Voyez Dicl. de Commerce par Mr. Sovary, Pa-
risEdit. 1748. Vol. II. Pag. 4^8. & Teitament poli-
que de Card. Ricklier, Vol. I. Pag. 67. Le Recueil
par Crutm ail, a Amjltrdam.

( 4 )
France, by which the Trade, Strength,.
and Riches of this Nation were to be fap'd.
Every true Britain faw it, and whifper'd to
himfelf, Titnco Danes & dona f (rentes.

By this unnatural Conjunction, PapiJIs.
were to be favoured, Puritans to be perfe-
cted, and the Proteftants of France to be
betray'd, and both good Faith and found
Policy to be facrificed. This monftrous
•Coalition, and thefe impolitic Steps, fet the
Nation in a Flame, and kindled up a Civil
War j which was underhand blown up
and fomented by the Artifices and Emif-
faries of France ||. Thus whilft England
was intent upon the Prefervation of its Re-
ligion and Liberties, France was engaged
in raifing a Marine to extend its Empire, by
promoting its Manufactures, increafing its
Trade, eftablifhing its Colonies, favouring
its Fifheries, and in a Word, by extending
its Commerce; and having enllaved her
own Subjects, me attempted to make
Slaves of the reft of Europe.

The Ufurper, to fecure his ill-gotten
Power, ftrikes up an Alliance with France^
to revenge iiimfelf on the Dutch. France

\ See the Memoirs of Cardinal Retz.

ftands

( 5 )

ftands by and laughs in her Sleeve to fee
the two Proteftant Maritime Powers destroy-
ing each other ; and underhand on each
Side foments the Difcord, which renders
her Marine relatively ftronger ; and at the
fame Time, either adds fomething on each
Side to her Territories, or conduces Things
to her Wifhes at Home, by enflaving her
own People to be at Liberty to enllave the
reft of Europe ; which Proceedings of Crom-
well were directly oppolite to the Good of
this Kingdom, as well as contrary to found
Policy. Thus Things went fwimingly on
'till the Peace of the Pyrennes.

The Throne of Spain, the Trade of that
Kingdom, and the Treaiufes of the Wejl-
Indies were what the French cafl a wiihful
Eye on j and with a View of obtaining thefe
one Day or other, a Match was (truck up
with the Infanta of Spain. Here was a
Foundation laid for Univerfal Monarchy.
This Match was projected with a View to
carry on the grand Deiign of extending the
Dominions of France, and recovering the
Carlovingian Empire. 'Tis true, a formal
and folemn Renunciation of the Crown of
Spain, and all the Territories thereto be-

( 6 )
longing, were made by the young King and
Queen, for themfelves and their Pofterity,
in Favour of the Emperor and his SuccerTors,
But this was a folemn Farce, a mere Im-
pofition contrived to blind the World, and
conceal their Views, as appear'd foon after
upon the Death of the Prince of Spain, in
1661 §.

Thus I have conducted my Reader to the
Eve and Opening of as great a Scene of
Action, as has ever appear'd in modern
Hiftcry.

Soon after this, the King took the Reins
of Government into his own Hands, re-
form'd his Finances, put them and his
Houmold into good Order; and then fet out
in his Career of political Intrigue and Con-
quer!;. This young King by his Flatterers
was made to believe, that he was a Hero,
another Alexander, that Vittory would at-
tend him with her Laurels wherever he
advanced with his Troops j that his Arms
were invincible ; that every one would fqb-
mit to his Nod ; and that now was the
Time to recover the Carlovingian Empire,
and to lay the Foundations for fubduing the

§ Voyez Les Negotiations de Jean dc Wit, &c-

World,

i7 )
World, and for erecting one of the greatest
Monarchies, that ever was feen in it.

In Confequence of thefe Flatteries, the
following Scheme was prefented to him,
and received with Approbation, being cal-
culated to tickle his Vanity, and feed his
unbounded Ambition,

<c The Schematic fays, that though
*c France be a powerful Nation, yet it was
" to be wiflied, that the King did add to
" his Kingdom, firft of all the Low-Coun-
" tries to the Rhine. This Conqueft would
" refettle him in Part of the antient Do-
" main of his PredecefTors, make him
" Matter of the North-Sea, and Arbitra-
" tor between the Kings of Sweden, Den-
" mark and Poland. He ought likewife to
" have Strasbourg to keep Germany quiet,
" the Frenche Comte to reftrain the Sivifs j
" Milan and Genoa, which laft belongs to
c< the King, would make him Matter of
" the Mediterranean, and with thefe he
" might lock up the Duke of Savoy. In
" the next Place, fays he, we mutt get the
" Ifle of Elba, to drive the Spaniards out of
" Italy, and to awe all the Italian Princes,
" and even the Pcpe -, after which, Sardi-

" nia

(8)
" nia would be no difficult Conque&; Na=>
" varre and Catalonia muft be poffefs'd 5
" Majorca and Minorca would follow with-
<c out much Trouble, and then the King
<c would be Umpire of the Fortune of the
" Spaniards ; and if it Jhould happen
" that the Queen* or her Defcendants, fiould
<c have an hereditary Right in Spain, be
<c would be in a Condition to do himfelf
SS Jufticer

2dly, To carry this fine Scheme into Ex-
ecution, Trade, Navigation, and Com-
merce, were to be promoted, in order to
raife a Navy, that might render the French
as fuperior by Sea, as they were at Land.

Thus to enable the King to carry on his
Conquefts, the Politician above cited, like-
wife propofes, that his Majefty fhali keep
iooGallies, and 100 Men of War in the
Mediterranean, and 200 more on the
Ocean. The Fleets which the King might
keep on the Ocean, would make the King
Mafter of all the Trade and Powers of the
North-, even though England and Holland
mould unite againfl him, they would not
fail of their Ruin in the End. The Point
of Britainy is the Gate to enter in and go out
2 of

(9 )

of the Channel. Fifty Ships of War at
Brcjl would keep this Gate fafl: {hut, and
they fliould not open it but by the King's
Command. A Fleet likewife ontheCoaft
of Guyenne would awe Spain and Portugal.

And to remove all Objections to this
Scheme, the Writer proceeds, and fays,

" How infolent foever the Engli/h be,
" they muft confefs, that all the Britijh
" Ifles laid together do not equal half the
" French Continent. In fine, had they
" compared France and its Coafls with
" England^ they would condemn their Va-
<c nity in afluming to themfelves to be Lords
ct of the Sea, as Canutus, one of their anti-
" ent Kings, did."

The Author proceeds, in pointing out the
Intereft, Power, Strength, Policy, Difpo-
fition and Connections of the feveral State?,
Neighbours to France, and how they were
to be dealt with, whilft the King was
compleating his great Work of Conqueft.

Spain is reprefented as weak, foolifh and
flothful j Germany as divided j the Empe-
ror as weak, and not to be feared j Holland

C as

( io )

as being in their Intereft ; and as for Eng-
land\ he fays,

" England is a State too weak to make
" any Trial of Strength againft France :
" And as for Matter of the Englifi them-
" felves, they are a Sort of People without
" Faith, without Religion, without Ho-
tc nefty, without any Juftice at all ; of
" the greateft. Levity that can be j cruel,
" impatient, gluttonous, proud, audaci-
" ous, covetous, fit for handy Strokes and
<£ Execution, but unable to carry on a
" War with Judgment. They are not fit
*' for Conqueft, fo never conquered any
" Thing but Ireland, whofe Inhabitants
" are weak and ill Soldiers.

" If we have a Mind to ruin them, we
" need but oblige them to keep an Ar?nycn
" Foot, and there is no fear, that they
" mould make any Invafion upon France-,
" that would be their undoubted Ruin.

" Now if they have an Army, they
" will infallibly make War upon one an-
" other, and fo ruin themfelves. They
" muft likewife be obliged to keep Garri-
" fons ; this will create a Belief, that the
<{ King formeth Projects againft their Li-

<c berty ;

( •« )

■ berty ; and whilft he is in Arms, his Sub-
1 jects will hate him. Letters muft be
c wrote in Cypher, and fent, (o as to be in-
* tercepted, to raife Jealoufies ; Factions
1 mud be raifed, and the Sects favour'd
c one againft another ; efpeciaily the Ca-
£ tholicks, among whom the Benedicline
c Monks ihould be promifed the Abby-
1 Lands, and they will move Heaven and
1 Earth, to throw the Nation into Con-
fufion." }

And all this fine Scheme was to be car-
ried on under the Notion of doing Good to
Mankind \ by extirpating Herefy and Hereticks,
propagating true Religion, and bringing the
neighbouring States under a more happy Form
of Goverumetit for their owH Inter ejl -f.
Thus wading thro' Seas of Blood, Rapine,
Murder, the Violation of all Civil Rights j
the fhackling the World in French Slavery,
and the Introduction of the moft ftupid Ido-
latry, were cloaked under the Mafque of
Religion, and the pious Pretence of doing

t The Gentleman who difcover'd thefe Secrets,
was fent to the Ba/iile, and afterwards baniflied.

t See Madam Maintenoiis Letters, and the Poli-
ticks of France,

C z Good

( I? )

Good to Mankind. Impious Scheme !
Horrid Blafphemy !

But the Motives to the Execution of this
Plan were Ambition, Pride, Avarice, and
the Luji of Dominion. The Empire of
Charlemagne was to be recovered, and an
Univerfal Monarchy to be eftablifh'd. Such
were the Views of this mighty Nimrod, who
was afterwards eaten up by Licej which
Providence permitted, to convince this
haughty Worm, that he was a poor con-
temptible Mortal, tho' able to doMifchief ;
and a Monfter big enough to be a Plague
to Mankind, and the Curfe of his Coun-
try.

Icome now to the favourable Circum-
ftances which concur'd, for enabling the
French to carry on their Plan of arriving at
Univerfal Monarchy.

Soon after Lewis XIV. was married to the
Infanta of Spain, the Reftoration of Charles
the Second was brought about in England.
This Prince was profligate, prophane, luxu-
rious, and debauch'd, preferring his Plea-
fures, and his MiftreiTcs, to his own Dig-
nity and Honour, and to the Welfare of
his Kingdom, and the Happinefs of his

People.

( '3 )

People. Though his Coufin Lewis had ex-
pell'd him out of France, in Complaifancc
to Cromwell *, yet he encouraged a Trade
with that Kingdom, which occafion'd an
Influx of French Commodities and Luxury ;
and the Confum'ption of their Commodi-
ties he promoted with all his Might, both
by Recommendation and Example.

He likewife fold that important Port and
Fortrefs Dunkirk to France for 200,000 /.
or thereabout, which in the Confederate
War proved a great Thorn in our Sides ;
and which the French are now fortifying
again, contrary to Treaty.

Soon after this, the Confumption of
French Commodities was carried to fuch a
Height, by the Encouragement and Exam-
ple of Charles 's Court, that Mr. Fortery,
one of the Gentlemen of his Bedchamber,
calculates, that the French got a Ballance in
Trade of 1,600,000 /. per Ann. upon us.

But whilft England was lofing 1,600,000/.
per Ann. by the French Trade, to make us
Amendsfor this Lofs, the ivr;z<r/jeftablifh'd an

■ ■

* 'Tis faid, that Monf. Bourdeaax, the French
Ambaflador at London, did what he could to prevent
Charles's Reftoration.

Eajl-

( 14 )

Eaft -India Company in 16643 erected a
Company to carry on theWhale-Fimeryj fet
up a Variety of Woollen Manufactures all
over the Kingdom, to fupplant ours in the
Foreign Markets ; and particularly in Lan-
guedoc, to rob us of the Cloth Trade to
Turky ; which Manufactures were Sup-
ported by Premiums and Bounties on the
Export, and all natural and artificial En-
couragements given to them, that they
might rival thofe of England. The Suc-
cefs of thofe Meafures our prefent Turky
Merchants but too fenfibly feel.

But notwithstanding France carried on
fuch an advantageous Trade with us, and
to our great Detriment, yet its Rapacity
could not be contented with the great Ad-
vantages it enjoy 'd, but in the Year 1667,
to encourage the Home Confumption of
its own Manufactures, and hinder the Im-
portation of ours, it publifh'd a new Ta-
riff, and by it laid fuch high Duties upon
Englifo Manufactures, as amounted to a
Prohibition ||. Tho' the Nation felt the

terrible

U This may ferve to correct a grofs Error of Mr;
Humes, who fays, we were the firft Aggrefibrs with

Regard

( >5 )

terrible Effects of this flow Poifon, work-
ing and preying on its Vitals, and clamour'd
againft it j yet Charles, out of Complaifance
to his good Friend Lewis, who had pro-
mifed to make him an abfolute Monarch,
permitted this pernicious Trade to be car-
ried on 'till the Year 1676, by which Time
it had almoft ruin'd the Nation. By the
Confumption of French Commodities Trade
languifh'd, Navigation dwindled, Tenants
broke, Rents were ill-paid, Wool fold low,
and the Landed Intereft found the terrible
Effects of this French Difeafe, diffusing its
venomous Contagion all over the Body Po-
litick.

To give fome Relief in this Malady,
the Project of the Prohibition of the Im-
portation of IriJJ) Cattle was hit upon,
which was only a Palliative at that Time,
and has proved a Remedy worfe than the
Difeafe fince. All this while Charles was
affifting the French King in railing a Navy,
that his mod Chriftian Majefty might be in
a Condition to affift him in enflaving his

Regard to the French Trade. See bis Political Dif-
courfes*

( 16 )

own Subjecls. Nay, Charles went fo far as
to reprehend, and turn out, one of his own
Minifters §, for impertinently remarking
to his Majefty, the dangerous Confequences
of permitting the French to increafe their
Marine. And when French Wines were
prohibited, to favour his good Friend Lewis*
the Officers of the Cufloms were ordered to
wink at their being enter'd zsPorfs. But this
is not at all to be wonder 'd at, fince Charles
was a Penfioner to France, and enter'd into
all the Views and Meafures of the French
King, to the Ruin of his own Kingdom,
as well as of the Repofe of Europe.

To carry on their Scheme, and to weaken
the Maritime Powers, France fowed Dif-
cord between the Englijh and Dutch, ftir'd
up Jeaioufies, fomented Feuds, and nurfed
Animofities, till all Things were in a Flame,
and they fell to deftroying each other in a
Naval War j by which France knew it
lliould grow relatively ftronger, and might
the fooner be capable to figure it at Sea,
and compleat its Scheme of Univerfal Mo-
narchy.

§ Sir Beinl Higgons .

Whilft

( 17 )

Whilft Hoftillties were carrying on be-
tween the Englijh and Dutch, in the Year
1665, Philip IV. King of Spain dies, and
leaves Charles the 2d his Son, then an In-
fant, his Succeffor j and now Lewis XIV.
his Brother-in-Law, began to take off the
Mafque, and open the long intended Scene of
Perjury, Violence, Rapine and Blood.
Notwithstanding he had folemnly re-
nounced the Spanijh Succeffion at the Peace
of the Pyrennes ; yet immediately after the
Death of his Father-in-Law, he invaded
the Territories of his Brother the Catholic
King, and took PoffefTion of fuch Part of
the Spanifi Low-Countries as he pleafed.
The Rapidity of his Conquefts, the In-
juftice of his Conduct, and the Perjury
and Violence he was guilty of, aftonimed

all Europe.

1

But by the Mediation of the Dutch and
the Swedes, a Peace was made, and it was
agreed, that Lewis mould keep PoffeiTion
of his new Conquefts, The Dutch were
afraid of fo near and powerful a Neigh-
bour as France, and willing to keep her
at as great Diftance as poffible. Lewis was
difpleafed with their Conduct, and difTatif-
D fied

( 18 )

fled with the Peace, becaufe he wanted all
the SpaniJJo Low-Countries, and from hence
differed with the Commiffaries ztLiJk about
the Adjuftment of his new Conquefts,
and declared he would do himfelf Juftice
by Force of Arms ; however a Peace was
afterwards concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle.
Lewis hated the States for throwing: a Re-
mora in the Way, whilfl he was in his Pro-
grefs towards Univerfal Monarchy, and
was refolved to chaftife them. For this
End, he formed a mod powerful Confede-
racy againft them, into which Charles the
Second of England enter'd as a Party,againft
all the Rules of good Policy, whilfl: the
Emperor with equal Stupidity, agreed to a
Neutrality.

Thus France was extending itsConquefts
by Land, its Commerce by Sea, and in-
creafmg its Trade and Manufactures to raife
a Marine* and rival us in Arts and Arms,
both by Sea and Land : And in the mean
while, the King of England, inflead of
flirring up all the States of Europe to criifli
this exorbitant Power, was confederated
with it, and concurr'd with, and affifted
Lewis in every Step he took in his Progrefs

towards

( 19 )
towards Univerfal Monarchy : And in do-
ing this, he facrificed his own Honour,
the Welfare of his People, and the Peace
ofChriftendom,

But in Return for this Complaifance,
Lewis promifed Charles to make him an ab-
fblute Monarch -f- ; and thus Charles became
the Tool of Lewis's Ambition, and the Dupe
of his own Love of arbitrary Power. They

f After King Charles's Interview with the Duchefs
of Orleans at Dover, a fecret League was ratified be-
tween the Crowns of France and England, one Ar-
ticle of which the Abbot Primi fays, was, M To fe-
" cure to King Charles an abfolute Power over his
" Parliament, and the Re-eftablifhment of the Roman
" Catholick Religion in his three Kingdom of Eng-
" land, Scotland and Ireland." His Words are, De lui
ajfcurer une Autorlte abfolue fur [on Parlemcni Cf de
rej, abler la Religin Cat holt que dans Us Royaumes
rf'Angleterre, ^'EcofTe, &T ^Ireland. In 1682, King
Charles complained of the divulging this Secret, by
his Ambaffador the Lord Prejlon at Verfailles, and
Primi was committed to the Bajlile

Lewis knew, that both Charles and his Erother
were Papijls, and infeded with that Lues of the
Siuart Race, Bigotry, and the|Itch of arbitrary Power:
And thus he baited his Trap accordingly.

D 2 were

( 20 )

were to conquer the Dutch, and divide the
feven Provinces between tnem. This was
hunting with the Lion, and dividing the Prey
with him, where Charles could expect no-
thing but the Fate of the duped Beafls;
and in the Iilue to be worried hirafelf.
England rues for this falfe Policy to this
Day. We were at this Time jealous of the
Dutch, and regardlefs at the fame Time
of the French, who were fapping the
Foundations of our Trade and Commerce,
and knawing its Roots both in the Eaft-
Indies and North America, as well as at
the Leeward Iflands.

And this ftupid Prejudice continues to
this very Day ; and a modern Politician
fays, The Dutch are our Rivals in Trade
and Navigation ; they are our Out-
guard on the Continent, and yet we may
do too much for them. They are parfimo-
nious, and therefore we cannot get Pof-
feflion of their Trade, unlefs we deftroy
them by our Naval Force *.

See Batavia Illu/irata.

But

( 21 )

But our greateft Danger is from the
Schemes and Purfuits of the French) of
which this Gentleman fays not one Word
by Way of Caution or Comparifon. This
Danger will appear clearly from the fol-
lowing Confide rations. Bread, in Holland,
fuch as our Manufacturers in England eat,
is commonly at id a Pound Sterling ; Fleili
at qd> fuch as is fold in England at 3*/; Labour
as high as in England : Whereas, in
France in the Provinces, Bread is in com-
mon at one Halfpenny per Pound, Sterling,
or at ieaft at about half the Price it is at
in England , and Flefh in the fame Pro-
portion. Labour in France, like wife, ig
but from about %d per Day, of 14 Hours,
or from Five to Seven o'Clock, in the
cheapeft Countries, and at about yd half-
penny in the deareft : In Manufactures, at
but half the Price as in England. Sailors
Wages aboard the French Navy, but from
about Ss to 12s per Month -, whereas in
England, a Sailor has 20 s per Month
aboard King's Ships. This muft render

their

( *? )

their Goods exceeding cheap at a foreign
Market.

Now I would fubmit it to the Reflec-
tion of any reafonable Man, who are mofl
likely to rival us in Trade and Navigation,
the Dutch or the French. And here it
may be obferved, that this Cheapnefs of
Labour, Provisions, and Commodities, was
brought about by the file Artifice of the
'Enhancement of their Money from 27 Livres,
to 50 Livres the Mark of eight Ounces of
Silver 'Troy weight ; and this has been done
iince the Beginning of the confederate War
in 1702. 'Tis true, this caufed great Con-
vulfions in the Kingdom at firft, but in the
IiTue, it has been the Inftrument by which
they have fapped the Foundations of our
Trade ; and if a Remedy be not applied,
which is every Day at hand, viz, a Bounty %
this Artifice of the French will worm out
Britifij Manufactures by gentle Degrees in
every Market in the World.

By this Artifice they have rendered their
Labour fo cheap, that they reap a plenti-
ful Harvefl in every Country, where they

pay

( 23)

pay but the fame Cujioms as the Englifo>
whillt the Englifi Merchant is obliged to
wait for the Gleanings of the Market, after
the Frenchman has finished his Sales.

This has reduced our 'Turkey Trade from
a Sale of about 30,000 Woollen Cloths
per Annum to about 6000 j whilft, within
a few Years, the French Cloth Trade has
increafed from a Sale of 2 coo Cloths per
Annum > to above 40,000. This Project
of the Enhancement of Money, has given
an undue Preference in France to Money,
above Land and Commodities : But where
lies the Difadvantage, if the Gentleman re-
ceives but a 100 lb. weight of Silver for
his Lands, where he ufed to receive 200 lb.
if, at the fame Time, he can purchafe as
many Commodities with 100 /. as before
the Enhancement he could with two ?
It is certain it would only affect his fo-
reign Confumption. By this Scheme the
French have retrained the Bulk of the Peo-
ple to the Confumption of their own Ma-
nufactures and Commodities, and have pro-
digiouily extended their Commerce, by un-
derfelling all Nations. This has enabled

their

( H)
their Iflands to fend home Sugars, Indigp^
&c. fo cheap, as to rival us in all the £«-
ropean Markets, and in the Levant : And
all this they do, though their Manufactu-
rers pay fix Times as much in Taxes on the
Neceffaries of Life as they do in England.

After the Invafion of the United Pro-
vinces by France, in 1672, not the King of
England, but his Parliament being alarmed
at the French Conquefts, as likewife the
Empire and the King of Spain, thefe three
Powers declared in Favour of the Dutch,
which brought about the Peace of Nime-
guen 3 where the King of France had large
Dominions he had conquered, conceded to
him. But univerfal Monarchy being the
Aim of Lewis, he foon found Pretences for
violating the Treaty, which produced the
League of Aughsbourgh in 1683, and obliged
him to a twenty Years Truce.

From the Death of Philip the Fourth,
King of Spain, whilft all thefe Things
were tranfa&ing, to the League of Aughf-
bourgh in 1683, Monf. Colbert took Care
to encourage Arts, diffufe Manufactures,
promote Fifheries, and extend Commerce ;

and

( 25 )

and all with a View to raife a powerful
Marine to rival the united Forces of the
Englifi and Dutch. This was the principal
Part of the Plan of Conqueft j and this the
Fre?jch fucceeded in to their Wiflies; fo
that in a few Years we faw France alone
contend with the united Squadrons of the
Engli/b and Dutch for the Empire of the
Main.

Hot-headed Lewis would never have at-
tained his End, had it not been forthe pru-
dent Councils of his Minifter Colbert, who
addreffed him in this Manner when he was
venting his Spleen againft the Dutch, who
obftructed his Conqueft.

" The Advice I would prefume to give
" your Majefty is to dilband the greatelt
tc Part of your Forces, and fave lb many
" Taxes to your People. Your very Do-
£t minions make you too powerful to fear
" any Infult from your Neighbours. Turn
" your Thoughts, Sir, I intreat you, from
" War ; cultivate the Arts of Peace, the
" Trade and Manufacture of your Subjects :
" This will make you the moil powerful
" Prince, and your People at the fame

(i Time the richeft of all Nations.

E « There

tc

( 26 )

There never will be wanting Fools to
" purchafe the Manufactures of France-,
" but France muft be ftrictly prohibited to
<{ buy thofe of other Countries. But above
" all, Peace will ingratiate your Majefty
" with the Spanifo Nation during the Life
" of their crazy King j and after his Death,
" a few feafonable Prefents among his
" Courtiers {hall purchafe the Reverfion of
" his Crowns, with all the Treafures of
" the Indies j and then the World is your
" own."

It is certainly a Virtue in a State to pro-
mote Induftry, encourage Arts, multiply
Traders, and extend Commerce, provided
it be done to make the People happy. But
if we examine the Politicks of the Fre?ich,
we (hall find thefe beneficent Motives the
leaft of their Regards. No, the Vain-glo-
ry of their Monarch, acquired by cutting
Throats, and raviming the Territories of
their Neighbours from them, whilft even
their own lie uncultivated and neglect-
ed, are the Motives which induce them
to' favour Arts, and promote Commerce ;
Commerce is to fupport Conqueft, and
Conqueil is to extend Commerce, but

( *7 )
Pride and Vain-glory are the Primum Mo-
bile, not the Happinefs of Society-, and the
Good of Mankind ; though the French moft
blafphemoufly rob and plunder their Neigh-
bours under thofe Pretences.

It is true Colbert advifes his Mailer to
turn his Thoughts from Arms to Com-
merce j but then the End is to make the
World his own. Commerce is to bring
in Riches, the Treafures of the Indies j and
thefe are to be employed in raifing Ar-
mies, and in making the World his own.
Here the End the French purfue in pro-
moting Commerce is avowed, viz. that
they may be able to plunder their Neigh-
bours, and rob them of their Territories ;
that they may recover the Empire of Char-
lemagne, or all that lies between the Bal-
tic and the Adriatic, and from thence to
the Mediteranean and the Atlantic Ocean,
the Dominions of that Monfter of Cruelty J
after which the World is to be made their
own.

Navigation and Commerce are to be
made the ftalking Horfes to promote thofe
Schemes: " And thefe Plans, their Poli-
ticians fay, " mufi be perfected by little and
E 2 little i

( 28 )

little -j fo great De/igns continually alarming
Europe, Alia, Africa, and America,
Friends and Foes, a Precipitation of it
would be its Ruin."

In Conformity to this Advice, Lewis
confen ted to the Mediation of the Dutch
and Swedes, and made a Peace at Nime-
guen. This was all a Farce, nothing was
meant by it, but to deceive his "Neighbours,
take them off their Guard, and attain his
Ends by little and little. And to compafs
the Univerfal Monarchy projected, Perjury
was committed , Alliances were broke
through, Friends and Kindred were at-
tacked, Allies betrayed, and every Rela-
tion, folemn Tye ; all Faith and Honour
were facrificed to Ambition, and Lull: of
Conqueft. Seas of Blood were waded
through, and every Barbarity and Cruelty
committed by this polite Nation, in the
Execution of their polite Scheme *.

Conqueft is the Defign of the French ;
Trade is onlv attended to as the Inftru-
merit. Surely all Europe ought to unite

f Witnefs their Cruelties at Bodegrave and Swam-
merdarn in Hajl

againft

( 29 )

againft thefe Plunderers of the World, and
Bullies of Mankind, who iacrifice every
Thing to their favage Ambition. And as
to England, they have attacked our Settle-
ments in the Eaft Indies, robbed us of our
Territories in the Weft Indies, plundered
our Colonies, murdered our People, vio-
lated our folemn Treaties, by feizing the
neutral Iflands, and committing Hoitilities
againil us in every Quarter of the Globe.
A rife, O Britain ! Avenge thy Caule,
and reflrain the Rapine and Violence of
thefe Difturbers of the World.

The French raife Armies, build Ships,
erect Forts, and favour Manufactures and
Commerce, not to make their People hap-
py, but to be in a Condition to take Ad-
vantage of every Conjuncture for extend-
ing their Dominions, and robbing their
Neighbours. Colbert avows this, and that
the Dom'mions of the French King are too
great, and make him too powerful to fear
any Infult from his Neighbours. And
their other Politicians fay, One State isiveak,
another divided, another Jlothful, and
from thence encourage their Princes to make
a PYey of all.

It

( 3° )

It is clear from hence, that their In-
fults upon our Settlements in the Eafl In-
dies, and their Encroachments upon the
Miffi/ippi, and in Canada ■, are carried on,
not from any Fear of their Neighbours, or
to fecure their own Commerce or Territo-
ries -j but to advance and increafe their
Navigation, which is confidered by them
as an Inftrument neceflary for acquiring
Univerfal Monarchy ~f-. I cannot help
alking here, what will become of their
good Ally the King of Pr—Jf—a, when the
French King comes to the PorTerlion of the
Carlovingian Empire, at which he aims ?

By the Folly and Wickednefs of Charles
the Second, France having drained Eng-
land of between 20 and 30 Millions, thro'
the pernicious Trade carried on for near
20 Years with that Kingdom, during his
Reign J ; and having by the Craft of Col-
bert

t Quos non Oriens non Occidens fatiaverit.

Tacitus.

% Dr. Davenant remarks, that if this had been
true, England^ by the End of Charles the Second's

Reign,

( 3' )

bert extended its Commerce, and raifed a
powerful Marine ; and likewife having
gained large and fertile Territories on each
Side, through the pernicious Maxims and
bad Policy of the glorious King of Eng-
land, no Treaties nor Ties could hold the
French Monarch long.

Reign, would not have had a Shilling left in the
Kingdom. But the Doftor feems to be very much
out in his Calculations. He did not in the leaf! re-
flect on the conftant Supplies brought in from our
Northern Colonies, which traded to the Spanijh Alain,
and from 'Jamaica ; the Exploits of the Buccaniers,
the Ballance of Trade with Africa, Spain, Portugal,
Holland, the Netherlands, Germany and Ireland. All
which might and did furnifh us annually with more
than France drained us of; though, whenever the
Cafe is fuch, that the Stock of Cafh in a Nation does
not go on increafing much, Trade will always ap-
pear to languid, and feemingly be in the State of
an animal Body, which receives no Supply of Food.
The Computations made from the Cuftoms received
muft have been erroneous : Befides, at that Time,
100,000 /. worth of Manufactures fent to Jamaica,
could not fail of returning us 500.000 /. Profit. The
African Trade likewife, at one Time, brought in a
monftrous Profit. From all thefe Confiderations, it
appears probable, that England might export
Millions in Value, import four Millions in Value,
and yet its Stock of Cafh not leffen.

( 3* )

Charles dies, and in 1685, his Brother
yames mounts the Throne, who was un-
der the Influence of Popifh Priefts, Popifh
Maxims, and French Councils. To pleafe
his Friend Lewis, he took off the Prohi-
bition of the French Trade, and opened
the Door again for French Luxury, in or-
der to enrich France at the Expence of
the Englijh Nation.

French Wines and French Manufactures
were again introduced, fo that our Trade
to Portugal was like to have been ruined.
This the King of England did out of Com-
plaifance to Lewis, that he in his Turn
might afTift him in making him abfolute,
and in eftablifhing the Popifo Religion in
his three Kingdoms -, as likewife in palm-
ing upon us a fpurious Brat for a Monarch,
who was perhaps the IfTue of fome Plebeian
Trull, which Plot was contrived purely
for the Eftablifhment of Popery in the
Kingdom again.

But thefe Meafures of the French King
were purfued to prevent England from taking
Part with the Princes he intended to rob
of their Dominions j from holding the
Ballance of Power, and from obftrucling

his

( 33 )

his Career of Conqueft, and Purfuit of Uni-
verfal Monarchy.

The Count D'Avaux had mentioned in
a Memorial to the States General, the Secret
Alliance concluded between the King of Eng-
land and the King of France. At that Time
it was thought Lewis made this Difcovery,
to enrage the Englijh in fuch a Manner,
that the King might be afraid to trufl
them, and be obliged to have Recourfe
to a French Army to aflift him againft his
own Subjects ; which Army was then to
have conquered the Kingdom for the French
King.

But King James drove on fo furioufly
to introduce Popery, that the Nation con-
fpired to drive him out of the Kingdom,
and the King of France began a War afrefh
to reftore him to his Throne. This was
not done out of any Regard to James,
whom the King of France defpifed, but
to have a Plea for purfuing his Plan of
Conquefl. This War was terminated by
the Peace of Ryfaick, and the Partition
Treaty was agreed upon to fettle Peace
and the Ballance of Power. But all thefe
F Com*

( 34)
Compliances in the French were only a
Farce, to deceive and amufe the Allies.

By the Influence of French Gold at the
Spani/h Court, and the Artifices of Cardi~
nal Portacarero, a Will was figned by the
King of Spain in articulo mortis, by which
the Spani/h Succeffion was left to the Duke
of Anjou. And now the French King con^
fidered himfelf, as in PorTeffion of Spain,
its Trade, and the Treafures of the Wejl-
Indies, and of Courfe, that the World was
his own, according to the Prediction of CoU
fart. He immediately invaded the Nether-
lands, and feized on the Spani/h Crown in
Violation of his moft folemn Renunciation,
and repeated Treaties and Engagements.
But having made large Strides towards
UniverfaJ Monarchy, the Princes of Europe
thought it was high Time to crufh this
'Leviathan of Power, The Arms and Va-
lour of the Allies, brought him and his
Kingdom to the Brink of Ruin ; and whilfl
he was tottering upon this dreadful Pre-^
cipicc, a Faction \ but

Here

( 35 )

**+*mf£&C Animus miminijfe barret,
Luclaque refugit. -j-

The Abbe St. Pierre obferves, that
France was in a mofl dreadful Situation
before the Battle of Denain ; that if it had
been loll:, the Kingdom would have been
ruined, and that the Day on which it was
won, ought to be celebrated as a folemn
Feftival by the French to the lateft Pofte-
rity. To what their Salvation was owing,
we but too well remember. O, you glo-
rious Britijh Patriots then at the Helm !
how are you to be admired to lateft
Ages !

During this War, the Trade to Spain,
and the Spanifi Weft Indies, was open only
to France, by which they gained above
100 Millions of Dollars j and by this Affift-
ance they were enabled to continue the
War againft the moll powerful Confede-
racy that ever was formed, conducted by
the greateft Heads, and the honeftefr. Hearts,
that ever gave Council in the Cabinet, or
led Troops into the Field.

^— — ^mm — — — — — — w— — — i—

"f I tremble at die ureadful Thought, and for-
bear mentioning the mournful Theme.

F 2 But

( 36 )

But notwithstanding the French- were
reduced to Beggary and Ruin by the Con-
federate Arms, yet our glorious Patriots,
and fagacious Politicians at the Treaty of
Utrecht, left France in the PofTefiion of
near all her Conquefls, which a judicious
Author fays, amounted to eight Sovereign
Provinces, two Archbifhopricks, nine Bi-
fhopricks, thirty of the ftrongeft Places in
the World, feventy Cities, fome of which
are reckoned among the fineft in Europe, and
more than 3000 Market Towns and Villa-
ges. And to this we may add another con-
siderable Acquifition fince, viz. theDutchies
of Lorain and Bar. The Revenues of thefe
Countries which have been annexed of late
to the Dominions of the French King, a-
mount to more than One- fourth of his
whole Income.

But the Plan the French form'd is not
half executed. The firft Acquifitions were
to have comprehended all the Territories
South and South- Weft of the Rhine, in
order to poffefs themfelves of all the Trade
of the Meufe, and what by that River is
carried on by the Dutch into Germany j by
which England would be a great Sufferer in

its

( 37 )
its Commerce to Holland. The Attention
of France to Commerce of late Years, is
only to put herfelf in a Condition to execute
her Schemes of Conquer!:, which fhe never
lofes Sight of. And if all the Powers of
Europe do not unite to reftrain her exorbi-
tant Attempts, in Cafe Britain alone is not
fufficient, they will foon find the bad Ef-
fects of their ill Policy and Indolence.

France herfelf acknowledges, that the
Englifh bow neither Inclination nor Abilities
for Conquefi -, and that they never attempted to
conquer any Country but Ireland, he Blanc,
a late French Author, talks in the fame
Strain as Colbert's Pupil. He obferves,
That when the Englifh pretended to be fo
alarm'd for the Liberties of Europe, they
were only intent upon their own private In-
tereft. A Prince of the Houfe of Bourbon
upon the Throne of Spain, would have
given them no Umbrage, had it not affected,
their Commerce. The only Motive which
induces them to make War, and the only
Object they regard in Peace, is their Trade.
His Words are, Lorfque les Anglois paroifoi-
entfi allarmespour les Liberies de /'Europe Us
rietoient reelkment cccupes que de leur Inter et
2 parti-

(3» )

particulier. Un Prince du Sang de France
ne leur faifoit ombrage fur le Tyrone ^/'Efpagne?
que par rapport a leur Commerce : On doit
le regarder ioujours comme le veritable motif
qui les porte a fair e la Guerre £? comme V uni-
que objet quils cherchent dam la Paix. Vo-
yez les Lettres d'un Francois , Vol. II. Page
241. And again, the Roma?is confidered
Trade only as a Means of obtaining Con-
queil j the Englifi never arm in Europey
but to extend their Commerce. Les Ro-
mains ne font devenus Commercans que pour
s en affurer la Conquete \ Z^Anglois narment
en Europe que pour y etendre leur Commerce.
Vol. III.

It is readily ajfentedto, that England has no
Views of Conqueft, and defires only to enjoy
her own, and to prefer ve her Trade and Terri-
tories unviolated. But this is what France
will not admit of. It feems to be quite na-
tural to this reftlefs, ambitious, encroach-
ing Power, to be thieving from its Neigh-
bours : But we hope Britain will foon fee
the French in fuch a Condition, as to be ablp
to fay to them pertinently,

Difcite Juflitiam moniti, & non temnere

Divos.

ft

( 39 )

It is a Maxim in Politicks, that when a
State begins to grow formidable, War
ought to be made upon it by its Neighbours,
to reduce its exorbitant Power. If the Per-
fans had joined the Grecian States againft
Philip of Macedon, the royal Family of Da-
rius had not fallen into the Hands of Alexan-
der^ nor the Perfians become Slaves to the
Greeks. If the Carthaginians had aJTifted
the Samnites, and given Aid to other Italian
States, in their Wars with the Romans, that
Race of Banditti would never have rafed the
Capital of the Africans, nor have plagued
the World for fuch a long Series of Years.
And if the i?r////£ Kings had united againft. the
Roman Arms, Agriccla might have made as
ignominious a Retreat as "Julius Cafar. But
Dum Jingidi pugnant wdverfi "dncuntur^
whiljl they fought one by one all were fubdued.
This ought to teach all Europe to unite againft
the Gallic Monfter and Tyrant.

When the French are in a Condition to
plague their Neighbours, they never fail of
(hewing their Inclination. And tho' it mav
not coincide with the ftrict Rules of Juftice
and Morality, to attack a State becaufe it
increafes in Riches and Power ; yet when

the

( 40 )

the Vanity and Pride which Riches and
Power infpire, break out into overt A£ts of
Violence and Rapine, then other Powers are
juftiflable in attacking fuch Robbers and
Difturbers of the World ; and ought never
to fheath the Sword, 'till they are brought
to Juftice and Reafon ; and are fo weaken'd,
as to be unable to abufe their Neighbours
for the future. Thefe Meafures the
Laws of God and Man tolerate and
juftify. Surely if we faw a Robber arming
to plunder and murder us, it would be Stu-
pidity to wait 'till he had put himfelf
in a compleatr Pofture to fubdue us, when
it was in our Power to have cut him off"
whilfl: he was preparing for our De~
(traction.

Now the Views of the French in the Ex*
tenfion of their Commerce, are to acquire
a great Fleet, and by Means of this Fleet,
and the Treafures of Spain and the Wejl-
bzdies, brought Home by Commerce, to re-
cover the Empire of Charlemagne^ and make
the World their own. This is the Scheme,
which has been ftijdtly adhered to ever fmce
the Days of Richlicu. But the Gentleman
\yho difcover'd thefe Secrets of the French

Court,

( 4i )

Court, was fent to thcBaJlile, and afterwards
banifh'd ; for the Scheme was to have been
carried on a little and little ', fo great a Dc-
Jign alarming all Europe, Friends and
Foes.

The French declare, that their very Domi-
nions make them too great to fear any Infult
from their Neighbours. ' That the Englifh
have neither Capacity nor Inclination for Ccn-
queft. That the Britifh Dominions are no-
thing compared with the French in Extent \
People, Fertility, and Riches ; and that i
have nothing to dread even from an Union of
England and Holland together. They re-
prejent the Emperor as weak, and Germany
as divided-, and the Englifh as eaf'tyjet toge*
ther by the Ears ; and induced to deflroy each
other. What is it then \vh ich makes France
keep up Troops, FortrelTes and Fleets ?
The Anfwer is obvious ; nothing but the
Luft of Dominion j a thievifh Dilpoiition
to rob and plunder its Neighbours j and the
vain Glory of excelling in the Arts of Plun-
der and Slaughter. They exprefs a great
Contempt for us, and confequently do not
arm to defend themiclves, but like Banditti
to furprife and plunder their Neighbours.

( 42 )

Their Depredations have been long felt
in the Eafl- Indies. Their Encroachments
on the MiJJtfippi and in North- America, and
Seifure of the Neutral Iflands in the Wejl-
Indies, have been as lojig wink'd at -, and all
this has made them as audacious and infp-
lent, as if they thought the Englijh both
tame and blind : But it is high Time for
Britons to awake and avenge themfelves.
If Spain can tamely fubmit to have fuch
a thievifh, infolent, ambitious, perfidious
Power, fortify itfelf on the MiJJifippi, fo
near Mexico, Britons ought to purfue a dif-
ferent Policy, and to root out of North- Ame-
rica this turbulent Race, that is continually
plaguing, and pilfering Territory from every
Prince, who has the Misfortune to be ad-
jacent to it, either in Europe, Afia, Africa
or America.

REA-

( 43 )

REASONS

FRO M

RELIGION,LIBERTY,

AND

TRADE,

For Britain's pufhing on aWAR
with France, with the utmoft
Vigour.

Pro Aris & Focisy & Commercto.

TH E French are Enemies to our Re-
ligion, to our Liberties, and to our
Commerce. They look on us as Hereticks,
Enemies to God, and consequently fuch as
ought to be hated and deftroyed by Man -,
and of Courfe they themfelves would glory
and rejoice, to embrue their Hands in our
Blood. The bloody Maffacre of the Pro-
G 2 teflants,

( 44)
teftants, their own Countrymen and Neigh-
bours, in the Reign of Charles the IXth,
40,000 of whom they murder'd in their
Beds in cool Blood, without Provocation,
and contrary to their folemn Engagements j
the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes,
and their cruel and barbarous Perfecutions
of thofe People ever fince ||, fhew their
mortal Hatred to our holy Religion, as well
as the devilijlo Spirit of their own.

As to the Religion of the French, it is a
Syftem of Pageantry, Buffoonery, Foolery,
Stupidity, Idolatry, Blafphemy and Cruelty,
all mix'd together, and work'd up with
Blood ; fit only for ftupid Fools and imper-
tinent unthinking Buffoons. I will giveyou
a late Inftance of the unaccountable Stupi-
dity of the Catholicks.

I was a little while ago, at the Academy
of Painting in the City of Bruges. A Piece

I The Minifter Lovo'ts boafts, that it was worfe
under Lewis XIV. than under Charles the IXth. See
his Political Teftament.

was

( 45 )

was finifhing there by one of their ablcft
Hands for one of their Churches. It con-
filled of the following Groupe of Figures.
On the Left-hand, flood God the Father in the
Form of an old Man with grey Hair almofl
white, and a long Beard of the fame Co-
lour : In his Right-hand he held a Globe,
fignifying his Providence and Government
of the World : On his Left-hand flood his
Son JefuSy with a long Beard feemingly
about Fifty, and with a Glory about his
Head j and between both hovered a Milk-
white Dove, fignifying the Holy Ghofl. The
Virgin Mary\ drawn like Pkaroah'% Daugh-
ter at the Foundling-Hcfpital, was kneeling
(with her Hands and Eyes lifted up) before
the Father and the Son, who held a Laurel
Crown in their Hands to adorn the holy Vir-
gin's Brows.

There is fomething fo mocking, im-
pious and blafphemous in this Piece of Ido-
latry, that at firfl it flartled me : But the
Ridicule in the Solecifm and Anachronifm
of the Son's being a Gentleman advanced in
Years, and the Mother painted like a young

blooming

( 46 )

blooming Girl, inftead of a grave Matron,
almoft provok'd a Smile. This impious
and ridiculous Piece, was to be hung up in
one of their holy Places, for exciting Devo-
tion, and receiving Adoration.

Now this is the Superftition which the
French labour to propagate for the Good of
Mankind. For this Idolatry they want us
to exchange our moll pure and holy Reli-
gion. But if we have any Regard for our
evangelical Inftitutions, for a Religion wor-
thy of a Man and a Freeman, this Regard
ought to excite and animate our Rage and In-
dignation, againft thefe ftupid, vain-glorious,
idolatrous, would-be Conquerors, mid Bigots,
who feek to fhackle us with the Chains of
Superftition and Darknefs, as well as to op-
prefs us with thofe of Conquefi and Sla-
very.

The French are not only Enemies to our
Religion, and religious Liberty, but alfo to
our civil Liberty, and call us Rebels and
Tray tors -\-, becaufe we have not fubrrt&ted

+ See the Mandate of the Biihop of Mauntaban in

2 tamely

( 47 )

tamely like themfelves to receive the Yoke of
Slavery and arbitrary Power ; which fome
of our Monarchs have {hived to put upon
our Necks. Becaufe we admire our Kings
only for their Goodnefs, their Regard to our
Conflitution,Laws, and theHappinefs of the
People, therefore we are filled by themy^-
ditious and faBiom. But, if they are fucb
Beafts%> as to be dazzled with the vain Glory
and Eclat of a Tyrant and a Monfter, call-
ed by the Name of Le grand Monarque, it
is ridiculous to be angry with us, becaufe
we pay no Devotion to fuch a diabolical
Idol.

The Englijh admire and love their Kings,
when they are good, when they pay a Re-
gard to the Laws, and make them the Rule
of their Conduct ; but deteft and abhor
them, when they violate the Laws, and
feek to govern the People by capricious
Will, and to (hackle them with the Chains
of Slavery. They are governed at prefent

X Lcvois calls them Le grand Bet* le PeupU. Voycz
Son Teftament Politique.

( 48 )
by the ivife/l, the honejlejl, and the bcjl
Prince in Europe. They highly efleem him,
and have plentifully endowed him to fupport
his Honour and Dignity, But he has the
Hearts of his People, which is worth more
than the Command of their Purfes. But,
notwithftanding they love their Prince, like
true Lovers of Liberty, they keep a pru-
dcnt Guard in Defence of their Rights,
againfl all poflible Accidents: And this Cau-
tion thefe Slaves call Faction. But, like
couching Spaniels, the moft abject of Dogs,
the French blefs the Hand of the OppreiTor,
and lick the Foot that kicks and fpu.rns
them ; and, unworthy of Liberty, they
have no Senfe formed or adapted to tafte
its $weets. Such are the French $ and fuch.
Slaves, though glittering by the Side of a
Monarch, the meanejl Briton /corns.

But, as they have no Senfe of Freedom
themfelves, they labour to deprive us of our
civil Rights j and to force upon us an ab-
jured, illegitimate, and fpurious Pretender
to our Crown s educated in the Idolatry of

Romct

(49 )

Rome, and foilered in the Principles of ar-
bitrary Power; the abject Penfioner and Tool
of France, as well as Puppet of French Arti-
fices. And this Thing forfooth ! they would
palm upon us for a King, in order to fet
our Royal Race afide; a Race of Heroes,
whom we have elected to reign over us ;
but who ftand as principal Obftacles in
the French Career towards Univerfal Mo-
narchw

Next to our religious and civil Liberties,
our Commerce is a Matter of the greateft
Importance to us. To deprive us of this,
the French conftantly exert every Art and
every Violence. They broke through the
Tariff of 1664.', and eftablifhed the Duty
of 50 s, per Ton on our Shipping ; and that
of 1667, whereby fuch high Duties were
laid on ourWoollens, as amounted to a Pro-
hibition ; according to the Maxim of Col-
bert, who tells the King, that the Comma-*
dities of other Countries muft be prohibited,
there will be always Fools enough found to take
off thofe of France, notwithjlanding fuch
Prohibition.

H To

( 5° )
To ruiri our Commerce, thefe Incendi-
aries the French have ftirred up civil Wars
amongft us ; alienated fome of our Princes
from their own Subjects by Penfions ; cor-
rupted our Minifters with Bribes ; and even
bought our Senates to do their Drudgery,
and fell their Country to a foreign In-
terest. *.. Thanks to Heaven we have none
of thefe Evils to apprehend from our prefent
Prince, Minifters or Senate, but every Ad-
vantage to hope, that the greater!:, Wifdom,
Steadinefs and Integrity, united for our
Country's Good, can produce.

They envied our Trade with Spain ;
and fet a Prince of the Houfe of Bourbon
upon that Throne, to fupplant us in our
Commerce. His Grandfather Lewis gave
him in Inftruction, when he fet out on his
Expedition for the Spani/Jj Crown, that,
though he was King of Spain, he ought al-
ways to remember that lie was a Prince of

* We cannot forget the French Commerce-Bill in
1713.

France.

( 5' )

France. The heavy Duties our Manu-
factures have been loaded with in Spain
ever fince j and the flourishing Trade the
French have with that Kingdom, but too
well evince what Regard the late King of
Spain paid to the Advice of his Grandfather.
He was always a Spanifj King with a
French Heart.

Le Blanc obferves, " Depuis qiiun Prince
<f de la Maifon de Bourbon eft monti fur le
" 'Throne d'Efpagne, leur (des Anglois) Com-
" merce owe cette Nation , leur eft beaucoup
" plus defadvantageux, qui I ne Tetoit aupa-
<c ravant." That, Jince a Prince of the
Houfe of Bourbon mounted the Spanifh
Throne, the Trade of the Englifh ivith that
Kingdom is much more dif advantageous to them
than it was before.

But the deepeft Wound, they ever gave
our Commerce, was by the Artifice of the
Enhancement of their Coin. Dutot fays,
the Price of Bread, Corn, and Pro virions,
is no greater now than in 1683 ; though
in this laft Year the Mark of Silver was
H 2 but

( so

but 27 Livres -(-, and now 50 are coined
out of it. This Circumftance has rendered
their Commodities fo cheap, that, as I have
faid before, they underfell us, and engrofs
all the Markets in the World from our
Merchants ; and leave them only the Glean-
ings of the plentiful Harveft they have
reaped.

It is likewife this Enhancement of their
Coin, and the confequent Cheapnefs of their
Commodities, which has enabled our Smug-
glers to carry on fuch an advantageous
Trade with them. If but 20 /. 5 s. were
now coined out of their Mark of Silver of
eight Ounces Troy Weight, which was
the Cafe in the Year 1660, the French
would not be able to fell a Gallon of Brandy
under 5 s. Sterling, which now they can fell
for 2 s. j nor a Pound of Tea under 7 s. 6d.
Sterling, which they fell now for 3 s.; nor
a Yard of filk Damafk under 12 s. 6 J.
which now they fell for 5 s.-, nor a Yard of
Cloth under 155. which they now fell for

f When the Mark was at 20 Livres about 1660,
Labour was dearer in Franct than in Eyigland.

6s.

( 53 )

6 s. only abating in the Manufactures, the
Difference made in the Price of thofe Ma-
nufactures, with Regard to the Raw-mate-
rials, which cofl both French and EngliJJ)
Men much the fame : Though it is faid
their Raw-filk comes to them cheaper from
their Turky Traders -3 and their Wool ufed
in their fine woollen Stuffs dearer from our
Smugglers, than to us.

But, tho' they have got the greatefl Part
of the Trade to Spain from us, the Turky
Trade, the Italian Trade, and great Part
of the Eaji India-, the Northern and Cod
Fifiery, and Fur Trade; yet they cannot
be eafy, but mud attempt to rob us alfo of
our Colonies ; our Trade to which is the
only valuable Branch we have left, except
that of Portugal, where the French ufe all
imaginable Artifice ; and their very Ambaf-
fador turns Pedlar tofupplant us.

Here the Indignation of every Merchant,
Manufacturer, Trader, Shopkeeper, Farmer,
and Labourer in the Kingdom, ought to be
awakened and roufed; our Trade to our
Colonies in North America is of fo much

Iaipor-

( 54 )

Importance to each. The French are not
fatisfied with the Enhancement of their
Coin, and the Ufe of every other Artifice,
to fupplant us in our Trade in every Market
in the World ; but they ftrive to rob us
alfo of our own Territories, and the Trade
among our own People. They ufe their
utmoft Endeavours to out us of our Domi-
nions, which we have fairly purcha/ed,
either by our Alliances, our Treafures, or
our Arms, upon the Infraction of Trea-
ties 5 and labour to alienate and corrupt
our Indians by every Artifice and Stra-
tagem.

And what is all this Struggle for ? To
make their People happy ? No, far from
it ! it is to raife a Marine ! it is to acquire
Riches by Commerce to extend their Con-
quefts, and recover the Dominions of
Charlemag?ie.

TheimmediateDefign of tht French mthzir
Encroachments upon ourTerritories mNorth»
America, and in their Approaches towards
our Colonies, is to open to themfelves a Com-
munication through thofe Colonies to the

Mif.

( 55 )
Miflifippi and Canada. They regret the Ad-
vantages we have in the Tobacco Trade,
and intend to eftablifh Plantations for that
Commodity in the fertile Plains between
the River Mifjifppi* and our Settlements in
Virginia ; though all thefe Lands belong
to us. Their Geographers have been fo
audacious, as to mark out in their Maps
one of our Provinces as belonging to France.
By this they aim at being freed from the
tedious and dangerous Voyages, they are
obliged to make by the Gulph of Mexico,
and the River St. Laurence, before they
can come to the Lakes of Canada, and the
fertile Plains of Louifana, which are be-
hind our Provinces from Philadelphia to
Carolina.

We muft acknowledge, that fuch a
Communication would be as convenient
for them, as dangerous to us, and there-
fore we cannot be too much upon our
Guard to prevent their Defigns. Le Blanc
obferves to this Purpofe : That the French
take great Quantities of Tobacco from Eng-
land j but lie hopes the Wifdom of their Mi-
?iijlry will foon provide a Remedy againjl

thit

( 56 )

this Inconvenience ; jince they know by Expe-
rience, that they have Settlements in Louifana,
where there are Lands as proper for Planta-
tions of Tobacco, as thofe belongmg to the
Englifh.

If the French could once open a Paffagc
for themfelves over-land, from Canada and
the Mijjijippi, to the Sea-Coaft through our
Colonies; they would foon extend them-
felves Right and Left, and become as trou-
blefome to us in America, as they have been
to their Neighbours in Europe. Upon this
Account we ought never to reft, never to
fheath the Sword 'till we have driven them
out of North- America ; becaufe it is im-
poffible, that they fhould ever live peace-
ably with us in it.

The French know, that the Engli//j were
the Soul of the grand Alliance ; and that
the Chaftifement they met with from 1702
to 17 1 2, was principally owing to our Va-
lour and Conduct. They know, that we
have been the principal Thorn in their Sides,
and chief Obftacle in the Way of their
Conqueft. And upon this Account they

try

r s7 )

try all Arts to impoverish and reduce us, by
depriving us of our Fifheries, Colonies and
Commerce. But as their Aim is Conqueft,
they run amuck at all Mankind ; their. Hand
is againjl every Many and therefore every
Mans Hand ought to be againjl them.

From the Year 1702 to 171 2, though
entrenched Chin-deep, and furrounded with
Artillery, they conftantly fled before BritiJJj
Courage. Let the Genius of Britain rife,
let the Lion once more roar, and {hake his
dreadful Mane, and he will again drive t:
trembling Slaves like Deer before him. It
is impoffible that cringing Slaves mould
make courageous Soldiers. Vanity cannot
raifefuch a Spirit, fuch a Fire, as an innate
Senfe and Love of Freedom. We hope we
mail again fet a Marlboro ', and the Fields of
Blenheim and Ramillies before their Eyes,
in the truly glorious Hero who impeded
the Ruin plan'd for us, by them, in the
late Rebellion ; and let us then fee how their
vain Glory, and flavifh Hearts, will ftand
it. Let us again rattle the Thunder of la
Hogue in their Ears, by the noble Lord to
whom theDirection, and furprizingly expe-

I ditious

(v5« )

ditious fitting out of our prefent very power-
ful Naval Armament, are, according to the
publick Voice, chiefly owing ; and fee how
their daftardly Souls will fhudder. I hope our
Adminiftration will never fuffer this Thun-
der to fleep, whilft the French have a
capital Ship remaining on the Ocean, or
lying in their Harbours ; and may all true
Britons fay Amen. When their Navy is
blafted, we may foon drive them out of
North- America, and make the Cod Fifhery
and Fur Trade all our own, which by
Right ought to have been fo long ago.

If then we have any Regard for our holy
Religion, any Love for Liberty, any Ten-
dernefs for our Pofterity, or any Attention
to our Trade and our Intereft, let us freely
contribute for one Ten Year half our Income,
to carry on a War for crufhing this ex-
orbitant Monfter French Infolence, and
French Power ; and in fo doing, we may
be well afTured, we (hall fit down great
Gainers in the End.

FINIS.

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