Memoirs of Major Alexander Ramkins (1718) by Daniel Defoe
page 49 of 78 (62%)
page 49 of 78 (62%)
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that as the War was principally undertaking to do right to K. _James_,
so Peace should not be made unless he was consider'd; and unless it were a few near the Person of _Lewis_ XIV who were in the Secret concerning the Design upon _Spain_, there was not a Man in _France_ but who had a better Opinion of their Monarch's Honour, than to think he wou'd desert King _James_ the Second's Cause in so scandalous a Manner, as not to admit his Plenipotentiaries to speak at _Reswick_: Yes, so undefensible was the Conduct of _France_ upon this Head, that they commonly own'd they were asham'd to look any that belong to the Court of St. _Germains_ in the Face, since all their lofty Protestations for restoring King _James_ ended in the self-ended Design of securing the _Spanish_ Monarchy in the House of _Bourbon_. And thus poor King _James_ had implicitely devoted himself to the _French_ King's Politicks, first by suffering himself to be led blindfolded, and after he had pull'd off the Veil, (though some will have it he died with the Film upon his Eyes) caress'd the Opportunity, and made it a principal Ingredient among those Misfortunes which he was in hopes to raise his Merits hereafter, and if he question'd the _French_ King's Sincerity, he either durst not tell him, or scrupled to publish his Insincerity. These were the melancholly Meditations with which the more discerning part of King _James's_ Friends often entertain'd themselves, but great care was taken that no such Language shou'd reach the _French_ Court. Their Honour was too nearly touch'd to pass over such Reflexions in that severity and remarkable Punishment. I took my self to be pretty Cautious upon such like Subjects, yet upon this last pretended Descent, King _James_ being inform'd that I had express'd my self very improperly upon the Matter, so as to blame the Dilatory Methods of _France_ upon his Account, I was order'd to be Prisoner in my Lodgings, but releas'd after two Days Confinement, with a threatening Charge, never more to reflect |
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