Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 3.djvu/456

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And whereas by the fifth and ninth articles of the alliance between the emperor, the late king of Great Britain, and the States-general, concluded the seventh of September, 1701, it is agreed and stipulated, that the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily with all the dependencies of the crown of Spain in Italy, shall be recovered from the possession of France, as being of the last consequence to the trade of both nations, as well as the Spanish Netherlands, for a barrier for the States-general; therefore the said queen of Great Britain and the States-general agree and oblige themselves not to enter into any negotiation or treaty of peace with France, before the restitution of the said kingdoms of Naples and Sicily, with all the dependencies of the crown of Spain in Italy as well as the Spanish Low-countries, with the other towns and places in the possession of France abovementioned in this treaty; and also after the manner specified in this treaty; as likewise all the rest of the entire monarchy of Spain be yielded by France as a preliminary.

And whereas experience has shown of what importance it is to Great Britain and the United Provinces, that the fortress and port of Dunkirk should not be in the possession of France in the condition they are at present; the subjects of both nations having undergone such great losses, and suffered so much in their trade by the prizes taken from them by privateers set out from that port: insomuch that France by her unmeasurable ambition may be always tempted