Page:The deplorable history of the Catalans, from their first engaging in the war, to the time of their reduction. (1714).djvu/50

 done, to suffer for it; but how it affected the poor Catalans in particular, I shall endeavour to shew, as pertinent to the matter in Hand.

When Her late Majesty (or rather indeed the late M-yMinistery [sic]) was finally resolved on Peace, and order'dordered [sic] Her Plenipotentiary to deliver Her in the following manner to Her Allies, «That she was resolv'dresolved [sic] to conclude Her Peace wichoutwithout [sic] any further delay, being perswadedpersuaded [sic] the other Allies would follow her Example.» Therefore as a Salvo for the Emperor, a merciful turn was given to the dispossessing him of Catalonia, and whatever he had Conquered in Spain, by calling it Her Majesty's care to secure the return of the Empress, and the Imperial Troops out of Catalonia; for the Emperor had been gone before, and left his Queen and Troops to defend his Conquests till he returned or sent them Assistance; and the brave Catalans were never more Hearty and Resolute than at this time.

They assured his Majesty, that they would give fresh instances of their Zeal, and would conform in all things, to the Queen's Directions, as tho’though [sic] he had been personally present; and if any concern appear'dappeared [sic] in them, it was in losing his Presence.

This kind Act of turning the Emperor out of Catalonia, was termed, The Convention, or Agreement for the Evacuation of Catalonia, &c. and was chiefly treated by the French and British Ministers, and the Imperial Ministers agreed to it, not that they liked it, but because they could not help themselves; and indeed it may seem very plausible to some at first Sight, but it was backed by the same predominant Artifice which we check'dchecked [sic] our Allies withal in Flanders, The withdrawing our Troops, and leaving our Allies destitute; so that