This is the true way to take them in, and so the peace-commissioners may meet.

But to you only do I declare that my intention is that this shall never lead to any result, whatever conditions maybe offered by them.

On the contrary, all this is done--just as they do--to deceive them, and to cool them in their preparations for defence, by inducing them to believe that such preparations will be unnecessary.

You are well aware that the reverse of all this is the truth, and that on our part there is to be no slackness, but the greatest diligence in our efforts for the invasion of England, for which we have already made the most abundant provision in men, ships, and money, of which you are well aware." Is it strange that the Queen of England was deceived?
Is it matter of surprise, censure, or shame, that no English statesman was astute enough or base enough to contend with such diplomacy, which seemed inspired only by the very father of lies?
"Although we thus enter into negotiations," continued the King--unveiling himself, with a solemn indecency, not agreeable to contemplate--"without any intention of concluding them, you can always get out of them with great honour, by taking umbrage about the point of religion and about some other of the outrageous propositions which they are like to propose, and of which there are plenty, in the letters of Andrew de Loo.

Your commissioners must be instructed; to refer all important matters to your personal decision.