These considerations had such influence, not only on the king, but even on Clarendon, that this uncorrupt minister was the most forward to advise accepting a sum of money in lieu of a place which, he thought, the king, from the narrow state of his revenue, was no longer able to retain.

By the treaty with Portugal, it was stipulated that Dunkirk should never be yielded to the Spaniards; France was therefore the only purchaser that remained.

D'Estrades was invited over by a letter from the chancellor himself, in order to conclude the bargain.
Nine hundred thousand pounds were demanded: one hundred thousand were offered.

The English by degrees lowered their demand; the French raised their offer: and the bargain was concluded at four hundred thousand pounds.

The artillery and stores were valued at a fifth of the sum.[**] * D'Estrades, 17th of August, 1662.