Notwithstanding the discouraging despatches he had received from the president Rouille, after his first conferences with the deputies, he could not believe that the Dutch would be so blind to their own interest, as to reject the advantages in commerce, and the barrier which he had offered.

He could not conceive that they would choose to bear the burden of excessive taxes in prosecuting a war, the events of which would always be uncertain, rather than enjoy the blessings of peace, security, and advantageous commerce: he flattered himself that the allies would not so far deviate from their purposed aim of establishing a balance of power, as to throw such an enormous weight into the scale of the house of Austria, which cherished all the dangerous ambition and arbitrary principles, without the liberality of sentiment peculiar to the house of Bourbon.

In proportion as they rose in their demands, Louis fell in his condescension.

His secretary of state, the marquis de Torcy, posted in disguise to Holland, on the faith of a common blank passport.

He solicited, he soothed, he supplicated, and made concessions in the name of his sovereign.