England would never again send a Preston or a Skelton to bow down before the majesty of France.

France would never again send a Barillon to dictate to the cabinet of England.

Henceforth the intercourse between the two states would be on terms of perfect equality.
William thought it necessary that the minister who was to represent him at the French Court should be a man of the first consideration, and one on whom entire reliance could be reposed.

Portland was chosen for this important and delicate mission; and the choice was eminently judicious.
He had, in the negotiations of the preceding year, shown more ability than was to be found in the whole crowd of formalists who had been exchanging notes and drawing up protocols at Ryswick.

Things which had been kept secret from the plenipotentiaries who had signed the treaty were well known to him.