de Torcy had, for some years past, used all his endeavours to incline his master towards a peace, pursuant to the maxim of his uncle Colbert, "That a long war was not for the interest of France." It was for this reason the King made choice of him in the conferences at The Hague; the bad success whereof, although it filled him with resentments against the Dutch, did not alter his opinion: but he was violently opposed by a party both in the court and kingdom, who pretended to fear he would sacrifice the glory of the prince and country by too large concessions; or perhaps would rather wish that the first offers should have been still made to the Dutch, as a people more likely to be less solicitous about the interest of Britain, than Her Majesty would certainly be for theirs: and the particular design of Mr.Prior was to find out, whether that minister had credit enough with his prince, and a support from others in power, sufficient to overrule the faction against peace.
Mr.Prior's journey[6] could not be kept a secret, as the court here at first seemed to intend it.

He was discovered at his return by an officer of the port at Dover, where he landed, after six weeks absence; upon which the Dutch Gazettes and English newspapers were full of speculations.
[Footnote 6: See Swift's "A New Journey to Paris" (vol.v.of this edition, pp.

187-205).

[W.S.J.]] At the same time with Mr.Prior there arrived from France Mons.
Mesnager, knight of the order of St.Michael, and one of the council of trade to the Most Christian King.

His commission was, in general, empowering him to treat with the minister of any prince engaged in the war against his master.