They declared that he could not live many weeks; and this opinion was transmitted to Madrid.

William however baffled the prognostic, though his constitution had sustained such a rude shock that he himself perceived his end was near.

He told the earl of Portland he found himself so weak that he could not expect to live another summer; but charged him to conceal this circumstance until he should be dead.

Notwithstanding this near approach to dissolution, he exerted himself with surprising diligence and spirit in establishing the confederacy, and settling the plan of operations.

A subsidiary treaty was concluded with the king of Prussia, who engaged to furnish a certain number of troops.