Torcy took his stand on the ground that to recognise the Prince of Wales would be to violate the Treaty of Ryswick.

This was indeed an impregnable position.

By that treaty His Most Christian Majesty had bound himself to do nothing which could, directly or indirectly, disturb the existing order of things in England.

And in what way, except by an actual invasion, could he do more to disturb the existing order of things in England than by solemnly declaring, in the face of the whole world, that he did not consider that order of things as legitimate, that he regarded the Bill of Rights and the Act of Settlement as nullities, and the King in possession as an usurper?
The recognition would then be a breach of faith; and, even if all considerations of morality were set aside, it was plain that it would, at that moment, be wise in the French government to avoid every thing which could with plausibility be represented as a breach of faith.

The crisis was a very peculiar one.
The great diplomatic victory won by France in the preceding year had excited the fear and hatred of her neighbours.