_The Answer of his Most Christian Majesty to the Articles proposed by the two Mediating Courts._[2]
The mediators are too well satisfied of the moderation of the King, and his constant wish for the re-establishment of peace, not to be previously assured, that his Majesty will receive with as much gratitude as warmth the _Preliminary Articles_ they have communicated. The King, the more fully to convince the two high mediators of his frankness and of the purity of his intentions, as well as of the unreserved confidence, that he places in the justice and impartiality of their High Imperial Majesties, believes he ought to make some confidential observations upon these Preliminary Articles. His Majesty flatters himself, that this will be more acceptable to them as its sole objects are to prevent discussions, which are equally mischievous and complicated, and to facilitate the much wished for success of their generous interposition.
"ARTICLE I. _There shall be a negotiation at Vienna, by the united care of the two Imperial Courts, embracing all the objects for the re-establishment of peace, which the belligerent parties, who intrust them with the mediation, shall judge proper to be there proposed. A negotiation shall in the meantime be entered into between Great Britain and her Colonies for the re-establishment of peace in America, but without the intervention of either of the other belligerent parties, or even of the two Imperial Courts, unless their mediation shall be formally demanded and accorded, for this object._"
According to the verbal observations, the expressions in the first part of this Article have been used merely to place the King of Spain in a situation to propose the cession of Gibraltar, and this turn has been judged necessary because the Court of London had previously declared, that it ought to be made without reference to this cession, while the Catholic King demands it as a preliminary; as this part of the Article immediately affects the Court of Madrid, the King cannot but refer himself to it for the answer that shall be made thereto. His Majesty is content to observe, that having united himself in the same cause with the King, his uncle, he neither can nor will separate his interests from those of that Prince, and that he regards the satisfaction he claims as a condition, without which he cannot personally treat of those matters.