Note 1375 — Chapter VIII
Reading edition
On January 2nd, 1698, Stanhope, the British Minister at Madrid, writes from that capital: ‘This Court is not at all inclined to admit the offer of the Dutch troops to garrison their places in Flanders. They have consulted their theologians, who declare against it as a matter of conscience, since it would give great opportunities to the spreading of heresy. They have not yet sent their answer but it is believed it will be in the negative, and that they will rather choose to lie at the mercy of the French, as being Catholics.’ Mahon's Spain under Charles II., pp. 98, 99.