Maurice of Saxony has between twelve thousand and fifteen thousand French troops at Dunkirk ready for a landing in Essex.

A declaration is drawn up for Maurice declaring that Louis XV has no territorial designs on England and has imposed no conditions on King James.

The rivalry between France and England is due only to the Elector of Hanover and is not in the interests of England.

Furthermore, Maurice's troops will be withdrawn as soon as a Stuart restoration occurs and commerce will bring mutual prosperity.

However, François de Bussy, a senior clerk in the French Foreign Office, informs the Duke of Newcastle (in a coded message) of the plans in return for two thousand pounds.

The message is decoded on February 14 and Bussy has named the Duke of Beaufort, Lord Barrymore, Wynn and Cotton.