text: France has its declared enemies Germany and all the states that it embraces; Spain with all its dependencies in 
  Europe, Asia, Africa and America; the Duke of Savoy [in Italy], England, Scotland, Ireland, and all their colonies 
  in the East and West Indies; and Holland with all its possessions in the four corners of the world where it has 
  great establishments. France has ... undeclared enemies, indirectly hostile, hostile, and envious of its greatness, 
  Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, Venice, Genoa, and part of the Swiss Confederation, all of which states 
  secretly aid France's enemies by the troops that they hire to them, the money they lend them and by protecting 
  and covering their trade.[65] 
  
  Vauban was pessimistic about France's so-called friends and allies: 
  
  For lukewarm, useless, or impotent friends, France has the Pope, who is indifferent; the King of England 
  [James II] expelled from his country; the Grand Duke of Tuscany; the Dukes of Mantua, Modena, and Parma [all 
  in Italy]; and the other faction of the Swiss. Some of these are sunk in the softness that comes of years of 
  peace, the others are cool in their affections....The English and Dutch are the main pillars of the Alliance; they 
  support it by making war against us in concert with the other powers, and they keep it going by means of the 
  money that they pay every year to... Allies.... We must therefore fall back on privateering as the method of 
  conducting war which is most feasible, simple, cheap, and safe, and which will cost least to the state, the more 
  so since any losses will not be felt by the King, who risks virtually nothing....It will enrich the country, train many 
  good officers for the King, and in a short time force his enemies to sue for peace.[66] 