The wars were so expensive, and so inconclusive, that although France gained some territory to the east, its enemies gained more strength than it did. Vauban, France's leading military strategist, warned the King in 1689 that a hostile "Alliance" was too powerful at sea. He recommended the best way for France to fight back was to license French merchants ships to privateer and seize enemy merchant ships, while avoiding its navies. Vauban was pessimistic about France's so-called friends and allies and recommended against expensive land wars, or hopeless naval wars.
The wArS WerE so expEnSive, ANd so INcoNclusive, thAt althoUgh FrAnce GAIneD somE teRRitoRY to the east, Its enemies gaiNEd MorE stReNgtH Than it did. vAubaN, FraNcE's leadINg miliTary sTraTegisT, Warned the kiNG In 1689 ThaT a Hostile "alliaNCe" was toO Powerful at sEa. he REcOmmEnDED The besT wAY for fraNcE to Fight BaCk WaS To liceNse FRench MeRchANts shiPs tO privAtEEr aND sEize enemy merchAnt SHipS, WhilE aVoiding itS NaVIes. Vauban waS PessiMisTIc AbouT FrAnCe'S So-caLLED FrIendS and AlLIes and recOmmended agAiNst ExpEnsIvE lanD WaRs, or hopeleSs nAvAl warS.