Defoe and King William: A sceptical enquiry (William III)

A favourite theme of Defoe's was his friendship with William III. He hints that he actually helped in the drafting of William's Second Partition Treat y and kept some of the drafts in his possession. Defoe's story is riddled w ith contradictions. Thus it would appear he made some of the story up; whic h leads to the question, is it not just possible that he made it all up? Th e manuscript of some remarkable letters of advice to King William from Will iam Paterson remained in the possession of the Defoe family until 1955. Cou ld not Paterson's role of unofficial adviser to the king have given Defoe t he idea of inventing a similar role for himself?