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LETTRS MCCCXCniI.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince et Orange. Outrecuidance Ai Parlement

Whitehal], 29 March 81.

His Ma. hath been forced to dissolve the Parliament at Oxford. He did it yesterday, having no hopes firom the matters they took in hand, nor from the manner of their proceedings, that the Gommons would doe otherwise then grow into greater beats and disorders. One of the first things they did, was to bring in the old Bill of Exclusion against the Duke; the opposers of that Bill ofFer'd to their considérations severall expédients, or rather an expédient, consisting of severall parts, as that the Princesse of Orange should bave the whole administration and exécution of the regall power, under the name of a Regeni during the Duke's life; they would not so far hearken to it, as to turn the House into a committee of the whole house, which was necessary in order to a free debate (as committees-men hâve the libertie to speak often, at the House but once to the same busines); the Régent was to take a présent oath out of hand; and so were ail persons in places of truth to observe and exécute the act for a régence; the Duke was not to be in England, and the parliament the last sate was to meet again, as soon as was possible after the Kings decease^ whom

— 489 — [1681. Blan.

I beseech Allm. God to blesse and prosper in a long and happy reigne over us, and this Parliament was to sitt some short bat sett time, to settle things after that the Segent was enter'd upon her office. But nothing of tbis would be hearken'd to, the exclusion must be had or nothing, and not onely that, but (as one of the cabal said it openly in the house) they must bave the militia, the fleet, the strong places, etc. at their command, and an Association to boot. There was, besides the Bill of exclusion, another incident that began to be a matter of anger between the two Houses; it was att one Fitzharris wbom his Ma. had committed to the Tower for high treason. The King had directed his Attumej-generall to prosecute him at the Kings-Bench (our ordinary criminall Court) aecording to the course of the common law; this was donc some weeks agoe. The Gommons at Oxford impeach the same man, whereby the prosecution would bave been at their pleasures, not at the Kings-attumey bis direction; the Lords hère upon threw out their impeachment, and lefb the prisoner in the course he was allready in, to be prosecuted at the common law; this the commons prétend can not be done without breach of their privilèges, which are to impeach any body living, and consequently a flatt denyall of justice to them. Hère his Ma. was necessitated to part them , before their heatt grew too great; his Ma., having dissolv'd them, left Oxford and came to Windsor last night, he arriv'd hère at balf an houre passt 9 this morning, and was [receiv'd] with the usuall démonstrations of joy, ringing of bells , etc. ; the Queen arriv'd at six this evening. Ail things, God be prays'd , are in ail the calme and quiett that were to be wisht , onely the restlesse party do their uttmost to excite tumuUt.

1681. Mars.] — 490 —

liETTRE MCCCXCIX.

Lord Hyde au Prince d^ Orange. Motifs de la disBoluthm du Parlement

St James, March the 29. 1681.

The King hath commanded mjlord Conwaj to give your Highnesse an account of this suddaine dissolution of the Parh'ament, which no doubt will surprize yoa, and this gentleman y the Dutch ambassadors secretar j , having lett me know he was goeing over, I hâve presumed to add something to your Highnesse upon the same subject, which I know is not a very agréable one to you , neither indeed is it to any that wish well to the generall peace or our owne; but what can be done, if one side be to yeild ail and the other nothing? The King, besides that clause in his speech which gave faire invitation to any expédients in the matter of the succession, on saturday last commanded ail his servants in the house of Commons, to promote them the most that was in their power, and particularly one that was to provide, in case the Crowne should descend to the Duke ; your Highnesse and the Princesse were to hâve been Régents, and particolarlj S' Thomas Littleton, the Chanceler of the Exchequer and severall others of the Counsell and in the Kings service laboured to hâve made this proposall to be accepted, bnt ail in vaine, nothing would be hearkned to but the bill of Exclusion, which the King had once more so lateij declared he could not agrée to. This was but an ill be ginning, but then the impeaehment of Fitzharris of treason, (which doubtlesse he is guilty oflF for contriving and writing the most villanous libell that ever was made against the King) which .was allready before the examination (rf the law , and it being done in such a manner as made it but too suspicions that the impeaehment was rather designed to save him then bring him to justice, and the Lords haveing resolved not to admitt the impeachm^t,

[1681. Mars.

but directed the criminall to be tryed in the ordinary courts (which hath been done severall times) made so ill humour in the House of Commons , that they proceeded to such angry votes, that the King thought it best to putt a speedj end to them, especiallj since, by those votes, there was ail intercourse between the two Houses prevented. This is the account of this suddaine dissolution; I found , both on the one side and the other , it was not expected there should be a much better issue of this meeting, but no body expected it so very soon. Immediately when the King came from the House, he tooke coach for London and lay at Windsor last night, and this morning arrived hère. I find his Ma. in the same disposition as to his Allys that he hath been of late, and will doe ail he can to support them, but, if peace and quiett be not to be had abroad but by the total! ruine of gouvernement and monarchy hère, he cannot easily résolve to submitt to those termes. In private conservation with some of the most leading men in the Parliament, they being asked what they had to object against the expédient of the Regency, they answered they could not but allow it was very faîrly offred and it might goe a great way to quiett mens minds; but, as they were of the Parliament , they had engaged themselves so farr in the Exclusion they could not recède; they should be ruined in their réputations and interests, if they should be guilty of such a change in their resolutions. From such tempers there was not much good to be expected; God send it some way or other.

LSTTRE BICD.

Lord Conway au Prince dt Orange. Même sujet

Whitehall, 29 March 1681.

I should not hâve neglected my duty in givîng your Highnesse the utmost assurance of my zeale to your ser-

IWl. Mars.] — 492 —

vice and interests , but that I was every post expecting the hoDor to convey a letter of his Ma. to jour Highnesse, which he intends to write.

And now that our affidres heere hâve receaved a great altération , by the dissolution of the Parliament yesterdaj at Oxford, I présume to give your Highnesse the speediest account of it.

It was offred, as an expédient to hinder the Bill of exclusion of the Duke, that your Highnesse and the Princesse of Orange should be declared Begents upon the death of the King and to be vested with ail the royall power and authority, the name and title only remaîning to the Duke, who upon those termes was to be banisht for ever, and ail this secured by a clause of exclusion, if the Duke should attempt to violât this Act

Had it been ofierd that the Duke of Monmouth should be Segent , there were very probable grownds to beleeve they would hâve accepted it. But as it was offired, nothing would satisfie them but a Bill of Exclusion, without naming a successor, which his Ma. having [fewer] times denyed in severall Parliaments , took this foUowing occasion to dissolve them.

A notorious villain, one Fitzharris> having contrived the most treasonable paper that ever was read, not onlj against the King, but the whole race which his Ma. is of, being ordeid to be speedily prosecuted, the Howse of Gommons, to take him out of the Kings hands, sent up to the Lords an impeachment of high-treason against Fitzharris. The Lords would not receave it, but orderd he should be tryed at common law; upon which the House of Gommons past severall extravagant votes, which I hâve presumed heere to enclose , and made it impossible by such beats to bave any farther intercourse between the two Howses, and therefore his Ma. thought it b^ to take that opportunity to dissolve them, and from thence came immediatly to London, which he finds very joyfnll for his safe arrivall and in great peace and quietnesse.

— 493 — [1681. Mars.

This will not at ail divert his Ma. from giving ail possible assistance to his Forrein AUyes, especially where your Highnesse and the States of Holland are concerned.

His Ma. knows very well what esteeme his neighbors abroad hâve of him, when he is without the assistance of his Parliament, but however his Ma. thinks it is still in his power to affoord sach supplyes , both of ships and men y at the request of , and in conjunction of his Allys , tfaat it shall not be ont of his power to support them npon better grownd then the totall subversion of the monarchy, whiçh they who would not be contented with lesse then making the Gouverment élective, would not be pleased with. And your Highnesse will finde, in ail his Ma. proceedings, that he hath a particular regard to the intrest of the United-Provinces , wherewith he knows his owne is so much concerned and your Highnesse in both of them, which he commands me to assure you, shall be always his care, next to his owne. — In the last place, I humbly beg the honor of your Highnesses commands that I may hâve the opportunity to shew myselfe

your Highnesses most obedient and most devoted servant

OONWAY.

'LETTRE MCIII.

Le Prince cC Orange à M. Hyde. Réponse à la lettre 1393.

Je- ne sçai pourquoy vous donnés des explications à mes lettres, quandt je ne m'explique pas sur une matière aussi importante et délicate qu'est celle de l'Exclusion, surquoy je ne me suis point expliqué et ne prétend pas aussi de le faire; ainsi je suis fort surpris que vous en avez parlé au Roy, comme une chose que je luy conseillois, et que vous en tirés une conséquence, comme si j'estois d'advis que sa Ma. se soumit aus volontés de son Parlement. L'advis que je vous ay mandé que j'estois , je le suis en-

^ Minute autographe.

1681. Min.] — 494 —

core; que, si Ton ne trouve quelque expédient pour unir le Roy et son Parlement, que je croi les affaires du Soj, du Royaume et de tous ces ^ Alliés en un très-méchant estât. Quel remède il y a pour prévenir de si grands mans je ne le sçai; mais, si je le sçavois, j'aures de la peine à vous Tescrire, puisque vous donnés de tels explications à mes lettres. Dieu nous préserve tous des grands maus que je crains!

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LSTTRE MCOn.

Lord Hyde au Prince â Orange. Réponse à la Ijettre 1401.

St. James, Aprill the 1. 1681.

After I had written to your Highnesse on tuesday last by the Dutch ambassadors secretary, I received your Highnesses letter of the 1 of Aprill, with which I was so surprized that I knew not what to say by that post in answer to it. I hâve had time enough to thinke with myselve since, that, if I did offend your Highnesse in my former letter, it is the more necessary for me to take care in this, and therefore I am not in the mind to justifye any thing I writt then, but rather to aske your pardone for it, as I doe most humbly, and can onely assure you I intended nothing that your Highnesse could possibly take ill of me. I hâve written at ail tiines so frankly to your Highnesse and thought myselfe so safe in doeing soe, that I never kept copys of my letter to your Highnesse, and therefore I cannot readily call to mind what part it was that hath so offendedyou; whatever it was, your Highnesse hath retumed it very severely upon me , and I submitt to it , with that duty that I owe you and with this one assurance that, whatever your Highnesse may thinke, I am very confident you hâve nowhere in the world a more dutifull and more obedient servant , whom you may use very ill , but shall never see otherwise.

— 495 — [1Ô81. Avril.

UETTRE BICDIII.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d'Orange. Dissolution du Par^ UmenL

I intended to hâve given your Highnesse an account from Oxford of the proceedings there; but the little tîme tfae Parliament continued , gave no occasion for any news but that of îts dissolution , which you were sure to heare a thousand wayes. Every body is now dispersed, and I am in a plase and thinke to be so a greate while, where I can onely wisb for your Highnesses prosperitv and happynesse, which I shall ever doe, and, if I could contribute any thing towards it, I should esteeme it the greatest and the best fortune I am capable of, being most truly and respectfully , Sir!

your Highnesses most faithfull, most humble and most obedient servant,

SUNDEBLAND.

Altborpe, April the 4 1681.

liETTRE Biciirir.

IjS Duc et York au Prince dt Orange. U faHoU absolument dissoudre le Parlement

Edenburgh, Âpril 14.

I was sorry to find, by your of the 14, which I receved this moming, that my daughter had sore eis *, but I hope she will be sone well of it, and that it will not hinder her following you, where you are to meett the Duke of Zell ; I see you had then heard of the disolution of the Parliament and were aprehensive of the effects it might hâve. What it will hâve on your side of the water I do not know, nor will prétend to guesse, but, as to our little world, it was absolutly necessary, and you see has had a very good effect and made ail things very

* eyes.

1681. AvrU.] — 496 —

quiat, and even in thîs couutry we hâve found the good effects ont, for the phanatiks are very mach dejected at it, and it has broken ail tbeir measurs, and now I am confident they will be quiat, and not rebelle againe, as they had certainly done, if the Parliament had been a little longer togather, and what good could y on or aDy body, where you are, bave expected from sucb a house of Gommons, thatt ail the world sees designed the destruction of the roonarky and, had they sate a little longer, would hâve putt ail England in a flame, but, God be thanked, his Ma. did what became him to do, and I make no doubte will continu résolut, and then his affairs will go well. I would say more on this subject, but bave been abroad ail day, having dined at a house some ten mills of , of the Lord Hattons , which is a very good house and well seated, and therefore must end, which I do with assuring you that you shall still find me very kind to you.

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liSTTRS MCIIT.

Lord Hyde au Prince d! Orange. Proche de Fïtzharris.

Whitehall, May the 10 1681.

I received last weeke the honour of your Highnesses of your 3 of May, but being myselfe then goeing to Windsor, and finding your Highnesse intended to entertaine yourselfe some time at Humeling, made me not to make such hast as I ought to bave done, to bave presented mj most humble thankes for the honour you are pleased to doe me and for the goodnesse you hâve to forgett any thing you tooke ill of me, and because your Highnesse says you will forgett it, I ought not to say more of it, neither will I, but onely that I am confident your Highnesse shall ever find me most dutifull and obedient to you. We bave no news hère that so much raises the expec-

— 497 — [1681. Mai.

tation of every body as the tryall of Fitzharris, whîch yett lies in the judges breast, but is certaînly of very great conséquence to the King and the government, which \vay soever ît goes. It's believed there may be something declared in it to morrow, because the prisoner is appointed to be brought to the King's bench that day; this Cheîfe Justice hath proceeded very cautiously, haveing npon every point taken time to deliberate, till he had advised with the rest of the judges and hath allwaies had the majority at least on his side, before he delivered his opinion.

The Spanish Ambassador hath lately spoken to the King very eamestly upon the new accident of Cheney, upon which his Ma. hath spoken so warmly to the French Ambassador that I hope it may hâve some efiect to prevent the fiirther progresse of thèse many inconveniencys that are hapning in Flanders. I wist* with your Highnesse that some way were found to secure the publicke peace, but God knowes how it will be effected.

S' Gabriell Sylvius hath shewed me your Highnesses letter to him , by which I see it is your Highnesses mind that his returne to the Court from whence he came, may be of use to the publicke good; which I shall very readily concurr in assistîng him to performe , as soon as his Ma. shall direct it. I hâve no more to trouble your Highnesse with at présent but the assurances of my remaining ever, with perfect duty and submission , the most obedient of ail your servants.

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liETTRS BICIITI.

Le Duc dtYork au Prince dP Orange. Affaires de chasse.

Edenbnrgh, May 7.

By the last post I receeved yours of the 3 from Hummeling, by the which I find you hunt almost every day,

^ wiihed.

1681. Mai.] — 498 —

and that it is a place very proper for it; this conntry affbrds no such kind of honting ; for, where the stags are, there are such hills and bogs as tis impossible to follow any hounds , so that hare hunting and sboting are the only sports one can bave bere; after Jane is once over, tbere will be very good sboting at beatb-ponts, of whicb and partrig tbere are great store bere. For newse tbere is none bere and from London tbere is none to be expected but tbat of Fitzbarris tryal, wbicb you will knew by tbat tyme tbis gett to you; for tbey wrot by the last letters from London tbat it was to bave been [as] on wensday last. I bave now no more to say bat that you shall always find me as kind to you as you can désire.

For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

UBTTRE HCDirn.

Le Duc d!YoTk ou Prince d^Orcmge. Recommandation.

May 14.

By y ours of the 11 from Himmeling I see you were to go sone back to the Hage, where I beleve this will find you and chuse to answer it rather by this beare L.-C0I. Bohan, wbo gos straight by sea rather then by the post, beleving it will be soner with you, the wind being now very faire for him, as it is generally at this tyme of yeare, and if it continu as it is, the passage is usualy made in three or fower* days, and now I must needs recomend to you one cap. * William Douglas , that is now in HoUand and out of employment; be is a veiy good officer and bas served long in Lord Dumbartons regement, and, had I not had a very good caracter of him, both from bis colonel and others, I sbould not recomend him to you, and I hope you bave found that

^ four. * captain.

— 499 — • [1681. Mai.

those I hâve formerly recoramended to you hâve been good men, and you will find this cap. Douglas a good officer; therefore I hope, when there is an oportunîty, you will oblige me so mach as to lett him hâve a Company in one of the Scots or some Dutch regement For newse there is none hère; ail things continues very quiat, so that I hâve no more to say now but that I shall ever be as kind to you as you can désire.

liETTRE HCDTID.

Le Duc d! York au Prince il Orange. Dépositions de FUzharris.

May 24.

By the last post I had y ours of the 21 , by which I see you were agoing back for Holland, where this I supose is like to find you , and where you will hâve heard how that villan Fitzharris has accused his Ma., myself, the E. * of Danby, and others, of contriving the murther of Sir Ed. Bury * Godfity, which how fais it is you will easily beleve. I confesse I am amazed to see a man that has reason to beleve he shall very sone be hanged, so forswere him self, as I am sure he has done; tho, when one remembers how d"^ Oats, Bedlow and others of that tribe hâve perjurd themselvs, as well as he, it should not seeme so strange to me. You know the rest of the newses from Loudon as sone as I hère, so that I need not repeat them to you, nor tell you how many honest and loyal adresses hâve been made to his Ma. from almost ail the considérable towns in England and most countys. I hâve no more to say but that you shall always find me to be as kind to you as you can désire. For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

> Earl. ^ Edmondsbory.

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1681. Mai.] — 500 —

liETTRE MCIIIX.

Lord Hyde au Prince dt Orange. Différend de C Electeur de Brandebourg avec lee ÉtaU- Généraux ; répresentaUans du Roi au Roi de France,

St James-street, May the 24.

Next to the honour the King hath been pleased to bestow npon me , your Highnesse's being pleas'd to take notice of ît is the greatest I can receîve, especîally it being accompanyd with such assurances of your favour and goodnesse towards me. I can onely say that I will ever endeavour to deserve it, and doe assure myselfe your Highnesse shall never more hâve occasion to find fault with my conduct This may find your Highnesse retumed to the Hague, where no doubt there îs great want of your présence, which I hope will prevent further diflferences, not onely between the Spanîards and the Elector of Brandenburg, but even, for ought I see, between that Elector and the States; this matter seems to me to be one of the likeliest causes of a new warr, if it be not carefally and very diligently looked to. The Dutch Ambassador hère presented very lately a memoriall to the King , upon the occasion of one presented to the States by the Spanish minister, at the end of which his désire to the King was that he would be pleased to communicate to his masters such wise and prudent counsells as his Ma. might judge would be useiull to the présent posture of affaires and to compose the matters in différence between the two Crownes in an amicable way , to which his Ma. hath replyed that in his judgment the best way at the présent may be, that offices be used to the French King, to abstaine from ail voyea de fait upoh ail matters depending at the conférences at Courtraj , aâ he hath allready agreed to doe, as to those matters relating to the Empire, and with this commission in particular M^ Savill is retuming forthwith into France, and the King will speake to the

— 501 — [1681. Mai.

same purpose hère verv eflFectually and warmely to the French Amhassador. And this is ail his Ma. coald thinke of for the présent and, if any regard will be had to offices, thîs ought to hâve a good eflFect. We hâve hère every day a new wîttnesse prodaced for the further discovery of S^ Ed. Godfrey's death ; there came a new one on saturday last, but, except he may first hâve his pardone , he would not discover his name no more then his secret. I am affraid we doe passe for pretty ridicolous in most parts of the world, that such a matter hangs so long undetermined to wurry * us.

I hâve no more to add at présent, but to beg most humbly the continuance of your Highnesse's favour to me, while I continue in the duty that I owe and will ever pay your Highnesse.

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liETTRE MCIIX.

Lord Conway au Prince <P Orange. La dissolution du Par^ lement a affermi le pouvoir du Roi.

Windsor, 31 May 1681.

I hold myselfe obliged to give your Highnesse an account of his Ma. affaires, and should doe it oftner if I had any commands from your Highnesse , by which I could reckon upon being serviceable to you.

His Majestys condition is extreamly amended, since the dissolution of the Parliament at Oxford. Every county and city in England hâve either given him thanks or are preparing addresses to acknowledge the satisfaction they hâve by his late déclaration, and this without any désire of it on the Kîngs part, but a voluntary acknowledgement by the people that they see through the evill désignes of the late factions.

Upon this occasion the Duke of Yorke, seeîng ail things goe so well , hath been very désirons to retume to Court, but his Ma. will by no meanes harken to it

> weary.

1681. Mfti.] — 502 —

His Ma. hath been înformed that your Highnesse intended to dispose of that command which mylord of Ossory had over his Ma. subjects in the service of the States, and commanded me to write to your Highnesse and let you know that his Ma. doth earnestly entreat your Highnesse not to dispose of that command , till bis Ma. be first acquainted with it and give his approbation to it.

I should înfinitly rejoyce, if I knew how to merit the title which I am most ambitions of to be esteemed

your Highnesse most devoted servant