CONWAY

LETTRE Mi» VI.

Lord Tlyde au Prince d'Orange. Rappel de Mr Sidney.

St James-street , May the 31.

Tho I know your Highnesse will be informed of it from other hands, and those whose place it is more proper for, yet I thinke it my duty too to lett your Highnesse know that on sunday last the King resolved to recall Mr Sidney from his employment at the Hague, and at the same time to désigne Mr Skelton to goe in his roome. I am affraid any change, in the room of M1' Sidney, will not be so agréable to your Highnesse , but I hope , since the King thinks fitt to doe the one , that the persone the King désignes may be as acceptable as any other. I know very well, if he should not, it would not be well for the Kings service, and therefore I wish he may proove such as you would wish him. I heare your Highnesse is returned to the Hague, which I hope will contribute to the better carrying on of ail businesse and the takeing such measures as the présent conjuncture is capable ofF, wherein , if I may receive your Highnesse's commands , I will endeavour, with ail faithfullnesse, to help in the obeying them, and ever continue your Highnesse most dutifull and most obedient servant.

503 [1681. Juin.

LETTRE UICDXII.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Procès de Fitzharris.

June 7.

I had by the last post yours of the 6 from Honslardike , by the which I see you were corne back thether and that you hâve had as great a drought as we hère , and , as you say, there will hardly be any hay and but little corne, so that they feare a derth in England , and , by what I heare, they generally complaine of want of raine over ail Europe. This place affords but little newse; ail things being very quiat hère, but from London you will never want any , so long as there are such villans there as Oats and Fitzharris ; I hope the trvel of the last will be over, and as it should, before this gett to you, and certainly if he beleve himself in danger, he will tell truth, which I am sure hetherto he has not done. I hâve now no more to say to you but to assure you you shall always find me as kind to you as you can désire.

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LETTRE MCDXI1I.

Lord Hyde au Prince d'Orange. Le Roi très -mécontent des voies de fait du Roi de France; Mr Skelton envoyé à la Haye.

I was gone to Windsor, when your Highnesse's letter of the 6 came hither, and being I was expected backe sooner then I came, it was not sent to me; the other your Highnesse was pleased to honour me with of the 1 1 came not to my hands till saturday ; I am obliged to give your Highnesse this account, for my excuse that I hâve not answered them sooner, which it would not hâve been fit for me to hâve done neither, without knowing his Majs pleasure upon them, wThich I went to Windsor, sunday last , to receive. As to ail that relates to the publicke >

1681. Juin.] — 504

I mean the proceeding of the French in the manner they doe par voije défait, to putt themselves in possession of ail they prétend to, I doe assure your Highnesse it is a method as ill approved on hère as you can wish it, and, upon the last instances made by the Spanish Ambassador concerning the county of Chinay, his Ma. hath both dispatched M1' Savill with very particular instructions, and spoken himselfe to the French Ambassador hère so fully, how insupportable such a proceeding must be , both to himselfe and the rest of the world, that I thinke more could not hâve been done at this time. The memoriall your Highnesse mentions in your first letter to hâve been presented by the Dutch Ambassador, was some time since ordred to be answered , but, by the misfortune of mylord Conway's being gone into the country for eight or ten days , it lay undispatched. I suppose it is delivered before this time and I hope it is so satisfactory that your Highnesse and the States wiîl see that the King doth intend to proceed to doe ail that is in his power, in conjunction with the States, to prevent the mischeifs that threaten us ail; but the condition the King is in, to proceed vigourously, is not unknowne to your Highnesse. What would hâve served, or will serve, to mend that throws us backe into difficult points, which I know not how to meddle with. I shall not now take upon me to answer more particularly any points in your Highnesse's letters. To raorrow there will be a comittee of forreigne affaires, where I suppose there may be directions given to satisfye your Highnesse in those particulars. I will onely add that I know no ground for the rumour you are pleased to speake off, that is spread there, that we begin hère to be in better intelligence with the French, unlesse it hath been from some unskillfull expressions I am lately corne to the knowledge off that hâve been used to some of your ministers hère by some of ours, who were certainly mistaken in what they said. [ know not whether your Highnesse can understand me ; I am not at liberty to explaine

— 505 — [1681. Juin.

them farther then by saying that some accounts given into Holland of what had been said hère, may very well deserve such an interprétation, and yett I thinke in truth tliere is no ground for it, because I take what was so said to hâve been mistakes.

ïhe new orders mentioned in your Highnesses last letter to be designed to be sent by that post to your Ambassador, are either not come or not communicated , so that I can not say any thing more to that particular.

As to what you are pleased to say concerning the revocation of M1* Sidney and the sending of Mr Skelton , I did not faile to represent it very particularly to the King, and doe confesse your Highnesse hath some reason to take it ill that the promise you speake off that was made you , not to send any new ministers to the Hague, without Consulting with your Highnesse, hath not been kept. I can onely say that I doe not remember that I was particularly commanded to hâve a reguard to putt the King in mind of it. But of this subject the King intends to write himselfe to your Highnesse, and therefore it will not be fitt for me to trouble you in it, especially since I find the King inclined to continue in his résolution, which I wish your Highnesse would dispose yourselfe not to be choqued at, since the thing hath gone so farr, [is] that Mr Skelton is a persone particularly knowne to the King and hath served him a long time.

I will endeavour ail I can to promote the dispatch of Sr Gabriell Sylvius, but as to sending one to the Emperour, in the room of mylord Middelton , I know not yett what the King will doe, but your Highnesse know very well that, neither by our owne minister, while we had one there , nor by any they hâve had hère , hâve we found any forward inclination in that Court to enter into any measures with us.

I hâve no more to add at présent but my most humble thanks for the honour you are pleased to doe me, in writing to me so freely of ail thèse matters. I will en-

1681. Juin.] — 506 —

deavour to deserve it by answering them againe as plainely as I can , and by obeying to the best of my creditt ail your commands.

St. Jaraes-street , June 7th 1681.

LKTTKK ntDVfl V

Lord Hyde au Prince d'Orange. Il l'exhorte à prendre en bonne part la nomination de M. Skelton.

St. James-street , June the 10.

I received the letter your Highnesse was pleased to honour me with of the 14 and, tho I hâve not been at Windsor since , to know any thing of the Kings mind further in the matter of Mr Skelton , I am presuming to say something of my owne thoughts upon that subject, and to beg of your Hignesse that you would not take this matter as I apprehend by your letter you are disposed to doe. There can nothing happen of worse conséquence to the King and ail the world then that there should not be a through good and entire correspondence between the King and your Highnesse, and, for Gods sake, Sir, tho you should be in the right in this particular, agrée with the King in it; forgive me for offring my advice to your Highnesse, who hâve so much better lights and understanding to judge of every thing, but I am sure I doe it with a good intention and with ail possible duty and submission to your Highnesse, and therefore pray be pleased to receive it well; I am goeing to Windsor and, at my returne, will renew this trouble of writing to your Highnesse.

LETTRE MCDXV.

Lord Hyde au Prince d'Orange. Le Moi ri est pas en état de se prononcer plus ènergiquement contre les François ; importance oVun bon accord entre le Prince et lui.

St. James-street, June the 21.

I acknowledged some time since the receipt of your Highnesse's letter of the 17, but could not answer it particularly, till I had had the opportunity of acquainting the King with it and receiving his pleasure upon it , which haveing since done, I am commanded to tell your Highnesse that the King knowes not how he could hâve interested himselfe more in the affaires of the Low-Countrys upon the new complaint made by the Spanish Ambassador concerning the county of Chenay then by hastning away Mr Savile with instructions to complaine of those proceedings of the French, jointly with the Dutch Ambassador at Paris, and to use his most earnest endeavours with the most-Christian King to stop what was then doeing and prevent the like for the future, which his Ma. was pleased to second likewise himselfe by speaking to the French Ambassador hère with great concerne upon that occasion. And perhaps, if the King had been in a condition to hâve acted more vigorously himselfe, yett this method had been the most adviseable , considering the want both of inclination and power in most of his neighbours to renew the war; but I hâve leave to speake a little more plainly to your Highnesse, because the posture of the Kings affaires is so perfectly understood by you that you cannot but reflect how unable his Ma. is at this time to take other measures. This is not a language the King hath ever directed to be held to any of the forreigne ministère, knowing of what importance it is to keep them up in courage and heart, but your Highnesse, who cannot be ignorant of the plaine truth , is de- BÎred to consider seriously of it, and then I hope you will

1681. Juin.] — 508 —

be pleasecl to enter so farr into our sence of what is possible to be done, as to concur in those expédients that may keep things from growing worse, without expecting they should grow better, till we can recover a little strenght and union amongst ourseives; which I hope is not to be despaired off , tho the King hath dissolved two Parliaments; since, by what his Ma. ofFred them, his good intentions and disposition to reconcile every thing were évident, and, by the effects since, it is plaine he hath gained ground generally in the Nation. Your Highnesse's letter of the 24, which I received yesterday morning, gives me some hopes that you hâve already conceived such thoughts as thèse, and I humbly beg of your Highnesse to believe that it is the Kings désigne to doe ail that is possible for him, for the préservation of the gênerai peace, with regard to the condition he is now in , and likewise that nothing shall be wanting on his part to make that better at home, that it may hâve a good effect abroad. — For the other part of your Highnesses last letter, I know not what to say, but that I am greived at my soûle to see there is so much warmth in your Highnesse for a matter that, in my poor judgment, neither on one side nor the other, ought to hâve been the occasion of it. Is it not a sad thing, Sir, with your Highnesse's favour, that tins should grow to a différence between the King and yourselfe that every body should come to talke off, and ail that wish the King ill, should rejoyce att? I doe assure you, upon my word, in my judgment I would wish that no body should be sent to the Hague against your mind, and, upon the receipt of your letter, I hâve sent to Windsor my desires to encline things that way, but, on the other side, may I not beseech your Highnesse to consider that the dispute is not between yourselfe and Mr Skelton, and that, as ail we, who are the Kings servants, ought to submitt every thing to your will and pleasure, so that you yourselfe might thinke fitt to submitt your mind to the King's? I most humbly beg your pardone for presuming to write

— 509 — [1681. Juin.

in this stile to you ; it is with an intention of service and duty to you, and of preserving the kindnesse and good correspondence between you and the King entire ; and , as you are pleased to write freely to me, for which I most humbly and heartily thanke your Highnesse, and by which , by the help of the knowledge I hâve the honour to hâve of your Highnesse's mind and temper, I can see a great way how you hâve taken and are engaged in this matter, so I humbly beseech you on the other side to give me leave to write againe freely to your Highnesse, especially in those things that I am so weake as to thinke are of the greatest importance imaginable to yourselfe and to the King and consequently to the prosperity of ail our affaires hère at home , the support of the Crowne , and the generall good of Christendome.

IiETTRE MCDXVI.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Il espère qu'il révoquera la nomination de M. Sidney.

Edenburgh, Jane 25.

I am by so many severall reasons obliged to be concerned for you and am realy so that I cannot heare of any thing that may give occation of complaint from any, concerning you, without telling you of it. By the last letters I had from London, I am informed that you had given the command of Generall of his Ma. subjects, which Lord Ossory had before, to Mr Sideny, which I confesse I could not beleve till novv, tho some tyme since it was writen to one hère from the Hage, and that I had seen it in the Brusselles printed gazette; thinking that, if any thing of that kind had been done by you, I should hâve heard of it from you, and from London that his Ma. had aproved of your choise; but, to my great trouble, I find that not only you had done it without his Ma. knowledg

1681. Juin.] — 510 —

of it, and aproving of it, but even done it for ail his Ma. had, by one of the secretarys, lett you know he would not concent to it. But I hope the letter I am told the King lias writen to you himself, will, before tins corne to you, hâve had the effect it aught with you, and that you will not disoblige his Ma. so much as to lett one in whom he has no confidens , hâve the command of so considérable a body of his subjects; and I confesse it seems very strange to me how he that is but a privât gentilman, tho of a very ansient family, should prétend to hâve such a command, when at land he never saw any service, and tho I know some tyms men of great quality and estats, tho no souldiers, had had such commands given them, yett I never heard of a privât gentilman so advanced, but for his long service and expérience in the war. I hope what his Ma. has sayd to you and thèse reasons will prevaile and , as to myself, I must tell you freely, I should be very sorry to see Mr Sidney at the head of such a body of men of his Ma. subjects , that is so influenced by some of the greatest enemys I hâve in the world. I could say much more upon this subject to lett you see how very unfitt a thing it would be to lett him hâve such a command, but hope what has been sayd to you by his Ma., as well as myself, will hâve convinced you of it; tis my concerne for you, as well as the considération of his Mas service, makes me say ail this to you; for I would not willingly he should hâve reason to complain of you, and you may be sure I shall ever be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MCOXVH.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Les affaires en bon état.

June 28.

Since I wrot to you by the last post, I hâve received

— 511 — [1681. Juin.

yours of the 24, by the which I see vou had then heard of that villan Fitzharris being condemned , and before this coms to y ou, if the last letters from London say true, lie will behanged as }ie deserv's. You will also hâve heard how favorable a jury Lord Howard of Escrik had, tho wee see, by the dépositions in print against him, that he was as guilty as the other, but tis not to be wondred at, when such a jury was chosen, and no better choise could be expected by such shérifs as Bethel and his collègue. Ail things are very quiat hère, and now the élections of Parliament-men will sone be over, and I hâve every day more reason to beleve this Parliament will do their duty as becoms them, which is ail I hâve now to say, exept it be to assure you that I shall still be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MCDXVIII.

Le Duc d'York au Prince et Orange. Départ du Prince pour l'Angleterre.

Edenburgh, Julij 28.

I hâve now two of yours to answer, both from Holland, the last just before your embarking for England, whether I am very glad you are gone, since I am confident you will be better informed of his Ma. affairs then you hâve been of late, and that you will take such measurs for the futur as may be for the good of our family in generall. I was also very well pleased, before I had your letters, to heare Mr Sidney had quited his prétentions for the command of his Ma. subjects in your service, being still of the same mind that, for severall reasons, he was no ways fitt for it. The Parliament meett this day, and we road both to and from it through the whole towne , and then I gave them ail a diner, after ail which you will easily beleve I am some what weary, or els I should

1681. Juillet] — 512 —

hâve sayd more to you, but this I shall say that you shall ever find me very kind to you.

For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE MCDXIX.

Le Duc oV York au Prince oV Orange. Les affaires ne vont pas aussi mal que le Prince se Vimagine.

Edenburgh, August 2.

I was very glad to find by yours from Windsor that you were safly arrived there and had discoursed with his Ma. of his affairs, but I cannot thinke they are in so ill a condition as you seeme to beleve them to be. Tis true he is not so absolut master as I could wish and as he aught to be, but still he is in much a better postur then he was some tyme since, and when the Parliament was sitting, and I thinke his affairs will mend every day, if he continu but stedy to himself and his old frein ds, and not lett himself be deceved by those you say you were to go to speake with at London ; for, tho they should now alter their minds and become loyal subjects againe, tis not in their powers to serve his Ma. effectualy, for they hâve raised a [divel] they cannot lay, and, the lesse you hâve to do with such kind of people, is no doubt the better, and I am very confident that, before this, you are of my mind. I long to heare what they hâve sayd to you, which I hope to know by the next post. Things hère go on very well, and yesterday the Parliament returned a very dutifull answer to his Mas letter to them. There are some turbulent spirits in this country, as well as in England, but I do not feare them. I could say more, but it is so late that I hâve not tyme to do it, nor to say any thing els but that I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

513 — [1681. Août.

LETTRE MCttXX.

Le Duc et York au Prince d'Orange. Les affaires intérieures s' améliorent journellement

Aug. 14.

I receved yesterday yours by Churchill, by which I see that those that came to speake with you at London cannot be brought to reason, at which I do not ail wonder, seing how barefaced and impudently they hâve gone about in severall Parliaments to destroy the monarky and overturne the governement; but, God be thanked, they hâve not been able to compas their wicked designs, and tho tis time that, as to affairs abroad, his Ma. yett can do but little, yett, as to his affairs at home, you see they mend every day, and I hope in a short tyme he will be as much master, as he was presently after his restoration ; as for affairs hère, they go on very well, for ail the endeavors to the contrary of the party hère, as they call them. Yesterday we past two act, the first for the confirming of ail the acts already made for the maintenance of the Protestant religion, as now by Law established, and the other for the declaring and asserting of the prérogative of the Crowne and right of succession, which will not at ail please sorae of those who came to speake with you at London. As to what you say of my having had ill impressions given me of you, I assure you nobody ever durst say any thinge to me to your préjudice; only I hâve been sorry to see you hâve been so ill informed of affairs in England, and by such misinformation to hâve countenanced some people that will never be true frinds to you nor none of our family, nor loyal subjects to his Ma., and I make no doubt that , when you hâve very well reflected upon what has been sayd to you, by his Ma. himself and those he trusts, you will be of my mynd ; but, whether it dos or no, you may be assured I shall ever be as kind to you as you can désire.

1681. Août.] — 514 —

lettre iwtnwi.

Le Duc et York au Prince d'Orange. Il espère congédier sous peu le Parlement d'Ecosse.

Aug. 23.

I receved on saturday night last yours of the 19, but so late that I could not then lett you know I had gott it, by the which I was very glad to find you were safly arrived there. I see you were to go the next day to Dieren , to divert yourself there. I hâve not now tyme for any thing of that kind, tho the weather be very favorable, because the Parliament hère draws now to an end; for, tho it dos not sitt till saturday, by reason of the late chanselors funeral, yett the Articles meet on thursday, and I hâve busînesse enough upon my hands to prépare things in the meane tyme; for, tho things go very well , one is willing to hâve a Parliament over as sone as conveniently one can. I hâve not tyme to say more, but to assure you you shall always find me as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MCDXXII.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Nouvelles.

Aug. 30.

I receved last night yours of the 2S from Dieren , by which I see my daughter is agoing to Aix. I hope she will find the benefit she expects by using such remedys. AU things go on very well hère and yesterday an act was past for the further security of the Protestant religion , as now established by Law; it was very much oposed by some who are phanaticaly inclined , because of a test at the end of it, which will keepe out of places of publike trust those of that persuation as well as the papists. Lord Belhaven was sent to the Castel, for proposing limitations upon the Crowne, which is a thing not suffred hère, tho

— 515 — [1681. Août.

it hâve been to much talked on in England. I hâve not tyme to say more but that you shall always find me very kind to you.

For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

lettre ncoxxm.

M. van Beuningen au Prince d 'Orange. Projet de Ligue défensive contre Louis XIV.

Dese 11 september 1681, in den Hage.

Doorlughtigste Hooghgeboren Furst ende Heere!

Mijn Heere! Met de jongste post uyt Madrid sijn mij toegekomen de twee nevensgaende geschriften, eene van den Hertogh Médina de la Torres ende 't ander van den Ambassadeur Heemskercke, om aen Uwe Hoogh* geaddresseert te worden. Wat in de handelinge over de bewuste alliantie met H. H. passeert, sal Uwe Hoogh1 uyt schrijven van mijn heer de Raetpensionaris vernomen hebben ; Grot geve dat die saeke metten eere tôt een goede conclusie magh werden gebraght. De Heer Grave van Avaux heeft daeromtrent eenighe kondschap, dogh geen volkomen, ende schijnt tôt nuye toe te ignoreren met wie deselve alliantie aenge^aen soude worden. Monsr de S1 Didico is daermee tôt tweemalen tôt Amsterdam geweest, maer heeft van daer geen meerder light ende weenigh satisfactie aen sijn meester gebraght, maer 't scheynt niet dat de Fransen daeromme sullen naelaeten te woelen , ende Uwe Hoogh1 sal, uyt het weder copielijk hiernevens gaende, ende onder de oude onbekende hant, aen den heer burgemeester Hudde toegecomen kunnen sien, hoe scherpe dreygementen sij employeren om dit goede ende heylsame werck te doen achterblijven. Ick hoope dat die nieuwers meerder impressie sullen doen als tôt Amsterdam, maer laet aen U. H. hooghwijs bedencken of men niet sal dienen verdaght te sijn om swacke gemoederen in de pr ovin tien ,

1681. Septembre.] — 516 —

daer nogh geen resolutie genomen is, daertegens te prevenieren, ende te doen begrijpen dat dese oppositie van Vranckrijck in soo exhorbitante terme, (in een saeke soo billekmatigh , dat men se niet opentlijck derft doen) het wantrouwen . . . * is dat de Vransen de alliantie huer in huer gevaerlijcke desseynen tegens , ende aen dese Staet des te meer dienstigh en noodigh is. Mijn gedaghten sijn dat, soo haest het tractaet gesloten is, de Keyser, Spangne, England, Denemarcken , Brandenburgh, ende andere onse geallieerden ende medegeinteresseerden , behoirden onder de hant aengemoedigt te worden om voir de ratificatie in dese Ligue te treden, ende dat men stilswijgende behoirt uyt te stellen tôt nae de ratificatie de deliberatien om iemant solemneelijck daertoe te nodighen, soo om andere redenen , als om dat dit een middel schijnt om de bedenckelijckheden omtrent het nodigen van Vranckrijck, soo lang 't werck sijn voile beslagh niet heeft, behendelyck te eviteren. De Envoyé van Denemarcken heeft mij deese naemiddagh gesproken ende goede opinie gegeven van dat de Coning, sijn meester, sigh sal inlaeten inde selve conseil die England ende Sweden nevens huer Ho. Mog. sullen volgen tôt conservatie van de rust in Europa. Ik weet niet of Uwe Hoogh* niet met eenigh narigt aen de Coningh van England soude kunnen kennisse geven van de insolente bedreyginge waermede de Fransen hier aile mesures tôt conservatie van de vrede tragten te turberen. Ick sal hiermede eyndigen ende mij met diep respect in Uwe Hooghts gunste bevelende, met oneyndige danckbarheyt voir aile de onverdiende genade ende toegenegenheyt die Uwe Hoogh1 mij betuyght, altijt verblijven, Doorlughtigste Hooghgeboren Furst ende Heere, Uwe Hooghts onderdanigste , gehoirsaemste ende verplichste Dienaer,

VAN BEDNINGEN.

i Quelques mots inlisibles.

— 517 — [1681. Septembre.

LETTRE MCDIXIV

M. van Beuningen au Prince d'Orange. Menées du Comte d'Avauœ, afin de prévenir une Ligue défensive contre la France.

Dese 17 septemb. 1681, in den Haghe.

Doorlughtigste Hooghgebooren Furst ende Heere!

Mijnheere. Sedert 't afgaen van mijne jongste van de 11 deses, heeft de heer Grave van Avaux seer gewoelt om te hinderen de voortganck van de bewuste Alliantie, ende heeft tôt dien eynde [begeerdt] de heer Stadthouder van Vriesland, verscheyde gedeputeerden ter Generaliteyt, ende op huyden de heeren gedeputeerden van Amsterdam. Sijn discours met de laestgenoemde heeft in substantie vervat, dat een sterck gerughte hier verspreyt sijnde van een handelinge ende een ligue , onder een spécieux pretext van de conservatie van de vrede, ende dat daertoe aile Christen-Potentaten soude werden genodight, sonder dat aen hem eenige kennisse wegens de staet dienaengaende was gegeven, schoon aen sijn Exe. niet onbewust was dat andere ministers communicatie daervan hadden, hij, uit sught tôt conservatie van een goet verstant tusschen de Coning sijn meester ende dese stadt, gehouden was te remonstreren dat soodanighe ligue soude werden aengesien als aengegaen tegens sijne allerchristelijckste Maj., dat dese procédure te surprenanter was, omdat deselve S. Maj. soo [diepe] genegenheyt had getoont om in gemeenschap van interessen te blijven ende verder ende verder in te treden met Haer Ho. Mo., sijn alliantie aen deselve had aengeboden met offre van carte blanche, omtrent conditien de versekeringe van de barrière ende 't welweesen van haer commercie rakende; dat die bij haer Ho. Mo. gedeclineert sijnde, onder voergeven van met niemandt in nader engagement te willen treden, Sijne Maj. te vreemder mogt vinden dat men, sonder hem sooveel als aan te spreecken , met aile potentaten van de christenheyt,

1681. Septembre.] — 518 —

waer het dienelijk, trachte een ligue te maken; dat het wel geschiede onder de spécieuse naem van de vredestractaten te garanderen , ende dat er voergegeven wiert dat het aen den Coningh, sijn meester, vrij soude staen daerinne te treden , maer dat raen wist hoe deselve sich omtrent de garantie met England had geexpliceert, ende dat de méthode die men in dese volgde ende de motiven die haer Ho. Mo. deselve dede volgen, geen inclinatie bij Syn Maj. souden verwecken om in dese handel in te treden, nogh beter opinie daervan te hebben als geseyt is; dat hij heer Ambassadeur niet onweetende was dat er voorgewent wiert de Staet was in vrijheyt om te handelen met degeene ende op soodanighe wijse als 't haer gevalt, ende niet geconstringeert konde werden om over de acsecuratie van de vrede liever met Sijn Maj. van Vrancrijck, als met anderen in concert ende engagement te treden, maer dat, als men op dese manière den Coningh wilde voor 't hart stoten, het aen deselve vrij stont daertegens soodanighe mesures te neemen die reciproce aen Haer Ho. Mo. ongevalligen soude sijn ; dat hoogstgedaghte Sijn Maj. soo weinigh verwaghte dat Haer Ho. Mo. hem dese offensie soude willen geven, dat deselve op de advysen van de voirgem. onderhandelinge had gerescribeert dat se bij hem geen geloof konde vinden, insonderheyt naedat hij de Staet soo veel preuven heeft gegeven van soo groote consideratie als hij voer deselve heeft, ende voile versekeringe van de barrière die Haer Ho. Mo. gedesireert hebben tôt haer securiteyt, niet te sullen violeren, ende dat, soo Haer Ho. Mo. dienaengaende yets meerders desireren, 't selve gepresteert sal werden. Gedaghte heer Ambassadeur allegeerde verders 't geen hij konde , om te justificeren de occupatien van verscheyde landen ende steden, soo aen de Duytsche kant als in de Nederlanden, sedert de vrede, op pretensien van ouder date als de vredestractaten gedaen, ende wilde sustineren men konde geen ongerustheyt hebben daeromtrent, dewijle de Coningh, sijn meester, had geresolveert inné 't aenstellen

— 519 — [1681. Septembre.

van de bijeenkomste van commissarissen tôt Vranckfort, geen nieuwe pretensien te sullen moveren aen de Duytsche kant, nogh in de Nederlanden anders als tôt Cortrijck om den anderen in der minne daerover te verstaen , te vrede sijnde 't équivalent van 't geen hem bevonden sal werden in de Nederlanden toe te behoiren, elders te ontfangen, tôt Haer Ho. Mo. meer volkomen gerustheyt; maer, indien dit ailes niet mogt gelden om de Staet te disponeren om dese handelinge nae te laeten, dat hij reden had om te vermoeden dat die bij Sijn Maj. voir een declaratie van oirlogh soude mogen werden opgenomen. Ick sal Uwe Maj. niet vervelen met te verhalen , par le menu, 't geen bij de heeren Gedeputeerden van Amsterdam hierop geantwoort is, maer alleen seggen dat sij, sonder de handelinge te advoueren, hebben aengeweesen dat de Coningh met geen reght, nogh schijn van reght die konde opneemen voir een offensie ende veel min tôt een subject van oirlogh, ende dat de saeken in Europa door grote veranderingh daerinne voorghevallen, ende specialijck door de commitien [over de vier] bij Sijn allerchristelijkste Maj. gehouden in 't vastsetten van oude pretensien, in die terme waren geweckt dat degeene die haer aen de conservatie van de gemeene rust laten gelegen sijn, niet kunnen geseyt werden sonder ooirsaeck daerover met den anderen in concert te treden, dat de Coningh ultro [toeghestaenj hebbende dat aile potentaten van [christenheyt] soude mogen garanderen de vrede van Aken, ontwijfelick niet soude vinden vêts hetgeen dat Haer Ho. Mo. tôt enkele verseekeringe van de tegenwoordige vrede soude mogen doen, dat Sijne Maj. soude tôt offensie willen uytduyclen. Ende, soo veel ick merken kan, hebben dese tentamina van Vranckrijck op nyemant van de présente leden, onder dewelcke was de heer Burgemeester Hudde, de minste impressie gemaeckt. Men is nuw besigh om het daer heenen te dirigeren dat, voir 't uytwisselen van de ratificatien, de Keyser, Spaingne, England, Denemarcken ende andere oude geallieerden mogen gereet sijn om in

1681. Septembre.] — 520 —

de ligue in te treclen, als Uwe Hoogh1 omstandiger uyt schrijven van mijnheer de Raedtpensionaris sal vernemen. Got beware Uwe Hoogheit lange ende voorspoedighe jaren tôt het beste van de Staet ende van de gemeene christenheyt, dat van herte, enz. Doorlugtighste Hoogstgeboren Furst ende Heere,

Uwe Hoogheit onderdanigste, getrouwste ende verplighste dienaer,