L.ETTRE NCDXXXII

Le Duc d York au Prince d'Orange. Le Roi de France maître de Strasbourg et de Cazal.

Edenburgh, Oct. 8.

At my returne from Glasgow on wensday last, I rece-

i fault. 2 recalled. s heart.

1681. Octobre.] — 526 —

ved yours of the 6 , by which I see you had then heard of the affaire of Strasbourgh and Cassai. 1 had heard of it before I went thether, and now shall be impacient to know what the Germans and Italians will say to it; for this affaire cannot end so, and must hâve very considérable conséquences, but one who livs in so remote a place as this, can say but little of them. Ail things are very quiat hère and like to continu so, and so good a man as there is chosen for Lord-Mayor of London will contribut very much to the good of his Ma. service there. The ill weather begins to corne in, so that there will be little pleasur out of doors, and now the towne is growne very empty, but it will fill againe next month, when the Courts of justice sitt. I hâve not tyme to say more now but that you shall never find any altération in my kindnesse to you.

For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE MCDXXXIII.

Lord Halifax au Prince d'Orange. Le Prince se laisse trop aller au désespoir.

Your Highnesses first letter found mee hère and, upon the receipt of it, I made hast to Newmarket, to shew it to the King, who, upon considération of what your Highnesse had written, gave mee order to send this answer from him that hee continueth in the same dispositions hee was in, when your Highnesse was hère, in relation to the affayres abroad; that, in the condition hee is in, hee hath no reason to bee forward to prov.oke or draw upon hitnselve the necessity of a warre; quite contrary, it is his interest to avoid it, as farre as it may bee done by fayre and honourable means; yet, in case of any such further progresse of the King of France as shall appear to bee a plaine violation of the peace in relation to the Spanish Netherlands, for the préservation of which his Majesty and the States are most immediately concerned, hee will

— 527 — [1681. Octobre.

bee ready to joyne with the States in taking such measures as shall bee judged most proper upon such an occasion, and will call a Parliament, and do ail other things that may inable ' him the more effectually to help his Allyes. I would not déferre the giving your Highnesse this account, though I présume you may dépend more upon that which you expect from Mr van Beuninghen, after hee hath spoken with the King, who cometh to morrow hither from Newmarket. In the mean time hee hath represented the condition of Christendome to us to bee, as it is too apparent, melancholy enough, and yet your Highnesse seemeth to bee yet more despayring, which I am very sorry for, yet cannot but hope that God Almighty intendeth better things for you than are in your présent prospect. Your Highnesse knoweth my thoughts upon this whole matter, and therefore cannot doubt of my endeavouring, as farre as lyeth in mee, to promote any thing that may tend to our common security, and, whereever I shall bee so happy as to agrée in opinion with your Highnesse concerning it, no man shall outdo mee in my zèle nor in any thing else that may shew how ambitious I am to serve you.

London, oct. 11 1681.

LETTRE UICttXXXIV.

Lord IJyde au Prince d'Orange. Le danger de la Chrétienté est grand.

Whitehall, Oct. the 11 1681.

I received from Mr van Beuningen the honour of vour Highnesses of the 1 5 , and thinke it my duty to acknowledge it, tho for the présent I can not make any answer to the businesse he is corne about. Mylord Hallifax hath been the latest with the King and is by his Ma1-8 command appointed to acquaint your Highnesse with his présent opi-

i enablc.

1681. Octobre.] — 528 —

nion. What it may be , upon the altérations that every day produces, your Highnesse will now very speedily come to know, for his Ma. will be in towne to morrow, and what is to be done , is certainly to be resolved without delay. No man can doubt but the danger is great. I wish it were as easy to find a remedy, as it is to agrée on the other point. Your Highnesse doth me a great deal of justice, in being persuaded that I will contribute ail I can to the assistance of this worke; for, upon my word and honour, to the best of my small understanding I will ever doe it , and particularly apply ail my thoughts to it at this time In a very short time I shall be able to write more at large to your Highnesse and at the présent will not trouble you more.