L.ETTRE HICM.XXX

Le Duc aV York au Prince oV Orange. Affaire de la Principauté d Orange.

London, Aug. 29 1682.

When I was at Windsor last, I had y ours of the 31 from M1' van Beuning, who gave me a full account of the affaire of Orange; he will give you an account, I supose, by this post, of what was done in it, on sonday last at Councell at Windsor, and what orders Mr sec. 1 Jenkins had to speake to the French Embassador. When I see him , I shall speake to him to, and wish it might hâve the effect you désire, and shall still do my part to lett you see that I hâve ail the concerne for you you can expect , which is ail I hâve tyme to say to you now, it being late and I am to rise early to morrow morning to go a hunting and so to Windsor. For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE MCDLXXXI.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d? Orange. Même sujet.

London, Sep. 4 1682.

I did not receve yours of the 3 , till I came hither last night, but, before I came from Windsor, as we were agoing to diner, M. van Beuning spoke to me about the affaire of Orang, and gave me an account of what had been done there, which I was very sorry to heare and

1 secretary.

563 [1682. Septembre.

was very much surprised at it; for I could not thinke, tho they had thretned to quarter troups there upon discrétion, that it would hâve been done. You will hâve an account from M. van Beuning of what was resolved on at Councell that afternone. I wish what I could say or do might signify more then it dos; for then what has happned there, should not hâve been, and you and the towne of Orange should not hâve been so ill used as you hâve both been, and pray be assured I will still do my part in what concerns you. As for newse, his Ma. likes the country about Winchester so well that he désignes to be next hawking-season there about a month , and I beleve will go neare to build there; this day sennight he intends to corne from Windsor, and the 18 to go for Newmarkett, where at fîrst he will not stay above ten days , intending to be hère againe about Michelmas for two or three day and then to go back againe thether and stay most part of October. I hâve now no more to say worth writing to you, and do assure you you shall still find me to be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MCOL.XXXII.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Même sujet.

London, Sep. 19 1682.

I receeved yesterday yours of the 21 and, as to the affaire of Orange, did my part in it, by speaking to the King and the French Embassador that is hère, and 1 supose by this you hâve had an account from Paris of the answer has been given to the Dutch Embassador there about it; which, if it be so as I heare, will putt an end to that affaire. As for newse, this day has been a very busi day in the Citty about the élection of the shérifs; one Riche was chosen by the honest party, in the morning, in the roome of Box, who had fincd and, in the

1682. Septembre.] — 564 —

afternone , the two old shérifs meett with their factious party and would hâve done some thing against the forms, but the Lord-Major went there and sent them home, in the doing of which the factious party comitted some clisorders, which will be enquired into, and those who did them punished. By the next post you will heare more ont; I hâve not tyme to say more now but that you shall always find me as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MCDLXXXIII.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Même sujet

London, Oct. 3 1682.

I would not lett this bearer Mr Chudley go back into Holland without writing to you by him, and at the same tyme to lett you know that I had receeved yours of the 2 from the Hage, by which I see I had not been rightly informed concerning the affaire of Orange. I hâve and shall do my part that you may hâve satisfaction in it. As for what passes hère, this bearer can so fully informe you of it, that I need say no more to you but to assure you I shall still be as kind to you as you can désire. For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE MCDLXXXIV.

Le Bue d'York au Prince d'Orange. Mort de la Princesse Charlotte.

London, Oct. 6 1682.

I find by yours of the 9 , which I receeved at Newmarkett, that the Stats are agoing to send an Envoyé Ext. into France about the affaire of Orange , and I make no doubt but that the King will do his part in it also. I came hether yesterday from Newmarkett upon an unpleasent occation, being sent for upon my daughter Char-

[1682. Octobre.

lotts being very ill of convultion fitts, and found hir so very ill that I wonder she is yet alive , but thinke she cannot hold out till night , and that she may dy 1 even before I hâve ended my letter, which I am sure you will be sorry to heare. I shall say no more to you now but that you shall still find me to be as kind to you as you can désire.

As I was agoing to seale up this letter they are come to me and tell me my little girle is dead.

LETTRE ÏHCDL.XXXV.

Le Duc d'York au Prince oV Orange. Demande en grâce pour un officier condamné à mort

London, Feb. 9 1683.

I find by yours of the 11 that my daughter had spoken to you about cap. Alex. Bruce and hâve read the copy of the sentance , and because I would not take upon me to write myself to you in his favor, meerly * upon my owne head, I shewd it to his Ma., who heard it read also and was of the same opinion with me that, tho the breaking of his confjnment and the shoting of the ensigne, as cap. Bruce did, were very ill actions and deserved to be seeverly 8 punished , yett , since sentence had not been executed at first, and that he had been repreved * so long, and that the ensigne was not dead, he told me I might write in the cap. favor, which 1 do, and désire you will , for my sake , pardon him. I thought to hâve sayd more , but it is now to late , and I am to go early a fox-hunting to morrow, that I hâve not tyme to do it, and so must end, which I do, with assuring you that you shall always find me as kind to you as you can désire.

1 die. * merely. s severely. * reprieved.

1683. Février.] — 566 —

LETTRE MCDL.XXXVI.

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

London, Feb. 20 1683.

I hâve receaved yours of the 23 , and thanke you very kindly for your having pardond cap. Bruce, which was ail I desired, being of your mind that it was not fitt, after his having done so ill a thing, to lett him be any longer in that régiment. I see you were agoing to Dieren to hunt, and hope you will hâve good weather now; our journay for Newmarkett continus for the 3 of March, and this weeke his Ma. gos to Windsor for one night, to see a new walke he is a making there, from the Castel up to the top of the hill in the great Parke. Last night there was a bail at court, and this night there is to be a mascarad at lady Kildars, where there is to be none but people of quality , which will be I beleve the last that will be this season, to morrow being ash-wensday. Ail things go very well hère and now in a little tyme we shall see what the French will do , and you may always be sure I shall still be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE ÏHCDL.XXXVII.

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

London, Feb. 23 1683.

I could not refuse to write to you by this bearer Mr Paston, a sonne of the Lord Yarmouths, who, as he tells me, is agoing to serve in your troups, and to recomend him to your favor, according as he shall deserve, he being the sonne of a very loyal father, who has always served his Ma. very faithfully in the worst of tyms; he gos in a yacht and, the wind being now contrary, I beleve will not be so sone with you, so that I shall write

— 567 — [1683, Février.

no newse to you now, nor say no more to you but that you shall never find any altération in my kindnesse to you. For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE MCDL.XXXTIII.

Le Roi oV Angleterre au Prince d Orange. Il regrette que le Prince n'ait pas engagé l'Espagne à se soumettre à un arbitrage.

Whithall, 2 March 1683.

I receaved your letter of the 16 Feb. , with great satisfaction, as I shall do any that assures me of your kindnesse; whatever markes you give me of that, will alwayes be extreamly \v3lc0me to me. I am very much pleased to fmde that you do intierly agrée with me, in thinking peace absolutly necessary for us both. I am of opinion that , if my advise had been followed , it had been farr advanced, and can yett see no other way of obtaining it but by the King of Spaines acceptation of the arbitration. I must tell you that the season of the yeare and the ill posture of the Emperours affaires in Hungary made it yett more to be wished for then ever, and the utermost endeavours to be imployed to prevent King of Frances laying hold of so great oportunityes , after his ofFers hâve been for so long tyme refused. My sence of this matter is ail concluded in Chudleighs memoriall, and therfore I need only say that you are so neerly related to me and our interests are and must be so united that I thinke we should not only intend the same thinges, but likewise make use of the same meanes; for, when they differ, our common enemies take advantage from it, to the préjudice of ail our family, which otherwise they can never hurt. I will never dout 1 your kindnesse , and I expect the same justice from you. I hâve no more to say to you now ; only I must do this bearer Mr van Beuning the justice

1 doubt.

1683. Mars.]

as to tell you that I never saw any body more ernest ' in ail your concernes and interest then he is. I am, with ail truth and kindnesse, yours.

For my dearest Nephew the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE MCDL.XXXIX.

Le Duc d York au Prince cV Orange. A musements de chasse.

Newmarket, March 19 1683.

This day , after I came from hunting , I receved yours of the 1 9 , by which I see M. van Beuning was corne to you and that you and my daughter were to go to Dieren , where you are like to passe your tyme well , if you hâve as good weather as we hâve hère. Hitherto we hâve had but few horse-races, but this day we had two, and they tell me there will be every day this weeke one, except thursday. This place is now pretty full , and , besids the races and hunting, we hâve cockflghting , so that one as2 always some thing or other to do, tho little newse to write. I hâve no more to say but that I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire. For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

3 f W°. MCDXC.

Le Prince d Orange au Roi d Angleterre. Réponse à la Lettre 1488.

J'ay tardé plus que je ne devois à répondre à la lettre que V. M. m'a fait l'honneur de m'escrire le 2/,2 mars, par l'embarras où mon esprit est à cause que la conduite que l'on a tenu icy touchant la paix, et que j'ay jugé

1 earnest. 2 has.

3 Minute avec des corrections autographes , indiquées ici par des lettres cursives.

1 d'abord erreur ensuite sentiment

— 569 — [1683. Mars.

nécessaire, déplaist tant à V. M. que j'ay sujet d'appréhender qu'elle me condamne, non seulement comme un homme opiniastre en son opinion l, mais (ce qui m'est infiniment plus sensible) comme n'ayant point pour ses raturé. sentimens et pour le bien de ses affaires la déférence et la considération que je dois, et que ma fermeté pour la résolution que Messieurs les Estats ont prise de travailler à l'affermissement du repos commun et à disposer leurs alliez et amis à ce que y est requis excepté V arbitrage 2, fait croire que j'appréhens moins qu'il est juste 2 sans insister

,, ii • spécifiquement

les malheurs de la guerre , et que mes protestations au sur raturé. contraire sont peu sincères. Il n'y a pourtant rien de plus vray, Sire! que ce que j'ay déclaré à V. M. de mon extrême aversion pour une rupture nouvelle, et que je n'ay rien tant à coeur que de me conserver et de mériter de plus en plus, par mon attachement inviolable à ses intérêts et à son service, l'honneur de ses bonnes grâces. — Mais l'expérience et les funestes suites de la paix de Niemeguen ayant fait voir qu'un accommodement avec une puissance prédominante, sans que ceux qui la doivent appréhender se mestent en estât de la contrebalancer par des bonnes liaisons entre eux, en quelque manière n'est qu'une apparence de tranquillité et de seureté trompeuse, il m'a semblé que est Estât ne se devoit point esloigner des conseils qui ont ce but, et d'autant moins qu'on luy impute d'avoir esté plus pour une prompte que pour une bonne paix. Je suis pourtant d'accord avec V. M. que la paix est présentement absolutement nécessaire 2. Mais 3 deveuue de

, 5 f f . plus en plus né-

ontre que Ion s est ne sur la prévoyance de ceux qui sont cessahe et recon-

nois que sa grande

les plus voisins aux dangers, et desquels on doit attendre prudence l'a fait

l / 1 • • \ i , • , n plus clair que nioy

les resolutions qui servent a les éviter, tant s en faut que dans les intentions

l) . ..,,., 1)T-, de quelques Prin-

1 on me puisse accuser avec justice d avoir porte 1 Empe- ces quei'onacru

meilleures ou*el*

reur et l'Espagne à les négliger ou mépriser, que j'ay fait les ne paroissent

., . . . , A présentement. /ïa-

ce que j ay pu pour les disposer a nous tirer et eux-mêmes turé. de peine, comme V. M. le pourra savoir plus particulièrement de M. l'Ambassadeur de Cytters , qui est instruit de ce qui est passé là-dessus.

1683. Mars.]

1 En marge le Prince a ajouté.

Et quoi que cest Estât et moy n'avons point conseillé à l'Espagne d'accepter l'arbitrage, nous n'avons pas laissé de leur représenter tousjours les ^grand danger d'une guerre, et ce que j'ay fait de nouveau a esté [le change] de Grave, ce qui peut faire voir à V. M. que cet Estât et elle

Cest pourquoi) je supplie doncq V. M. d'estre persuadée que je suis dans la môme intention avec elle ' et qu'il y a plus d'apparence que de réalité de discrépance dans le choix des moyens que V. M. et cet Estât ont fait séparément pour y parvenir, puisque ceux qui pressent les Espagnols pour acepter l'arbitrage, ou qui leur représentent aussi vivement comme moy la nécessité d'un prompt accommodement pour prévenir la guerre, font en efFect la même chose.

Mais comme il a esté plus convenable à V. M. , pour des circonstances de ses affaires au dedans, et pour n'estre en aucun engagement avec l'Empereur ou dans l'Empire, de presser l'arbitrage, ainsi la voye qu'on a tenu icy pour d'autres respects a semblé plus propre à cet Estât, mais tous deux conspirent dans le dessein de prévenir de nouvelles effusions de sang et d'establir une bonne paix dans la chrestienté.

V. M. a présentement plus de moyens pour mener les affaires à une fin tant désirée par le pouvoir que l'alliance du Prince de Danemarcq luy donne auprès du Roy son frère pour arrester les armes danoises et en effect si elles, avec celles de France et de Brandenbourg, se remuent et agissent pour estendre les frontières des uns et des autres par des nouvelles conquestes, il sera guères moins qu'impossible que ceux qui ne peuvent pas souffrir des révolutions qui methroyent tant de puissance et de forces dans une même main , ou dans un même party , qu'on y pourroit plus résister dans la suite du temps , ne soyent bientost forcez de prendre part à la guerre pour éviter leur ruine.

Il n'y a, après Dieu, que V. M qui peult prévenir de si terribles malheurs, et s'acquérir par là une immortelle gloire, et la bénédiction de toute la chrestienté, qui attend d'elle ce grand ouvrage.

Pour ce qui est de moy , Sire î je luy y serviray autant qu'il est en mon pouvoir, et ne manqueray jamais aux devoirs d'un neveu très-obéissant et d'un serviteur très-

— 571 — [1683. Mars.

humble, en tout ce qui concerne sa royalle personne, sa Maison et le bien de ses affaires au dedans et au dehors, et V. M. me fera justice , en me considérant comme celuy qui luy est entièrement acquis, et l'homme du monde qui est le plus parfaitement , Sire !

de V. M. très-humble etc.