LETTRE M D VIII

Le Prince d'Orange au Prince de Nassau- Dietz. Il V exhorte à engager les Etats de la Frise à consentir aux levées.

A la Haye, ce 15 de fev. 1684.

J'ay appris avec bien de la jove vostre heureux retour en Frize; je n'aurois pas manqué de vous avoir répondu plustost à lettres que vous aviés pris la peine de m'escrire sur vostre départ, mais comme vous déviés faire si peu de séjour à Dessau, j'ay cru qu'il val oit1 attendre vostre retour à Leeuwarden. J'espère présentement que vous pourrez effectuer que Mess, les Estats de Frise donnent aussi leur consentement au levées projettes de 6000 hommes, la province de Hollande y ayant aussi à la fin consenti ; et d'abordt que la Frise y aura donné son consentement, l'argent de la levée sera donné et les officiers y pourront d'abort travailler. Je vous prie de bien considéré l'importance de l'affaire, pour le bien de Testât et de toutte la chrestienté, et d'avoir la bonté d'emploier vostre puissant crédit pour faire réucir promtement une chose dont asseurément dépent le maintien de la Répu-

1 falloit.

— 585 — [1684. Février.

blicque. Se seroit que superflus et vous ennuier que d'alléguer tous les raisons pour vous faire voir l'importance de l'affaire, sachant que vous en estes entièrement persuadé; ainsi je me persuade que vous fairés tout vostre possible pour le faire réucir promtement, selon que vous me l'avez fait espérer, quand j'eu l'honneur de prendre congé de vous. Vous ne sauriés obligé personne qui en sera plus recognoissant que moy, pour la part que je prens au bien de l'Estat, et tacherés à vous faire voir par les effets que je serés toutte ma vie , avec beaucoup de passion ,

vostre très-humble serviteur,

G. PRINCE D'ORANGE

LETTRE M DIX

Le Duc d'York au Prince oV Orange. Il se réjouit de la probabilité de la paix.

London, May 5 1684.

Since Sr Gabriell Silvius came over, I hâve discoursed with him of the condition of affairs where you are, and, tho I am very glad to see so much liklyhood of a peace and wish it above ail things, am very much troubled to find by him that, as to your owne concerns in Holland, they are not in so good a condition as I could wish they were. His Ma. has had the same account from Sr Gabriel, and has considred of it, and told me that by this post he would write his mind freely to you and give you the best advice he could , and , tho I hâve not seen the letter, it not being writen when I came this morning from Windsor, yett I know what will be the purport of it, and so shall not repeat what is in it, and wish you will follow his Ma. advice, who, I am sure, advises you nothing but what is for your good, the good of our family, and very consistant with your honour, which were it otherwise, I am sure he would not propose to you. I could say much to you upon this subject, but shall

1684. Mai.] — 586

not do it now, hoping that what his Ma. has writen to you, will hâve a good effect, and that you will consider what is the true interest of our family. As for newse, there is very little sturing hère, ail things going very well. Our last letters from Flanders tell us what you hâve heard before, how kindly the Duke of Monmouth was receved by the M. de Grane and I supose you know how the King has ordred his envoyé there to behave himself to the Duke of Monmouth. The Dutchesse is not well and in feare of miscarring. I long to know what resolutions will be taken where you are, and shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE M»\

Le Duc d'York au Prince et Orange. Nouvelle*.

London, May 13.

At Windsor I receved yours of the 15, by which I found you were then agoing to Vilvorde to take a revieu of your troups, and supose, by what you sayd, you will be back at the Hage before this; I beleve you will be sorry to heare my daughter the Princesse of Denmarks being delivred of a dead child; they say it had been dead some days before, so that 't is a great mercy it corne as it did, and that she is so well after it, and I thanke God she is in as good a condition as one can expect, and, if she continus so well, intend to returne back to Windsor to morrow in the evening. As for other sort of. newse, on sonday last his Ma. declared at the Cabinetcouncell that he thought it for his service to recalle the Commission of the Admirality and, without making me Admirai, to lett me hâve the managing of it, he signing ail the commissions and the secretary of the Admiralty to follow my directions in ail things. Dr Oates is put in prison, not having been able amongst ail his

587 — [1684. Mai.

fhanatike and seditious freinds to find a thousand pound baile to answer a sute * I hâve begun against him , for scandalous words he spoke of me latly, for which he is to be tryd next terme. I hâve now no more to say, but still to continu my wishes for a peace, and assure you you shall still find me as kind to you as you can désire.

lettre nnxr

Le Pue d'York a la Princesse d Orange. Il est fort mécontent de l'accueil fait par le Prince au Duc de Monmouth.

Windsor, June 10 1684.

On sonday I had y ours of 13, by which I find you had then had much raine, which we want very much hère, and no liklyhood of any, it being now very warme and the wind in the dry corner. I see it troubles you to know that exceptions are found as to the Princes behavior to the D. of Mon. 2 and Lord Brandon , and the excuse you make for him is not a good one, for, tho 't is true the D. of Mon. had his pardon , yett ail the world knows what an ill returne he made the King for it, which obliged his Ma. to banish him s his présence and tho , as the law is hère in England, he could not be procecuted for it , yett 't is certaine his behavior has been so offensive to his Ma. that realy 't was in my mind as bad as what he was pardond for ; for can any thing be more insolent and more offensive then the D. of Mon. refusing to owne under his hand , when desired to do it by his Ma. , what he had declared to the King and myself , which in effect was to give both his Ma. and myself the ly , and to make the world beleve that the King would hâve obliged the D. of Mon. to hâve put that under his hand he had never sayd? Ail thèse things hâve been no secrets, and I am confident that at the very tyme I gave the Prince an account on as well as to you; but, if I did not, I am

1 suit. » Monmouth. * Un mol semble omis.

1684. Juin.] — 588

very confident the Prince could not be ignorant of it. As for newse, we hâve little, ail things being very well hère; your sister intends so corne hether next weeke , so that I shall make but few journays to London this sommer. I hâve now no more to say but to assure you you shall never find any altération in my kindnesse to you.