L. DE BRrNSVlC

Notes de W. Bentinck. Lettre de George II à la Gouvernante sur les démarches de la France par rappoit à la paix.

Jeudi 9 mars 1757 la Princesse me montra une lettre écrite de la propre main du Roi, datée 3 mars, dans laquelle le Roi lui dit qu'il étoit bien aise de

') Cette lettre manque. Probablement il s'agit d'une lettre de Bernis à d'Affry par rapport aux démarches de Slingelandt. Sous le numéro 464 des archives de la Gouvernante on trouve un recueil de pièces relatives à cette affaire, parmi lesquelles il y a aussi quelques lettres de Bernis à d'Affry.

1758. Mars.] 4% —

voir qu'elle étoit contente de Yorke; qu'il sentoit combien il lui étoit important pour son service; qu'il alloit l'envoyer avec une commission importante au Roi de Prusse ^); que la démarche qu'avoit fait d'Affry ^) prouvoit l'embarras de la France ; qu'il etoit nécessaire pour parvenir à une bonne paix de faire une augmentation en Hollande; qu'il prioit la Princesse d'y travailler sans perte de tems. Et il finit par des assurances d'amitié, signant votre bon père George^

LETTRE DCI.TII.

Yorke à la Gouvernante. Bontés du roi; désir de celui-ci de s'entendre avec la République. Il est envoyé au roi de Prusse.

London, March 14*^ 1758.

Madam

I cannot leave this country without taking the liberty to inform your R. H. of it. Your goodness to me has been so great I should look upon my self as failing in one of the most essential points of my duty, if I neglected any oportunity of expressing my sensé of it, and wanting to my self if I did not beg the continuance of your gracious protection and countenance, which I shall in my whole couduct study to deserve.

The King has been raost extraordinarily good to me since I arrived. I hâve had the honor to see His Majesty no less than five times since I arrived and

') Cf. PoL Corresp. Friedr. a. Or. t. XVI, p. 292, 343, 864 etc.

«) Cf. p. 487, 490.

shall liave it once more to morrow, when I ara to take leave being to set out on thursday for Yarmouth, where I shall embark for the Elbe. In the last audience the King was pleased to express great satisfaction at the answer your Royal Highness had returned to His letter thro Princess Amaly, tho' he added the latter was not informed of the subject of it. His Majesty always wishes to consolidate some System with the Republick thro' your means; he thinks it highly necessary and equally salutary for both; he sees great security in doing it and the utraost danger in not doing it, as our common ennemies may sooner or later find means to make a breach which may be fatal to both; it is in this view that he wrote in the stile he did, and makesnodoubt but in the présent situation of affairs some more vigour may be brought about, to which he will give ail assistance in his power; to this ail the opérations will be directed and upon this foundation my new, tho' temporary, commission is founded, as the King thinks I shall be much fitter to serve him in Holland after having seen and heard the King of Prussia. I am directed to talk fuUy to that monarch upon the fate of the Low-countrys and the method of preventing them from falling into the hands of France, and of course the Republick from falling under the same yoke, which can never be permitted as long as any sensé of liberty remains amongst the protestant princes of Germany. The rest of my commission will turn upon the means of consolidating our présent System and uniting ourselves still doser with Prussia; the nation calls aloud for proofs of this union and they will not be contented, till Parliament is informed that His Prussian Majesty accepts our support and will go on with us to

4e Série. III. 88

1758. Mars.] — 498 —

the end ^). The King is as strong both as King and Elector as I, sanguine as I am, can wish him and will cooperate in the same common view of interest, without distinction of countries or frontiers.

As my stay is not to be long in Germany, I shall very soon hâve the honor probably of throwing my self at your Royal Highnesses feet and explaining ail this situation more fuUy, in the mean while I can only say that the late gênerai ^) is quite retired, that he received me with goodness, but seemed deeply affected with his situation, tho' he declared the contrary; that his father is not in the least come off oi his anger and that the whole connexion is further off than ever ; that the rising sun ^) is affable and sets up for order and decency; that the new part of the présent leaders will probably hâve the principal direction hereafter, and that I hâve done my utmost to serve in ail parts those whose goodness entitles them to the greatest efforts of my weak abilities ....

JOSEPH YORKE

OOLTIII.

Ch. 0. van Wassenaar s'engage à suivre la direction de la Gouvernante.

Le 2 Avril 1768.

Mon attachement respectueux et sincère pour la personne et l'Auguste Maison de Son Altesse Roiale,

') Le Roi de Prusse tavait accepté, puis refusé des subsides auglais. Cf. Pot. Corrcsp. Friedr. d. Or. t. XVI, p. 98, 108, 176, 192, 196 etc.

*) The duke of Cutnberland.

») Pitt.

— 499 — tl768. AvrU.

fondé sur Tinterest de ma Patrie, la conviction où je suis du mérite distingué, de la justice, de l'équité de de Son Altesse Roiale, sera toujours le principe invariable de ma conduite et de mes démarches pendant tout le cours de ma vie et dans tous les différents emplois, auxquels mon sort et la protection de Son Altesse Roiale pourront m' appeler. Je le prouverai toujours en cherchant tous les moiens de plaire à Son Altesse Roiale et d'entrer dans ses vues; je saisirai avec empressement les occasions de soutenir le lustre, les prérogatives et l'autorité de son Auguste Maison, jamais mes intérêts particuliers ne pourront me faire varier ni balancer ceux de Son Altesse Roiale ou de Monseigneur le Prince. C'est à quoi je m'engage sur mon honneur et parole de gentilhomme. Fait à la Haye le 2 Avril 1758.

CHARLES GEORGE DE WASSENAER TWICKEL ').