L.£TTRi: DGLXXXIII

Louis de Brunavic à W. Bentinck. La proposition des quatre provinces. Impertinence de Seckendorff. De Back se domiciliera à Amsterdam.

A la Haye, ce 10 Octobre 1758.

Monsieur I

.... Hier les Députés de Gueldre ont fait la proposition d'écrire de la part de L. H. P. une lettre aux provinces de Hollande, de Zélande et de Friese, comme je vous l'ai marqué dans ma précédente. Cette proposition a été conclue aussi aux Etats- Généraux par quattre provinces. Le Conseiller-Pensionaire a contredit la conclusion et a fait une aanteekening, dans laquelle, à ce que l'on m'a dit, il doit avoir inserré que les Députés de la province de Hollande a voient lieu de se flatter, que les délibérations des quattres provinces de terre tourneroient tout autrement que la lettre que L. H. P. écriroient aux provinces. Les provinces de Zélande et Friese ont pris la proposition de Gueldre simplement ad référendum, et quoique M"^ Steyn avoit désiré qu'ils se joignissent à son aanteekening ils n'ont pas voulu y consentir.

Seckendorf est encore ici et il y restera encore jusque dans la semaine prochaine. Il tient assés publiquement des propos fort impertinens sur la démission de de Back et il dit qu'il le vangera. Il ne se ménage en aucune façon pour parler publiquement contre la

1768. Octobre.] 5^8

Princesse et contre tous ceux qui sont pour le soutien de la présente forme du gouvernement. Il a été hier chés le Conseiller Pensionnaire au delà d'une heure, mais j'ignore ce qui s'y est passé. Cet homme, savoir Seckendorff, est continuellement par voye et par chemins avec les gens de la cabale qui se sont déclarés ouvertement contre le Stadhoudérat. De Back , à ce que l'on m'assure, quittera La Haye et ira s'établir à Amsterdam. On dit même qu'il sera fait troisième Pensionaire de cette grande ville; si cela arrive, ce seroit une déclaration de guerre formelle de la part de Messieurs d'Amsterdam ....

LOUIS DE BRUNSVIC

Seckendorf a écrit à Burmannîa à Soesdyck qu'il envoyoit un de ses secrétaires pour s'informer quand il pourroit avoir l'honneur de faire sa cour à S. A. R., mais Madame la Princesse lui a fait répondre qu'elle étoit en retraite à la campagne et ne pouvoit pas le voir.

L£TTR£ DCIiXXXIV.

Copie d'une lettre de Newcastle à Torke. Délibérations du conseil du roi sur les disputes entre la République et l' Angleterre.

Private. Newcastle house, Nov. 17*^*^ 1768.

Dear Sir.

I hâve now the pleasure to .acquaint you that, on tuesday evening last, the kiug's servants, viz. Mylord Keeper '), Mylord Président*), Mylord Hardwicke, Mylord Anson, Mylord Muusfield, M'^Secretary

') R. Henley.

*) Le comte de Granville (John Carteret).

— 569 — [nb8. Novembre.

Pitt, M"^ Chancellor of the Exchequer h and myself (Mylord Holdernesse having been so much indisposed that he could not attend) entered seriousiy into the considération of what might be proper and practicable to do, to accommodate the unfortunate disputes subsisting between us and the Republick, relating to the late captures or seizures of the Dutch ships, etc.

There seemed to be a disposition in every body to go as far as was possible to accommodate the présent disputes and prevent the ill conséquences, which would otherwise unavoidably arise from them. But I cannot conceal from you that the difficultys appeared great, and there must be temper and moderation on both sides, or nothing will be done.

I Write to you, as a private friend, without any authority but as a sincère and faithful servant to the Princess Royal and a sincère wellwisher of Her Royal Highnesses family in Holland and the most cordial union between the two countries.

Under this description I may fling out many things, which in my publick capacity I ought by no means to mention; but as I know how much I may dépend upon your prudence, I hâve no scruple in relying upon it.

I shall begin with acquainting you that your father opened the whole affair, with that masterly ability and clearness, that every body saw at once where the stress of the question lay and where the remedy (if any) was to be had.

Mylord Hardwicke has permitted me to send you in the greatest confidence the state of the question, which he had collected from the several memorials etc. and the heads, from which he flung what might be considered as grounds to proceed upon for a

*) H. Bilson Legge.

1758. Novembre.] 570

remedy. The whole was extremely well received and tho' many observations and some objections were made, I think I can perceive that if the Princess Royal can bring the Republick bona fide, to résolve (according to the sensé of what they hâve flung out) absolutely to renounce ail trade and traffick with the French Colonies in the West-Indies and whether directly or indirectly to carry orprotect French goods going from Europe to the French Colonies or returning from the French Colonies to Europe — I say bona fide without any chicane of their being really Dutch property, which may be easely seen from the différence of the cargoes in time of peace from those at présent in time of war — I say if that should be bona fide done, and the article of contraband-trade a little extended to some certain species not enumerated (as lead etc.), I should not despair but the privilège of free ships, free goods, as stipulated in the treaty of 1674, might be allowed to ail Dutch ships, not trading with, or for, the French Colonies in the West-Indies. But further it will be impossible to go. For it is the greatest absurdity to say, that any treaty can give a right to a neutral power to trade, in time of war, with the enemy in those places where there was not or could not be any trade in time of peace, and hère I must observe that whatever just complaints may be made against our privateers, to be sure they can be more then retaliated upon the Dutch, who openly and avowedly aid, assist and abett the enemys to this country, when they are equally engaged by a formai treaty in 1678 (made only four years after the other and undoubtedly to correct or explain any misinterpretation that might be put upon that of 1674) after a certain time (I think two months) to take part with England and déclare war against the enemy. The

exécution of this treaty of 1678 has been formally demanded, no answer has been given in form to it and theref ore we hâve the same right to the one treaty, that they can prétend to hâve to the other; and this is a language pretty strongly talked hère and will be supported, if we cannot happily corne to some amicable adjustment of this great point; and I should really hope, if you hâve not been misinformed as to the disposition of the honest party in Holland and even of the most considérable merchants, that an agreement may be brought about. But they must bona fide renounce ail commerce with the French Colonies, directly and indirectly, or nothing can be done.

I speak very plainly that you may see where the difficulty lies. Perhaps you may not know this, in form, in some days. But knowing it sooner you may be possibly better able to prépare for it. But remember I hâve neither order nor power to say any thing to you. But my zeal to prevent mischief and the total ruin of one or perhaps in it 's conséquences ot both countries, makes me [do] ail in my power to prevent it. You see the part which Mylord Hardwicke takes and therefore you may know we are in earnest. Duty to the King, the highest regard to Her Royal Highness and her family and the certainty that in forwarding this affair I am doing the best service I can to His Majesty and this country, would hâve engaged me as well, as I am persuaded, the rest of my brethren to do ail that is in our power. But a very proper and moving letter, which Her Royal Highness, the Princess Gouvernante, has wrote to the King by Baron Munchausen upon this occasion, and which His Majesty has been graciously pleased to communicate to me, would (if any thing could) make me still more active and zealous in this

1768. Novembre..] — 572 —

question. Her Royal Highness may therefore dépend upon every thing I can do consistently with my duty to the King and this country. But we must liave ground to stand upon. We must hâve security upon this essential point, and then I shall hâve hopes, tho* I can answer for nothing.

I Write with the privity of Lord Hardwicke only. It is a private letter to you. You may talk in confidence to Her Royal Highness upon it, but to no other person whatsoever, and I must, with ail possible respect and déférence, insist that Her Royal Highness do not mention it to any mortal.

Send me your thoughts as soon as you can. We shall be going on and I hope something soon will be sent to you in form.

Poor Lord Holdernesse's illness is very unfortunate. The Princess Royal's friends in this country will be ruined, if it is known that I hâve sent you thèse hints after only one meeting upon the subject.

HOLLES NEWCASTLE.

P.S. His Majesty (who bas had a slight cold) is now, I thank God, perfectly well, and bas a severe fit of the goût in his foot; which is the best thing he could bave, if he will manage it well. The King has ordered me upon that account to make his excuse to the Princess Royal for not answering her letter. Her Royal Highness knows, that it is His Majesty's firm resolution to do every thing that can be reasonably expected of him, which may be agréable to Her and for the good of the common cause.

573 ll''68 Novembre.

liETTRE DCtXXXV.

Le roi d'Angleterre à la Gouvernante. On cherchera des moyens pour terminer les disputes entre l'Angleterre et la République.

S*. James, ce 24 Nov. 1758.

Je n'aurois pas manqué, ma très chère fille, de répondre plutôt à votre lettre du 9, si je n'en avois été empêché par une maladie très incommode, dont je ne suis pas encore entièrement délivré. On ne sauroit prendre plus de part que je le fais aux em* barras où vous vous trouvez. Vouz pouvez être assurée qu'on travaille à donner des instructions à Yorke pour pouvoir terminer à l'amiable les disputes avec la République et qu'on cherchera à mettre un frein à l'insolence des armateurs. Je ferai tout ce qui dépendra de moi pour soutenir votre autorité et vous marquerai en toute occasion combien je suis, ma très chère fille, votre bon père