I.ETTRE DCCXCIV

Yorke à W. Bentinck. Les négociations de paix et les rapports entre V Angleterre et la République.

London May 12*»^, 1761.

.... I am still detained hère to my great inconvenience and expecting leave to départ every day. I begin to suspect however, that I shall be kept in suspence till M. Bussy *) arrives, which will be in a few days, in order to know upon what footing we are likely to proceed and what I may say when I arrive at the Hague. Time and patience must work every thing; in the first concoction of the business nobody will hear of the Republick ; in the progress of it that muHt naturally come in; it is impossible, before the question whether we are to hâve war or

') Le diplomate français, qui était chargé d'aller négocier à LondreH en même temps que Stanley fut envoyé à Paris. Cf. R. Waddinglon, La guerre de sept ans, t. IV. p. 494 svr.; A. Bourguet, Eludes », l. pol. (ftrang. d. D. de Lhomul, p. 179.

— 327 — ["61. May.

peace is decided, that it can be determined how we will wind up our bottom. The King is much inclined to unité again, and so are multitudes of others, but the sores are still fresh and must be skinned over before one can work with success. I ara too insignificant to be able to do a great deal, but my opinion of the necessity and advantage of union with HoUand is so rooted, that my word and hint shall never be wanting and the mollia tempo r a fandi be watched by me with the greatest care and attention ; a common vedette upon a high ground before an army has often saved a surprise, tho' an insignificant person in himself; I shall at least play that part and may, as far as that goes, be able to prove my zeal and attacbment ....

JOSEPH TORKE.