D. VAN LEYDEN VAN LEEUWEN

LETTRE ]!riCCCL.XII.

Le Duc d^York au Prince â! Orange, Il ri ajoute pas foi aux bruits sur ses relations avec le Duc de Monmouth,

Edinburgh, Dec. 8.

I receved two days since yours of tbe 5 , by tbe which I see that M"* Sîdney had informed you of some discources had been at London concerning tbe D. of Monmouth having been some tyme with you; I know that some very good freinds of yours and rayne did wonder at bis being so much with you, but truly I did not thinke you had any afFairs or intrigue togather, but I did wonder how that he could bave the confidence to intrude himself upon you, as he did, that had behaved himself so to me as he had done, and had joyned himself not only with my declared enemys, but even with the enemys of monarky itself, which he has made sufficiently apeare by many of bis actions, and more particularly by bis behavior since he came into England, which I am sure you know as well as I, so that I need not repeat them to you, and you may be sure I did not thinke you could bave any comerce with him, to my préjudice; for, besids the concerne I know you bave for me, I know he cannot overreach you, so that you were in the right not to make any great apologi to me upon that subject. Tbis place affords no newse and you may be assured I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MCCCLXIII.

'jB Duc d! York au Prince c?' Orange. On vise à changer la Monarchie en République.

Edenburgh , Dec. 11.

I see, by yours of the 10, that you were come back |o the Hage and that you hâve a right sence of the bill

1680. Décembre.] — 458 —

of limitations, which is now depending in the house of Lords and, as you do, so I hope it will not passe, tliinking thatt bill to be yett more prejuditiall to the monarky and our family then even that of exclution, which was throwne out by the Lords. I see, by a letter of M"^ Sidney, and a paper he sent, that was given him by the Pentioner and M. de Morno, being the substance of a discours they had had with him just after they had heard of my bills being rejected by the Lords , that they were not of your mind , but for his Ma. agreeing in every thing with his Parliament, which, should he do, I am sure it would not be long before they would find the inconveniancy of it; for, beleve me, tis a republike which is at the bottom of ail thèse affairs in England , and not religion , and , any one false step more his Ma. make of parting from more of his power, he and the monarky are gone, and you see every day how he is used, but that is not to be wondred at, when he bas been so betrayd by some of them he trusted the most, which he and ail the world cannot chuse but see, tho may be he dos not thinke fitt to take notice of it. I will say no more upon this subject nor on any els now , but to assure you that I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.