L.ETTKE: MCCCLXIV

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince d! Orange, Nouvelles.

Whitehall , 14 Decemb. 80.

Being fallen, on Friday last, under the displeasure of the H. of Gommons, I did not, by that nights poste, présume to Write any thing to your Highnesse, nor dare 1 Write any thing now, least I be thought partiall to myself. His Ma. intends to speak openly to both Houses to morrow, with référence to Tanger and our forreign allyances, to the end he may know what to trust to. I beseech God to putt into their hearts to give his Ma. a

good answer. The Gommons intend to morrow for a great day to consider of* the state of tlie nation. The D. of Moninouth was feasted jesterday (together with severall lords and gentlemen) by the sea-faring men in the skirts of this Citty. As tlie Duke of Monmouth returnd home, he had the usuall acclamations from one end of the Citty to the other; such tumultuous proceedings deserve a good check.

His Hijîhnesse the Prince.

LETTRE MCCCLXV.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince et Orange. Nulle apparence de conciliation entre les partis.

Whitehall, 17 Dec. 80.

I did myself the honor to give ^ Highnesse some short accounpt with every ordinary of our proceedings (saveing that I misst the last save one) ever since the beginning of our présent session of Parliament. It afflicted me still very much not to be able to give your Highnesse any well grounded hopes that things were tending to an union. It afflicts me so still, for wee hâve no appearance of tending, as we ought to doe, to a generall accommodation. For instance, every days work produces an ofFer at some thing or other, that is prejudiciall to the prérogatives of your crown. One thing was advanced yesterday that entrenchd upon an ancient dignity of the Peers of England. It was that, when a Commoner spoke ill of a Peer, he 'as not admitted by law to justifie his words; this the Jommons would hâve taken avvay by a law, which they the house of Lords do take extremely ill. This and ich like incidents do inflame, but to morrow is the day consider the Kings last speech, and therefore I will lot prejudge the temper that the Gommons will be in, ^ jour omis.

1680. Décembre.] — 460 —

but beseech God to sanctifie ail their délibérations. I am, with perfect respect, your Higlinesses most dutifùll servant.