L.ËTTRË MCCCLXXVII
Lord Halifax au Prince <ï Orange. Il craint, pour la politique à suivre contre la France, les suites de la désunion entre le Roi et le Parlem.ent.
I hâve been silent beyond the bounds .of good manners , from the expectation that an answer out of France would hâve given so much h'ght as that I might hâve given your Highnesse a fall account of the Kings resolutions hère; but it seemeth they hâve found out a way to gaine a delay of 8 dayes more, by refusing to admitt a joynt Memoriall, though, besides the authority of an instance of an elder date, the last which was delivred to monsieur de Croissy, in the very same manner, did not meet with the same exceptions to it. The most reasonable conclusion that can bee drawn from such proceeding, is that the answer is not likely to give satisfaction in vvhat the Memoriall required, and that, if there was an y disposition in the French Court to comply, they would hâve done it without such a kind of hésitation, and not hâve lost the good grâce of it, by afFecting a delay, especially when attended by such discouraging circumstances. Your Highnesse must therefore bee pleased to suspend your conjectures and supresse your jealousies, till the answer cometh, and when it appearett plainly that the intercession of the King and the States hatt no successe, recourse is to bee had to that which seemett to bee the onely remaining remedy, which is the calling a Parliament, though I must give your Highnesse this melancholy advertisement before hand, that, from the best observation 1 can make, I find much more cause to entertaine fears than to flatter myselfe with the hopes of any good effects from it. But my conclusion is, that, since an agreemunt is possible, it is to bee attempted , though the conséquences of an unkind séparation at our next meeting are such as will bee more immediately fatall to our Allyes abroad , and
J681. Janvier.] — ^70 —
give an advantage to France above any other thing in the world that can happen to them. Wee hâve men hère that will sacrifice every thing to their anger, besides that it îs as much the interest of ill men to hinder an agreement, as it is of good men to promote it. This I say onely to rescue your Highnesse from the trouble of a disappointment, if you should rely too much upon the issue of our next meeting. For my own part, my thoughts are the same as those you were pleased to approove, when I had the honour to entertaine you concerning them , which make mee présume your Highnesse will still hâve the same of mee, which I shall never forfeit, if either my respect for your person or my zèle for your interests can préserve them to mee.
London , Jan. 12 , 81.
liETTRE 9ICCCL.XXTIII.
Sir L. JenJàns au Prince d^ Orange. Nouvelles. »
Whitehall, 14 Jan. «y,.
There was a Common-councell calld yesterday in London, as is usuall every 3'ear, in order to swear the nevv officers; at this meeting there was a pétition presented by severall citizens to the Lord-mayor, the Aldermen, and Common-councell; the main scope of it was to hâve the Parliament to re-assemble and sitt on thursday 20*^ ; to spare the writing of it out in my ill hand, T humbly take leave to send you a news-book, in wich it is printed. This pétition produced an addresse in the name of the Cittv, it was presented by mylord Mayor and deputies from among the Aldermen and Common-councell-men , to his Maj. att five a clock this evening. It was much to the same effect with the pétition enclosed. I was not within hearing, tho I was in the room; I am told his Ma. answer was to this purpose; that he doubted not
of the fidelity and good affection of the Citty of London: that he wisht them to beware of those men that vvould putt them upon such things as they had nothing to doe with. Tis to be feard that this answer will nott please, since it speaks nothing of his Ma. mind touchyng the sitting of the ParHament. I beseech God Allmighty to blesse and direct his Ma.; the streights. he is in are very great.
LETTRE MCCCLiXXIX.
^H d'être dissous.
^K Jan.
^B By the last post I had yours of the 10, and by it see ^"vou had still a sharp season ont; the winter has been much more favorable hère, and I fin d the frosts are neitlier so sharp, nor so long as they are with you ; you will by this hâve seen you were in the right to thinke no good would corne of this Parliament, by the vots they made in the house of Gommons, on the 7 of this month, which, with the rest of their proceding, must certainly produce a prorogation , if not a disolution , which last I am sure they deserve. By the letters which are to come to morrow, we shall know what has been done. For newse, the Lord-provost house, some two mills hence, was burnt the other day by some malitious, villanous people; who they are that did it, is not yet knowne; some of the scholars are suspected to hâve had a hand in it, they having thretned some tyrae since to do it, upon his going about to hinder their tumultuous meetting, when they burnt the pope; which is ail I shall say, till I heare more newse, but that I shall ever be as kind to you as you can désire.
LETTRE MCCCL.XXX.
Sir L. Jenkins au Prince d'Orange, Dissolution du Parlement.
Whitehall, 18 Jan. ^/,.
May it please jour Highnesse. His Majestie was pleas'd, this day, to déclare in Councell that he would dissolve this présent Parlement, which will be done to morrow by proclamation. He declar'd likewise that he intends to cal! another Parliament to meet and sitt at Oxford , on the 21 of march next, this style. Your Highnesse will easily believe that his Ma. made not this step without a necessity forceing him to it. The causes are too well known to the world. His Ma. upon this occasion commands me to tell your Highnesse that he hath done the best that was possible for him to doe with regard to his Allies abroad, and that he hath à proposition to make to this new Parliament, which he is sure your Highnesse cannott dislike of, and he hopes will be acceptable to ail considerate honest men. This is ail I hâve in command; tis too soon yet to prétend to guesse at the judgement that the generality of men will make upon this great crisis. I beseech God to blesse and préserve his Ma. and his whole royall family. I am, with the deepest respect possible, may it please your Highnesse,
your Highnesses most humble and most obedient servant
His Hio^hnesse. L. jenkins.
LETTRE ]»ICCCL,XXXI.
Le Duc cVYork au Prince d'Orange. La dissolution du Parlement aura une bonne influence.
Jan. 25.
I hâve this morning receved yours of the 22 and , before this, you hâve heard of the disolution of one Par-
— 473 — [1681. Janvier.
liamcnt and the calling of another; God grant this next may be better; it is actualy impossible they can be worse then the last, which was seen by severall of the vots they made , espesially those that were past bettwne ^ their meetting after Christmas and their disolution, some of which were insolent to the last degree and hâve done the King very much harme. I hope , for ail that, it will hâve done him one considérable peece of service, for it has lett him see who are his loyall subject and how he has been most bacely " betrayd by some of his ministers and others he most trusted; who, for ail that, hâve yett gott but little thanks and as little regarded, for what they hâve done. Things hère are very quiat, and the scholars brought to reason, but those who burnt the provosts house are not yett found out, so as to be punished as they deserve , though it is beleved, and upon just ground, that it was some of the scholars did it. I hâve no more to say but to assure you I shall alwaj s be as kind to you as you can désire.
LETTRE IWCCCL.XXXII.
M. Godolphin au Prince d'Orange. Fâcheuse situation.
Jaii. the 28 16«Ve,.
Your Highnesse is pleasd to say you hâve hardly the heart to write of any private businesse. I hâve hardly the heart to write a word of any thing but private businesse; your mony will bee payd in 2 weeks more, ail but the 1000 [L.] which I hâve formerly told you was detaynd for the fées of the Exchecquer, and this last delay would not hâve been, if the merchants had lett mee know îarly, as soon as their weekly payment had fayld them. Ail that I will say of the publick is that I think our affaires in very ill condition and no body but your Highnesse can mend them.
Por his Highnesse the Prince of Orange, ^ between. ^ basely.
lettre: ]ficccL,xJcxiii.
L. Jenkins au Prince (f Orange, Le Roi résolu à maintenir les loix du pays.
Whitehall 28 Jan. «»/,.
May it please your Highnesse. As soon as I had the honour to receive your Highnesses letter of the 28 n. st., I showd it to his Majestie, who was pleasd to tell me he would direct what answer I should do myself the honour to give you in his Ma. name. In the intérim, he commanded me to assure your Highnesse that the steps he hath lately made, hâve been of absolutely necessity, and that what he hath done , was done in hopes of a better advantage to his Allies then any thing that was to be expected from the train that our publique affaires did take. I hâve not since had his Majesties commands. I watch to receive them. The pétition of the Lords will be followd (as they promise to themselves) by another to morrow from the Citty, tho it appears the Cittyofitself is not so forward in violent things, as some of the restlesse spirits would hâve it. It is not to be imagin'd what arts are used , through Citty and Country , to putt things into a high fermentation. His Ma. is resolv'd in ail things to keep the known laws of the Land of his side , and he hopes thereby not onely to keep the Nobility (for the most part) of his side , but the ancient Gentry, who were for the most part in armes for the King his father. His Ma. hath a good cause and a gracious God on his side; ail other things are of a very uncomfortable aspect, unlesse it please God to turn the hearts of the people towards the King; his heart towards thera is a much as is possible. I am, may it please your Highnesse ,
your Highnesses most humble and most obedient servant
J1.NKINS.
— 475 — [1681. Février.
LETTRE ]»ICCCL.XXXIV.
Le Duc (T York au Prince d^ Orange. La dissolution étoit nécessaire pour le salut de la monarchie.
Edenburgh, Feb. ].
I wonder very niuch to find, by yours of the 31 of the last, tbat, where y ou are, any could be surprised with tbe newse of the prorogation , lett tlieir désirs or inclinations be wbat they will; for how could it be expected that bis Ma. would lett those sitt any longer that had used him so insolently, and was it not high tyme to disolve them that had made such vots the day they were prorogued? No body désirs more then I that there should be a good understanding bettwene the King and his people; tis my interest, more then any bodys it should be; but no good subject, nor no body that wishes well to the monarky or our family, can désire that his Ma. should be a duke of Venice or unking him self; which they , I meane the house of Gommons , would hâve him; for never were such things attempted or gone about before, as by them, till they were in open rébellion, and tis visible to ail the world that their cheefe aime was to destroy the monarky ; but , God be thanked , there is an end of that Parliament, and, if his Ma. dos but continu as he bas begun , since he broke them , and purge his Court of ill men, as he has done his Councell, tis to be hoped his affairs may go well , and now you see how he has been betrayd by Lord Sunderland and others; do you hâve a care of him, for he that could use his King and a freind as he has done, can never be relyd on ; I could say much more on this subject, but it is so late; I hâve not tyme and therfore must end, and that with assuring you you shall always find me very kind to you.
1681 Février.] — 476 —
lettre: mccclxxxv.
Le Duc (ÏYork au Prince â^ Orange, Il n^ attend rien de bon du nouveau Parlement.
Edenburgh ' Eeb.
I intended to hâve answerd yours of the 12 by tlie last post, but was hindred from doing it then by the coming to me of the Lords-Commissioners of the treasury, just as I was agoing to write, who stayd so long with me, that, when they went away , it was tyme to go and dance country-dances, the Dutchesse stayng for me. I see by your letter you were much surprised with disolution of the last Parliament, and feare this which is called will not be much better. I thinke you hâve great reason to feare it; I am sure I do, and that they will begin where the other left ; what past in the Citty , when they chose their members , give reason enough to thinke so , besids that generally the same members are chosen in other places. Ail things are quiat hère, but how long they will continu so in England, the Lord knows. Which is ail I hâve to say now, but that you shall ever find me to be as kind to you as you can désire. For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.
LETTRE WCCCLXXXVI.
Le Prince d^ Orange au Prince Henri-Casimir de Nassau- Dietz. Plaintes contre un député de la Frise aux Etats- Généraux.
A la Haye, ce 14 de février 1681.
Monsieur! Comme vous partite d'icy, vous m'avez témoigné d'estre en mes sentiments au reguard des affaires publiques, et vous m'avez asseuré que c'estoit des faus bruits que l'on faisoit coure que vous aviés des autres sentiments, et que vous vouliés à l'avenir corespondre
^ Lé clàffre manque.
— 477 — [1081. Février.
avec moy en tout ce qui concerneroit les intérests et le bien général de la République et où le particulier n'estoit point meslé des Provinces dont vous estes Gouverneur; ainsi je ne croi pas que vous trouvères estrange que je vous dise que la conduite de M'" Zevenaer est insuportable, qui ce mesle à dire et à faire le plus de mal qu'il peut et raporte tout ce qui passe h l'assemblée des États-généraux et ce qu'il peut apprendre de l'Ambassadeur de France. J'advoue qu'il seroit difficile à luy le prouver, puisque, quoique l'on sache seurement ces sortes de choses, à le prouver il est tousjours fort difficile, et si l'on le pouvoit, peut-estre il faudroit agir contre luy d'un autre manière que l'on ne peut faire présentement, mais je vous puis asseurer, Monsieur, que la chose est véritable et que ce n'est pas un simple soubson. Il débite par tout que moy et ceus qui sont de mes amis ne cherchent qu'à porter les affaires à une guerre, et ne voulons point la continuation de la paix. Vous pouvez juger si ce sont là des faussetés que l'on puisse souffrir qu'un homme qui est en l'Estat dise. Il y a mille chose de cette nature dont je vous pourois informé, qu'il dit tout les jours, mais ce ne seroit que vous ennuyer, et, comme il est député de la part des villes dont la commission est à vostre disposition, je vous prie de vouloir retirer d'icy un homme qui est si pernicieus et qui vous fait à vous-mesme tant de tord, puisque, dépendant de vous, tout le monde sera enclin à croire que c'est par vos ordres ce qu'il dit et qu'il fait. Ainsi j'espère que vous m'accorderez la prière que je vous faits, vous asseurant que je ne souhaite rien plus que de vivre en bonne intelligence avec vous et à vous témoigner en tous occasions que je suis véritablement, Monsieur,
vostre très-humble serviteur et cousin,
G. PRINCE d'orange.
lt)81. Février.] — 478
