L.ETTRË MCDXXXIX

Lord Hyde au Prince d'Orange. Même sujet.

Whitehall, Nov. the 10 1681.

I hâve the honour of two of your Highnesses letters of the 7 and 11 instant, which I know not how to answer, while the Dutch ministers hère were not answered to their Memoriall, neither should I hâve knowne how to hâve written now or ever hère after, except the ans-

^ rather.

1681. Novembre.] — 532 —

wer that was given last tuesday had been so well received as we are told it was ; for I found your Highnesse so melancholy and in despaire upon that account that , unlesse satisfaction could hâve been given upon that point, I must for ever hâve been silent; but, if yonr Highnesse will receive the Kings answer in as good part as Mons. van Beuningen hath done, I will hope that you will be now in better expectation of us, and that ail will doe better then your Highnesse then apprehended. We shall see in a short time now what the French will doe, and whether they will hâve any regard to the interposition the King hath promised to make, in case they proceed farther par voye de fait in the Spanish Low-Countrys , and I promise your Highnesse the King hath spoken more warmely in particular to the French Ambassador upon this point, then he did in his publicke answer; there was no danger that S"" Gabriell Sylvius should suffer with the King, for not comeing sooner home, when it was by your Highnesses commands that he was detained there. I suppose he will send 3^our Highnesses word on the contrary that he hath not been ill received hère. I shall not trouble your Highnesse any more at présent, but that you will see that, as long as I liave any share in any thing, I will doe my endeavour to doe the part of an honest man; but your Highnesse knows it is good for the satisfaction of some people hère that I hâve nothing to doe.