L.ETTRE: ]N[€DL.1C

Lord Halifax au Prince d'Orange. Nécessité dune bonne entente entre le Prince et le Roi.

Your Highnesse will liave had an account from M^ van Beuninghen how the King receaved your letter, which I was very glad to see; though perhaps hee did not consent to every particular expression in it, upon the whole it must hâve a good efFect, by shewing his Majesty that you take paines to satisfy him , and are desirous to remoove the occasions of misunderstanding which may hâve arisen in the late transactions between you. I am sure nothing under heaven is so necessary for the préservation of Christendome as that there may bee an intire union of interests and such a perfect confidence as shall bee above the danger of being lessened or undermined by those who would prevent the good effects of it. In order to this, I do, ont of the fulnesse of my heart, beg leave to ofFer this caution to you that you must take away the possibility of the Kings being persuaded that any who are known to bee contrary to his interests hère, can hâve any crédit, or influence with your Highnesse; for such an appréhension, once admitted into his mind so as to take root in it, would destroy the incHnations hee otherwise must hâve to meet and cherish your friendship ; you must forgive mee, if I own my fears that your Highnesses generosity in being slow and unwilling to beleeve ill of men, may hâve rendred you more lyable to bee misled and misinformed in our affayres hère, by some that are too much swayed by their particular interests to represent things truly to you, and this appeareth so much cleerer to the world every day that I am persuaded , if your Highnesse saw it as wee do, you would bee convinced that even the best things they prétend are promoted and pressed by them for ill ends, and from reasons that are not justifiable. I do not say this out of any particular sharpnesse of my own towards men that may hâve used

55o — [1682. Juin.

mee unkindly, but as it is a great truth, which I affirme with the same indifferency as if I never had any occasion to complayne of them. Mens expectations are for the présent suspended, till the answer cometh from Spayne concerning the arbitration, which being accepted by the King for good ends, will I hope bee so interpreted by his Allyes. The Kings recovery from. a small distemper putteth every body hère in good humour, and will, I am sure, bee welcome n.ewes to your Highnesse, to whose favorable thoughts I most humbly recommend myselfe.

'L-ETTRE MCDIiXTI.

Lord Halifax au Prince â^ Orange. Le Roi est tres'âisposé à lui rendre service.

I do not know a stronger motive to make mee wish I had crédit at Court than that I might serve your Highnesse with it; not that I think upon the présent occasion there is any need of it, the King being of himselfe so well disposed to do you ail the good offices in his power, though I dare not answer for the successe of them, and your Highnesse will bee pleased not to impute it to want of vigour in the instances that will bee made in your behalfe , if they should not prevayle. M"" van Beuninghen will give you an account what the french Embassadour sayeth upon this occasion , but his présent thoughts are not concluding, and till an answer cometh from France, I would no more give my opinion on the despayring side' than I can incourage you to hope too much, because of the possibility there is you may receave a disappointment. I hâve intermitted my duty to your Highnesse for a longer time than I well know how to justify, but the truth is I did not know what to say in the présent posture of things abroad, which hâve seemed to bee a good while at a stand, in expectation of what would bee done

' Sans date.

1682. Juin.] — 554 —

in Hungary, upon which very much dependeth; the last account from thence giveth cause to beleeve there will bee warre with the Turks, which will probably dispose the French to insist the more stifFely upon having their prétentions allowed them. I i>hall say nothing of our affayres at home ; onely that , if your Highnesse could bee hère to see the advances made by our publique spirited men to get into the Court, you would bee convinced of the truth of what I hâve told you concerning their sincerity and good meaning, as fully as I hope you are of my zèle to your service.

'LETTRE 19ICDL.XVII.

Lord Halifax au Prince (ï Orange. Recommandation; on est bien disposé en Angleterre à résister à la France.

I cannot lose the opportunity of presenting my humble duty to your Highnesse by M'" Skelton, who is ambitious to bee restored to your better opinion, and assureth mee, as hee will your Highnesse in a more efFectuall manner, that hee will upon ail occasions endeavour to deserve it. It may conduce much to the ends you ayme at, in uniting the Allyes against their common danger, that your Highnesse will give him your instructions now, and continue them from time to time, as you judge them necessary, especially to the Princes of Lunenbourgh, who, as they are very considérable in themselves, so it happeneth well that your Highnesse hath a great influence upon them. I can adde nothing to what your Highnesse knoweth already concerning the Memoriall, which is sent over to bee approoved by the States, as it is hère by his Ma., and when I tell you that M*" van Beuninghen is not dissatisfyed with our présent dispositions hère , I will présume your Highnesse will not bee so neither from the account hee giveth of us; for myselfe, nothing shall ever make mee vary from my professions of service to you.

^ Sans date.

— 555 — [1682. Juin.

LETTRE MCDLXVIII.

Le Duc d York au Prince d'Orange. Les a f air es marchent bien.

Windsor, June 9 1682.

I receved this morning yours of the 12, and by it find you had heard I was gott into the river and , as you guessed, 't was the calmes were the cause of the long passage I had, and now, since I hâve been on shore, we hâve had very sesonàble weather, and are like to hâve a very plentifull yeare ont; there is now very little newse sturing hère; ail things being very quiat, and his Ma. affairs going very well and like to continu so. I hâve not yett been a hunting, but am a getting ready to begin stag-hunting the next weeke, and to continu it whilst I shall be hère. I hâve now no more to say but that you shall always find me as kind to you as you can désire. For my sonne the Prince of Orange.