L.ETTRE UneoXCVTI

Le Duc cC York au Prince âH Orange. Les Espagnols auroient dû se soumettre a un arbitrage.

Windsor, May 29 1683.

I receved yours of the 1 of June so late on friday last that I could not then answer it. I see by it you were newly come from Antwerp and that the Mar. * de Grane says he désirs the peace. 1 agrée with you and him that the Spaniards are not in a condition to désire a war, which I beleve they might hâve been secured from by this tyme, if they had accepted of the Arbitration , without losing ail pièce by pièce or endangring the whole at once; which is ail I shall say on that subject. I had good weather enough in my journay to and from Oxford, but, since I came back, we hâve had much thunder, lightning and raine. This place affords no newse, so that I shall end, v^hich I do with assuring you that you shall find no altération in my kindnesse to you.

For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

LiETTRE ]VI€01[€VIII.

Le T)uc d^York au Prince cH Orange. Recommandation.

Windsor, June 11 1683.

This bearer L.C. * Cannon being going back to his command, I would not lett him returne without writing to you by him, tho I hâve but little to say by him but to recomend him to you in generall, which is sufficient, you knowing, as well as I, how good an officer he is; he gos by London and will be able to tell you what newse is there, so that I shall say no more now but to assure you that you shall find no altération in my kindnesse to you.

For my sonne the Prince of Orange.

1 Marquis. ' lieiitenaut-colonKl.

^7j ii^Si. Juiu.

LETTRE mCDXCIX.

Le Duc âYork au Prince (ï Orange. Suppression de la Charte de Londres.

I find, by yours of the 22, which I had yesterday, that the squadron you hâve gott ready will be sone at sea; I heare no more certain newse of the French squadron , which was preparing at Brest; only beleve they are not gone north-ward, because we hâve had no newse of their being in the Channel. — This day the Lord-Major and Aldermen were hère, to pétition his Ma. as to their Charter, which is now forfited absohitly, if he pleases. What answer they had will be in print before the next, and your Ambassadeur having heard it, will, I beleve, give you an account of it, so that I need not repeat it to you, and sliall only say that this has been a great day for the monarky, and that I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

For ray sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE nu.

Le Duc d'York au Prince (^Orange. Conspiration contre le Roi et le Duc.

Windsor, June 22.

When I went to London, I found there was then a discovery made of a désigne against his Ma. and myself, and not such a plot as that of D^" Oatess, but a real one; for of ail the consperitors ^ that were ordred to be seased, there is but one as I heare of taken , the rest being fled ; they are most of them phanatiks in principels or conversation, three of them are lawyers, as Goodenough, West, and Nelthrop; their désigne was, to hâve sett upon his Ma. and I, as we came last from Newmarkett, but the 1 couspirators.

1683. Juin.] — 578 —

fire which happned there, oblîgîng us to corne away soner then was intended, they were not ready, and since our being hère they hâve talked of attemting it bettwene this and Hamtoncourt , but, because I used not to go thether with his Ma., they thought not fitt to attempt it upon any one of us alone. By the next you will heare more of the particulars; to morrow his Ma. gos to Councell to Hamptoncourt about this affaire. The French squadron past by Dover on monday last, so that, as the winds hâve been hère ever since, I judg them neare the Sound by this ; which is ail I shall say now but that I am still as kind as ever to you.

LETTRE MDI.

Le Duc (VYork au Prince â! Orange. Suppression de chartes municipales ; conspiration.

London, Julij 3 1683.

I had yours of the 6 on sonday last, by which I see how well pleased yoa were with the newse of the affaire of the Charters having gone so w^ell, which, as you say, will be of great advantage to the monarky in ail tyms, as well as for the présent peace and quiat of the governement, and, if the right use be made of this conspiracy, which bas been so happyly discoverd (of which I do not doubt), that which was designed to be the destruction of it, will prove of great advantage to it. Severall of the conspirators are to be tryd next w^eek and most of those who are taken every day owen the rising and that, tho it had been put of in November last, and that they had failed of their attempt upon the King and myself, yett for ail that they intended to hâve risen about the end of the last or the begining of this month, and were still contriving ways how they might secure, as some of them termed it, his Ma. and myself. The phanatikes are ordred

— 579 — [1(583. .Juillet.

to be disarmed everywhere, and in serching ' Wildmans house there were to ' threepounders found hid in a celler under some billets, which certainly were keept there for the rising, being very fît guns for a street. The Lord- Major and Aldermen and Comraon-councell were yesterday with his Ma., to congratulât his deliverance from this horrid plot, and afterwards came to complyment me upon it. I would say more, but hâve not tyme to ad any more, but that I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

l<ï:ttre mmi.

Le Duc âJYorh au Prince â Orange. Arrestations.

London, Julij 10 1683.

I hâve receved yours of the 9 , by which I see you had had myne, that had informed you ofthe conspiracy, which apears every day to be more considérable then was thought at first, as to the insurrection; for yesterday the Lord Essex, Lord Brandon, Lord Howard of Eserick, M*" Hamden and others were taken into coustody; M* Hamden and the two first Lords are sent to the Tower; they do not confesse, but the other is more ingenious and acknowledges ail , which agrées exactly with what we knew from others of the conspirators. On thursday some of them are to be tryd, and then ail the world will be full}^ satysfyd of the villany of those people, there being some so very malitious and so ill subjects as to say it is but a made plot of the court. When once the tryals are over their mouths will be stoped '. There has been three severall men taken in the countrys for Rombald , being one ejed * men, but whether any one of them be hee, one cannot yett say, we shall sone know. I hâve now no more to say but that you shall still fînd me the same to you.

' scarnliintr. * l"'o. " stopt. ♦ ngi'il

1683. Juillet.] — 580 —

l.e)ttre: mdiii.

Le Duc âHYork au Prince (î Orange. Il désire qu^il soit bien avec le Roi,

London, Julij 26 1683.

Two clays since I receved yours of the 2 of August, by which T see you had done your part towards the taking of such as were fled from hence by reason of the late conspiracy, and am fully satisfyd with what you did in it, and shall still do my part that there may be a very good understanding bettwene his Ma. and yourself, but you must do your part to, as this bearer M. Bentinck can tell you, to whom I must refer ail I hâve to say upon that subject, and pray consider the présent condition of Germany and what he will say to you from his Majesty. Marriage was consumated last night bettwene my daughter the Princesse Anne and Prince George , and now his Ma. has named tusday for going to Windsor, where I beleve we shall stay ail the next month, but whether we shall go to Winchester I cannot yett say. I need say no more now, this bearer being informed of ail things, but to assure you that I will still do my part, as truly as you can désire, to lett you see I am as kind as ever to you.

LETTRE mDlT.

Lord Hyde au Prince d'Orange. Il se rapporte à ce que M. Benfinck lui dira.

St. James-street , July the 29.

I give your Highnesse most humble thanks for the honour you were pleased to doe me, in letting me receive your commands by M"" Bentinke, which I am allwaies very desirous to obey with ail possible duty and dévotion. I hope M*" Bentinke himselfe will doe me that good office to your Highnesse as to represent to you how much I

[1683. Juillet.

désire to be in your Highnesses good opinion, and I will referr myself to him, wliether he doth not thinke I will endeavour to deserve it. I am sorry there should be such différence in opinion in relation to the publicke affaires, as to hinder him from returning to your Highnesse with an entire satisfaction, but I hope, in ail other matters which perhaps needed a better understanding, he will hâve had such successe thatt your Highnesse will not hâve cause to repent you sent him hither for a short time, tho you hâve a great deal for him to doe at home. By the acquaintance I hâve had the honour to hâve with him a long time , and by the intimacy and creditt he hath with your Highnesse, I hâve been induced to speake of many things with great freedome to him , both passed and présent, in order, to the best of my understanding, to the service of his Ma., the Duke and your Highnesse, which is an interest so joyned by God that one may venture to say, cursed be he that putts it asunder. If M*" Bentincke shall thinke fitt to trouble your Highnesse with any thing on this subject, you will be judge yourselfe whether it did not corne from a heart full of duty and zealous for your service, which I hâve the greatest passion imaginable to promote, if your Highnesse judges so inconsiderable a man as I am, fitt to be employed in it.

LiETTRE inDT.

Le Roi (î Angleterre au Prince d! Orange. Il regrette que le Prince ne veut pas la paix générale aux conditions offertes par la France.

Whithall, 30 July.

I had sooner acknowledged the concerne you tooke in your letter about the charter of London, but that M' Bentinck came just as I was writing, which made me deferr saying any thing, till I knew what he came about, and now I must thanke you very kindly for the part you take

1688. .hiillet] — 582

both in the matter of the charter and the deliverance I had from the hands of those bloody villans , who designed my destruction. I acknowledge it to Gods great mercy and I hope he has preserved me for better thinges. — M'' Bentinck and I hâve discourced at large upon the matter of the generall peace, and am sorry to finde that you are so steddy in your opinion that the generall peace cannot be made upon the conditions that France now offers. I cannot imagine, as matters stand now in Christendome, that the agreement can be made upon easier termes, and I feare by delay the Emprours condition will not grow better, so as I cannot change my opinion that those propositions offered ought to be refuse. I hâve tould ^ my minde more at large to this bearer M"" Bentinck, so that I will add no more upon this subject, but that in the end I feare you will finde that I am in the right. You may be assur that, whatever happons, I will ever be as kinde to you as if you were my owne son, and 1 will not faile to do ail that lyes in my power for your satisfaction about the businesse of Orange, tho I must tell you that I apprehend it dépends very much upon gênerai agreement. I bave no more to trouble you with at this time; only to assure you that you may rely upon my kindnesse upon ail occasions , and that I shall never faile of being truly yours.

Por my dearest nephew the Prince of Orange.

'LETTRE nniri.

Le Prince tV Orange au Roi cC Angleterre. Réponse a la lettre 1505.

J'ay receu, avec le respect que je doibs, la lettre que V. M. m*a fait l'honneur de m'escrire par M*" Bentinck , qui m'a aussi informé de toutte les bontés qu'elle luy a

' told. t Minute autographe et inachevée.

— 583 — [1683. Juillet.

témoigné pour moy, dont je luy rend très-humble grâce, et espère de les pouvoir mériter par un attachement inviolable que j'ay et aurés toutte ma vie pour ces intérest, pour lesquels je n'espargnerés, ny ma personne, ny ma fortune, quand il sera question de servir V. M. C'est une grande consolation pour moy des asseurances que M"" de Bentinck m'a donné de sa part que, quoique j'eu le malheur de n^estre pas tout à fait dans ses sentiments au reguardt des prétensions de la France, que cela ne refroidiroit point son amitié, dont elle me fait l'honneur de m'asseurer avec tant de bonté en sa lettre. Sire, je supplie V. M. de croire que je cognois très-bien le danger où est la Chrestienté et que je ne me flatte point de vaines espérances, mais je la supplie aussi de considérer que, si les Paiis-Bas Espagnol sont réduits à n'avoir que le nom d'un Paiis et point l'effect, ce qui ceroit asseurément si Luxembourg en estoi démembré, quel asseurance ou seureté nous polirions avoir sur une telle barrière , s'il ne voudroit mieus de n'en point avoir qu'une qui ne seroit point capable à la moindre résistance, puisqu'on tel cas il faudroit prendre d'autre mesures pour

LETTRE MDVII.

Le Prince â! Orange au Prince de Nassau- Dietz. Félicitaiion à l'occasion de son mariage.

A Dieren, ce 26 d'aoust 1683.

J'ay appris avec un extrême joye, Monsieur, par la lettre que vous m'avez fait l'honneur de m'escrire, la conclusion de vostre mariage avec la seconde fille de M"" le Prince d'Anhalt; personne au monde ne vous peut souhaiter de meilleur coeur que je faits toutte sorte de bénédiction et prospérité, et que vous puissiez estre aussi heureux que vous le pouriés désirer vous-mesme, et, si jamais vous trouvé que je suis capable d'y contribuer ou

1683. Août.]

en quoy que ce puisse estre pour vostre service, vous me trouvères prest à le faire avec beaucoup de plaisir, [ne désirant] rien plus que vostre amitié, et que nous puissions tousjours vivre en bonne intelligence, à quoy je contribuerés de mon costé tout ce qui sera en mon pouvoir, et à vous témoigner combien je suis vostre très-humble serviteur et cousin

G. PRINCE d'oranges.

J'espère que vous ne trouverez pas movais que je vous escris sans sérémonie, mais entre des parens si proches il n'en faut point, et je vous prie de faire de mesme, et vous m'obligerez fort.

LiETTRË MDTIII.

Le Prince d'Orange au Prince de Nassau- Dietz. Il r exhorte à engager les Etats de la Frise à consentir aux levées.

A la Haye, ce 15 de fev. 1684.

J'ay appris avec bien de la joye vostre heui:eux retour en Frize; je n'aurois pas manqué de vous avoir répondu plustost à lettres que vous aviés pris la peine de m'escrire sur vostre départ, mais comme vous déviés faire si peu de séjour à Dessau, j'ay cru qu'il valoit^ attendre vostre retour à Leeuwarden. J'espère présentement que vous pourrez effectuer que Mess, les Estats de Frise donnent aussi leur consentement au levées projettes de 6000 hommes, la province de Hollande y ayant aussi à la fin consenti ; et d'abordt que la Frise y aura donné son consentement, l'argent de la levée sera donné et les officiers y pourront d'abort travailler. Je vous prie de bien considéré l'importance de l'affaire, pour le bien de Testât et de toLitte la chrestienté, et d'avoir la bonté d'emploier vostre puissant crédit pour faire réucir promtement une chose dont asseurément dopent le maintien de la Répu- ' falloit.

— 585 — [1684. Février.

blicque. Se seroit que superflus et vous ennuier que d'alléguer tous les raisons pour vous faire voir l'importance de l'affaire, sachant que vous en estes entièrement persuadé; ainsi je me persuade que vous fairés tout vostre possible pour le faire réucir promtement, selon que vous me l'avez fait espérer, quand j'eu Flionneur de prendre congé de vous. Vous ne sauriés obligé per^sonne qui en sera plus recognoissant que moy, pour la part que je prens au bien de l'Estat, et tacherés à vous faire voir par les effets que je serés toutte ma vie , avec beaucoup de passion ,

vostre très-humble serviteur,

I^ËTTRË MDIX.

Le Duc cCYork au Prince d^ Orange. Il se réjouit de la prohabilité de la paix.

London, May 5 1684.

Since S'" Gabriell Silvius came over, I hâve discoursed with him of the condition of affairs where you are, and, tho I am very glad to see so much liklyhood of a peace and wish it above ail things, am very much troubled to find by him that, as to your owne concerns in Holland, they are not in so good a condition as I could wish they were. His Ma. has had the same account from S"" Gabriel, and has considred of it, and told me that by this post he would write his mind freely to you and give you the best ad vice he could, and, tho I bave not seen the letter, it not being writen when I came this morning from Windsor, yett I know what will be the purport of it, and so shall not repeat what is in it, and wish you will follow his Ma. advice, who, I am sure, advises you nothing but what is for your good, the good of our family, and very consistant with your honour, which were it otherwise, I am sure he would not propose to you. I could say much to you upon this subject, but shall

1684. Mai.] — 586 —

not do it now, hoping that what his Ma. has writen to you, will hâve a good efFect, and that you will consider what is the true interest of our family. As for newse, there is very little sturing hère, ail things going very well. Our last letters from Flanders tell us what you hâve heard before, how kindly the Duke of Monmouth was receved by the M. de Grane and I supose you know how the King has ordred his envoyé there to behave himself to the Duke of Monmouth. The Dutchesse is not well and in feare of miscarring. I long to know what resolutions will be taken where you are, and shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE MDX.

Le Duc âJYork au Prince. <£ Orange. Nouvellea.

London , May 13.

At Windsor I receved yours of the 15, by which I found you were then agoing to Vilvorde to take a revieu of your troups, and supose, by what you sayd, you will be back at the Hage before this; I beleve you will be sorry to heare my daughter the Princesse of Denmarks being delivred of a dead child; they say it had been dead some days before, so that 't is a great mercy it corne as it did, and that she is so well after it, and I thanke God she is in as good a condition as one can expect , and , if she continus so well , intend to returne back to Windsor to morrow in the evening. As for other sort of newse, on sonday last his Ma. declared at the Cabinetcouncell that he thought it for his service to recalle the Commission of the Admirality and, without making me Admirai, to lett me hâve the managing of it, he signing ail the commissions and the secretary of the Admiralty to foUow my directions in ail things. D' Oates is put in prison, not having been able amongst ail his

587 [1684. Mai.

fhanatike and seditious freinds to find a thousand pound baile to ans^wer a sute ^ I hâve begun against him , for scandalous words he spoke of me latly, for which he is to be tryd next terme. I hâve now no more to say, but still to continu my wishes for a peace, and assure you you shall still find me as kind to you as you can désire.

LETTRE IHDXI.

Le Duc d'York à la Princesse d'Orange. Il est fort méconteîit de l'accueil fait par le Prince au Duc de Monrnouth.

On sonday I had yours of 13, by which I find you had then had much raine, which we want very much hère, and no liklyhood of any, it being now very warme and the wind in the dry corner. I see it troubles you to know that exceptions are found as to the Princes behavior to the D. of Mon. ^ and Lord Brandon , and the excuse you make for him is not a good one, for, tho 't is true the D. of Mon. had his pardon , yett ail the world knows what an ill returne he made the King for it, which obliged his Ma. to banish him ^ his présence and tho , as the law is hère in England, he could not be procecuted for it , yett 't is certaine his behavior has been so offensive to his Ma. that realy 't was in my mind as bad as what he was pardond for; for can any thing be more insolent and more offensive then the D. of Mon. refusing to owne under his hand , when desired to do it by his Ma. , what he had declared to the King and myself , which in effect was to give both his Ma. and myself the ly, and to make the world beleve that the King would hâve obliged the D. of Mon. to hâve put that under his hand he had never sayd? Ail thèse things hâve been no secrets, and I am confident that at the very tyme I gave the Prince an account on as well as to you; but, if I did not, I am

' suit. ' Monrnouth. « Un moi semble omis.

1684. Juin.] — 588

very confident the Prince could not be ignorant of it. As for newse, we hâve little, ail things being very well hère; your sister intends so corne hether next weeke , so that I shall make but few journays to London this sommer. I hâve, now no more to say but to assure you y ou shall never find any altération in my kindnesse to you.

liETTRË 9IDX1I.

Le Duc dtYork au Prince d! Orange. Il aime à croire à ses bonnes intentions.

Windsor, June 12 1684.

On tusday last I receved yours of the 9 and 16, but not till the letters were gone from hence, so that'I could not answer them till now ; I cannot imagin how the first came to be so long on the way, and, tho I beleve what you say in that letter, that neither the D. of Mon. nor any of his faction can give you any ill impressions, yett the countenance you give them dos encourage them and their party, dos you no good, and lias an ill effect as to his Ma. service ; and , lett any of them say vs^hat they please, there is no trusting them, and the letters taken about S'' Tho. Armstrong, writen by the D. of Mon., shew he nether minded nor would remember the caracter he had given that v^^orthy assasinating knight (who to morrow is to receve his dôme at the Kings-bench, and to know when he is to be executed) and continud his kindnesse to him and employd him and recomended him. I am but just come from Hamptoncourt and the post is just ready to go, so that I can say no more to you upon this subject, nor any els, and must end, which I do with assuring you you shall still find me as kind to you as you can désire.

— 589 — [1685. Mars.

LETTRE mOXIlI.

Le Prince â! Orange au Prince de Nassau- Dietz. Il le remercie de la part quil prend au décès de Charles If.

A la Haye, ce 1 de mars 1685.

Je vous ay bien de l'obligation, Monsieur, de la bonté que vous avez de m'avoir fait l'honneur de me témoigné la part que vous preniés à la perte que j'ay fait du feu Roy de la Grande-Bretagne, et la joye que j'ay eu de voir cellui d'à présent monté au trône avec tant de tranquillité. Dieu veuille que son règne soit heureux, et que ce changement me donne occasion à vous pouvoir rendre plus de service, vous asseurant que cela me sera une satisfaction très-grande, et que je vous puisse faire voir, par les eflPects, combien je suis vostre très-humble serviteur,

G. PRINCE d'orange.