L.ETTRE MCCLXXIV

Sir W. Temple au Prince d'Orange. La prorogation du Parlement semble difficile à concilier avec les apparences d^une attitude plus énergique envers la France.

Jan. 2, 1679—80.

The honor and the kindenesse of your Highnesses letter of the 26 past was too great and too sensible not to hâve

^ Diderik van Leeuwen van Leyden, ambassadeur extraordinaire en Angleterre. * embassador.

been sooner ackiioledged , but that I was in the country when it arrived , vvhere I stayed a weeke or ten days , and made rayselfe beleeve your Highnesse would not bee content to receave a letter from so idle a place. I am very glad you were pleased with that change I made in my resolution upon your Highnesses commands, which indeed nothing else could hâve deferrd , and shall not pursue it before I give you a further account of it, either this way or by M' Sidney , if hee cornes over and returns , as hee intended when hee was last heere. Hee will hâve told you how ill success I mett with upon it in my private concerns and how ill in the publique. I wish this last touched raee as little as the other, though both together may bee arguments that I had reason in what I resolvd. For the adviess your Highnesse mentions from France, of our treatys with that crowne , I know nothing of them and beleeve the same of some others at courte , that know a great deale more of what passes there then I doe, but ail our paces of late looke so inconsisting one with another, that I cannot prétende to judge of them, nor could ever reconcile our endeavors to hinder the french alliance in Rolland, with our proroguing the Parliment, just at the time it was pursuing. Since the prorogation was declared, I hâve never seen the King, nor any of his ministers, till tuesday last. And your Highnesse will know the minde they are in at présent, by the express sent away last night to M"" Sidney; how long that may last, God knows; but such a perpetuall fluctuation as I hâve mett with in our councels is what I am not able to deale with. The Bosors steddy steddy will come, when Mad"* Brederodes prophecy is fullfilled, but till then I doe not expect it. M"" Hide came to mee yesterday and, after much discourse of our affaires both at home and abrood, profest to agrée most perfectly with my opinions upon them, and at his going tooke occasion to say that hee did not knowe how hee may hâve been represented to your Highnesse of late, especially since the Dukes coming

— 377 — [1680. Janvier.

over, as différent from what hee had been both to your Highnesse and the publique affairs, when wee were last together in Holland, but he desired wel upon occasion that I would assure you hee was still the same in both that hee had been then. I thinke it ware not amiss if your Highnesse, in your next letter to mee, would please to take some notice of this compliment and assurance from him, and command mee to say upon it what you shall thinke fîtt.

I cannot forget to wish your Highnesse a happy new yeare, and as many more and with as much honor, health and happyness as you can wish yourself My poore family make the same wishes and prayers and thinks themselves too much honord by your Highnesses remembring them. While I remember any thing, I shall never forgett that dévotion and truth wherewith I hâve been so long, and shall be alwaies, your Highnesses most obedient and most humble servant.

I^STTRE WCCL.XXV.

Sir W. Temple au Prince cC Orange, Le Roi résolu de soutenir les Etats- Généraux contre la France; chances âun renouvellement de la Triple Alliance.

London Jan. 6.

I dit not thinke to give your Highnesse anothor trouble so soon after my last, but that I beleeved you would not bee displeasd to know that, upon a long discourse this morning in private with his Majesty , hee seemed so resolute in supporting your Highnesse and the States in the refusall of the alliance with France, that I was, I confess, surprised to finde it and, not to trouble your Highnesse too long , hee at last commanded mee (because hee said hee was sure they would beleeve mee sooner then another) to goe first to the Dutch Amb"" and then write to some of my friends in Holland, to assure them that,

1680. Janvier.] — 378 —

in case France should attaque thera , as they seem to threaten upon this occasion , his Majesty would immediatly déclare a warr against France in their defence, and at the same time call his Parliament, who hee was confident would not leave him upon such an occasion , but however hee would curr ^ that and any other venture rather then not support the States, and that no other considération should hinder him from calling his Parlement upon it. Hee desired likewise to see the Dutch Amb"" himself, as soon as hee could , that hee might say the same thing to him with his owne mouth, which I will présume is done, for Mons"^ V. Lewen promised mee that hee would goe to him before noone.

The two grounds upon which his Majesty seems to stand so firme in this resolution, is, first that hee does not beleeve France will open a warr in which they are sure his Majesty will enter, considering how farr that may goe to drawe in the rest of Christendome, as well as to ruine their great designs at [sea] and, secondly, hee beleeves that , if such a thing should happen , it would bee.the best way to rally us ail at home, which are both points your Highnesse will beleeve not ill grounded. Besides this hee is a good deal peekt ' at mon"" Barillons late letter into Holland and says both the haughtyness and insincereness of the French dealings are not to bee boren ' and will at one time or other bring an old house about their heads. — I hâve desired Mons*" v. Lewen not to mention my name to any but the pens^ both because none of the ministers heere know any thing of my parte in this matter, and because I désire to see how it will last, before I appear in it. I désire your Highnesse will lett mee know your opinion whether , in case Sueden would bee willing to renewe the Triple Alliance , upon account ofthis peace, as they made it upon account of the last, your Highnesse thinke the States would corne into it; which I aske because I know the constitutions there, that make

' curry. ' piqued. ^ born.

— 379 — [1680. Janvier.

one towne able to hinder any new treaty, and, if such a thing as this bee done, it must bee tout dhm coup, as the last was, and without taking winde. 1 hâve some reason to beleeve Sueden would bee glad to doe some such thing, as soon as they are in possession of Breraen and in the view both of Denmarks, Brandenborgh and Lunenborghs falHng into it, upon the score of coramon safety; for, if any such measure with Sueden should drive any of the others to France, it might bee an ill bargaine. I humbly aske yours Highnesse pardon and am soe, with constant dévotion and truth, your Highnesses most obedient and most humble servant.

LiËTTRE MCCLXXVI.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d^ Orange. Le bon accord du Prince avec le Roi est extrêmement désirable.

The King having writ to your Highnesse and, as I beleeve, very fully, it makes it absolutely unnecessary for me to say any thing at ail, but onely to acknowledge the honour of your letter to me of the 15 of January, which I showed his Majesty and to which, what he now writes to your Highnesse, is an answer. I am very confident he will never change from being extreamely kinde to y ou and infinitely concerned for the States , thinking his owns safety dépends on theires. I hope you will alwayes be able to défend each other, and that no artifice of your ennemys will ever succède, neither at home nor abroade. As long as your interests are united and your affections, I beleeve no power can doe you hurt, and that I hope will be for ever. I am , with ail respect , Sir ! your Highnesses most faithfull, most humble and most obedient servant

SUNDERLAND

16 January 1680.

1680. Janvier.] — 380 —

liETTRË MCCLXXVII.

Sir W, Temple au Prince d^ Orange. Le Roi incline à entrer dans une alliance contre la France.

London, January 23, 79.

Sinee my last I hâve had the honor of two from your Highnesse, of the 16 and 23, which I am sure afFected mee extreamly, both in what concernd the posture of publique aifairs on that side and your owne personage upon in particular. I know nothing more to bee resolved by the greatest and best Prince upon such an occasion then what you say in your first, and nothing in my opinion of better sensé and righter judgement then what plan your Highnesse proposes in your last. I showd it his Majesty, who has himself given you , I hope , such assurances as may satisfye you of his présent resolutions, and, as to the measures you propose with other princes, hee commanded mee to communicate the letter to mylord Sunderlànd and M^ Hyde, and consider together what was to bee done upon them. This I hâve done since , and finde them, as well as his Majesty, of an opinion that those with Sueden, Denmarke and the Dukes of Brandenburgh and Lunenburgh ought to bee considerd of as soon as can bee , and to that purpose that the draught of a treaty of commerce should bee made with Sueden, to the ende that a défensive league may at the same time bee concluded with them, either by a minister of the Kings, who is going thither, or else with the Suedis Amb"", who is upon his way hither. For the rest, that copys may bee procured of the severall treatys which the States hâve with Denmarke, Brandenburgh and Lunenburgh, 80 as it may bee considerd how they may agrée with our constitutions; that which your Highnesse proposes, of having them upon the same foote with those of the States, seeming to bee very reasonable, both as to the effect and the appearances of our union. For that with

— 381 — [1680. Janvier.

Spaine and the Emperor, they seeme to thinke thera matters of more considération then the others, as drawing into greater and remoter conséquences, and rather to bee reserved till more bee seen of the french designs and which way they are like to turne, upon what has happend in Holland, which has, I confess, surprised mee more then it could doe your Highnesse , which way soever I consider it. God Almighty préserve your health and encrease the honor you hâve gained upon this occasion , and which I am sure you will deserve upon ail others, by so great prudence and justice in the choyce of your ends and so great resolution and steddyness in the pursuit of them. I am, and shall bee soe, with the same perfect dévotion and truth, your Highnesses most obedient and most humble servant.

LETTRE lfI€€L.XJiCTIII.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d^ Orange. Même sujet.

The King has commanded me to let your H. know that he has writ to the King of Denmarke and to the Elector of Brandenbourg, to désire they will not make any new alliances, till they hâve receaved some propositions he intends to oflPer to them , towards the securing of the peace of Europe , which seemes to be in danger , by what has passed lately at the Hague, and which ought to be preserved by himselfe, those Princes, and the States, and therefore they should take common measures to that end. His Majesty is now sending an envoyé into Denmarke and desires to know }our Highnesses opinion, concerning what relates to the Elector of Brandebourg and to the Princes of Lunebourg; there is an ambassadour coming hither from Sweeden and the King is sending one thither. This his Majesty commanded me to Write to your Highnes, by which you will see how ca-

J680. Janvier.] ^^2

refull he is of doing ail things which are necessary to the security of the peace, or to the better supporting a warre. I am , with greate respect and submission , Sir ! your Highnesses

most faithfull, most humble and most obedient servant,

SUNDERLAND

Januarij 30.

LETTRE MCCLXXIX.

Le Duc (ïYork au Prince d! Orange. Le Duc rappelé à Londres.

Edenburgh, Jan. 31.

I hâve receved yours of the 23 and by this tyme you know what his Ma. sayd when he prorogued the parliament, and by it will see the care he takes of yours and the Stats ^ concerns ; you will hâve heard at the same tyme of my being sent for by his Ma. , and when I ara with him, you may be sure I shall always do my part that 3^ou may be suported ; the yachts are not yett come and , had the wind continud faire for them, as it was till this morning, they might hâve been hère this day, but now the wind is come up northerly and blows hard, so that they will be obliged to put in to some of the ports in the North of England. So sone as they come, I shall stay no longer then for a faire wind; ail things are very quiet hère, and I hope shall find them so at London; you shall heare again frome me before I go, and be assured that, where so ever I am, I shall be as kind to you as you can désire.

For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

» States.

— 383 [ifiSO. Février.

LiETTRE MCCLXXX.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d'Orange. Le Roi convaincu qu'oîi doit sauvegarder la Flandre.

I hâve receaved the honour of your Highnesses letter of the 1 of February and deliverd that you writ to the King , who is more inclined then I can expresse to doe ail things which he thinkes will conduce to the good of the two nations; he has very little opinion of the power of Spaine , even to contribute to its owne defence, but it is certaine that he reckons it important to his préservation to take care of that part of Flanders which is subject to Spaine. By degrees I doubt not but his Maj. will make ail the alliances your Highnesse desires and it is so much my opinion that he ought to doe it, that nothing shall be left undone on my part, to contribute towards it. I will now give you no farther trouble, but must assure you that you may dépend intirely on the good intentions of the King, which I thinke are un altérable. I am , with greate respect, your Highnesses

Feb. 3.

lettre: mcclxxxi.

Le Duc d' York au Prince d^ Orange. Arrivée à Londres.

London , Febr. 24.

I am just now come heather and hâve receved yours bij S"" G. Silvius, but hâve not had tyme to speake with him yett , as you may eassily immagin , having had so much Company with me ; by the next post you shall hear againe from me, and be assured I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

1680. Février.] — 384 —

LETTRE nCCljXXXU.

Le Duc dtYork au Prince cV Orange. Nécessité ctune alliance du Roi avec les États- Généraux.

London Eeb. 27.

I hâve now discourced at large with Sir G. Silvius and since with M. Van Leewen, and you may be sure will always do my part that there may be a good and firme alliance bettwene his Ma. and the States, being persuaded nothing but that can secure both , and you see ail things are a doing in our side to that end, and I am not for altring those measurs nor any others his Ma. has taken; for nothing but stedynesse can secure us, and I make no doubt but affairs hère will mend every day, and then his Ma. will be more considered abroad then he is. I would say more, but realy hâve not tyme; for till now I could not Write and it is now so late that I feare my letter should not come tyme enough, and therfore must end, and that with assuring you that I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

LETTRE 9ICCLXXXIII.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d^ Orange. Le Roi et le Duc d^York persistent dans leurs bonnes résolutions.

Monsieur van Lewen having given your H. an account of the Kings readynesse to enter into engagements with Spaine and the Emperor suitable to those the States hâve, and that nothing is wanting but powers from those Princes , you can not but be satisfyed with the posture of affaires heere. I never saw the King more resolved of any thing then he is to pursue the raeasures he has lately taken, thinking it the onely way to préserve the peace, or to be in a good condition te make warre. In short,

385 — [1080. Février.

Sir, if you were lieere, you would be satisfyed. The Duke is not onely ready to comply with tlie King, but is convinced himselve. Every thing is calme and quiet, beyond what could be expected. The Kings steadynesse in some things and care in others has had a very good efFect, and I doubt not but he will cojitinue both. I am very confident his affaires will mend every day. Wee take it now to be the part of the Empereurs and the King of Spaines ministers to make ail the remaining steps to bring this matter to a conclusion, which I hope your H. will further, as much as you can, and also use your intrest at the courts of Denmarke, Brandenbourg and Lunenbourg, that the Kings ministers may succeedein theire negotiations. I am, with greate respect, your Highnesses inost faithfull, most humble and most obedient servant,

SUNDERLAND

Feb. the 27.

LiETTRE ]?I€:CLXXXIV.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d^ Orange. Salutations,

London, March 1.

I would not lett this bearer S'' Rob. Southwell, whom his Ma. sends to the Elector of Brandenburg, go without writing to you by him, he taking Holland in his way; lyou will hâve an account from him of lus businesse and ^of ail things hère , so that I need say no more , but that •T hope things will mend every day, and you may be sure T shall always be very kind to you. For mv Sonno the Prince of Orange.

LUTTRIi: MCCIiXXXV.

Lord Siinderland au Prince â Orange. Les affaires s'améliorent.

I am commanded by the King to excuse him to your V. " 25

1680. Mars.] — 386 —

Highnesse that he does not write to you by Mylord Bodwyn. He and S"" Robert Soutwell hâve orders to communicate ail theire instructions to your Highnesse and what you shall thinke fit to the Pensioner; so that I need not informe you of any thing that relates to them. There is no change heere, since I wrot last, but for the better. I hope it will continue. So I am, with greate truth and respect, your Highnesses

SUNDERLAND

March the 1.

LETTRE IWtCCIiXXXVI.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d^ Orange. Le Roi et le Prince doivent rester unis.

Newmarkett, March the 6.

I hâve receaved the letter your Highnesse was pleased to Write to me, with ail the respect I am capable of, and with ail the joy so greate a favour can give to any man, which , if I can not deserve , I know at least how to value, and therefore shall endeavour, to the utterraost of my power, not wholly to be unworthy of it. The King writing to your Highnesse himselfe, it would be to very little purpose, if I should offer to say any thing to you of his Maj' sence ^ of affaires , by which ail who hâve the honour to serve him must ever be directed. I will onely say that I hope he and you will understand your interests so as to be alwayes united, to the confusion of your ennemys and the satisfaction off ail your true servants, which is a title no men alive can deserve better then your Highnesses

most faithfull , most humble and most obedient servant

SUNDEULAND.

o87 — [1680. Mai-3.