L.ETTRE WCCCXXVI

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince â! Orange. Le Duc de Monmonth froidement accueilli à Exeter et ailleurs.

Whitehall, 7 Sept. 1680.

The Duke of Monmouth returnd hither to his House at tvvo this afternoon , from a long ramble he had made in the West. After a great deal of art and pressing invitations, there were gott together about 700 horse and 800 foot, to attend his entring into the citty of Exceter, but among ail this Company there was not one justice of peace, deputy-lieutenant, or militia-officier ; neither mayor nor aldermen wayted on him, and certainly, to a great man that had sett out upon such an errand, there could not a more sensible mortification hâve happen'd then the cold réception he hath mett with everywhere this journey. His Majestie will be in town on thursday the 9. and will be gone to New-markett on thursday sennight the 16.

M"" Savile was sworn on thursday vice-chamberlain to the King.

His Highnesse.

LETTRE IfiCCCXimi.

Le Duc d^York au Prince d^ Orange. Nouvelles.

London, Sept. 10.

I should hâve answerd yours of the 10 the last post, by which I see you are agoing to Zell, but that I had so great a chase that it was very late before I came home and the post was gone; we came yesterday to this place and his Ma. continus his resolution of going to Newmarket on thursday next, but I beleeve I shall hardly go till the monday following, having much businesse upon my hands, being to prépare to be attaqued so sone as

[1680. Septembre.

the Parliament sitts. I hâve not tyme to say more, but shall by my next. As for newse , Lord Feversham is made chamberland to her Ma. and Lord Lumley master of the horse to her. I must end and shall do it with assuring you you*^ shall always find me very kind to you. For my Sonne the Prince of Orange.

LiETTRE IfiCCCXXTIlI.

Le Duc d^Albemarle au Prince cC Orange. Il désire le commandement de la Brigade anglaise.

Albemarle House, Sept, the 13, 1680.

May it please your Highnes, Upon the death of the earle of Ossory, whose losse is justly lamented by ail men living, I did immediately apply myselve to the King my master for his leave and recommendation to accompany my humble desires to your Highnesses to succeide that wortliy person in the command which he soe deservedly held during his life under your Highnes, in the service of the States-generall ; where of I am still very ambitions, but, finding his Maj. then preingaged and had recommended another, the earle of Dumbarton, I desisted from troubling your Highnes concerning that affayre, till this présent, which I now take the boldnes to doe, upon information that that noble Lord is not like to succeed in his pretensions. I hâve therefore renewed my most humbles suplication to his Maj. for his leave to addresse myselve ^to your Highnes, which he hath granted, with his gracions promise of his letters of recommendation , as soone as his [Maj. receives a positive answer concerning his former recommandation about the earle of Dumbarton. Having obtained this permission , I would not stay one minute longer from presenting my duty and service to your Highnes, with this assurance, that, next to my owne King and master, I am most désirons, before ail other Princes in

1680. Septembre.] — 420 —

the world, to serve your Higlines and the States-generall , as I thinck myselve obliged, as a true English man, to the common intrest and religion of both our nations, which I hope will be now soe firraely united togeather, that it shall ne ver more be in the power of our ennemys to separate. I shall not présume to adde any more at présent, only further to assure your Highnes, if you are pleased to thinck me worthy of being honored with this imployment, I shall with ail gratitude immaginable reçoive the same, and be ever obedient to ail your commands and devoted to your service , with ail fidellity and reall affection, as becommes, may it please your Highnes,

your Highnes most humble, most faithfull and most obedient servant,

ALBEMABLE.

luKTTRE MCCCXXIX.

Le Duc et York au Prince â! Orange. On se prépare à attaquer le Duc devant le Parlement.

Newmarkett, Sept. 19.

I had 80 much businesse upon my hands the last postday when I was at London , that I could not write by it; for from severall hands I am informed that those of the Lord Shaftsburys and the D. of Monmouths party do positivly intend to impeche me, so sone as the Parliament sitts, so that you cannot wonder if I had businesse enough upon my hands, whilst I was in towne, and shall hâve enough to do when I returne thether, for which there is yett no day sett, but I hope we shall not stay so long as usual ; on wensday or thursday their Maj. and ail of us go to Euston ; there being yett no races for ail this next weeke, this place affords no other newse, so that I hâve no more to say but that you shall never find any altération in my kindnesse to you.

— 421 — [1680. Septembre.

LiETTRE M€€€XXX.

Le Duc (ÏYork à la Princesse d'Orange. Passage du Duc de Monmouth à Oxford.

Euston, Sept. 23.

We came hether last night from Newmarckett and are to returne back thether to morrow, but when to London I do not know. — It bas been the finest weatber I bave ever seene at tbis tyme of yeare, ever since we came into tbe country , tbere having not been one drop of raine , but calme cleer weatber, wbicb bas been very good weatber fur tbe Ladys, but not for tbe sportmen, it being so very dry. As for newse, you may easily beleve tbis place affords none, but from Oxford I beare tbe D. of Monmoutb bas been tbere and treated in an extraordinary manner by tbe Major, but tbe TJniversity took no notice of bim, and, as be went tbrougb the streets, tbe rabbel cryed „a Monmoutb, no York, no Bisbop, no Clergy , no University ," and at diner, were ^ be was treated by tbe Major, beside tbeir [neval] popular bealtbs, tbey dranke anotber, wbicb was „ confusion to tbe Yice-Cbanceler and Bisbop of Oxford;" at ail wbicb bis Ma. is very much displeased. I bad forgott on ^ particular more , wbicb was tbat some cryd out for an élective King. I send tbis letter by Col. Wesley, who gos straigbt from hence to Harwicb and so over by tbe pacquetboot, so tbat be carrys my letter, insteed of tbe post; pray do bim good offices witb tbe Prince, if occasion be, and be assured I sball always be very kind to you.

LETTRE MCCCXXXI.

Le Duc dYork au Prince d Orange. Le Roi disposé à soutenir le Duc contre ses ennemis.

Newmarkett, Octob. 3.

By tbe last post I receved y ours of tbe 27 of last

^ where. ^ one.

1680. Octobre] — 422 —

month from Zell , by which I find you are well pleased with 3''our voyage, and that you had receved some of my letters, in which I gave you an account of what was designd against me; they continu their resolutions and, tho they prétend only against me, their reale désigne is to destroy the monarky ' and ail our family, which will sone be seen. His Ma., notwithstanding ail their endeavors, continus very firme to me, and yett, if he will be résolut and shew favor to his old friends, ail will do well, and beleve me none but the true Church of England-men can or will suport him and our family; ail the Phanatical discenters being for a commonwealth. The returne for London is put off till saturday next, so that there will be but little tyme left to prépare things before the meetting of the Parliament. This place affords but little newse, 80 that I shall say no more but that you shall always find me the same to you.

LETTRE 19ICCCXXXII.

M. Sidney au Prince cH Orange. Il faut absolument, que le Roi préfère aux intérêts du Duc d' York ceux de la Nation.

Oct. 7 1680.

I thinke it is very fitt your Highnesse should know some particulars of our présent affaires, and ail the letters being opened, especially those what are writt into Holland, I hâve now sent a man of my owne, purposely to deliver this to you, or else to putt itt into such hands, as shall convey it safe to you. The chiefe thing that I am to informe you of, is what concerns the Duke, who hath of late so exasperated the people that they can scarce heare his name with patience; the King hath begun to perceive it thèse three months, and every day more and more perswaded, that it is impossible to agrée with his Parliament and stick to his brother; he hath lately

« niouarchy.

[1680. Octobre.

asked tlie opinion of some of his Councell and severall others, that he thought well afFected to him, what was best for him to doe , and everj body agreed in the whole matter, which is that he must agrée with his Parliament; that, if he should dissolve it att this time, it would be certaine destruction to himself and his whole family, but the conclusion of ail was that it coiild not be done, without hurting with the Duke; the King fînds this advice is given to him by men that are affectionate to him and the Gouvernement, and some that ever been in the Dukes interest, but now find there is no remedy, and that no good can be done, as long as he is hère. The King comes to towne a saturday and in a few day's will aske the advice of his Councell, what he ought to doe; most of the great officiers hâve already deliverd their opinion in private, and I beleeve (unlesse it be mylord Clarendon and M*" Hide) there ' not a man in the Councell that dares advice the King to disolve the Parliament to save the Duke ; the rich sober men of the nation désire to be quiet and préserve the Gouvernement; the popish and commonwealth-party joyne in desiring a confusion , which will certainely follow a dissolution. The Duke of Monmouth, mylord Shafsbury, mylord Russell, and severall others, doe undertake to doe great matters for the King, if he will part with the Duke, and I beleeve there may be a good session, if that be, though the people are very angry att this time. The Duke of Monmouth hath been with the King, but his Majesty was not att ail satisfied with him, for he did not make those submissions the King expected from him; this is a great secreet; if the Duke knew it, he would be in worse humour then he is , and he is ^now in worse then ever I saw him; his servants begin to suspect somthing and are extreamly dejected , the Dutchesse is very melancholly, but whether it proceeds from the appréhensions of making another journey or seing the Duke so publikely owne M" Sydley, I can not tell ; she

^ is semble omis.

1680. Octobre.] — 424 —

cornes to towne to night, the Queen came last night and hath been ail this day ill of a feavour. The Duke of Monmouth hath more crédit in the countrey then one can immagine and, as long as he is kept out of the Court, it will encrease dayly and, if the King should dissolve the Parliament to save the Duke, it would grow to that height there would be no stopping it; this is apparent to every body and makes them wonder that the Duke will not chuse quietly to retire, rather then put the King upon those counsells that would be destructive to the King, to himself and to the Monarchy. What the Councell will advice, when the King calls them together, I can not yet tell, but I immagine they will thinke fitt to hâve the Duke remooved from the Kings présence before the sitting of the Parhament. This is the best account I can give you of our affaires, and I must add one thing more, which your Highnesse ought to know, and that is that there is not one that I hâve talked to of this businesse, that hath not your Highnesse always in their thoughts, and see no other way of preserving your right of keeping this nation from ruine and of securing the liberty of Europe, but the Kings complying with his people in what they shall désire concerning the Duke. This is a matter of the greatest importance to the whole world, and enough for one letter, but I will add a few words in my owne concerne. The night before I came from Newmarket, mylord Sunderland and M' Godolphin spoke to the King about the command of the English troupes in HoUand ; he expressed great kindnesse to me, and said he had rather hâve me att the head of them then any man in England , that he would immediately give me his recommendation, but that the Duke of Albermarle pretended to hâve a promise from your Highnesse, and had desired him not to engage till your answer was come back; they convinced the King how necessary it was for the good of the troupes to hâve a man over them, that they beleeved the States would be brouffht to consent to me rather then a

— 425 — [1680. Octobre.

stranger, that had so many imployments, and besides they told liim that they could not beleeve your Highnesse was under any engagements to him. This discourse eontinued a good while and att last ended with this conclusion, that, if your Highnesse will write to the King to let him know that it will be very difficult to bring the States to consent to any body, but that it is certaine they will never hâve one that can not attend it*; this is enough to say in ones owne businesse, the rest I will leave to your kindnesse, which I shall ever rely upon, and use my uttermost endeavours to deserve it.

LETTRE MCeCXXXIII.

Lord Sunderland au Prince â! Orange^ Il recommande M. Sidney pour être chef de la Brigade angloise.

Whitehall, Octobre the 8. M*" Sydney, I am sure, will write ail the publicke news of this place to jour Highnesse, and therefore it is needlesse for me to doe it; but I must take the liberty to let you know that, when mylord Dunbarton first engaged the King and the Duke to presse your Highnesse that he might hâve the command of the Kings subjects in the service of the States, I desired them both that, if that could not be, upon the account of his being a papist, that they would not concerne themselves for any but M*" Sydney. They both promised they would not, since which the D. of Albermarle has been extreamely earnest with the King to recommend him, or at least to be passive in the case. The King told him he thought a man of his quality and fortune, and who had so many employements , could not possibly attend such a command abroade , but he still desires to hâve it , and I doubt not but he will solicite it with greate care ; but , since it is certaine he can not spare time enough for such a post in another

^ Par discrétion la phrase demeure inachevée.

1680. Octobre] — 42 G —

countrey, I liope your Highnesse will favour M'^ Sydney, who, I am sure, has so much zeale for your service that I thinke that will raake him fitter then any other man for such an employement, and, if your Highnesse will please to excuse the admitting the D. of Albermarle and recommend M"" Sydney, I beleive every body will be satisfyed by the reason of the King. I beg you will be pleased to pardon this liberty I take, and that you will be assured that I am , with ail respect,

your Highnesses most faithfull, most humble

STJNDEELAND.