L.ETTRE IttCCCXXXti

M. Sidney au Prince (T Orange. fJ exclusion du Duc (ï York sera demandée par le Parlement

Oct. the 19 1680.

On my last I gave you an account of as much as I knew of what was done a wenesday att Councell. Since that the King hath reflected upon the advices that were given him , and upon saturday called an extraordinary Councell, which sate till ten a clock att night; what was done there is kept very secret, but one may guesse somthing by the conséquences; for a sunday in the evening the King told the Duke that it was absolutely necessary for him to retire, and the King leaving it to him whither he would goe, he hath chose to goe into Scotland, and to morrow he begins his voyage; he goes by sea and there are two ships and two yachts in the river ready to attend him, the Dutchesse résolves to goe with him, thougli she be att this time much indisposed in her health. There are severall members of Parliament already come to towne, and we heare they will be well inclin'd to an union; there is but one thing that is likely to make a disagreement , and that is, the House of commons insisting upon excludiiig tlie Duke, which T bcleove tliey will doe, and the

— 431 — [1680. Octobre.

King does résolve not to consent to it ; ail other matters , I thinke, may be composed without any great difficulty; people begin to be something sensible of theîr danger, and will not, I hope, run into any extravagancies. This morning the Count de Thuin arrives , and is to hâve his audience of the King this evening. I intend to . be going from hence about to morrow sevennight , if the King does not stop me about the Parliament businesse. I hâve made severall firme to your interest, who v^^ill give démonstrations of it, upon ail occasions; in this weeke I shall be able to doe yet a good deale more, and then I thinke it will be for the Kings service, and for yours, for me to be att the Hague; there are severall things that are fitt for you to know, which I must tell you by word of mouth, for they are not to be writt; ail that I will tell you now is that there is not a man in the world that will serve you with more affection and fidelity then I will doe, ail the days of my life.

liETTRE MCCCXL.

M. Sidney au Prince dC Orange, Départ du Duc d^Yorh pour rÉcosse.

Oct. the '22. 1680. A wenesday morning , between eight and nine, the Duke left Whitehall ; the Dutchesse (though she were in ail ill condition for such a bussinesse) went with him; the King conducted him as farre as Greenwich in his barge ; from thence he went in a yacht as farre as the Hope, where two men of warre attended him. Ail yesterday was spent in placing their goods, and this morning, att one a clock, they set sayle with a faire wind. The Duke does not goe to Edinburg, but to a house of the Chancellours, till he knows how he shall be received; for he thinks it very likely that it may not be so well as it

Iwas last yeare. Every body is att présent in very good

1680. Octobre.] — 432 —

humour and it is certainly in the Kings power to keep them so; yesterday the Parliament met and the King made a speech to them, which was well liked; afterwards the Gommons return'd to their house and chose their speaker, who is one M"" Williams, a lawier; he is an able man and hath a good réputation; to day they presented him to the King and he accepted of him ; to morrow and next day will be imploy'd in taking the oaths, and a monday I beleeve wee shall fall upon businesse. Sir W. Temple , came to towne this evening and desired me to convey the inclosed to you. I am, and ever will be, to the uttermost of ray power, intirely devoted to you.

LETTRE nCCCXIA.

Le Duc d^York au Prince cC Orange. Arrivée en Ecosse.

Edenburgh, Oct. 30.

I landed tusday last at a towne called Kirkaldy in Fife, and went that night to Lesley, a house of the lord Chanclers, and stayd there till yesterday, to give tyme to this house to be furnished for me , and came hère last night, where I was as well receved, as I possibly could désire, notwithstanding ail thatt bas been do and sayd against me in England. I long to heare which way they will attaque in the house of Gommons , which I hâve reason enough to beleve will be to the purpose, since I hâve been so severly used and so unhandsomly left by some of those I most relyd on; which is ail I hâve tyme to say now, but that, in what condition so ever I am, you shall allways find me very kind to you.

For my Soiuie the Prince of Orange.

433 — [lOSO. Octobre.

LETTRE MCCCXLII.

Sir William Temple au Prince cf Orange. M^ Sidney serait un excellent chef de la Brigade anglaise.

London, Oct. 31 1680.

I will not trouble your Highnesse with any long letters by M"" Sydney, who will bee able to give you a better account of the posture hee leaves us in heere then any letters can doe, and to him I shall wholly referr your Highnesse, for ail the information you can receave from hence. One pointe I shall onely trouble you in, becaus I know hee will nott doe it, which is the great désire I hâve, since mylord Ossorys death, to see the care of those régiments fall to M"" Sydneys share , who, for my owne parte , I beleeve would give a very good account of them to the States , and I know you doe not doubt hee would give the best account hee could of them to your Highnesse upon ail occasions. Whether this may bee done by giving him the command of them, though without any présent pay, or by giving him the régiment onely that is vacant at this time, upon the pretence that the States will not hâve a generall officer among them in time of peace, will I thinke bee indiffèrent; at least, I am sure it will bee so to mee, who in this matter thinke of your Highnesses interests and not of his. But in this last case the regard I hâve to yours will not bee answerd, unies hee may bee considerd as first colonell, and so hâve the chiefe care of ail the régiments devolved upon him. The reasons I hâve to concerne myself in this matter are such as I am sure your Highnesse would approve of, and as I desired him to give you some touch of last yeare, when hee was like to hâve no concernment in it. — Another thing, which I thinke were for your Highnesses service at this time, were to hâve an order past that no catholique officiers should bee imployd in those régiments, and that this might bee done with some esclat; for your Highnesse can not tell how m any discourses hâve been V. 28

1680. Octobre.]

raysed heer ' to your disadvantage upon that occasion. I suppose those officers may bee provided for in other of your troops, if they deserve it, and thereby the three régiments which are called English, may bee kept so intirely, whereas they are heer reported to bee halfe of them Irish , a worde that passes very ill heere at this time. I am in great impatience to heare of your Highnesses safe and happy returne from so long a journey, wherein nofte can bee more concerned , nor with more dévotion and truth then I am ever your Highnesses most obedient and most faithfull humble servant.

LETTRE neCCXlAlT.

M. van Leyden de Leeuwen au Prince d^ Orange. Il désire savoir comment agir touchant V exclusion du Duc d'York.

Westminster, ce 1 novemb. 1680.

Monseigneur. Je ne puis m'empescher de tesmoigner à V. A. la peine où me mettent les disputes que je prévois inévitablement pour TafFaire de la succession; car, encore que l'impétuosité avec laquelle le Duc de Monmouth et les siens travaillent pour la séclusion de monseigneur le Duc de Yorck, rende plus manifeste et plus indisputable le droict de ce Prince, au préjudice de ce Duc, qui, s'il estoit légitime (comme dans la ville de Londres plusieurs personnes parlent encore hautement du mariage de la mère de ce Duc avec le Roy), auroit la première prétention sur la couronne, et en ce cas on ne seroit point obligé à entrer dans tous les aigreurs où la dispute de la religion de S. A. R. entraînera apparemment le Roi et son Parlement; si esse* que, comme on ne sçait pas quel événement pourroit avoir cette importante affaire, et si d'aventure le Roy consentiroit à la séclusion de son frère, ou si on met sur le tapis que,

' hère. ■ est-ce.

— 435 — [1680. Novembre.

durant la royauté d'un Prince, on establit un protecteur do la religion protestante dans l'Angleterre, ou quelque autre expédiant de cette nature, dans lequel V. A. pourroit avoir grand intérest; je supplie V. A. de «le vouloir donner des ordres suivant lesquels je me régleré, ou bien d'envoyer ici quelque personne mieux esclairée que je ne suis, pour avoir le soin nécessaire que rien ne passe icy au préjudice de V. A. Je n'escris pas cecy parceque jusques à présent j'appréhende quelque chose de semblable, ou que j'y voye les humeurs disposées, mais. Monseigneur, les mouvements de cette nation sont souvent extrêmement brusques , et je vois visiblement que la France n'appréhende rien à l'égal de voir V. A. un jour estably sur le thrône de l'Angleterre, et qu'elle fera des efforts extraordinaires pour empescher cela. V. A. aura la bonté de me pardonner si j'entre dans une affaire sur laquelle elle ne m'a rien commandée; c'est par un mouvement-de zèle et de respect que je le fais, et pour tesmoigner à Y. A. que je suis autant que je dois. Monseigneur ,

de V. A. très-humble et très-obéissant serviteur ,

D. V. LEYDEN DE LEEUWEN.

LETTRE MCCCXL.IV.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d^ Orange. Situation critique.

M'' Sydney will give your Highnesse so exact an account of ail things heere that I will say nothing of the State of our affaires, but onely that it is such as requires greate helpe, and I know nobody can give any but you yourselfe , ■ either to those at home or abroad. Wee can not make one step farther and every thing is at présent so loose, both in the Court and without it, that ail will breake to peices \ if greate care be not taken by some

1 pièces.

1R80. Novembre.] — 436 —

powerfull remedy, and that very quickly. M"" Sydney knows the opinion of many who wish the publicke good and who are very much your Highnesses servants , among whom none is with so much respect and zeale as I ain your Highnesses most faithfull and most obedient humble servant

SUNDERLAND

Whitehall, Novemb. the 1 1680.

LETTRE WCCCXLV.

M. Godolphin an Prince d^ Orange. Il Ini conseille de venir en Angleterre,

Nov. the 1 1680.

I think it will bee to no great purpose to trouble your Highnesse with many particulars by this bearer; who is soe very well able to informe you of every thing that passes hère, and every the least circumstance belonging to itt ; and therefore I will only say that whatsoever he shall say to your Highnesse, concerning your coming over, has been very much considered by severall of us, that hâve mett together about it , and hâve been always of one mind , that nothing in the world can contribute soe much to a perfect entire settlement of the whole kingdome and establishment of the Kings authority as your Highnesses coming over at this time, while the Parliament is sitting, and, as it is certainly a thing that would bee of very great advantage to the Kings affayres , soe I am of opinion it is absolutely necessary to the supporting of your owne particular interests hère, which M'" Sidney will bee able to tell you stand att présent upon very nice termes, and, besides ail this, I think yon run no kind of hazard as to what you may apprehend from the Duke. Ail thèse considérations putt together, I hopo M"" Sidney will bee soe well able to enforce to your Highnesse as that you will not

— 437 — [1680. Novembre.

delay to come over; for wee are mightily persuaded hère that our ail dépends upon itt.

For his Hisrhnesse the Prince of Orano^e.

LETTRE MCCCXLVI.

Le Duc âHYork au Prince d'Orange, Il se plaint de V audace du Parlement.

Edenburgh, Nov. 5.

I receved yesterday a letter from you without any date, by which I see you then intended to be very sone at the Hage, and were impacient to know how the Parliament would begin , which long before this you hâve been informed of , and I beleve will not at ail be pleased with it; for indeed things go on at a strange rate, by what I heare and look, very ill, and no liklyhood of their raending, which everv day will lett you see; for my part, I feare a rébellion or something worse, for every thing, almost, gos after the same manner it did in the yeare 40 ; only this contry \ God be thanked , is quiet , which it was not then; you see how violently they procède against me in the house of Gommons and what vilans are raised up to swere falsly against me. I am not to expect better, and, tho I am the man only named, the désigne of some of their leaders is to ruine our family; you will see that what I say is true, and that very wrong measurs hâve been taken; which is ail I sliall now say to you but that you shall always find me very kind to you.

LETTRE MCCCXLTII.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince d'Orange. Le bill d! exclusion a . passé dans la Chambre des Communes.

Whitehall, 9 Nov. 1680.

This Bill* for the exclusion of his R. Highuesse passt

' country. ^ Un exemplaire est joint à la lettre.

1680. Novembre.] — 438 —

the committee yesterday, without any opposition to speak of , it being not the part of those [whoj throw out a bill (as much as in them lies) to amuse themselves at the araendinff of it. His Ma. sent the House of Gommons a message this day, desiring them to dispatch the matters that dépend before them, relating to popery and the plott; that they may rest assured ail remédies that they tender to his Ma. conduceing to those ends wiîl be very acceptable to him, provided they be such as can consist with the descent of the Crown in the right line or to [that] effect. To this message there was no answer returnd, nor any debate had upon it.

LETTRE WrCCCXLiVIII.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Danger de la monarchie.

Edenburgh, Nov. 12.

I hâve receved yours of the 12 , by the which I see you were come back to the Hage and had heard of my coming away and what had then past in the house of Gommons, concerning me; that was but a begining, which produced the bill, which by this is, I beleeve, past that house against me; I bave reason to hope it wiil not hâve the same successe in the house of Lords, and before this time to ' you will know what the fate ont " bas been. I see you are very much concernd at thèse doings against me , which I did expect from your kindnesse and beside that, you cannot [chose] but see, that if a stop be not speedily put to thèse kind of proceding, the monarky and our family must fall togather, and I see things are come to that hight that I do realy feare there will be great disordres, may a downeright rébellion, and that those that prest and advised his Ma. to send me away will not find their account in it, no more then his Ma., andifnow he do not sone make a stand, but lett them trample upon

' Ce moi paraît superflu. » on it.

— 439 — [1680. Novembre.

himself and authority, it will prove to late, and he will fînd himself in as bad a condition as ever the King his father was. I shall now say no more on this subject, but end, and that with assuring you that, in whatsoever condition I am in, I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

JLETTRË MCCCXLIX.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince d! Orange, Le Bill d'exclusion rejeté par la Chambre des Lords.

Whitehall, 16 Nov. 1680.

I hâve the honor of a gracious letter from your Highnesse to acknowledge of the 22 carrent n. st. The Gommons carried up the Bill of Exclusion yesterday to the Lords, but the Lords threw it out with vigor; they were 70 against 30 that would hâve kept it in ; the Bishops were unanimous against it, but the Temporall Lords against the Bill exceeded far those Lords that were for it in number. The Gommons did nothing this day; they adjourn'd to to morrow, in order, as is pretended, to take time to deliberate what to doe. The prospect is very dark; not but that his, Ma. will be sure to doe his part, and hath no thought to prorogue or dissolve the Parliament. Wicked men do labour to push things to extremities, in hopes to force the King to doe [that whichj is unacceptable to the nation; 't is true, there are a great many engaged in this Bill, but then there is a world of sober people that cannott be satisfied with the justice of it.

LETTRE IfICCCL.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince â Orange. Irritation de la Chambre des Communes.

Whitehall, 19 Nov. 1680.

It is with great regrett thatl take leave to write to

1680. Novembre.] — 440 —

your Ilighiiesse and yet hâve nothing to write but what is very unconfortable. The throwing out of the Bill against the Duke on monday in the Flouse of Lords made the Gommons on wednesday very little concern'd for the succour of Tanger, which was the busines appointed for wednesday; this day, among other angry things, they resolv'd to receive articles to morrow against M"" Seymoe ' of high crimes and misdemeanors. They [had] again this day enough to shew an aversion against giveing those supplies which might putt the King at ease. The trueth is, the prospect is very melancholick ; but that blessed Providence, which hath hitherto watched over us, will, I hope, continue so to watch over the Royall family , as long as the sun and moon endure. It is a complaint against us in Parliament that we are not more faire and impartiall hearers then we are.

LETTRE MCCCL.I.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Trahison de Lord Sunderland.

Edenburgh, Nov. 23.

ï had on sonday last two from you, of the 20 and 22 of this month, and do easily beleve the trouble it is to you to see with what extraordinary malice my enemys proced against and , tho the Lords hâve been so kind to me as to throw out the bill the Gommons sent up to them, for my exclusion, yett I hâve reason to feare they, I meane my enemys, will attaque me some other way, as bad for me and as hurtfull to the monarky, but, for ail that, there happned one thing in the rejecting of my bill in the house of Lords which I * may bee of some advantage to me as well as that; which is, that now his Ma. can be no longer deceved by Lord Sunderland, and thinke him my freind, since he voted against me, and bas also [enterd| his dissent to the same purpose; he did deceve me

* Seymour. * Un ou deux mots semblent omis.

— 441 — [1680. Novembre.

long, and to my cost; I thought him to be still my freind wlien he was not, but now, tho I can forgive him, he shall never play me such a trick againe; for I will never trust him and I hope the King will not, for he that could [are] me, as he as * done, may do the same and has already done it to him; for els how should Lord Hallifax be fallen on by the house of Gommons, and not he nor his friend Lord Essex, when they were ail equaly conserned in the desolution of the last Parliament? — God send this may prove a better, but I do not beleve it will, since I see at what rate they drive on to the uter ^ destruction of the monarky. It is late and I shall say no more but that you shall always find me very kind to you.

lettre: 9ICCCLII.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince (T Orange. Dangers pour la Chrétienté.

Whitehall, 23 Nov. 1680.

The progresse in the house of Gommons is very slow

and much time is spent in censuring and punishing of-

fenders of severall sorts. The addresse against mylord

of Halifax (which the House will bring to morrow to the

King) goes hère inclos'd; and so does a vote levell'd against

the judges for the votes of yesterday; I humbly take leave

to referr your Highnesse to the prints. I am extremely

troubled to consider what judgement the world abroad

makes of us, and not onely so, but how^ perfectly they

ittribute the calamities like to befall Ghristendome to our

|willfull ill-conduct. Your Highnesse will see, by the

)rint enclose'd, how the Duke and Duchesse were receiv'd

in Scotland. 1 beseech God to blesse and préserve his

[a. and the whole Royall family.

is Highnesse.

* bas. • utter.

1680. Novembre.] — 442 —

LETTRE MCCCLIII.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince cC Orange. Nouvelles.

Whitehall, 26 Nov. 1680.

Our beats do not yet abate any tbing; two days agoe mylord Chief-justice Nortb was voted to bave given sufficient ground for impeacbing bim at tbe barr of tbe Lords House , for drawing up (or ratber for assisting tbe atturney-generall to draw up) a proclamation forbidding to gatber subscriptions for pétitions in a tumultuous and séditions way; tbis day and yesterday an impeacbment was voted against M'" Seymoe pay-master of tbe navy; be made an excellent defence in bis place in tbe House; bis cbarge was of malversations in tbe finances , but tis ' believ'd be will easily and fully clear bimself, wben be cornes before tbe Lords ; tbus is our time spent. In tbe mean time Tanger bleeds ; tis ^ true , we gave tbe Moores a brusb lately, but we lost a gallant Governor Sir Palmes Faire borne. I took tbe boldnesse, about a twelve montb agoe, raost burably to move your Higbnesse for monsieur Water, escbevin of Nimwegben, to be advanced to tbe bonor of Burgeraaistre tbere; I did not présume to doe it but upon very good information, as I take it, tbat be is and allwaies batb been very rigbtly affected to your Higbnesse and tbe Government; being of englisb parentage, I took more particular knowledge of bim, and of bis conduct, whicb was allways, to tbe best of my observation, wortby of good cittyzen; but tbis point, as well as myself, T perfectly submitt.

LETTRE MCCCLIV.

Lord Sunderland au Prince d^ Orange. Situation de plus en plus périlleuse.

Novemb. the 26, Whitehall 1680.

I am very sorry not to be able to give your H. a

' it is.

— 443 — [1680. Novembre.

better account of our affaires heere then I must doe, if I tell you the truth , which is that the house of Commones seemes to be so persuaded that nothing can be a security against theire feares but a totall exclusion of the Duke, that it is not likely they will be contented with lesse. The Lords on the other side hâve throwne out that bill and the King appeares entirely of «theire mind. Expédients are now offerd every day, and bils are orderd to be drawne up, which some thinke may serve; but I am affraide they will be generally thought, either ineffectuall, or such as may endanger the monarchy; every almost is sencible of our ill condition, but enow ' to care, as can not agrée on what they thinke will doe. In a little time wee shall be able to judge more positively of this matter. I hope the good genius of the rest of mankind will be strong enough to deale with that of France, which seemes to hâve a greater game then ever. I wish your H. ail of prosperity and that you will be pleased to beleeve that no man in the world is so much as I am , Sir , your H^ roost faithfull, most humble and most obedient servant

SUNDERLANJ).

LETTRE MCCCLT.

Le Duc d^York au Prince â^ Orange. Acharnement de ses ennemis.

Edenburgh, Nov. 27.

By the last post I receved yours of the 26, by which I am satisfyd of the trouble you are in, and the sence you hâve of what has past against me in the house of Gommons ; you will easily belive it was a great satisfaction to me to hâve had the bill throwne out by the Lords, but, for ail that, you see my enemys find new ways of persecuting me and falling upon me, and I am to expect they will continu doing it, as long as they hâve power; i euough.

1680. Novembre.] — 444 —

for they want not will, and you see, no soner dos a man stand by the King but he is attaqued, as Lord Halifax, and M"" Seamor bave been. Our last letters say the Queene was to be falen on in the Lords house, on monday last ; you see no way is left unpracticed to ruine our family, and destroy the monarky, which is ail I bave to say now, but that you may be sure I shall always be as kind to you as you can désire.

liETTRË MCCCIiVI.

Le Duc d'York au Prince d'Orange. Même sujet.

Edenburgh Nov. 30.

This morning I receved y ours of the 29 and, if the afFairs of Europ dépend so much, as I feare they may, upon the issu of this présent Parliament, I feare they will not go well ; for I see no liklyhood of their behaving themselvs as they aught; for every day brings us new and very extraordinary vots and motions, made in both bouses, ail tending to the lessning of bis Ma. authority and the ruine of the monarky , in which some of bis cheef ministers, as well as some of bis servants, joyne and, if he letts it run on, Lord bave mercy on us ail. Things are very quiet hère, and to morrow three of Cargills congrégation are to be executed ; they are the boldest and stubernest ' rogus ' I ever heard of, and glory to sufFer for such abominable principles. I bave no other newse worth telling, and so shall end, with assuring you that you shall never find any altération in my kindnesse to you.

LETTRE MCCCIiVII.

Sir L. Jenkins au Prince d^ Orange. Proch de Lord Staff or d.

Whitehall, 30 Nov. 80.

Yesterday produced little in the House of Gommons more

* stubbornst. ' rogues.

— 445 [1680. Novembre.

then that the House wayted on hîs Ma. with their représentation (as they call it) of the state of the nation. It is a long discourse and charges the favouring of popery upon the ministers, as the main miscarriage in the Government. This day began the tryall of mylord viscount StafFord; the managers of the impeachment against him divided their charge into two parts. — ' 1. That there was a horrid popish pîott against the life of the King , iand against the religion and the Government establishd. — 2'^ that the lord StafFord had his share in the plott. ïhe évidence which they produced this day, tended to prove the first point onely; there were produc'd six wittnesses, that depos'd what they knew of the carrying on of a plott in generall; they produced also the judiciall records, whereby the severall persons that hâve been executed for the plott were arraigned and found guilty; to morrow the managers will apply themselves to the proving of mylord Staiford to be a partie to this plott. Next day will be taken up in hearing mylord Staffords defence , the judgement will soon follow. The grand-jury of Middlesex presented his R. ' H.* yesterday at the court of Kings-bench for recusancie. It was attempted, while the Duke was hère, but the jury was dismiss'd, before they could gett their presentment ready. Thus one angry thing is done after another, but without the prospect it were to be wis'hd of a composure, which I beseech God to send among us for the preserving of the King and his people.

LETTRE ]II€€€LTIII.

Sir W. Temple au Prince d^ Orange. Conseils.

London, Nov. 30 1680.

Your Highness will easily beleeve I hâve my share in the trouble you are pleased to express upon the sensé of our posture of affairs heere, which must needs influence

' Koj'al. " Highness.

1680. Novembre.] — 446 —

any bodys humor that is concerned in them and in the fatall conséquences of them , either at home or abroad ; which I take your Highnesse to bee more then any man, considering how deeply you are so in both. For this reason I will in shorte lay the présent state of them before you, as clearly as I can in a matter so inibroyld, with the circumstances that seem more particularly to touch your Highnesses proper interests, that you may bee able the better to judge of our condition and of your owne conduct.

Tis certain that a long course of unhappy counsels hâve reduced the King to wante both the money and authority, which are necessary for the support of the crowne, in such a degree as affaires abroad as well as at home require.

Nothing but a Parliament can helpe the King in this condition and furnish him both with the money and authority necessary to the crowne ; becaus , if the first should bee supplyd, either from France or from the papists (as some talke), yett the money hee should receave from either of those ways would lessen his authority more and more, by encreasing the generall fears and discontents of the people.

It seems plaine that this house of Gommons will helpe the King neither to money nor authority, without the exclusion of the Duke, designed by their late Bill, sente up to the Lords and throwne out there.

The King is resolvd not to consent to tliat or any such Bill , nor can it come into the House of Gommons again this Parliament, without a prorogation of some days, which dépends wholly upon the King.

In this posture of affairs I see no hopes of any measures to bee taken between the King and his Parliament during this session , and finde the leading parte of tlie House of Gommons are willing it should ende, and thinke the sooner the better, to make way for a new one, by which the King may see yett further what the bente and

— 447 — [1680. Novembre.

humor of the people is But the court seeme content they should continue longer, in hopes the party now governing in the Ilouse may divide, which yett I must needs say I doe not thinke likely this session. What this can ende in, your Highnesse will bee able to judge at least as well as I, for yett I thinke none prétends to know, though tis most naturall to conclude it must bee in a new Parliament, and to bee calld. immediatly upon the dissolution of this; for otherwise I doe not see how the generall discontents will bee dealt with , if this Parliament endos without allaying them.

Now for what concernes your Highnesses more particular interest in ail thees affaires , it seems plaine , by the Bill of exclusion and the whole course of that matter in the house of Gommons , that your interest and the succession of the crown were intended to bee safe , and ail to passe as if the Duke had been dead, and I doe not beleeve any thing of another nature will passe in another house of Gommons , if such a Bill should againe bee revived. But in case this or another Parliament should come to bee broken , without any agreement between the King and them, I doe not see any thing to prevent our falling into violent and popular tumults, and tis concluded the Duke of Monmouth cannot fayle of beeing at the head of them, and that not onely the Gitty will fall in with him, but ail those likewise of the Lords and Gommons who, having in the matter of the late Bill declared against the Duke, can hâve no returne into any measures with

lim , and will for this reasone joyne with that party which

they esteem most desperate against him , and this not

Jupon any regards of the Duke of Monmouth, but of their

>wne safety. In this case your Highnesse will hâve a

rery hard game, for, by taking party with the Gourte, [you putt yourself into the same circumstances with the tpeople that the Duke stands in at this time, and, if you ' take no party at ail , the Duke of M. may grows to head

the Nation, upon pretences of defending the protestant

1680. Novembre] — 448

religion and keeping out the Duke and, if hee should so farr prevayle that the King should not bee able to resist the stream , but bee forced to fall into it, your Highnesse may ghess what that might ende in.

Upon the whole matter, there are but three parts at présent that you can take. The first is to come over, as both mylord Sunderland and M"" v. Lewen say many of .your friends <iesired at the beginning of this Parliament, and use ail your endeavors to prevayle with the King to consent to the Dukes Bill, and by that meanes to settle the world , upon hopes that in that case the house of Gommons would putt the King in a condition not onely of supporting the Government at home, but his Allyes abroad too upon occasion. And thereby engage ail t^hose persons and partys to you, who bave been so desperately bente upon exclusion of the Duke, and sett up for the defence of the protestant religion at home and abroad.

The second is, to continue just as you hâve dpne for this last year past, without concerning yourself in the counsels of either Courte or popular partys, and contenting yourself with doing nothing that can bee thought either unjust or ungracefull, to leave the évente to God Almighty.

The third, to see an issue of this session of Parliament, but, in case of dissolution of this and meeting of a new one, to come immediatly over, and déclare to ail men, both King and subject, the infinité concernment you hâve for some union between his Majesty and his Parliament; that, besides ail our interests at home, those of Christendome are lost v^^ithout it, and can expect it no longer then this spring , which will détermine them. That , besides your affection and concerne for His Majesty, you hâve an interest of your ovvne abroad, that presses you more then any man, becaus you are the first Prince in Christendome that are like to suffer, by tlie States running into France, when they finde they can hâve no supporte from England. That you cannot propose the

— 449 — [1680. Novembre.

ways of the King and Parliament agreeing, being a stranger to our affaires, but that you can onely showe the necessity of it. That any way, you are sure, is better then none, though some may thinke themselves lost and others unsafe by the severall ways of it, yet without it, ail is not onely unsafe, but absolutely lost. That, for the business of the Duke, it is a domestique thing and neither you nor the States can meddle in it, but that you will both contribute ail your endeavors to thees two great endes, of procuring a happy union betvveen the King and his Parliament, and of preserving the protestant religion, both heere and in the rest of Christendome, since in ail other parts it must hâve its support from hence. Upon thees severall parts ail I shall say is that some of your friends heere hâve judged the first would hâve been the parte of a great man, the second the parte of a good man, and, for the last, which indeed seemes now onely to bee left, I doe not know whether a wise man can avoide it, and in such a conjuncture bee content to bee forgotten, neglected and even defamed upon some points, which I finde your enemys are industrious in on ail sides, though so ill grounded as your friends hardly know how to take notice of them and thinke it better to [ventuer] their falling of themselves.

If I hâve given your Highnesse soo long a trouble, it lis not usuall with mee, and I beleeve you will pardon mee for this time and upon this occasion ; there can hap- )en none wherein I shall not expresse that constant de- ■votion and truth, wherewith I am your Highnesses most faithfuU and most obedient humble servant.