either to England France or Catholick Religion but that we should as certainly be forc'd from our Neutrality at their next Meeting as we had been from our active Alliance with France the last that a Peace in the Circumstances we were in was much more to be desir'd than the continuance of the War and that the Dissolution of our Parliament would certainly procure a Peace for that the Confederates did more depend upon the Power they had in our Parliament than upon any thing else in the World and were more encourag'd from thence to continue the War so that if that were Dissolv'd their measures would be all broken and they consequently in a manner necessitated to a Peace The Good Father minding this Discourse somewhat more than the Court of France thought fit to do my former urg'd it so home to the King that his M. was pleas'd to give him order to signifie to his R. H. my Master that his Ma. was fully satisfied of his R. H's good Intentions towards him and that he esteem'd both their Interests as but one and the same That my Lord Arlington and the Parliament were both to be look'd upon as very unuseful to their Interests and that if his R. H. would endeavour to Dissolve this Parliament his Ma. would assist him with his Power and Purse to have such a New one as should be for their purpose This and a great many more Expressions of Kindness and Confidence Father Ferrier was pleas'd to communicate to Sir W. T. and commanded him to send them to his R. H. and withal to beg his R. H. to propose to his most Christian M. what he thought necessary for his own concern and the advantage of Religion and his M. would certainly do all he could to advance both or either of them this Sir W. T. sent to me by an Express who left Paris on the 2d of June 1674. S. N. I no sooner had it but I communicated it to his R. H. to which his R. H. commanded me to answer as I did on the 29th of the same Month. That his R. H. was very sensible of his most Christian M's Friendship and that he would labour to cultivate it with all the good Offices he was capable of doing for his Ma. That he was fully convinc'd that their Interests were both one That my Lord Arlington and the Parliament were not only unuseful but very dangerous both to England and France that therefore it was necessary that they should do all they could to Dissolve it and That his R. H's opinion was that if his most Christian M. would write his Thoughts freely to the King of England upon this Subject and make the same offer to his M. of his Purse to Dissolve this which he had made to his R. H. to call another he did believe it very possible for him to succeed with the assistance we should be able to give him here and that if this Parliament were Dissolv'd there would be no great difficulty of getting a new One which would be more useful the Constitution of our Parliaments being such that a new One can never hurt the Crown nor an old One do it good His R. H. being pleas'd to own these Propositions which were but only General I thought it reasonable to be more particular and come closer to the Point 1. That if we hapned to agree we might go the faster about the work and come to some Issue before the time were too much spent I laid this for my Maxim The Dissolution of our Parliament will certainly procure a Peace which Proposition was granted by every body I convers'd withal even by Monsieur Rouvigny himself with whom I took liberty of discoursing so far but durst not say any thing of the Intelligence I had with Father Ferrier Next That a Sum of Money certain would vertainly procure a Dissolution This some doubted but I am sure I never did for I knew perfectly well that the King had frequent Disputes with himself at that time whether he should dissolve or continue them and he several times declar'd that the Arguments were so strong on both sides that he could not tell to which to incline but was carried at last to the continuance of them by this one Argument If I try them once more they may possibly give me Money if they do I have gain'd my Point if they do not I can dissolve them then and be where I am now so that I have a possibility at least of getting Money for their continuance against nothing of the other side But if we could have turn'd this Argument and said Sir Their Dissolution will certainly procure you Money when you have only a bare possibility of getting any by their continuance and have shown how far that bare possibility was from being a Foundation to build any reasonable hope upon which I am sure His Majesty was sensible enough of and how much 300000 l. Sterling certain which was the Sum we proposed was better than a bare possibility without any reason to hope that that would ever be compass'd of having half so much more which was the most he design'd to ask upon some vile dishonourable terms and a 1000 other hazards which we had great reason to be afraid of If I say we had had Power to have argued thus I am most confidently assur'd we could have compass'd it for Logick in our Court built upon Money has more powerful Charms than any other sort of reasoning But to secure his most Christian M. from any hazard as to this point I propos'd that his M. should offer that Sum upon that Condition and if that Condition were not perform'd the Money should ne'r be due if it were and that a Peace would certainly follow thereupon which no body doubted his Majesty would gain his ends and save all the vast Expences of the next Campagn by which he could not hope to better his Condition or to put himself into more advantageous Circumstances of Treating than he was then in but might very probably be in a much worse considering the mighty Oppositions he was like to meet with and the uncertain Chances of War but admitting that His Majesty could Maintain himself by his great Strength and Conduct in as good a Condition to Treat the next year as he was then in which was as much as could then reasonably be hop'd for he should have sav'd by this Proposal as much as all the Men he must needs lose and all the Charges he should be at in a year could be valued to amount to more than 300000 l. Sterling so much more in case his Condition should decay as it should be worse than it was when this was made and the Condition of H. R. H. and of Cath. Religion here which depends very much upon the success of his M. C. M. deliver'd from a great many frights and real hazards Father Ferrier seem'd to be very sensible of the benefit which all Parties would
opposite to ours but we must not despair God is mighty and the innocence of this poor miserable too evident to permit him to be abandoned of all the World If by your means you can gain the Emperour and the Pope to the Duke for his Assistance or to contribute something for the accomodating of the differences between his Friends of Spain and France which cannot give him any Succor because of the infortunate War in which they are ingag'd you will merit much of God and of all the Friends of the poor Catholicks who are reduced almost to despair and are tormented every day by their Enemies and will be constrained to fall every day under the burthen of their miseries if they are not upheld by some means Their condition and that of the Duke are alike in many things but do differ in this that they have many Enemies which may every of them in particular be against the Catholick Cause for the Parliament whereas the Duke being onely engaged for the others shall not be obliged to do any thing at least that he shall not be condemned by the Parliament all the others being of the same nature so that none shall attacque him in the last before this first is determined because that if the Process comes to be determined in his favour our Laws give him a great advantage against them which shall have the boldness to trouble him thereupon This is all that I can say at present of the Affair of the Duke and of the Catholicks which I recommend to you with all my heart assuring you that since Christianism there hath not been any Affair neither more to be pitied or more worthy of all the Cares and Zeal of good People than this of which I now speak to you If you have the same Sentiment you will take a great part in the Affairs of our Friends and you will endeavour to apply all the most proper Remedies to make them succeed From the French King's Confessor to Mr. Coleman Paris September 15. 1674. SIR I AM very much obliged to you for the Letter you were pleased to write me concerning my Sickness Lec ' pro Rege It was long and troublesome and that which troubled me most during the long continuance of it was to find my self unable to take care of that Affair you gave me a memorial of with as much diligence as I could wish But being after all arrived here I resolved to send an Extract of the Memorial because I was not able to carry it my self which has been very lucky thanks be to God as you will see by the Letter I write to his Royal Highness Sir William Throgmorton goes express with it I pray acquaint his Highness that this Knight has managed this Affair with all the Zeal Fidelity and Prudence possible that his Highness may remember him upon occasion as a Person much addicted to him For Mr. Bernard that stayes here and whom you have recommended I pray be not further concerned for him The first occasion that offers he shall find the Esteem I have for his Zeal and Wisdom and for the recommendation of his good Friends I am in the mean while Sir Your most humble and most obedient Servant J. Ferrier From Mr. Coleman to the Pope's Internuncio Aug. 21. 74. YOU expect that the Duke should let you know what your Friends can do for his Service Lec ' pro Rege I told you the last Week my Opinion concerning the Estate of the Pope in case the Process of the Parliament be judged to his disadvantage And I have likewise told you what Opinion all the World hath as to that matter that is to say that it was absolutely lost But for my part not being of so timorous a nature as others I do not believe so but am of opinion that it is not impossible to overcome our Adversaries in spight of all the confidence they have of Success But the Victory which I hope for is to be able to prevent the Business coming before the Parliament that it be not begun at all rather than to gain the point if it shall be brought upon the stage For the Fury of the Persecutors is such that they will make use of all means imaginable as well Evil as Just to gain their point And I have too much reason to suspect the Integrity of our Judges in that Affair for I plainly perceive they naturally incline to the side of our Adversaries And I dare put no confidence in the Assistance of the King after so many Demonstrations as he hath given us of his weakness as to that matter And it is from these three Causes that is to say the Fierceness of our Adversaries the Injustice of our Judges and the Weakness of the King that we are to expect surtable Effects So that we shall have very little hopes of success having so many Difficulties to contend with in case the Parliament should meet Wherefore it will be necessary to provide some Support among his Friends of your Acquaintance if his Affairs should be too far pusht to suffer him to be in quiet here All those who have had any Correspondency with him are at present in great suspence and in pain to know what Success the Business above-mentioned is like to have If the Duke succeeds in what he pretends to they will be more fix'd to him than ever if he fails all his Creditors fall upon him in a moment and he and his Catholick Associates will be absolutely ruin'd for it is he alone upon whom all the rest do intirely depend So that it is for him and his Affairs that all our Friends ought to employ their Care to keep him up that he may subsist We have none with us that regard the Merit but the Success of things So that if the Duke can happily disingage himself of those Difficulties wherewith he is now incumbred all the World will esteem him an able man and all People will intrust him in their Affairs more willingly than they have done formerly And the King himself who hath more influence on the East India Company than all the rest will not onely re-establish him in the Employment he had before but will put the Management of all his Trade into his hands By which means he will have opportunity to enrich himself and all his Catholick Associates with all their Correspondents So that 't is of great consequence that those who owe him the Sums of the Emperour and the Pope assist the Duke with a little Sum of Money to put him in a condition to re-establish himself in the Management of the King's Affairs and to endeavour to Compose the Differences between his two Friends of Spain and France So that they may be in a condition to support him in his just and worthy Design to begin and establish a new Traffick very advantagious to the whole World and particularly the Kingdom of England which at present is unhappily divided for want
your friend I will not fail speedily to acquaint the Emperour and it is he who is all powerful with the Pope with the reasons why it is for the benefit of the Catholicks to defer the execution of that censure which might cause some divisions among them and give occasion of advantage to the Parliament thereby My advice hath been received very favourably so that I am not only assured that they will delay for some long time the design of that business but I hope also that the matter may possibly end so as the person whom you recommend doth desire The consideration of the connexion which all this may have with the interests of the Duke hath been the most prevailing motive to the persons with whom I have been obliged to treat in this affair to perswade them to what you did desire and you may know by that the passion that there is in this place to contribute to all things which they believe are for his service I beseech you to assure him of the zeal with which I will always imploy my self therein I am without reserve SIR Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant ALBANY From Brussels September 7 1674. Translated by Sir Humphry Winch. SIR YOurs of the 21 of the last Month which just now I received hath given me much trouble by the dangerous condition whereunto the Dukes Process is reduced I wish I were able to contribute to his service by the means of my Friends and particularly of the Emperor and the Pope But hitherto I see not wherein they can advantage him The Pope endeavours what you observe which would be the properest remedy for his Affair but the Parties will not yet declare themselves upon that business If you will explain your self what may be done on this side in the present occurrences of Affairs I doubt not but all that is possible will be done I beg the communication of your news and am without reserve SIR Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant ALBANY The following Letters were written from France to Mr. Coleman by Mr. St. Germain in French and Translated some by Order of the Privy Council and some by several Members of the House of Commons A Letter from St. Germain to Coleman Paris 11 21 December 1675. I Will tell you besides Extract That the King of France does not seem yet resolved to recall Monsieur De Ruvigny from the Trade where he has ingaged him Lect. pro Rege he perceives he does more harm than good but other Considerations delay the Business One of your Friends says He will see if he can make things appear but Coleman must well explain to me his End and the Means he will make Use of This Friend says besides That he has given the King's Confessor to understand That the King of France ought not to do any thing with the King of England but by the Duke of York and he hath Promised and Engaged upon his Life to the King's Confessor to make all succeed in case that way be made use of Has he done well and do you know this Friend He will call himself henceforward 41 for I see none of this Name in your Cyphers Translated out of French according to the Cypher received from the Lords of the Committee appointed to Examine Coleman's Papers A Letter from St. Germain to Coleman Paris 15 25 December 1675. I Cannot forbear to Write to you once more this Week having Two things to say to you The one is That I have seen Mr. Sheldon who intends to go to Trade secretly in your Parts He will depart in 8 or 10 Days but take no notice of it lest it be known from whence you had it He would have had me carried him to see the King's Confessor whose Favour he endeavours to get by all means and helps He will not pass for a Merchant and therefore he wears a Sword by his side and lives with the Arch-Bishop of Dublin Both of them I am told Prosecute the Affair concerning which he hath written to you and that you Communicate it to me The other thing is That the King's Confessor tells us That the King of France thinks in earnest to recall Monsieur de Ruvigny from your Traffick but he that is to be sent in his Place does not please Mr. Sheldon because as he says he is not of the most considerable Merchants of this place though he have a great deal of Wit and I am of his Mind as well for this Reason as for others that are known to me and which I cannot yet impart to you Wherefore if Mr. Coleman would know of the Duke of York if there be any Merchant here that would be acceptable to him he may acquaint Monsieur de Ruvigny with it and he will take care that by the means of the King's Confessor it may be propos'd effectually to the King of France This would be very well for the Traffick of the Catholicks I expect to hear from you I saw yesterday my Lady Throckmorton that is come to Paris to lye in and who is shortly going back to Pontoyse she has a Sore Leg contracted in Childbed My humble Service to Madam Coleman Pray take no notice of me to others for I do not believe it fit for any one to know that I write to you so often Believe me Sir that I am altogether Your Servant De Pontheia Translated out of French according to the Cipher delivered by the Lords of the Committee appointed to Examine Coleman's Papers A Letter from St. Germain to Coleman 19 29 January 1675 6. THe Brother of my Lady de Ruvigny Extract who is an Abbot has made a Visit to St. Germain in order to ingage him to speak in favour of the Prorogation to the King's Confessor Lect. pro Rege but St. Germain would do nothing without knowing from Coleman what his Opinion is thereupon St. Germain has made the King's Confessor understand what the Duke of York could do by the Disgrace of Two Persons of whom Coleman has written to St. Germain and that the vigorous Councils that were all absolutely necessary to produce Success in the Traffick of the Catholicks did proceed from the Duke of York by the Inspiration of Coleman who was most perfectly addicted to the good of the Traffick of the King of England the Duke of York and the Catholicks This St. Germain is very well intentioned but he must be taught what he is to do Translated according to the Key delivered by the Right Honorable the Lords of the Committee appointed to Examine Coleman's Papers For Monsieur Coleman the Dutchess Secretary in Deans-Yard London January 19 29 1675 1676. I Know not whether you do receive my Letters but I well know that I receive yours punctually enough as I think I have had your two last of the 6th and 10th your Stile but they have given me some disquiet you Promise to tell me many things and afterwards you fall very
short therein sometimes Twelfth-Day is the Cause and after it is because you had not my Letter of the 5th To put both you and my self out of pain I will tell you that I have writ to you the 5th the 8th the 12th and the 15th of this Month your Stile and that I write to you to Day again which is your 19th you see one cannot be more exact In all these Letters I have writ to you of things that deserved answering Especially concerning the Conduct which Monsieur St. Germain ought to use towards the Confessor of the King of France and the new Ambassador for he will not nor cannot do any thing till Coleman hath let him know his Thoughts The Letters of the 8th speak of a Matter concerning which they will have me give an account there was Five Letters in that Pacquet one whereof was for the Duke of York Put me out of pain in this matter The Secretary of Monsieur Ruvigny went on Saturday from France for England the Secretary of the Ambassador from England in France went also about the same time with him you ought to know more of this Business than I. The Brother of the Wife of Monsieur Ruvigny who is an Abbot is come to see Monsieur St. Germain concerning the same Business about which Mr. Coleman wrote to Monsieur St. Germain to the end that he might engage him to speak in Commendation of the Prorogation to the Confessor of the King of France but Monsieur St. Germain would do nothing till Mr. Coleman had let him know his thoughts thereupon Monsieur St. Germain has observed to the Confessor of the King of France how great the Power of the Duke of York is by the Disgrace of the Two Persons concerning which Mr. Coleman had writ to Monsieur St. Germain and that the vigorous Counsels which were all absolutely necessary whereby to succeed in the Traffick of the Catholicks came from the Duke of York by the Inspiration of Mr. Coleman who also alone was the most truly Linked to the welfare of the Commerce of the King of England the Duke of York and the Catholicks This Monsieur St. Germain is very well intentioned but it is necessary he be instructed what he must do He hath not dared to speak of any Matter to the Successor of Monsieur Ruvigny and yet it is meet that he do instruct him for the Secretary of Monsieur Ruvigny hath been to see him and it is to be feared lest he hath given him evil Counsels with which the new Ambassador being prepossest perhaps he will act in such a manner as may not please Mr. Coleman nor the Affairs of the Duke of York and the Catholicks I write to you by a new way to see if it be more sure give me also a new Address and such a one concerning which there may be no occasion of Fear Translated by Sir George Downing 29 Jan. 75. 8 Feb. 76. THis is the Fifth Letter that I have written to you and of which I have had no Answer I see by your last Letter of the 17 27 of Jan. that you have received Two of mine That of the 5 25 and of the 8 18 of Jan. but you make no mention of those which I sent you besides viz. of the 15 25 and 19 29 of Jan. and of the 22 Jan. 1 Feb. and of the 26 Jan. 5 Feb I give you these Dates to the end you may see whether you have received as many as I have sent to you I am glad that 93 the Dutchess thinks upon 49 St. Germain And 62 Coleman cannot do him a greater pleasure than to employ him as he do's in serving 93 the Dutchess This cannot but produce a very good effect with 163 the King of France He will see thereby that People esteem him in the Countrey of 110 England And that 39 and 93 the Duke and Dutchess being so far satisfied with him as to give him Commissions he will become more engaged to give ear to the Letter of Recommendation of 39 the Duke which 35 Montecuculi has promis'd to send 49 St. Germain though he has not yet done it And 62 Coleman will do a kindness to enquire of 34 and 35 the Earl of Peterborough and Montecuculi what hinders that he has not yet received it Besides that 49 St. Germain is and always will be most ready to deliver Messages in favour of 39 93 300 and 62. the Duke the Dutchess the Catholicks and Coleman to 488 and 163 the Confessor and the King of France believing himself most strongly engaged thereto by the Testimonies of Goodness which he has received from them in time past And though he is without 80 Money he will not cease to act as he ought with Zeal and Fidelity provided he be not sent elsewhere but left where he is which yet may happen after Easter he having no imployment to detain him where he is unless 62 Coleman write to 488 the King's Confessor either from or as from 39 and 93 the Duke and Dutchess to signifie to him that those two Persons desire to make use of him as a Correspondent in their Traffick between them 62 and 488 and 163 Coleman and the Confessor and the King of France In which case 49 St. Germain would take his time to act in favour of 62 Coleman with 488 and 163 the Confessor and the King of France and to bring to pass that 62 Coleman shall obtain 26 a Pension of 100000 l. Sterling for himself If 49 St. Germain receive the Letters which he expects from 35 Montecuculi and they have their effect he will have wherewith to pay the Charge of his remaining where he is and of all the Affairs of Commerce whereof Commissions shall be given him 49 St. Germain will have no need of 80 Money till after Easter But at that time if the Letters of 39 the Duke to 163 the King of France hath no success it will be impossible for him to enter into the Commerce unless 62 Coleman obtain from 93 or 39 the Dutchess or Duke one quarter more like that which he received being in the Countrey of 110 England that is to say between Thirty and Forty Pounds sterling And if this be once done for all it will give him the Means to subsist with Ease for above a Year during which time he hopes to put himself into a Condition of serving all the World without importuning any body for ever 49 St. Germain desires you to tell all this to 62 Coleman that he may take his Measures accordingly and send his Opinion thereof to 49 St. Germain As for the Affairs of the Carmelites of Antwerp 49 St. Germain will undertake it with warmth as soon as ever he receives the Letters concerning it which he expects by the next Post According to what 62 Coleman writes to him by his Letter of the 17 27 of Jan. 75 6 which is to be at Eight a Clock this Evening I desire you Sir to Deliver Mr. Rogers
the Letter of Thanks which I write to him for his good News I will send him in exchange a Writing against the Enemy of 49 St. Germain and Mr. Beddingfield shall have it on Wednesday next at farthest when he departs from hence I am glad that that Enemy is decry'd there where you are as well as he is here But has 62 Coleman nothing to say to the new 41 Ambassador by the intervention of 49 St. Germain He desires it to the end to have occasion of speaking to the new 41 Ambassador concerning 62 Coleman and by that Means to be the better believed by the new 41 Ambassador when be shall speak good to him of his best Friend 62 Coleman I leave Mr. Warner to send you the News which are all concerning War The Spaniards refuse the Passports because the King terms the Prince of Lorrain Cousin and not Brother in those which he has given to the Plenipotentiaries of the other Princes 'T is said that the Jansenists fall short of their Expectations at Court and that the King shews himself averse to them in all the steps which they make to ingratiate with him Mr. Arnauld has not been able to make his Peace though he has offered to Subscribe the Doctrine of Mr. Amelot Priest of the Oratory touching sufficient Grace according to the sence of this Author And the Arch-Bishop of Paris has suspended a Predicator for not having spoken of the Popes and Councils as he ought If I were in the Street of St. Antoine as I am in that of St. Jaques I should know more News Adieu I pray believe that you have not a more faithful Servant nor a more true Friend than me in all the World Translated by Sir Henry Capell To Mr. Coleman Secretary of the Commands of her Royal Highness Madam the Dutchess of York in Deans-yard Westminster The 1 11 of March 75 76. I Have received your Letter of the 25 Feb. 2 Mar. I did not write to you on Saturday Sir and I shall send you very little by this Ordnary because that the Letters from England being not Arrived before Tuesday and not upon Monday I know not yet if there be any from you to me In those they send me I expect the Dutchesses Letter to desire Monsieur St. Germain to Treat with the King of France Just now I have received a Letter brought me from England but there is none from you I thank you for your Good will for the Lady Send me News of Mr. Sheldon an English Priest what he does in England will he stay there always Monsieur St. Germain thanks Mr. Coleman for the Marks of Friendship he gives him And he has already thanked him as he says by his Precedent Letter Monsieur St. Germain will send to know of him why Mr. Coleman would not have him speak of what he sends him concerning One hundred Thousand Pound Sterling promised to the King of England by the Means of the Duke of York For it is to the purpose as he believes That the King's Confessor should know it to the End he may serve him in the Business near the King of France Monsieur St. Germain is of the Opinion with Mr. Coleman as concerning the Great Treasurer And 't is absolutely Necessary that it be known in the King of France's Shop otherwise it will hurt his Commerce It suffices me to know that the Dutchess has received the Letter of Monsieur St. Germain It was nothing but a pure Civility touching the condition she is in and an Affair was recommended to her which is done since I saw your Friend Yesterday he shew'd me News of you He will come hither to Day to be present at a Comedy which will be represented here Monsieur de Vantelett is with me and prays me to do you his Civilities Pray do mine to Madam your Wife and to Monsieur Tartereau when you shall see him We have no News They prepare strongly for the War and they work strongly to Accommodate the Affair of Monsieur the Prince of Conde to the End he may go into Flanders and make Head against the Germains who will come with a very great Strength I make you no Complements Sir neither in the beginning or finishing my Letters Translated by Mr. Anchitell Gray To Mr. Coleman Secretary to her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York in Deans-yard Westminster March 8 18. 75 76. THe slow arrival of your Letters hath very much disquieted me I thought my self Dead in your Remembrance But that which you writ to me of the 2 12 of March hath again restored me to Life at least for some time for the dulness wherewith the Business that you wot of is carried on will I fear let me die no other Death and that for Reasons which you will hear of too soon Those of the Catholick Religion have desired me to write to you to let Coleman know the Condition of their Affairs which is that being for the present out of Purse it is altogether impossible for them to keep up their Trade long without his help Beside That the Party apprehendeth that his Trade failing in the Shop where he now is he shall after Easter be sent to set up in some other Town But if he could have obtained from the D. of York the Papers for which he hath so long waited he might probably e're this time have concluded his Business with the French King by the Means of the King's Confessor and he might have put himself in a condition to have continued his Trade to the Advantage of those in whose favour those Papers were written for having no Imployment in his Shop for want of Money it is impossible that he should keep it long since he wanteth Opportunity to make himself appear useful to the Service of the Duke and Dutchess having no order to act in any thing whatsoever I am overjoy'd with what Coleman hath said to the Dutchess and with what the Duke hath done for the grand Treasurer St. Germain hath made himself Enemies by maintaining the Opinion That the Dutchess ought to be prevailed with to manage her Affairs otherwise than she hath hitherto done I would gladly understand what Answer the Dutchess hath made to Coleman St. Germain buildeth great hopes upon what Coleman writeth to him about the Discourse which the Duke held with the grand Treasurer But Coleman may consider That if the Duke shall Treat any thing with the French King through other hands than the Confessors he shall meet with People that will couzen him and who will prefer the good of France before that of the Catholick Religion and of the Duke and principally of Coleman who hath many Rivals about his R. Highness and who is neither sufficiently known to nor hath any Interest with the French King If Monsieur St. Germain were a little acquainted with Matters he would Discourse them freely with the Confessor and learning from him the bottom of the Matter he would without Dissimulation Communicate
the King's Confessor hath positively assured him That the French King will write to the Dutchess concerning the Business that is on foot the Confessor told it to St. Germain in such a manner as he believes it will be to the Satisfaction of the Dutchess The Confessor also added upon what St. Germain represented to him That the French King leaving his home to make a round towards his Enemies could not so conveniently send the Letter of Exchange to Antwerp as was desired if he did dot do it before his departure That the French King thought upon these Businesses as well Abroad as at Home It is Necessary that Coleman inform St. Germain of what shall happen and if the Dutchess have received an Answer and what it is Madam Tremblay writ a Letter of March 26 Nevv Stile to St. Germain in vvhich vvas exprest that Coleman had not seen her in Ten days to tell her what he had done Madam Tremblay hath writ to Madam Ruvigny's Brother to oblige him to speak to the King's Confessor in favour of St. Germain to procure him a Journey into England if the Confessor had asked St. Germains advice upon 't he would have counselled him not to take that way which can never do well The new Ambassador's Secretary is very earnest with St. Germain to befriend him with the Confessor and seems very zealous for the Duke of York but St. Germain would know if this Secretary be as well with the Duke of York as he would make us believe and if the Duke hath all along trusted him with the secret of his Affair St. Germain entertains him with fair Promises by that means to understand things which may be useful to his Friends and chiefly to Coleman This Secretary is much astonished at the rumour that is here of the Duke of York having received no News of it and St. Germain is a little angry at Coleman that he hath writ nothing to him of it Translated by Sir E. Jennings For Mr. Coleman Secretary of her Royal Highness in Deans-yard Westminster July 15 25. No year Named I Did not believe Sir that I should have written to you this day because Mr. Gray will himself write to you to whom I told all my News so that you are to expect none from me now You may assure Mr. Coleman that Monsieur St. Germain will deliver that Letter to Madam la Tremblay which he addressed to her but at the same time that he promised it he said that he had not lately heard any thing of her nor could he certainly tell whether she were yet arrived but he would make a diligent Inquiry and pay his Devoire in all things to Mr. Coleman and would perform even more than was desired when ever he could Monsieur St. Germain is in good earnest highly Obliged to Mr. Coleman for all those Industrious pains he takes upon his Account and in a particular manner for those Papers we wanted that he wants Language to express his Gratitude Monsieur St. Germain has received a Letter from the King's Confessor and from the Ambassador wherein he is to make his Address to that Confessor that the Successor of St. Germain be not sent nor indeed any other of the French Nation as Mr. Coleman seems to be ingaged in this Paper St. Germain intreated me to write every thing which related to Coleman who was thereupon to take his Measures for I see very well that Monsieur Rouvigny is strangely bent against the Jesuits and the Duke and Coleman and I much apprehend his giving the same Sentiments to the King of France and to his Confessor and the Minister of State And therefore Mr. Coleman must manage carefully this Affair without the least taking notice that he knows any thing from Monsieur St. Germain you must take especial care not to prejudice our Friend that he may be the better able to Traffick with the King's Confessor and Mr. Sheldon As to the rest you must know that the Duke has consented that St. Germain's Successor should not go into England Provided that the King's Confessor will name another I could wish that the Dutchess would have Ordered a little Note to be writ to the King's Confessor about this Matter and that by an agreeing to his desires that the Successor might remain with him still and not go into England the Dutchess might then the better put him in mind of the Merchants of * Supposed to be the Jesuits Antwerp for the King's Confessor does apprehend the mentioning any such thing to the King of France because the King having given his direction already to a Minister of State who is at present in the Army against Holland it belongs only to that Minister to put this Affair in Execution for it is the way here that no Minister dare to act in any Matter that is not committed to his Province for the King will have it so And therefore if the Confessor be not pressed with some new Motive I shall hardly be able to make him act Our old Ambassador Monsieur Rouvigny is arrived in Town where St. Germain now is he came on Saturday last and St. Germain has let me know that he will see him either to Day or to Morrow which he could not do before by reason of his Calling which has taken him up without intermission till Yesterday There is no News yet but is expected every Moment The Town of Ayre is hard pressed and is believed will be soon taken Monsieur Luxembourgh is taking Orders that a Provision of Oats be sent to him before he goes to attack the Enemy Translated out of French into English by the Lord Ancram Postscript YOu will discern with Monsieur De Vertharnout whether it be requisite that he comes because upon Friday last the King of England has done somewhat to the Portugal Ambassador of which he told me the whole Story and I likewise have learnt it from Monsieur Rouvigny who entertained me near an hour under great Confidence that they had absolutely taken from that Ambassador the total Vse of his Chappel but besides that Monsieur Rouvigny said That he finds that the Storm will unavoidably fall upon France and the Catholicks who are very Angry that Endeavours are made to bring a Successor to Monsieur St. Germain of the French Nation And he further says That it is absolutely to Ruine the Catholick Religion and to irritate the Enemies of France Neither does he doubt but that it will also prove fatal to the Duke for which he absolutely blames the Jesuits and Mr. Coleman Who are now more than ever in the greatest Band of Aversion to the Protestants and likewise to one part of the Catholicks and Ministers of State for they are persuaded says he that those who are of the Condition of the King of France's Confessor and of the Dukes do Act most impudently in that they are intangled betwixt the King and the Catholicks because they would introduce an Authority without Limits and pushes
Sabbati 4 to Die Decembriis 1680. I Do Appoint Samuel Heyrick Thomas Dring and John Wickins to Print this Collection of Letters and other Writings Perused by me according to the Order of the Honorable HOUSE of COMMONS and that no other Person presume to Print the same GEO. TREBY A COLLECTION OF LETTERS AND OTHER WRITINGS RELATING TO The Horrid Popish Plott Printed from the ORIGINALS in the Hands OF George Treby Esq Chairman of the COMMITTEE of Secrecy Of the HONOURABLE House of Commons Published by Order of that House LONDON Printed for Samuel Heyrick at Grays-Inn Gate in Holborn Thomas Dring at the Harrow and John Wickins at the White Hart in Fleetstreet MDCLXXXI TO THE READER THE Letters and Writings here publish'd are indubitably authentick They were all except those of which account is given at the end found and seized in Mr. Coleman's House at the time of his Commitment and owned by himself and particularly at his Tryal when several of the Letters written by and to him were produced and read and then mark'd by the Clerk of the Crown with Lect. pro Rege as is here printed in the Margins And they were by his Majesties Order delivered to the Houses of Parliament and thence delivered to the Committee of Secrecy Also the hand-writing of Mr. Coleman the Cardinal of Norfolk Mr. Leyburne Sir William Throgmorton and the late Earle of Barkshire by the name of William Rice have been proved by Testimony of such Witnesses as well knew the same The Letters writ by Mr. Coleman are printed from the Original draughts written by him in French and translated by Order of the Privy Council and such of the Letters sent to Mr. Coleman which were written in French were translated either by the same Order or by Order of one of the Houses of Parliament The Letters writ by Mr. Coleman were read in the House of Commons in this and the two last Parliaments and the rest either read or in substance reported in this and the last Parliament by their Orders In most of these Letters the principal and material words and names of Persons and Places were writ in Cypher but have been exactly decypher'd by the Keys or Tables which were found together with them In several of them there were used Figurative words or words of Cabal the meaning of which is conjectured from the Tenor and Sence of the Correspondence as in the Allegories used between Mr. Coleman and the Nuntio the word Creditors appears to signifie Adversaries Debtors Friends East-India Company the Paliament and Trade and Traffique the administration of publick Affairs So Suit appears to signifie contesting especially in Parliament concerning the Popish Interest definitive Sentence gaining the point in that Contest And in the like Metaphorical Sence are used Process Lawyers Advocates c. The Correspondents in these Letters do seldom use the First Person when they mention themselves or the Second Person when they mean him to whom it is written but they use the Cypher of their Names for the Persons And accordingly they are decypher'd and render'd in the Third Person As in the Cardinals Letters to Mr. Coleman it is written that the Cardinal of Norfolk did so and Mr. Coleman should do thus c. The House of Commons intended and directed Exactness of Truth in this Publication In observance of which not only Mr. Coleman's but the Letters of the Cardinal and others which contain several passages not directly relating to the main Design are publish'd at large so as they stand represented to the World without any other disadvantage than what is inherent in themselves But several Letters of Mr. Leyburn and some of the Letters of others of the lesser Correspondents being stuft with common and ordinary News that News and that only is omitted in this Print Some of the Letters seized at Mr. Coleman's are not decypherable by all or any of the Keys found of which however one is thought fit to be publisht which is inserted towards the end Geo. Treby A LETTER FROM Mr. Coleman to the French King's Confessor June the 29th 1674. I AM commanded to tell you That his Royal Highness Lect. pro Rege my Master is very sensible of the Friendship of his most Christian Majesty which he will endeavour to cultivate very carefully and to give him all possible Assurances of it to take away all Jealousies that his Enemies would raise to the contrary That his Royal Highness has done nothing in any manner whatsoever nor in any place against the Interest of his most Christian Majesty but hath rendred him all the good Offices he hath been capable of That as for recalling the Parliament and touching my Lord A his Highness is altogether of the opinion of his Majesty that neither one nor other is useful but quite contrary very dangerous as well for England as France and that his most Christian Majesty is in great danger of losing the Neutrality of England at the next Session if the Parliament meet as he lost its Alliance by the Peace of Holland at the last because the Lower House and their Friends as the furious Protestants and the Malecontents in the House of Lords have a Design to lessen his Royal Highness and root out the Catholick Religion and they think they cannot make use of any other fitter means to attain their End than to raise the Dutch and to perplex his most Christian Majesty as much as lyes in their Power That his Highness doubts not but it is absolutely necessary for the Interest of his most Christian Majesty and his Royal Highness to use all endeavours to hinder the meeting of the Parliament by perswading his Britannick Majesty that his Greatness his Honour and his Quiet are no less concerned therein than theirs So that if his most Christian Majesty would write freely his thoughts thereupon to his Br. Majesty to forewarn him of the Danger he apprehends from thence and would withal think fit to make him the same generous offers of his Purse to perswade him to dissolve the present Parliament as he hath done to his Highness for the Election of another perhaps he would succeed therein by the Assistance we would give him here As for another Parliament it would be easie enough to get such an one as we wish for the Constitutions of our Parliaments being of such a nature that as there is nothing to be hoped for by the King from an old one so there is nothing to be feared from a new one because such an one at their first meeting must needs assist his Majesty so far as to inable him to acknowledge his Obligations both to his most Christian Majesty and to all the World Now although there is nothing in the World more true or plainer than this some nevertheless carried on either by their particular Interest or by their meer Malice and the hatred they have conceived against those they have so far offended as to despair of their Pardon are
convene with him for he says himself it 's you must put him the way to make the measures he has taken in Italy to take effect for he knows what power he hath here but he knows not of what Constitution you are in Besides the Propositions he makes for Portership can't be done at this distance but in such terms as the meanest face here you have will easily tell what he means and so our Trade quite spoilt so if our friend with you signifie the least desire he has to have our friend come over he 'le easily clear all difficulties and discover to you the dispositions of both Countreys to our purpose and I no ways doubt but you ll have entire satisfaction however there will be no harm to hear what he can say and to see the plan that 's made for this kinde of Traffique I expect your answer as to this particular and shall ever be as you would have me to be This Letter is indorst with Mr. Coleman's hand thus Answered 7ber 26. but imperfectly and with a promise of a clearer and fuller Answer by the next Post Note this dark suspicious Letter was received but a very few days before the Plot was discovered to his Majesties Privy-Conncil and Mr. Coleman thereupon Committed Among Mr. Coleman's Papers is one of his own hand-writing tituled on the back thus King 's Power to command his own Subjects service against all Acts of Parliament That which is written within seems to be but an imperfect beginning of an Argument to prove this Power of commanding Subjects service against all Acts of Parliament the words are these Any Subject is by his natural Legeance bound to obey and serve his Sovereign c. It is Enacted by the Parliament of the 23 Hen. 6. that no man should serve the King as Sheriff of any County above one year and that notwithstanding any Clause of Non obstante to the contrary that is to say notwithstanding that the King should expressly dispense with the said Statute Howbeit it is agreed in 2 H. 7. that against the express purview of that Act the King may by a special non obstante dispense with that Act for that the Act could not barr the King of the service of his Subject which the Law of Nature did give unto him Lord Cooke 7th Report Calvin's Case fol. 14. The next following Letters were written to Mr. Coleman by the said Internuntio or Nuncio as he stiles himself part from Brusselles and the rest from Rome whither he removed during the Correspondence They were written Originally in French Translated by several Members of Parliament Bruxelles the 14th of August 1674. Translated by Tho. Thinn Esquire SIR YOur Letter of the 24th of July which I received some days since from the person to whom you had Addrest it delivered me from the great uneasiness I was in by not having heard from you in so long a time I was very glad you confirmed what I received from another hand the good condition in which the Dukes Affairs stood in relation to the Process he had with the Parliament wherein I hope he will have an entire Victory Oblige me in acquainting me as often as possible you can how that matter proceeds and particularly whether it will come quickly to a hearing as those of his side intended or whether it is like to be put off to a longer time the Emperor is in tirely his and the Inter-Nuntio has this week received Letters from him wherein he commands him to assure the Duke of the passionate zeal he has for his Service and those of the Catholicks I pray you acquaint the Duke with it and assure him that the Inter-Nuntio has also the same inclinations as he will make appear on all occasions that shall present themselves but it must be the Duke himself must direct in what we may contribute to his Service The Pope also will give his assistance in such things as are proper for him to appear in I beg of you to communicate your News to me as often as you can by such ways as you shall judge most convenient and am in the mean time without reserve SIR Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant ALBANY From Brussels September 28. 1674. Translated by Sir Humphry Winch. SIR I Have received this Week two of your Letters dated the fourth and the seventh of this Month by which I understand in what condition the Dukes Process is I was ravished to find by the last that the Tryal will be put off to another time against the general opinion Without doubt this will extreamly rejoyce the Pope and the Emperor whereof the first imployeth all his power to accommodate the differences between Spain and France and I doubt not but the consideration of contributing by this means to the advantage of the Duke and of the Catholicks will further incite him to solicite this affair upon the relation which the Nuncio will make to the Pope of the importance of its success for the Catholiques of England As for the Emperor he is so zealous for the Dukes service that I am assured he will omit nothing on his side to facilitate whatever he shall find tend to the good issue of this Affair whereof I will write to him particularly Continue only to impart to me all the light that may serve to direct what is to be treated on I hope the next winter will give opportunity for more happy Negotiations even to the Mediation of the Pope who hitherto hath not been able to act at all as you have known from other parts I am without reserve c. Your most Humble c. ALBANY October 19. 1674. Translated by Sir Humphry Winch. SIR I Agree with you that the only means to win the King to the Duke's Interest and to take him off intirely from the Friendship of the Parliament would be Money for the Reasons you alledge in your last Letter of the 2d instant which I have just now received but the means necessary to continue it are so excessive that even according to your own opinion and the discourse we had when you was here what the Pope could contribute would be nothing in comparison of what is needed and in the obligation he hath also to assist other Friends who are in greater straits I likewise doubt whether the Pope would resolve upon what you propound considering the little stress can be laid upon the Kings will it being to be feared that all imployed that way would soon be lost without any advantage to the Duke or his Associates which we have reason to fear from his ordinary manner of proceeding It would therefore be necessary in my opinion to have at least some propable assurances that we might imploy for the advantage of the Catholicks and what otherwise we are obliged frugally to manage for them in other parts before the Proposition be made to the Pope which is not to be undertaken in so general and obscure Terms as you
all to Coleman whereas now it is to be feared that the other Negotiators Cheat the English for the Advantage of France or for their own particular Interest for the chief Minister in the Councils of War who hath at present an Absolute Power over his Christian Majesty is altogether for War which is neither the Business of England nor of the Roman Catholicks Be sure that you make Coleman fully sensible of all this for it is one of their most indisputable Articles of Faith St. Germain hath desired me to tell you That it is a hard matter to make Coleman understand what he desireth concerning the Lady's Business who if you so please will henceforth go under the Name of Madam de la Tremblay Because he plainly perceives that those Persons who know altogether as much of that Affair as he stand upon their reserve and will not disclose themselves in what they know nay of what they have acted with him Nevertheless I will tell you in hope that it shall go no farther than our selves no not so much as to take notice of it to Madam de la Tremblay that Montecuculi and the D. of York are the Two first who ever thought of putting it into the Dutchesse's head to think closer of the Traffick than she had done and that therefore finding no body in her own Shop who was able to make her sensible of the Importance of that Affair and the means to succeed in it and that she had those Counsellors about her which made her do things that were likely to ruine her whole Commerce they concluded that it was necessary to place some able and trusty Person about her They refused to make choice of any of the Dutchess's own Countrey by reason of the Experience which they had of him who was there already and because they understand not the way of the English Trade nor indeed of the English Men as not having the Acquaintance of any in whom they might confide The Person nominated was esteemed very proper as well for his own Merit as because that Choice would oblige Monsieur Rouvigni the Catholick Party and consequently the French King to Declare for the Duke and Dutchess And that this Person being of the Catholick Party and Rouvigni of the Protestant both sides would be well pleased To bring this Matter about St. Germain by the advice of Montecuculi discoursed the Matter with Madam de la Tremblay who hath as you know all Power over the Person upon whom they had cast their Eyes to be plaeed in the Dutchess's Shop Madam de la Tremblay offered her Assistance in all that they desired The Matter was then to be approved by the Duke and Dutchess Montecuculi communicated it by Letter to the Banker his Master whose Correspondent in England the Dutchess is who embraced the Proposals and promised to write thereof to the Dutchess as he soon after did but touched the Matter tenderly being content at first to recommend to her the Care of his Business and to have a more watchful Eye over it than formerly and to take along with her the Advice of Montecuculi who was acquainted with all his Thoughts and rightly set to contribute his best Assistance toward the Success of his Affair The Dutchess thereupon enquired of Montecuculi what was expected for her to do Montecuculi gave her her Lesson in Writing to study it at her leisure and without expressing the Matter plainly insinuated to her that she wanted a good Apprentice to take care of her Shop and keep an exact Account of all that passed through his hands That her eldest Apprentice had not Wit enough That the Second was ignorant of the Affairs of England and did not understand a word that was said to him That he set himself to no Business nay that he was of a malicious Spirit making ill Impressions in the Dutchess of all the Boys in the Shop to preserve himself single in her favour That the Third was Dull Careless Scornful and an Enemy to all Activity All this was said to the Dutchess by Montecuculi not indeed so downright as I have expressed it yet so as the Dutchess might understand it if she pleased and I believe she did so but instead of receiving it as she ought she seemed to be out of humour and hath not as I know since that time written any Answer to Montecuculi but hath avoided all manner of Correspondence with him Wherefore Montecuculi and St. Germain thought fit to proceed another way and make the Duke acquainted with what the Dutchess would not seem to understand Montecuculi discoursed the Matter with the E. of Peterborough without acquainting him that they had any design to place the Friend of Madam Tremblay in the Shop but barely to engage him to acquaint the Duke with the ill conduct of the Dutchess and to lay before him the Necessity of applying some proper and powerful Remedy But afterward Montecuculi and St. Germain sought other Persons less interessed and better inclined than the E. of Peterborough for this Business And if Coleman please he may call to mind the discourse which St. Germain had with him upon this Subject representing to him the Necessity there then was of placing a Head Apprentice or Fore-man in the Dutchess's Shop Nevertheless he did not then speak all out because the Friend of Madam de la Tremblay being not then in England they expected his return to know of him if he would be content that Coleman should be admitted to the knowledge of the Matter And accordingly St. Germain writ to Madam la Tremblay's Friend who was then in France to press his speedy coming over that we mght act joyntly and without loss of time St. Germain had likewise Treated for Two other Persons one of them he laboured to put into the good esteem of the Dutchess and succeeded therein and by the assistance of the First introduced the Second They are both well with the Duke But herein St. Germain gave himself work enough for these Two last Persons are such that St. Germain neither can nor will Treat with by any but himself and he hath such private Reasons for it that he dares not express them and so forcible that if he should utter them all the World must be of his Opinion and do as he doth He undertook likewise to taste but obscurely the mind of the Duke's Confessor in censuring the weak conduct of the Dutchess's Ghostly Father by laying open the miscarriages of the Dutchess which required a speedy and vigorous Remedy These are all the Proceedings as likewise the Contrivances of St. Germain to gain his two unknown Friends which could not yet be carried so close but that some Observations have been made of them but none could ever discover the true Cause of the groundless Jealousies which have been raised upon St. Germain and which hath been the chiefest Reason that he hath been abandoned in his Misfortunes and that no body concerneth himself
Lect. pro Rege the French having intercepted them as we are told Sir Hen. Tich is gone away hence towards France and so for your Quarters The very morning early before he went hence I procured him a private Discourse with my Father here in which he was much satisfied and will bring my Fathers particular recommendations to the Duke and Dutchess although as Sir Hen. wrote to you sometime since at Rome they wonder the Dutchess writeth not to the Pope which when Cardinal Norfolk was first told of he could hardly believe being those of Rome stand much on those Punctilio's as you know especially that the Dutchess being of that Country either the Dutchess or other about her should remember her to do it it being so easy a thing nay and on the matter a Duty wherefore if it be not yet done I pray hasten it hither and I will present it with the best excusing Complements I can for here they have a Good will for the Dutchess and the Duke as they say they shewed to both in the Dispens which the Pope granted to the Dutchess to be with the Duke as they are although you know it was denyed to the Dutchess when she was in her own Countrey which denyal they say was not on any ill will to the Dutchess or the Duke but quite on the contrary for both their good the Pope having before exhorted the Dutchess unto it but on other reasons which I suppose you know as also because the Pope was not fully satisfied of the Dukes being a Catholick which if so there would have been no need of the Popes Dispens nay that which then gave him doubt of the Dukes being a Catholick and which yet doth not at all satisfie the Pope or at Rome is the Duke doing as they esteem it the contrary by going as you know with the Protestants which you know was long since condemned by former Popes that the Catholicks could not c. and in that point I confess I was put to my Trumps in Rome when it was objected to me although I must as duly confess it was never yet my Opinion in England that any Catholick could do it and so I did clearly declare my self when and wheresoever I thought I ought or that it was asked me but I was informed not long before I left England that otherwise people proposed something confusedly not to term it otherwise to some whom they thought convenient to pick out in order to say something to that purpose nascitur rediculus mus and so went on as before hand over head it being well for me not to have been called to so wise a business since they and others knew I was not wise enough to understand being I did never love to go head-long in a business above my low Capacity nor endeavour to run hand over head before I can well go on my own Leggs much less on others Shoulders Finally I think I could talk a great deal more Non-sence on this than is fitting to be written it being more excusable when ex abundantia cordis os loquitur then when ex stultitia manu scribitur I would however say and write that hitherto I cannot perceive the right way hath been taken for the Duke and Rome to understand throughly one another nor the Catholicks and the Pope neither but by confused undigested and too often Factious Notions which will never do rightly the Catholicks of Englands affairs The Pope doth not at all desire the Duke to do any thing indiscreetly or precipitantly that all England may openly say The Duke is a Catholick leaving that unto his own discretion for a due time but to do any thing to the contrary as Rome thinketh ut supra the Pope cannot approve of I have however I am sure done my part with Rome for the Duke who is not so much to be blamed on his side if others who should know more do not condemn but rather approve or at least connive therein But of all this and somewhat more more hereafter Interim as to what you mention of a 100000 Crowns or more from Rome for the Duke is a Noli me tangere at present which the very fear of so considerable a business so hard to be gotten would frighten Rome In order to other more easy things for the Duke and Catholicks we must first clear other small stumbling Blocks least we run on Precipices not so easily to be gotten off and I hope all will do well although Rome remembers and speaks often how in last Queen of Englands time another Pope was deceived of much more than a 100000 Crowns under pretence of the Catholicks in Ireland However as I wrote unto you before I am not out of hopes in some time to get a Pension for the Dutchesses Secretary but all Affairs here must be well matured first and a perfect understanding betwixt the Duke and the Pope and Cardinal Altieri and Rome For although I assure you That both the Pope and Cardinal Altieri have a particular Esteem for the Duke that must be improved and well modelled that if he come to need it the Cardinal of Norfolk may the better endeavour it And for this purpose I think it not amiss to tell you That Cardinal Norfolk had some days since a Letter of the one and thirtieth of January lest at his Lodging from the Duke by I know not who yet he called himself the Duke's Agent and by what Cardinal Norfolks Servant tells me He seemeth to be an Italian as it 's most probable for if he were of England I think he would not so publickly give himself that Name which can do the Duke no good at present to be called so in Rome publickly Although I think it were very fitting the Duke should have a good one and if he like of it Cardinal Norfolk offers him who useth to write to you Mr. J. Lay for whose Ability Fidelity and Activity Cardinal Nortolk will answer and what he cannot doe Cardinal Norfolk will supply and this without taking the name of it or any Interest which certainly others would expect and perhaps want but he doth neither This you may offer the Duke in Cardinal Norfolks and his name Here it is said The Empress is not like to live if so why might it not be thought of matching the Eldest of our Princesses there or if not France or Spain I am much obliged to the Duke and Dutchess for Endeavours if need be That the Queen of England should think of Removing Cardinal Norfolk But by what I hear from the Portuguese and others I think there is no such Intent It having been onely the Invention and malicious Reports of some however my Obligation to the Duke Dutchess and Secretary is the same I wrote of late by Sir He to the Duke and Dutchess and unto the Secretary not long before unto which I remit my self Cardinal Altieri and Balberini have no great intrinsecal Friendship which I suppose you know April 18.
Minister here upon these latter Arguments which are most strong but onely upon the first Monsieur Rouvigny's Sense and ours differing very much upon them though we agree perfectly upon the rest And indeed though he be a very able man as to his Master's Service in things wherein Religion is not concerned yet I believe it were much more happy considering the posture he is now in that his temper were of such a sort that we might deal clearly with him throughout and not be forc'd to step short in a Discourse of Consequence and leave the most material part out because we know it will shock his particular opinion and so perhaps meet with Dislike and Opposition though never so necessary to the main Concern I am afraid we shall find too much reason for this Complaint in this next Session of Parliament for had we had one here from his most Christian Majesty who had taken the whole Business to heart and who would have represented the state of our case truly as it is to his Master I do not doubt but his most Christian Majesty would have ingaged himself further in the Affair than at present I fear he has done and by his Approbation have given such Counsels as have been offered to his Royal Highness by those few Catholicks who have access to him and who are bent to serve him and advance the Catholick Religion with all their Might and might have more Credit with his Royal Highness than I fear they have found and have assisted them also with his Purse as far as 10000 Crowns or some such Sum which to him is very inconsiderable but would have been to them of greater Use than can be imagined towards gaining others to help them or at least not to oppose them If we had been so happy as to have had his most Christian Majesty with us to this degree I would have answered with my Life for such Success this Sessions as would have put the Interest of the Catholick Religion his R. Highness and his most Christian Majesty out of all danger for the time to come but wanting those helps of recommending those necessary Counsels which have been given his R. H. in such manner as to make him think them worth his accepting and fit to govern himself by and of those Advantages which a little Money well managed would have gained us I am afraid we shall not be much better at the end of this Sessions than we are now I pray God we do not lose ground by my next which will be e're long I shall be able to tell your Reverence more particularly what we are like to expect in the mean time I most humbly beg your holy Prayers for all our Undertakings and that you will be pleased to honour me so far as to esteem me what I am intirely and without reserve Mon tres Reverend Pere le Votre R. Le plus humble plus obeisant Serviteur Coleman's Letter to Monsieur le Chese the French King 's Confessor in the Duke of York's name ON the Second of June last his most Christian Majesty offered me very generously his Friendship and his Purse too for my assistance against the Designs of my Enemies and his and protested to me that his Interests and mine were so strictly bound up together that such as opposed either ought to be look'd upon as the Enemies of the other and told me besides his thoughts of my Lord Arlington and of the Parliament which are that he doth not believe that either the one or the other were favourable to his Interests or to mine and thereupon he desired me to make him such Propositions as I should think sit for this Conjuncture All this happened by the Interposition of F. Ferrier who made use of Sir William Throckmorton a good and honest man who was then at Paris and has corresponded with Coleman one of my Domesticks in whom I put great confidence As I was very well satisfied to see that his most Christian Majesty was altogether of my opinion I returned him an Answer on the twenty ninth of June by the same conveyance by which he writ me that is by Coleman who directed it to F. Ferrier by the said Sir William Throckmorton and I agreed intirely with him as well concerning the Union of our Interests as how useless my Lord A. and the Parliament were to the King my Brother and his most Christian Majesty and that it was very necessary for us to make use of all our Credit joyntly for preventing the Success of the evil Designs that my Lord Ar. and the Parliamentarians have formed against his most Christian Majesty and me which I promised to do faithfully on my part and whereof I have given since that time sufficient testimonies after this I made some Propositions that I thought fit for the accomplishment of what we were oblig'd to undertake assuring him that nothing could support our Interests so strongly with the King my Brother than the making him the same Offers of his Purse by the assistance whereof I had great reason to hope that I should be capable of perswading him to dissolve the Parliament and of frustrating the Intrigues of my Lord Ar. who endeavours continually to advance the Credit of the Prince of Orange and the Dutch and to diminish that of the King your Master notwithstanding all the Protestations he now makes to serve him But as our Propositions were delay'd by the sickness of F. Ferr. our Business did not succeed according to our desire onely the Father writ me word on the fifteenth of the last Month that he had communicated the Propositions that I directed to him from his most Christian Majesty and that they were very acceptable unto him but as they contained two things one that concerned the Catholick Religion and the other the offer of his Purse he gave me to understand that he did not desire I should treat with Monsieur Rovigny upon the former but for the latter he told me at the same time that Monsieur Rovigny had order to concur with me in all that the Conjuncture of Our Affairs should make appear necessary I have expected the Effects thereof until this time but nothing being done and perceiving besides that my Lord Ar. and many others endeavour by a thousand Tricks to break off the good Understanding that is between the King my Brother his most Christian Majesty and me for the deceiving of all Three I have thought fit to acquaint you with all that is past and to ask your Assistance and Friendship for preventing the Knavery of all those that have no other Design than to betray the Concerns of France and England too and by their pretended Services occasion their Disappointment I do refer you farther to Sir William Throckmorton and to Coleman whom I have commanded to acquaint you with the particulars of our Affairs and the true State of England that many others and principally my Lord Ar. endeavoured to represent to you