contradict them in any matter whatsoever in case that this point were absolutely determined in their favour and even those who have most obstinately opposed their Interests would then be as earnest to serve them and to joyn with them so that their Adversaries would be wholly ruin'd and all the Business be managed intirely by the Duke and his Friends without any opposition in such sort that it will not be in the King's Power to establish another Company although he should be so capricious as to desire it which he will never do because he is naturally inclin'd to favour those when he may do it without hazard and he has nothing to apprehend upon this occasion since he will find his Interest better established by this means and with more security and quiet than ever it has been hitherto For my part that which I have said seems so evident to me that nothing less than a Miracle can give me greater assurance that the King will never oppose the Designs of the Duke and his Friends provided he has once done in their favour what they desire of him because he will find his Account in it very advantagiously as he will quickly perceive when he has made tryal of the Success although he does not yet see it and therefore it is necessary we should be assisted with Money to open the Eyes of the King or to carry him blindly to his own Advantage which Mony will easily do having such an absolute Power over him that he cannot resist it in any thing and besides that the thing which we ask is so reasonable so honourable and so much for his Interest which he will see clearly when he comes to consider his own Affairs as he ought and so agreeable to his Inclination that we want nothing but the assistance of a Sum of Mony that may have influence enough upon him to make him reflect upon what concerns him most particularly to obtain all that we can desire of him As for the Process we have no great reason to apprehend the success of it if money may there give it's honourable Testimony for we are not only assured of Justice from those Judges who are to determine it but even of as much Favour as they can reasonably shew us for seeing they have been so kind as to defer the Sentence for so many Months in favour of the Duke and his Friends that they might have occasion to strengthen their party when the ordinary Rule and Method of the Law oblidged them to proceed forthwith to a determination of the Dispute which the adverse Party pressed with all their power knowing well that the Duke and his Friends were not at all prepar'd to support their Right as was requisite The Judges I say being so favourable to them as to give them time for the clearing of some points which might change the Appearance of the Cause so that instead of loosing it as they would certainly have done without this Explanation they cannot now fail of Success in it according to the strictest Rule of Justice nor need they fear any Oppression of Injustice after such proofs of Kindness so that the Duke and his Friends assisted by the Testimony of Money which may give so much evidence to this Affair cannot fail of a Decision in their Favour by the aforesaid Judges Moreover I perswade my self the Pope will never want Testimonies on the Duke's part either of his Will or Power to go through what he undertakes if the King does not hinder him for as to the former he has given such proofs of his Integrity and Resolution to continue it unalterably in the greatest Extremities that no body can be so unjust as to suspect him capable of any unworthy Action And as to his Power there are so many Instances to be given in other Persons who have been less concern'd and less able than himself and yet have been so successful in the same Attempts that there is no reason in this Case to doubt of it Remember I beseech you what happened at in the year and compare the persons Enterprizes and all other Circumstances of those times with these and then tell me if you please why one may not expect as good an effect now as then but if Mony alone be able to produce Effects of this kind in the present Conjuncture of Affairs you will doubtless agree with me that it is requisite to employ it on this Occasion if ever we pretend to use it on any And indeed there is no Appearance that so much Labour and Care have been used for so long time to encrease the Power of the Church to render it unuseful for ever As to the Journey of Mr. Gabriel the Internuncio seeing he is fond of it I am content because he will have better opportunity of promoting the Duke's Interest with the Pope and Emperour at Rome than elsewhere for my part I should not correspond with his Successor without Monsieur Gabriel's Express Order or some of his Friends because I may continue the Negotiation of our Affair immediately with him at Rome as well as by any other way which would not advance but rather retard the Business I should think my self very happy if I might see him in his passage to but if that may not be I shall be glad to get leave of my Master to meet him at to kiss his hands and to give him the greatest assurances of my being intirely his as I profess to be SIR As to what you say of the Pope's Obligations to assist other Friends who are under greater Pressures I answer That perhaps the Affairs of the King of France may be more pressing than theirs and also than those of the Duke for the Duke may possibly be able to overcome all his Difficulties without any assistance from abroad though not without much trouble and hazard but I should think the best and honest way of assisting the King of France effectually would be for the Pope to joyn with the Duke and to endeavour with their Credit with Spain and other Catholick Princes ro unite themselves in a Company and to admit the King of France into it to the end that being joyned in the same Company they might have but one common Interest and they would be able to Govern the whole Traffick at their Pleasure and the Protestants and all other Nations would be obliged to give them what they would ask for all they should expect and to sell them their Merchandizes at their own price because there would be no other Merchants of whom they could buy or to whom they could sell but to those of this Company which would bring them in an incredible Advantage and there is nothing more easie than to establish this Company if the Pope would contribute his Assistance as abovesaid From Mr. Coleman to the Internuntio Windsor Aug. 30. 1675. IT is true Sir that the Pope hath given us a clear and evident mark of his affection toward the
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
him at a cheaper rate than for nothing Paris Decemb. 16. 1674. I Am extreamly glad you were satisfied with mine of the 15th and that seems to be so I am sure there is nothing in the World I covet more than that he should be so I shall long for your next and that the Parliament be dissolved for then sure we shall see what the King will do though I believe he has not been so silent to his Factor here for I am confident he had Orders for something two Posts last though for what I cannot possibly learn On my word it behoves your Traders to bestir themselves now for it is that which will cause Enemies and it is Resolution must do the business I am glad you approve of my not seeing Pompone though I should be glad to have something to the purpose to see him withal Methinks I could talk otherwise if my .... were rais'd but a little which it would be to some purpose if the dissolution of the Parliament were compass'd On my word I see not that things go so bad but that such a business would make them very reasonable Men. My Lord Duras is coming to you you know I have always loved him and am much his Servant whether he makes me such a return I know not he is most extraordinarily outwardly civil to me that his inwards is not so I have some reason to doubt I only ask you to look that he does the Duke no prejudice We have had here the same Story of my Lord Arlington's refusal at the Hague that you had in London Pray see what you can do for the Man-Midwife he would be a great help to me it goes to my heart to press you thus always for Mony I assure you I spend not a Shilling that I think the Duke's Service does not require but yet I cannot help it Mony goes like the Devil Once more pray look to Duras for I am confident he would do both of us a prejudice if he could As to the quarter of the 100000 l. I know not what you call reasonable conditions let me know if you please what you mean by yours but I mean for the procuring the dissolution of or facilitating of it and then I assure you that I am very sorry for that is the subject of it For it is as publick as his being here and scandalizes many good People as also her Mother's being with child this _____ appease for God's sake Let us be vertuous if we can but if we cannot let us not to satisfie their Vanity lose our Wit quite but be wise and cautious I swear upon my Soul the reputation of Vertue with that of his Truth will do him more good than ten Millions January 19th 1674 5. I Think I must state the case in Writing again and give it Pompone to shew Fr. K. I doubt the Bishop of Dublin's sending to Louvoy's Father For you must know that the Bishop of Dublin is the lyingst Rogue in the World he has done our business no good for he speaks with Confidence and makes them believe he is the Man in the world with the Duke and tells them whatever he pleases which must make them have a mean opinion of the Duke or if they do or do not absolutely believe him it must make them the more diffident of Sir William Throgmorton The truth is I wonder Pompone doth so well with Sir W. Throg as he doth considering that the Bishop of Dublin speaks the contrary with as much Authority as appears to them as Sir W. Th. does what he says I told you all that was between him and Louvoy his Father six weeks ago for I trace him every where and surely never Man made Falshood Lying and Knavery so much his business as he does I had yours of the 4th and if I think it as proper after a nights consideration as I do yet I may french it to Pompone next time I see him for I like it very well Why should you not get Ruvigny write to Pampone the discourse Coleman had with him and his liking of it It would help Sir William Throgmorton mightily at least it would give him some more Credit I am overjoy'd to hear what you say about dissolving the Parliament though 300000 l. should not be compass'd not that it shall make me a jot the less active or sollicitous for it for I am I assure you of their opinion as much as is possible that nothing will settle businesses lastingly like joining the Fr. King 's and the Duke's interests together And when I told you there might be an advantage made by gaining the Parliament to be dissolved without 300000 l. I did not mean the Fr. King but only that that would make these about the Fr. King seeing the Power the Duke has a little more reasonable and that then they will come with the Duke to terms of accommodation more equal than now they will and let us think or propose what we please it is certain that nothing but a just ballance of things can keep their Interests long linked and therefore I judged it for the Duke's advantage by such an Action to gain that Reputation with them as shall shew them their benefit of coming to such an Accommodation with him which then may keep their Amity link'd fast for all their lives I never was blinder nor wearier in my life So adieu I could not help the 100 l. Bill for ....... Pray tell Mauson I have done his .... as he desired He is with my Wife but I cannot write to him this Post February 6. 1674 75. I Account my self most extraordinary unhappy that my illness hath hindred me from seeing Mounsieur Pompone since businesses go so with Lord Arlington as they do I assure you if it had been nothing but the hazard of my Life lain at stake I should have ventured it to have given you an Answer this Post but it would have allarm'd all the World to see one go out in such a condition by the next Post however I promise you an Answer for I will either speak or write to him If Ruvigny hath but in any measure done his part I promise you I will do mine And if the French King will do nothing I know not how to help it but the truth is he hath so mean an opinion of the King and all his Partners that I doubt he thinks scarce any thing they can do worth 300000 l. It must be therefore I believe something immediately from the Duke that I must tell him that will perswade him to hope for better things when he shall govern Adieu I can say no more Superscribed To Edward Coleman Esq Secretary to her Royal Highness Transcribed 8. Novemb. 78. Ed. Dering Postscript This is Abbot Mountague's Letter which should have come the last Post Paris Febr. 9. THrokmorton was yesterday to speak with Pompone whom he found allarm'd by Ruvigni for the King's Resolution about the Parliament he had told
him the greatest part of the story of the Lord Treasurer concerning the Lord Arlington though he said he took Throckmorton's coming to him very kindly and heard him speak with great attention which opportunity Throckmorton made the best use he could of to press the thing he told him that the Duke had hitherto done his utmost endeavours to hinder the Resolution of the Parliament and to procure a Dissolution of it That he had been in great expectation of the French King's Assistance in which if he had but contributed in any measure the thing might have been done six months since Indeed Throckmorton has no orders from the Duke to ask any thing yet but yet however Throckmorton knew the Affairs a little and that he had great reason to believe the Duke would not be able to resist the Parliament any longer if he were not very speedily assisted by the Fr. King That the Parliament was certainly very opposit to both their Interests but irreparably to that of the French King 's for that as he had told him before the Duke if he would have quitted the Fr. King might have made good Conditions for himself and so he shall yet when he pleases with the Parliament but that for the French King he must expect no such thing for that infallibly the Parliament would engage the King the very first moment to joyn in War with Spain Emperor Holland Prince of Orange and Spanish Governour in Flanders against him that he must not judge of the Power of the King's Play now by what he played for him whilst the Lord Arlington was Trumps and therefore believe it would not be more against him if the Lord Arlington should continue Trumps with the Parliament for that I assured him it would be most powerful and carried against him with great animosity and heat as on the other side if Trumps should be changed by the French King's help and the Duke taken for Lord Arlington at the Parliament he might promise himself somewhat a warmer and usefuller Assistance that he had made him discourses to this purpose heretofore that he had thought to have quite desisted finding so little encouragement and fear of being thought importunate but that the War not now just upon new shuffling of the Cards should warn him once more but that now he had done for he had discharged his Conscience in doing his utmost for the Common Good and if God did not see fit to bless his endeavours with success he would sit down quietly though never contentedly before that the Catholicks and his Interest should be thus abandoned tho there were no other Interest of the Duke's or the French King 's in it And there I began to tickle Pompone upon that Point in which you must know he doth much himself That Throckmorton needed not to say any more to clear himself from any suspicion of private designs or interests in it as from imposing any thing upon them for that themselves knew he never did nor never would benefit a shilling by them and that the event of things had always shewed them that his Intelligence was right and his Advice sound Pompone began to answer with a confirmation of the conclusion of his Discourse and told him that the King had the same opinion of him that he could wish c. but came to his old what Remedy again for that Throckmorton had asked three four or five hundred thousand pounds a thing unpossible to be compassed Throckmorton told him that was a mistake for that half of the latter perhaps might do it and then told him the substance of Coleman's Letter of the 21th past as to time and other circumstances too but Throckmorton told him that after all this if there were 500000 l. or double whether he thought in his conscience it were any better parting with it for the French King than to have the Parliament joyn with Holland c. And whether he believed that double and treble that would not soon be set flying in case of a War supposing these circumstances Then he cryed Huy par Dieu Then Sir said the other Look to it for it will certainly be Then he came to it again and said that the Duke said to Ruvigni that notwithstanding he always told him the King had said free and friendly things on the French King's behalf I answered as you may guess to that but suspecting by all this that Ruvigni might be his Creature and that he was afraid he might be excluded in this business Throckmorton told him you may imagin that I bear Ruvigni no good will I protest to you the contrary and to shew you how little that is in my thoughts tho I must confess I think I could put them in a shorter way of doing it Give Ruvigny but a sufficient Power to do it and a strict Command to execute it and I desire never to know it nor will I trouble you any more to enquire after it and shall think my self sufficiently happy if I have in any wise forwarded the thing for the doing of it effectually which is the only aim I have and therefore cared not by whom it was done had promised Throckmorton he would tell the French King the first opportunity all his discourse and that he would do it with kindness and desired Throckmorton to come again the beginning of the week and he would tell him the King's Answer This is all Throckmorton could do And if they are blind or mad you must have patience But sure something they will do and let it be what it will or how it will if the Duke can do his business by it pray let him not reject it His turning 300000 l. into 400000 makes me believe they intend to do something I must confess I shall be overjoyed to see it to confirm the Duke for if he give ground Arlington and the Parliament have no bounds You must imagine Throckmorton enlarged upon these heads They had some discourse of Coleman too who Pompone said he heard was a Man of Parts c. Throckmorton replied to that what I think he could have wished himself had been said I had yours of the 25th just now If you cannot reade mine better than I do yours which is soil'd one half your Paper blots so I do not wonder that you understand not what I would have you get Ruvigny to write I would have nothing more than what he hath done He hath done his part well nor would I have him say any thing about the Bishop of Dublin tho he is the greatest Knave alive for fear of mistakes and I know you cannot explain your self clearly to Ruvigny in that point The King's Factor is much discontented against Pompone Louvoy and in fine all the rest He gave me yesterday great signs of it and pretty touches too against Duke Lauderdale The French King hath cleared the business again with Sueden and they are resolved again to act you know I suppose what rub in
gain by this Proposal but yet it was unfortunately delay'd by the unhappy and tedious Sickness which kept him so long from the King in Franche Comte and made him so unable to wait upon his Ma. after he did return to Paris but so soon as he could compass it he was pleas'd to acquaint his Ma. with it and did write to the Duke himself and did me the honour to write also to me on the 15th of September 74 and sent his Letters by Sir Will. Throck-morton who came Express upon that Errand In these Letters he gave his R. H. fresh assurances of his M. C. M's friendship and of his Zeal and readiness to comply with every thing his R. H had or should think fit to propose in favour of Religion or the Business of the Money and that he had Commanded Monsieur Rouvigny as to the latter to Treat and deal with his R. H. and to receive and observe his Orders and Directions but desir'd that he might not be all concern'd as to the former but that his R. H. would cause what Propositions he should think fit to be made about Religion to be offer'd either to Father Ferrier or Monsieur Pompone These Letters came to us about the middle of our September and his R. H. expected daily when Monsieur Rouvigny should speak to him about the subject of that Letter but he took no notice at all of any thing till the 29th of September the Evening before the King and Duke went to New-Market for a Fortnight and then only said That he had Command from his Master to give his R. H. the most firm assurances imaginable of his Friendship or something to that purpose making his R. H. a general Compliment but made no mention of any particular Orders relating to the Subject of Fa. Ferrier's Letter The Duke wondring at this proceeding and being oblig'd to stay good part of October at New-Market and soon after his coming back hearing of the Death of Fa. Ferrier he gave over all farther prosecuting of the former Project But I believ'd I saw Monsieur de Rouvigny's Policy all along who was willing to save his Master's Money upon an assurance that we would do all we could to stave off the Parliament for our own sakes that we would struggle as hard without Money as with it and we having by this time upon our own Interests prevail'd to get the Parliament Prorogu'd till the 13th of April he thought that Prorogation being to a Day so high in the Spring would put the Confederates so much beyond their measures as that it might procure a Peace and be as useful to France as a Dissolution Upon these reasons which I suppos'd he went upon I had several discourses with him and did open my self to him so far as to say That I could wish his Master would give us leave to offer 300000 l. to our Master for the Dissolution of the Parliament and shew him that a Peace would most certainly follow a Dissolution which he agreed with me in and that we desir'd not the Money from his Master to excite our wills or to make us more industrious to use our utmost powers to procure a Dissolution but to strengthen our Power and Credit with the King and to render us more capable to succeed with his Ma. as most certainly we should have done had we been fortified with such an Argument To this purpose I press'd Monsieur Pompone frequently by Sir W. Throck who return'd from hence again into France on the 10th of Nov. the Day our Parliament should have sat but was Prorogu'd Monsieur Pompone as I was inform'd by Sir Will. did seem to approve the thing but yet had two Objections against it First That the Sum we propos'd was great and could very ill be spar'd by his Master in the Circumstances he was in To which we answer'd That if by his expending this Sum he could procure a Dissolution of our Parliament and thereby a Peace which every body agreed would necessarily follow his M. C. M. would save 5 or 10 times a greater Sum and so be a good Husband by his Expence and if we did not procure a Dissolution he should not be at that Expence at all for that we desir'd him only to Promise upon that Condition which we were content to be oblig'd to perform first The second Objection was That the Duke did not move it nor appear in it himself To that we answer'd That he did not indeed to Monsieur Pompone because he had found so ill an effect of the Negotiation with Father Ferrier when it came into Monsieur Rouvigny's hands but he had concerned himself in it to Fa. Ferrier yet I continued to prosecute and press the Dissolution of the Parliament detesting all Prorogations as only so much loss of time and a means of strengthning all those who depended upon it in opposition to the Crown the Interest of France and Cath. Religion in the Opinion they had taken that our King durst not part with this Parliament apprehending another would be much worse 2. That he could not live long without a Parliament therefore they must suddenly meet and the longer he kept them off the greater his Necessities would grow and consequently their Power to compel him to do what they listed would encrease accordingly and therefore if they could but maintain themselves a while their Day would certainly come in a short time in which they should be able to work their wills Such Discourses as these kept the Confederates and our Malecontents in heart and made them weather on the War in spite of all our Prorogations and therefore I press'd as I have said a Dissolution until February last when our Circumstances were so totally chang'd that we were forc'd to change our Counsels too and be as much for the Parliaments sitting as we were before against it Our change was thus Before that time the Lord Arlington was the only Minister in Credit who thought himself out of all Danger of the Parliament he having been accus'd before them and justified and therefore was zealously for their Sitting and to increase his Reputation with them and to become a perfect Favourite he set himself all he could to persecute Cath. Religion and to oppose the French to shew his Zeal against the first he reviv'd some old Dormant Orders for Prohibiting Ro. Cath. to appear before the King and put them into Execution at his first coming into his Office of Lord Chamberlain and to make sure work against the second as he thought prevail'd with the King to give him and the Earl of Ossery who Married two Sisters of Men Heer Dyke leave to go over into Holland with the said Heeren to make a Visit as they pretended to their Relations but indeed and in truth to propose the Lady Mary eldest Daughter to his R. H. as a Match for the P. of Orange not only without the consent but against the good liking of his R. H. insomuch
Cussack in a small Vessel of 13 men had the boldness the last Week to take a Scotch Ship in our River near Sheerness and got off But the Yacht called the Merlin pursuing the said Cussack and took him so that he and his thirteen men are to be treated as Pirates Saturday last Sir Jonathan Atkins Governour of Barbadoes sailed from Portsmouth to take possession of his Charge His Majesty will go to New Market about the end of this Month to divert himself with Hunting Horse races and the other divertisements of the Place and Season Yesterday the Earl of Arlington took possession of his Charge of Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties Houshold his Majesty having delivered him the Staff and this day he hath complemented their Royal Highnesses and hath received the Visits and Congratulations of all his Relations and Grandees of the Court. Sir Joseph Williamson succeeds him in the Charge of Secretary of State for which he hath taken the ordinary Oath and hath this day taken his place in Council As for the Process of your Friend for which I was in great apprehension when I writ to you on the one and twentieth of the last Month it is at present as I hope in a better condition than formerly and although his Adversaries prosecute him with as much vigour and more confidence than ever nevertheless I do not doubt but the Lawyers of Mr. will find out some means to avert the danger for the present in deferring it at least for some Months and then it 's to be hoped that his Enemies will begin to hear reason and that those who had a Design to make use of this ill Conjuncture to satisfie their Malice under the specious pretext of obtaining their pretended Debts and securing their Trade will see perhaps that it is not so easie to maintain a Cheat and ruine by their tricks honest People supported by Justice and Innocence as they imagined after having got that point Your Friends the Emperour and the Pope will have a fair occasion of giving marks of their Friendship to Mr. by joyning their Credit and Interest to his to make the great Design which he hath so long meditated succeed to undermine the Intrigues of that Company of Merchants who trade for the Parliament and the Religion and to Establish that of the associated Catholicks in every place which may be done without any great trouble if the Emperour and the Pope will grant him their assistance and that Spain will not too obstinately oppose him as he hath hitherto done to his own prejudice of which I freely told you my Opinion in my last of the Third Instant A little time will now let us see the Trade of all Affairs of this nature more clearly than at present In the mean time you see the Confidence and Liberty I use with you c. From Mr. Coleman to the Internuncio Octob. 23. 1674. YOU agree with me Lec ' pro Rege that Money is the onely means of bringing the King into the Duke's Interest and of difingaging him from the Parliament and you must also agree with me that nothing can more promote the Interest of the Catholiek Party which is the principal Object of the Duke's Care and Affection and of the Hatred of the Parliament and which must hope or fear according as the one or the other of them increase in Power Now the Power would be unalterably established in the Duke if the King were resolved to give him his Assistance in one or two things so that if Money can prevail with him to act in the Duke's favour and to abandon the Parliament the Catholicks will find themselves at great ease about it And if that be the only way to gain the King that without him the Duke will be in great danger of being ruin'd and all the Catholicks with him it imports much to the Duke's Friends and to the Catholicks that nothing be omitted for the securing to them assistance of Mony as above mentioned But how shall one get it There 's the difficulty For my part I do not doubt notwithstanding the Discourse which we had together when I had the honour to speak with you upon this Subject and when we proceeded upon other Propositions than now we do but that the Pope may do it effectually if he think fit to employ his whole Power because Money which is intirely at his command is more than sufficient to make the Pretensions of the Duke and the Catholicks succeed besides that the Pope hath many other means to attain the favour of Money But before it be endeavoured to perswade the Pope to ingage himself in things of this nature he must first be made to understand that the assistance which he shall give the Duke shall be hindred from becoming ineffectual to the Catholicks either by the lightness of the King or by any other means and that it shall be so ordered as to produce infallibly or at least very probably the Effects which we wish for from it As for the first nothing in the World is more certain than that the King has a good inclination towards the Duke and the Catholicks and would joyn himself willingly and inseparably to their Interests if he did not apprehend some danger from such a Union which however he would not have any cause to fear if he found their Interest and consequently their Power so far advanced above that of their Adversaries that they should neither have the Power nor the Boldness to contest any thing with them or with him upon any matter that concerned them which he could see in a very little time if we could perswade him to treat roundly with Sir Will. Throckmorton and to do two or three things besides which would necessarily follow the first and which he could not easily avoid doing and I am certain Mony could not fail of perswading him to it for there is nothing it cannot make him do though it were as much to his prejudice as this we endeavour to perswade him to will be to his Advantage To convince you that the Duke and his Friends would have so much the Advantage in their Trade over their Competitors in case they might be assisted by Money that there would be nothing for the King to apprehend either of immediate loss or Collateral Damage in present or to come it will be enough that you consider the infinite augmentation of Credit which they have already gain'd by the bare suspending of their Suit for a little time onely for if that has been capable of advancing their Interest to such a degree consider I beseech you how one definitive Sentence in their savour must needs establish both their Reputation and real Power It would do it to that degree that I dare say not one man of those who now balance betwixt them and their Adversaries or that seem to be even of their Enemies Parry believing the Advantage of the Suit on their side would dare to cross or
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
to know his Opinion of the Project which the Ambassador of Spain had laid to draw the King to make War against France and thereupon told him how it was contriv'd that the House of Lords and Commons should upon that Condition furnish Money and accommodate the Catholicks those of France seeing how far they are from any present Capacity of offering such Advantages and how easie it is for those of Spain to procure them they can scarce allow their Fears to prevail above their Hopes after they have rightly weigh'd the Interest which Religion has in it Yet he did not omit to say That the Duke would not desert France though he could not doubt but that Religion would have the Ascendant Your Friend and my Kinsman Mr. K. well known to the Confessor of the Duke and of the same Profession might methinks be highly serviceable upon this Occasion if he would only sound the Spanish Ambassador upon this Subject and represent to him according as Occasion shall be given the many and great Advantages which would accrew to Spain and of the great Dammages that would ensue to France upon this account but to make it efficacious he must shew the Necessity of engaging the Duke and Catholicks in the Concern of it without which it will never have any steady Effect I need not suggest to you any farther Considerations on this Subject the Prudence of Coleman will direct you and from thence I shall hope to see a good Issue for the Catholicks I have not many Discourses with Sir P. but he is still of the same Opinion as formerly and affirms that no other means can effectually conduce to the Satisfaction of the House of Lords and Commons and those whom they are engaged for If you see no appearance of Success this way be so kind as to shew me some other Scheme upon which we may ground any comfortable Expectations In the mean time we must content our selves with such hopes as we are able to furnish Colombe Septemb. the 24th 75. I Have yours of the 6th and one Weekly from Coleman's Man for all which I return most hearty Thanks and though it be my Misfortune not to have hitherto succeeded in the Pretensions of our Shee-Friends yet upon the delivery of the second Memorial I was promis'd an Infallible Dispatch this Week which will cost me another Journey to Versailles and I hope to send it to you by Mr. Nicholls He and his Charge arriv'd at Paris on Friday last late at Night I was the next Day in Town upon no other Design than to meet Pompone upon the account of that Business He told me some days before That the Interest of the Religion of the Catholicks was likely to be promoted by the Spanish Ambassador and the Friends of the King of Spain I reply'd That it was too great an Undertaking and that it could not take any Effect especially since they did imploy no Endeavours to gain the Duke and his Party to that Interest and though it was reported here that the Duke had frequent Conferences with the Spanish Ambassador yet I did assure that there were no such Applications made and that the Duke was as much attack'd to the King of France as ever It would have become Mr. Sheldon to have said this though he had not been so sure of the Truth of it as he is by the Information of Coleman The Decline of Spain I confess must needs require a long time to regain Power and that first to secure his own Interest before he can be in a posture to promote that of Religion The hopes on * Spain's side are not so remote and you have rais'd my Expectation from thence to no low Degree because Coleman feems not only to approve of it but to think it worth his pains to lay out his Contrivances and Endeavours upon it I with my Kinsman were engag'd and possibly the opportunity may now be favourable at least if he will not enter into the Negotiation he may easily introduce Coleman with those Advantages as may make him be esteem'd a fit Instrument and worthy to be trusted in that Concern and he having such an Introduction I shall not doubt but that he will be able to give a very good account of the Business It draws near the 29 but I hope there is yet time enough to dispose things in order to that Design I do not well comprehend how the Danger is over on the part of the Prorogation unless it be in Reference to that Opposition of the City of London I should be glad to Promise my self that it were in Relation to the Duke who is said to be the Person that obstructed the Prorogation and the Procurer of the Parliaments present Installation The Design of my Lord Treasurer I hope will have no Effect The Alliance with the Prince of Orange some say is sought for by the French King for one of the Dukes of France but this is but a guess yet such a one as gives suspition to Spain that there is like to be some Clandestine doings betwixt Holland and France But why do I so much intrench upon your better Employs I shall only assure you that Mr. Sheldon is your Servant and that Coleman will always find him so to his Power Colombe October the 10th SIR I Have yours of the 20th of September And whereas you seem to intimate that it is almost a Month since you receiv'd any from me I have call'd my Self to an Account and cannot find that I have effectually been so much wanting to my own Satisfaction as not to continue upon you sufficient Provocation to allow me the Favour of your Correspondence I am become so mistrustful upon this reproach of my own Memory that I could almost persuade my self to doubt whether I have inform'd you of a delay that is cast upon the Pretensions of your Shee Friends which I hope will soon be remov'd since it only depends upon a Return from Lisle whose Magistrates were to be consulted in that Concern and upon their Answer I hope you will have Satisfaction to the Address which has been made Have I not likewise bemoan'd my misfortune for having had only a Glimpse of Mr. Grey having disappointed each other by my going to him and his coming to me upon the same Day This I do chiefly resent because I suppose he might have had some particular Commission from you and had not Opportunity to make me partaker of it The Secretary of Monsieur Rouvigny has inform'd me of your good Correspondence with his Master which must needs render you Suspected to the Spanish Ambassador but I shall expect according to your Promise the Issue of my Kinsman's Negotiation What Measures the Spanish Ambassador has taken with the Parliament a little time will discover but unless the Spanish Ambassador ingages the Duke upon the account of the Catholicks the King of Spain will not find his account The Duke I suppose has gain'd no small Credit with
have had much ado to assure them that I was confident there was nothing design'd by it to their prejudice For that I was sure the Duke was as much by Inclination as Interest dispos'd to prefer their Alliance and Friendship to all others and that they should take it for a certain Rule That if they were not wanting to themselves we should never be wanting to them The King here is certainly dispos'd as much as can be for the Interest of his Highness but is wise and very cautious However by these Propositions which I have order to make to his Highness and which are word for word as I took them from Father Ferriere's mouth for I wrote them down presently and shewed it him afterwards and keep it for my justification that I wrote no more than I was ordered You will see that it only now depends upon his Highness to consider of a way that will best secure his Interests and withall a good Correspondence with them here For that we must always perswade our selves is the thing they propose to themselves by it I say let but his H. consider of that and then what he would ask of them here in order to it and I doubt not God willing if he will honour me with his Instructions and Commands but I shall procure him any thing which in reason he can expect either of Money or any thing else If therefore his Highness shall be pleased to think well of this and proceed in it I will meet you any where privately to receive his Highness Commands and Instructions by you or if he will I doubt not but I can put my self into a private way to come for a night to receive his Orders my self I pray be very cautious there be no suspicion given of any thing of this with you for the King is very scrupulous here even of some of his chiefest Ministers whom perhaps he may apprehend people have been or at least have endeavoured to be dealing with And Father Ferriere positively charged me to communicate it to no one living but the Bishop of Dublin of whom they have a good opinion For he said they would have to do with none but us But I prevail'd at last that I might do it by you or Col. Talbot in England For that being they would not yet let me go my self it was impossible but I must employ some body and that I could not else write to the Duke and that I answered for you as for my self To which at last they consented I intended to have taken the liberty to have wrote to his Highness but this to you I think will do better I pray therefore present my most humble duty to Him and if I have done any thing amiss in this it is for want of Judgment and not of Affection and Duty And I am sure of one thing that if perchance our Counsels should go another way I have done nothing that can prejudice him If they do not but that this Alliance shall be judged Advantagious I have had the good Fortune to work my self into such an esteem and opinion here with some of the ablest to serve his Highness that I am an honest Man That I dare promise my self that they will put confidence in me and I shall be able to serve him For to do which I pray assure his Highness with all humility that I shal always be ready to venture my Life and Fortune Paris December the 22th 1674. I Am sorry to hear by your last that you know so little of Lord Arlington's proceedings for I judg nay am morally sure if the Duke be really so that the Duke is juggled with and kept in the dark and D. Lauderdale and the Treasurer too perhaps for it is impossible but that the King must have known something of what has been done at least that he was upon his return before yours was writ when the King's Factor hear could tell me three or four dayes agoe that he had a Letter from him in which he told him he was upon his departure and that he should not stay there above four or five days at most longer I must confess Ravigny is much suspected by me and the French King's backwardness in coming to the point and other little circumstances which I observe but cannot so well express makes me believe he had an underhand dealing which keeps them in suspence I told you in my former that if the Duke had power enough upon his own stock to carry on the Trade and compass the Parliaments Dissolution that it was my humble Advice he should do it upon any terms in the world for that they would be glad to come in Partners after they see it was done upon any advantagious terms to the Duke whatsoever but if you find you cannot probably do it without two or three hundred thousand pounds you must resolve to give some body some power to make Treaty back'd with your Athority and to endeavour to colour the business and shew them as on my Soul it is their true Interest what ever Projects other people may have put them on for they have so mean an Opinion of the King and do so little regard his Word or Government that you cannot imagine how they despise him and all the Company And if the Duke shall suspend this too and not pursue it vigorously some way or other that is endeavour to do it himself if possible if not use such means as are proper to induce them to help them I say if he does not I really fear they will judg Sloth and Idleness an Epidemical Disease and he tainted with it as well as the rest and consequently no more to be valued or depended on I would therefore earnestly desire the Lord Arundel and Coleman seriously to consider and advise with the Duke about it The first without doubt if upon his own score and strength would do his business in all respects but if that cannot be we must endeavour to make the best Market we can with the French King This is my Opinion if it be wrong correct it but pardon me One Vardell a famous Man-Midwife Author of the Book the Abbot sent you was yesterday with me and in short offers me a set of Coach-Horses if I can prevail to get the Duke send for him over and to be but by at the Dutchess her Labour he hopes there will be no occasion to make use of him nor any of his kind nor does not ask a penny of Money for he says he desires only to be sent for the noise of which will get him ten thousand pounds I hear the Abbot Rizzini has writ for him to Mr. De Puy and the Countess If it can be compassed I tell you what I shall get let him look to what he shall get Methinks the thing should not be difficult for help and advice cannot be amiss they may chuse whether they will make use of him or no and they cannot have
the way They ofter to furnish them with 24000 Men in the Spring provided they will pay them three months now which I think is almost a Bargain How this may work as to some other Affairs you know of I cannot tell but I think however this should be no hindrance Adieu I am almost tired to death Pray get better Paper and be more careful for I cannot reade half your Letter Superscribed To Mris Coleman Transcribed Novemb. 8 1678. Ed. Dering February the 13th I Told you last Post how Throckmorton had disposed Pompone to speak to the French King and how they were agreed that Throckmorton should come again to know the French Kings Answer which yesterday he did and Pompone told him that the French King had ordered him to write to Ruvigny effectually on this concern that was That Ruvigny should joyn that he should take Measures and Directions from the Duke that he should consult with him about the means to prevent the Parliament and get the Parliament Dissolved and that all things that were possible to be done on the French Kings side to Dissolve the Parliament should be done Throckmorton told him this would do very well that he was resolved to keep his word for that he would not be inquisitive to know the other particulars which he hoped however there were or else they did nothing that he was extreamly glad it was put into Ruvigny his hand for that he believed him a good man and an able man that his late experience too had taught him that he would the better know how to behave himself among so many Knaves that he had now only two things to recommend to him strongly to inculcate unto Ruvigny that is Secresie and Promptness for that Throckmorton did not know whether all that he had said and which was however as much as could be said to it had evinc'd him that the thing did press as much as it did but he did assure him that if either of these were wanting or if he continued beating the bush the business would be lost that for Throckmortons part he had no other design but the common good c. he took him and embraced him and told him the French King was very sensible of that and gave all the imaginable to what he said and therefore begun now and would do all that was possible in his power and as the urgency of the Affairs required This is all Throckmorton for his life could do in this business and perhaps as much too as any other could have done in his circumstances For I am confident he omitted nothing that could press him as you may see by his Papers when the young Gentlewoman comes what the success of this may be God and is certain that Louvy who hath hitherto been against him and for War is now so much turned again hearing some disgrace by him that it is believed he will carry the French King to imbrace Peace presently upon any terms Now if this were so and Louvy a wise man it were the fairest way for us in all the world for nothing it is certain would do us more kindness than to see the Parliament Dissolved But if Louvy be a Fool and a Beast who can assure us of their patience for this way and not call'd to his passion of fear _____ and let any underhand little Engineer write to you on the whole or in part this is all I apprehend for unless this be an underhand way of his I am confident there is nothing and then we are well enough for let the French King beat about as he pleaseth now he shall be forced at last to come to the Duke and his terms too and therefore I am clearly with all submission in my poor judgment for this That if the French King does not help vigorously to gain the Parliament Dissolved that then the Duke should not be against the Parliaments coming for I think it is not morally probable that the Duke will be better armed against the Parliament three or four Months hence than he is now but on the contrary six Months hence in the first place the Parliament will be more incensed and violent against him than now for it is certain they all take it for granted that he does his possible for the Parliaments Dissolution It 's a prejudice to which the longer he is about and cannot comply it in his heart the more it will render the Parliament audacious mean and despised by him for it is clear that whilst the Duke is at shall he he looses ground Peace yet and the French King will not have made terms of Peace for all his dodging Now when the Parliament shall begin to play his prank the French King shall without doubt assist the Duke with all he can in the world against the Parliament But who will ensure that the French King and Peace will not be friends eight or nine Months hence and if so I am sure the French King says then Fight Dog fight Bear what can the Duke clear himself from the Parliament let him but shew as much Resolution in his Mind as he has often done Valour in his Person and not be startled or led away by Knaves or by Mens fearful Councels as he has too many about him of the one and other sorts who mind themselves more than his service and what can hurt him I wish I had ten thousand Lives and I would stake them all for him onely that a Throckmorton and Coleman may go to pot and it may not do so well for the Catholicks and his at first but for the Gods will be done and for the other really I cannot well pity some of them they having been so base and mean in his concern and their own as they have been Let them smart it will turn their good I think if the Duke thought well of it if Coleman speak to Rouvigny upon this now and that he urged him to the utmost in it about 300000 l. it would not be amiss and then Coleman will finde what is not for Throckmorton has done what he could here except he has new matter for it is clear that this which Pompone told Throckmorton is only either a putting him off civilly and that they intend to continue to dodge as they have given Rouvigny Orders and resolve to act only by him suppose which you will I think it will be necessary to Coleman thus to deal with Rouvigny that is openly and home for if they intend to do any thing it will certainly be by Rouvigny and if they intend to do nothing you will by his shuffling discover it I expected what you told me in your last from them both no doubt they will Court the Parliament or the Devil if they think him like to be uppermost but let the Duke consider of it accordingly _____ the Duke nor Rouvigny trust the King with more than needs be you know he is not good at keeping Secrets Dated February le
that the Lord Arlington's Creatures were forc'd to excuse him with a distinction that the said Lady was not to be look'd upon as the Duke's Daughter by as the Kings and a Child of the State and so the Duke's consent not to be much consider'd in the disposal of her but the interest only of State but this he intended to render himself the Darling of the Parliament and Protestants who would look upon themselves as secur'd in their Religion by such an Alliance and design'd farther by that means to draw us into close Conjunction with Holland and the Enemies of France The Lord Arlington set forth upon this Errand on the 10th of November 74. and return'd not till the 6th of January following during his absence the Lord Treasurer the Lord Keeper and Duke of Lauderdale who were the only Ministers in any considerable Credit with the King and who all pretended to be intirely united to the Duke declaim'd loudly and with great violence against the said Lord and his Actions in Holland and did hope in his absence to have totally supplanted him and rooted him out of the King's Favour and after that they thought they might easily enough have dealt with the Parliament but none of them had courage enough to speak against the Parliament till they could get rid of him for fear they should not succeed but that the Parliament would sit in spite of them and come to hear that they had us'd their endeavours against it which would have been so unpardonable a Crime with our Omnipotent Parliament that no Power would have been able to have sav'd them from Punishment but they finding at his return that they could not prevail against him by such Means and Arts as they had then tryed resolv'd upon new Counsels which were to out-run him in his own course which accordingly they undertook and became as fierce Apostles and as Zealous for Protestant Religion against Popery as ever my Lord Arlington was before them and in pursuance thereof persuaded the King to issue out those severe Orders and Proclamations against Catholicks which came out in Febr. last by which they did as much as in them lay to Extirpate all Catholicks and Catholick Religion out of the Kingdom which Counsels were in my poor Opinion so detestable being levell'd as they must needs be so directly against the Duke by People which he had advanc'd and who had profess'd so much Duty and Service to him that we were put upon new thoughts how to save his R. H. now from the deceits and snares of them upon whom we formerly depended we saw well enough that their design was to make themselves as grateful as they could to the Parliament if it must sit they thinking nothing to be so acceptable to them as the Persecuting of Popery but yet they were so obnoxious to the Parliament's Displeasure in general that they would have been very glad of any Expedient to have kept it off though they durst not engage against it openly themselves but thought this Device of theirs might serve for that purpose hoping that the Duke would be so alarm'd at this proceeding and by his being left by every body that he would be much more afraid of the Parliament than ever and would use his utmost power to prevent its sitting which they doubted not but he would endeavour and they were ready enough to work underhand with him for their own sakes not his in order thereunto but durst not appear openly to encourage the Duke the more to endeavour to Dissolve the Parliament their Creatures us'd to say up and down That this rigorous proceeding against Cath. was in favour of the Duke and to make the Dissolution of the Parliament more easie which they knew he coveted by obviating one great Objection which was commonly made against it which was That if the Parliament should be Dissolv'd it would be said that it was done in favour of Popery which clamour they had prevented by the severity which they had shown against it beforehand As soon as we saw these Tricks put upon us we plainly saw what Men we had to deal with and what we had to trust to if we were wholly at their mercy but yet durst not seem so dissatisfied as we really were but rather magnified the Contrivance as a Device of great Cunning and Skill all this we did purely to hold them on in a belief that we would endeavour to Dissolve the Parliament that they might rely upon his R. H. for that which we knew they long'd for and were afraid they might do some other way if they discover'd that we were resolv'd we would not At length when we saw the Sessions secur'd we declar'd we were for the Parliaments meeting as indeed we were from the moment we saw our selves us'd by all the King's Ministers at such a rate that we had reason to believe they would Sacrifice France Religion and his R. H. too to their own Interest if occasion serv'd and that they were led to believe that that was the only way they had to save themselves at that time for we saw no expedient fit to stop them in their career of Persecution and those other destructive Counsels but the Parliament which had set it self a long time to dislike every thing the Ministers had done and had appear'd violently against Popery whilst the Court seem'd to favour it and therefore we were confident that the Ministers having turn'd their faces the Parliament would do so too and still be against them and be as little for Persecution then as they had been for Popery before this I undertook to manage for the Duke and the King of France's Interest and assur'd Monsieur Rouvigny which I am sure he will testifie if occasion serves that that Sessions should do neither of them any hurt for that I was sure I had Power enough to prevent mischief though I durst not answer for any good they should do because I had but very few Assistants to carry on the work and wanted those helps which others had of making Friends The Dutch and Spaniards spared no pains nor expence of Money to animate as many as they could against France our Lord Treasurer Lord Keeper all the Bishops and such as call themselves old Cavaliers who were all then as one man were not less industrious against Popery and had the Purse at their Girdle too which is an excellent Instrument to gain Friends with and all united against the Duke as Patron both of France and Cath. Religion To deal with all this force we had no Money but what came from a few private hands and those so mean ones too that I dare venture to say that I spent more my particular self out of my own Fortune and upon my single Credit than all the whole body of Catholicks in England besides which was so inconsiderable in Comparison of what our Adversaries could command and we verily believe did bestow in making their Party that it