Letters in possession of the Archbishop of Canterbury: 2 of 3

2 of 3

Amelia, princess of Orange, to king Charles II.

Sire,
La joye, qu'il a pleu à vostre majestè me faire l'honneur de me tesmoigner sur le subject de la bonne intelligence entre madame la princesse sa seur & moy, a redouble celle, que j'en avois desja conçeue, & ce d'autant plus que V. M. offre d'entremettre ses bons offices à la rendre ferme & durable pour l'avancement des interêts communs. Je luy proteste, Sire, que comme j'y ay ardemment contribué tout ce qui a esté en mon pouvoir, je le continueray tousjours avec le même zele, sachant combien il importe au bien des affaires du prince nôtre pupille, & de sa maison; & je m'y promets desormais tout bon succès, puisque V. M. s'y interesse avec tant de bonté. Je la supplie encore de me faire la grace de croire, que je ne fais pas moins de veux pour la prosperité des siennes, & prie Dieu, qu'il lui en fasse voir une bonne & heureuse fin à son entiere satisfaction; comme aussi, Sire, qu'il me donne de pouvoir tesmoigner par mes très-humbles services, avec quelle passion & respect je suis,

De la Hague, ce 25. Fev.1656.

Sire, De V. Majeste, la très-humble & obeisante servante, Amelie P. d'Orange.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils,
Paris, ce 11. Juin, 1655.

Vous ayant escrit par milord de Belcaris si nouvellement, & l'ayant chargé de plusieurs choses, je n'ai rien à vous dire pour le present, que de vous asseurer tousjours par cette lettre de l'impatience, que j'ai de savoir vos affaires dans l'estat, où je les soueste, qui est dans une prosperité entiere. Tout ce j'y puis contribuer, est par mes prieres, qui ne vous manqueront jamais, estant, comme je suis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere Henriette Marie, R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils,

Paris, ce 22. Octob. 1655.

J'espere, que cette lettre vous trouvera de retour de votre voyage, qui ne sera que pour vous dire, que milord Jermin vous escrit son voyage de Fontaine, & tout ce qui s'est passé entre lui & Mons. le cardinal. C'est pourquoi je ne dirai d'avantage, me remettant à lui, ayant pris medicine aujourd'huy, que pour vous asseurer toujours, que je suis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie, R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils,

Paris, ce 29. Octob. 1655.

Je suis fort ayse d'avoir apris votre retour à Cologne en bonne sante, & que vous esté sy satisfait de votre voyage, comme l'on m'a dit que vous estiez. J'ay apris, que vous avez veu la reyne de Suede: je vous prie de me mander, sy vous trouvez, que tout ce que l'on dit est vray, tant de sa personne que de son humeur. Je seray fort ayse de le savoir. Pour des nouvelles d'ycy, la coure revint avant yer de Fontainebleau. Le roy se porte tout-à-fait bien, & est sy cru deja & embely, qui ne se peut d'avantage. Mad. de Fienne vous diroit, sy elle scavoit ce que je vous escris, que je suis tellement . . . . pour le roy, que j'en suis amoureuse. Il est vraye, que m'entretient à cette heure comme une autre personne, & l'est devenu le plus cyvill du monde. Voylà toutes les nouvelles, que je vous puis mander pour le present, hormis qu'à cette instant, que je vous escris, la reyne me vient d'anvoyer une estofe de toille d'argent la plus agreable que l'on fauroit voir pour me faire un lit. Je crains, que Mad. de Fienne ne s'ofance contre moy de me mester de vous mander les nouvelles qu'elle vous veut mander. Je n'ay scu mais en pertie de ceux-cy; mais à sin de ne courir pas sur d'autre, je siniray, en vous assurant foy pure de ce qui ne vous doit pas estre nouveau, ny qui ne changera jamais, qui est, que je suis de tout mon cœur,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Paris, ce 26. Novemb. 1655.

Monsieur mon Fils,
Je ne vous escrivis point la semaine passée, atandant la retour de votre Frere, lequel aussitost que je fus assurée de la conclution de la paix avec Cromwell, je ranvoye querir, ne jugent pas à propos, qu'il demeurat plus long-temps à l'armée après sette paix. II est maintenant de retour, & nous atandons celui de Mr. le cardinal, pour voir ce qu'il ce doit atandre d'ysy, tant pour sa subsistance, que pour autre chose. La semaine prochaine l'on vous en mandera tout ce à quoy l'on se doit atandre; & aussy quelque autre chose, qui n'est pas encore prest à escrire. Le duc d'York & Jermin vous randront compte plus au long de tout cecy. C'est pourquoy je me remetteray à eux, & ne vous conformeray d'avantage, que pour vous assurer toujours, que je suis, plus que je ne puis dire,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Paris, ce 10. Decem. [1655.]

Monsieur mon Fils,
Sette semaine est sy sterile, que sy se n'estoit les Feux de joye de la paix, il ni croit rien à mander; mais ils ont esté sy grands, que il y avoit à craindre, que Paris ne bruslat. Il est vray, que sa este dans les cheminées; car devant les portes il m'en pas eu vint; & en effet tout le peuple de Paris n'on a point voulu faire, nonobstant tous les commandements; & mesme il y en a eu des bourgois, qui voyant de leurs voisins en faires les touts aller estaindre. La verité est, que sette paix est en horreur par tout: sette grande pompe de paix, qui se selerat de Cromwell avoit tant desirée, je crois ne le satisfera guere. Je prie Dieu, tout le reste des effects puisse estre de mesme. S'est tout ce que je vous diray pour sette fois, & que je suis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Challot, ce 24. Decem. 1655.

Monsieur mon Fils,
Je suis bien ayse d'aprandre par votre lettre les complimens, que l'archiduc vous a fait par sieur Henry de Vic. Je veux esperer, que le comte de Fousaldagne passera les complimens, & viendra à Lefer. Toutefois je crois, que rien ne se fera, qu'il n'aye eu leur courier d'Espagne. Pour moy, je ne puis comprandre, que les Espagnols ayant rien à menager du costé de Cromwell; car sertainement il est resolu de les ruiner; ils n'ont rien à faire qu'à fe joindre avec vous. Je prie Dieu, qu'il foit de sette opinion; & je crois que sette lettre ne vous arrivera entre les mains que l'année nouvelle, laquelle je vous souhaite plus heureuse que celles, que vous avez passés, & telles que vous les pouvez souester, priant Dieu de vous benir, & de me donner les moyens de vous faire voir, combien je fuis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 14. Jan. 1656.

Ily a sy peu des choses à vous mander, que sy se n'estoit que je ne vous escrivis point la semaine passee, je ne vous orois pas importunée sette-sy. Tout ce que j'ay done à vous dire est vous assurer toujours, que je prie Dieu pour vous, à ce qu'il vous donne tout ce qu'il l'a plus heureuse personne du monde, & à moy les occations de vous faire voir, que je suis plus que je ne puis dire,
Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 21. Jan. 1656.

J'ay receu votre lettre, en responce de celle que je vous ay ecrite touchant la venue de ma fille; & quoyque je ne veille plus entrer en matiere sur sette afaire, estant tout-à-fait satisfaite, que cela ne vous peut prejudisier en quoy que se soit, je vous diray seullement, que vous avez mepris quelque chose de la mienne, ne vous ayant point escrit, que vous m'usies mandé que de venir à Paris auroit prejudisier aux afaires du prince d'Orange plus que . . . à Spa, où je . . . sertainement. Sy vous l'avez entandée de sette maniere, je me suis mal expliquée; mais je ne parlerez plus de sesy, venant à une afaire d'un autre espesse, de laquelle le secret m'a esté demandé très-estroitement, & vous est aussy demandé. Mr. d'Amiens me vint yer trouver, pour me communiquer, qu'un sertain gantilhomme, qui est grand matematicien, desiroit vous escrire une lettre touchant ce qu'il avoit veu par son art, qui ariveroit à vos affaires. Je me charge très-volontiers de vous envoyer la lettre, me semblant qu'elle m'estoit pas mal agréable. Il faut, que vous sachies, que sette homme a predié tout ce qui est arrivé à Mr. le cardinal ponctuellement, & beaucoup d'autres choses encore, comme à Mr. le prince de Condé. Est Francois, mais venu d'Irlandois, comme vous verez par son nom. Il est Huguenot; il se plaint fort, que le secret n'est pas à Cologne, & a sy grand peur, que vous ne lisies sesy à qui que se soit, que je me suis engagée, que vous ne le crus pas; car il a quelque commerce en Engletaire, & dit, que sy Cromwell rendit à savoir qu'il eut parlé de sesy, qu'il le feroit prandre. Quoyque en ses choses ysy il n'y ayt pas beaucoup à se sier, neanmoins se qu'on desire l'on se laisse aller aysement. Je prie Dieu, qu'il soit veritable prophete; avec cela je finis, & suis,
Monsieur mon Fils, Votre affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 4. Feb. 1656.

Je laisse à de melieures pleumes que la mienne à vous faire la relation de l'arrivée de votre sœur, qui a esté tout-à-sait bien recevée reallement. Je vous [ay] dire, qu'elle plait fort ysy depuis le plus grand jusques au plus petit. Elle a eté aujourd'huy sy accablée de visite, que j'eu suis morte, & selle me servira d'excuse de ce que je ne vous diray d'avantage, sy non, que je suis,
Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 18. Fev. 1656.

Par votre derniere lettre je vois, que vous atandez des nouvelles d'Espagne. J'espere qu'elle seront selon que vous desirés, puisque la guerre est declarée avec Cromwell. J'en atans aussy l'arrivée avec toute l'impatience imaginable. Je prie Dieu, que ce soit selon que vous desires. Votre sœur vous randra compte de tout ce qu'elle fait ycy. Je crois, qu'elle est bien lasse des visites depuis le matin jusques au soir: elle en a pour moy. J'en suis . . . morté; mais vous, qui cognoises la France, savez asez, que après les commancaments l'on a asez de repos. C'est mon esperance. Pour des nouvelles, celles qui se dirent aujourd'huy, je crois vous seront cognue devant cecy elles sont arrivés, qui est que Mr. le prince, & sa femme, & son fils, sont à Rocroy, qui fait rager de son accommodement ycy à tout le monde. Je trouve sette nouvelle-là si grande, que je n'ay scu m'empecher de vous la mander; car c'est un grand obstacle osté pour la paix generalle, qui est la chose du monde, que nous devons plus souhaiter. Dieu nous l'envoye, & vous donne tous les bonheurs en ce monde & en l'autre; que vous souhaitte du meileur de son cœur,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils,

Paris, ce 6. Octob. 1656.

Sy je ne vous escris pas plus souvant, se n'est pas manque de passion que j'ay de vous servir, mes estant si inutille, que je vous suis j'esvite de vous importuner de mes lettres, sachant bien, que vous y voudries faire responce, & que peut-estre vos affaires en pouroit estre enterompuée. Vous non manques point à sette heure. Je prie Dieu, qu'elle reusisent comme vous le pouves desirer, & je vous prie de croyre se sonts les souhaits de,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Paris, ce 27. Decem. 1657.

Je suis fort ayse, que le bruit, qui a couru, n'est pas vray, comme vous me le mandez par votre derniere lettre. Il est vray, que l'on adjouste toujours aux nouvelles; & les choses, que l'on craint, l'on les croit aysement. Il n'est pas pourtant tout-à-fait hors de raison, que je vous prie d'avoir plus de soing de vous, que vous n'aves, quoyque je ne doute point, que Dieu ne vous garde pour un meilleur temps. Il fault aussy ne le pas tampter, & se garder: aussy mes prieres ne manqueront point, sy ils sonts asez bonnes. Je crois que vous ferez aussy surpris de la mort de Mad. de Rauclore, que nous avons esté ycy; elle a esté sy peu malade: s'est une grande perte; son mary est inconsolable. Voilà toutes les nouvelles à sette heure, & je ne vous importuneray d'avantage, que pour vous assurer, que je suis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 21. Juin, 1658.

Depuis mon retour de Bourbon, j'ay esté toujours dans les remedes, qui m'a empechée de vous escrire plustost, & de randre responce à vos lettres. Je suis tout-à-fait ayse de ce que votre fœur ora sette joye de vous voir. Je souhaiterois, que nous fusions en estat de nous pouvoir tous voir ensemble. Je vous assure, que se sonts mes prieres journalieres. Vous avez scu tout ce qui s'est passé dans sette affaire de Dunkerke. J'ay esté dans les plus grandes aprehantions du monde pour vos freres; & je passe très-mal mon tamps ysy, voyant tout ce qui se passe. Vous ne pouvez que juger que je patis beaucoup dans moymesme. J'espere que le bon Dieu ensin finera nos malheurs, & nous retablira, malgré tout le monde, & me donnera encore asez de vie pour voir sette heureux jour pour moy. Croyes que se sonts les souhaits ardens,

Monsieur mon Fils, De votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

Je vous remersie: Je vous en suis tout-à-fait obligée.

The queen mother to K.Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 4. Octob. 1658.

J'ay receu votre lettre en responce de celle, que je vous avois escritte par Thom. Cooke, & ne puis rien adjouster pour le present à celle que d'icy eue de moy, qu'il fault atandre les occations, comme vous ditte vous mesme, n'ayant rien à proposser. Quand vous m'ordoneres quelque chose pour votre service, vous me trouveres aussy preste que j'ay toujours esté. Se que vous m'aves mandé touchant M. le cardinal, a esté fort bien receu. Il faut atandre les occations pour en prositer, que je vous affure je ne faira point passer. Je vous prie d'en estre persuadée; & que je suis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to K. Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 18. Octob. 1658.

Jermin m'a rendu votre lettre, & m'a dit ce que vous luy commandé de me dire. Je vous puis assurer, que je ne perdre point d'occation de vous pouvoir fervir, que je ne le fasse, & ne feray rien que puisse en nul maniere du monde vous prejudisier. Croyes lay, je vous prie. La cour s'en va un grand voyage, comme vous saures; mais sy il y a quelque chose à faire, felle n'empechera pas, pouvant toujours y envoyer. S'est tout ce que j'ay vous dire, & que je prie Dieu de vous benir, & suis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 20. Nov. 1658.

Il n'est point de besoing de vous rien mander de ce lieu sy par Henry Jermin; il vous dira toutes les nouvelles. Je luy aussy chargé de vous assurer de ma part de mon service, & que je ne perdre point d'occation de vous temoygner, combien vos interests me sont chers. Je me remesteray done à luy, & ne vous importuneray d'avantage, que pour prier de croyre, que je fuis avec toute la passion du monde,
Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

The queen mother to king Charles II.

Monsieur mon Fils, Paris, ce 18. Nov. 1658.

J'ay receu votre lettre; & quoyque je n'aye pas grande chose à vous escrire pour le presant, j'espere qu'il y ora occation de le faire. II me semble que nos affaires ora aroisent comme sy il y avoit à esperer quelque chose de bon. Vous pouves juger, que je ne laisay perdre nul occation de vous servir en se que vous jugerez à propos. S'est tout ce que j'ay à dire pour le present, & que je fuis,

Monsieur mon Fils, Votre très-affectionée mere, Henriette Marie R.

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, 30th November, 1655.

I beleive your majesty will not be a little troubled to find hir hyghnesse royal soe passionate for hir jurney into France att a tyme, when it may be, it will bee for your majesty's advantage to have noe commerce with that country. All Monsieur Heenuleit does say, it's as suspected, as if it came from the chancelor, whoes reasons shee beleives are to much byassed, and are rather to hinder hir meeting with the queene, then for anie reall advantage it can bring your majesty. The oppositione Monsieur Heenuleit and his wyf give, begetts many favorers of the voyage. Sir Alexander Humes promots it very much, partly in contradictione to Monsieur Heenuleit, and partly to satisfy the ambitione of his wyf, whoe hopes to find that in France she has missed at Collen, by beeing made of the privy-chamber to the queene. Mr. Howard finds the same satisfactione in opposing Monsieur Heenuleit, and withall of pleasing hir hyghnesse, which he has not done a long tyme. All people, that are att a distance with hir hygnesse reasons for this jurney, doe imagin ther iss some other mistery in it then barly seeing the queene; eals that she would not in the hyght of winter, not being att all well, make soe long a jurney, leave all hir one and hir son's business att six and seaven att a tyme, when the princesse dowager and cont William have joyned Holland to the other provinces to serve their turne, and give an occasione to the Spaniard to suspect your majestie to continue your intelligence with France. All this at full is represented to hir, but cannot in the least degree alter hir, noe not to put of hir jurny until February, iff the want of monny did not hinder hir. I find shee iss the more possitive in the doing of this, and some other things, that Monsieur Heenuleit diswads hir from, to undeceave the world in the oppinion they have, that hee and his wyf governe hir. I doubt mee shee hearkens to much to those, that are desirous hee should bee out of hir service; a dessyne, if your majestie will not prevent, will soone turne more to hir hyghnesse's prejudice then his.

It's thought here, that nothing your majestie can say, can perswade hir stay, but that if you writ effectually to my lord Jermin, to gett the queene to put the jurny of until Aprill, that by that tyme ther will bee other reasons, in all lykelyhood, to lay it by for this yeare. Your majestie may give him for one good reason for the delay, that the toune of Amsterdam does intend in March to invite hir hyghness and the little prince thether; and that iff shee should bee absent, the princess dowager will bee invited to goe along with the prince, whome, iff shee once gett the possessione of, shee'll never quit, having now gott more interest in Holland then the princess royal has.

Mr. chancelor writt to mee to gett the sables and muff your majestie gave mee order to buy here. I was noe sooner here, then I gave order to a furier to send to Amsterdam for the sables, which cannot bee worth less then 500 or 600 gilders a muff. I can have just such another ass I have; butt hee will not fell it less then 36 gilders. If it bee your majestie's pleasure, that I buy these things, writ to Monsieur Heenuliet, that hee pays the monny out of what is due in January; otherwys I know not how to gett the thinges, for I have neither monny nor credit. I am
Your Majesty's most humble and most faithfull servant, O Neille.

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, 3. Dec. 1655.

Your majestie's of the 29th of the last I receaved. I am with all my hart sorry, that I have more ground for what I writ of the prejudice hir highnes's absence hence these two last monthes has done her and her son, then that your majestie was guilty of forwarding hir jurny from France.

In my last I have writ to your majestie, what all here thought of hir absence at Collen, and what ruine they think this jurny from France will draw after it. I doe not find it lessens any thing of hir passione for it; the more she is disswaded, the more violent she is: which made mee perswade Monsieur Heenuleit not to oppose her any more, least it should increas her indisposition, but to take care ther should bee noe monny for the jurny, which, I hope, with what your majestie can perswade the queene to do, shall be brought to reasone. The doctor has writ by this post earnestly to hir to goe; and assists for hir health to make such a jurny in January. By this post shee has sent a list of neere 70 persons to the queene, that shee intends shall bee of hir traine.

I believe not above half will be lodged in the palais royale.

The letters of this day from Antwerp say, that marishall d'Aouquincourt has broke of with the court, and has taken the protections of Spaine. I must ingenously confess to your majestie, that I cannot tell, whether I am pleased or displeased att it. If I bee not mistaken, it's for your majestie's interest the marishall should revolt, and Bablon's liberty has noe friend but his sidelity.

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, 14. Dec. 1655.

Mr. Fox writ to mee, that it was your majestie's pleasure I should buy liverys here for 10 persons, of such a cloth and lase, ass he sent me a pattern. I should most willingly have obeyed your majestie's commands, iff I had monny or creadit to doe it; but I hav non of my one, nor I doe not see until February, that ther is anie for your majestie, ass your majestie may see by the account I gave Mr. Fox of the 1000 gilders you are to receave in Jennary. My lord Newburgh tells me, your majestie will not have the doggs, which came out of England, but will have them returned. He has writ a letter to hir hyghness, offering them to hir; but shee tould me, she will neyther have them, nor bee att the charge of returning of them. They have allready cost your majestie much monny, and they will cost you litle less to returne them, then will keep them at Collen this 12 month. In my opinion your majestie would doe better to send for them. Iff you doe not make use of them, when your majestie is in Flanders, you cannot make a sayrer present to the archduke, for I never see a fyner pack.

I find by your majestie's last to hir hyghness, you are not unwilling shee shall goe hence about the 15th of the next month. You have much obleeged hir, for shee was much troubled before att the restraint you putt upon hir to stay until the begining of February. I beseech your majestie, when you change your oppinion in those things, which you command your servants, that are att distance with you, that you will bee pleased to have them made acquainted with it, least they run into the same inconveniencies Monsieur Heenuleit and his wyf did the day before your letter came to hir hyghness; for they, pressing the severall prejudices of the jurny, among the rest insisted much uppon that, which it would bring upon your majestie present hopes, which, hee sayed, an unnecessary jurny would not (may bee) hurt in March or Aprill. Whether this expression, or hir beeing crossed in a thing shee has soe much sett hir heart uppon, I know not; but the discours ended with the little satisfaction of all. The averseness Monsieur Heenuleit has to the jurny, shee does not beleeve proceeds from his care of hir or hir sonne, but to please those, that have noe mynd shee and hir mother should meet; which hee and his wyf take soe ill, that I doubt they'll leave hir sooner then is convenient for hir fortune, and the prince's; whose estate and hopes in this country is att this tyme in the greatest disorder, and in the most need of frinds, that ever it was since his father dyed. But this perswads litle with hir hyghness. I beleeve it's because shee does not beleeve it, or that shee knows shee'll doe litle good by hir stay. Hir hyghness is not a litle unsatisfyed with mee, beleeving I contribut to the oppositione given hir; and I have but litle thanks from Monsieur Heenuleit and his wyf, for assuring of them, that your majestie would have them delay hir jurny until the later end of February.

Now I leave your majestie to juge, whether you are not a litle to blame.

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, 27. December, 1655.

Monsieur Heenuleit finding the oppositione hee gave to hir hyghness alter nothing of hir passione for hir jurny, and that shee really grew sick with his persecutione, hee gave over importuning hir, conditionally shee would leave him and his wyf behind to look to hir interest, and to see what issue cont William's pretentions would have in the next meeting of the estates. This agreement has put her into a better humor then shee has beene since hir returne from Collen. The last post brought hir a letter from the queene, and another from my lord Jermin to Monsieur Heenuleit, both hasteing hir jurny, and litle answering your majestie's expectation. I beleeve I see them both; that of the queen's sayes, shee doubts the duke of York will not bee permitted to stay hir coming thither; and that iff an English ambassador come, shee must leave Paris to. Therefore, shee sayd, and for the reasons I gave you before, make hast. The Spannish ambassador has promissed, shee shall have a pass within 14 days, which shee thinks to much tyme. Before these letters came, shee promissed Monsieur Heenuleit to goe by Zealand, to sett that province ryght for hir son's and your majestie's interest, which hee thinks hir presence with his industry may easily doe; but now shee talks of nothing but the nearest way, and to be at Paris the first of February.

I just now receaved your majestie's of the 24th. By what I have allreddy writ, I beeleve your majestie will not find that kindness nor sence of your bisiness at the palais royale they ought to have. I never sayed any thing to countermand the sending of the wyne; if it bee not gon, I shall send to the fellow to hasten him. God preserve your majestee!

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, Janu. 1656.

Before your majestie's last letters came, Monsieur Heenuleit obtained hir hyghnesse permissione to have his wyf left with him, and that his daughter Mrs. Howard (whoe is of late made governess to the prince) should goe in hir place. They are both infinitly troubled your majestie should think hir goeing necessary, and that shee should not have strength equall to hir will to obey your majestie. The truth is, shee is very weak, and very often sick; but not soe ill, but that if Monsieur Heenuleit went, shee would venter; but shee thinks it not fitt to leave him all alone, forsaken of his frinds, and in the midst of all his majestie's and his one enemys. Both hee and shee give another reason, which passes not soe currant with mee, and they think it the best; it is, that at Collen, when hir hyghness was in the heat of hir passione, tould Monsieur Heenuleit, that the world beeleeved shee was governed by them; but shee would disabuse it. By what means I know not, hee has understood, that hir hyghness has had this from the palais royale; therefore hee'll lett hir goe thether without him or his wyf, so lett the queene see the princess can be ass willfull ther without them, ass shee can bee where they are. They doe not att all feare shee'll take any impressione prejudiciall to your majestie; on the contrary, they are confident, shee will returne of another perswasione then shee goes, and they had rather shee should find hir errours in ther absence, then when they are with hir.

Monsieur Heenuleit most humbly begs your majestie's pardon for the disobedience of his wyf, since hir stay iss necessary for that lyf, which hee hopes, iff your majestie gets once into Flanders, to make more usefull to you, then any service his wyf could doe you in France, where, hee thinks, your majestie is to expect litle hereafter. I beseech your majesty, in the next, that you doe me the honor to writ, to signifye your majestie is not unsatisfyed with ther resolutione, else you will ad much to ther trouble in not obeying your command.

This day I sent the huntsman with 14 couple of hounds to Collen; the fellow since his coming hither, and to make his jurny, had 300 gilders. Mr. Howard demanded 400 gilders more for transporting of them, which was ass cheap a bargain ass my lord Newburg had of his hors; but Monsieur Heenuleit would pay nothing without I alowed it, and Mr. Howard was soe modest as not to offer to account with mee; for hee knew I found ther was not 40 gilders due. I have given Mr. Fox an account of the liverys. The Lord bless and preserve your majestie !

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, 8. Febr. 1656.

Mrs. Hyde most humbly thanks your majestie for the seasonable present you made hir; but shee'le reap litle benefit by it, unless your majestie will, in the next you doe mee the honor to writ, say, that you will have mee receave from Mr. Oudart, who is now the prince royal's treasurer, what is due in March. That of January and February iss already consumed uppon your liverys and dogs. When your majestie sayd in that letter, wherin you were pleas'd to order Mrs. Hyde the 500 gilders, that if it did not serve, that shee should take the whole, your majestie did not remember, you have put it out of your power to dispose of the other 500 gilders, because you have alowed it to the duke of Glocester; soe that herafter your majestie is not to account but upon 500 a month.

I have hetherto forborne giving your majestie any account of your commands concerning Mrs. Barloe, because those, that I imployed to hir, brought mee assurances from hir, she would obey your majestie's commands. Of late I am could shee intends nothing less, and that shee is assured from Collen your majestie would not have hir son from hir. I am much troubled to see the prejudice hir being here does your majestie; for every idle actione of hirs brings your majestie uppon the state; and I am noe less ashamed to have soe much importuned your majestie to have beeleved hir worthy of your care. When I have the honor to wayt uppon your majestie, I shall tell you what I have from a midwyf of this toune, and one of hir mayds, which shee had not the discretione to use well after knoweing so much of hir secrets.

This foolish libell, which I send your majestie, has a second part, which I shall shortly have. God preserve your majestie !

Mr. Daniel O Neile to king Charles II.

Hage, 14th Feb. 1656.

Before I took the liberty to writ any thing to your majestie of Mrs. Barloe, I did sufficiently informe myself of the truth of what I writ, since I had the opportunity to save hir from publick scandall att least. Hir mayd, whom shee would have killed by thrusting a bodkin into hir care ass shee was asleep, would have accused hir of that, of miscarrying of two children by phissick, and of the infamous manner of hir living with Mr. Howard; but I have prevented the mischief, partly with threats, butt more with a 100 gilders I am to give hir mayd. Hir last miscarriage was since Mrs. Howard went, ass the midwyf says to one, that I imploy to hir. Doctor Rusus has given hir phissick, but it was allwayes after hir miscarrying; and though hee knew any thing, it would bee indiscreet to tell it. Therefore I would not attempt him, and the rather, that I was sufficiently assured by those, that were neerer. Though I have saved hir for this tyme, it's not lykly shee'le escap when I am son; for onely the consideratione of your majestie has held Monsieur Heenuleit and Monsieur Nertwick, not to have hir bainished this toune and country for an infamous person, and by sound of drum. Therefore it were well, if your majestie will owen that chyld, to send hir your positive command to deliver him unto whom your majestie will apoint. I know it from one, whoe has read my lord Taaf's letter to hir of the 11th by this last post, that hee tells hir, your majestie has noething more in consideratione then hir sufferings; and that the next monny you can gett or borrow, shall bee sent to suply hir. Whyle your majestie incourages any to speake this language, shee'le never obey what you will have. The onely way is to necessitat hir, if your majestie can think hir worth your care.

I doe with joy receave the good newes Mr. chancelor by your majestie's order has writ to mee. I hope your majestie's next commands will bee to have me meet you in Flanders, whether I humbly beseech your majestie, for God's sake, not to carry any, that may give any jelousy to those most jelous ministers. The ambassador here, whoe is a frank and free speaker, and professes much to your majestie's service, sticks not to say, they know well in Flanders, whoe are French about you; and that when you goe thether, they would bee glad they stayed behind; and that for his part, if hee were to have the honour to advise your majestie, hee would have you goe thether with a few, and those that would be acceptable; lett the rest, after your majestie were settled, drop after in smale companys. I humbly beg your pardon for telling you this, and that the Spannards beleeve eyther your majestie iss not secret in your affayres, or that your councill is not soe faithfull ass it ought. Monsieur Seasteid, who dined to-day with Monsieur Heenuleit, tould him and his wyf, one of the greatest exceptions the ministers of Spain had was, that ther was noething a secret in your court.

I have done your majestie's commands to Monsieur Heenuleit and his lady; they are infinitly joyed at your majestie's hopes; they'le doe all they can to satisfy your majestie's demands in Mr. chancelor's letter to mee; and if your majestie be once joyned with the Spannard, they doubt not to bee more useful to you in this country. The Lord God blesse your majestie!

Lord Andover to the king.

Bruxelles, the 15. Jan. 1656.

Maye yt please your Magestye,
I humblye kisse your handes, though at this distance, with a loyalle harte, that shall ever bee devoted to your service in all weathers sowle or sayre; and tille my sworde can serve your interestes againe, praye accepte of the cordialle sacrifice of my poore prayers, that every day presume to mention your sacred person, equallye with the goode of my oune sowle withowt faction or designe (with matters of state I never entermeddle) before I bee called. But, Sir, for Godde sake have a care of your royalle selfe, and bee noe more putte uppon romances to satisfie other mens ambitions or endes, whoe, when yt cometh to the poincte, commonly talke more then they can performe; since in Englande now there is noe jeasting, and they have but too goode intelligence owte of your courte, as by late experience your magestye hath founde, and very happilye prevented. And, Sir, make the pope your frende earlye, since I am certayne, yf the buisnesse bee welle maneiged, you maye receive considerable supplyes from thence, notwithstanding whatever maye bee pretended to the contrarye. For other hopes your magestye in conclusion wille finde to bee dreames, or else saye I understande noething of the place, from whence I laste came; nor truste to much uppon the Spaniardes, unlesse your buisnesse with them bee both cautioned and appuyed at Rome; for then I am sure they dare not juggle. Thus asking a second pardon for this boldnesse, I conclude with what I will live and dye untayented in the fidelitye I owe my souveraigne,
Sir, Your Magestye's most obedient subjecte, and lowlieste servante, Jacke F

Sir H. Bennet to king Charles II.

Paris, May 21. 1655.

As all my former letters have successively contradicted one another, soe must this my last, by letting your majestie knowe, that there are new difficulties risen in the peace with Englande. I knowe not, whither they are such, as will take much time to master, or whither they are only sounde out to compliment the first coming of the Spanish ambassadour. Whatever they weare, the last poste saide, Monsieur de Boardeaux was coming away upon them; but I make noe doubt of hearing to-day, that he hath been earnestly perswaded to staye, and both he and we put againe in the possibility of being amused some months longer. It will be easily concluded by your majestie, that the advantage the duke will make of this delay will be the getting into the feild, and consequently laying aside all our chimæras of Italie, with the pleasure of which wee had much entertained ourselves.

The court is gone from hence, but soe suspecting the temper of the parlemeno, that many beleeve it may returne quickly againe, having besides left 11 compagnies of the guardes behinde them. Others more rationally beleeve the discontents of this place will not discover themselves, till the armies be ingaged; which apprehension may make the campagne lesse active, then it was design'd to bee. The queene is at Challot. I am glade to heare her last letters to your majestie weare soe kinde and obliging. I hope without any other capitulation you will both talke yourselves into that kindnesse, that ought to be betwixt you.

My lady Kenelmeaky will bee here to-day. This I thinke is all the stocke of newes I have at present for your majestie, excepting Mr. Craft's intrigue; he is in persuite of a rich widdowe. I have been present at two or three of his visits, and finde the rallierie verry farre advanced on both sides, and play'd altogether as well by her as him. It they come to earnest, I make noe manner of doubt of her being to hard for him. Your majestie knowes he is of the force of the honestest gens.

I most humbly acknowledge the honour of your majestie's of the 10th, and have by the advice of madame de Fienne bespoken your two suites of clothes. By the next I hope they may bee sent towards Bruselles. Your majestie shall doe well in the meane time to order Sir H. de Vic to recieve 'em there, and dispatch' em immediately to you.

As hot as the weather is, I hope your majestie will have summer enough this yeare to weare 'em out. They shall bee made verry thin and light, that you may endure them in the stove, where the winter of the mother, and summer of the daughter, are soe inseportable.

I give Mr. Pickering all the cypher this weeke. I hope your majestie will forbid him cursing mee for it. When Mr. chancelour and Mr. O Neale come, they shall take their turnes.

I send your majestie l'Inconnue, which is much lesse pleasant to reade then see, (because I promised it) besides that the verses are but flat, and the intrigue lookes not soe well in the booke, as betwixt the two doores upon the stage. The author is banished the toune for . . . . . . at play; the duke was entreated to aske his pardon, but was refused it.

Since I wrote thus farre, I have been walking on the terrasse, and met madame de Brege there, who professes as much respect to your majestie as can bee said in soe good a tongue; and beyonde that a concernment for your affaires as neere as any servant you have. Shee saies shee hath miraculously discovered, that some of us your servants are not soe secret and faithfull in your service as wee ought to bee. I pressed her as much as I could to explaine herselfe; but shee said, since it was not de la dermere consequence, shee would not speake plainer to mee. I told her, professing, as shee had done formerly, a minde to write to your majestie; shee was in conscience now obliged to it, and to tell you, that shee refused mee. Shee told mee, shee would give mee leave to recomend to you above all things the keeping your buisnesse very secret, and this in her name. If your majestie like her correspondence, noething is more easiler had. By two lines shee will bee ingaged to write constantly to you, and perhaps as pertinently to all purposes as any body can in this part of the world. For the argument of your majestie's first, you may, if you please, use something of this discourse I have had with her, which I tell with more length, because shee seemes to knowe somethinge within these walles, that were not unworthy your majesty's knowledge. I will not leave the enquiry after it by this first refusal.

Sir H. Bennet to king Charles II.

Paris, Octob. 29. 1655.

I am glad to understande by your majestie's of the 13th your return to Collen, and the satisfaction you have received in your journey. I hope it will bee noe lesse usefull to your majestie hereafter, then it was pleasant now, particularly in the acquaintance you made with the electour of Mentz, whome your majesty thinkes soe worthy of it, which is altogether agreeing with the generall character the world has of him.

I shall take care to dispose of the inclosed as your majesty desires; and am glad at the same time you doe not like the opinion of repeating those matters often.

I am infinitely obliged to your majesty for what you weare pleased to send me by Mr. O Neile: 'tis agreeable to that excesse of goodness I have most undeserving ever recieved from you; as also for hopes your majesty gives mee of the happinesse to goe and wait on you this winter. If the peace bee made betwixt this crowne and the rebells, 'tis likely it may bee in my master's traine; and of this there are greater probabilities now then ever, it being found here they will peice againe with Spayne after their disappointment in the Indyes. I thinke wee may on better groundes saye, then wee have done it heretofore, that a little time will determine this matter.

Wee looke the duke our master should bee here the beginning of the next month, the enemy not offering at Condé, or any of our other places. All the trouble our army hath is lying in consumed quarters.

The court hath been here these foure daies. If madame de Fienne keepes her worde with mee, your majesty will herewith have all the newes of it. I have been very much embarassed, as your majesty will perceive, to answer the duke of Gloster's Italian letter. My stoke is not plentifull enough to furnish all of the same peice; besides, I doe not know to what degree your majesty hath yet made him capable of rallerie, soe that I durst not take notice of that speech he spoke at councel with his legge upon the table.

I sende a new sworde to your majesty by Mrs. Lane's trunke: it hath had the approbation of men of the prosession, which makes mee hope your majesty will like it. The workman by the Louver made it.

Sir H. Bennet to king Charles II.

Paris, Decemb. 10. 1655.

Insteade of writing now, I thought to have parted from hence this day; but I am forced to staye a weeke longer for want of my passeport. I wish your majesty had been here yesterday to see the bonfires; the people ware as sparing of them, and those few, that ware made, as little resorted to, as if it had been the dog-days. All the use your majesty can make of this observation is to see the world wishes your cause well even in the greatest adversity, that can befall it; and a yet better testimony of this was a sermon made two dayes agoe at the oratorie before the king and queene by the pere Sovian, speaking plainly against this peace, and the villany of him, with whome it is made, and telling them, how much more it would have becomed them to have made a generall one, and endeavoured the tru stablishing of a rightfull king soe neare allied to them, and soe undeservingly persecuted. But I am perswaded, this will all bee for your majesty's good against the will of those, that doe it. Spaine, I hope, cannot agree with the rebells; but it will bee as much to their disadvantage as your majesty, that they cannot quickely perceive this. They will never be able to recover the losse of this winter, if they let it passe over in consultation. Madame de Chatillon hath her liberty. Monsieur de Tarante hath been received but coldly. The prince François goes to the Louvre to-night; and cardinal Antonio is expected in towne. It cannot carry your majesty better news than this by the next post; yet I hope to finde better with you. Pray God sende your majesty a satisfaction in your present wishes.

Sir H. Bennet to king Charles II.

Madrid, Novemb. 7. 1657.

The ill newes of the surrender of Mardique was already in this court, before I received the honour of your majestie's of Octob. 6. making mention of it. You have a greate deale of reason to resent, as you doe, all these losses, they being effectively soe many disadvantages to you. But on the other side I thinke you may privately consolate yourselfe with an assurance of seeing the warmth towards your concernments doubled by them, not for the wronge sake only, but from the dispaire of seeing themselves able to doe any thing contrary to them. That charity, which is saide to begin at home, may justifye this ill nature, which I would not recommend to you, if I could produce any other grounds for your consolation. Your majestie will see in Mr. chancellour's what is saide to my instances of sending awaye that sume, which hath been soe longe promised for your extraordinary succour. In the meane time I hope the payments of your ordnarye have been made good, and that you have yet better things from Englande to helpe you to passe over the melancholly of this wett weather. Seing the feild in Flanders hath proved soe unsuccessefull, your majesty hath the less cause to bee sensible of your disappointment to goe to it. The missortunes there have occasioned much talke in this toune of the purpose to change the ministers there, particularly of his H. Don Juan, and to bring him to comande in Portugale; but this is yet only toune-talke. In my last I told your majesty of the Portugal's armye passing the river; since when they have retaken Morin, and threaten the like to Olivenca, not seing yet a considerable body together on our side to make any opposition; but if they undertake any thing more, 'tis likely it will bee rather Badajos, being the lesse stronge of the two.

Here is a gentleman going from this court, le chevalier du Val, a subject of the Venetians, that hath longe served in the troupes of Flanders: he hath desired mee to dispose your majestie to let him goe and waite on you. You may learne from him many things of the temper of this court, which more reserved Spaniards will not or perhaps cannot tell. By the caracter you will learne of him in these parts, you will easily beleeve he is much esteemed here.

I must not finish this letter without magnifying the contrivance of not letting my letters and the cypher lye in one towne. It could not have been secure they should doe soe; besides, the matter having been soe fairly divided betwixt my lord lieutenant and Mr. chancellour, neither had grounde to complaine of the other's share.

For the rest, I must take my accustomed boldnesse to referre your majestie to Mr. chancellour's letter, and adde to this but my prayers to God to blesse your majestie, and make you happy, as your subjects and servants have cause to wish.

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, May 14. 1655.

I send you a letter from the quen, soe that I have nothing to say from her. The duke of York hath commanded me to give you an account of that, whiche concerns the particular of his remove from this place; for the confidence, with whiche the peace with Ingland was last week beleeved, makes us prepare for that remove, whiche will be a consequence of it. Yet this night speaking with the cardinal of it, he told me, the peace was not yet made; and added, that he knew not what would certaynly be the issue thereof. The news of the signing it was this day expected, but it is not come. The cardinal is in payn in two particulars; one, that he must send the duke away; the next, to find whether he must goe. For the first, the necessitye of it, whiche he beleeves soe absolute, guides the resolution; and their remayns noe doubt, but that he must remove. For the other article, thir beeing noe necessity to govern it, we are still in suspense. He seemes to wish, if thear may be place for it, that he should be engaged in Germany; but whyther any thing of that, whiche is now on foote, will give occasion for it, is the question. It does not appear to me, that it will; but if it should, it wear noe ill region to continue to learn the soldier-trade in, and perhaps even more then that would be found to invite him that way. He spake of his goeing to Denmark; but I saw soe little possibility of making that jorny with any utility, that I besought him not to think it could be in any sort reasonable to retayn any farther consideration of it. Then he began to speake of Italy, concerning whiche he told me, he saw soe great inconveniencys, that he was not ready to resolve. In fine we are still in uncertaynty as to the place, whyther he must goe; and uncertayn, whether he must goe at all; for the peace is not certayn, onely this we know, that if it be made, he cannot remayn heere. He told me, that he did not beleeve it could be possible, that the busines of the treaty could continue undecided above 3 or 4 dayes at most; soe that by the next you may expect the conclusion one way or other. It has bin beleeved this week, that the court would part on munday; but that day will not hold. We are in great impacience to hear, what the marquis de Lede will doe in Ingland, and Pen in the Indies. Blagge stayes still in the Mediterranean: he has bin lately at Malta to demand thear the enlargement of some Turks, that those of Tunis and Argiers will have, before they render the Christians that Blagge demanded of them. The Turks were refused by those of Malta; upon which thear passed great volies of canon from the fleet upon some of the forts, and in return from the forts upon the fleet, but without any harm. They are parted upon very ill tearms. Whyther they will agree agayn or not, I doe not know; but it would be some little advantage to you, that they might not. I will enquire after the progres of the matter, and give you advise of that I shall learn. I have no more to trouble you with at present. Monsieur de Monmege, coronel of the cent Suises, is dead, and Monsieur de Varde hath the place, paying to the heirs 100 million livres. The place is worth to be sold 400 million livers. My lord of Buckingham is lately come hither. There goes up and downe a report, that Fairfax sent a gentleman to you to offer his service, and to propose to you, that my lord of Buckingham might be appointed to treat with him; and that thearupon the matter was rejected. Pray be pleased to write a word, whyther you have heard of this or not, or what is the truth of it. I have not got yet any more money for you, but I shall very suddenly. God of heaven preserve you!

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, May 21. 1655.

The quen hath received yours of this weeke; but being at Chaliot, and a little indisposed, having had a fit of those vapors, that she uses to be troubled with, she hath commanded me to make her excuse, that she writes not till the next. The busines of the treaty is grown soe misterious, that we know not what to believe of it. If we wear in any inclination of following the common opinion held heere of it, we might venture to tell you, that thear is at present as muche a pearance of the breache, as of the accommodation, nay more. The publick vote goes on the behalf of the breache, but I dare not be too confident; on the contrary thear is too muche cause to feare the agreement. This, I think, we may at last say truly, after having sayed otherwise soe long, that next week will give us the certaynty one way or other. Upon this matter the resolutions for the duke of Yorke doe soe depend, that we can say noe more of him, then I did in my last. The court is gone to Chantilly, and soe to Compeigne, whyther after the letters of tuesday next the duke will goe, either to goe from thence to the campayne heere, if thear be noe peace, or if thear be, to take his resolution and leave for some other course, which for ought I can discern is most like to be for Italy. The surintendants have bin away ever since the court parted, soe that you will receive no supply this week; I think you will the next. Your clothes are bespoke, and shall be sent with care to you. This for the present is all the trouble you shall have. God of heaven preserve you!
Lord Jermyn.

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Sep. 15. 1655.

I have receav'd yours of the 25th, that thear is muche dissatisfaction heere, for the bussines of your leters ought to be looked for, and that thear is more pretended even then is in effect to be looked for too; for that will serve for coulor and excusse, if they doe find cause to enter into nearer ties with Cromwel. I conceave, the preventing both, as farre as your servants heere will be able, is still to be endeavored, and I wish it wear as easy to make good the form as the thing. That whiche you apoint me to represent, is strong in the behalf of the latter: I would you would furnish me with as good arguments for the former. When I told you the duke had debts, whiche I thought would be necessary to discharge before his parting, I told you surely the truth of the case; but to extend that to all his debts, was more then I meant; for I saw very little appearance of paying all; and soe it falls out; for he leaves, I think, a great many behind him. Yet I think I doe now see so clearly into his parting, that you may depend it will be in the week, that comes in; and I think you may depend with the same assurance, that he will loose very little time by the way. You cannot more earnestly desire his company, then he does to be with you; and I dare say, you have not expected it with more impasience, then he has doune his remove: yet with all, that his remove hath required for the facilitations of it, the help of your servants, whiche he will give you account of, when he sees you. This for the present is all the trouble I have to give you. God of heaven preserve you !

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Octob. 29. 1655.

Since my last I have not spoken with the cardinal; soe I have noething to adde touching the subject of the letter; and the bishop of Amiens is not come to towne, but I expect him owerly upon his owne promise, as well as my owne impacience; for I doe very earnestly desire he had begun his jorny. I hear this day out of Ingland, that the peace is signed between them and this court; but I know not certaynly, whyther it be soe or not. I hear at the same time thear is great apearance of the breach with Spayne. If the former be true, it seems to me a powerfull argument to beleeve the latter; and the former being true, though it be very ill news, yet it is in a very good measure recompensed by the latter. The pope hath writ lately to the king heere to recommend to him the considerations of the generall peace; and yesterday the cardinal gave the answear to the nuntio, whiche was, that he could not assure, that thear would be noe difficulty, when the treaty should be resolved; for the Spaniards might possibly insist upon suche conditions, as the king could not accord to; but that theer should be none in comming to a treaty on his part, for that he remitted to the pope, the choice of the place, time, persons, and manner of treating, and would consent to any thing the pope should settle; and desired he would without losse of time take thes particulars into consideration. Sending you soe many other letters, I doe not think fitte to enlarge with one word more. God of heaven preserve you !

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Nov. 26. 1655.

My jorny to Compeigne kept me from wrighting last weeke. I went thyther to wayte upon the duke of York, according to his command to me, and carried with me the queen's advise to him to come to Paris to consider heere, what he is to doe in this changement de theatre. He is to remove from hence, I know not whyther by any of the publick articles, or a private agreement; but in fine it is a matter soe resolved, that if it could be reasonable to endeavor the change, it could not be possible to effect it. The question is now, how he is to dispose of himself, in whiche we all here concurre, that we are not ready yet to resolve; and we must see a little more clearly, how the breache will advance between Spayn and Cromwel, and what thoughts the Spaniards will imbrace towards you, before he can make his choice. The quen hath proposed to you to send her what occurres to you upon this point, and within a post or two you shall not sayle to know from hence all the severall considerations, that have presented themselves to us heere. It would be long and usseles to trouble you now with them. The king and cardinal will be heere on tuesday. To-morrow they goe to Peronne, which busines is composed upon thes tearmes: Han is put into the king's hands; Peronne remayns to the marquis d'Hauquincourt, eldest sonne to the marishall, and the marschal shall have, in discharge of the debt he pretends the king owes him, 500 million livres. What is sayed concearning madam de Chatillion in the treaty, is not yet disclosed. You will have herd of the arival of the Lorain army in the Frenche quarters, having lest the other side, and betaken themselves to this. It is donne by an order from the duke of Lorayn. His brother, that came at the head of them, will be suddenly at the court. Monsieur de Linieville is come too, but will not remayn in the command. How they will be disposed of, is not yet resolved; for the present Monsieur Faber is sent to assign them quarters, and to take the charge and command of them. Will Crofts is come out of Guyen, and hath donne you very considerable services. I shall endeavour now to get the necessary connyvance for the trying of the affections of all our frends; and if I obtain it, I doe not doubt, but we shall doe you considerable service. The conjuncture seemes to me soe proper now for all efforts to be made, that even if the connyvance should be denied, which I hope it will not be, I would not forbear any longer to make the tryal. It is very unhappy, that Monsieur d'Amiens is not yet dispatched, but we have had difficulties, that we could not yet remove. I thought I should have bin able to have sent you some mony this week; but I could not possibly doe it. I am very confident I shall not fayle to doe it by the next. I have now no more to say. God of heaven preserve you!

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Decemb. 10. 1655.

Since the conclusion of the peace, which yesterday was proclaimed with the usuall cerimonies belonging to matters of that nature, the cardinal hath made great difficulty to the bishop of Amiens jorny to Rome. He hath not absolutely denied; but the last time I spake with him he sayed that of it, that leaves me very little hope, that it will be carried. The quen though is resolved to ask to see him to-morrow, and to use all sorts of instances to persuade him, being still of opinion, that that jorny is of present and great importance, and that noe man living is soe fitte for it as the bishop of A. I hope to be able next post to give you account of the resolution. In the mean time it is with great impacience that we expect to hear from you, what the Spaniards will resolve in order to your comming among them, and thir making the war, in whiche they are engaged, by concert with you. If they take the resolutions, that are best for themselves, as wel as best for you, I doe not doubt but you will be considerably helped by many other of your frends; in order to whiche I have allready the engagement of severall ones. Concearning the duke of York we only yet know, that he is to remove; but the first step is not determined, neither for when nor whyther he is to goe. I send you noe mony this week, because I keep my last effort for your remove; or if you doe remove, before you advertise it, be sure some supply shall meet you at Antwerp. I sent you last week a bill of 2 millions rixdollers, and accepted Mr. Foxe's bill, and engaged to pay Sir Hary de Vic. This now is all your present trouble. God of heaven preserve you !
Lord Jermyn.

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Decem. 31. 1655.

I shewed your leter of this weeke to the quen, and she hath sent me her answear. She seemed to me, when I spake with her at Shaliot, not convinced, that the comming of the princes hither was soe unseasonable, or like to be soe prejudicial, as you represent it; nor, to confes truly, doe I beleeve it soe very dangerous: but on the other side not seeing any reasons very pressing for the hast, or for one time rather then another, more then that the soonest is still the best for bringing those together, that desire muche to meet, if thear be noe good reason to forbid it, I have as well as I could, conformed myself to your sience in my discours of the matter; and though I think noe harm will come of the jorny, if it should be made, I would be very sory it should be in the way to bear the blame of that, whiche perhaps it would not be any part of the cause of. And the quen told me, she would write to the princes with the representation of all the precaution, that should be necessary; soe that I beleeve before she part, you will have time to provide agaynest all the appearance of the harm of the jorny, either by suche answears as you will have got from Flanders, or retarding her, if you shall find cause. The princesse's comming hither is soe visibly a matter of private consideration, and soe remote from any publick concearnment, that the queen beeing soe little prevayled with upon the publick point, shee beleeves perhaps even more then thear is cause for of the arts used to hinder the jorny; and if she writes any thing to you to that purpose, you ought not to wonder muche at it. The duke of York is at Verneil, and returns not hither till monday. As soon as he comes, he will dispose himself to make all the hast to you he can. I wish you would shortin his voyage, and come to Flanders to meet him; and am confident enough, if you doe not, it will be none of your owne fault. A marque, that the king studyes, is the present busines and divertion of this court; and that whiche concearnes your affaires in it must be directed by the resolutions will be taken in order to them by the Spaniards. We are now advertised, that they treat with Cromwel, and that Barriere hath in his hands that negociation. I cannot beleeve it possible they should agree; and therefore cannot chuse but hope very well. I have noe more to trouble you with. It hath bin well conjectured of you, that the cardinal will not allow Mr. d'Amiens to goe to Rome; for after all our expectations, he will be refused, soe that some other must be thought on for that imployment; and it will not bee easy to find any soe fitte as . . . . . . . God of heaven preserve you, and give you a good new year and many!
Lord Jermyn.

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Jan. 21. 1656.

I have received yours of the eleventh. To the point of money, that short account I gave my lord Culpeper last week, is all I can yet say: for since I have not bin able to advance one step. I will omit noe diligence, that depends on me; but as soon as I can get any new mony, whiche will create new credit, not fayle to send as muche as I shall be able. You are not to judge of the queen's affections noe more by her stile then by her words; for they are both sometimes betrayers of her thoughts, and have sharpnes, that in her hart she is not guilty of. And I doe beleeve you have not onely her affection to presume on, whiche can never slaken, but even all the tendernes and kindness, that can be ymagined; whiche I say not to intrude myself into that, whiche is very unnecessary between you, she doing this office, but because a word in your leter leads me to it. But I need not enlarge your trouble upon the subject. We begin to fear muche, the treaty between Spayn and Cromwell is like to end in an agreement. That, whiche makes me aprehend it, is, that I cannot discearn, that since the peace with this court, that thear is any further step towards any joint undertaking, or any further tyes contracted then the peace specifies. We are very busie in preparing for the reception of the P. R. She will be very kindly used: I think soe at least. The dispositions hitherto in the court allow us to have some confidence of it. Monsieur le Primier went away on tuesday for the jorny whearof I wrote last week. M. de Modene goes away a munday. The parlament have made a little noise touching an edict for the changing of the mony, which is a busines the king will have passe, and whearin he will make a considerable profit. They would have met contrary to the desire of the court, and wear in some disposition towards it this morning; but a leter of cachet, by whiche they wear forbidden, beeing deliver'd to them, they parted, and the matter will end without more harm; and I beleeve the business of the mony will goe on with some little alteration. Hear is little discours of the peace, and much preparation for the campayne. You will have herd the change of the affayres of Poland before this comes to you. The Tartars are come in in ayde of the king of Poland, with 80,000 men, and the king of Poland is returned with 2000 hors, and the generality of the kingdom as ready to helpe him, as they wear in the desertion at first. This is at least the present news from thence, and ought to be authentick; for it is from the queen of Poland's owne hand. The duke of York goes on munday to meet his sister, and will learn nothing till his return of his final parting; and I am not very certayn, whyther thear be not some secret deliberation, to whiche we are not called at all, whyther he shall remove, or not. I know nothing of it; but I doe beleeve thear is. The queen sends you a leter; that will be news enough for one post. I never saw the discours of future things in a more sober stile. I am sory I am not acquainted with the man. I never met more temptation to hearken after that art; and 'tis most true, that, whyther by skill or chance, I cannot tell, but he has in other particulars rencontred with miraculous hapynes in the persons of the cardinal and prince of Condé, and in the revolutions of this court. Pray consider how you will have him know, whyther you have receev'd his leter or not, and whyther you would have him write any more par voye d' esclaircissement & amplification, as he mentions. I have noe more to say. I pray God mak him a right profit, and give you all sorts of hapynes.

I send you the maske from Benserade. The duke of York can give you a good account of it; for he fayles it not at every dancing.

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Jan. 28. 1656.

I fear by your having mentioned mony soe often of late, that my leters, till I send some leters of exchange, will be but very troublesome ones; yet I dare not omit this to let you know, that I have used my utmost industry, but can get no reason of the fur intendants. I have dayly promises, but they produce noe effects; and I must have recours to the cardinal, whiche I was in hope not to have bin forced too. The princes R. will be heere on thursday. The duke of York is this night with her at Peronne. Thear is great preparation and disposition to pay her all the honors, that she has cause to expect at her arrivall, and to divert her during her stay. The king and queen will goe to meet her a league or two out of town; and in those cases you know that wants not other company. The great balles and the maske are reserved for her, and much of the good company of the place resolved to pay her all sorts of respects and civilities, especially those more particularly related then others to you and hir, as the house of Guise, Mons. de Turene, Mons. d'Espernoon, Mad. de Vandosme, Mad. de Mercure, and divers others. Next week you shall know how the first part of the matter will have past. I thought when I wrote last, that the business of changing the present species of mony would have ended with less noise then it is like to doe; for the parlament have assembled contrary to the king's order, and this day five councellers have had command to remove out of Paris, and an intimation sent to the rest, that if they meet any more, it shall cost them the Bastille for the first atempt, and worse for the second. This is the result of to-day. I have at present noe more to adde. God of heaven preserve you!
The names of the banished councellors are, le Loc, Pencarre, Villemonte, for three. I have forgot the other two; but they are men you know not, as I think thes are.

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Feb. 25. 1656.

I have received yours of this week. I beleeve thear is now no more fear, but that thear will be a war, and that second point I take to be in the same security. Perhaps you must stay some few dayes, before it will be as manifest as the other; but in the end (and I think suddenly too) it cannot be avoided, I believe. Consequently every stone is now to be turned, by whiche any accestion of help is to be procured; and I will not fayle to set a work every imagination that occurrs to me. That whiche you left in charge with Mr. Crofts, may perhaps prove in this occasion practicable. Be pleased to remember to say a word in your next of it to the queen, because you left order with her to consider of the time when it might be fitte to give him his commission, that you left with the queen, and set the busines on foote. The queen desires you to excuse her, that she writes not this week. I am very muche troubled, that I cannot send you some mony this week. I was made to hope it, and have gotten an order, that perhaps will be converted next week into mony. The stop in the busines of changing the species has made for the present a little stop in all payments almost, because thear wear great summes depended upon from that busines. It is not yet certayn, whyther it will passe or not. I have at present noe more to trouble you with. God of heaven preserve you !

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Feb. 4. 1656.

I send you leters from the queen and princes, whiche I beleeve leave me little to say in the point of the princesse's reception. It hath bin hither so universally civil in all things, and from all persons; and as (without any flatery) she doth reussir, it is likelier to mend then impair. On sunday she is to be at Monsieur's ball, whear thear will be the first assembly this court can form; and we discearn allready, that she will hold her place very well. The cardinal hath advanced great protestations of civility to her, and inclinations of entring into the interests of her sonne, whiche perhaps may be of important advantage to him. I find a strong appetite in her to make the confidence between the queen and you more intire then she supposes it to be; and I am infinitely joyed, that the queen shall have soe irreprochable a witnes of her good inclinations. I take occation to vouche this discours, that I may make the profession to you, that if it fall to my lot to be in the least mesure serviceable in the matter, I will esteem it the greatest hapynes, that can befall me. I am unwilling at any time to speak to you of the generall peace, because it is a mystery soe hard to be comprehended, that it is soe long delayed; yet I cannot chuse but tell you, that the dispositions to it seem more pregnant then heertofore; and 'tis very hard to be without some hope of it in so many favorable appearances as are dayly visible. The duke of Orleans will be shortly heere. I doe not hear, that mademoiselle comes with him, nor that thear is any thing sayed concearning her in his last treaty. The treaty between Spayn and Cromwel continuing, and the preparations for the Indes gives some aprehension of an agreement between them, that may import, that the war beyond the line should induce noe consequence of a breache on this side; and that thear should be further settled, that Cromwel could enter into noe commerce at all with this court, to the prejudice of Spayn, nor Spayn with you to that of Cromwel. The delaying the answears to your desires is alsoe some little confirmation of this: a little time will clear it. I can yet get no dispatche of the superintendants. This is now all I have to say. God of heaven preserve you!

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, [Oct. 1657.]

The queen commands me to make her excusse to you, for not wrighting this week, in whiche she is in much payn, and will continue soe till the next. She hath herd of the bussiness of Mardick, but soe imperfectly, that she knowes not what to beleeve of it. It is sayed heare, that you wear thear in the head of your troopes; that the attaque continued three or four howers; that thear wear 300 of your men killed upon the place; and that you not being able to carry the countrescarpe, together with the marche of Mons. de Turenne, obliged you to make your retreat. We are in expectation to be informed from you, how muche of this is true, and in great impasience to understand the condition you are in, and that of the duke of York, and the rest of your servants. The queen hath bin visited by the whole court, with the usuall demonstrations of ordinary civility; but noebody spake of this matter to her, nor of any thing els, that is [of] consideration to advertise you. They are now falling into the ordinary divertisements of the winter; whiche is all I have at present to say. God of heaven preserve you!

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, June 21. [1658.]

I send you a leter of the queen's, whiche is soe good an image of the present temper of her mind, that I need adde noething at this present consarning her. She is not a little troubled at the things that passe heere, and the more in that the remedies are so hard to be found out. The uncertaintie till this day, of what was becomme of the dukes of York and Glocester, hath bin new perplexity; soe that you may well beleeve she hath past her time as ill as you can ymagin. We are not well enough informed of the siege of Dunkirk, or the consequences of the battel, to be able to tell you any thing new. Those, that write from Callis, speak as if the place would not hold out long; but we have yet noe other news then what was writ the day after the battel, at whiche time perhaps the advantages wear beleeved greater then they are in effect, if at least it be true, as it is now sayed, that the Spanish army is returned to the same post, in whiche they fought. God of heaven preserve you!

Lord Jermyn to king Charles II.

Paris, Nov. 15. 1658.

I write now more, because I did it not last week, then that I have any thing now to say, that can justifye this trouble to you. I am onely glad to tell you, that I hear soe muche of the disorders in Ingland, that I cannot avoyde flattering myself with hopes of some suddayn advantage to you. We have noe news of the court; but this town begins to be very confident the king will bring the lady back with him. I am still of opinion, that you may have need of the kindnes of this state, and that thear is hopes of finding it, allthough the declaration be not to be expected soe early as it is to be wished; and it ought to be still a part of your as well as of your servants, to watch all occations, that may hasten or secure it. God of heaven preserve you!