A LETTER FROM Mr. Coleman to the French King's Confessor, June the 29^th 1674.

I AM commanded to tell you, That his Royal Highness, Lect. pro Rege. my Master, is very sensible of the Friendship of his most Christi­an Majesty, which he will endeavour to cultivate very carefully, and to give him all possible Assurances of it, to take away all Jealousies that his Enemies would raise to the con­trary.

That his Royal Highness has done nothing in any manner what­soever, nor in any place, against the Interest of his most Christian Majesty, but hath rendred him all the good Offices he hath been capable of.

That as for recalling the Parliament, and touching my Lord A— his Highness is altogether of the opinion of his Majesty, that neither one nor other is useful, but quite contrary, very dangerous as well for England as France, and that his most Christian Majesty is in great danger of losing the Neutrality of England, at the next Session, (if the Parliament meet) as he lost its Alliance by the Peace of Holland at the last; because the Lower House and their Friends (as the furious Protestants, and the Malecontents in the House of Lords) have a Design to lessen his Royal Highness, and root out the Catholick Religion, and they think they cannot make use of any other fitter means to attain their End, than to raise the Dutch, and to perplex his most Christian Majesty, as much as lyes in their Power.

That his Highness doubts not, but it is absolutely necessary for the Interest of his most Christian Majesty, and his Royal High­ness, to use all endeavours to hinder the meeting of the Parliament, [Page 2]by perswading his Britannick Majesty, that his Greatness, his Ho­nour, and his Quiet, are no less concerned therein, than theirs; So that if his most Christian Majesty would write freely his thoughts thereupon to his Br. Majesty to forewarn him of the Danger he apprehends from thence, and would withal think fit to make him the same generous offers of his Purse, to perswade him to dissolve the present Parliament, as he hath done to his Highness for the Election of another, perhaps he would succeed therein by the Assistance we would give him here.

As for another Parliament, it would be easie enough to get such an one as we wish for, the Constitutions of our Parliaments being of such a nature, that as there is nothing to be hoped for by the King, from an old one, so there is nothing to be feared from a new one, because such an one at their first meeting must needs assist his Majesty, so far as to inable him to acknowledge his Obliga­tions both to his most Christian Majesty and to all the World.

Now, although there is nothing in the World more true, or plainer than this, some, nevertheless carried on, either by their particular Interest, or by their meer Malice, and the hatred they have conceived against those they have so far offended, as to de­spair of their Pardon, are resolved rather to sacrifice the Honour of their King, and his Kingdome, than to shew him the danger he is running into, and the means to avoid it, lest they them­selves should fall into the hands of those that have long taken no­tice of their Baseness.

However, his Royal Highness will endeavour by his Care and good Offices to entertain a very good understanding with the King, his Brother, as he hath alwayes done, and lately, with so much success, that methinks, he endears himself more and more every day.

For Monsieur Rouvigny, his Highness hath nothing to say against him: As he seems to understand the Interest of his Master, and to follow it with great Observancy, he cannot by consequence thwart Ours: when we shall have any thing material to ask or to propose to you, you shall know it, and we will trust to the Promises of your help. I desire you from my Master, to deal with us with the same freedom and confidence, and be assured, that notwithstanding all the Rogueries and Follies of some People here and there, you will find us always just, and Religiously faithful.

From Mr. Coleman, to the French King's Confessor, without Date, but noted by him to have been written in Answer to a Letter of 25 Septemb. 1674.

HIS Royal Highness has received the Letter that you sent him by Sir William Throckmorton, Lect. pro Rege. which he has answered to you himself; and besides, he hath commanded me to testifie to you, the great esteem he hath for the Friendship of his most Christian Maje­sty, and for yours, and to assure you, that he will not fail to cultivate it with all his power; and that preferring the sincere Faith of a Christian, and the word of a Man of Honour, before all Subtilties, and even all the advantages of the World, he gives you them both, as a Pledge of the ardent desire he has to continue alwayes a strict Alliance with his most Christian Majesty, and to entertain also an in­timate Correspondence with you.

For the first point of your Letter, his Royal Highness has com­manded me to tell you, that he will govern him self according to your Advice, and treat of nothing concerning the Catholick Religion with Monsieur Rouvigny, nor with any other Person than your self, but that he will communicate to you all things he shall find neces­sary for the good of the Catholicks, and shall be very well pleased to receive Advices from you thereupon.

For the rest, his Royal Highness does a little wonder, that he hears nothing from Monsieur Rouvigny touching the second point of your Letter, since you have written so positively, that he had order to confirm, and procure execution of what his most Christian Majesty proposed to him the second of June last, by your Mediation, and you by that of Sir William Throckmorton's. He (His R. H.) has omitted, till this time, to acquaint you with the small success that he has had, as expecting daily that M. Rouvigny would impart to him the Commission of which you made mention to him in your Let­ter; but having heard nothing yet of that matter, and being obli­ged to go out of Town for 15 dayes or three Weeks, he thinks fit to send you back Sir William Throckmorton, to acquaint you with the progress of this Business, and to pray you to inform your self of what has been able to hinder it.

His most Christian Majesty, made a very generous offer to his Royal Highness of the assistance of his Purse, to inable him to de­fend them both from the Evils that threatned them, and by good [Page 4]luck, his Royal Highness has labour'd with so much diligence and success, that the Dangers which they apprehended are a little put off; but one thing more is necessary for the perfect securing their Affairs; and without making one step more, all that he has al­ready done will signifie nothing. For that the Assistance of his most Christian Majesty, is no less necessary at present, than heretofore, to subdue intirely those, who being exasperated against his most Christian Majesty, as much as against his Royal Highness, and are angry with his Royal Highness, onely because he is so unalterably addicted to the Interest of his most Christian Majesty, will exer­cise their Malice and their Rage with more brutality than ever, if they find occasion for it hereafter.

If you can therefore, by your Credit, obtain from his most Chri­stian Majesty the accomplishment of the offer of his Purse, for raising the Reputation of his Royal Highness, in the opinion of his Britannick Majesty and for putting him in condition to resist the sharpest Batteries of the Adversaries of his most Christian Ma­jesty and Royal Highness, to wit, the possibility they pretend to get Money from the Parliament, and the impossibility of having any elsewhere, by which they often keep the mind of his Britannick Majesty in suspence, and wherein they place the hope they have to conquer him at last.

There will nothing more remain to be feared by his Most Chri­stian Majesty, or his Royal Highness, but his Royal Highness will be able to dissolve the Parliament with ease and afterwards, in recompence of the said Assistance, will perform on his part all that his most Christian Majesty shall ask of him, and will pro­ceed with Sincerity upon the Word of a Prince (that no man can reproach him with the violation of) for the Interest of his most Christian Majesty.

A Letter from Mr. Coleman to the Internuncio, July 24. 1674.

THE Affairs of the Duke are at this time as formerly, in a very uncertain condition. He hath many Enemies, and also some Friends, amongst whom, he particularly esteemeth you, ha­ving a great Confidence in your Amity, of which he hopeth to find the good Effects when he shall have occasion to demand your [Page 5] Assistance, but truly, in the present Conjuncture, there is nothing more than to make you understand the Estate in which he is at present, and the state of the Catholicks, and to let you consider what your Friends can do for the Comfort of the one and the other; the first is now very well, because of the putting off the Parlia­ment, and of the uncertainty whether that Party should take occasion to persecute him upon this Affair, or not; if he can deliver himself from this difficulty, he will re-establish himself better than ever, and shall be capable, not onely to man­age his proper Affairs, as before, but also to testifie his Acknowledg­ments to those who have been favourable to him in his misfor­tune; but if this Affair is brought again upon the stage, he will be so inabled, that he will have all his Adversaries upon his Back, which at present are Civil enough to him, and do run a great Risque to be ruined with his; all this dependeth on the King, who pretendeth to be effectually the Duke's Friend, but does nevertheless hold an intimate correspondence with his Enemies, and too openly declareth himself sometimes, which makes us mistrust, that he is perswaded that his Interest is alto­gether opposite to ours, but we must not despair. God is mighty, and the innocence of this poor, miserable — too evident, to permit him to be abandoned of all the World. If, by your means, you can gain the Emperour and the Pope to the Duke, for his Assistance, or to contribute something for the accomo­dating of the differences between his Friends of Spain and France, (which cannot give him any Succor, because of the infortunate War, in which they are ingag'd) you will merit much of God, and of all the Friends of the poor Catholicks, who are reduced almost to despair, and are tormented every day by their Enemies, and will be constrained to fall every day under the burthen of their miseries, if they are not upheld by some means: Their con­dition and that of the Duke are alike in many things, but do dif­fer in this, that they have many Enemies, which may, every of them in particular, be against the Catholick Cause for the Parliament, whereas the Duke, being onely engaged for the others, shall not be obliged to do any thing, at least, that he shall not be condem­ned by the Parliament, all the others being of the same nature, so that none shall attacque him in the last, before this first is de­termined, because, that if the Process comes to be determined in his favour, our Laws give him a great advantage against them which shall have the boldness to trouble him thereupon. This is [Page 6]all that I can say at present of the Affair of the Duke, and of the Catholicks, which I recommend to you with all my heart, assuring you, that since Christianism, there hath not been any Affair neither more to be pitied, or more worthy of all the Cares and Zeal of good People, than this of which I now speak to you. If you have the same Sentiment, you will take a great part in the Affairs of our Friends, and you will endeavour to apply all the most proper Remedies to make them succeed.

From the French King's Confessor to Mr. Coleman.

I AM very much obliged to you for the Letter you were pleased to write me concerning my Sickness.Lec' pro Rege. It was long and trou­blesome, and that which troubled me most during the long continu­ance of it, was, to find my self unable to take care of that Affair you gave me a memorial of, with as much diligence as I could wish. But, being after all arrived here, I resolved to send an Extract of the Memorial, because I was not able to carry it my self, which has been very lucky, thanks be to God, as you will see by the Letter I write to his Royal Highness. Sir William Throgmorton goes express with it. I pray acquaint his Highness, that this Knight has managed this Affair with all the Zeal, Fidelity, and Prudence possible, that his Highness may remember him upon occasion, as a Person much addict­ed to him. For Mr. Bernard, that stayes here, and whom you have recommended, I pray be not further concerned for him: The first occa­sion that offers, he shall find the Esteem I have for his Zeal and Wis­dom, and for the recommendation of his good Friends. I am in the mean while

From Mr. Coleman to the Pope's Internuncio.

YOU expect that the Duke should let you know what your Friends can do for his Service;Lec'. pro Rege. I told you the last Week my Opinion concerning the Estate of the Pope, in case the Process of the Parliament be judged to his disadvantage. And I have likewise told you what Opinion all the World hath as to that matter, that is to say, that it was absolutely lost.

But, for my part, not being of so timorous a nature as o­thers, I do not believe so, but am of opinion, that it is not impossible to overcome our Adversaries, in spight of all the confidence they have of Success. But the Victory which I hope for is, to be able to prevent the Business coming before the Par­liament, that it be not begun at all, rather than to gain the point, if it shall be brought upon the stage. For the Fury of the Persecutors is such, that they will make use of all means imaginable, as well Evil as Just, to gain their point. And I have too much reason to suspect the Integrity of our Judges in that Affair, for I plainly perceive, they naturally incline to the side of our Adversaries. And I dare put no confidence in the Assistance of the King, after so many Demonstrations as he hath given us of his weakness, as to that matter. And it is from these three Causes; that is to say, the Fierceness of our Ad­versaries, the Injustice of our Judges, and the Weakness of the King, that we are to expect surtable Effects. So that we shall have very little hopes of success, having so many Difficulties to contend with, in case the Parliament should meet. Where­fore it will be necessary to provide some Support among his Friends of your Acquaintance, if his Affairs should be too far pusht to suffer him to be in quiet here. All those who have had any Correspondency with him are at present in great sus­pence, and in pain to know what Success the Business above­mentioned is like to have. If the Duke succeeds in what he pretends to, they will be more fix'd to him than ever; if he fails, all his Creditors fall upon him in a moment, and he and his Catholick Associates will be absolutely ruin'd, for it is he alone upon whom all the rest do intirely depend: So that it is for [Page 8]him and his Affairs, that all our Friends ought to employ their Care to keep him up, that he may subsist. We have none with us that regard the Merit, but the Success of things. So that if the Duke can happily disingage himself of those Difficulties wherewith he is now incumbred, all the World will esteem him an able man, and all People will intrust him in their Affairs more willingly than they have done formerly. And the King himself, who hath more influence on the East India Company, than all the rest, will not onely re-establish him in the Employment he had before, but will put the Man­agement of all his Trade into his hands. By which means, he will have opportunity to enrich himself, and all his Catho­lick Associates, with all their Correspondents. So that 'tis of great consequence, (that those who owe him the Sums of) the Emperour and the Pope assist the Duke with a little Sum of Money, to put him in a condition to re-establish himself in the Management of the King's Affairs, and to endeavour to Compose the Differences between his two Friends of Spain and France; So that they may be in a condition to support him in his just and worthy Design, to begin and establish a new Traffick very advantagious to the whole World, and particu­larly the Kingdom of England, which, at present, is unhappi­ly divided, for want of being employed as it ought to be, and as it will be in little time after it shall have tasted the sweetness of that Profit which it shall find by the Managery of the Duke and his Associates, being assisted by his Friends and yours, and principally by the Church. We have in agitation great Designs, worthy the consideration of your Friends, and to be supported with all their Power, wherein we have no doubt but to succeed, and, it may be, to the utter ruine of the Protestant Par­ty, if you joyn with us in good Earnest, and cordially second our Enterprizes. The Affair is too long to give you all the Par­ticulars of, but, without doubt, you will understand much of it by the little which you find here.

AT present (Sir) We are returned again to London, where we shall be, as I hope, less embarrassed than at Windsor, and by consequence, shall have more leisure to entertain our Correspon­dents for the future, than we have had before. Since our return I have received your Letters of the one and twentieth of August, and fourth of September, and three others from our Friend, through whose hands you sent me yours. I wonder whence it comes that they have lost their way thus, but I conceive that he directed them to his Correspondent here, instead of addressing them immedi­ately to me, or to Mr. Jerome Boteman; I will advertise him of it this day, the better to settle our Correspondence for the fu­ture; 'tis true, that I did not write till this present as I intended, fearing lest you should have forgotten what I said thereupon, when I was at your House, but being delivered from that fear, I will not fail hereafter to treat you with that Liberty and Free­dom you have permitted me to use towards you, having no other Design, than to obey you as I ought, being

You will wonder, without doubt, at the Freedom I take in this Letter, and at my Confidence, and, perhaps, will esteem it as a mark of my Weakness, judging thereby, that I accustom my self to treat others in the like manner, and to open my mind, without distinction, to all who make profession to me of their Friendship and Sincerity. But, Sir, I desire you not to believe me guilty of so great Lightness and Folly, if I shall let you know my most secret Thoughts. And first, to answer the Question in your Letters, touching the Concerns of the Catholicks before the Parliament; viz. Whether they will come in Debate again in the Month of [...] I assure you, there is none but my self, ei­ther Friend or Enemy of the Duke's, who doth not believe cer­tainly, that that Business will be begun again at the time aforesaid, and that it will terminate to the utmost prejudice of the Duke, and of the Catholicks. For my self, I am alone of the opinion, that it will not then be taken up; at least, I will do my utmost to prevent it; although I know well that the Spanish Minister, and all those who are for the Interest of Spain, and the Confederates [Page 10](wherof some notwithstanding are very good Friends to the Ca­tholicks) will do all they can to prevail with the King to pur­sue the said Business, preferring their Malice and Enmity against France, (which will, as they believe, be overwhelmed thereby) before their Love to the Duke and the Catholicks; who will certainly by that means be in great danger to be quite ruined. As for my self, I am neither tied to the Interest of Spain nor France, but intirely to that of the Pope and the Catholicks; but pardon me, if I tell you freely, that I believe that the whole Proceeding of Spain in this Contest with France, is visibly to the great prejudice, as well of the Pope and the Catholicks, as his own Interest, and that He hath been long deceived by his Mini­sters and Associates, who have exposed him, during this whole Affair, to vast Expences, and have brought all the Burden upon him, and in the end will quit him in his extremity, if He doth not take heed betimes. All his Friends on this side have foreseen a good while what is faln out of late, and have been much afflict­ed to see two Gentlemen, of equal Merit, of the same Parentage, and of the same Interest, so transported one against the other, as to expose themselves to the Derision of their Neighbours, who have alwayes been, and who are at present inwardly (what shew soever they make in appearance) Enemies to both. In short, I believe that it is not Prudence in Spain to suffer it self to be thus governed by the Passion of its Ministers, to its own Damage, and the ruine of its best Friends, rather than to agree with France, be­cause it hath been perfidious, altho Spain may have all the Assu­rances imaginable, that France will act honestly for the future, like a good Neighbour, a kind Relation, and a most faithful Friend: The Duke's principal Defign is, to terminate this Dif­ference by the Interposition of the Pope, and by that means to esta­blish himself in the possession of his Estate, through their Assist­ance, and to turn all their Cares, (which at present are employ'd to destroy each other) for the Ease of the Pope's Friends, and parti­cularly for the Catholicks of the Church, against their great Enemies. If you please to consider the Affair as it is, you will find that the Pope never had an occasion so favourable as at this Hour, to in­rich those of his Family, and to augment the number of his Friends, and if he lets it slip, he will never find the like: so that if ever they propose to make use of the Treasure of the Church, 'tis now they ought to do it, for they can demand nothing that the Duke will not be capable to do for the Pope's Friends; and the Emperour, being as­sisted, [Page 11]as I said: On the other side, without their Aid, He will run great hazard of being lost, both himself and his Associates. This is all I can say.

From Mr. Coleman to the Pope's Internuncio. September 11. 1674.

I Have received yours of the 7th Instant, by which you do me the Honour to desire the continuance of News from us, in which I will willingly obey you, nothing being more agreeable to me than to serve you.

On Tuesday was sevenight our Commissioners and those of Hol­land (who are to adjust the Commerce of both Nations to the East Indies) entered upon that Affair.

Friday last the Privy Council met again (the King present) being the first time since his Majesty adjourned them at Hampton-Court, about five or six Weeks ago) and for the future they will meet regularly, as heretofore.

The third Son of the Dutchess of Cleaveland, known hitherto by the name of my Lord George Fitz Roy, hath been lately made Earl of Northumberland, Viscount of Falmouth, and Baron of Pom­fret. Don Carlos, another of the King's Natural Sons, will be cre­ated Earl of Plymouth, but his Letters Patenes are not yet figned.

An Irish man, named 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 [Page 13]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 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 [Page 15]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 [Page 16]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.

IT is true, Sir, that the Pope hath given us a clear and evident mark of his affection toward the Catholicks of England; but the Internuntio hath testified no less in doing Justice to the Merits of Cardinal Norfolk, which he mentioned in his Letter of the 6th of July. Since we have reason to attribute his success to the (just or favourable) character that the Internuntio hath given of him, I do not at all apprehend that the Internuntio re­penteth himself of the good offices that he hath done him, but that he will finde them recompenced by the satisfaction which he will receive in his Friendship.

As for (Monsieur Clement) the Duke, I believe that he hath already found the effects of your Prayers; and that he hath al­most surmounted all the Difficulties which have opposed his E­stablishment: The face of his Affairs are well changed; for we now passionately wish to see the coming on of the Parliament which we so much feared before: And while it was held doubtful whether it ought to meet or no, we employed all our Power to bring it on; which point we have gained but within these few days. And for my part, I no ways doubt but that we shall re­ceive as much good by it, as we apprehended ill, provided that the Duke fail not in the execution of the good Resolutions which he hath taken. There is but one thing to be feared (whereof I have a very great apprehension) that can hinder the success of our Designes; which is a Division amongst the Catholicks themselves, which hath already broke out at Paris amongst some Catholicks of England, touching some difference of Opinions in their Debates.

I finde that some of them have sent their Complaints to Rome, to have their Antagonist condemned: I have an intimate Acquaintance with the Person complained of, and I dare affirm he hath made twice as many Catholicks in England, of those which were none before, as any other person of his Quality; and that he is as well inclined towards the Pope and his whole Fa­mily, as the best of his Accusers: And I assure you, he hath ma­ny Friends here of the First Rank of Catholicks, who would not engage in his Affairs, if they did not believe that he marched [Page 18]steadily towards the common end. Although he affecteth some­times to express himself somewhat different from some of his Brothers. As for me, I believe there is too much passion on both sides; and if it shall fall out that his Enemies prevail against him, and procure his Condemnation at Rome, I am afraid that di­vers others will take occasion from thence to fall upon many Catholicks before the Parliament, desiring its friendship about some extravagant Propositions concerning the Authority of the Pope, to which the other Catholicks cannot submit; which will give occasion to the Parliament to accord their conjunction to those who require it, upon the Conditions before-mentioned; that is, Conditions prejudicial to the Authority of the Pope, by the hatred which they bear to all the Religion of the Catho­licks, because they may persecute the rest of them with more appearance of Justice, and ruine the one half of them more easily than the whole body at once. So that it seemeth to me, that although the Religion should be much more severely dealt with, by reason of their Complaint, than now it is, it would be very improper in the present Conjuncture of our Affairs, to make any division betwixt the Catholicks of England, upon any occasion whatsoever.

But for my part, I do not perceive any prejudice that can be­fal the Religion from any of those things, against which some persons seem to be so furiously enraged; because to my appre­hension, there is nothing contained in them, but what hath heretofore been maintained by Men of Worth and Honesty, with the general approbation of the whole world; and parti­cularly by D. Elizalde a Spaniard, in his Book Intituled, De for­ma verae Religionis quaerendae & inveniendae.

If you do not understand the Subject of this Letter, our Friend, from whose Hand you shall receive it, will inform you, and let you know the persons, and all the matters which have passed betwixt them; and when you shall be fully possessed of them, and shall possibly come to be of my opinion, (that it is necessary to prevent all differences betwixt the Catholicks of England in this present Conjuncture) I hope you will contribute your utmost endeavour to prevent the Condemnation of Rome, in any thing that may occasion a Breach amongst the Catholicks of England. I very well know, that the Duke will hold himself much obliged by those, who shall concern themselves in the pa­cification of this disorder, from whence we dread so much mis­chief; And that the Emperour, and the Internuntio, cannot perform an Office more grateful to him, than to prevent the [Page 19]Pope or any of his Family to embark themselves in the Affair, which would raise some dispute amongst us.

I beg your pardon for the trouble I have given you upon this Subject: but knowing your goodness, and weighing the impor­tance of the Affair, wherein I have taken the liberty to beg your assistance, I doubt not but you will pardon, SIR.

A Letter seiz'd at Mr. Coleman's, directed, A Mon­sieur Monsieur le Point proche de Charing-Cross a Londres, pour fair tenir a Monsieur James Clark.

[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.

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,

From Brussels, September 28. 1674.

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.

October 19. 1674.

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 propound it. For what remains, the Nuntio is upon the point of going to Rome, having already leave to return. The Negotiation of the business you propound, will belong to his Successour; but he will retain the same passion which he had for the Dukes Service, as well at the Emperors Court, as at the Popes, if he shall have any part in the Affairs of England. He will not fail to inform you more particularly of his departure. I pray assure the Duke of what I have told you, and am, without reserve,

October 30. 1674.

ACcording as I sent you word by my last, I am upon the point of parting from hence, having already received the leave that I waited for. I am sorry to part from a place, where I might have been instrumental to the Service of the Duke; and have made it appear to him, what a particular zeal I have for all things that relate to him. Howsoever, I will not fail to contribute thereunto all that lyeth in my power, in the place whither I am going.

I leave here behind me a Friend of mine, who will have the care of my affairs; to whom nevertheless I have communi­cated nothing of the Commerce which is betwixt us: Neither will I acquaint therewith the Friend that is to come, till at least I understand first from you, that you judge it conve­nient.

If you have any thing to send to me, in order to the Duke's Service, you may make use of the same hand which you employed in their address hither to me, and he may send them to Rome, under the cover of his Brothers.

I pray you, deliver the Inclosed to Monsieur Belair; and I am, without reserve,

I Think it better, that you send the Letter for Monsieur Be­lair some other way.

'TIs certain, that the best Expedient to become Mother of the Kings will, and to sever his kindness from the Parlia­ment, is that of Money. And I doubt not but the Duke may thereby make himself absolute over his thoughts, and to draw, by his Process, and that of the Catholicks, those advantages which you take notice of in your last Letter.

But if the Pope had the means to do as much as would be ne­cessary in this matter, which is much beyond his power, for the Reasons I told you when I had the happiness to see you, and of which I have advised you in many Letters; never can he be drawn reasonably to do it, but upon more solid grounds, and more probable assurances touching the good of Religion and of the Catholicks, then what you intimate in the discourses of your last Letter.

What you propose touching [...] you may there consider it in the Terms wherein at present are [...] it would be for the Interest of the Duke to produce unto light an affair of this nature. That which I can with truth assure you, and whereof the Duke may be per­swaded, is, that [...] since the Pope and the Emperour have an affection, and most peculiar zeal for all that regards him.

As to my self, I lay about with the one and with the other in the same shrine of zeal which I shall always retain for the Duke, and perhaps you shall shortly see some proofs thereof.

It hath been here said that the King for some time hath wanted his health, let me know what there is in it.

And as to our Commerce, you may continue until farther or­der, to send me your Letters by the same way which hitherto you have done. I am, without reserve,

The Cypher which I left with 300, and which you may have from him, will serve to open what here you find.

February 16, 1675.

YOur last Letter of the 7th of January, (which I received from a Gentleman, sent from her R. Higness the Dutchess of York to the Dutchess of Modena) hath afforded me very great comfort, from the favourable prognostick which you make of the Affairs of the D. of York, wherein you know how highly I con­cern myself: without all doubt you have received the answer which I sent you some time since, to the Letter delivered to me by the hand of your friend. And you have understood by that the incon­gruities, which render the execution of that Affair impossible, which you proposed to be Treated with the Pope and the Empe­ror, concerning Money, and I doubt not but the Duke and you both, will come to be of the same opinion with me, that it would prove an irrecoverable prejudice to his Highness, if that business should be set on foot. I was not a little surprized to hear, that my Lord Arlington was so deeply engaged in the con­cerns of the Parliament, that he should have so little considera­tion of preserving his friendship for the King.

I expect with impatience the news from your Country, to know what the negotiation of your Ministers in Holland will produce; and what the effect of Admiral Tromps Journey to Lon­don. I am, in the mean time,

June 3, 1675.

YOu have without doubt already understood from the Pub­lick News-books, the business of the Cardinal of Norfolk, which will serve you as a most evident proof of the affection which the Pope doth bear unto the concerns of England; from whence you may draw a most assured consequence, of what you [Page 27]may hope when the Affairs of the Duke shall need the assistance of Rome.

I am very glad to understand that his Affairs do not hitherto receive any prejudice by the Proceedings of the Parliament, and I shall be overjoyed to know the particular of his concerns, of which you gave me hope by your last, which was of the 7th of April, since which I have received none from you, I ex­pect them with impatience, and so much the more, because our friend, for ought I see, excuseth himself from sending me any news of the Duke, upon this reason, that you had given him hopes that you would inform me most particularly of all that passeth in this matter.

Oblige me therefore with the communication of your Letters, and believe that I am really,

YOurs of the 30 of August came not to my hands till the last week, by the means of our common friend who liveth in this City, which I am obliged to tell you, that you may not think I have forgot my duty in delaying my Answer so long.

I am over-joyed to understand by the news you write me, the good condition in which the Affairs of the Duke and the Ca­tholicks are at present, and for what concerneth the matter of which I have been more particularly informed by your friend, I will not fail speedily to acquaint the Emperour, and it is he who is all powerful with the Pope, with the reasons why it is for the benefit of the Catholicks, to defer the execution of that censure, which might cause some divisions among them, and give occasion of advantage to the Parliament thereby. My ad­vice hath been received very favourably, so that I am not only assured that they will delay for some long time the design of that business, but I hope also that the matter may possibly end so, as the person whom you recommend, doth desire.

The consideration of the connexion which all this may have with the interests of the Duke, hath been the most prevailing motive to the persons with whom I have been obliged to treat in this affair, to perswade them to what you did desire, and you may know by that, the passion that there is in this place, to con­tribute to all things which they believe are for his service. I be­seech you to assure him of the zeal with which I will always im­ploy my self therein. I am, without reserve,

From Brussels, September 7, 1674.

YOurs of the 21 of the last Month, which just now I re­ceived, hath given me much trouble, by the dangerous condition whereunto the Dukes Process is reduced. I wish I were able to contribute to his service by the means of my Friends, and particularly of the Emperor and the Pope. But hitherto I see not wherein they can advantage him. The Pope endeavours, what, you observe, which would be the properest remedy for his Affair, but the Parties will not yet declare them­selves upon that business. If you will explain your self, what may be done on this side, in the present occurrences of Affairs, I doubt not but all that is possible will be done. I beg the communication of your news, and am, without reserve,

A Letter from St. Germain to Coleman.

I Will tell you besides,Extract. That the King of France does not seem yet resolved to recall Monsieur De Ruvigny from the Trade where he has ingaged him;Lect. pro Rege. he perceives he does more harm than good; but other Considerations delay the Business. One of your Friends says, He will see if he can make things appear; but Coleman must well explain to me his End, and the Means he will make Use of. This Friend says besides, That he has given the King's Confessor to understand, That the King of France ought not to do any thing with the King of England, but by the Duke of York; and he hath Promised and Engaged upon his Life to the King's Confessor to make all succeed, in case that way be made use of. Has he done well, and do you know this Friend? He will call himself henceforward 41, for I see none of this Name in your Cyphers.

A Letter from St. Germain to Coleman.

I Cannot forbear to Write to you once more this Week; having Two things to say to you; The one is, That I have seen Mr. Sheldon, who intends to go to Trade secretly in your Parts. He will depart in 8, or 10 Days, but take no notice of it, lest it be known from whence you had it. He would have had me carried him to see the King's Confessor, whose Favour he endeavours to get by all means and helps. He will not pass for a Merchant, and therefore he wears a Sword [Page 30]by his side, and lives with the Arch-Bishop of Dublin: Both of them, I am told, Prosecute the Affair concerning which he hath written to you, and that you Communicate it to me. The other thing is, That the King's Confessor tells us, That the King of France thinks in earnest to recall Monsieur de Ruvigny from your Traffick; but he that is to be sent in his Place, does not please Mr. Sheldon, because, as he says, he is not of the most conside­rable Merchants of this place, though he have a great deal of Wit; and I am of his Mind, as well for this Reason as for others that are known to me, and which I cannot yet impart to you. Wherefore if Mr. Coleman would know of the Duke of York, if there be any Merchant here that would be acceptable to him, he may acquaint Monsieur de Ruvigny with it, and he will take care that by the means of the King's Confessor, it may be pro­pos'd effectually to the King of France.

This would be very well for the Traffick of the Catholicks.

I expect to hear from you. I saw yesterday my Lady Throck­morton, that is come to Paris to lye in, and who is shortly going back to Pontoyse, she has a Sore Leg contracted in Childbed.

My humble Service to Madam Coleman; Pray take no no­tice of me to others, for I do not believe it fit for any one to know that I write to you so often: Believe me Sir, that I am altogether

A Letter from St. Germain to Coleman.

THe Brother of my Lady de Ruvigny, Extract. who is an Abbot, has made a Visit to St. Germain, in order to ingage him to speak in favour of the Prorogation to the King's Confessor;Lect. pro Rege. but St. Germain would do nothing without knowing from Coleman what his Opinion is thereupon. St. Germain has made the King's Confessor understand what the Duke of York could do by the Disgrace of Two Persons, of whom Coleman has written to St. Germain; and that the vigorous Councils that were [Page 31]all absolutely necessary to produce Success in the Traffick of the Catholicks did proceed from the Duke of York, by the Inspiration of Coleman, who was most perfectly addicted to the good of the Traffick of the King of England, the Duke of York, and the Ca­tholicks. This St. Germain is very well intentioned, but he must be taught what he is to do.

For Monsieur Coleman the Dutchess Secretary in Deans-Yard, London.

I Know not whether you do receive my Letters, but I well know that I receive yours punctually enough, as I think. I have had your two last of the 6th and 10th, your Stile, but they have given me some disquiet; you Promise to tell me many things, and afterwards you fall very short therein, some­times Twelfth-Day is the Cause, and after it is because you had not my Letter of the 5th. To put both you and my self out of pain; I will tell you that I have writ to you the 5th, the 8th, the 12th, and the 15th of this Month, your Stile; and that I write to you to Day again, which is your 19th; you see one cannot be more exact. In all these Letters, I have writ to you of things that deserved answering, Especially concerning the Conduct which Monsieur St. Germain ought to use towards the Confessor of the King of France, and the new Ambassador; for he will not nor cannot do any thing till Coleman hath let him know his Thoughts. The Letters of the 8th, speak of a Matter concern­ing which they will have me give an account; there was Five Letters in that Pacquet, one whereof was for the Duke of York. Put me out of pain in this matter. The Secretary of Monsieur Ruvigny went on Saturday from France for England; the Secretary of the Ambassador from England in France, went also about the same time with him; you ought to know more of this Business than I. The Brother of the Wife of Monsieur Ruvigny, who is an Abbot, is come to see Monsieur St. Germain, concerning the same Business about which Mr. Coleman wrote to Monsieur St. Ger­main, to the end that he might engage him to speak in Commen­dation [Page 32]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.

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 [Page 33]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 [Page 34]to what (62) Coleman writes to him, by his Letter of the 17/27 of Jan. 75/6, which is to be at Eight a Clock this Evening: I desire you, Sir, to Deliver Mr. Rogers the Letter of Thanks which I write to him for his good News; I will send him in ex­change a Writing against the Enemy of (49) St. Germain, and Mr. Beddingfield shall have it on Wednesday next at farthest, when he departs from hence. I am glad that that Enemy is de­cry'd there where you are, as well as he is here. But has (62) Coleman nothing to say to the new (41) Ambassador— by the in­tervention of (49) St. Germain? He desires it, to the end to have occasion of speaking to the new (41) Ambassador—concern­ing (62) Coleman; and by that Means to be the better believed by the new (41) Ambassador, when be shall speak good to him of his best Friend (62) Coleman. I leave Mr. Warner to send you the News, which are all concerning War. The Spaniards refuse the Passports, because the King terms the Prince of Lorrain Cou­sin and not Brother, in those which he has given to the Pleni­potentiaries of the other Princes. 'Tis said that the Jansenists fall short of their Expectations at Court; and that the King shews himself averse to them in all the steps which they make to in­gratiate with him. Mr. Arnauld has not been able to make his Peace, though he has offered to Subscribe the Doctrine of Mr. A­melot, Priest of the Oratory, touching sufficient Grace, according to the sence of this Author. And the Arch-Bishop of Paris has suspended a Predicator, for not having spoken of the Popes and Councils as he ought. If I were in the Street of St. Antoine, as I am in that of St. Jaques, I should know more News. Adieu, I pray believe that you have not a more faithful Servant, nor a more true Friend than me in all the World.

To Mr. Coleman, Secretary of the Commands of her Royal Highness, Madam the Dutchess of York, in Deans-yard, Westminster.

I Have received your Letter of the 25 Feb./2 Mar. I did not write to you on Saturday, Sir, and I shall send you very little by this Ord­nary; because that the Letters from England being not Arri­ved before Tuesday, and not upon Monday; I know not yet if there [Page 35]be any from you to me. In those they send me, I expect the Dutchesses Letter, to desire Monsieur St. Germain to Treat with the King of France. Just now I have received a Letter brought me from England; but there is none from you. I thank you for your Good will for the Lady. Send me News of Mr. Sheldon, (an English Priest) what he does in England, will he stay there al­ways? Monsieur St. Germain thanks Mr. Coleman for the Marks of Friendship he gives him. And he has already thanked him, as he says, by his Precedent Letter; Monsieur St. Germain will send to know of him why Mr. Coleman would not have him speak of what he sends him concerning One hundred Thousand Pound Sterling, promised to the King of England, by the Means of the Duke of York. For it is to the purpose, as he believes, That the King's Confessor should know it; to the End he may serve him in the Business, near the King of France; Monsieur St. Germain is of the Opinion with Mr. Coleman, as concerning the Great Treasurer. And 'tis absolutely Necessary that it be known in the King of France's Shop; otherwise it will hurt his Commerce. It suffices me to know that the Dutchess has received the Letter of Mon­sieur St. Germain. It was nothing but a pure Civility, touching the condition she is in; and an Affair was recommended to her, which is done since. I saw your Friend Yesterday, he shew'd me News of you; He will come hither to Day to be present at a Comedy which will be represented here. Monsieur de Vantelett is with me, and prays me to do you his Civilities. Pray do mine to Madam your Wife, and to Monsieur Tartereau, when you shall see him. We have no News. They prepare strongly for the War, and they work strongly to Accommodate the Affair of Monsieur the Prince of Conde, to the End he may go into Flanders, and make Head against the Germains; who will come with a very great Strength. I make you no Complements, Sir, neither in the be­ginning or finishing my Letters.

To Mr. Coleman, Secretary to her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York, in Deans-yard, Westminster.

THe slow arrival of your Letters, hath very much disquieted me, I thought my self Dead in your Remembrance; But that which you writ to me, of the 2/12 of March, hath again re­stored [Page 36]me to Life (at least for some time); for the dulness where­with the Business that you wot of, is carried on, will (I fear) let me die no other Death; and that, for Reasons which you will hear of too soon. Those of the Catholick Religion, have desi­red me to write to you, to let Coleman know the Condition of their Affairs; which is, that being for the present out of Purse, it is altogether impossible for them to keep up their Trade long, without his help. Beside, That the Party apprehendeth that his Trade failing in the Shop where he now is, he shall after Easter, be sent to set up in some other Town. But if he could have ob­tained from the D. of York, the Papers for which he hath so long waited, he might probably e're this time, have concluded his Bu­siness with the French King, by the Means of the King's Confessor; and he might have put himself in a condition to have continued his Trade, to the Advantage of those in whose favour those Pa­pers were written; for having no Imployment in his Shop, for want of Money, it is impossible that he should keep it long; since he wanteth Opportunity to make himself appear useful to the Service of the Duke and Dutchess; having no order to act in any thing whatsoever.

I am overjoy'd with what Coleman hath said to the Dutchess, and with what the Duke hath done for the grand Treasurer.

St. Germain hath made himself Enemies, by maintaining the Opinion, That the Dutchess ought to be prevailed with, to ma­nage her Affairs otherwise than she hath hitherto done. I would gladly understand what Answer the Dutchess hath made to Cole­man. St. Germain buildeth great hopes upon what Coleman wri­teth to him, about the Discourse which the Duke held with the grand Trea­surer. But Coleman may consider, That if the Duke shall Treat any thing with the French King, through other hands than the Confessors, he shall meet with People that will couzen him, and who will prefer the good of France, before that of the Catholick Religion, and of the Duke; and principally of Coleman, who hath many Rivals about his R. Highness; and who is neither suffi­ciently known to, nor hath any Interest with the French King: If Monsieur St. Germain were a little acquainted with Matters, he would Discourse them freely with the Confessor; and learning from him the bottom of the Matter, he would (without Dissimu­lation) Communicate all to Coleman; whereas now it is to be feared, that the other Negotiators Cheat the English, for the Ad­vantage of France, or for their own particular Interest; for the chief Minister in the Councils of War, who hath at present an Ab­solute Power over his Christian Majesty, is altogether for War; [Page 37]which is neither the Business of England, nor of the Roman Catho­licks. Be sure, that you make Coleman fully sensible of all this; for it is one of their most indisputable Articles of Faith.

St. Germain hath desired me to tell you, That it is a hard mat­ter to make Coleman understand what he desireth concerning the Lady's Business; who, if you so please, will henceforth go un­der the Name of Madam de la Tremblay: Because he plainly per­ceives, that those Persons who know altogether as much of that Affair as he, stand upon their reserve; and will not disclose them­selves in what they know, nay of what they have acted with him. Nevertheless, I will tell you (in hope that it shall go no farther than our selves) (no, not so much as to take notice of it to Ma­dam de la Tremblay) that Montecuculi, and the D. of York are the Two first who ever thought of putting it into the Dutchesse's head, to think closer of the Traffick than she had done; and that therefore finding no body in her own Shop who was able to make her sensible of the Importance of that Affair, and the means to succeed in it; and that she had those Counsellors about her, which made her do things that were likely to ruine her whole Commerce; they concluded, that it was necessary to place some able and trusty Person about her. They refused to make choice of any of the Dutchess's own Countrey, by reason of the Expe­rience which they had of him who was there already; and be­cause they understand not the way of the English Trade, nor in­deed of the English Men; as not having the Acquaintance of any, in whom they might confide. The Person nominated was esteemed very proper, as well for his own Merit, as because that Choice would oblige Monsieur Rouvigni, the Catholick Party, and consequently the French King, to Declare for the Duke and Dutchess.

And that this Person being of the Catholick Party, and Rouvig­ni of the Protestant, both sides would be well pleased. To bring this Matter about, St. Germain, by the advice of Montecuculi, dis­coursed the Matter with Madam de la Tremblay, who hath as you know, all Power over the Person upon whom they had cast their Eyes, to be plaeed in the Dutchess's Shop. Madam de la Trem­blay offered her Assistance in all that they desired. The Matter was then to be approved by the Duke and Dutchess. Montecuculi communicated it by Letter, to the Banker, his Master (whose Correspondent in England, the Dutchess is) who embraced the Proposals, and promised to write thereof to the Dutchess, as he soon after did; but touched the Matter tenderly, being content at first to recommend to her the Care of his Business; and [Page 38]to have a more watchful Eye over it than formerly; and to take along with her the Advice of Montecuculi, who was acquainted with all his Thoughts, and rightly set to contribute his best Assi­stance toward the Success of his Affair. The Dutchess thereupon enquired of Montecuculi what was expected for her to do? Monte­cuculi gave her her Lesson in Writing, to study it at her leisure, and without expressing the Matter plainly, insinuated to her, that she wanted a good Apprentice to take care of her Shop, and keep an exact Account of all that passed through his hands. That her eldest Apprentice had not Wit enough, That the Second was ig­norant of the Affairs of England; and did not understand a word that was said to him. That he set himself to no Business; nay, that he was of a malicious Spirit, making ill Impressions in the Dutchess of all the Boys in the Shop, to preserve himself single in her favour. That the Third was Dull, Careless, Scornful, and an Enemy to all Activity. All this was said to the Dutchess by Mon­tecuculi; not indeed so downright as I have expressed it, yet so as the Dutchess might understand it if she pleased; and I believe she did so; but instead of receiving it as she ought, she seemed to be out of humour; and hath not (as I know) since that time, written any Answer to Montecuculi; but hath avoided all manner of Correspondence with him. Wherefore Montecuculi and St. Ger­main thought fit to proceed another way, and make the Duke ac­quainted with what the Dutchess would not seem to understand.

Montecuculi discoursed the Matter with the E. of Peterborough, without acquainting him that they had any design to place the Friend of Madam Tremblay in the Shop; but barely to engage him to acquaint the Duke, with the ill conduct of the Dutchess; and to lay before him the Necessity of applying some proper and powerful Remedy. But afterward Montecuculi and St. Germain sought other Persons less interessed, and better inclined than the E. of Peterborough, for this Business. And if Coleman please, he may call to mind the discourse which St. Germain had with him upon this Subject, representing to him the Necessity there then was of placing a Head Apprentice or Fore-man in the Dutchess's Shop. Nevertheless he did not then speak all out, because the Friend of Madam de la Tremblay, being not then in England, they expected his return, to know of him if he would be content that Coleman should be admitted to the knowledge of the Matter.

And accordingly St. Germain writ to Madam la Tremblay's Friend, who was then in France, to press his speedy coming over, that we mght act joyntly, and without loss of time,

St. Germain had likewise Treated for Two other Persons; one of them he laboured to put into the good esteem of the Dutchess, and succeeded therein; and by the assistance of the First, intro­duced the Second. They are both well with the Duke. But herein St. Germain gave himself work enough; for these Two last Persons are such, that St. Germain neither can, nor will Treat with, by any but himself; and he hath such private Reasons for it, that he dares not express them; and so forcible, that if he should utter them, all the World must be of his Opinion, and do as he doth. He undertook likewise to taste (but obscurely) the mind of the Duke's Confessor, in censuring the weak conduct of the Dutchess's Ghostly Father, by laying open the miscarria­ges of the Dutchess, which required a speedy and vigorous Re­medy.

These are all the Proceedings, as likewise the Contrivances of St. Germain to gain his two unknown Friends, which could not yet be carried so close, but that some Observations have been made of them; but none could ever discover the true Cause of the groundless Jealousies which have been raised upon St. Ger­main; and which hath been the chiefest Reason that he hath been abandoned in his Misfortunes, and that no body concerneth him­self to rescue him out of them. Thus you have the whole My­sterie of the Business, which hath been so vigorously agitated with Coleman, the E. of Peterborough, the two unknown Persons, and the Duke's Confessor, upon the arrival of the Friend of Ma­dam de la Tremblay in England with intent (had not the accident befallen St. Germain) to persuade the Duke to consent to the do­ing of the work; and after his consent obtained,A faire la Coup. to have propo­sed it to the Dutchess, by her grand Banker Montecuculi: I should utterly despair if any, beside your self, were made acquainted with this whole Matter. I hope St. Germain will Pardon me the laying open of his whole Secret to you: But I doubt whether he would be pleas'd that Montecuculi should know that he had disco­ver'd it to you. Well then, Let Montecuculi come, and try if he would or could re-enter into the same Negotiation with Coleman, the E. of Peterborough, and the Confessor of the Duke; who cer­tainly is highly displeased with the Dutchess's Confessor, and with others, whom you will judge proper for this Design. As for my self, who have no other part in it, but to advertise you thereof, you may judge how unprofitable I am. But if the Duke would be persuaded to write hither, That he wisheth, or at least that he judgeth it fit, that St. Germain should appear in England. I know that the Two concealed Gentlemen would contribute to­ward [Page 40]it the utmost of their Power; and that then the Duke will be more Powerful than ever amongst them, to make them act vigorously. But this is a Fancy of my Brain, to which St. Ger­main will not be brought, as judging it impossible; principally in regard of the Enemies which the Enterprize of this Affair hath raised him.

St. Germain to Coleman.
18/28 March 75/76.

I Have received yours, of the 9/19 March, and omitted to write to you for two Posts; by reason I received no Letters from you, I have given you an exact account of the Affair of our Friend Ma­dam de la Tremblay, in my last Letters; to which I expect your Answer. St. Germain went Yesterday to Visit the Confessor, and to deliver him the Dutchess's Letter for the King of France; and this day he is to carry him a Memorial, to the End he may speak Effectually to the King; and to the Satisfaction of the Dutchess. The Confessor hath received Mr. Coleman's Letter, and St. Germain hath already acquainted Mr. Coleman with it; but his Great Affairs hath made him forget it; If the Confessor hath not answered it, it is because he expected the Dutchess's Letter, to answer both at once, after he shall have seen the Issue of the Bu­siness. It's said, That the King of France hath been very Melan­choly for some days (being a Lover of his Countrey) the Affair of Messina causes his Discontent; Others say, That he had formed some design (this year) for Trade, which hath been frustrated; Others, That it is only by reason of this time of Devotion; He would sometimes walk all alone, contrary to his Custom. It's said the Emperor Arms very powerfully. The Electress of Ba­varia is dead, and the Empress very sick; Madam de Brinvilliers the great Poisoner, is taken Prisoner at Liege; They are demo­lishing Hug, Dinant, and the Cittadel of Liege: It's said for cer­tain the King will part from Paris, Wednesday after Easter, which will be the 8th of April, our Stile.

I have received yours of the 16/26 March, I could not send you this last Saturday; I send it on our Holy Wednesday, being the 22 March/1 April. St. Germain desires me to tell you, that you will do him a great favour to thank Mr. Coleman, for all good Offices in his behalf; [Page 41]for which he can never sufficiently return Thanks; he is of Opi­nion, That the Confessors with you, had great reason to forma­lize on his Proceedings; which he would Condemn himself, if he had not the Reasons, which he told Mr. Coleman, and which are such in the present state of Affairs, that if those two Confes­sors were in his Place, they would do the same. Mr. Coleman will also do him a Kindness, to make his Complements to Mr. Mountecuculi, whom he knows to be in all things his true Friend. For his Voyage into England, he leaves it in the Hands of Providence; but he doth not believe that we ought to begin, by engaging the Confessor to sollicit this Affair, unless the Duke doth desire it, or think it fit; The Duke's Lord Treasurer is very well disposed to the good Success of this Business, as they tell St. Ger­main; and he hath reason to believe it True.

It is Necessary (I say) absolutely Necessary, that Mr. Coleman make himself better Known in France, and to the King of France and his Confessor, by Negotiations concerning his Traffick; Therefore St. Germain wishes, That the Duke had some Occa­sion to send him into France, to Treat of some Point of Com­merce; because appearing and acting, they would Interest him more deeply in the Trade. St. Germain hath given a Memorial to the Confessor, concerning the Affair of Antwerp; and the Con­fessor hath put it (in the presence of St. Germain) in the Pacquet with the Dutchess's Letter to the King of France; and the Con­fessor hath promised St. Germain to speak very earnestly of this Affair; He went to Court on Sunday last, where he will stay 8 days; because in that time they are accustomed to take a review together of the whole years account. Above all, St. Germain hath recommended to the Confessor to act so, that the King of France might write back to the Dutchess, who was angry the last year, that she received no Answer to a Letter she writ to him. If Mr. Coleman did take a turn into France, I do not doubt but he might obtain something Conformable to the Promises of Mr. Ruvigny; but then he must be impowered in this Voyage, by the Duke's Commissions. Send me some News of the Dutchess of Mazarin, whom I will hereafter call 98; and of the Dutchess of Portsmouth, whom I will call 89; for several things are discoursed here, both of the one, and the other. The Dutchess of Cleveland arrived at Paris, Mon­day Evening 20/30 March.

To Mr. Coleman, Secretary to her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York in Deans-yard in Westminster.
Paris 5/15 April 76.

I Do almost like you, I write not to you when you write not to me; and send you only small Letters, when you send not me great ones; and besides, our News is yet very little. The King goes from hence to Morrow, but it is not yet known whi­ther; some say, to Besiege Cambray; others say, towards Sedan, to be betwixt Germany and Flanders; there are some who will have the King to go to Philipsburg, to oblige the Enemy to a Battel, at which he hath a great desire once to be.

For other things, St. Germain desires you will tell Mr. Coleman, that the King's Confessor hath positively assured him, That the French King will write to the Dutchess concerning the Business that is on foot; the Confessor told it to St. Germain in such a man­ner, as he believes it will be to the Satisfaction of the Dutchess. The Confessor also added upon what St. Germain represented to him, That the French King leaving his home to make a round to­wards his Enemies, could not so conveniently send the Letter of Exchange to Antwerp, as was desired, if he did dot do it before his departure; That the French King thought upon these Busi­nesses as well Abroad as at Home: It is Necessary that Coleman in­form St. Germain of what shall happen, and if the Dutchess have received an Answer, and what it is. Madam Tremblay writ a Letter of March 26 Nevv Stile to St. Germain, in vvhich vvas ex­prest that Coleman had not seen her in Ten days, to tell her what he had done. Madam Tremblay hath writ to Madam Ruvigny's Brother, to oblige him to speak to the King's Confessor in favour of St. Germain, to procure him a Journey into England, if the Con­fessor had asked St. Germains advice upon't, he would have coun­selled him not to take that way which can never do well.

The new Ambassador's Secretary is very earnest with St. Ger­main to befriend him with the Confessor, and seems very zealous for the Duke of York, but St. Germain would know if this Secre­tary be as well with the Duke of York, as he would make us be­lieve, and if the Duke hath all along trusted him with the secret of his Af­fair. St. Germain entertains him with fair Promises, by that means to understand things which may be useful to his Friends, and chiefly to Coleman. This Secretary is much astonished at the [Page 43]rumour that is here of the Duke of York, having received no News of it; and St. Germain is a little angry at Coleman, that he hath writ nothing to him of it.

For Mr. Coleman Secretary of her Royal Highness in Deans-yard, Westminster.
July 15/25. (No year Named.)

I Did not believe Sir, that I should have written to you this day, because Mr. Gray will himself write to you, to whom I told all my News; so that you are to expect none from me now. You may assure Mr. Coleman, that Monsieur St. Germain will deliver that Letter to Madam la Tremblay, which he addres­sed to her; but at the same time that he promised it, he said that he had not lately heard any thing of her, nor could he cer­tainly tell whether she were yet arrived, but he would make a diligent Inquiry, and pay his Devoire in all things to Mr. Cole­man, and would perform even more than was desired when ever he could. Monsieur St. Germain is in good earnest highly Obli­ged to Mr. Coleman for all those Industrious pains he takes upon his Account, and in a particular manner for those Papers we wanted, that he wants Language to express his Gratitude. Monsieur St. Germain has received a Letter from the King's Confessor, and from the Ambassador, wherein he is to make his Address to that Confessor, that the Successor of St. Germain be not sent, nor in­deed any other of the French Nation; as Mr. Coleman seems to be ingaged in this Paper, St. Germain intreated me to write every thing which related to Coleman, who was thereupon to take his Measures; for I see very well, that Monsieur Rouvigny is strange­ly bent against the Jesuits, and the Duke and Coleman, and I much apprehend his giving the same Sentiments to the King of France, and to his Confessor, and the Minister of State: And therefore Mr. Coleman must manage carefully this Affair, without the least taking notice that he knows any thing from Monsieur St. Germain; you must take especial care not to prejudice our Friend, that he may be the better able to Traffick with the King's Confessor, and Mr. Sheldon. As to the rest, you must know that the Duke has consented that St. Germain's Successor should not go into England, [Page 44]Provided that the King's Confessor will name another; I could wish that the Dutchess would have Ordered a little Note to be writ to the King's Confessor about this Matter, and that by an agreeing to his desires, that the Successor might remain with him still, and not go into England, the Dutchess might then the better put him in mind of the Merchants ofSupposed to be the Jesuits. Antwerp; for the King's Confessor does apprehend the mentioning any such thing to the King of France, because the King having given his dire­ction already to a Minister of State, who is at present in the Ar­my against Holland, it belongs only to that Minister to put this Affair in Execution; for it is the way here, that no Minister dare to act in any Matter that is not committed to his Province; for the King will have it so. And therefore if the Confessor be not pressed with some new Motive, I shall hardly be able to make him act. Our old Ambassador Monsieur Rouvigny is arrived in Town, where St. Germain now is, he came on Saturday last, and St. Germain has let me know, that he will see him either to Day or to Morrow; which he could not do before, by reason of his Calling, which has taken him up without intermission till Yester­day. There is no News yet, but is expected every Moment; The Town of Ayre is hard pressed, and is believed will be soon taken. Monsieur Luxembourgh is taking Orders that a Provision of Oats be sent to him before he goes to attack the Enemy.

YOu will discern with Monsieur De Vertharnout, whether it be requisite that he comes, because upon Friday last, the King of England has done some­what to the Portugal Ambassador (of which he told me the whole Story) and I likewise have learnt it from Monsieur Rouvigny, who entertained me near an hour, under great Confidence that they had absolutely taken from that Ambassador the total Ʋse of his Chappel; but besides [Page 45]that Monsieur Rouvigny said, That he finds that the Storm will unavoidably fall upon France, and the Catho­licks who are very Angry that Endeavours are made to bring a Successor to Monsieur St. Germain, of the French Nation. And he further says, That it is absolutely to Ru­ine the Catholick Religion, and to irritate the Enemies of France, Neither does he doubt, but that it will also prove fatal to the Duke, for which he absolutely blames the Jesuits and Mr. Coleman, Who are now more than ever in the greatest Band of Aversion to the Prote­stants, and likewise to one part of the Catholicks and Mi­nisters of State; for they are persuaded, says he, that those who are of the Condition of the King of France's Confessor and of the Dukes, do Act most impudently, in that they are intangled betwixt the King and the Ca­tholicks, because they would introduce an Authority without Limits, and pushes Mr. Coleman to make such strange Steps, which must precipitate them into De­struction; and above all, they will attribute this to France: So that Monsieur De Rouvigny is mightily ill satisfied with this Proceeding, for it is most certain that the Persecution will be very Terrible against the Duke and the Catholicks, and all the Jesuits; and above all against France.

The following Letters were Written by Father Sheldon, (as he is commonly called) Directed all (at least except One) to Mr. Coleman.
May 22th. 1675.

YOu will please Sir with these to receive my Thanks for Two of yours, both which came to my hands since the departure of the last Ordinary. The Proceedings of the Parliament are sufficiently suspected by the King of France; And it were to be wish'd, that Holland, and the Confederates had not so much cause to flatter themselves that the Parliament may at last be able to effect any thing of that kind, which is pre­tended. I suppose Monsieur Rouvigny is not wanting on this Occasion to secure the Interest of the King of France. I expect with impatience the Issue of the Ten days, which are to produce something that you intend me for a Regallo. I hope It will prove a Dissolution, for a Prorogation would be of no Use. Lord Treasurer, I fear, is not a Friend to the Catholicks; and yet I am told, That he has lately found the Endeavours of the Duke to have been of great use to him. I shall not long trouble you with those Affairs; her R. H. I hope will allow me to Address to her by your mediation, and then I am sure the tender of my most humble Duty will be presented to her with Advantage.

June the 1st.

I Cannot omit to give you this Trouble, to let you know, that you have fully satisfied me, as concerning the Ten days, and I hope your next will add the certainty of it, what the Issue may be of Dissolution, you may possibly conje­cture; but I fear a Prorogation would leave all things in the same posture in reference to Religion, and then it must needs go ill with the Catholicks, but I hope the Duke will not be wanting to improve this occasion, and Duke of Lauderdale will sure be of the same Opinion. I will not answer for Lord Treasurer. I sent you one lately for the Dutchess, I cannot tell whether it has come to your hands. I shall not fail to serve your Friends at Antwerp, [Page 47]and possibly I may go shortly into those Parts, and by the way find an opportunity to get an Answer to their Request. I should be heartily glad of any occasion to serve you, and to acknowledge your Kindness towards me, which I esteem in a particular manner; being bound upon that account to be always your most Obedient Servant.

There was not any Key found, whereby the first and great part of the following Letter could be decypher'd; but towards the end is written some ordinary Matter without Cypher. It does not certainly appear whether this were written to Mr. Coleman, or some other Person.
Paris, June the 8th.

THe late Promotion of Cardinals does not please every where. The Duke D'Estre Ambassador at Rome, being admitted to a private Audience, his Holiness having answered him to the point concerning the Dispute betwixt the Ambassadors and the Cardinal Patron, was going to ring his Bell; but the Am­bassador hindred him, and began to speak of the Promotion of Cardinals, challenging the Pope to have promised him that the Bishop of Marseilles should be promoted; to which his Ho­liness reply'd, That he had never engaged his Promise to do it, and that the Importunity of the Ambassadors did not at all advance those Pretensions, and thereupon rung his Bell; and when the Attendants came in, the Ambassador said he had not finished his Audience, and staid in the Chambre until the Com­pany was about to retire, and then advanc'd towards the Pope's Chair, and began to press for further Satisfaction in that con­cern of the Ambassadors; upon which, the Pope rising up, the Ambassador with both hands press'd him down to his Chair, and the Pope thereupon told him, he was Excommunicated; This passage is thus recounted by the chief Officer of the Nuntio here, who is now made Cardinal, and has Orders from the Pope to complain of so rude a Proceeding. Sir John Arun­dell sets forward on Tuesday, by whom I shall write to seve­ral of my Friends. I am yours from my whole Heart, and must desire you to get me an Answer from Sir George Wakeman.

Paris, the 25th of June.
Lect' pro Rege.

THese are only to beg, Sir, your Excuse for not answer­ing at this time the Particulars of your last Pacquet which I received, and have perform'd your Commands in all respects. I hope I shall hear often from you, and that you will give me some Commissions to Monsieur Pompone, when I shall be at a convenient distance to perform them. I approve of all that you were pleas'd to write, and am confident you hit the Design, and hope you will give your Instructions in order to procure that it may be timely prevented. The Duke will take, I hope, other Measures, and then you will have some need of the King of France, who methinks is not secure, unless he advance what you propose. Consult with your Friends, and advise how France may be Instrumental towards it. Limbourg is taken. The Prince of Orange after his great Bravour, Re­treated to the other side of the River upon the appearance of 15000 Horse of the French. Monsieur Turenne has Defeated Three Regiments of the Enemy, and secur'd the Passage of the Bridge of Strasbourg. I shall attend with impatience to receive some Commands from you.

Paris, June the 29th, 75.

I Know not Sir, by what mistake yours of the 3d came Yester­day to my hands, with your last of the 14th. Though I am at a great distance from Pompone, yet if you think it conve­nient, I shall find means to inform him of what you shall Judge fit to impart. In your last, I had no particulars, and yet I have learn't from others, that Lord Shaftsbury had not so cold a Reception, as you intimate; Was not the Duke interessed in it? and if so, Must it not prove of Consequence to the Catholicks, and drive at the same design against the Protestants, as is observed by you? I am glad to perceive that you are so well with Mon­sieur Rouvigny, and that you concur in Opinions. France can never rely upon a sure Foundation, till the Duke be able to Se­cure it; and Monsieur Rouvigny I fear is not sufficiently persuaded that it is feasible to set the Duke in such a Posture, and therefore [Page 49]it is not attempted; But did the King of France interess himself in it, much might be effected, and to invite him to it, it is re­quisite, That he should be inform'd, that all difficulties which oppose, may easily be remov'd; but the Cards are not yet shuf­fl'd, when they are Dealt you will know how to direct the Playing of the Game; and I hope you will discover to me some Hands. I wish I were able to contribute any thing to your Sa­tisfaction; you know the Power which you have over your most Obedient Servant.

Paris, July the 13th. 75.

I Had not leisure to Answer yours of the 24th. by the last Or­dinary; for which I beg your Pardon. ‘To put the Duke into the posture you speak of, ought certainly to be the endeavour of the King of France, and Monsieur Pompone; but as you observe, Mr. Rouvigny is no proper Instrument for that purpose. I have already declar'd my sense, but most especi­ally to the King of France's Confessor, who was sensible of it, and told me, That the several Inconveniencies and Incongrui­ties should be remedied; and when the Occasion offers, I shall further insist by way of humble advice, if I have no other Ground to press it more seriously, that the French Ambassador may be wholly subordinate to the Duke, and that nothing can more secure the Interest of France and Pompone, than to make it appear, that they do Espouse that of the Duke. If Lord Berk­ley be Ambassador, then Sir Ellis Leighton will not be idle; and there may be good use made of such an Instrument, if the right way be taken. I should be glad Lord Shaftsbury had better footing, and that he were interessed for the Duke. Our last Post is not yet arriv'd; but we are assur'd that the Parlia­ment will not fail at the due Season, and that Lord Treasu­rer fails of nothing.’ I hope you are sufficiently assur'd that Sheldon will serve you upon all occasions, with as great Fideli­ty as you can desire; but if he may not in some sort be servicea­ble to the Duke, it will be more convenient for him to change his Station; but in this he will be influenced by your Self.

Colombe, the 17th. of Aug.
Lect' pro Rege.

I Have scarce time, D. S^r, to give you my Thanks for the Fa­vour of yours of the 2d of Aug. which I will acknowledge like a Correspondent, God willing, by the next Ordinary. In the mean time allow me to assure you, that Coleman has made the best Judgment of the Proposal of Mr. Sheldon, that the Sub­ject, in regard to all Circumstances, was capable of; neither did Sheldon design that the old Cloaths should be thrown away till Spain proffer'd new ones; That which was chiefly recommended to Coleman was, to find out means to suggest to Spain that he should fit the Duke with such a Sute, as is there propos'd, and then perhaps the Dutchess's Friend would not refuse to wear the Livery. Sheldon nor Bishop of Dublin cannot at this Distance make any advance in it; but the latter, who understands the hu­mour of Spain, thinks that if it were suggested with all the ad­vantages that will ensue, the proffer will come from those of Spain. France is not in a Condition to quit his Friends upon meer Suspitions; on the contrary, they will render them more con­siderable to him. Here is a Person in this Town, that is call'd Sir Charles Prettyman; who has Correspondence with several Parliament Men, from whom he says he is assur'd, that the diffe­rence betwixt the Two Houses is already compos'd, and that they are agreed to enter no more into those Disputes, but una­nimously to Endeavour a War against France, and to Unite the King's Subjects in that Design, to give Liberty of Conscience, knowing very well, that then the Papists themselves will be as earnest against the French as any others; which I take to be a very reasonable Judgment. I wish you could give me some assurance of this. But let Coleman know, that Sheldon in this Conjuncture can­not tell what may be more for the purpose of the Duke and Ca­tholicks, than what Coleman desires to know, whether it be the wish only of Sheldon, and indeed it is only his wish; because he cannot tell at this distance how to advance any thing towards the suggesting to Spain how he might find his Accounts in it, and from that Conviction induce him to proceed; but he hopes that Coleman may have Opportunities to do this, and that Effectually; His Reflections are just, and comprehend the whole to the full; If this way be not taken, I conceive a languishing condition will be the hard Fate of many to whom we wish well. The French [Page 51]King's Condition is in a decline; you will infer from thence what is necessary. When I told you that the Ambassador of Spain was suspected, in reference to the Dutchess's Friend, I did not intend to say positively that the Duke was thereupon suspe­cted by France; but that those that belong to the French King, did entertain some Jealousies upon it, and that the Ambassador of Spain was frequently with the Dutchess's Friend, was told me by the Correspondent of the Duke; who he is, the Bearer of these can tell you.

I hope to have the Dispatch for your Three Friends by the next Post. If you are satisfy'd with the Bishop of Dublin's and Sheldon's Proceedings, they are at ease; but were afraid that things had been ill represented to you, since those of that Party have been found too blame upon that account, by the next God willing you shall have more upon that Subject. I pray God continue and prosper the hopes you give of your Mistress. I am, without reserve, Yours.

Colombe, Aug. the 30th.

I Have yours of the 12th, which I had answer'd by the last Post, if I had not spent so much time in the search of K. from whom I expected the Dispatches for your Shee friends. I am sorry they are not yet ready, and that you must have pa­tience till the return of the Court from Fountainbleau. I am glad you are satisfy'd with the Bishop of Dublin's and Mr. Sheldon's Proceedings; and I desire you not to apprehend that any preju­dice will fall upon Religion or the Catholicks upon a Contro­versie of that account, which being now wholly referred to Rome, must expect such an Issue, as shall there be determin'd; but they are not usually too Expeditious in those kind of Dispatches, and therefore I assure my self, it will be a conside­rable time before you hear any thing more concerning that Sub­ject. Yet because you seem to expect to have from me the ut­most of what can be said upon it, though I dare not undertake for so full an account; yet I shall endeavour to give you a Testi­mony that I shall not be wanting to Contribute all that I can to [Page 52]your Satisfaction, but I cannot undertake for it by this Post, both by reason of other Dispatches, which lye upon my hands, as al­so because my Indisposition of Health which binds me to the observance of Physical Prescriptions, and other mournful Acci­dents, do take up the greatest part of my time, and too great a share of my Thoughts.

Now I must Inform you, ‘That the immediate Prede­cessor of Monsieur Rouvigny did send for a Friend of ours, the next in Degree to Lord Almond, and desir'd 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 [Page 53]ground any comfortable Expectations. In the mean time we must content our selves, with such hopes as we are able to furnish.

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 [Page 54] 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.

I Have yours of the 20^th 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 [Page 55]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 the Parliament; It is reasonable to think so, if Common Report may be allowed for Truth. What must that produce? any Advantage to the Catholicks? Does not the Duke expect to be Re-enstall'd? Was not that promis'd by those of Prorogation? Are there any Appearances of these Expectations from the Parliament?

We are here inform'd, That the Parliament designs to give Money for the Fleet, upon Condition the King will reduce the Number of the French Men [Page 56]of War, to the account which they formerly kept with Queen Elizabeth. The King here has of late been ill dispos'd, and subject to a little Vertigo. He has laid a Tax upon the men of the Roab, which will furnish a vast Sum without any burthen to the People; and he has given out Commissions for great Leavies for the next Campaign.

I shall not over-charge you with News, you are better inform'd from other hands. Your Town will shortly be the Scene of News, and then I hope you will make me Partaker of the Transactions. In the mean time I am,

Paris 1. December.

MR. Pompone return'd me my Paper again yesterday,Lect. pro Rege. and told me that the French King had seen it, and was extreamly satisfied with it, that nothing pleas'd him more, than the assurance I thereby gave him of my Confidence that the Duke was resolved to continue his kind purposes to him, that he desire me, that I would assure the Duke that no­thing should turn him from this towards him, and that he should not rejoyce in any thing more than to be able to help him to be, or to see him by any means cheif Factor for our Company, for that he very well knew, that nothing but that could secure his own Stake there, what therefore his [Page 58]Sentiments of Lord Arlington were we might guess, and how gladly we Would see him dispos'd of as we desire, but that he thought his medling in it would rather hinder than advance our design, however that he was willing to receive directions in it from the Duke, and that he should alwayes be ready to joyn and work with him in any design he should judge for the good of that common Trade.

That as for the Dissolution of the Parliament to be, he he judged it an admirable, nay necessary work, but that the time being yet pretty far off, and that Spain, the Empe­rour, and Holland, having chosen the King for the Umpire of the Differences between them and him, he thinks he may stay a little in that point, till he hears from the King upon his Umpirage, and sees what course he intends to take for it, but that he absolutely relied upon the Duke, for the choosing of proper Sides-men in that business, for that he put his only confidence in him for it; he told me moreo­ver, that the French King would gladly have writ to the Duke, but for fear of accidents, which might turn it to both their disadvantages, but that as he absolutely believ­ed the account I gave him of the Company, and Trade, and the Dukes great affection to him, though I had no Order from the Duke for it, because he very well knew how I was concern'd for him, for he hoped the Duke would put the same confidence in this that I told him from his part, that all this was very fine and head, but that for all that to delay working for the dissolution of the Parlia­ment might be dangerous, and that therefore I desired him to move the French King to consider of it again, that for my part he saw I was an unimployed person in it, and had no other design but their good as they were common Tra­ders, but that by what insight I had in the Trade, I thought they ought to lose no time, and so hazard little accidents for so great a good, for that at this rate of third hand tal­king they would never understand one another, or effect any thing, though they did me great honour to offer me so much trust upon my private credit, that yet by that means and general Talk they would never be able to carry on the Trade roundly: We parted then with this after a long dis­course and many arguments, that he would again propose the thing to the French King, and that he thought my [Page 59]reasons were so convincing and kind to them, that he doubt­ed not, but the French King would either himself, or or­der him to write, and that in four or five dayes I should hear from him.

Pray direct your Letter to Mr. Mer at the Corner of the street of St. Benet in the Fobourgh of St. German at Paris, and [...] in the bottom and give me sum for you [...] I cannot doubt that I could of my friend here and some others make half an O, try you what you can there in case the French King should be back­ward in that point, and that that ingredient should be re­quisite to carry on the work [...] I spoke with Moun­sieur Pompone again, of whom I had almost the same story I gave you in my former, but that truly had not had oppor­tunity to speak to the King, yet alone [...] but that he would, and much of that; they seem to wonder much they hear nothing from the King, yet upon this late business, his Factor here has had yet no manner of orders what it concerns them, as themselves say, to have the Duke their friend in this business, but yet I begin to doubt they would willing­ly engage him to be so through the reason of his own in­terest and as many fair words, and what else you please, but pence: that that is the reason they were writing, yet for fear of coming to close dealing, that is the Parliament is set far off, and they think cannot possibly come to joyn till the Spring, if in the mean time by the Duke his heartiness for them, which, as I said, they think his own interest and their own great expressions of kindness will ingage him to, they can get a good accommodation and regulation among all the dissenting Brothers they have their aim, if not they think the same price will do four months hence as well to stop them as now, though they are infinitely mistaken [...] all I can for to keep that interest on foot against them will cer­tainly be the greatest perhaps the only means [...] of compassing what they so much desire; but parting with ready mony you know is a hard thing, especially with Mer­chants: if you can think of any thing more for me to say upon this score, pray write it in French, that I may shew it them, that is what you think fit they should see, for Pompone desired me that I would let him know when I heard any thing, but if I hear nothing from you, I think it is the best [Page 60]way to let him alone a little, perhaps it may make them the forwarder, especially if Sweden and Holland court the King so much to draw him the one way, and the other the con­trary, as I hear they do; and if the Duke will but play that Game cunningly, he may certainly bring the French King to what he pleases, though I must confess I had rather have him have 200000 pounds of the Catholicks, than 300000 l. of the French King, that is to get the Parliament dissolved, for that would shew the French King what the Duke was, and would make him much more helpful and complaisant to him; but here is the Work you'l say, and I must confess, it is such a one too, as takes up my thoughts night and day, and I would have Coleman think of it too, for it would be a great work, as it is a difficult one, and perhaps is an ab­solute necessary one: I shall in a little time let you know somewhat certain from it, but I believe I may venture to pro­mise half 100000 l. from hence; sure 100000 l. on your side might be compassed. The Man I so often spoke to you of in this business is the best Man in the World, he swears it shall not stick at all his Estate, but the Duke shall be accommo­dated. And with all this his cheif Friends, as Pompone, and Colbert, and Louvois, as much divided about war or peace as is possible. Now, I say, with all this if the Duke would strike the stroke without them you would see what an operation it would be, and on my soul I believe a quarter of 100000 l. or less in the glistering mettal to the King of England him­self into his own pocket may weigh as much upon an occasion with him, as ten times as much into the common Stock, or buy Land with, and if such a business [...] to the Duke he may make his account on it when he plea­ses, he shall not want it long for that purpose. I then resolve not to see Pompone for these reasons: you say you had not spoke with the Duke, but he had had a long discourse with Ruvigny, which you knew not what it was, nor what the Duke knew of Lord Arlington in his business, nor what perhaps he now would have me do. Ruvigny failed to write what he knew, and what the Duke told [...] I will not therefore come to them with my fingers in my mouth, nor to be caught, in that I resolve not to see them, till I hear from you again: You say not a word, how the acceptation of the King for Um­pire relishes with you, nor what the King intends, who shall [Page 61]go and so forth, pray be plain in all these points; your di­rection is a Mounsier Mercers au evine de la ruz St. Benvoist Fauxbourg, St. Germaine [...] I have asked you [...] but you forget it, I writ to you in my first Let­ters to Mr. Bradshaw about the 100, l. I doubt I must have more ere long, but you shall have six weeks time for it: What you writ here concerning helping my self to money, one way which you mention is a ticklish point, the man is of a Jealous humour, and if I should do any thing should look like self-in­terest I should spoil all, you may be sure I say all to him [...] imagine, but I must not seem to aime at [...] but let it come of it self. Adieu, I am sure I am tired.

MOunsieur Pompone came to Town last night, but I am of opinion still, that I ought not to speak to him a­gain, till I here more from Coleman, and that for many rea­sons, drawn both from Coleman, and his own Letters, from observations of things here, and from some discourse, as I had lately on the Exchange with the King of Englands Factor here. He is certainly one of the shrewdest dealing men that I know, and that makes me extreamly close with him, preten­ding great ignorance in all sorts of Commerce; but for all that his goodness to me (as he would have me believe it) flows so naturally from him, that we are never together [...] as often as he can contrive it, he [...] of himself to dine with me, which is a freedom you know not usually taken by Merchants, and upon all little occasions inviting me, but he enters with great seeming confidence and free­dom into a Discourse of the most mysterious points of our Trade, and how he came by it, for he would have me under­stand the Duke was not by him now: whether this be a whee­dle of theirs upon him, or that he intended it as one upon me, I know not, but their backwardness makes me suspect Moun­sieur Ruvigny has some underhand dealing, and that he may keep them here in expectation of it, and that he holds them in hand, that it is time enough to think of the Parliaments being dissolved if that fails, and that the Duke will let nothing slip to secure the Parliament dissolved however for his own sake; and at last, if all does fail, that which we ask, they think, is a sure [Page 62]Card to make the King and us do what they list, when no­thing else will: Now methinks indeed in my humble judge­ment, I would not have the Duke fail them in this; I would have him push with all the vigour and force imaginable to dissolve the Parliament, and I would have [...] for on my Conscience [...] without two or 300000 l. do it as with them, and then if he would give me leave, methinks I could turn it instantly more to his advantage, by shewing them how little he wanted two or 300000 l. to help him in that or any thing else, and that now if they would come upon terms. Now what his design in this may be, God knows, but I am sure if it be to pump me he shall lose it, for I never discover more knowledg of any thing than a man of my converse in the World and Genius, which he is well acquainted with, must be thought to have; or perhaps it may be that by the old friendship I have had with Coleman, he may think to secure him by me, and so if Trade grows naught on the other side, for you re­member how Lord Berkly and Sir Ellis Leighton have al­wayes spoke of his behaviour between Duke Lauderdale and Lord Arlington, and how he, they say, hath attached himself to the latter [...] ingratiate himself at least with the Duke, or perhaps he may have a real inten­tion of serving the Duke, if you please in Charity and Ge­nerosity we will believe, but in Prudence we will not trust too, and therefore I continue the same Ignoramus; and the more full he is in his praises of the Duke, and in Discourses of him, the King, and Lauderdale, and Lord Treasurer; the less I either know the Duke his concerns, or any things else. Often we talk too of the French King and Monsieur Louvy, and of War and Peace, and in this Discourse he told me the day before yesterday, that he found the French King and his had great expectation of what Lord Arlington should do for them, nay, that he beleived, they might have some confidence in him or it, he wondered how they came to little things equally and fair between us, (without which no­thing can last) we will being thereto led a little by interest, but much more by inclination) give them the preference and refusal in all bargains, but if not, we may then truly tell them we must endeavour to make our best market; they [Page 63]know the advantage Fortune hath now more than ever put into our hands, by giving us the Scales to hold, wherein all European Commodities are to be weighed, and I hope then the dissolution of the Parliament being compassed, the Duke will never suffer the King again to quit that; if this does not bring them to any thing you call reason I will give you my head; for I must tell you the French King is mightily divided at this very hour in his thoughts, and perhaps more agitated than ever he was in making any resolution, having (or I am much mistaken) one Boot on and [...] sought something [...] in him making him a little weary of what is on already, and another thundering [...]

I Am heartily glad to hear by your Lady you will be re­turn'd to London to receive this, which, I pray, lose no time to shew his H. I wrote you word before you went that I thought I should soon be in England, for I am confident they would have sent me, but your going into Flanders (of which they had notice before you would have been cross the Sea, I cannot imagine, but sure I am they told me of it as soon as I came to the Army) I suppose may have hin­dred that, and retarded the propositions, which I have or­der to make his H. till now, for they have been much dis­quieted about it, and I have had much a do to assure them, that I was confident there was nothing designed by it, to their prejudice, for that I was sure the Duke was as much by inclination as interest disposed to prefer their Alliance and Friendship to all others, and that they would 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 disposed as much as can be for the interest of his H. but is wise and very cautions, however by these Propositi­ons, which I have order to make to his H. and which are word for word as I took them from Pere Ferriers mouth, for I writ them down presently, and shewed it to him afterwards, and keep it for my justification, that I writ no more than I was ordered, you will see that it now depends only upon his H. to consider of a way, that will best secure his interests, [Page 64]and with all a good correspondence with them here, for that we must alwayes perswade our selves in 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 mony or any thing else; if therefore his H. shall be pleased to think well of this, and proceed in it, I will meet you any where privately to receive his H. commands and instructions by you, or if he will, I doubt not but I can put my self in a private way to come for a night to receive his Orders my self, I pray be ve­ry cautious that there be no suspition given of any thing of this by 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 Pere Ferrier positively charged me to communicate it to no one, but the Bishop of Dublin, of whom they have a good opinion, for he said they would have to do in it with none but us, but I prevail'd at last that I might do it by you or Collonel Talbot in England, for that being they would not yet let me go my self, and it was im­possible, but I must imploy some body, therefore I would not write to the D. 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 writ to his H. but this to you I think will do better, I pray you therefore present my most humble duty to him, and if I have done any thing amiss in this, it is for want of judgement 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 be not, but that this alliance shall be ad­judged advantageous, 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 H. that I am an honest man, that I dare promise my self they will put confidence in me, and I shall be able to serve him, for to do which pray assure his H. with all humility, that I shall alwayes be ready to ven­ture my life and fortune.

Decemb. 15. 1674.

I Am heartily glad to hear by your Lady you will be re­turned to London to receive This, which I pray lose no time to shew his H. I wrote you word before you went, that I thought I should soon be in England. For I am confident they would have sent me; but your going into Flanders (of which they had notice before you could have crost the Sea, how I cannot imagine, but sure I am they told me of it as soon as I came to the Army) I suppose may have hindred that, and retarded the Pro­positions, which I have order to make his Highness, till now. For they have been much disquieted about it, and I 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. [Page 66]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.

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, [Page 67]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 him at a cheaper rate than for no­thing.

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 [Page 68]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 [Page 69]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 [Page 70]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.

This is Abbot Mountague's Letter, which should have come the last Post.

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 [Page 71]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 [Page 72]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 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.

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 [Page 74]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 [Page 75]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.

I Am not at all surprized at what I hear of Lord Treasurer and Lord Lauderdail, but should have bin much, had they done otherwise than they have done: let us remember Dr. Creytons Cat, and we never will confide in them, nor rely so much on them, as that any thing they can do shall be able to dis­may us; & I hope the Duke is not at all, by what has hapned yet. Throckmorton has done what has bin in his power with Pompone; the whole business, as he hath told you in his two former Letters, is put into Rouvigny his hands, and truly as much as ap­peared to Sir William Throckmorton, with auspicous circumstan­ces enough; it is therefore now between the Duke and Rouvigny, for it seems to Throckmorton, that the thing must be done by Throckmorton, or that they have not a design of doing it at all; and if it should happen to be the later, for Jesus sake be not de­jected at it, but on the contrary encourage and comfort the Duke all you can; for on my Soul and Conscience, without af­fecting the Preacher, I dare confidently utter my opinion, that God intends it for his good, and that if he pleases but now to make use of those rare vertues of courage and constancy with [Page 76]which Heaven has indued him, all this will turn to his glory and advantage. My humble opinion in this case then, if I might give it, [...] that if the King of France shall still continue to dodge, and give the Duke no vigorous assistance for Dissol­ving the Parliament, that then the Duke shall not continue to shuffle between the Parliament Dissolved, and the Parliament (as I have given you my Reasons in my former Letters) but in Gods name let the Parliament proceed and prosecute his Suit; it is true, this is not the way one would have chosen, if the French King would have been perswaded to understand his own inte­rest; but if that cannot be, what great prejudice can accrew to the Duke by the Parliament? none in the world say I, if he pleases but with magnanimity and scorn to shake off those little wretches and their Counsels, whom he hath with too much pa­tience hitherto suffered to bait him continually to stoop and sneak to the Parliament; and will resolve never to receive them again that have once betrayed him, but on the other side put on a countenance, but above all, a mind full of noble and ver­tuous resolution and courage, which will make him look boldly upon his worst, and make good use of his best fortune; I say, if he pleases but to do this, and besides shew all [...] by the regulation of his Family [...] as the vertuous conduct of his own person, how much he abhors and detests the debauchery of the Kings house, which has made it so odious to all the Nation and the world, he will find that he will have all the Wise, Sober, good people, and such as are worth having, as well Protestants as Catholicks on his side; and he shall live to see Lord Treasu­rer, and D. of Lauderdail, and Lord Arlington, and all the rest of that crue, knock themselves to pieces with the Parliament; and his resolution and courage, and vertuous behaviour, will not on­ly keep the Parliament at a bay, but will keep him also in his bounds too. For it is by the King his stooping to the Parlia­ment, the prejudice and dis-reputation will in great measure re­dound upon the Duke, that the Duke is to apprehend damage from: now this the Duke his resolution will in great measure prevent, by keeping the Parliament in some sort within his li­mits; and it will over and above, when Lord Arlington, and Lord Treasurer, and D. of Landerdail shall have bruised one another; and be at last all crusht by the Parliament, necessitate the King to throw himself into the Dukes Arms, who by that time will not only be strong in reputation, but in reality too, by the conjunction with him of all [...] and generous men of whatsoever Party, with which then he shall usefully be able to [Page 77]serve the King and himself; for be not perswaded that the Protestants and Catholicks make a difference in this point, but between such as are Rogues, and design a Faction. And to shew you that this opinion is not only speculative, but that I can give you a proof, that the Dukes cause by what is hapned yet, is not at all lost or deemed desperate in the opinion of [...] men; if you find that the Duke is disposed to take this course, and this way defend his Birthright, his Honour, and his Con­science altogether, I will then make you a Proposition of a num­ber of persons, who you will not doubt have honour and cou­rage by this their resolution, and I assure you are reckoned a­mongst the soberest and wisest part of the Nation, most Pro­testants, or are at least in shew, and 4000 l. or 5000 l. a year a­piece, who ask or expect no Reward or Offices, but onely ask that the Duke will give them assurance, that he will not be perswaded hereafter to abandon his own interest and them, and they will give him all the assurance on their sides [...] desire, that themselves and their fortunes shall sink and swim with him, and these are such as I dare assure shall perform their promise, and not do as Lord Treasurer, and D. of Lauderdail; and some of them perhaps have good interest with the Parlia­ment too, that is, are of the same Families [...] we are of his Cabal, but I am engaged upon my honour not to discover them, till I know the Duke will take that course that they may be useful to him, for they are unwilling (as you will believe they have reason) to expose themselves and fortunes, and do the Duke no service neither: for to deal plainly with you, they are so afraid of some that the Duke has about him, who they say betray him, and would do them so too, that they by no means dare discover themselves what is in their hearts, they are for the Dukes cause and his disposition, which keeps multitudes of o­thers in the same suspence say they, for they all avow that it is not his being for the Catholicks startles them; they ask but the Duke to be resolved to continue governing himself with vertue and moderation, to throw off such people as they say are about him and betray him, and then give them his word, and they will stick by him against Lord Arlington, and Lord Treasurer, and Landerdail, and the Parliament, and who he pleases. I do not doubt but the Duke is courted now by the Lord Arlington his Party, and some of the Parliaments too, but if ever he receives any that have betrayed, he will go nigh to run the King his fortune, that is, always abused by Knaves, when they see it for their purpose, and never trusted nor relyed on by honest men. I had yours of the 4th just now. Mr. Boteman sets out on Sunday.

THe Bearer hereof being heretofore known to you, and having rela­tion to me, will not need many long Lines to desire you to believe him in what he can much better inform you, than my Letters at this distance; and if betwixt this and September you have any thing more particular to inform him, or to acquaint me by him, he will a­bout that time be returning hither; and in whatsoever may concern your Master or Mistress, he will be most faithful and active; as like­wise for your self, whilst I need not reassure you of the same on my part, being

Rome, March 1.76.

TIme being extraordinary short with me,Lect. pro Rege. I cannot often an­swer yours, but ordered Mr Leybourn my Auditor to supply. Now to your four last; unto the first I understand the Duke had mine, and was pleased to say he would answer; however I wrote again unto him by Mr. Conne, who I sent hence some days past, and I do now again, this Post, to him and the Dutchess (whose Answer to mine which you sent me I acknowledge) and desire their Pictures. I send them as usually to the Portugal Ambassador, but if you would have them sent to you, advise me that I may do accordingly: What you write of the Arch-Bishop of Dublin, his apparent Victory at Rome against his Adversary is quire the contrary; for the Arch-Bishop of Dublin is not in esteem here, for that nor his other practises there, which are very ill relished; neither did Cardinal Norfolk ever write or trouble the Duke with those affairs which were more out of Faction than otherwise, and Cardinal Norfolk took Order long since, That no Proceeding should be in it before his Arrival, that all might be well Examined; and those unto whom it was committed, do much ap­prove of the Arch-Bishops Adversaries Books. I wonder Mr. Shel­don maketh so much Noise in that affair also, having had no such Commission to trouble himself or others in it, and if (as you say) he came thither chiefly about that business, he might more quietly re­turn as wise, and to as much purpose as he came; thus much in short to your two first and two last which contain the same: And let the Duke be assured Cardinal Norfolk will serve him and all the Catholicks whether they will or no, although the Arch-Bishop of Dublin and his Friends are enough to enflame all, if their Malice were not well known at Rome, and by Cardinal Altieri, Fra. Barberin, and many others; But I dare answer Cardinal Norfolk is of no Fa­ction, but against the Factious, who are in great number but cannot prevail in iniquitatibus suis. The Secretary of the Dutchesses Cypher is not large enough, besides hath not the Alphabetical Letters (necessary [Page 82]to make words) and I find some numbers in his Letters which are not in the Cypher, pray desire him to amplify it accordingly. The Arch-Bishop of Dublin wrote hither to Cardinal Altieri a very foolish, ridicu­lous malicious Letter against Cardinal Fra. Barberin, as he hath often other such like and worse ones to others of manifest falsities, which I my self have seen and have actually, written by his own hand; be­sides his forging false Letters is a constant old Custom of his. I will say no more at present, lest I should say too much; but this I dare say, that if the Duke make use of him or shew him his Favour, he will much disgrace himself and his Cause, and put both English and Irish Catholicks in great Division, which will be the easiest way for the Pro­testants to destroy them, and every one wonders how Mr. Sheldon should be of late so great a Protector and Friend of the Arch-Bishop of Dublin, when to my knowledge (and many others) he was quite the contrary (as he told me) not long before the Arch-Bishop pretending to Mr. Sheldons place about the Dutchess, but it appeareth that Mr. Sheldon and his Confederates by their late violent bending for the Arch-Bishop and his ways against the other is more out of Faction than Zeal: However let not the Duke be troubled, Cardinal Norfolk will take care all be done according to Justice, let it be for whom it will, Fiat Justitia & pereat Mundus. But now I must tell you, I cannot but be sorry to understand (by Witnesses which I can produce) that some chief of Mr. Sheldons Confederates have informed that the Dukes affection is so much and only for those and the Confederates of the French Kings Confessor, That he absolutely declared it, and said he would be served by them only, which if so Vincent de Torre, and Cardinal Norfolks Confederates may shut up their Shop and Traffique elsewhere, and I should be glad to know it, to provide accordingly, for although it is most clear and true what I said often in England, That if Cardinal Norfolk had not sent Fa. White in Post haste from Rome where the Dutchess was then, and that he and another of his Confederates had not stoutly resisted and conclusively argued against the Potent confrater of the French Kings Confessor, with the Dutchess, that that Dutchess and none else as th'other would have, (to put off the concluding of this Dutchess) was fitting, and to be had for the Duke, the whole business (which was then broken off) would have been spoiled and broken off for ever; But Cardinal Norfolk having no­tice from Paris at first of the breaking off of the other Treaty, a parti­cular Friend of his there thought first of that Dutchess which (God be praised) is, and spoke to Lord Peterb. of it. &c. (of all which the said Lord Peterb. can tell you) and at the same time Cardinal Norfolk wrote to several at Rome about it, and posted the above-named Fa. White with full Instructions to employ all his little Wits and those of his Confederates (whose House joyneth to that of the Dutchess) to act all possible, as they did to the right purpose, and (nolens volens the juggling of others,) argued so hotly and well that it was conclu­ded quite contrary to the intention and expectation of the Juggler's; My Lord Peterb. can tell you something of it, and I can much more; but since the business is done its no matter, I did it not to pick thanks, or for recompence to me or mine, but to serve the Duke and Catholick [Page 83]Religion in England, yet I must tell you that not only Cardinal Norfolk, but his also are as able to serve the Duke and Catholick Religion in England as any whosoever, and both are in a greater pow­er and esteem with the Pope and Cardinal Altieri, and General all of his sort, and at Rome and Spain than any whoever, and if the Pope live some considerable time (as its likely) he will make a third like Cardinal Norfolk alive in great Esteem, Birth, VVorth, &c. I will say no more, but as Cardinal Norfolk hath served the Duke long since in Flanders and England when he least thought of it, and yet knoweth not of, so as he did it meerly out of Affection and Duty, he will in all times and places he can continue the same. Yet Cardinal Norfolk is not ignorant of many ill Offices several others (whom God forgive) endeavoured to do Cardinal Norfolk with the Duke and Dutchess, and also with the King and Queen for their factious ends; however Que ambulat simpliciter, ambulat confidenter, as Cardinal Norfolk always did, those malicious endeavours being but small Flea-bitings, although they endeavoured the like also with the Pope, Cardinal Altieri, Bar­barin, and all others they could at Rome, sed nihil occulium quod non reveletur, Cardinal Norfolk had sufficient notice in England of all, and now a more ample; but I will ever go the old streight way with the Pater noster of demitte nobis debita nostra sicut & nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris, which I do with all my heart, continuing with that other old Prayer of demitte illis Domine quia neseiunt quid faciunt, & sic finitur. But unto the other part of this point. I must again take leave to tell you, That it may do the Duke no small prejudice, if the Catholicks of England, or the Pope and Cardinal Altieri with his Confederates of Rome should be perswaded of the Dukes partiallity to any whatsoe­ver: He may be a good Friend to any in general or particular (amicus Plato sed magis tamen amica veritas) but partial to none, so far as to the exclusion of others; Pray Sir, excuse my freedom, which posteth my Pen beyond my first intention, whilst ex abundantia cordis os lo­quitur, and let it not be that veritas odium parit, my intention is good whatever the effects may prove. Finally, Liberavi animam mcam.

Now Sir, ad hominem (quia fragites sumus) excuse Cardinal Norfolk's humanity, which must be mentioned whilst in this Valley of misery, as becometh an English man, for the reputation at least of the King, Queen, Duke, Dutchess and the Catholicks of England, if any of them have a true sense thereof, if not v deant ipsi the fault, and shame will ly at their Door, and damage not Cardinal Norfolk's, who will however be well able to do his Duty coram Deo & hominibus; Is it not a shame for them all to thrust Cardinal Norfolk totally on the Pope and Rome, who have already motu proprio done so much, beyond all imaginable expectation? nay, is it not worse that the King others, should endeavour to thrust Cardinal Norfolk on France, Spain or the Emperour, by most whereof Cardinal Norfolk has several years since had great offers, but would never bite at, and since made Cardinal Norfolk more powerful offered. But if the King and the rest Judge him not worthy of wearing his own Masters Livery, he will rather appear so naked as yet to cover pudicitiam patris (sive patriae) sui with [Page 84]his own simple Coat, rather than Embroider it with others Livery, to appear like a Bastard of his ingratae Patria. To obviate which, I proposed last week to Monsieur Vincent Torre, an old expedient, I had heretofore thought of, for another good end, and was of late practised for another purpose; but reflecting since that not only Qui cito dat, bis dat, but that those who efficaciously intend only to give good words and future contingencies, on which non datur scientia & quae nihil ponunt in re, will so put off things of Execution, and always create or find difficulties, insomuch that nothing is effected.

To avoid this therefore, and better clear all, I have bethought my self of another more facile expedient, viz. That if the King will at once consider Cardinal Norfolk, it may be thus: To Grant a Barrony unto such a one, whom he may name, of Worth, Estate, Fidelity, Desert, &c. for which Cardinal Norfolk may lawfully get a pretty Summ of Money, and of the rest, in due time, farther Consideration may be had; This the Duke can best manage, neither will it be a new wonder, or Scandalum Magnatum, although it should be even for a Catholick, more than when the King would have made Sir Francis Ratcliffe what you know (which was more) on the score, you know, I shall need say no more, Quia sapienti & intelligenti pauca. If the King please to do it, and the Duke please to Act the request and perfectioning of it with speed, Cardinal Norfolk will gratefully acknowledge it accordingly, but if it be put off until better or worse times of futuris con­tingentibus, I can although not Scientifically, Prophetically (not as a Prophet, but as an &c.) guess it at an end, and will no longer cast my [...]ap at it, but square it according to my o­ther Mathematical and Astronomical Instruments in other Re­gions, wherefore before the Actions and Influences of the hot weather come on, I shall expect the determinations of your cold Climates, least I should be frozen up before I can break the Ice in due times and places.

Your last Letters were sealed on the Writings, that I can well make the through sence out of them but by guess, your News is grateful, although your old Friends have the same from you Weekly, but they have an Addition unto it, which I was glad to hear of (although I vertually believed it,) of the Dukes endeavours to hinder what the Protestants did to his Daughters of late, you understand me, and if I had Letters (ut supra,) I could write more clearly of somewhat else, in which the Pope was not so well satisfied as I wished, but I have cleared the best I could, although I declared always my Opini­on against it; but others more Wise and Politick went the con­trary way, and knowing my Opinion, would not ask it me, as they did others, whom they thought to draw to theirs, Sed in v [...]num Haboraverunt, not stating right, but Quibling and Jug­gling the Question, and I having the Nuptial Vestiment, non fui vocatas ad naptias, which I was glad of, however I often offered [Page 85]Cardinal Norfolk, and his Confederates Services, which when accep­ted of, I hope to improve in all sorts of respects as well as any; and as to a Pension for the Secretary of the Dutchess, I do not de­spair in time, when Cardinal Norfolk hath a little more entred in­to those and other affairs which he is now entring into, al­though you know that Pensions are hard things to be gotten at Rome, yet in time I hope to shew how much Cardinal Norfolk is your true friend, as you know,

Rome, March 14. 76.

My Time is quite spent, and Eyes almost out, writing so much; no News, Cardinal Altieri had some misunderstanding with Cardinal Barbarin the other day, Cardinal Norfolk keeps well with both.

THIS Week we have no Letters by way of Flanders from Eng­land, Lect. pro Rege. the French having intercepted them, as we are told; Sir Hen. Tich. is gone away hence towards France, and so for your Quarters. The very morning early before he went hence, I procured him a private Discourse with my Father here, in which he was much satisfied, and will bring my Fathers parti­cular recommendations to the Duke and Dutchess, although (as Sir Hen. wrote to you sometime since,) at Rome they wonder the Dutchess writeth not to the Pope, which when Cardinal Norfolk was first told of, he could hardly believe, being those of Rome stand much on those Punctilio's, as you know, especially that the Dutchess being of that Country, either the Dutchess or other about her should remember her to do it, it being so easy a thing, nay, and on the matter a Duty, wherefore if it be not yet done, I pray hasten it hither, and I will present it with the best ex­cusing Complements I can, for here they have a Good will for the Dutchess and the Duke, as they say, they shewed to both in the Dispens. which the Pope granted to the Dutchess to be with the Duke, as they are, although you know it was denyed to the Dutchess when she was in her own Countrey which denyal they say, was not on any ill will to the Dutchess or the Duke, but quite on the contrary, for both their good (the Pope ha­ving before exhorted the Dutchess unto it) but on other reasons which I suppose you know, as also because the Pope was not fully satisfied of the Dukes being a Catholick; which if so, there would have been no need of the Popes Dispens. nay, that which then gave him doubt of the Dukes being a Catholick, and [Page 86]which yet doth not at all satisfie the Pope, or at Rome is the Duke doing as (they esteem it) the contrary, by going (as you know) with the Protestants, which you know was long since condemned by former Popes, that the Catholicks could not, &c. and in that point I confess I was put to my Trumps in Rome, when it was objected to me, although I must as duly confess, it was never yet my Opinion in England that any Catholick could do it, and so I did clearly declare my self, when, and where­soever I thought I ought, or that it was asked me, but I was informed, not long before I left England, that otherwise people proposed something confusedly (not to term it otherwise) to some whom they thought convenient, to pick out in order to say something to that purpose, nascitur rediculus mus; and so went on, as before, hand over head, it being well for me not to have been called to so wise a business, since they and others knew I was not wise enough to understand, being I did never love to go head-long in a business above my low Capacity, nor endeavour to run hand over head, before I can well go on my own Leggs, much less on others Shoulders. Finally, I think I could talk a great deal more Non-sence on this, than is fitting to be written, it being more excusable, when ex abundantia cordis os loquitur; then when ex stultitia manu scribitur; I would howe­ver say and write, that hitherto I cannot perceive the right way hath been taken for the Duke and Rome to understand throughly one another, nor the Catholicks and the Pope nei­ther, but by confused, undigested (and too often Factious) No­tions, which will never do rightly the Catholicks of Englands af­fairs: The Pope doth not at all desire the Duke to do any thing indiscreetly, or precipitantly, that all England may open­ly say, The Duke is a Catholick, leaving that unto his own discretion for a due time: but to do any thing to the contrary, as Rome thinketh (ut supra) the Pope cannot approve of; I have however (I am sure) done my part with Rome for the Duke, who is not so much to be blamed on his side, if others who should know more do not condemn, but rather approve, or at least connive therein. But of all this, and somewhat more, more hereafter: Interim, as to what you mention of a 100000 Crowns or more from Rome for the Duke is a Noli me tangere at present; which the very fear of so considerable a bu­siness so hard to be gotten, would frighten Rome: In order to o­ther more easy things for the Duke and Catholicks, we must first clear other small stumbling Blocks, least we run on Precipices not so easily to be gotten off; and I hope all will do well, al­though Rome remembers, and speaks often, how in last Queen of Englands time, another Pope was deceived of much more than a 100000 Crowns, under pretence of the Catholicks in Ireland; However as I wrote unto you before, I am not out of hopes in some time to get a Pension for the Dutchesses Secretary, but [Page 87]all Affairs here must be well matured first, and a perfect under­standing betwixt the Duke and the Pope, and Cardinal Altieri and Rome: For although I assure you, That both the Pope and Cardi­nal Altieri have a particular Esteem for the Duke that must be im­proved, and well modelled, that if he come to need it, the Cardi­nal of Norfolk may the better endeavour it: And, for this purpose I think it not amiss, to tell you. That Cardinal Norfolk had some days since a Letter, of the one and thirtieth of January, lest at his Lodging, from the Duke, by I know not who, yet he called himself the Duke's Agent; and, by what Cardinal Norfolks Ser­vant tells me, He seemeth to be an Italian, as it's most probable; for, if he were of England, I think, he would not so publickly give himself that Name, which can do the Duke no good at present to be called so in Rome publickly: Although I think it were very fitting, the Duke should have a good one; and, if he like of it, Cardinal Norfolk offers him who useth to write to you; Mr. J. Lay; for whose Ability, Fidelity and Activity, Cardinal Nortolk will answer, and, what he cannot doe, Cardinal Norfolk will supply, and this without taking the name of it or any Interest, which, certainly others would expect, and perhaps want; but he doth neither. This you may offer the Duke in Cardinal Norfolks and his name.

Here it is said, The Empress is not like to live; if so, why might it not be thought of matching the Eldest of our Princesses there, or, if not, France or Spain.

I am much obliged to the Duke and Dutchess for Endeavours, if need be, That the Queen of England should think of Re­moving Cardinal Norfolk: But, by what I hear from the Por­tuguese and others, I think there is no such Intent: It ha­ving been onely the Invention and malicious Reports of some; however my Obligation to the Duke, Dutchess and Secretary is the same. I wrote of late by Sir He— to the Duke and Dutchess, and unto the Secretary, not long before; unto which I remit my self.

Cardinal Altieri and Balberini have no great intrinsecal Friend­ship, which I suppose you know.

April, 18.

I Wrote to you a few Daies since, and last Week receiv'd your Two together, of the 17th and 20th of March; the Two precedent Post-Letters being lost: having been taken a few Leagues from Bruxels, So that, if you, or any Friends wrote any thing worth replying, please to give notice to them, as I do you: What you wrote of the Dukes being Ad­vanced one step towards the Catholick Religion, was a most wel­come News to Cardinal Norfolk, who presently rejoyced our Pope and Cardinal Altieri with it: and now yours of the Twenty se­venth hath fully compleated Cardinal Norfolk, our Pope, and Cardi­nal Altieri's Joy with it; As also the Dutchesse's Mother and Grandmother, who are in Rome, and Cardinal Norfolk presently ac­quainted. No wonder if Fools talk like Fools, and Knaves like themselves.

Your Correspondent I assigned you is your humble Servant: But we will not alwayes too often trouble you with superfluous Expensive Letters: ospecially my self, who am mightily streight­ned for want of Time.

My Humble Duty to the Duke, whom I will serve unto the Death, the best I can; as also the Dutchess, who I hope will being forth an happy Catholick: Here some are curious to know who will be Godfathers and God-Mothers.

Please to send Mr. Vincent word, I have his of the 24^th of March.

May 16th, 1676.

I Receive together your two of Friday the 7th, and Munday the 10th April, being much rejoyced the Duke doth so well, not doubting of Gods blessing, but if the Duke or Dutchess employ the Arch-Bishop of Dublin, or his Adherents in Rome, it will but confound their and the Catholicks affairs with chymerical Visions, which at Rome are not esteemed more than to spoile real affairs. Neither will Rome esteem a Benedictine coming on such things as belong not properly to his Trade. But suppose his business is to get a little Money for himself, which is not so easily parted withall, and as to Prince Rinaldi's affair, Cardinal Norfolke hath twice (although no body ever spoke to him of it) spoken earnestly about, but as affairs stand, nothing can at present be done for many Reasons, and you may be sure that Card. Fr. Barberine, who hath so long endeavoured it, and the Dutchesses Mother now at Rome, and Card. Norfolk, will do their best when a fitting time and occasion will be, without others, foolish impertinent busie-bodies; and as to the A. B. of Dublins prevailing with the Duke in his late Resolution, few or none will believe it here, he being so used to write falshoods and forgeries, that his saying it maketh it not believed, but if it were so, de bono opere non lapidamus te. He did his duty, for which God recom­pence him. And as to what Mr. Sheldon pretends to say in the other point, betwixt the A. B. of Dublin and his adversary, Rome needeth not such learned wits, to teach those who know better, others have already as foolishly been fidling, but neither Fidler or Fidlestick is regarded. They may teach fools to dance if they can, for that Tune soundeth not right where a better is used. The best employment Mr. Sheldon can for the Duke and Dutchess is to become a Benedictine, and pray for them quietly, whilest having nothing else to trouble you withall at present I am,

A Although I receive yours duely, yet I unwillingly trouble you with my empty Letters, having nothing hence worth your knowledge, but as before, that whatsoever I can with the Pope for Prin. Rinaldi being a Cardinal I shall do my best in, and I am glad the Dutchess will write to the Pope which if ever before done, it's a wonder it was not delivered, as Card. Alteri (who should know) tells me, but when this cometh I will deliver it, and tell both how the Dutchess supposed hitherto a former was. Your Correspondent will be ready to obey the Dukes commands when he shall be honoured with [Page 90]them, and certainly hath good abilities for it. The new invented re­ports of a Bishop for England are Chymera's; that having long since been disposed of, although the Benedictines and others played the fools to stop the Execution of it in England when it was, not intended to be made use of but in due time, which others (at least as good as the Benedictines and the Caballers) ought to judge, and when due time will be, the same party per se vel per alium, vel alios, may do what will be to be done for since the Benedectines could not get to be a Bishop they would have two Bishops in hopes to be the one, which would be altare contra altare, as in Ireland betwixt Armagh and Dublin, but would be ever pejor priore, so that they may set their Minds and Tongues at rest, and look well to what is committed to them. The French fired the Spanish and Holland Ships and Gallies at Palermo most shamefully, as I suppose you will hear more particularly from others. They say many of English Marriners were with the French. My service to all Friends; Mr. Conne I suppose with you. I am

I Shall not need to make any particular Recommendations unto you of the bearer hereof, he being my Nephew, and in whom you may securely have all confidence in any thing which may concern your Master, as your self, or me; for I assure you he hath a right esteem and fidelity for all, added to his natural good nature as well as good parts; and as affairs may occur, he will from time to time confer with you. He carrieth along with him some things for your Master and Mistress from my Patron, which you will be glad to see, whilst I remit the rest to him, remaining,

Rome 27th July, 1677.

THe adjoyned Pacquet, which I now direct to you, con­tains the Pope's brief in answer to the second Letter from his R. H. My Nephew, who carried the other, may about this time be near his journey's end with it; I assure my self they will both be very welcome, as that which oc­casioned them was to his Holiness. God grant to this new Correspondence a blessing, whereof the whole Nation may experience happy effects. I render you hearty thanks for your weekly favours, which is all I can do at present, there occuring to me here no other kind of return worthy your acceptance. The Animosity of those persons who formerly gave you some trouble is now I hope much relented; since your late Letters have made no mention of it. I wish you may continue to enjoy your satisfaction in this point, that your friends may thereby have the satisfaction of better en­joying you. I shall have my part herein, as being,

Coleman to Monsieur Le Chese, 29^th Sept. 75.

SInce Father St. Germain has been so kind to me as to recommend me to your Reverence,Lect. pro Rege. so advantageously as to Encourage you to accept of my Correspondence, I will own to him that he has done me a Favour with­out consulting me, greater than I could have been capable of, if he had advis'd with me; because I should not then have had the Confidence to have permitted him to ask it in my behalf: And I am so sensible of the Honour you are pleas'd to do me, that though I cannot deserve it, yet at least, to show the sence I have of it, I will deal as freely and openly with you at this first time, as if I had had the Honour of your acquaintance all my life; and shall make no Apology for so doing, but only tell you, that I know your Character per­fectly well, though I am not so happy as to know your Person; and that I have an Opportunity of putting this Letter into the hands of Father St. Germain's Nephew (for whose Integrity and Prudence he has undertaken) without any sort of hazard.

In order then, Sir, to the plainness which I profess, I will tell you what has formerly pass'd between your Reverend Predecessor Father Ferrier and my self, about Three years ago, when the King my Master sent a Troop of his Horse Guards into his most Christian Majestie's Service, under the Command of my Lord Duras, he sent with it an Officer call'd Sir William Throckmorton, with whom I had a particular intimacy, and who had then very newly embrac'd the Catholick Religion; to him did I constantly write, and by him address my self to Father Ferrier; The first thing of great Importance which I presum'd to offer to him (not to trouble you with lesser Matters, or what pass'd here be­fore and immediately after the fatal Revocation of the King's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, to which we owe all our late Miseries and Hazards) was in July, August and September 73. when I constantly inculcated the great danger Catholick Religion, and his most Christian Majestie's Interest would be in at our next Sessions of Parliament, which was then to be in October following; at which, I plainly foresaw that the King my Master would be forc'd to some­thing in prejudice of his Alliance with France, which I saw so evidently and particularly that we should make Peace with Holland, that I urg'd all the Ar­guments I could (which to me were Demonstrations) to convince your Court of that mischief, and press'd what I could to persuade his Christian Majesty to use his utmost force to prevent that Sessions of our Parliament; and propos'd Expedients how to do it: but I was answer'd so often and so positively that his Christian Majesty was so well assur'd by his Ambas here, our Ambas. there, the Lord Arlington, and even the King himself, that he had no such apprehension at all, but was fully satisfied of the contrary, and look'd upon what I offer'd as a very Zealous mistake, that I was forc'd to give over arguing, though not believing, as I did; but confidently appeal'd to time and success, to prove who took their measures rightest. When it hapned that what I foresaw came to pass, the Good Father was a little surpriz'd to see all the Great Men mistaken, and a little one in the right, and was pleas'd by Sir W. Throckmorton to desire the continuance of my Correspondence, which I was mighty willing to com­ply with, knowing the Interests of our King, and in a more particular manner of my more immediate Master the Duke, and his most Christian Majesty to be so inseparably united, that it was impossible to divide them without destroying them all. Upon this I shew that our Parliament in the Circumstances it was in, manag'd by the timerous Counsels of our Ministers, who then govern'd, [Page 110]could never be useful either to England, France, or Catholick Religion; but that we should as certainly be forc'd from our Neutrality at their next Meeting. as we had been from our active Alliance with France the last; that a Peace in the Circumstances we were in was much more to be desir'd than the conti­nuance of the War, and that the Dissolution of our Parliament would certain­ly procure a Peace; for that the Confederates did more depend upon the Power they had in our Parliament, than upon any thing else in the World, and were more encourag'd from thence to continue the War; so that if that were Dissolv'd, their measures would be all broken, and they consequently in a man­ner necessitated to a Peace.

The Good Father, minding this Discourse somewhat more than the Court of France thought fit to do my former, urg'd it so home to the King, that his M. was pleas'd to give him order to signifie to his R. H. my Master, that his Ma. was fully satisfied of his R. H's good Intentions towards him, and that he esteem'd both their Interests as but one and the same; That my Lord Ar­lington and the Parliament were both to be look'd upon as very unuseful to their Interests, and that if his R. H. would endeavour to Dissolve this Parlia­ment, his Ma. would assist him with his Power and Purse to have such a New one as should be for their purpose: This and a great many more Expressions of Kindness and Confidence Father Ferrier was pleas'd to communicate to Sir W. T. and commanded him to send them to his R. H. and withal to beg his R. H. to propose to his most Christian M. what he thought necessary for his own con­cern, and the advantage of Religion, and his M. would certainly do all he could to advance both or either of them; this Sir W. T. sent to me by an Express who left Paris on the 2d of June 1674. S. N. I no sooner had it, but I commu­nicated it to his R. H. to which his R. H. commanded me to answer as I did on the 29th of the same Month.

That his R. H. was very sensible of his most Christian M's Friendship, and that he would labour to cultivate it with all the good Offices he was capable of doing for his Ma. That he was fully convinc'd that their Interests were both one. That my Lord Arlington and the Parliament were not only unuseful, but very dangerous both to England and France; that therefore it was necessary that they should do all they could to Dissolve it; and, That his R. H's opinion was, that if his most Christian M. would write his Thoughts freely to the King of England upon this Subject, and make the same offer to his M. of his Purse to Dissolve this, which he had made to his R. H. to call another, he did be­lieve it very possible for him to succeed, with the assistance we should be able to give him here, and that if this Parliament were Dissolv'd, there would be no great difficulty of getting a new One which would be more useful, the Constitution of our Parliaments being such, that a new One can never hurt the Crown, nor an old One do it good.

His R. H. being pleas'd to own these Propositions, which were but only General; I thought it reasonable to be more particular, and come closer to the Point.

1. That if we hapned to agree, we might go the faster about the work, and come to some Issue before the time were too much spent: I laid this for my Maxim, The Dissolution of our Parliament will certainly procure a Peace; which Proposition was granted by every body I convers'd withal, even by Monsieur Rouvigny himself, with whom I took liberty of discour­sing so far; but durst not say any thing of the Intelligence I had with Father Ferrier.

Next, That a Sum of Money certain, would vertainly procure a Dissolution: This some doubted, but I am sure I never did; for I knew perfectly well that the King had frequent Disputes with himself at that time, whether he should dissolve or continue them, and he several times declar'd, that the Arguments were so strong on both sides, that he could not tell to which to incline; but was carried at last to the continuance of them by this one Argument; If I try them once more they may possibly give me Money, if they do, I have gain'd my Point; if they do not, I can dissolve them then, and be where I am now; so that I have a possibility at least of getting Money for their continuance, against nothing of the other side. But if we could have turn'd this Argument, and said, Sir, Their Dissolution will certainly procure you Money, when you have only a bare possibility of getting any by their continuance, and have shown how far that bare possibility was from being a Foundation to build any reasonable hope upon, which I am sure His Majesty was sensible enough of; and how much 300000 l. Sterling certain (which was the Sum we proposed) was better than a bare possibili­ty (without any reason to hope that that would ever be compass'd) of hav­ing half so much more (which was the most he design'd to ask) upon some vile dishonourable terms, and a 1000 other hazards which we had great rea­son to be afraid of; If I say we had had Power to have argued thus, I am most confidently assur'd we could have compass'd it; for Logick in our Court built upon Money, has more powerful Charms than any other sort of reasoning: But to secure his most Christian M. from any hazard as to this point, I propos'd that his M. should offer that Sum upon that Condition, and if that Condition were not perform'd, the Money should ne'r be due; if it were, and that a Peace would certainly follow thereupon (which no body doubted) his Majesty would gain his ends, and save all the vast Expences of the next Campagn, by which he could not hope to better his Condition, or to put himself into more advantageous Circumstances of Treating than he was then in, but might very probably be in a much worse, considering the mighty Oppositions he was like to meet with, and the uncertain Chances of War; but admitting that His Majesty could Maintain himself by his great Strength and Conduct in as good a Condition to Treat the next year as he was then in, which was as much as could then reasonably be hop'd for, he should have sav'd by this Proposal, as much as all the Men he must needs lose, and all the Charges he should be at in a year could be valued to amount to more than 300000 l. Sterling; & so much more, in case his Condition should decay, as it should be worse than it was when this was made: and the Condi­tion of H. R. H. and of Cath. Religion here, which depends very much upon the suc­cess of his M. C. M. deliver'd from a great many frights and real hazards. Father Ferrier seem'd to be very sensible of the benefit which all Parties would 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 [Page 112]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 [Page 113]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 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 [Page 114]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 is not worth mention­ing. Yet notwithstanding all this, we saw that by the help of the Non-Con­formists, (as Presbyterians, Independents, and other Sects, who were as much afraid of Persecution as our selves) and of the Enemies of the Ministers, and particularly of the Treasurer (who by that time had supplanted the Earl of Ar­lington, and was grown sole Menager of all Affairs himself) we should be able to prevent what they design'd against us, and so render the Sessions ineffectual to their ends, though we might not be able to compass our own; which were to make some brisk step in favour of his R. H. to show the King that his Ma's Affairs in Parliament were not obstructed by reason of any aversion they had to his R. H's Person, or apprehension they had of him or his Religion; but from Faction and Ambition in some, and from a real Dissatisfaction in others, that we have not had such fruits and effects of those great Sums of Money which have formerly been given, as they expected: If we could have made then but one such step, the King vvould certainly have restor'd his R. H. to all his Commissions, upon which he would have been much greater than ever yet he was in his whole life, or could probably ever have been by any other course in the world than what he had taken of becoming Catholick, &c. And we were so very near gain­ing this Point, that I did humbly beg his R. H. to give me leave to put the Parliament upon making an Address to the King, that His Ma. would be pleas'd to put the Fleet into the hands of H. R. H. as the only Person likely to give a good account of so important a Charge as that was to the Kingdom; and shew his R. H. such reasons to persuade him that we could carry it. That he agreed with me in it that he believ'd we could; yet others telling him how great a dammage it would be to him if he should miss in such an undertaking (which for my part I could not then see nor do as yet) he was prevail'd upon not to ven­ture, though he was persuaded he could carry it. I did communicate this de­sign of mine to Monsieur Rouvigny, who agreed with me that it would be the greatest advantage to his Master imaginable, to have the Duke's Power and Cre­dit so advanc'd as this would certainly do it if we could compass it, I shew'd him all the difficulties we were like to meet with, and what helps we should have, but that we should want one very material one, Money, to carry on the work as we ought; and therefore I do confess I did shamefully beg his Master's help, and would willingly have been content to have been in everlasting Disgrace with all the world, if I had not with the assistance of 20000 l. Sterling from him (which perhaps is not the Tenth part of what was spent on t'other side) made it evident to the Duke that he could not have miss'd it: Monsieur Rouvigny us'd to tell me, That if he could be sure of succeeding in that design his Master would give a very much larger Sum; but that he was not in a condition to throw away Money upon uncertainties; I answer'd, that nothing of this Nature can be so infallibly sure as not to be subject to some possibility of failing; but that I durst venture to undertake to make it evident, that there was as great an assurance of suc­ceeding in it, as any Husbandman can have of a Crop in Harvest, who sows his Ground in its Season; and yet it would be accounted a very Imprudent piece of wariness in any body to scruple the venturing so much Seed in its proper time; because it is possible it may be totally lost, and no benefit found of it in Harvest. He that minds the Winds and the Rains at that rate, shall neither sow nor reap.

I take our case to be much the same now, as it was the last Sessions, if we can advance the Duke's Interest one step forward, we shall put him out of the reach of all Chances for ever; for he makes such a Figure already, that cautious Men do not care to act against him, or always without him; because they do not see that he is much out-power'd by his Enemies, yet is he not at such a pitch as to be quite out of Danger, or free from Oppo­sition; but if he could gain any considerable new Addition of Power, all would come over to him as the only steddy Center of our Government, and no body would contend with him farther; then would Catholicks be at case, and his M. C. M's Interest secur'd with us in England, beyond all Apprehensions whatsoever.

In order to this, we have two great Designs to attempt the next Sessions: 1. That which we were about before, viz. To put the Parliament upon making it their humble Request to the King, That the Fleet may be put into his R. H's Care. And, 2. To get an Act for General Liberty of Conscience. If we carry these two, or either of them, we shall in effect do what we list afterwards; and truly we think we do not undertake these great Points very unreasonably, but that we have good Cards for our Game; not but that we expect great Opposition, and have reason to beg all the Assistance we can possibly get; and therefore if his M. C. M. would stand by us a little in this Conjuncture, and help us with such a Sum as 20000 l. Sterling, (which is no very great matter to venture upon such an undertaking as this) I would be content to be Sacrific'd to the utmost Malice of my Enemies if I did not succeed; I have propos'd this several times to Monsieur Rouvigny, who seems always of my Opinion, and has often told me that he has writ into France upon this Subject, and has desir'd me to do the like, but I know not whether he will be as Zea­lous in this Point as a Catholick would be; because our prevailing in these things will give the greatest Blow to the Protestant Religion here, that ever it receiv'd since its Birth, which perhaps he would not be very glad to see, especially when he believes that there is another way of doing his Master's Business well enough without it, which is by a Disso­lution of the Parliament, upon which I know he mightily depends, and concludes, That if that comes to be Dissolv'd, it will be as much as he need care for, proceeding perhaps upon the same manner of Discourse which we did this time Twelve months; But with submission to his better Judgment, I do think that our case is extremely much alter'd from what it was then in relation to a Dissolution; for then the Body of our Governing Ministers, all but the Earl of Arlington, were entirely united to the Duke, and would have govern'd his way if they had been free from all fear and controul, as they would have been if the Parliament had been remov'd: But they having since that time engag'd in quite different Counsels, and Embark'd themselves and Interests upon other Bottoms, having declar'd themselves against Popery, &c. to Dissolve the Parliament simply, and without any other step made, will be to leave them to govern what way they list, which we have reason to suspect will be to the prejudice of France and Catholicks, because their late Declarations and Actions have demonstrated to us, that they take that for the most Popular way for themselves, and the likeliest to keep them in Absolute Power; whereas should the Duke get above them after the Tricks they have serv'd him, they are not sure he will totally forget the usage he has had at their hands. Therefore it imports us now to advance our Interest a little farther by some such Project as I have nam'd, before we Dissolve the Par­liament, or else perhaps we shall but change Masters, a Parliament for Ministers, and con­tinue still in the same Slavery and Bondage as before; But one such step as I have propos'd being well made, we may safely see them Dissolv'd, and not fear the Ministers, but shall be establish'd and stand firm without any Opposition; for every body will then come over to us, and worship the Rising Sun.

I have here given you the History of Three Years, as short as I could, though I am afraid it will seem very long and troublesom to your R. among the Multitude of the Affairs you are engag'd in; I have also shewn you the present State of our Case, which may by God's Providence and good Conduct, be made of such Advantage to God's Church, that for my part I can scarce believe my self awake, or the thing real, when I think of a Prince, in such an Age as we live in, converted to such a degree of Zeal and Piety as not to regard any thing in the World in comparison of God Almighty's Glory, the Salvation of his own Soul, and the Conversion of our poor Kingdom, which has a long time been oppress'd and miserably harass'd by Heresie and Schism. I doubt not but your R. will consider our case and take it to heart, and afford us what help you can, both with the King of Heaven by your Ho­ly Prayers, and with his M. C. M. by that great Credit which you most justly have with him; and if ever his Ma's Affairs, or your own, can ever want the Service of so inconsiderable a Creature as my self, you shall never find any body readier to obey your Commands, or faith­fuller in the execution of them to the best of his Power, than

Father le Chese his Answer.
From Paris October 23. 1675.

THE Letter which you gave your self the trouble to write to me,Lec' pro Reg. came to my hands but the last night. I read it with great sa­tisfaction; and, I assure you, that its Length did not make it seem tedious. I should be very glad on my part, to assist in seconding your good Intentions; I will consider of the means to effect it; And when I am better informed than I am as yet, I will give you an Ac­count: to the end I may hold Intelligence with you, as you did with my Predecessor. I desire you to believe, that I will never fail as to my good will, for the Service of your Master, whom I honour as much as he deserves, and that it is with great truth that I am

A Second Letter from Coleman to Father Le Chese.

I Sent your Reverence a tedious long Letter, on our 29th of Septem­ber, to inform you of the progress of Affairs, for these two or three years last past, I having now again the opportunity of a very sure hand to convey this by, I have sent you a Cypher, because our Parliament now drawing on, I may possibly have occasion to send you something which you may be willing enough to know, and may be necessary for us that you should, when we may want the conveniency of a Messenger. When any thing occurs of more Concern, other than which may not be fit to be trusted, even to a Cypher alone, I will, to make such a thing more secure, write in Lemmon between the Lines of a Letter, which shall have nothing in it visible, but what I care not who sees, but dried by a warm fire, shall discover what is written; so that if the Letter comes to your hands, and upon drying it, any thing appears more han did before, you may be sure no body has seen it by the way. I will not trouble you with that way of writing, but upon special occasions, and then I will give you a hint to direct you to look for it, by concluding my visible Letter with something of Fire, or burning, by which mark you may please to know, that there is something underneath, and how my Letter is to be used to find it out. We have here a mighty Work [Page 118]upon our hands, no less than the Conversion of three Kingdoms, and by that perhaps the subduing of a Pestilent Heresie, which has domineered over great part of this Northern World a long time, there were never such hopes of Success since the Death of Queen Mary, as now in our dayes: When God has given us a Prince who is become (may I say, a Miracle) zea­lous of being the Author and Instrument of so glorious a Work; but the opposition we are sure to meet with, is also like to be great: so that it imports us to get all the Aid and Assistance we can, for the Harvest is great, and the Labourers but few. That which we rely upon most, next to God Almighty's Providence, and the favour of my Master, the Duke, is the mighty Mind of his most Christian Majesty, whose gene­rous Soul inclines him to great Undertakings, which being managed by your Reverence's exemplary Piety and Prudence, will certainly make him look upon this as most sutable to himself, and best becom­ing his Power and Thoughts; so that I hope you will pardon me if I be very troublesome to you upon this occasion, from whom I expect the greatest help we can hope for. I must confess, I think his most Christian Majesty's Temporal Interest is so much attracted to that of his R. H. (which can never be considerable, but upon the growth and Advancement of the Catholick Religion) that his Ministers cannot give him better Advice, even in a Politick sense, abstracting from the Considerations of the next World, that of our blessed Lord, to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteousness thereof, that all other things may be added unto him. That I know his most Christian Ma­jesty has more powerful Motives suggested to him by his own Devo­tion, and your Reverence's Zeal for God's Glory, to engage him to afford us the best help he can in our present Circumstances. But we are a little unhappy in this, that we cannot press his Majesty, by his present Minister here, upon these latter Arguments (which are most strong) but onely upon the first, Monsieur Rouvigny's Sense and ours differing very much upon them, though we agree perfectly upon the rest: And indeed, though he be a very able man, as to his Master's Service, in things wherein Religion is not concerned; yet I believe it were much more happy (considering the posture he is now in) that his temper were of such a sort, that we might deal clearly with him throughout, and not be forc'd to step short in a Discourse of Con­sequence, and leave the most material part out, because we know it will shock his particular opinion, and so perhaps meet with Dislike and Opposition, though never so necessary to the main Concern. I am afraid we shall find too much reason for this Complaint in this next Session of Parliament: for, had we had one here from his most Christian Majesty, who had taken the whole Business to heart, and who would have represented the state of our case truly, as it is to his [Page 119]Master, I do not doubt but his most Christian Majesty would have in­gaged himself further in the Affair than at present I fear he has done, and by his Approbation have given such Counsels as have been offer­ed to his Royal Highness by those few Catholicks who have access to him, and who are bent to serve him, and advance the Catholick Reli­gion, with all their Might, and might have more Credit with his Roy­al Highness than I fear they have found, and have assisted them also with his Purse, as far as 10000 Crowns, or some such Sum, (which to him is very inconsiderable, but would have been to them of great­er Use than can be imagined) towards gaining others to help them, or, at least, not to oppose them. If we had been so happy as to have had his most Christian Majesty with us to this degree, I would have answered with my Life for such Success this Sessions, as would have put the Interest of the Catholick Religion, his R. Highness, and his most Christian Majesty, out of all danger for the time to come; but wanting those helps of recommending those necessary Counsels which have been given his R. H. in such manner as to make him think them worth his accepting, and fit to govern himself by, and of those Advantages which a little Money well managed would have gained us, I am afraid we shall not be much better at the end of this Sessions, than we are now: I pray God we do not lose ground; by my next, which will be e're long, I shall be able to tell your Reverence more particularly what we are like to expect; in the mean time, I most humbly beg your holy Prayers for all our Undertakings, and that you will be pleased to honour me so far as to esteem me what I am in­tirely, and without reserve,

Coleman's Letter to Monsieur le Chese, the French King's Confessor, in the Duke of York's name.

ON the Second of June last, his most Christian Majesty offered me very ge­nerously his Friendship, and his Purse too, for my assistance against the Designs of my Enemies and his, and protested to me, that his Interests and mine were so strictly bound up together, that such as opposed either, ought to be look'd upon as the Enemies of the other; and told me besides his thoughts of my Lord Arlington, and of the Parliament, which are, that he doth not believe that either the one or the other were favourable to his Interests, or to mine, and thereupon he desired me to make him such Propositions as I should think [Page 120]sit for this Conjuncture. All this happened by the Interposition of F. Ferrier, who made use of Sir William Throckmorton, a good and honest man, who was then at Paris, and has corresponded with Coleman, one of my Domesticks, in whom I put great confidence.

As I was very well satisfied to see that his most Christian Majesty was alto­gether of my opinion, I returned him an Answer on the twenty ninth of June, by the same conveyance by which he writ me, that is, by Coleman, who di­rected it to F. Ferrier, by the said Sir William Throckmorton; and I agreed in­tirely with him, as well concerning the Union of our Interests, as how use­less my Lord A. and the Parliament were to the King, my Brother, and his most Christian Majesty, and that it was very necessary for us to make use of all our Credit joyntly, for preventing the Success of the evil Designs that my Lord Ar. and the Parliamentarians have formed against his most Christian Ma­jesty and me, which I promised to do faithfully, on my part, and whereof I have given since that time sufficient testimonies; after this, I made some Pro­positions that I thought fit for the accomplishment of what we were oblig'd to undertake, assuring him, that nothing could support our Interests so strong­ly with the King, my Brother, than the making him the same Offers of his Purse, by the assistance whereof, I had great reason to hope, that I should be capable of perswading him to dissolve the Parliament, and of frustrating the Intrigues of my Lord Ar. who endeavours continually to advance the Credit of the Prince of Orange and the Dutch, and to diminish that of the King, your Master, notwithstanding all the Protestations he now makes to serve him.

But as our Propositions were delay'd by the sickness of F. Ferr. our Busi­ness did not succeed according to our desire, onely the Father writ me word on the fifteenth of the last Month, that he had communicated the Propositi­ons that I directed to him from his most Christian Majesty, and that they were very acceptable unto him; but as they contained two things, one that con­cerned the Catholick Religion, and the other the offer of his Purse, he gave me to understand, that he did not desire I should treat with Monsieur Rov­igny upon the former; but for the latter, he told me at the same time, that Monsieur Rovigny had order to concur with me in all that the Conjuncture of Our Affairs should make appear necessary. I have expected the Effects there­of until this time, but nothing being done, and perceiving besides, that my Lord Ar. and many others endeavour, by a thousand Tricks, to break off the good Understanding that is between the King my Brother, his most Chri­stian Majesty, and me, for the deceiving of all Three; I have thought fit to acquaint you with all that is past, and to ask your Assistance and Friendship for preventing the Knavery of all those that have no other Design than to be­tray the Concerns of France and England too, and by their pretended Ser­vices, occasion their Disappointment.

I do refer you farther to Sir William Throckmorton, and to Coleman, whom I have commanded to acquaint you with the particulars of our Affairs, and the true State of England, that many others, and principally my Lord Ar. endeavoured to represent to you quite otherwise than it is; and these two first are very much addicted to my Interests, so that you may treat with them freely, and without any apprehension.

One of the Letters which could not be Decyphered by the Keys found.

IT is certain, that the best way to render himself Master of the Kings Will, and to take him off from the Amity with the Parliament, is that of Mo­ney, and I doubt not but the Duke may by it make himself absolute upon his spirit, and take for his purest and for that of the Catholicks the advanta­ges which you observe in your last Letter, but when the Pope himself shall have the means to do that which shall be necessary in his Affair, which is very much beyond his power, for the reasons I gave when I had the happiness to see you, and of which I advertised you in many Letters, he can never be pressed with Reason to do it, but upon more solid foundations, and more probable assurances for the good of Religion and of the Catholicks, which are not yet such, as are contained in the discourse mentioned in your last Letter, that which you propose touching 51666279669961 which is, 667177576661676676 cannot be put in execution 566662516 756665667 but with the 777699916699616797669961 of all 51679177 66629664996719 and onely 667191776691 comprising 966699915167 91947151416791 you may then consider, if in the Lands where they are at present 5167916654566646267919680204. It would be to purpose for the Interest of the Duke, to put in publick an affair of such a nature as this, of which I assure you with truth, and the Duke may be perswaded is what 66997766916564519167627664617199647671625167976664 91616267963204 will imploy 6681272 and 5108126 and 51677762679 6646 for 51669191649161676266626791616694516464516651668126 6679981204 seeing that Rome and the Emperor have a most particular zeal and affection for all that which regard it. As for Gabriel he doth imploy himself both with the one and the other, with the same passion he always had for the Dukes service, and you will see, it may be, very shortly marks of it. It is said here, that the King hath not for some time been in good health, advise me how it is, and of our Commerce you may continue till far­ther order, to send me your Letters by the same way you have done to this time. I am, without reserve,

The Cypher which I put into the hands of 300, and that you may have from him, will serve you to Decipher that which is above.