Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Diary continued, January 11 to January 14
11th.I was with the Prince; he told me their Ambassador had two audiences—the first was only to say what himself and Monsieur Colbert had said before. In the second, he told them he found they had no inclination to accept the Alliance that was proposed to them, that he would not threaten as others did, but he would send to his Ambassador to ask it once more, and to desire an answer in ten days. They are angry, but say nothing. He told me the Ambassador would put in a memorial, and I must put in another, that if he visits the towns, I must do so too. Odyke advises me to go to the States first, because I am sent to them. I told the Prince that Monsieur D'Avaux denied that he showed any letter from Barillon; he said he had two witnesses, which were the Pensioner and Odyke. He told me he suspected some of the nobles to be of the French faction; he hopes to come to the question on Tuesday; he thinks it will be hard work; he will hinder them, if he can, from putting off the debate. Monsieur de Heeke, of Guilderland, the first of the Committee for foreign affairs, told me that Monsieur D'Avaux denied the having showed Barillon's letter.
13th.I was with the Prince in the morning; he told me it was fit for me to go to the towns, and also to the deputies of the States-general, which I did. In the evening I showed the Prince my memorial, and left it with him to correct: he does not think they will come to a resolution, which will be the worse for us. I told him Barillon denied writing any such thing. The French Ambassador hath desired twice to speak with the Pensioner, to make the Prince new offers, and so endeavour to gain him; his answer was, that the business is now out of his hands.
13th.I presented my memorial, and invited some of the nobles. At night I writ to my Lord Sunderland and my Lady ; afterwards I went to Court, and inquired what was done, but they would not tell me, because they were under an oath; but I found plainly that it was well for us. Mr. Bentem told me that I should know to-morrow, because it would be carried to the States-general.
14th.Monsieur Rounswinckle was with me; he spoke as if the business was done. In the afternoon Monsieur Campricht came to me from Monsieur Van Beuninghen, and told him that they had taken the resolution, and that to-day there was a resumption, which is ever, in these cases, to make it the stronger;[1] after that they had separated.
- ↑ So did their forefathers, the ancient Germans, though in their case the first council was held over their cups. "De reconciliandis invicem inimicis, et jungendis affinitatibus, et asciscendis principibus, de pace denique ac bello, plerumque in conviviis consultant; tanquam nullo magis tempore aut ad simplices cogitationes pateat animus, aut ad magnas incalescat. Gens non astuta, nec callida, aperit ad hoc secreta pectoris licentia loci: ergo detecta et nuda omnium mens postera die retractatur, et salva utriusque temporis ratio est.—Tacitus de Mor. Ger.