Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Diary continued, February 8 to February 11
February 8th.I dined with the Prince, and had some talk with him: he thinks our affairs in England will spoil all. He talked of going into Flanders. At night I had some discourse with Monsieur Schomberg. I find him mightily dissatisfied with France; he would willingly quit, if any thing could be done for him in this country.
9th.The Swedish President dined with me; he gives me to understand that he is much our friend, and is gone into Sweden about an Alliance. Monsieur Schomberg and I were in the Wood, talking of the same matter. Sir Gabriel Sylvius was talking with me about his journey; he will observe my directions. I told the Prince of Monsieur Schomberg's design; he seemed to approve well of it, but he says his father and Mr. Waldeck will never agree. We are to talk further of it.
10th.There was one Graham, who told me he knew the designs the King of France had upon England; that he distributed every year three millions; that he knows who it is given to; and if the King gives him orders, he will discover it. He hath been a Colonel in this country; his wife is Scotch. The Prince sent to speak with me about Sir Gabriel Sylvius and the French making an Alliance with the Princes of Brunswick. I writ to my Lord Sunderland, Mr. Godolphin, Lady Sunderland, and Sir William Temple.
11th.Monsieur Belmont, Sylvius, and Monsieur Rounswinkle, told me the French were to march out of Wesel to-day, and that they would not be hindered from going through the country of Meuse, In the afternoon, Monsieur Rookwood was with me; he told me of a conversation he had had with Monsieur D'Avaux, about three weeks ago; he told him he would be glad to be acquainted with Mr. Freeman, for he heard he was honeste homme, that he was a commonwealth man, and, saith he, we are very great friends to that party. He answered that he could speak no French, and therefore he would have little satisfaction in his company; he said he heard he was an able man, and that he had done the State some good service when the Parliament sate, and that he desired by all means to see him when he went next into England—this was told to Freeman. "Hang him," saith he. "I will have nothing to do with him."