Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Diary continued, September 17 to September 22
17th.In the morning I went to see the Count de Solines; the Prince dined with me; he told me he was to meet the French Ambassador at Soufliet; that he had sent to him to know if he might meet him anywhere, and he sent him word he should find him walking there in the afternoon; he told me he should talk a great deal to him, but he should be none the wiser; he thinks these changes will quite alter the minds of the people here towards us—he does not like it at all, for he thinks it will hurt the King.
18th.I dined at Soufliet, and, talking with the Prince, he told me that this change at our Court would make it the less necessary for him to go over; that, while the Duke of Monmouth was there, the Duke was desirous he should go; now he would think he intended to set up for himself. He showed me a part of the letter the Duke writ to him, which he did not at all like, for he thought by it the King had promised him to dissolve the Parliament in case they fell upon the succession. After dinner he told Fitzpatrick of his conversation with the French Ambassador; that his first speech was, that the King his master had commanded him to wait upon him, to assure him that he ever had great kindness for him as being his relation; that the "honesteté, prudence, et courage qu'il avoit vue dans tons ces actions" had increased his "amitié et estime" so much as to have a perfect and intime friendship with him; he said afterwards he never saw a man so out of countenance, and speak worse in all his life.
19th.I spoke to Monsieur le Prince. He told me he thought the Guarantee would be concluded on Tuesday; then we fell to talk of his coming over; he said he thought it would not be convenient at this conjuncture, for, as the Parliament did sit, he was sure they would fall upon the Duke, and if he were there at that time, the Duke would lay all upon him. On the other side, if the King should be unsatisfied with his Parliament and dissolve them, the whole nation would blame him for it; therefore he thinks at this time it would be better to stay away, but he will be ready at depth of the winter, in the worst weather to come, if his friends do see a good occasion for it; all that he desires for the present is, that he might be declared the third heir to the crown; and he does advise the King by all means to agree with his Parliament; he is for having acts passed to exclude all Catholic kings, without naming the Duke, and if he was in the House, he believes he should give his vote for it. He intends the Princess shall go to Brussels, but he will not go himself, for he should be sorry to be clapt up in the castle at Antwerp, which he thinks would be likely enough if he passed that way.
20th.I was with the Pensioner; he told me he hoped the business would succeed; that he was at work about it, that the States are kept together a purpose, that nobody did yet suspect the reason, and he desired me to keep it secret, for if the French Ambassador should have any sight of it he might do harm. I went to Monsieur Van Beuninghen; he told me he had great hopes, that he had made several journeys, and had taken a good deal of pains to bring it to what it is; he says they are afraid of our disunion at home, and that is the only reason that keeps them off; that he is confident the French Ambassador will do nothing, though he threatens them extremely that if they enter into any new alliance with us they should have 100,000 men upon their backs. They have appointed Commissaries to treat with him, and so it will be. He showed me the alteration, which I think will be as well for us, and will make them consent a great deal sooner than as it was before; he desires nothing but a good union among ourselves, and does not doubt but we shall make our party good without great expense.
22nd.I rode out to see my horses. At night I went to the Prince, and gave him an account of my letters. I afterwards stood by him while he was at supper. I wrote to my Lord Sunderland and Sir Henry Capel for a yacht to be here on the 10-20th. I received some letters.