Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Diary continued, September 23 to September 26
23rd.At night I went to the Prince, to let him know that the French Ambassador had been to all the towns, which he was a little surprised at, and was very much out of humour, for he told me he believed we should not do it. I told him I did not despair as much as he, for I had been talking with two principal men of the States, and they give me good hopes. I have had the good luck to have got the kindness of a good many of them, and they say that they believe I am an honest man, and that they may believe what I say.
24th.The French Ambassador was up at six o'clock in the morning visiting the towns; to some he spoke in soft words, but most he threatened, and spoke the most slightingly and contemptibly of us that it was possible. He was with all the towns of North Holland, and there he was mightily put to it, for those poor creatures could not understand a word of either French or Latin. This proceeding is very extraordinary, and blamed by those who are of his own party. At eleven the States met, but, the deputies being not yet come, they adjourned till to-morrow.
In the evening I was with the Prince; I found him mightily incensed against the French Ambassador; and he says, since the beginning of the Government he did not know what to think of our business, there was never any thing like it, and was impatient for Mr. Van Beuninghen coming from Amsterdam. I encouraged him all I could with telling him, that though the Parliament would grumble at the Court, yet they would be pleased with an alliance with this State, and would maintain it. I find he hath a good opinion of Freeman, and an ill one of Carr. He thinks it necessary for the King to have somebody at Amsterdam; he thought a merchant a proper man. As I came from the Prince, Monsieur Van Beuninghen and one of the Burgomasters went in, and I passed by him. I asked him if he had any good news. He said, "Pas mauvais." When the Prince came up, he said he had another kind of opinion of our business than he had an hour ago; he had now good hopes, and said Monsieur Van Beuninghen had talked the town of Amsterdam into it. He told me how the French Ambassador had been three times to see those of Amsterdam—that he advised them to go to him—that he believed some deputies would be appointed to acquaint him with the reasons—that when one was sure of being able to do a business, he was for making it as easy as they could to them. One good thing the Prince said, that there was not one man in the Senate of Amsterdam that was against it.
25th.A Committee of the States met about ten o'clock, and sate till four. When they came out, I asked them how matters went; and they said they could not tell me, for they were under an oath of secrecy; but I said to one of our friends, that they might tell me whether they went well or ill, and he told me, "well." The French Ambassador does storm most horribly, and says he believes the King his Master will immediately declare war with them for daring to make any kind of alliance without acquainting him first with it.[1] The town of Amsterdam was to see him, and the Prince advises it, he having been thrice at their house. He told them that he heard by chance that they were entering into a treaty of guarantee with the King of England, which he was much surprised at, for he imagined that there was such a friendship between his Master and them, that they would not make any alliance without acquainting him with it. They told him again, that they have had small marks of his Master's kindness to them; that he had already broke the treaty that was made the last year, in laying new impositions upon several of their commodities; and besides, they thought his Master had no reason to take it ill that they endeavoured to secure that peace which he had made last year.
26th.Mr. Car was with me, and told me that he heard we were going on very well, but he could not tell the particulars because they were all under an oath; that he heard there were several speeches made in our favour, and some against the French, and every man cried out against the French Ambassador's proceedings. Yesterday they were only in committee, where every body's mind was known, but no resolution taken. He told me at dinner that the States were separated till Wednesday: that every thing went for our advantage, though they would say nothing directly—that the actions now in the East India Company were 431. I did not stir out all day. I writ to my Lord Sunderland, Sir Wm. Temple, and Mr. Godolphin. At nine o'clock, the Duke of Monmouth[2] came, with Mr. Langley and Godfrey; he complained of my friends extremely, and told me he intended to go to Copenhagen.
- ↑ There will be strict inquiry made who gave the French Ambassador the first notice of our guarantee; and if he be found, they will cut off his head in three days.—Orig. Note.
- ↑ He told me, among other slighting things he said of the King, that he one day told my Lord Oxford, that if he could be well as long as he lived, he cared little what happened afterwards. "Since that," saith he, "I had no hopes of him."—Orig. Note.