Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Diary continued, September 4 to September 7
4th.I staid at home till after dinner, when Mr. Landineau[1] came to me; he told me he had been with his master. I saw some fine troops, and fifty-two sail of ships; in the evening, I went to see Monsieur Campricht; he told me that the States owed sixty millions, that they paid 312 interest for; then I went to Monsieur Rounswinkle, who assured me of his friendship, and that he would let his master know of my favour to him.
5th and 6th.Mr. Brasey was with me, spoke to me of his business of being Drosser[2] of Bois le Duc. He told me that the two hundredth penny was half per cent.; that they paid taxes for land that was under water. I went afterwards to dinner to Monsieur Odyke, where the Prince was after dinner; I spoke to him first about the Duke's being King of the Romans; he said there were many difficulties, the Emperor having sons, and he did not know the Duke would approve of it. As to his coming over, he would speak with me in a day or two; he did not yet know of what advantage it would be. I told him the greatest advantage that was proposed to him, was that my friends thought it was the best means of doing him service, and consequently the nation. I told him the Duke would never inherit the Crown, and he is of that mind; and if the succession is not settled somewhere, it will certainly turn to a Commonwealth; he did also agree with me when I read that part of my letter that gave me order to press for powers to Monsieur Van Lewen to treat, and I asked him if I should move it; he desired me to forbear for a day or two, as Monsieur Van Beuninghen was gone to Amsterdam, to see what humour they were in there, and till he was returned he was unwilling any thing should be done.
7th.I dined at Hounslerdyke; after dinner I walked with the Prince above an hour. I told him several reasons why he should go into England; he was unapt to believe it would do any good; but I told him the Monarchy was absolutely lost, unless he recovered it. He is convinced the Duke will never have the Crown, and I find would be very willing to be put into a way of having it himself. He desired me to write to Lord Sunderland, to know what was the best time for him to come over, and if there was any expedient to be found to absolve him from taking the oaths of allegiance.