Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/The Earl of Sunderland to Mr. Sidney, March 1
THE EARL OF SUNDERLAND TO MR. SIDNEY.
My Lord Bodmin and Sir Robert Southwell having orders to communicate all their instructions to you and the Prince, I need not say any thing to you concerning either of them, but that you are to give them all the information you can of what has been done and what is intended by the States. The Duke falls into all our measures so much beyond what we could expect, both at home and abroad, that I will venture to say the King's affairs are in a better condition than they have been these seven years. For we apprehended only that he would have disordered them, but we find quite the contrary. Take this upon my word, for I do positively affirm it to you. I must needs tell you that I have laboured more than ever you saw me, and that the King is entirely convinced that he can never have any good from France. If you had heard all he said to the Duke upon this subject, you would be amazed, but extremely satisfied. The chief difficulties in the Duke's mind were, that the Prince desired to enter into a new war; that the Parliament might sit, though never so much to the hazard of the Government or any thing else; and that his Highness took all his measures from Sir William Temple, who he looks upon as a Republican, and who the King likewise is unsatisfied with. But the care that has been taken has set all these things right.
I desire the Prince will never write any thing hither about our affairs, but only of those abroad, unless it is to Mr, Hyde, Mr. Godolphin, or me, for it can do no good, and has sometimes done the contrary. Let him but write kindly and submissively to the King and the Duke; that he depends upon them, that they may dispose of him; that he desires peace, and that, if the King slackens towards the States, they must throw themselves into the power of France, where they shall always be received with joy, and I'll undertake the business will go well. I doubt not but these things pursued abroad, and the like measures observed at home, will in a little time give so much satisfaction to the world, that, if the King should be forced to a war, he must have all the assistance from his people he can desire. Do not think that, when I change provinces, I shall have less mind or less opportunity to pursue these things. Pray be a little kind to Mr. Pooley, who desires very much to improve himself.—I am entirely yours.
This is most of it the same letter I had writ last post.