Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 2/Diary of the Honourable Henry Sidney continued, March 15 to March 23. 1680
DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE
OF THE
TIMES OF CHARLES THE SECOND.
1680. March 15th. Sir Robert Southwell came to take his leave of me, and told me the Pensioner had been with him, and told him they hoped they should come to an accommodation; that Monsieur Spaen would go to Berlin in a few days, and do his endeavours; that they were willing to give him as much as he could pretend was due before the declaration, and something more; that he was of opinion nothing should be said of it till he saw how the English business was like to go. The French Ambassador came to see me, and in the evening Monsieur Werkendam and Monsieur Mums[1] came to me by order of the States-General; and after making me a little compliment upon my indisposition, they told me they were come in the name of the States-General to assure the King of their friendship, and they would never do any thing contrary to what they professed in their resolution; and then they gave it me in writing. I told them I received it with great satisfaction, and that I could assure them that my master did endeavour nothing so much as to give them fresh marks every day of his friendship and good-will towards them. At night I was with the Prince, and I told him what had passed to-day, and showed him my letter out of Spain.
16th. Count Waldeck[2] was with me; he seems to be mightily in the interest of the Prince, and horribly unsatisfied with the French. He told some of them that he was glad he was so considerable as to have the King of France give positive orders to do him harm: he thinks we may succeed with the Princes of Brunswick; but that with the Elector of Brandenburgh there is nothing to be done without money. He would have fallen upon this state if the King of France would have given him anything. He and several others are of opinion that it is good to be of the strongest side; he saith that the Bishop of Munster is certainly in with France.
17th. Monsieur de Fuen-Mayor was with me: he complains mightily of the French proceedings in Flanders, and wonders we and this State do take no notice of it, and that we do not think of doing something for the defence of Italy. In the afternoon I played with Madame Bentem, and supt with the Prince, and afterwards was at his couchée.
18th. I took physic. Colonel Fitz Patrick staid with me great part of the afternoon; we talked much of the Princess's illness, and her not being likely to live.
19th. They brought me word that the Princess had had a very ill night, and was worse than she had been. In the afternoon I heard that my Lord Bodmin was come; soon after he came to me, but was in great haste. He told me very little of his business; he was resolved to see the Prince to-night. Monsieur Straatman and Monsieur Campricht were with me: they told me that the Emperor was very willing to take measures with the King. I writ to Mr. Godolphin.
20th. My Lord Bodmine was with me; he told me that he had delivered the project to the Prince, and read part of his instructions. Mr. Rookwood was with me; he asked me if we were desirous to enter into a stricter Alliance with this state, and if I thought the Prince had a mind to it. I told him there was no doubt to be made of it. Saith he, I believe Mr. Freeman might contribute a good deal towards it, as he will tell you, if you send to speak with him.
21st. My Lord Bodmine was with me, and I gave him a whole detail of our proceeding, which, I think, he minded very little: he gave me his instructions, and fancies he did well not to show them to the Prince. An officer was with me that is newly come out of Italy; he tells me that there are great fears of the French in Italy, but no preparations against them.
22nd. Mr. Freeman was with me; he told me of a project of his to have an alliance made between England and the States, and to have it confirmed by act of Parliament, and in this country by the whole States-General in the great Hall: he will undertake to dispose the chief of Parliament men to it. The King must not only consent to it, but desire it in a speech, and tell them that it is in consideration of the public good, and safety of Europe, and the Protestant religion; if the Duke falls into it, it may be of great advantage to him. We cannot think of any body who hath reason to be against it but the Duchess of Portsmouth. It will be the best thing in the world for the King, and a great blow to France. It must be kept very private, for, if it once get air, it will be all spoiled. He will propose it to the King, and argue it so that he thinks he will not refuse it.
23d. My Lord Bodmine came to take his leave of me. He told me that he had been with the Prince, and that he approved of the project, and wished him good success. He asked him if he had not orders to concert affairs with their minister. He said, Yes, though there is no such thing in my instructions; but I did believe it was forgot. This day the Prince had cherries at his table; and, people wondering at it, he said he had some a fortnight before.
- ↑ He was telling me, that one day in the Assembly the Prince took occasion to tell them, that if they could be ever such fools as to offer him the sovereignty, and he such a fool as to accept it, he was very sure they were all undone.—Orig. Note. A great rogue, the Prince saith.—Orig. Note.
- ↑ "Prince Waldeck was their (the States) Chief General, a man of a great compass and a true judgment, equally able in the Cabinet and the Camp; but he was always unsuccessful, because he was never furnished according to the schemes that he had laid down. The opinion that armies had of him, as an unfortunate general, made him really so; for soldiers cannot have much heart, when they have not an entire confidence in him that has the chief command."—Burnet's Hist. i. 569.