bemarle, and proposed him to the Prince in the following letter.
"Whitehall, 8th December, 1682.
"I have formerly proposed a thing to you in which I am every day more confirmed in my opinion as a thing which in many respects is necessary to be done, and therefore I think it proper now to renew to you. It is to have a Commander in Chief of all my subjects who are or who shall be in the service of the States. I am satisfied it will tend to their better discipline and obedience; that it is for my honour and dignity, as well as for that of the nation, and that it will be advantageous to you in particular, in order to your greater influence upon them, to have such men from time to time set at the head of them, as shall make it their business to be serviceable to you; besides, you will find that either in case of recruits or other levies of men in England, it will be no small encouragement for men to go over when it shall be known that a man of quality and interest here is to have the immediate commandment of them under you, and by that the opportunity of access to you, to do them right upon all occasions that shall arise.
"Of this the late Lord Ossory is a very good
