Count Conningsmark's LETTER To the Lady OGLE, From FLANDERS;  
Faithfully Translated out of the Original French.  
Madam,  
DID I not know you are born in a most kind forgiving Country, and for your Birth, Beauty, and Divine Goodness, of the Noblest Extraction in it, I could not have the vanity to hope your Pardon, for were not England the most Merciful Kingdom in the World, and most obliging to Strangers, I could never hope to be forgiven so unhuman a Crime; but have taken a gentle Swing with my Noble Friends and Murderers. That I loved you is a sufficient proof, that I could venture so far as to be hanged for you, and so well that I would Sacrifice a thousand Rivals at the same rate, were I sure to meet with the same kind usage.  
Madam, My Principles are more Honourable, and I have a greater sense of a Kindness, than to upbraid any for their Civility, but certainly were it not more their goodness than my Innocence, I should have gone the Honourable way of my Accomplices, and a halter put a period to my Passion. But hanging goes by Destiny not desert; for had every man his Due, I must confess I had as just a claim to a Rope as the best of 'em. Yet (Madam) though I am willing to do myself that justice which the World denied me in Condemning myself, I would likewise do you that Right in clearing you of those Aspersions which the world has cast upon you on my behalf.  
I have sent a Challenge to the Lord M. and Lord C. to meet me in Flanders, where I will give them that honourable a tisfaction they demand, without a Pistel or a Blunderbus.  
I resolve to kill them both or die by it, which I could not do with a safe Conscience till I had asked you Pardon for my last offence, which at this good time I humbly beg, and will submit to whatever penance you will inflict upon me, provided it be not to sculk Six Days in Tarpolin Breeches, and pay homage to the head of a Constable's staff, which I dread more than a Legion of Pikes or Canon.  
I here some Malicious people do accuse you as privy to the Death of Mr. Thynne, and that some audacious Libelers have Exposed you in their Pamphlets as a Procatartick cause.  
I am sorry my Respects for you should Expose you to that unjust Censure, and to do you Right, I do declare before God and the World, you knew nothing of it, nor was any way aiding, consenting or abetting in it, but utterly as Innocent and Ignorant of what happened on that Account, as he on whom it fell till the fatal blow was given.  
Nor was it my least design it should ever come to your knowledge, whose gentle Nature I knew so avers from an act so Horrid and Barbarous, that I could never Expect your Pardon much less your Consent to so foul a Crime.  
As for those Vile, base and Infamous Libelers, now you are in England you have Law and Justice oh your side, prosecute them to the utmost severity, or send them over to me, I shall find more Vratz and Boraskys that will not stick to do us Right on our Enemies, Gerne Bleu (Madam) were they such as durst appear bravely in the Field, and give the satisfaction of Gentlemen, I would scorn to stoop to so base a Revenge, but he that will affirm with his Tongue what he dare not Justify with his Sword, Borasky for that. And were I there, I would not stand to serve them the same Sauce. But I dare not Venture myself over again into England, for though I have not much Reason to Complain of their hard Dealing by me, I should be loath to trust them a second time, I find the most Innocent Person may be wrongfully accused, Sworn out of their dear Lives, and many an honester man hath thus lately fallen amongst them. But this I must needs say in honour of the People and Laws of England, that an Alien or Stranger shall find more favour than their own Countrymen, and a Foreign Criminal sooner acquitted than a Native Innocent. It was my own Case, but Foutra the Whig, my Noble Friends, cleared me, and the Laws acquitted me; I only beg you may forgive me, and since all other hopes and future pretensions are laid aside, let me only Entreat this one favour (which is the last I shall ever beg) that you will allow me at this distance to bear the Title of  
Your Servant Conningsmark.   

LONDON, Printed for J. S. 1682.