Sabbati 4 to Die Decembriis, 1680. I Do Appoint Samuel Heyrick, Thomas Dring, and John Wickins, to Print this Collection of Letters and other Writings, Perused by me according to the Order of the Honourable HOUSE of COMMONS; and that no other Person presume to Print the same. GEO. TREBY. A COLLECTION OF LETTERS AND OTHER WRITINGS, RELATING TO The Horrid Popish Plot: Printed from the ORIGINALS in the Hands OF George Treby Esq Chairman of the COMMITTEE of Secrecy Of the HONOURABLE House of Commons. Published by Order of that House. LONDON, Printed for Samuel Heyrick at Grays-Inn Gate in Holborn, Thomas Dring at the Harrow, and John Wickins at the White Hart in Fleetstreet. MDCLXXXI. TO THE READER. THE Letters and Writings here published are indubitably authentic. They were all (except those of which account is given at the end) found and seized in Mr. Coleman's House at the time of his Commitment, and owned by himself; and particularly at his Trial; when several of the Letters written by and to him were produced and read, and then marked by the Clerk of the Crown with Lect. pro Rege, as is here printed in the Margins. And they were by his Majesty's Order delivered to the Houses of Parliament, and thence delivered to the Committee of Secrecy. Also the hand-writing of Mr. Coleman, the Cardinal of Norfolk, Mr. Leyburne, Sir William Throgmorton, and the late Earl of Berkshire, by the name of William Rice, have been proved by Testimony of such Witnesses as well knew the same. The Letters writ by Mr. Coleman are printed from the Original draughts, written by him in French, and translated by Order of the Privy Council; and such of the Letters sent to Mr. Coleman which were written in French, were translated either by the same Order, or by Order of one of the Houses of Parliament. The Letters writ by Mr. Coleman were read in the House of Commons in this and the two last Parliaments, and the rest either read, or in substance reported in this and the last Parliament, by their Orders. In most of these Letters the principal and material words and names of Persons and Places were writ in cipher, but have been exactly deciphered by the Keys or Tables which were found together with them. In several of them there were used Figurative words, or words of Cabal; the meaning of which, is conjectured from the Tenor and Sense of the Correspondence, as (in the Allegories used between Mr. Coleman and the Nuntio) the word Creditors appears to signify Adversaries; Debtors, Friends, East-India Company, the Parliament; and Trade and Traffic, the administration of public Affairs. So Suit, appears to signify contesting (especially in Parliament) concerning the Popish Interest; definitive Sentence, gaining the point in that Contest. And in the like Metaphorical Sense, are used Process, Lawyers, Advocates, etc. The Correspondents in these Letters, do seldom use the First Person, when they mention themselves; or the Second Person, when they mean him to whom it is written, but they use the cipher of their Names for the Persons. And accordingly they are deciphered and rendered in the Third Person. As in the Cardinal's Letters to Mr. Coleman, it is written that the Cardinal of Norfolk did so, and Mr. Coleman should do thus, etc. The House of Commons intended and directed Exactness of Truth in this Publication. In observance of which not only Mr. Colemen but the Letters of the Cardinal and others, which contain several passages not directly relating to the main Design, are published at large, so as they stand represented to the World without any other disadvantage than what is inherent in themselves. But several Letters of Mr. Leyburn, and some of the Letters of others of the lesser Correspondents, being stuffed with common and ordinary News, that News, and that only is omitted in this Print. Some of the Letters seized at Mr. Coleman's are not decypherable by all or any of the Keys found, of which, however one is thought fit to be published, which is inserted towards the end. Geo. Treby. A LETTER FROM Mr. Coleman to the French King's Confessor, June the 29th 1674. I AM commanded to tell you, That his Royal Highness, Lect. pro Rege. my Master, is very sensible of the Friendship of his most Christian Majesty, which he will endeavour to cultivate very carefully, and to give him all possible Assurances of it, to take away all Jealousies that his Enemies would raise to the contrary. That his Royal Highness has done nothing in any manner whatsoever, nor in any place, against the Interest of his most Christian Majesty, but hath rendered him all the good Offices he hath been capable of. That as for recalling the Parliament, and touching my Lord A— his Highness is altogether of the opinion of his Majesty, that neither one nor other is useful, but quite contrary, very dangerous as well for England as France, and that his most Christian Majesty is in great danger of losing the Neutrality of England, at the next Session, (if the Parliament meet) as he lost its Alliance by the Peace of Holland at the last; because the Lower House and their Friends (as the furious Protestants, and the Malcontents in the House of Lords) have a Design to lessen his Royal Highness, and root out the Catholic Religion, and they think they cannot make use of any other fit means to attain their End, than to raise the Dutch, and to perplex his most Christian Majesty, as much as lies in their Power. That his Highness doubts not, but it is absolutely necessary for the Interest of his most Christian Majesty, and his Royal Highness, to use all endeavours to hinder the meeting of the Parliament, by persuading his Britannic Majesty, that his Greatness, his Honour, and his Quiet, are no less concerned therein, than theirs; So that if his most Christian Majesty would write freely his thoughts thereupon to his Br. Majesty to forewarn him of the Danger he apprehends from thence, and would withal think fit to make him the same generous offers of his Purse, to persuade him to dissolve the present Parliament, as he hath done to his Highness for the Election of another, perhaps he would succeed therein by the Assistance we would give him here. As for another Parliament, it would be easy enough to get such an one as we wish for, the Constitutions of our Parliaments being of such a nature, that as there is nothing to be hoped for by the King, from an old one, so there is nothing to be feared from a new one, because such an one at their first meeting must needs assist his Majesty, so far as to enable him to acknowledge his Obligations both to his most Christian Majesty and to all the World. Now, although there is nothing in the World more true, or plainer than this, some, nevertheless carried on, either by their particular Interest, or by their mere Malice, and the hatred they have conceived against those they have so far offended, as to despair of their Pardon, are resolved rather to sacrifice the Honour of their King, and his Kingdom, than to show him the danger he is running into, and the means to avoid it, lest they themselves should fall into the hands of those that have long taken notice of their Baseness. However, his Royal Highness will endeavour by his Care and good Offices to entertain a very good understanding with the King, his Brother, as he hath always done, and lately, with so much success, that methinks, he endears himself more and more every day. For Monsieur Rouvigny, his Highness hath nothing to say against him: As he seems to understand the Interest of his Master, and to follow it with great Observance, he cannot by consequence thwart Ours: when we shall have any thing material to ask or to propose to you, you shall know it, and we will trust to the Promises of your help. I desire you from my Master, to deal with us with the same freedom and confidence, and be assured, that notwithstanding all the Rogueries and Follies of some People here and there, you will find us always just, and Religiously faithful. From Mr. Coleman, to the French King's Confessor, without Date, but noted by him to have been written in Answer to a Letter of 25 Septemb. 1674. HIS Royal Highness has received the Letter that you sent him by Sir William Throckmorton, Lect. pro Rege. which he has answered to you himself; and besides, he hath commanded me to testify to you, the great esteem he hath for the Friendship of his most Christian Majesty, and for yours, and to assure you, that he will not fail to cultivate it with all his power; and that preferring the sincere Faith of a Christian, and the word of a Man of Honour, before all Subtleties, and even all the advantages of the World, he gives you them both, as a Pledge of the ardent desire he has to continue always a strict Alliance with his most Christian Majesty, and to entertain also an intimate Correspondence with you. For the first point of your Letter, his Royal Highness has commanded me to tell you, that he will govern himself according to your Advice, and treat of nothing concerning the Catholic Religion with Monsieur Rouvigny, nor with any other Person than yourself, but that he will communicate to you all things he shall find necessary for the good of the Catholics, and shall be very well pleased to receive Advices from you thereupon. For the rest, his Royal Highness does a little wonder, that he hears nothing from Monsieur Rouvigny touching the second point of your Letter, since you have written so positively, that he had order to confirm, and procure execution of what his most Christian Majesty proposed to him the second of June last, by your Mediation, and you by that of Sir William Throckmorton's. He (His R. H.) has omitted, till this time, to acquaint you with the small success that he has had, as expecting daily that M. Rouvigny would impart to him the Commission of which you made mention to him in your Letter; but having heard nothing yet of that matter, and being obliged to go out of Town for 15 days or three Weeks, he thinks fit to send you back Sir William Throckmorton, to acquaint you with the progress of this Business, and to pray you to inform yourself of what has been able to hinder it. His most Christian Majesty, made a very generous offer to his Royal Highness of the assistance of his Purse, to enable him to defend them both from the Evils that threatened them, and by good luck, his Royal Highness has laboured with so much diligence and success, that the Dangers which they apprehended are a little put off; but one thing more is necessary for the perfect securing their Affairs; and without making one step more, all that he has already done will signify nothing. For that the Assistance of his most Christian Majesty, is no less necessary at present, than heretofore, to subdue entirely those, who being exasperated against his most Christian Majesty, as much as against his Royal Highness, and are angry with his Royal Highness, only because he is so unalterably addicted to the Interest of his most Christian Majesty, will exercise their Malice and their Rage with more brutality than ever, if they find occasion for it hereafter. If you can therefore, by your Credit, obtain from his most Christian Majesty the accomplishment of the offer of his Purse, for raising the Reputation of his Royal Highness, in the opinion of his Britannic Majesty and for putting him in condition to resist the sharpest Batteries of the Adversaries of his most Christian Majesty and Royal Highness, to wit, the possibility they pretend to get Money from the Parliament, and the impossibility of having any elsewhere, by which they often keep the mind of his Britannic Majesty in suspense, and wherein they place the hope they have to conquer him at last. There will nothing more remain to be feared by his Most Christian Majesty, or his Royal Highness, but his Royal Highness will be able to dissolve the Parliament with ease and afterwards, in recompense of the said Assistance, will perform on his part all that his most Christian Majesty shall ask of him, and will proceed with Sincerity upon the Word of a Prince (that no man can reproach him with the violation of) for the Interest of his most Christian Majesty. A Letter from Mr. Coleman to the Internuncio, July 24. 1674. THE Affairs of the Duke are at this time as formerly, in a very uncertain condition. He hath many Enemies, and also some Friends, amongst whom, he particularly esteemeth you, having a great Confidence in your Amity, of which he hopeth to find the good Effects when he shall have occasion to demand your Assistance, but truly, in the present Conjuncture, there is nothing more than to make you understand the Estate in which he is at present, and the state of the Catholics, and to let you consider what your Friends can do for the Comfort of the one and the other; the first is now very well, because of the putting off the Parliament, and of the uncertainty whether that Party should take occasion to persecute him upon this Affair, or not; if he can deliver himself from this difficulty, he will re-establish himself better than ever, and shall be capable, not only to manage his proper Affairs, as before, but also to testify his Acknowledgements to those who have been favourable to him in his misfortune; but if this Affair is brought again upon the stage, he will be so enabled, that he will have all his Adversaries upon his Back, which at present are Civil enough to him, and do run a great Risque to be ruined with his; all this dependeth on the King, who pretendeth to be effectually the Duke's Friend, but does nevertheless hold an intimate correspondence with his Enemies, and too openly declareth himself sometimes, which makes us mistrust, that he is persuaded that his Interest is altogether opposite to ours, but we must not despair. God is mighty, and the innocence of this poor, miserable— too evident, to permit him to be abandoned of all the World. If, by your means, you can gain the Emperor and the Pope to the Duke, for his Assistance, or to contribute something for the accommodating of the differences between his Friends of Spain and France, (which cannot give him any Succour, because of the infortunate War, in which they are engaged) you will merit much of God, and of all the Friends of the poor Catholics, who are reduced almost to despair, and are tormented every day by their Enemies, and will be constrained to fall every day under the burden of their miseries, if they are not upheld by some means: Their condition and that of the Duke are alike in many things, but do differ in this, that they have many Enemies, which may, every of them in particular, be against the Catholic Cause for the Parliament, whereas the Duke, being only engaged for the others, shall not be obliged to do any thing, at least, that he shall not be condemned by the Parliament, all the others being of the same nature, so that none shall attack him in the last, before this first is determined, because, that if the Process comes to be determined in his favour, our Laws give him a great advantage against them which shall have the boldness to trouble him thereupon. This is all that I can say at present of the Affair of the Duke, and of the Catholics, which I recommend to you with all my heart, assuring you, that since Christianism, there hath not been any Affair neither more to be pitied, or more worthy of all the Cares and Zeal of good People, than this of which I now speak to you. If you have the same Sentiment, you will take a great part in the Affairs of our Friends, and you will endeavour to apply all the most proper Remedies to make them succeed. From the French King's Confessor to Mr. Coleman. Paris, September 15. 1674. SIR, I AM very much obliged to you for the Letter you were pleased to write me concerning my Sickness. Lec' pro Rege. It was long and troublesome, and that which troubled me most during the long continuance of it, was, to find myself unable to take care of that Affair you gave me a memorial of, with as much diligence as I could wish. But, being after all arrived here, I resolved to send an Extract of the Memorial, because I was not able to carry it myself, which has been very lucky, thanks be to God, as you will see by the Letter I writ to his Royal Highness. Sir William Throgmorton goes express with it. I pray acquaint his Highness, that this Knight has managed this Affair with all the Zeal, Fidelity, and Prudence possible, that his Highness may remember him upon occasion, as a Person much addicted to him. For Mr. Bernard, that stays here, and whom you have recommended, I pray be not further concerned for him: The first occasion that offers, he shall find the Esteem I have for his Zeal and Wisdom, and for the recommendation of his good Friends. I am in the mean while Sir, Your most humble and most obedient Servant J. Ferrier. From Mr. Coleman to the Pope's Internuncio. Aug. 21. 74. YOU expect that the Duke should let you know what your Friends can do for his Service; Lec'. pro Rege. I told you the last Week my Opinion concerning the Estate of the Pope, in case the Process of the Parliament be judged to his disadvantage. And I have likewise told you what Opinion all the World hath as to that matter, that is to say, that it was absolutely lost. But, for my part, not being of so timorous a nature as others, I do not believe so, but am of opinion, that it is not impossible to overcome our Adversaries, in spite of all the confidence they have of Success. But the Victory which I hope for is, to be able to prevent the Business coming before the Parliament, that it be not begun at all, rather than to gain the point, if it shall be brought upon the stage. For the Fury of the Persecutors is such, that they will make use of all means imaginable, as well Evil as Just, to gain their point. And I have too much reason to suspect the Integrity of our Judges in that Affair, for I plainly perceive, they naturally incline to the side of our Adversaries. And I dare put no confidence in the Assistance of the King, after so many Demonstrations as he hath given us of his weakness, as to that matter. And it is from these three Causes; that is to say, the Fierceness of our Adversaries, the Injustice of our Judges, and the Weakness of the King, that we are to expect surtable Effects. So that we shall have very little hopes of success, having so many Difficulties to contend with, in case the Parliament should meet. Wherefore it will be necessary to provide some Support among his Friends of your Acquaintance, if his Affairs should be too far pushed to suffer him to be in quiet here. All those who have had any Correspondency with him are at present in great suspense, and in pain to know what Success the Business is like to have. If the Duke succeeds in what he pretends to, they will be more fixed to him than ever; if he fails, all his Creditors fall upon him in a moment, and he and his Catholic Associates will be absolutely ruined, for it is he alone upon whom all the rest do entirely depend: So that it is for him and his Affairs, that all our Friends ought to employ their Care to keep him up, that he may subsist. We have none with us that regard the Merit, but the Success of things. So that if the Duke can happily disengage himself of those Difficulties wherewith he is now encumbered, all the World will esteem him an able man, and all People will intrust him in their Affairs more willingly than they have done formerly. And the King himself, who hath more influence on the East India Company, than all the rest, will not only re-establish him in the Employment he had before, but will put the Management of all his Trade into his hands. By which means, he will have opportunity to enrich himself, and all his Catholic Associates, with all their Correspondents. So that 'tis of great consequence, (that those who own him the Sums of) the Emperor and the Pope assist the Duke with a little Sum of Money, to put him in a condition to re-establish himself in the Management of the King's Affairs, and to endeavour to Compose the Differences between his two Friends of Spain and France; So that they may be in a condition to support him in his just and worthy Design, to begin and establish a new Traffic very advantageous to the whole World, and particularly the Kingdom of England, which, at present, is unhappily divided, for want of being employed as it ought to be, and as it will be in little time after it shall have tasted the sweetness of that Profit which it shall find by the Managery of the Duke and his Associates, being assisted by his Friends and yours, and principally by the Church. We have in agitation great Designs, worthy the consideration of your Friends, and to be supported with all their Power, wherein we have no doubt but to succeed, and, it may be, to the utter ruin of the Protestant Party, if you join with us in good Earnest, and cordially second our Erterprises. The Affair is too long to give you all the Particulars of, but, without doubt, you will understand much of it by the little which you find here. Septemb. 4. 1674. Jo. Nicholas, AT present (Sir) We are returned again to London, where we shall be, as I hope, less embarrassed than at Windsor, and by consequence, shall have more leisure to entertain our Correspondents for the future, than we have had before. Since our return I have received your Letters of the one and twentieth of August, and fourth of September, and three others from our Friend, through whose hands you sent me yours. I wonder whence it comes that they have lost their way thus, but I conceive that he directed them to his Correspondent here, instead of addressing them immediately to me, or to Mr. Jerome boatman; I will advertise him of it this day, the better to settle our Correspondence for the future; 'tis true, that I did not write till this present as I intended, fearing lest you should have forgotten what I said thereupon, when I was at your House, but being delivered from that fear, I will not fail hereafter to treat you with that Liberty and Freedom you have permitted me to use towards you, having no other Design, than to obey you as I ought, being You will wonder, without doubt, at the Freedom I take in this Letter, and at my Confidence, and, perhaps, will esteem it as a mark of my Weakness, judging thereby, that I accustom myself to treat others in the like manner, and to open my mind, without distinction, to all who make profession to me of their Friendship and Sincerity. But, Sir, I desire you not to believe me guilty of so great Lightness and Folly, if I shall let you know my most secret Thoughts. And first, to answer the Question in your Letters, touching the Concerns of the Catholics before the Parliament; viz. Whether they will come in Debate again in the Month of I assure you, there is none but myself, either Friend or Enemy of the Duke's, who doth not believe certainly, that that Business will be begun again at the time aforesaid, and that it will terminate to the utmost prejudice of the Duke, and of the Catholics. For myself, I am alone of the opinion, that it will not then be taken up; at least, I will do my utmost to prevent it; although I know well that the Spanish Minister, and all those who are for the Interest of Spain, and the Confederates (whereof some notwithstanding are very good Friends to the Catholics) will do all they can to prevail with the King to pursue the said Business, preferring their Malice and Enmity against France, (which will, as they believe, be overwhelmed thereby) before their Love to the Duke and the Catholics; who will certainly by that means be in great danger to be quite ruined. As for myself, I am neither tied to the Interest of Spain nor France, but entirely to that of the Pope and the Catholics; but pardon me, if I tell you freely, that I believe that the whole Proceeding of Spain in this Contest with France, is visibly to the great prejudice, as well of the Pope and the Catholics, as his own Interest, and that He hath been long deceived by his Ministers and Associates, who have exposed him, during this whole Affair, to vast Expenses, and have brought all the Burden upon him, and in the end will quit him in his extremity, if He doth not take heed betimes. All his Friends on this side have foreseen a good while what is fallen out of late, and have been much afflicted to see two Gentlemen, of equal Merit, of the same Parentage, and of the same Interest, so transported one against the other, as to expose themselves to the Derision of their Neighbours, who have always been, and who are at present inwardly (what show soever they make in appearance) Enemies to both. In short, I believe that it is not Prudence in Spain to suffer itself to be thus governed by the Passion of its Ministers, to its own Damage, and the ruin of its best Friends, rather than to agree with France, because it hath been perfidious, although Spain may have all the Assurances imaginable, that France will act honestly for the future, like a good Neighbour, a kind Relation, and a most faithful Friend: The Duke's principal Design is, to terminate this Difference by the Interposition of the Pope, and by that means to establish himself in the possession of his Estate, through their Assistance, and to turn all their Cares, (which at present are employed to destroy each other) for the Ease of the Pope's Friends, and particularly for the Catholics of the Church, against their great Enemies. If you please to consider the Affair as it is, you will find that the Pope never had an occasion so favourable as at this Hour, to enrich those of his Family, and to augment the number of his Friends, and if he lets it slip, he will never find the like: so that if ever they propose to make use of the Treasure of the Church, 'tis now they ought to do it, for they can demand nothing that the Duke will not be capable to do for the Pope's Friends; and the Emperor, being assisted, as I said: On the other side, without their Aid, He will run great hazard of being lost, both himself and his Associates. This is all I can say. From Mr. Coleman to the Pope's Internuncio. September 11. 1674. SIR, I Have received yours of the 7th Instant, by which you do me the Honour to desire the continuance of News from us, in which I will willingly obey you, nothing being more agreeable to me than to serve you. On Tuesday was seven-night our Commissioners and those of Holland (who are to adjust the Commerce of both Nations to the East Indies) entered upon that Affair. Friday last the Privy Council met again (the King present) being the first time since his Majesty adjourned them at Hampton-Court, about five or six Weeks ago) and for the future they will meet regularly, as heretofore. The third Son of the Duchess of Cleaveland, known hitherto by the name of my Lord George Fitz Roy, hath been lately made Earl of Northumberland, Viscount of Falmouth, and Baron of Pomfret. Don Carlos, another of the King's Natural Sons, will be created Earl of Plymouth, but his Letters Patenes are not yet figned. An Irish man, named Cussack, in a small Vessel of 13 men, had the boldness (the last Week) to take a Scotch Ship in our River, near Sheerness, and got off: But the Yacht called the Merlin, pursuing the said Cussack, and took him, so that he and his thirteen men are to be treated as Pirates. Saturday last, Sir Jonathan Atkins, Governor of Barbadoes, sailed from Portsmouth to take possession of his Charge. His Majesty will go to New Market about the end of this Month, to divert himself with Hunting, Horse races, and the other divertisements of the Place and Season. Yesterday the Earl of Arlington took possession of his Charge of Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household, his Majesty having delivered him the Staff, and this day he hath complemented their Royal Highnesses, and hath received the Visits and Congratulations of all his Relations, and Grandees of the Court. Sir Joseph Williamson succeeds him in the Charge of Secretary of State, for which he hath taken the ordinary Oath, and hath this day taken his place in Council. As for the Process of your Friend, for which I was in great apprehension when I writ to you on the one and twentieth of the last Month, it is at present (as I hope) in a better condition than formerly; and although his Adversaries prosecute him with as much vigour, and more confidence than ever; nevertheless, I do not doubt but the Lawyers of Mr.— will find out some means to avert the danger for the present, in deferring it at least for some Months; and then it's to be hoped, that his Enemies will begin to hear reason; and that those who had a Design to make use of this ill Conjuncture to satisfy their Malice, under the specious pretext of obtaining their pretended Debts, and securing their Trade, will see, perhaps, that it is not so easy to maintain a Cheat, and ruin (by their tricks) honest People, supported by Justice and Innocence, as they imagined, after having got that point. Your Friends, the Emperor and the Pope, will have a fair occasion of giving marks of their Friendship to Mr.— by joining their Credit and Interest to his, to make the great Design (which he hath so long meditated, succeed, to undermine the Intrigues of that Company of Merchants, who trade for the Parliament and the Religion, and to Establish that of the associated Catholics in every place, which may be done (without any great trouble) if the Emperor and the Pope will grant him their assistance, and that Spain will not too obstinately oppose him; as he hath hitherto done, to his own prejudice; of which I freely told you my Opinion in my last, of the Third Instant. A little time will now let us see the Trade of all Affairs of this nature more clearly than at present; In the mean time, you see the Confidence and Liberty I use with you, etc. From Mr. Coleman to the Internuncio, Octob. 23. 1674. YOU agree with me, Lec' pro Rege. that Money is the only means of bringing the King into the Duke's Interest, and of difingaging him from the Parliament, and you must also agree with me, that nothing can more promote the Interest of the Catholiek Party, which is the principal Object of the Duke's Care and Affection, and of the Hatred of the Parliament, and which must hope or fear, according as the one or the other of them increase in Power. Now the Power would be unalterably established in the Duke, if the King were resolved to give him his Assistance in one or two things, so that if Money can prevail with him to act in the Duke's favour, and to abandon the Parliament, the Catholics will find themselves at great ease about it. And if that be the only way to gain the King, that without him the Duke will be in great danger of being ruined, and all the Catholics with him, it imports much to the Duke's Friends, and to the Catholics, that nothing be omitted for the securing to them assistance of Money, as above mentioned. But how shall one get it? There's the difficulty. For my part, I do not doubt (notwithstanding the Discourse which we had together, when I had the honour to speak with you upon this Subject, and when we proceeded upon other Propositions than now we do) but that the Pope may do it effectually, if he think fit to employ his whole Power, because Money, which is entirely at his command, is more than sufficient to make the Pretensions of the Duke and the Catholics succeed; besides that, the Pope hath many other means to attain the favour of Money. But before it be endeavoured to persuade the Pope to engage himself in things of this nature, he must first be made to understand, that the assistance which he shall give the Duke shall be hindered from becoming ineffectual to the Catholics, either by the lightness of the King, or by any other means, and that it shall be so ordered, as to produce infallibly (or at least, very probably) the Effects which we wish for from it. As for the first, nothing in the World is more certain, than that the King has a good inclination towards the Duke and the Catholics, and would join himself willingly, and inseparably to their Interests, if he did not apprehend some danger from such a Union, which, however, he would not have any cause to fear, if he found their Interest, and consequently their Power, so far advanced above that of their Adversaries, that they should neither have the Power nor the Boldness to contest any thing with them, or with him, upon any matter that concerned them, which he could see in a very little time, if we could persuade him to treat roundly with Sir Will. Throckmorton, and to do two or three things besides, which would necessarily follow the first, and which he could not easily avoid doing; and I am certain Money could not fail of persuading him to it, for there is nothing it cannot make him do, though it were as much to his prejudice, as this we endeavour to persuade him to, will be to his Advantage. To convince you that the Duke and his Friends would have so much the Advantage in their Trade over their Competitors, in case they might be assisted by Money, that there would be nothing for the King to apprehend, either of immediate loss, or Collateral Damage, in present or to come; it will be enough that you consider the infinite augmentation of Credit which they have already gained by the bare suspending of their Suit for a little time only; for if that has been capable of advancing their Interest to such a degree, consider (I beseech you) how one definitive Sentence in their savour, must needs establish both their Reputation and real Power; It would do it to that degree, that, I dare say, not one man of those who now balance betwixt them and their Adversaries, or that seem to be even of their Enemies Parry, believing the Advantage of the Suit on their side, would dare to cross or contradict them in any matter whatsoever, in case that this point were absolutely determined in their favour, and even those who have most obstinately opposed their Interests, would then be as earnest to serve them, and to join with them, so that their Adversaries would be wholly ruined, and all the Business be managed entirely by the Duke and his Friends, without any opposition: in such sort, that it will not be in the King's Power to establish another Company, although he should be so capricious as to desire it, which he will never do, because he is naturally inclined to favour those, when he may do it without hazard, and he has nothing to apprehend upon this occasion, since he will find his Interest better established by this means, and with more security and quiet, than ever it has been hitherto. For my part, that which I have said seems so evident to me, that nothing less than a Miracle can give me greater assurance, that the King will never oppose the Designs of the Duke and his Friends, provided he has once done in their favour what they desire of him, because he will find his Account in it very advantageously, as he will quickly perceive, when he has made trial of the Success, although he does not yet see it, and therefore it is necessary we should be assisted with Money, to open the Eyes of the King, or to carry him blindly to his own Advantage, which Money will easily do, having such an absolute Power over him. that he cannot resist it in any thing; and besides that, the thing which we ask is so reasonable, so honourable, and so much for his Interest, which he will see clearly, when he comes to consider his own Affairs, as he ought, and so agreeable to his Inclination, that we want nothing but the assistance of a Sum of Money, that may have influence enough upon him, to make him reflect upon what concerns him most, particularly, to obtain all that we can desire of him. As for the Process, we have no great reason to apprehend the success of it, if money may there give its honourable Testimony; for we are not only assured of Justice from those Judges who are to determine it, but even of as much Favour as they can reasonably show us: for seeing they have been so kind as to defer the Sentence for so many Months, in favour of the Duke and his Friends, that they might have occasion to strengthen their party, when the ordinary Rule and Method of the Law, obliged them to proceed forthwith to a determination of the Dispute, which the adverse Party pressed with all their power, knowing well, that the Duke and his Friends, were not at all prepared to support their Right as was requisite. The Judges I say, being so favourable to them as to give them time for the clearing of some points which might change the Appearance of the Cause, so that instead of losing it as they would certainly have done, without this Explanation; they cannot now fail of Success in it, according to the strictest Rule of Justice, nor need they fear any Oppression of Injustice after such proofs of Kindness, so that the Duke and his Friends assisted by the Testimony of Money, which may give so much evidence to this Affair, cannot fail of a Decision in their Favour, by the aforesaid Judges. Moreover, I persuade myself, the Pope will never want Testimonies on the Duke's part, either of his Will or Power, to go through what he undertakes, if the King does not hinder him; for as to the former, he has given such proofs of his Integrity, and Resolution to continue it unalterably in the greatest Extremities, that no body can be so unjust as to suspect him capable of any unworthy Action. And as to his Power, there are so many Instances to be given in other Persons, who have been less concerned and less able than himself, and yet have been so successful in the same Attempts, that there is no reason in this Case to doubt of it. Remember (I beseech you) what happened at— in the year— and compare the persons Erterprises, and all other Circumstances of those times, with these, and then tell me (if you please) why one may not expect as good an effect now, as then; but if Money alone be able to produce Effects of this kind in the present Conjuncture of Affairs, you will doubtless, agree with me, that it is requisite to employ it on this Occasion, if ever we pretend to use it on any. And indeed, there is no Appearance that so much Labour and Care have been used for so long time to increase the Power of the Church, to render it unuseful for ever. As to the Journey of (Mr. Gabriel) the Internuncio, seeing he is fond of it, I am content, because he will have better opportunity of promoting the Duke's Interest with the Pope and Emperor at Rome, than elsewhere; for my part, I should not correspond with his Successor, without Monsieur Gabriel's Express Order, or some of his Friends, because I may continue the Negotiation of our Affair immediately with him at Rome, as well as by any other way, which would not advance, but rather retard the Business. I should think myself very happy, if I might see him in his passage to— but if that may not be, I shall be glad to get leave of my Master to meet him at— to kiss his hands, and to give him the greatest assurances of my being entirely his, as I profess to be, SIR, As to what you say of the Pope's Obligations to assist other Friends, who are under greater Pressures, I answer, That perhaps the Affairs of the King of France may be more pressing than theirs, and also than those of the Duke, for the Duke may possibly be able to overcome all his Difficulties without any assistance from abroad, though not without much trouble and hazard, but I should think the best, and honest way of assisting the King of France effectually, would be for the Pope to join with the Duke, and to endeavour, with their Credit with Spain, and other Catholic Princes, ro unite themselves in a Company, and to admit the King of France into it, to the end, that being joined in the same Company, they might have but one common Interest, and they would be able to Govern the whole Traffic at their Pleasure, and the Protestants and all other Nations would be obliged to give them what they would ask for all they should expect, and to sell them their Merchandizes at their own price; because there would be no other Merchants of whom they could buy, or to whom they could sell, but to those of this Company, which would bring them in an incredible Advantage, and there is nothing more easy than to establish this Company, if the Pope would contribute his Assistance, as abovesaid. From Mr. Coleman to the Internuntio. Windsor, Aug. 30. 1675. IT is true, Sir, that the Pope hath given us a clear and evident mark of his affection toward the Catholics of England; but the Internuntio hath testified no less in doing Justice to the Merits of Cardinal Norfolk, which he mentioned in his Letter of the 6th of July. Since we have reason to attribute his success to the (just or favourable) character that the Internuntio hath given of him, I do not at all apprehend that the Internuntio repenteth himself of the good offices that he hath done him, but that he will find them recompensed by the satisfaction which he will receive in his Friendship. As for (Monsieur Clement) the Duke, I believe that he hath already found the effects of your Prayers; and that he hath almost surmounted all the Difficulties which have opposed his Establishment: The face of his Affairs are well changed; for we now passionately wish to see the coming on of the Parliament which we so much feared before: And while it was held doubtful whether it ought to meet or no, we employed all our Power to bring it on; which point we have gained but within these few days. And for my part, I no ways doubt but that we shall receive as much good by it, as we apprehended ill, provided that the Duke fail not in the execution of the good Resolutions which he hath taken. There is but one thing to be feared (whereof I have a very great apprehension) that can hinder the success of our Designs; which is a Division amongst the Catholics themselves, which hath already broke out at Paris amongst some Catholics of England, touching some difference of Opinions in their Debates. I find that some of them have sent their Complaints to Rome, to have their Antagonist condemned: I have an intimate Acquaintance with the Person complained of, and I dare affirm he hath made twice as many Catholics in England, of those which were none before, as any other person of his Quality; and that he is as well inclined towards the Pope and his whole Family, as the best of his Accusers: And I assure you, he hath many Friends here of the First Rank of Catholics, who would not engage in his Affairs, if they did not believe that he marched steadily towards the common end. Although he affecteth sometimes to express himself somewhat different from some of his Brothers. As for me, I believe there is too much passion on both sides; and if it shall fall out that his Enemies prevail against him, and procure his Condemnation at Rome, I am afraid that divers others will take occasion from thence to fall upon many Catholics before the Parliament, desiring its friendship about some extravagant Propositions concerning the Authority of the Pope, to which the other Catholics cannot submit; which will give occasion to the Parliament to accord their conjunction to those who require it, upon the Condition's ; that is, Conditions prejudicial to the Authority of the Pope, by the hatred which they bear to all the Religion of the Catholics, because they may persecute the rest of them with more appearance of Justice, and ruin the one half of them more easily than the whole body at once. So that it seemeth to me, that although the Religion should be much more severely dealt with, by reason of their Complaint, than now it is, it would be very improper in the present Conjuncture of our Affairs, to make any division betwixt the Catholics of England, upon any occasion whatsoever. But for my part, I do not perceive any prejudice that can befall the Religion from any of those things, against which some persons seem to be so furiously enraged; because to my apprehension, there is nothing contained in them, but what hath heretofore been maintained by Men of Worth and Honesty, with the general approbation of the whole world; and particularly by D. Elizalde a Spaniard, in his Book Entitled, De forma verae Religionis quaerendae & inveniendae. If you do not understand the Subject of this Letter, our Friend, from whose Hand you shall receive it, will inform you, and let you know the persons, and all the matters which have passed betwixt them; and when you shall be fully possessed of them, and shall possibly come to be of my opinion, (that it is necessary to prevent all differences betwixt the Catholics of England in this present Conjuncture) I hope you will contribute your utmost endeavour to prevent the Condemnation of Rome, in any thing that may occasion a Breach amongst the Catholics of England. I very well know, that the Duke will hold himself much obliged by those, who shall concern themselves in the pacification of this disorder, from whence we dread so much mischief; And that the Emperor, and the Internuntio, cannot perform an Office more grateful to him, than to prevent the Pope or any of his Family to embark themselves in the Affair, which would raise some dispute amongst us. I beg your pardon for the trouble I have given you upon this Subject: but knowing your goodness, and weighing the importance of the Affair, wherein I have taken the liberty to beg your assistance, I doubt not but you will pardon, SIR. A Letter seized at Mr. Coleman's, directed, A Monsieur Monsieur le Point proche de Charing-Cross a Londres, pour fair tenir a Monsieur James Clark. September 28, 1678. PARIS. I Had yours of the 12th instant, last night; our Posts these three last came in late: my Friend being with the Crowd, it's impossible for me to reach him now, but last night he sent me the Friend I mentioned, to tell me that this Peace has broke all our Measures at present here, so that to write to our Friend at present is useless, notwithstanding he had proposed all things in very good order, had the Courier brought Peace in his mouth, which stopped his as to our last design; so that now they pretending here, the Peace being made, they have no need of us; so that by consequence they won't seek us, as they would if the Peace had been still opposed. But in a word, to put our Traffic afoot, it's absolutely necessary that my friend come speedily over to you, and to converse with you and our other friend, because his Measures are so well taken in Italy, that we can't miss to establish this Commodity better from those parts, than from any here at present, though hereafter we may find means and helps from hence too. But it's most certain, now is the time, or never, to put things in order to establish it with you, for reasons which you may very well guests; and whatever my friend or th'other friend in the crowd can write, will signify nothing; So whatever we say by Letter will be always imperfect, and want explanation; so that to clear all doubts, and for better Secrecy too, it's absolutely necessary that our friend comes to you, and to that intent in terms as obscure as you please. It's necessary that our friend with you desires our friend at the Crowd here to give liberty to my friend with him, to come over to convene with him; for he says himself, it's you must put him the way to make the measures he has taken in Italy to take effect; for he knows what power he hath here, but he knows not of what Constitution you are in: Besides, the Propositions he makes for Portership can't be done at this distance, but in such terms, as the meanest face here you have will easily tell what he means, and so our Trade quite spoiled; so if our friend with you signify the least desire he has to have our friend come over, he'll easily clear all difficulties, and discover to you the dispositions of both Countries to our purpose, and I no ways doubt but you ll have entire satisfaction; however, there will be no harm to hear what he can say, and to see the plan that's made for this kind of Traffic. I expect your answer as to this particular, and shall ever be as you would have me to be. This Letter is indorst with Mr. Coleman's hand thus; Answered 7ber 26. but imperfectly, and with a promise of a clearer and fuller Answer by the next Post. [Note, this dark suspicious Letter was received but a very few days before the Plot was discovered to his Majesty's Privy-Conncil, and Mr. Coleman thereupon Committed.] Among Mr. Coleman's Papers is one of his own hand-writing, tituled on the back thus; King's Power to command his own Subjects service against all Acts of Parliament. That which is written within, seems to be but an imperfect beginning of an Argument to prove this Power of commanding Subjects service against all Acts of Parliament: the words are these; Any Subject is by his natural Legiance bound to obey and serve his Sovereign, etc. It is Enacted by the Parliament of the 23 Hen. 6. that no man should serve the King as Sheriff of any County above one year; and that, notwithstanding any Clause of Non obstante to the contrary, that is to say, notwithstanding that the King should expressly dispense with the said Statute: Howbeit it is agreed in 2 H. 7. that against the express purview of that Act, the King may by a special non obstante dispense with that Act; for that the Act could not bar the King of the service of his Subject, which the Law of Nature did give unto him. Lord Cook 7th Report, Calvin's Case, fol. 14. The next following Letters were written to Mr. Coleman by the said Internuntio, (or Nuncio, as he styles himself) part from Brussels, and the rest from Rome; whither he removed during the Correspondence. They were written Originally in French, Translated by several Members of Parliament. Bruxelles the 14th of August, 1674. Translated by Tho. Thinn Esquire. SIR, YOur Letter of the 24th of July, which I received some days since from the person to whom you had Addressed it, delivered me from the great uneasiness I was in, by not having heard from you in so long a time. I was very glad you confirmed what I received from another hand, the good condition in which the Duke's Affairs stood in relation to the Process he had with the Parliament, wherein I hope he will have an entire Victory. Oblige me in acquainting me as often as possible you can, how that matter proceeds; and particularly, whether it will come quickly to a hearing as those of his side intended, or whether it is like to be put off to a longer time; the Emperor is in tirely his, and the Internuntio has this week received Letters from him, wherein he commands him to assure the Duke of the passionate zeal he has for his Service, and those of the Catholics. I pray you acquaint the Duke with it, and assure him that the Internuntio has also the same inclinations, as he will make appear on all occasions that shall present themselves; but it must be the Duke himself must direct in what we may contribute to his Service. The Pope also will give his assistance in such things as are proper for him to appear in. I beg of you to communicate your News to me as often as you can, by such ways as you shall judge most convenient, and am in the mean time, without reserve, SIR, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, ALBANY. From Brussels, September 28. 1674. Translated by Sir Humphrey Winch. SIR, I Have received this Week two of your Letters, dated the fourth and the seventh of this Month, by which I understand in what condition the Duke's Process is. I was ravished to find by the last, that the Trial will be put off to another time, against the general opinion. Without doubt this will extremely rejoice the Pope and the Emperor, whereof the first employeth all his power to accommodate the differences between Spain and France; and I doubt not, but the consideration of contributing by this means, to the advantage of the Duke and of the Catholics, will further incite him to solicit this affair, upon the relation which the Nuncio will make to the Pope of the importance of its success, for the Catholics of England. As for the Emperor, he is so zealous for the Duke's service, that I am assured he will omit nothing on his side to facilitate whatever he shall find tend to the good issue of this Affair, whereof I will write to him particularly. Continue only to impart to me all the light that may serve to direct what is to be treated on; I hope the next winter will give opportunity for more happy Negotiations, even to the Mediation of the Pope, who hitherto hath not been able to act at all, as you have known from other parts. I am, without reserve, etc. Your most Humble, etc. ALBANY. October 19 1674. Translated by Sir Humphrey Winch. SIR, I Agree with you, that the only means to win the King to the Duke's Interest, and to take him off entirely from the Friendship of the Parliament, would be Money, for the Reasons you allege in your last Letter of the 2d instant, which I have just now received; but the means necessary to continue it are so excessive, that even according to your own opinion, and the discourse we had when you was here, what the Pope could contribute would be nothing in comparison of what is needed: and in the obligation he hath also to assist other Friends who are in greater straits. I likewise doubt whether the Pope would resolve upon what you propound, considering the little stress can be laid upon the Kings will, it being to be feared, that all employed that way would soon be lost, without any advantage to the Duke or his Associates, which we have reason to fear from his ordinary manner of proceeding. It would therefore be necessary in my opinion to have at least some propable assurances that we might employ for the advantage of the Catholics, and what otherwise we are obliged frugally to manage for them in other parts, before the Proposition be made to the Pope, which is not to be undertaken in so general and obscure Terms as you propound it. For what remains, the Nuntio is upon the point of going to Rome, having already leave to return. The Negotiation of the business you propound, will belong to his Successor; but he will retain the same passion which he had for the Duke's Service, as well at the Emperor's Court, as at the Popes, if he shall have any part in the Affairs of England. He will not fail to inform you more particularly of his departure. I pray assure the Duke of what I have told you, and am, without reserve, SIR, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant ALBANY. October 30. 1674. Translated by Sir Gilbert Talbot. SIR, ACcording as I sent you word by my last, I am upon the point of parting from hence, having already received the leave that I waited for. I am sorry to part from a place, where I might have been instrumental to the Service of the Duke; and have made it appear to him, what a particular zeal I have for all things that relate to him. Howsoever, I will not fail to contribute thereunto all that lieth in my power, in the place whither I am going. I leave here behind me a Friend of mine, who will have the care of my affairs; to whom nevertheless I have communicated nothing of the Commerce which is betwixt us: Neither will I acquaint therewith the Friend that is to come, till at least I understand first from you, that you judge it convenient. If you have any thing to send to me, in order to the Duke's Service, you may make use of the same hand which you employed in their address hither to me, and he may send them to Rome, under the cover of his Brothers. I pray you, deliver the Enclosed to Monsieur Belair; and I am, without reserve, SIR, Your most obedient Servant ALBANY. POSTSCRIPT. I Think it better, that you send the Letter for Monsieur Belair some other way. Rome, 12 January, 1674/5 Translated by Sir J. Knight, part of this Letter not Decypherable. SIR, 'TIs certain, that the best Expedient to become Mother of the Kings will, and to sever his kindness from the Parliament, is that of Money. And I doubt not but the Duke may thereby make himself absolute over his thoughts, and to draw, by his Process, and that of the Catholics, those advantages which you take notice of in your last Letter. But if the Pope had the means to do as much as would be necessary in this matter, which is much beyond his power, for the Reasons I told you when I had the happiness to see you, and of which I have advised you in many Letters; never can he be drawn reasonably to do it, but upon more solid grounds, and more probable assurances touching the good of Religion and of the Catholics, than what you intimate in the discourses of your last Letter. What you propose touching you may there consider it in the Terms wherein at present are it would be for the Interest of the Duke to produce unto light an affair of this nature. That which I can with truth assure you, and whereof the Duke may be persuaded, is, that since the Pope and the Emperor have an affection, and most peculiar zeal for all that regards him. As to myself, I lay about with the one and with the other in the same shrine of zeal which I shall always retain for the Duke, and perhaps you shall shortly see some proofs thereof. It hath been here said that the King for some time hath wanted his health, let me know what there is in it. And as to our Commerce, you may continue until farther order, to send me your Letters by the same way which hitherto you have done. I am, without reserve, SIR, Yours, etc. The cipher which I left with 300, and which you may have from him, will serve to open what here you find. February 16, 1675. Translated by Sir Gilb. Talbot. YOur last Letter of the 7th of January, (which I received from a Gentleman, sent from her R. Highness the Duchess of York to the Duchess of Modena) hath afforded me very great comfort, from the favourable prognostic which you make of the Affairs of the D. of York, wherein you know how highly I concern myself: without all doubt you have received the answer which I sent you some time since, to the Letter delivered to me by the hand of your friend. And you have understood by that the incongruities, which render the execution of that Affair impossible, which you proposed to be Treated with the Pope and the Emperor, concerning Money, and I doubt not but the Duke and you both, will come to be of the same opinion with me, that it would prove an irrecoverable prejudice to his Highness, if that business should be set on foot. I was not a little surprised to hear, that my Lord Arlington was so deeply engaged in the concerns of the Parliament, that he should have so little consideration of preserving his friendship for the King. I expect with impatience the news from your Country, to know what the negotiation of your Ministers in Holland will produce; and what the effect of Admiral Tromps Journey to London. I am, in the mean time, SIR, Your most Humble and Obedient Servant, ALBANY. June 3, 1675. Translated November 1. 78, by Sir Ed. Dering. SIR, YOu have without doubt already understood from the Public News-books, the business of the Cardinal of Norfolk, which will serve you as a most evident proof of the affection which the Pope doth bear unto the concerns of England; from whence you may draw a most assured consequence, of what you may hope when the Affairs of the Duke shall need the assistance of Rome. I am very glad to understand that his Affairs do not hitherto receive any prejudice by the Proceed of the Parliament, and I shall be overjoyed to know the particular of his concerns, of which you gave me hope by your last, which was of the 7th of April, since which I have received none from you, I expect them with impatience, and so much the more, because our friend, for aught I see, excuseth himself from sending me any news of the Duke, upon this reason, that you had given him hopes that you would inform me most particularly of all that passeth in this matter. Oblige me therefore with the communication of your Letters, and believe that I am really, SIR, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, ALBANY. Rome, October 19 1675. Translated November 1, 78. by Sir Ed. Dering. SIR, YOurs of the 30 of August came not to my hands till the last week, by the means of our common friend who liveth in this City, which I am obliged to tell you, that you may not think I have forgot my duty in delaying my Answer so long. I am overjoyed to understand by the news you writ me, the good condition in which the Affairs of the Duke and the Catholics are at present, and for what concerneth the matter of which I have been more particularly informed by your friend, I will not fail speedily to acquaint the Emperor, and it is he who is all powerful with the Pope, with the reasons why it is for the benefit of the Catholics, to defer the execution of that censure, which might cause some divisions among them, and give occasion of advantage to the Parliament thereby. My advice hath been received very favourably, so that I am not only assured that they will delay for some long time the design of that business, but I hope also that the matter may possibly end so, as the person whom you recommend, doth desire. The consideration of the connexion which all this may have with the interests of the Duke, hath been the most prevailing motive to the persons with whom I have been obliged to treat in this affair, to persuade them to what you did desire, and you may know by that, the passion that there is in this place, to contribute to all things which they believe are for his service. I beseech you to assure him of the zeal with which I will always employ myself therein. I am, without reserve, SIR, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, ALBANY. From Brussels, September 7, 1674. Translated by Sir Humphrey Winch. SIR, YOurs of the 21 of the last Month, which just now I received, hath given me much trouble, by the dangerous condition whereunto the Duke's Process is reduced. I wish I were able to contribute to his service by the means of my Friends, and particularly of the Emperor and the Pope. But hitherto I see not wherein they can advantage him. The Pope endeavours, what, you observe, which would be the properest remedy for his Affair, but the Parties will not yet declare themselves upon that business. If you will explain yourself, what may be done on this side, in the present occurrences of Affairs, I doubt not but all that is possible will be done. I beg the communication of your news, and am, without reserve, SIR, Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant, ALBANY. The following Letters were written from France to Mr. Coleman by Mr. St. , in French, and Translated, some by Order of the Privy Council, and some by several Members of the House of Commons. A Letter from St. to Coleman. Parish 11/21 December, 1675. I Will tell you besides, Extract. That the King of France does not seem yet resolved to recall Monsieur De Ruvigny from the Trade where he has engaged him; Lect. pro Rege. he perceives he does more harm than good; but other Considerations delay the Business. One of your Friends says, He will see if he can make things appear; but Coleman must well explain to me his End, and the Means he will make Use of. This Friend says besides, That he has given the King's Confessor to understand, That the King of France ought not to do any thing with the King of England, but by the Duke of York; and he hath Promised and Engaged upon his Life to the King's Confessor to make all succeed, in case that way be made use of. Has he done well, and do you know this Friend? He will call himself henceforward 41, for I see none of this Name in your Ciphers. Translated out of French according to the cipher, received from the Lords of the Committee appointed to Examine Coleman's Papers. A Letter from St. to Coleman. Parish 15/25 December, 1675. I Cannot forbear to Write to you once more this Week; having Two things to say to you; The one is, That I have seen Mr. Sheldon, who intends to go to Trade secretly in your Parts. He will departed in 8, or 10 Days, but take no notice of it, lest it be known from whence you had it. He would have had me carried him to see the King's Confessor, whose Favour he endeavours to get by all means and helps. He will not pass for a Merchant, and therefore he wears a Sword by his side, and lives with the Archbishop of Dublin: Both of them, I am told, Prosecute the Affair concerning which he hath written to you, and that you Communicate it to me. The other thing is, That the King's Confessor tells us, That the King of France thinks in earnest to recall Monsieur de Ruvigny from your Traffic; but he that is to be sent in his Place, does not please Mr. Sheldon, because, as he says, he is not of the most considerable Merchants of this place, though he have a great deal of Wit; and I am of his Mind, as well for this Reason as for others that are known to me, and which I cannot yet impart to you. Wherefore if Mr. Coleman would know of the Duke of York, if there be any Merchant here that would be acceptable to him, he may acquaint Monsieur de Ruvigny with it, and he will take care that by the means of the King's Confessor, it may be proposed effectually to the King of France. This would be very well for the Traffic of the Catholics. I expect to hear from you. I saw yesterday my Lady Throckmorton, that is come to Paris to lie in, and who is shortly going back to Pontoyse, she has a Sore Leg contracted in Childbed. My humble Service to Madam Coleman; Pray take no notice of me to others, for I do not believe it fit for any one to know that I writ to you so often: Believe me Sir, that I am altogether Your Servant De Pontheia. Translated out of French according to the Cipher, delivered by the Lords of the Committee appointed to Examine Coleman's Papers. A Letter from St. to Coleman. 19/29 January, 1675/6. THe Brother of my Lady de Ruvigny, Extract. who is an Abbot, has made a Visit to St. , in order to engage him to speak in favour of the Prorogation to the King's Confessor; Lect. pro Rege. but St. would do nothing without knowing from Coleman what his Opinion is thereupon. St. has made the King's Confessor understand what the Duke of York could do by the Disgrace of Two Persons, of whom Coleman has written to St. ; and that the vigorous Councils that were all absolutely necessary to produce Success in the Traffic of the Catholics did proceed from the Duke of York, by the Inspiration of Coleman, who was most perfectly addicted to the good of the Traffic of the King of England, the Duke of York, and the Catholics. This St. is very well intentioned, but he must be taught what he is to do. Translated according to the Key delivered by the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee appointed to Examine Coleman's Papers. For Monsieur Coleman the Duchess Secretary in Deans-Yard, London. January 19/29, 1675/1676. I Know not whether you do receive my Letters, but I well know that I receive yours punctually enough, as I think. I have had your two last of the 6th and 10th, your Style, but they have given me some disquiet; you Promise to tell me many things, and afterwards you fall very short therein, sometimes Twelfthday is the Cause, and after it is because you had not my Letter of the 5th. To put both you and myself out of pain; I will tell you that I have writ to you the 5th, the 8th, the 12th, and the 15th of this Month, your Style; and that I writ to you to Day again, which is your 19th; you see one cannot be more exact. In all these Letters, I have writ to you of things that deserved answering, Especially concerning the Conduct which Monsieur St. ought to use towards the Confessor of the King of France, and the new Ambassador; for he will not nor cannot do any thing till Coleman hath let him know his Thoughts. The Letters of the 8th, speak of a Matter concerning which they will have me give an account; there was Five Letters in that Packet, one whereof was for the Duke of York. Put me out of pain in this matter. The Secretary of Monsieur Ruvigny went on Saturday from France for England; the Secretary of the Ambassador from England in France, went also about the same time with him; you ought to know more of this Business than I. The Brother of the Wife of Monsieur Ruvigny, who is an Abbot, is come to see Monsieur St. , concerning the same Business about which Mr. Coleman wrote to Monsieur St. , to the end that he might engage him to speak in Commendation of the Prorogation, to the Confessor of the King of France; but Monsieur St. would do nothing till Mr. Coleman had let him know his thoughts thereupon. Monsieur St. has observed to the Confessor of the King of France, how great the Power of the Duke of York is by the Disgrace of the Two Persons, concerning which, Mr. Coleman had writ to Monsieur St. ; and that the vigorous Counsels, which were all absolutely necessary whereby to succeed in the Traffic of the Catholics, came from the Duke of York, by the Inspiration of Mr. Coleman, who also alone was the most truly Linked to the welfare of the Commerce of the King of England, the Duke of York, and the Catholics. This Monsieur St. is very well intentioned; but it is necessary he be instructed what he must do. He hath not dared to speak of any Matter to the Successor of Monsieur Ruvigny, and yet it is meet that he do instruct him; for the Secretary of Monsieur Ruvigny, hath been to see him, and it is to be feared lest he hath given him evil Counsels, with which the new Ambassador being prepossessed, perhaps he will act in such a manner as may not please Mr. Coleman, nor the Affairs of the Duke of York, and the Catholics. I writ to you by a new way, to see if it be more sure; give me also a new Address, and such a one concerning which, there may be no occasion of Fear. Translated by Sir George Downing. 29 Jan. 75. 8 Feb. 76. THis is the Fifth Letter that I have written to you, and of which I have had no Answer. I see by your last Letter of the 17/27 of Jan. that you have received Two of mine; That of the 5/25, and of the 8/18 of Jan. but you make no mention of those which I sent you besides (viz.) of the 15/25 and 19/29 of Jan. and of the 22 Jan./ 1 Feb. and of the 26 Jan./ 5 Feb I give you these Dates, to the end you may see whether you have received as many as I have sent to you. I am glad that (93) the Duchess, thinks upon (49) St. . And (62) Coleman, cannot do him a greater pleasure than to employ him as he does in serving (93) the Duchess. This cannot but produce a very good effect with (163) the King of France. He will see thereby that People esteem him in the Country of (110) England. And that (39 and 93) the Duke and Duchess, being so far satisfied with him, as to give him Commissions, he will become more engaged to give ear to the Letter of Recommendation of (39) the Duke, which (35) Montecuculi has promised to send (49) St. , though he has not yet done it. And (62) Coleman will do a kindness to inquire of (34 and 35) the Earl of Peterborough and Montecuculi, what hinders that he has not yet received it. Besides, that (49) St. is, and always will be most ready to deliver Messages in favour of (39, 93, 300, and 62.) the Duke, the Duchess, the Catholics, and Coleman, to (488 and 163) the Confessor and the King of France; believing himself most strongly engaged thereto by the Testimonies of Goodness, which he has received from them in time past. And though he is without (80) Money, he will not cease to act as he ought, with Zeal and Fidelity, provided he be not sent elsewhere, but left where he is; which yet may happen after Easter, he having no employment to detain him where he is, unless (62) Coleman write to (488) the King's Confessor, either from, or as from (39 and 93) the Duke and Duchess, to signify to him that those two Persons desire to make use of him, as a Correspondent in their Traffic between them (62, and 488, and 163) Coleman, and the Confessor, and the King of France. In which case (49) St. would take his time to act in favour of (62) Coleman with (488, and 163) the Confessor and the King of France, and to bring to pass that (62) Coleman shall obtain (26) a Pension of 100000 l. Sterling for himself. If (49) St. receive the Letters which he expects from (35) Montecuculi, and they have their effect, he will have wherewith to pay the Charge of his remaining where he is, and of all the Affairs of Commerce, whereof Commissions shall be given him. (49) St. will have no need of (80) Money, till after Easter. But at that time, if the Letters of (39) the Duke to (163) the King of France hath no success, it will be impossible for him to enter into the Commerce, unless (62) Coleman obtain from (93 or 39) the Duchess or Duke, one quarter more, like that which he received being in the Country of (110) England; that is to say, between Thirty and Forty Pounds sterling. And if this be once done for all, it will give him the Means to subsist with Ease for above a Year; during which time, he hopes to put himself into a Condition of serving all the World, without importuning any body for ever. (49) St. desires you to tell all this to (62) Coleman, that he may take his Measures accordingly, and send his Opinion thereof to (49) St. . As for the Affairs of the Carmelites of Antwerp, (49) St. will undertake it with warmth, as soon as ever he receives the Letters concerning it, which he expects by the next Post. According to what (62) Coleman writes to him, by his Letter of the 17/27 of Jan. 75/6, which is to be at Eight a Clock this Evening: I desire you, Sir, to Deliver Mr. Rogers the Letter of Thanks which I writ to him for his good News; I will send him in exchange a Writing against the Enemy of (49) St. , and Mr. Beddingfield shall have it on Wednesday next at farthest, when he departs from hence. I am glad that that Enemy is decried there where you are, as well as he is here. But has (62) Coleman nothing to say to the new (41) Ambassador— by the intervention of (49) St. ? He desires it, to the end to have occasion of speaking to the new (41) Ambassador— concerning (62) Coleman; and by that Means to be the better believed by the new (41) Ambassador, when be shall speak good to him of his best Friend (62) Coleman. I leave Mr. Warner to send you the News, which are all concerning War. The Spaniards refuse the Passports, because the King terms the Prince of Lorraine Cousin and not Brother, in those which he has given to the Plenipotentiaries of the other Princes. 'Tis said that the Jansenists fall short of their Expectations at Court; and that the King shows himself averse to them in all the steps which they make to ingratiate with him. Mr. Arnauld has not been able to make his Peace, though he has offered to Subscribe the Doctrine of Mr. Amelot, Priest of the Oratory, touching sufficient Grace, according to the sense of this Author. And the Archbishop of Paris has suspended a Predicator, for not having spoken of the Popes and Councils as he ought. If I were in the Street of St. Antoine, as I am in that of St. Jaques, I should know more News. Adieu, I pray believe that you have not a more faithful Servant, nor a more true Friend than me in all the World. Translated by Sir Henry Capell. To Mr. Coleman, Secretary of the Commands of her Royal Highness, Madam the Duchess of York, in Deans-yard, Westminster. The 1/11 of March 75/76. I Have received your Letter of the 25 Feb./ 2 Mar. I did not write to you on Saturday, Sir, and I shall send you very little by this Ordinary; because that the Letters from England being not Arrived before Tuesday, and not upon Monday; I know not yet if there be any from you to me. In those they send me, I expect the Duchess' Letter, to desire Monsieur St. to Treat with the King of France. Just now I have received a Letter brought me from England; but there is none from you. I thank you for your Good will for the Lady. Send me News of Mr. Sheldon, (an English Priest) what he does in England, will he stay there always? Monsieur St. thanks Mr. Coleman for the Marks of Friendship he gives him. And he has already thanked him, as he says, by his Precedent Letter; Monsieur St. will send to know of him why Mr. Coleman would not have him speak of what he sends him concerning One hundred Thousand Pound Sterling, promised to the King of England, by the Means of the Duke of York. For it is to the purpose, as he believes, That the King's Confessor should know it; to the End he may serve him in the Business, near the King of France; Monsieur St. is of the Opinion with Mr. Coleman, as concerning the Great Treasurer. And 'tis absolutely Necessary that it be known in the King of France's Shop; otherwise it will hurt his Commerce. It suffices me to know that the Duchess has received the Letter of Monsieur St. . It was nothing but a pure Civility, touching the condition she is in; and an Affair was recommended to her, which is done since. I saw your Friend Yesterday, he showed me News of you; He will come hither to Day to be present at a Comedy which will be represented here. Monsieur de Vantelett is with me, and prays me to do you his Civilities. Pray do mine to Madam your Wife, and to Monsieur Tartereau, when you shall see him. We have no News. They prepare strongly for the War, and they work strongly to Accommodate the Affair of Monsieur the Prince of Conde, to the End he may go into Flanders, and make Head against the Germans; who will come with a very great Strength. I make you no Compliments, Sir, neither in the beginning or finishing my Letters. Translated by Mr. Anchitell Grace. To Mr. Coleman, Secretary to her Royal Highness the Duchess of York, in Deans-yard, Westminster. March 8/18. 75/ 76. THe slow arrival of your Letters, hath very much disquieted me, I thought myself Dead in your Remembrance; But that which you writ to me, of the 2/12 of March, hath again restored me to Life (at least for some time); for the dulness wherewith the Business that you wots of, is carried on, will (I fear) let me die no other Death; and that, for Reasons which you will hear of too soon. Those of the Catholic Religion, have desired me to write to you, to let Coleman know the Condition of their Affairs; which is, that being for the present out of Purse, it is altogether impossible for them to keep up their Trade long, without his help. Beside, That the Party apprehendeth that his Trade failing in the Shop where he now is, he shall after Easter, be sent to set up in some other Town. But if he could have obtained from the D. of York, the Papers for which he hath so long waited, he might probably this time, have concluded his Business with the French King, by the Means of the King's Confessor; and he might have put himself in a condition to have continued his Trade, to the Advantage of those in whose favour those Papers were written; for having no Employment in his Shop, for want of Money, it is impossible that he should keep it long; since he wanteth Opportunity to make himself appear useful to the Service of the Duke and Duchess; having no order to act in any thing whatsoever. I am overjoyed with what Coleman hath said to the Duchess, and with what the Duke hath done for the grand Treasurer. St. hath made himself Enemies, by maintaining the Opinion, That the Duchess ought to be prevailed with, to manage her Affairs otherwise than she hath hitherto done. I would gladly understand what Answer the Duchess hath made to Coleman. St. buildeth great hopes upon what Coleman writeth to him, about the Discourse which the Duke held with the grand Treasurer. But Coleman may consider, That if the Duke shall Treat any thing with the French King, through other hands than the Confessors, he shall meet with People that will cozen him, and who will prefer the good of France, before that of the Catholic Religion, and of the Duke; and principally of Coleman, who hath many Rivals about his R. Highness; and who is neither sufficiently known to, nor hath any Interest with the French King: If Monsieur St. were a little acquainted with Matters, he would Discourse them freely with the Confessor; and learning from him the bottom of the Matter, he would (without Dissimulation) Communicate all to Coleman; whereas now it is to be feared, that the other Negotiators Cheat the English, for the Advantage of France, or for their own particular Interest; for the chief Minister in the Councils of War, who hath at present an Absolute Power over his Christian Majesty, is altogether for War; which is neither the Business of England, nor of the Roman Catholics. Be sure, that you make Coleman fully sensible of all this; for it is one of their most indisputable Articles of Faith. St. hath desired me to tell you, That it is a hard matter to make Coleman understand what he desireth concerning the Lady's Business; who, if you so please, will henceforth go under the Name of Madam de la Tremblay: Because he plainly perceives, that those Persons who know altogether as much of that Affair as he, stand upon their reserve; and will not disclose themselves in what they know, nay of what they have acted with him. Nevertheless, I will tell you (in hope that it shall go no farther than ourselves) (no, not so much as to take notice of it to Madam de la Tremblay) that Montecuculi, and the D. of York are the Two first who ever thought of putting it into the Dutchess' head, to think closer of the Traffic than she had done; and that therefore finding no body in her own Shop who was able to make her sensible of the Importance of that Affair, and the means to succeed in it; and that she had those Counsellors about her, which made her do things that were likely to ruin her whole Commerce; they concluded, that it was necessary to place some able and trusty Person about her. They refused to make choice of any of the Duchesses own Country, by reason of the Experience which they had of him who was there already; and because they understand not the way of the English Trade, nor indeed of the English Men; as not having the Acquaintance of any, in whom they might confide. The Person nominated was esteemed very proper, as well for his own Merit, as because that Choice would oblige Monsieur Rouvigni, the Catholic Party, and consequently the French King, to Declare for the Duke and Duchess. And that this Person being of the Catholic Party, and Rouvigni of the Protestant, both sides would be well pleased. To bring this Matter about, St. , by the advice of Montecuculi, discoursed the Matter with Madam de la Tremblay, who hath as you know, all Power over the Person upon whom they had cast their Eyes, to be plaeed in the Duchess' Shop. Madam de la Tremblay offered her Assistance in all that they desired. The Matter was then to be approved by the Duke and Duchess. Montecuculi communicated it by Letter, to the Banker, his Master (whose Correspondent in England, the Duchess is) who embraced the Proposals, and promised to write thereof to the Duchess, as he soon after did; but touched the Matter tenderly, being content at first to recommend to her the Care of his Business; and to have a more watchful Eye over it than formerly; and to take along with her the Advice of Montecuculi, who was acquainted with all his Thoughts, and rightly set to contribute his best Assistance toward the Success of his Affair. The Duchess thereupon enquired of Montecuculi what was expected for her to do? Montecuculi gave her her Lesson in Writing, to study it at her leisure, and without expressing the Matter plainly, insinuated to her, that she wanted a good Apprentice to take care of her Shop, and keep an exact Account of all that passed through his hands. That her eldest Apprentice had not Wit enough, That the Second was ignorant of the Affairs of England; and did not understand a word that was said to him. That he set himself to no Business; nay, that he was of a malicious Spirit, making ill Impressions in the Duchess of all the Boys in the Shop, to preserve himself single in her favour. That the Third was Dull, Careless, Scornful, and an Enemy to all Activity. All this was said to the Duchess by Montecuculi; not indeed so downright as I have expressed it, yet so as the Duchess might understand it if she pleased; and I believe she did so; but instead of receiving it as she ought, she seemed to be out of humour; and hath not (as I know) since that time, written any Answer to Montecuculi; but hath avoided all manner of Correspondence with him. Wherefore Montecuculi and St. thought fit to proceed another way, and make the Duke acquainted with what the Duchess would not seem to understand. Montecuculi discoursed the Matter with the E. of Peterborough, without acquainting him that they had any design to place the Friend of Madam Tremblay in the Shop; but barely to engage him to acquaint the Duke, with the ill conduct of the Duchess; and to lay before him the Necessity of applying some proper and powerful Remedy. But afterward Montecuculi and St. sought other Persons less interessed, and better inclined than the E. of Peterborough, for this Business. And if Coleman please, he may call to mind the discourse which St. had with him upon this Subject, representing to him the Necessity there then was of placing a Head Apprentice or Foreman in the Duchess' Shop. Nevertheless he did not then speak all out, because the Friend of Madam de la Tremblay, being not then in England, they expected his return, to know of him if he would be content that Coleman should be admitted to the knowledge of the Matter. And accordingly St. writ to Madam lafoy Tremblay's Friend, who was then in France, to press his speedy coming over, that we night act jointly, and without loss of time, St. had likewise Treated for Two other Persons; one of them he laboured to put into the good esteem of the Duchess, and succeeded therein; and by the assistance of the First, introduced the Second. They are both well with the Duke. But herein St. gave himself work enough; for these Two last Persons are such, that St. neither can, nor will Treat with, by any but himself; and he hath such private Reasons for it, that he dares not express them; and so forcible, that if he should utter them, all the World must be of his Opinion, and do as he doth. He undertook likewise to taste (but obscurely) the mind of the Duke's Confessor, in censuring the weak conduct of the Duchess' Ghostly Father, by laying open the miscarriages of the Duchess, which required a speedy and vigorous Remedy. These are all the Proceed, as likewise the Contrivances of St. to gain his two unknown Friends, which could not yet be carried so close, but that some Observations have been made of them; but none could ever discover the true Cause of the groundless Jealousies which have been raised upon St. ; and which hath been the chiefest Reason that he hath been abandoned in his Misfortunes, and that no body concerneth himself to rescue him out of them. Thus you have the whole Mystery of the Business, which hath been so vigorously agitated with Coleman, the E. of Peterborough, the two unknown Persons, and the Duke's Confessor, upon the arrival of the Friend of Madam de la Tremblay in England with intent (had not the accident befallen St. ) to persuade the Duke to consent to the doing of the work; and after his consent obtained, A fair la Coup. to have proposed it to the Duchess, by her grand Banker Montecuculi: I should utterly despair if any, beside yourself, were made acquainted with this whole Matter. I hope St. will Pardon me the laying open of his whole Secret to you: But I doubt whether he would be pleased that Montecuculi should know that he had discovered it to you. Well then, Let Montecuculi come, and try if he would or could re-enter into the same Negotiation with Coleman, the E. of Peterborough, and the Confessor of the Duke; who certainly is highly displeased with the Duchess' Confessor, and with others, whom you will judge proper for this Design. As for myself, who have no other part in it, but to advertise you thereof, you may judge how unprofitable I am. But if the Duke would be persuaded to write hither, That he wisheth, or at least that he judgeth it fit, that St. should appear in England. I know that the Two concealed Gentlemen would contribute toward it the utmost of their Power; and that then the Duke will be more Powerful than ever amongst them, to make them act vigorously. But this is a Fancy of my Brain, to which St. will not be brought, as judging it impossible; principally in regard of the Enemies which the Enterprise of this Affair hath raised him. Translated by Sir G. Talbot. St. to Coleman. 18/28 March 75/76. I Have received yours, of the 9/19 March, and omitted to write to you for two Posts; by reason I received no Letters from you, I have given you an exact account of the Affair of our Friend Madam de la Tremblay, in my last Letters; to which I expect your Answer. St. went Yesterday to Visit the Confessor, and to deliver him the Duchess' Letter for the King of France; and this day he is to carry him a Memorial, to the End he may speak Effectually to the King; and to the Satisfaction of the Duchess. The Confessor hath received Mr. Coleman's Letter, and St. hath already acquainted Mr. Coleman with it; but his Great Affairs hath made him forget it; If the Confessor hath not answered it, it is because he expected the Duchess' Letter, to answer both at once, after he shall have seen the Issue of the Business. It's said, That the King of France hath been very Melancholy for some days (being a Lover of his Country) the Affair of Messina causes his Discontent; Others say, That he had form some design (this year) for Trade, which hath been frustrated; Others, That it is only by reason of this time of Devotion; He would sometimes walk all alone, contrary to his Custom. It's said the Emperor Arms very powerfully. The Electress of Bavaria is dead, and the Empress very sick; Madam de Brinvilliers the great Poisoner, is taken Prisoner at Liege; They are demolishing Hug, Dinant, and the Citadel of Liege: It's said for certain the King will part from Paris, Wednesday after Easter, which will be the 8th of April, our Style. I have received yours of the 16/26 March, I could not send you this last Saturday; I send it on our Holy Wednesday, being the 22 March/ 1 April. St. desires me to tell you, that you will do him a great favour to thank Mr. Coleman, for all good Offices in his behalf; for which he can never sufficiently return Thanks; he is of Opinion, That the Confessors with you, had great reason to formalize on his Proceed; which he would Condemn himself, if he had not the Reasons, which he told Mr. Coleman, and which are such in the present state of Affairs, that if those two Confessors were in his Place, they would do the same. Mr. Coleman will also do him a Kindness, to make his Compliments to Mr. Mountecuculi, whom he knows to be in all things his true Friend. For his Voyage into England, he leaves it in the Hands of Providence; but he doth not believe that we ought to begin, by engaging the Confessor to solicit this Affair, unless the Duke doth desire it, or think it fit; The Duke's Lord Treasurer is very well disposed to the good Success of this Business, as they tell St. ; and he hath reason to believe it True. It is Necessary (I say) absolutely Necessary, that Mr. Coleman make himself better Known in France, and to the King of France and his Confessor, by Negotiations concerning his Traffic; Therefore St. wishes, That the Duke had some Occasion to send him into France, to Treat of some Point of Commerce; because appearing and acting, they would Interest him more deeply in the Trade. St. hath given a Memorial to the Confessor, concerning the Affair of Antwerp; and the Confessor hath put it (in the presence of St. ) in the Packet with the Duchess' Letter to the King of France; and the Confessor hath promised St. to speak very earnestly of this Affair; He went to Court on Sunday last, where he will stay 8 days; because in that time they are accustomed to take a review together of the whole years account. Above all, St. hath recommended to the Confessor to act so, that the King of France might write back to the Duchess, who was angry the last year, that she received no Answer to a Letter she writ to him. If Mr. Coleman did take a turn into France, I do not doubt but he might obtain something Conformable to the Promises of Mr. Ruvigny; but then he must be impowered in this Voyage, by the Duke's Commissions. Send me some News of the Duchess of Mazarin, whom I will hereafter call 98; and of the Duchess of Portsmouth, whom I will call 89; for several things are discoursed here, both of the one, and the other. The Duchess of Cleveland arrived at Paris, Monday Evening 20/30 March. Translated by R. Whitley. To Mr. Coleman, Secretary to her Royal Highness the Duchess of York in Deans-yard in Westminster. Paris 5/15 April 76. I Do almost like you, I writ not to you when you writ not to me; and send you only small Letters, when you send not me great ones; and besides, our News is yet very little. The King goes from hence to Morrow, but it is not yet known whither; some say, to Besiege Cambray; others say, towards Sedan, to be betwixt Germany and Flanders; there are some who will have the King to go to Philipsburg, to oblige the Enemy to a Battle, at which he hath a great desire once to be. For other things, St. desires you will tell Mr. Coleman, that the King's Confessor hath positively assured him, That the French King will write to the Duchess concerning the Business that is on foot; the Confessor told it to St. in such a manner, as he believes it will be to the Satisfaction of the Duchess. The Confessor also added upon what St. represented to him, That the French King leaving his home to make a round towards his Enemies, could not so conveniently send the Letter of Exchange to Antwerp, as was desired, if he did dot do it before his departure; That the French King thought upon these Businesses as well Abroad as at Home: It is Necessary that Coleman inform St. of what shall happen, and if the Duchess have received an Answer, and what it is. Madam Tremblay writ a Letter of March 26 New Style to St. , in which was expressed that Coleman had not seen her in Ten days, to tell her what he had done. Madam Tremblay hath writ to Madam Ruvigny's Brother, to oblige him to speak to the King's Confessor in favour of St. , to procure him a Journey into England, if the Confessor had asked St. Germains advice upon't, he would have counselled him not to take that way which can never do well. The new Ambassador's Secretary is very earnest with St. to befriend him with the Confessor, and seems very zealous for the Duke of York, but St. would know if this Secretary be as well with the Duke of York, as he would make us believe, and if the Duke hath all along trusted him with the secret of his Affair. St. entertains him with fair Promises, by that means to understand things which may be useful to his Friends, and chief to Coleman. This Secretary is much astonished at the rumour that is here of the Duke of York, having received no News of it; and St. is a little angry at Coleman, that he hath writ nothing to him of it. Translated by Sir E. Jennings. For Mr. Coleman Secretary of her Royal Highness in Deans-yard, Westminster. July 15/25. (No year Named.) I Did not believe Sir, that I should have written to you this day, because Mr. Grace will himself write to you, to whom I told all my News; so that you are to expect none from me now. You may assure Mr. Coleman, that Monsieur St. will deliver that Letter to Madam la Tremblay, which he addressed to her; but at the same time that he promised it, he said that he had not lately heard any thing of her, nor could he certainly tell whether she were yet arrived, but he would make a diligent Inquiry, and pay his Devoir in all things to Mr. Coleman, and would perform even more than was desired when ever he could. Monsieur St. is in good earnest highly Obliged to Mr. Coleman for all those Industrious pains he takes upon his Account, and in a particular manner for those Papers we wanted, that he wants Language to express his Gratitude. Monsieur St. has received a Letter from the King's Confessor, and from the Ambassador, wherein he is to make his Address to that Confessor, that the Successor of St. be not sent, nor indeed any other of the French Nation; as Mr. Coleman seems to be engaged in this Paper, St. entreated me to write every thing which related to Coleman, who was thereupon to take his Measures; for I see very well, that Monsieur Rouvigny is strangely bend against the Jesuits, and the Duke and Coleman, and I much apprehend his giving the same Sentiments to the King of France, and to his Confessor, and the Minister of State: And therefore Mr. Coleman must manage carefully this Affair, without the least taking notice that he knows any thing from Monsieur St. ; you must take especial care not to prejudice our Friend, that he may be the better able to Traffic with the King's Confessor, and Mr. Sheldon. As to the rest, you must know that the Duke has consented that St. Germain's Successor should not go into England, Provided that the King's Confessor will name another; I could wish that the Duchess would have Ordered a little Note to be writ to the King's Confessor about this Matter, and that by an agreeing to his desires, that the Successor might remain with him still, and not go into England, the Duchess might then the better put him in mind of the Merchants of * Supposed to be the Jesuits. Antwerp; for the King's Confessor does apprehend the mentioning any such thing to the King of France, because the King having given his direction already to a Minister of State, who is at present in the Army against Holland, it belongs only to that Minister to put this Affair in Execution; for it is the way here, that no Minister dare to act in any Matter that is not committed to his Province; for the King will have it so. And therefore if the Confessor be not pressed with some new Motive, I shall hardly be able to make him act. Our old Ambassador Monsieur Rouvigny is arrived in Town, where St. now is, he came on Saturday last, and St. has let me know, that he will see him either to Day or to Morrow; which he could not do before, by reason of his Calling, which has taken him up without intermission till Yesterday. There is no News yet, but is expected every Moment; The Town of Air is hard pressed, and is believed will be soon taken. Monsieur Luxembourgh is taking Orders that a Provision of Oats be sent to him before he goes to attack the Enemy. Translated out of French into English by the Lord Ancram. Postscript. YOu will discern with Monsieur De Vertharnout, whether it be requisite that he comes, because upon Friday last, the King of England has done somewhat to the Portugal Ambassador (of which he told me the whole Story) and I likewise have learned it from Monsieur Rouvigny, who entertained me near an hour, under great Confidence that they had absolutely taken from that Ambassador the total Use of his Chapel; but besides that Monsieur Rouvigny said, That he finds that the Storm will unavoidably fall upon France, and the Catholics who are very Angry that Endeavours are made to bring a Successor to Monsieur St. , of the French Nation. And he further says, That it is absolutely to Ruin the Catholic Religion, and to irritate the Enemies of France, Neither does he doubt, but that it will also prove fatal to the Duke, for which he absolutely blames the Jesuits and Mr. Coleman, Who are now more than ever in the greatest Band of Aversion to the Protestants, and likewise to one part of the Catholics and Ministers of State; for they are persuaded, says he, that those who are of the Condition of the King of France's Confessor and of the Dukes, do Act most impudently, in that they are entangled betwixt the King and the Catholics, because they would introduce an Authority without Limits, and bushes Mr. Coleman to make such strange Steps, which must precipitate them into Destruction; and above all, they will attribute this to France: So that Monsieur De Rouvigny is mightily ill satisfied with this Proceeding, for it is most certain that the Persecution will be very Terrible against the Duke and the Catholics, and all the Jesuits; and above all against France. Translated by the Lord Ancram. The following Letters were Written by Father Sheldon, (as he is commonly called) Directed all (at least except One) to Mr. Coleman. May 22th. 1675. YOu will please Sir with these to receive my Thanks for Two of yours, both which came to my hands since the departure of the last Ordinary. The Proceed of the Parliament are sufficiently suspected by the King of France; And it were to be wished, that Holland, and the Confederates had not so much cause to flatter themselves that the Parliament may at last be able to effect any thing of that kind, which is pretended. I suppose Monsieur Rouvigny is not wanting on this Occasion to secure the Interest of the King of France. I expect with impatience the Issue of the Ten days, which are to produce something that you intent me for a Regallo. I hope It will prove a Dissolution, for a Prorogation would be of no Use. Lord Treasurer, I fear, is not a Friend to the Catholics; and yet I am told, That he has lately found the Endeavours of the Duke to have been of great use to him. I shall not long trouble you with those Affairs; her R. H. I hope will allow me to Address to her by your mediation, and then I am sure the tender of my most humble Duty will be presented to her with Advantage. June the 1st. I Cannot omit to give you this Trouble, to let you know, that you have fully satisfied me, as concerning the Ten days, and I hope your next will add the certainty of it, what the Issue may be of Dissolution, you may possibly conjecture; but I fear a Prorogation would leave all things in the same posture in reference to Religion, and then it must needs go ill with the Catholics, but I hope the Duke will not be wanting to improve this occasion, and Duke of Lauderdale will sure be of the same Opinion. I will not answer for Lord Treasurer. I sent you one lately for the Duchess, I cannot tell whether it has come to your hands. I shall not fail to serve your Friends at Antwerp, and possibly I may go shortly into those Parts, and by the way find an opportunity to get an Answer to their Request. I should be hearty glad of any occasion to serve you, and to acknowledge your Kindness towards me, which I esteem in a particular manner; being bound upon that account to be always your most Obedient Servant. There was not any Key found, whereby the first and great part of the following Letter could be deciphered; but towards the end is written some ordinary Matter without cipher. It does not certainly appear whether this were written to Mr. Coleman, or some other Person. Paris, June the 8th. THe late Promotion of Cardinals does not please every where. The Duke D'Estre Ambassador at Rome, being admitted to a private Audience, his Holiness having answered him to the point concerning the Dispute betwixt the Ambassadors and the Cardinal Patron, was going to ring his Bell; but the Ambassador hindered him, and began to speak of the Promotion of Cardinals, challenging the Pope to have promised him that the Bishop of Marseilles should be promoted; to which his Holiness replied, That he had never engaged his Promise to do it, and that the Importunity of the Ambassadors did not at all advance those Pretensions, and thereupon rung his Bell; and when the Attendants came in, the Ambassador said he had not finished his Audience, and stayed in the Chambre until the Company was about to retire, and then advanced towards the Pope's Chair, and began to press for further Satisfaction in that concern of the Ambassadors; upon which, the Pope rising up, the Ambassador with both hands pressed him down to his Chair, and the Pope thereupon told him, he was Excommunicated; This passage is thus recounted by the chief Officer of the Nuntio here, who is now made Cardinal, and has Orders from the Pope to complain of so rude a Proceeding. Sir John Arundel sets forward on Tuesday, by whom I shall write to several of my Friends. I am yours from my whole Heart, and must desire you to get me an Answer from Sir George Wakeman. Paris, the 25th of June. Lect' pro Rege. THese are only to beg, Sir, your Excuse for not answering at this time the Particulars of your last Packet which I received, and have performed your Commands in all respects. I hope I shall hear often from you, and that you will give me some Commissions to Monsieur Pompone, when I shall be at a convenient distance to perform them. I approve of all that you were pleased to write, and am confident you hit the Design, and hope you will give your Instructions in order to procure that it may be timely prevented. The Duke will take, I hope, other Measures, and then you will have some need of the King of France, who methinks is not secure, unless he advance what you propose. Consult with your Friends, and advise how France may be Instrumental towards it. Limbourg is taken. The Prince of Orange after his great Bravour, Retreated to the other side of the River upon the appearance of 15000 Horse of the French. Monsieur Turenne has Defeated Three Regiments of the Enemy, and secured the Passage of the Bridge of Strasbourg. I shall attend with impatience to receive some Commands from you. Paris, June the 29th, 75. I Know not Sir, by what mistake yours of the 3d came Yesterday to my hands, with your last of the 14th. Though I am at a great distance from Pompone, yet if you think it convenient, I shall find means to inform him of what you shall Judge fit to impart. In your last, I had no particulars, and yet I have learned from others, that Lord Shaftsbury had not so cold a Reception, as you intimate; Was not the Duke interessed in it? and if so, Must it not prove of Consequence to the Catholics, and drive at the same design against the Protestants, as is observed by you? I am glad to perceive that you are so well with Monsieur Rouvigny, and that you concur in Opinions. France can never rely upon a sure Foundation, till the Duke be able to Secure it; and Monsieur Rouvigny I fear is not sufficiently persuaded that it is feasible to set the Duke in such a Posture, and therefore it is not attempted; But did the King of France interess himself in it, much might be effected, and to invite him to it, it is requisite, That he should be informed, that all difficulties which oppose, may easily be removed; but the Cards are not yet shuffled, when they are Dealt you will know how to direct the Playing of the Game; and I hope you will discover to me some Hands. I wish I were able to contribute any thing to your Satisfaction; you know the Power which you have over your most Obedient Servant. Paris, July the 13th. 75. I Had not leisure to Answer yours of the 24th. by the last Ordinary; for which I beg your Pardon. To put the Duke into the posture you speak of, ought certainly to be the endeavour of the King of France, and Monsieur Pompone; but as you observe, Mr. Rouvigny is no proper Instrument for that purpose. I have already declared my sense, but most especially to the King of France's Confessor, who was sensible of it, and told me, That the several Inconveniencies and Incongruities should be remedied; and when the Occasion offers, I shall further insist by way of humble advice, if I have no other Ground to press it more seriously, that the French Ambassador may be wholly subordinate to the Duke, and that nothing can more secure the Interest of France and Pompone, than to make it appear, that they do Espouse that of the Duke. If Lord Berkley be Ambassador, than Sir Ellis Leighton will not be idle; and there may be good use made of such an Instrument, if the right way be taken. I should be glad Lord Shaftsbury had better footing, and that he were interessed for the Duke. Our last Post is not yet arrived; but we are assured that the Parliament will not fail at the due Season, and that Lord Treasurer fails of nothing. I hope you are sufficiently assured that Sheldon will serve you upon all occasions, with as great Fidelity as you can desire; but if he may not in some sort be serviceable to the Duke, it will be more convenient for him to change his Station; but in this he will be influenced by yourself. Colombe, the 17th. of Aug. Lect' pro Rege. I Have scarce time, D. Sr, to give you my Thanks for the Favour of yours of the 2d of Aug. which I will acknowledge like a Correspondent, God willing, by the next Ordinary. In the mean time allow me to assure you, that Coleman has made the best Judgement of the Proposal of Mr. Sheldon, that the Subject, in regard to all Circumstances, was capable of; neither did Sheldon design that the old should be thrown away till Spain proffered new ones; That which was chief recommended to Coleman was, to find out means to suggest to Spain that he should fit the Duke with such a Suit, as is there proposed, and then perhaps the Duchess' Friend would not refuse to wear the Livery. Sheldon nor Bishop of Dublin cannot at this Distance make any advance in it; but the latter, who understands the humour of Spain, thinks that if it were suggested with all the advantages that will ensue, the proffer will come from those of Spain. France is not in a Condition to quit his Friends upon mere Suspicions; on the contrary, they will render them more considerable to him. Here is a Person in this Town, that is called Sir Charles Prettyman; who has Correspondence with several Parliament Men, from whom he says he is assured, that the difference betwixt the Two Houses is already composed, and that they are agreed to enter no more into those Disputes, but unanimously to Endeavour a War against France, and to Unite the King's Subjects in that Design, to give Liberty of Conscience, knowing very well, that then the Papists themselves will be as earnest against the French as any others; which I take to be a very reasonable Judgement. I wish you could give me some assurance of this. But let Coleman know, that Sheldon in this Conjuncture cannot tell what may be more for the purpose of the Duke and Catholics, than what Coleman desires to know, whether it be the wish only of Sheldon, and indeed it is only his wish; because he cannot tell at this distance how to advance any thing towards the suggesting to Spain how he might find his Accounts in it, and from that Conviction induce him to proceed; but he hopes that Coleman may have Opportunities to do this, and that Effectually; His Reflections are just, and comprehend the whole to the full; If this way be not taken, I conceive a languishing condition will be the hard Fate of many to whom we wish well. The French King's Condition is in a decline; you will infer from thence what is necessary. When I told you that the Ambassador of Spain was suspected, in reference to the Duchess' Friend, I did not intent to say positively that the Duke was thereupon suspected by France; but that those that belong to the French King, did entertain some Jealousies upon it, and that the Ambassador of Spain was frequently with the Duchess' Friend, was told me by the Correspondent of the Duke; who he is, the Bearer of these can tell you. I hope to have the Dispatch for your Three Friends by the next Post. If you are satisfied with the Bishop of Dublin's and Sheldon's Proceed, they are at ease; but were afraid that things had been ill represented to you, since those of that Party have been found too blame upon that account, by the next God willing you shall have more upon that Subject. I pray God continue and prosper the hopes you give of your Mistress. I am, without reserve, Yours. Colombe, Aug. the 30th. SIR, I Have yours of the 12th, which I had answered by the last Post, if I had not spent so much time in the search of K. from whom I expected the Dispatches for your She friends. I am sorry they are not yet ready, and that you must have patience till the return of the Court from Fountainbleau. I am glad you are satisfied with the Bishop of Dublin's and Mr. Sheldon's Proceed; and I desire you not to apprehend that any prejudice will fall upon Religion or the Catholics upon a Controversy of that account, which being now wholly referred to Rome, must expect such an Issue, as shall there be determined; but they are not usually too Expeditious in those kind of Dispatches, and therefore I assure myself, it will be a considerable time before you hear any thing more concerning that Subject. Yet because you seem to expect to have from me the utmost of what can be said upon it, though I dare not undertake for so full an account; yet I shall endeavour to give you a Testimony that I shall not be wanting to Contribute all that I can to your Satisfaction, but I cannot undertake for it by this Post, both by reason of other Dispatches, which lie upon my hands, as also because my Indisposition of Health which binds me to the observance of Physical Prescriptions, and other mournful Accidents, do take up the greatest part of my time, and too great a share of my Thoughts. Now I must Inform you, That the immediate Predecessor of Monsieur Rouvigny did send for a Friend of ours, the next in Degree to Lord Almond, and desired to know his Opinion of the Project, which the Ambassador of Spain had laid to draw the King to make War against France, and thereupon told him how it was contrived, that the House of Lords and Commons, should upon that Condition furnish Money, and accommodate the Catholics; those of France seeing how far they are from any present Capacity of offering such Advantages, and how easy it is for those of Spain to procure them, they can scarce allow their Fears to prevail above their Hopes after they have rightly weighed the Interest which Religion has in it. Yet he did not omit to say, That the Duke would not desert France, though he could not doubt but that Religion would have the Ascendant. Your Friend, and my Kinsman Mr. K. well known to the Confessor of the Duke, and of the same Profession, might, methinks, be highly serviceable upon this Occasion, if he would only sound the Spanish Ambassador upon this Subject, and represent to him, according as Occasion shall be given, the many and great Advantages which would accrue to Spain, and of the great Damages that would ensue to France upon this account; but to make it efficacious he must show the Necessity of engaging the Duke and Catholics in the Concern of it, without which it will never have any steady Effect. I need not suggest to you any farther Considerations on this Subject, the Prudence of Coleman will direct you, and from thence I shall hope to see a good Issue for the Catholics. I have not many Discourses with Sir P. but he is still of the same Opinion as formerly, and affirms, that no other means can effectually conduce to the Satisfaction of the House of Lords and Commons, and those whom they are engaged for. If you see no appearance of Success this way, be so kind as to show me some other Scheme, upon which we may ground any comfortable Expectations. In the mean time we must content ourselves, with such hopes as we are able to furnish. Colombe, Septemb. the 24th, 75. I Have yours of the 6th, and one Weekly from Coleman's Man, for all which I return most hearty Thanks; and though it be my Misfortune not to have hitherto succeeded in the Pretensions of our Shee-Friends; yet upon the delivery of the second Memorial, I was promised an Infallible Dispatch this Week, which will cost me another Journey to Versailles, and I hope to send it to you by Mr. nichols. He and his Charge arrived at Paris on Friday last late at Night. I was the next Day in Town upon no other Design than to meet Pompone upon the account of that Business. He told me some days before, That the Interest of the Religion of the Catholics, was likely to be promoted by the Spanish Ambassador, and the Friends of the King of Spain; I replied, That it was too great an Undertaking, and that it could not take any Effect, especially since they did employ no Endeavours to gain the Duke and his Party to that Interest; and though it was reported here that the Duke had frequent Conferences with the Spanish Ambassador; yet I did assure, that there were no such Applications made, and that the Duke was as much attacked to the King of France as ever. It would have become Mr. Sheldon to have said this, though he had not been so sure of the Truth of it, as he is by the Information of Coleman. The Decline of Spain; I confess, must needs require a long time to regain Power, and that first to secure his own Interest, before he can be in a posture to promote that of Religion. The hopes on * Spain's side, are not so remote, and you have raised my Expectation from thence to no low Degree; because Coleman feems not only to approve of it, but to think it worth his pains to lay out his Contrivances and Endeavours upon it. I with my Kinsman were engaged, and possibly the opportunity may now be favourable; at least if he will not enter into the Negotiation, he may easily introduce Coleman, with those Advantages, as may make him be esteemed a fit Instrument, and worthy to be trusted in that Concern, and he having such an Introduction, I shall not doubt but that he will be able to give a very good account of the Business. It draws near the 29; but I hope there is yet time enough to dispose things in order to that Design. I do not well comprehend how the Danger is over on the part of the Prorogation; unless it be in Reference to that Opposition of the City of London. I should be glad to Promise myself that it were in Relation to the Duke; who is said to be the Person that obstructed the Prorogation, and the Procurer of the Parliaments present Installation; The Design of my Lord Treasurer, I hope will have no Effect. The Alliance with the Prince of Orange, some say, is sought for by the French King, for one of the Dukes of France; but this is but a guess; yet such a one as gives suspicion to Spain, that there is like to be some Clandestine do betwixt Holland and France; But why do I so much entrench upon your better Employs? I shall only assure you, that Mr. Sheldon is your Servant, and that Coleman will always find him so to his Power. Colombe, October the 10th. SIR, I Have yours of the 20th of September, And whereas you seem to intimate that it is almost a Month since you received any from me, I have called myself to an Account, and cannot find that I have effectually been so much wanting to my own Satisfaction, as not to continue upon you sufficient Provocation to allow me the Favour of your Correspondence. I am become so mistrustful upon this reproach, of my own Memory, that I could almost persuade myself to doubt whether I have informed you of a delay that is cast upon the Pretensions of your She Friends, which I hope will soon be removed, since it only depends upon a Return from Lisle, whose Magistrates were to be consulted in that Concern; and upon their Answer, I hope you will have Satisfaction to the Address which has been made. Have I not likewise bemoaned my misfortune, for having had only a Glimpse of Mr. Grey, having disappointed each other, by my going to him, and his coming to me, upon the same Day? This I do chief resent; because, I suppose he might have had some particular Commission from you, and had not Opportunity to make me partaker of it. The Secretary of Monsieur Rouvigny, has informed me of your good Correspondence with his Master, which must needs render you Suspected to the Spanish Ambassador; but I shall expect according to your Promise, the Issue of my Kinsman's Negotiation; What Measures the Spanish Ambassador has taken with the Parliament, a little time will discover; but unless the Spanish Ambassador engages the Duke upon the account of the Catholics, the King of Spain will not find his account. The Duke, I suppose, has gained no small Credit with the Parliament; It is reasonable to think so, if Common Report may be allowed for Truth. What must that produce? any Advantage to the Catholics? Does not the Duke expect to be Re-enstalled? Was not that promised by those of Prorogation? Are there any Appearances of these Expectations from the Parliament? We are here informed, That the Parliament designs to give Money for the Fleet, upon Condition the King will reduce the Number of the French Men of War, to the account which they formerly kept with Queen Elizabeth. The King here has of late been ill disposed, and subject to a little Vertigo. He has laid a Tax upon the men of the Robe, which will furnish a vast Sum without any burden to the People; and he has given out Commissions for great Levies for the next Campaign. I shall not over-charge you with News, you are better informed from other hands. Your Town will shortly be the Scene of News, and then I hope you will make me Partaker of the Transactions. In the mean time I am, SIR, Your most Obedient Servant L. S. THe Letters next following were written by Sir William Throgmorton to Mr. Coleman. And his general manner of Writing was this; he wrote a Letter with ink concerning some ordinary trivial matter, as about Persons taking Coach to Travel, about the fashion of wearing Crape, etc. writing the lines at a pretty broad distance, leaving a space between for interlining: In this space, and upon the remaining blank of the Paper, he wrote with Juice of Lemmon the Secret Matter which now is here printed. The use of such Writing was, that if the Letters were intercepted, or miscarried, nothing would appear to the Casual Reader but the frivolous Matter writ in Ink, but when they came to the hands of his Correspondent, he heated them at a fire, and that made the Lemon Juice appear, and become legible. But it falls out in this way, that if the Writer do not strictly watch, he will sometimes write dry, the juice which was in the Pen being spent. Also by unwary holding too near the fire the Paper is liable to be singed. By such accidents there happen to be several Obliterations, and Blanks and Breaks in these Letters; which interrupts the Current of the Discourse in some places; and thereby part of this Evidence is lost. Paris 1. December. MR. Pompone returned me my Paper again yesterday, Lect. pro Rege. and told me that the French King had seen it, and was extremely satisfied with it, that nothing pleased him more, than the assurance I thereby gave him of my Confidence that the Duke was resolved to continue his kind purposes to him, that he desire me, that I would assure the Duke that nothing should turn him from this towards him, and that he should not rejoice in any thing more than to be able to help him to be, or to see him by any means chief Factor for our Company, for that he very well knew, that nothing but that could secure his own Stake there, what therefore his Sentiments of Lord Arlington were we might guests, and how gladly we Would see him disposed of as we desire, but that he thought his meddling in it would rather hinder than advance our design, however that he was willing to receive directions in it from the Duke, and that he should always be ready to join and work with him in any design he should judge for the good of that common Trade. That as for the Dissolution of the Parliament to be, he he judged it an admirable, nay necessary work, but that the time being yet pretty far off, and that Spain, the Emperor, and Holland, having chosen the King for the Umpire of the Differences between them and him, he thinks he may stay a little in that point, till he hears from the King upon his Umpirage, and sees what course he intends to take for it, but that he absolutely relied upon the Duke, for the choosing of proper Sides-men in that business, for that he put his only confidence in him for it; he told me moreover, that the French King would gladly have writ to the Duke, but for fear of accidents, which might turn it to both their disadvantages, but that as he absolutely believed the account I gave him of the Company, and Trade, and the Duke's great affection to him, though I had no Order from the Duke for it, because he very well knew how I was concerned for him, for he hoped the Duke would put the same confidence in this that I told him from his part, that all this was very fine and head, but that for all that to delay working for the dissolution of the Parliament might be dangerous, and that therefore I desired him to move the French King to consider of it again, that for my part he saw I was an unemployed person in it, and had no other design but their good as they were common Traders, but that by what insight I had in the Trade, I thought they ought to lose no time, and so hazard little accidents for so great a good, for that at this rate of third hand talking they would never understand one another, or effect any thing, though they did me great honour to offer me so much trust upon my private credit, that yet by that means and general Talk they would never be able to carry on the Trade roundly: We parted then with this after a long discourse and many arguments, that he would again propose the thing to the French King, and that he thought my reasons were so convincing and kind to them, that he doubted not, but the French King would either himself, or order him to write, and that in four or five days I should hear from him. Pray direct your Letter to Mr. Mere at the Corner of the street of St. Benet in the Fobourgh of St. German at Paris, and in the bottom and give me sum for you I cannot doubt that I could of my friend here and some others make half an O, try you what you can there in case the French King should be backward in that point, and that that ingredient should be requisite to carry on the work I spoke with Mounsieur Pompone again, of whom I had almost the same story I gave you in my former, but that truly had not had opportunity to speak to the King, yet alone _____ but that he would, and much of that; they seem to wonder much they hear nothing from the King, yet upon this late business, his Factor here has had yet no manner of orders what it concerns them, as themselves say, to have the Duke their friend in this business, but yet I begin to doubt they would willingly engage him to be so through the reason of his own interest and as many fair words, and what else you please, but pence: that that is the reason they were writing, yet for fear of coming to close dealing, that is the Parliament is set far off, and they think cannot possibly come to join till the Spring, if in the mean time by the Duke his heartiness for them, which, as I said, they think his own interest and their own great expressions of kindness will engage him to, they can get a good accommodation and regulation among all the dissenting Brothers they have their aim, if not they think the same price will do four months hence as well to stop them as now, though they are infinitely mistaken _____ all I can for to keep that interest on foot against them will certainly be the greatest perhaps the only means of compassing what they so much desire; but parting with ready money you know is a hard thing, especially with Merchants: if you can think of any thing more for me to say upon this score, pray write it in French, that I may show it them, that is what you think fit they should see, for Pompone desired me that I would let him know when I heard any thing, but if I hear nothing from you, I think it is the best way to let him alone a little, perhaps it may make them the forwarder, especially if Sweden and Holland court the King so much to draw him the one way, and the other the contrary, as I hear they do; and if the Duke will but play that Game cunningly, he may certainly bring the French King to what he pleases, though I must confess I had rather have him have 200000 pounds of the Catholics, than 300000 l. of the French King, that is to get the Parliament dissolved, for that would show the French King what the Duke was, and would make him much more helpful and complaisant to him; but here is the Work you'll say, and I must confess, it is such a one too, as takes up my thoughts night and day, and I would have Coleman think of it too, for it would be a great work, as it is a difficult one, and perhaps is an absolute necessary one: I shall in a little time let you know somewhat certain from it, but I believe I may venture to promise half 100000 l. from hence; sure 100000 l. on your side might be compassed. The Man I so often spoke to you of in this business is the best Man in the World, he swears it shall not stick at all his Estate, but the Duke shall be accommodated. And with all this his chief Friends, as Pompone, and Colbert, and Louvois, as much divided about war or peace as is possible. Now, I say, with all this if the Duke would strike the stroke without them you would see what an operation it would be, and on my soul I believe a quarter of 100000 l. or less in the glistering metal to the King of England himself into his own pocket may weigh as much upon an occasion with him, as ten times as much into the common Stock, or buy Land with, and if such a business to the Duke he may make his account on it when he pleases, he shall not want it long for that purpose. I then resolve not to see Pompone for these reasons: you say you had not spoke with the Duke, but he had had a long discourse with Ruvigny, which you knew not what it was, nor what the Duke knew of Lord Arlington in his business, nor what perhaps he now would have me do. Ruvigny failed to write what he knew, and what the Duke told _____ I will not therefore come to them with my fingers in my mouth, nor to be caught, in that I resolve not to see them, till I hear from you again: You say not a word, how the acceptation of the King for Umpire relishes with you, nor what the King intends, who shall go and so forth, pray be plain in all these points; your direction is a monsieur Mercers au evine de la ruz St. Benvoist Fauxbourg, St. German I have asked you but you forget it, I writ to you in my first Letters to Mr. Bradshaw about the 100, l. I doubt I must have more ere long, but you shall have six week's time for it: What you writ here concerning helping myself to money, one way which you mention is a ticklish point, the man is of a Jealous humour, and if I should do any thing should look like self-interest I should spoil all, you may be sure I say all to him imagine, but I must not seem to aim at _____ but let it come of itself. Adieu, I am sure I am tired. MOunsieur Pompone came to Town last night, but I am of opinion still, that I ought not to speak to him again, till I here more from Coleman, and that for many reasons, drawn both from Coleman, and his own Letters, from observations of things here, and from some discourse, as I had lately on the Exchange with the King of England's Factor here. He is certainly one of the shrewdest dealing men that I know, and that makes me extremely close with him, pretending great ignorance in all sorts of Commerce; but for all that his goodness to me (as he would have me believe it) flows so naturally from him, that we are never together as often as he can contrive it, he _____ of himself to dine with me, which is a freedom you know not usually taken by Merchants, and upon all little occasions inviting me, but he enters with great seeming confidence and freedom into a Discourse of the most mysterious points of our Trade, and how he came by it, for he would have me understand the Duke was not by him now: whether this be a wheedle of theirs upon him, or that he intended it as one upon me, I know not, but their backwardness makes me suspect Mounsieur Ruvigny has some underhand dealing, and that he may keep them here in expectation of it, and that he holds them in hand, that it is time enough to think of the Parliaments being dissolved if that fails, and that the Duke will let nothing slip to secure the Parliament dissolved however for his own sake; and at last, if all does fail, that which we ask, they think, is a sure Card to make the King and us do what they list, when nothing else will: Now methinks indeed in my humble judgement, I would not have the Duke fail them in this; I would have him push with all the vigour and force imaginable to dissolve the Parliament, and I would have for on my Conscience without two or 300000 l. do it as with them, and then if he would give me leave, methinks I could turn it instantly more to his advantage, by showing them how little he wanted two or 300000 l. to help him in that or any thing else, and that now if they would come upon terms. Now what his design in this may be, God knows, but I am sure if it be to pump me he shall lose it, for I never discover more knowledge of any thing than a man of my converse in the World and Genius, which he is well acquainted with, must be thought to have; or perhaps it may be that by the old friendship I have had with Coleman, he may think to secure him by me, and so if Trade grows naught on the other side, for you remember how Lord Berkly and Sir Ellis Leighton have always spoke of his behaviour between Duke Lauderdale and Lord Arlington, and how he, they say, hath attached himself to the latter ingratiate himself at least with the Duke, or perhaps he may have a real intention of serving the Duke, if you please in Charity and Generosity we will believe, but in Prudence we will not trust too, and therefore I continue the same Ignoramus; and the more full he is in his praises of the Duke, and in Discourses of him, the King, and Lauderdale, and Lord Treasurer; the less I either know the Duke his concerns, or any things else. Often we talk too of the French King and Monsieur Louvy, and of War and Peace, and in this Discourse he told me the day before yesterday, that he found the French King and his had great expectation of what Lord Arlington should do for them, nay, that he believed, they might have some confidence in him or it, he wondered how they came to little things equally and fair between us, (without which nothing can last) we will being thereto led a little by interest, but much more by inclination) give them the preference and refusal in all bargains, but if not, we may then truly tell them we must endeavour to make our best market; they know the advantage Fortune hath now more than ever put into our hands, by giving us the Scales to hold, wherein all European Commodities are to be weighed, and I hope then the dissolution of the Parliament being compassed, the Duke will never suffer the King again to quit that; if this does not bring them to any thing you call reason I will give you my head; for I must tell you the French King is mightily divided at this very hour in his thoughts, and perhaps more agitated than ever he was in making any resolution, having (or I am much mistaken) one Boot on and sought something _____ in him making him a little weary of what is on already, and another thundering The rest not legible. I Am hearty glad to hear by your Lady you will be returned to London to receive this, which, I pray, lose no time to show his H. I wrote you word before you went that I thought I should soon be in England, for I am confident they would have sent me, but your going into Flanders (of which they had notice before you would have been cross the Sea, I cannot imagine, but sure I am they told me of it as soon as I came to the Army) I suppose may have hindered that, and retarded the propositions, which I have order to make his H. till now, for they have been much disquieted about it, and I have had much a do to assure them, that I was confident there was nothing designed by it, to their prejudice, for that I was sure the Duke was as much by inclination as interest disposed to prefer their Alliance and Friendship to all others, and that they would take it for a certain rule, that if they were not wanting to themselves, we should never be wanting to them. The King here is certainly disposed as much as can be for the interest of his H. but is wise and very cautions, however by these Propositions, which I have order to make to his H. and which are word for word as I took them from Pere Ferriers mouth, for I writ them down presently, and shown it to him afterwards, and keep it for my justification, that I writ no more than I was ordered, you will see that it now depends only upon his H. to consider of a way, that will best secure his interests, and with all a good correspondence with them here, for that we must always persuade ourselves in the thing they propose to themselves by it, I say let but his H. consider of that, and then what he would ask of them here in order to it, and I doubt not (God willing) if he will honour me with his instructions and commands, but I shall procure him any thing which in reason he can expect, either of money or any thing else; if therefore his H. shall be pleased to think well of this, and proceed in it, I will meet you any where privately to receive his H. commands and instructions by you, or if he will, I doubt not but I can put myself in a private way to come for a night to receive his Orders myself, I pray be very cautious that there be no suspicion given of any thing of this by you for the King is very scrupulous here even of some of his chiefest Ministers, whom perhaps he may apprehend people have been, or at least have endeavoured to be dealing with, and Pere Ferrier positively charged me to communicate it to no one, but the Bishop of Dublin, of whom they have a good opinion, for he said they would have to do in it with none but us, but I prevailed at last that I might do it by you or Colonel Talbot in England, for that being they would not yet let me go myself, and it was impossible, but I must employ some body, therefore I would not write to the D. and that I answered for you as for myself, to which at last they consented: I intended to have taken the liberty to have writ to his H. but this to you I think will do better, I pray you therefore present my most humble duty to him, and if I have done any thing amiss in this, it is for want of judgement not of affection and duty, and I am sure of one thing, that if perchance our Counsels should go another way, I have done nothing that can prejudice him, if they be not, but that this alliance shall be adjudged advantageous, I have had the good fortune to work myself into such an esteem and opinion here with some of the ablest to serve his H. that I am an honest man, that I dare promise myself they will put confidence in me, and I shall be able to serve him, for to do which pray assure his H. with all humility, that I shall always be ready to venture my life and fortune. Decemb. 15. 1674. I Am hearty glad to hear by your Lady you will be returned to London to receive This, which I pray lose no time to show his H. I wrote you word before you went, that I thought I should soon be in England. For I am confident they would have sent me; but your going into Flanders (of which they had notice before you could have crossed the Sea, how I cannot imagine, but sure I am they told me of it as soon as I came to the Army) I suppose may have hindered that, and retarded the Propositions, which I have order to make his Highness, till now. For they have been much disquieted about it, and I have had much ado to assure them that I was confident there was nothing designed by it to their prejudice: For that I was sure the Duke was as much by Inclination as Interest disposed to prefer their Alliance and Friendship to all others, and that they should take it for a certain Rule, That if they were not wanting to themselves, we should never be wanting to them. The King here is certainly disposed, as much as can be, for the Interest of his Highness, but is wise, and very cautious. However, by these Propositions, which I have order to make to his Highness, (and which are word for word as I took them from Father Ferriere's mouth, for I wrote them down presently, and shown it him afterwards, and keep it for my justification, that I wrote no more than I was ordered) You will see that it only now depends upon his Highness to consider of a way that will best secure his Interests, and withal a good Correspondence with them here. For that we must always persuade ourselves is the thing they propose to themselves by it. I say, let but his H. consider of that, and then what he would ask of them here in order to it, and I doubt not (God willing) if he will honour me with his Instructions and Commands, but I shall procure him any thing which in reason he can expect, either of Money, or any thing else. If therefore his Highness shall be pleased to think well of this, and proceed in it, I will meet you any where privately, to receive his Highness Commands and Instructions by you; or, if he will, I doubt not but I can put myself into a private way to come for a night to receive his Orders myself. I pray be very cautious there be no suspicion given of any thing of this with you; for the King is very scrupulous here, even of some of his chiefest Ministers, whom perhaps he may apprehend people have been, or at least have endeavoured to be dealing with. And Father Ferriere positively charged me to communicate it to no one living but the Bishop of Dublin, of whom they have a good opinion. For he said, they would have to do with none but us. But I prevailed at last that I might do it by you, or Col. Talbot in England. For that being they would not yet let me go myself, it was impossible but I must employ some body, and that I could not else write to the Duke, and that I answered for you as for myself: To which at last they consented. I intended to have taken the liberty to have wrote to his Highness; but this to you I think will do better. I pray therefore present my most humble duty to Him; and if I have done any thing amiss in this, it is for want of Judgement, and not of Affection and Duty. And I am sure of one thing, that if perchance our Counsels should go another way, I have done nothing that can prejudice him. If they do not, but that this Alliance shall be judged Advantageous, I have had the good Fortune to work myself into such an esteem and opinion here, with some of the ablest to serve his Highness, that I am an honest Man, That I dare promise myself that they will put confidence in me, and I shall be able to serve him. For to do which, I pray assure his Highness with all humility, that I shall always be ready to venture my Life and Fortune. Paris, December the 22th, 1674. I Am sorry to hear by your last, that you know so little of Lord Arlington's proceed; for I judge, nay, am morally sure, if the Duke be really so, that the Duke is juggled with and kept in the dark, and D. Lauderdale, and the Treasurer too perhaps; for it is impossible but that the King must have known something of what has been done at least that he was upon his return before yours was writ, when the King's Factor hear could tell me three or four days ago that he had a Letter from him, in which he told him he was upon his departure, and that he should not stay there above four or five days at most longer. I must confess Ravigny is much suspected by me, and the French King's backwardness in coming to the point, and other little circumstances which I observe, but cannot so well express, makes me believe he had an underhand dealing, which keeps them in suspense. I told you in my former that if the Duke had power enough upon his own stock to carry on the Trade, and compass the Parliaments Dissolution, that it was my humble Advice, he should do it upon any terms in the world; for that they would be glad to come in Partners, after they see it was done upon any advantageous terms to the Duke whatsoever: but if you find you cannot probably do it without two or three hundred thousand pounds, you must resolve to give some body some power to make Treaty, backed with your Authority, and to endeavour to colour the business, and show them (as on my Soul it is their true Interest) what ever Projects other people may have put them on; for they have so mean an Opinion of the King, and do so little regard his Word or Government, that you cannot imagine how they despise him, and all the Company: And if the Duke shall suspend this too, and not pursue it vigorously some way or other; that is, endeavour to do it himself, if possible; if not, use such means as are proper to induce them to help them: I say, if he does not, I really fear they will judge Sloth and Idleness an Epidemical Disease; and he tainted with it, as well as the rest, and consequently no more to be valued or depended on. I would therefore earnestly desire the Lord Arundel and Coleman seriously to consider and advise with the Duke about it. The first, without doubt, if upon his own score and strength, would do his business in all respects: but if that cannot be, we must endeavour to make the best Market we can with the French King. This is my Opinion: if it be wrong, correct it, but pardon me. One Vardell, a famous Man-Midwife, (Author of the Book the Abbot sent you) was yesterday with me, and, in short, offers me a set of Coach-Horses, if I can prevail to get the Duke send for him over, and to be but by at the Duchess her Labour, he hopes there will be no occasion to make use of him, nor any of his kind, nor does not ask a penny of Money; for, he says, he desires only to be sent for, the noise of which will get him ten thousand pounds. I hear the Abbot Rizzini has writ for him to Mr. De Puy and the Countess: If it can be compassed, I tell you what I shall get, let him look to what he shall get: Methinks the thing should not be difficult, for help and advice cannot be amiss; they may choose whether they will make use of him or no; and they cannot have him at a cheaper rate than for nothing. Paris, Decemb. 16. 1674. I Am extremely glad you were satisfied with mine of the 15th, and that seems to be so, I am sure there is nothing in the World I covet more than that he should be so. I shall long for your next, and that the Parliament be dissolved for then sure we shall see what the King will do, though I believe he has not been so silent to his Factor here for I am confident he had Orders for something two Posts last, though for what I cannot possibly learn. On my word it behoves your Traders to bestir themselves now, for it is that which will cause Enemies, and it is Resolution must do the business. I am glad you approve of my not seeing Pompone; though I should be glad to have something to the purpose, to see him withal. Methinks I could talk otherwise if my .... were raised but a little, which it would be to some purpose if the dissolution of the Parliament were compassed. On my word, I see not that things go so bad, but that such a business would make them very reasonable Men. My Lord Duras is coming to you, you know I have always loved him, and am much his Servant, whether he makes me such a return I know not; he is most extraordinarily outwardly civil to me, that his inwards is not so I have some reason to doubt. I only ask you to look that he does the Duke no prejudice. We have had here the same Story of my Lord Arlington's refusal at the Hague, that you had in London. Pray see what you can do for the Man-Midwife; he would be a great help to me; it goes to my heart to press you thus always for Money: I assure you I spend not a Shilling, that I think the Duke's Service does not require, but yet I cannot help it; Money goes like the Devil. Once more, pray look to Duras, for I am confident he would do both of us a prejudice if he could: As to the quarter of the 100000 l. I know not what you call reasonable conditions, let me know if you please, what you mean by yours, but I mean for the procuring the dissolution of, or facilitating of it; and then I assure you that I am very sorry for that is the subject of it. For it is as public as his being here, and scandalises many good People, as also her Mother's being with child; this _____ appease for God's sake. Let us be virtuous if we can; but if we cannot, let us not to satisfy their Vanity, lose our Wit quite, but be wise and cautious. I swear upon my Soul, the reputation of Virtue, with that of his Truth, will do him more good than ten Millions. January 19th, 1674/5. I Think I must state the case in Writing again, and give it Pompone to show Fr. K. I doubt the Bishop of Dublin's sending to Louvoy's Father: For you must know that the Bishop of Dublin is the lyingst Rogue in the World, he has done our business no good, for he speaks with Confidence, and makes them believe he is the Man in the world with the Duke, and tells them whatever he pleases, which must make them have a mean opinion of the Duke; or if they do or do not absolutely believe him, it must make them the more diffident of Sir William Throgmorton: The truth is, I wonder Pompone doth so well with Sir W. Throg. as he doth, considering that the Bishop of Dublin speaks the contrary with as much Authority as appears to them, as Sir W. Th. does what he says. I told you all that was between him and Louvoy his Father six weeks ago, for I trace him every where; and surely never Man made Falsehood, Lying and Knavery so much his business as he does. I had yours of the 4th, and if I think it as proper, after a night's consideration, as I do yet, I may french it to Pompone next time I see him, for I like it very well. Why should you not get Ruvigny write to Pampone the discourse Coleman had with him, and his liking of it? It would help Sir William Throgmorton mightily, at least it would give him some more Credit. I am overjoyed to hear what you say about dissolving the Parliament, though 300000 l. should not be compassed, not that it shall make me a jot the less active, or solicitous for it; for I am, I assure you, of their opinion, as much as is possible, that nothing will settle businesses lastingly, like joining the Fr. King's and the Duke's interests together. And when I told you there might be an advantage made by gaining the Parliament to be dissolved without 300000 l. I did not mean the Fr. King, but only that that would make these about the Fr. King (seeing the Power the Duke has) a little more reasonable, and that then they will come with the Duke to terms of accommodation more equal than now they will; and let us think or propose what we please, it is certain that nothing but a just balance of things can keep their Interests long linked, and therefore I judged it for the Duke's advantage by such an Action, to gain that Reputation with them as shall show them their benefit of coming to such an Accommodation with him, which then may keep their Amity linked fast for all their lives. I never was blinder nor wearier in my life. So adieu. I could not help the 100 l. Bill for ....... Pray tell Mauson I have done his .... as he desired. He is with my Wife, but I cannot write to him this Post. February 6. 1674/ 75. I Account myself most extraordinary unhappy that my illness hath hindered me from seeing Mounsieur Pompone, since businesses go so with Lord Arlington as they do. I assure you if it had been nothing but the hazard of my Life lain at stake, I should have ventured it to have given you an Answer this Post, but it would have alarmed all the World to see one go out in such a condition; by the next Post however I promise you an Answer, for I will either speak or write to him. If Ruvigny hath but in any measure done his part, I promise you I will do mine: And if the French King will do nothing, I know not how to help it; but the truth is, he hath so mean an opinion of the King and all his Partners, that I doubt he thinks scarce any thing they can do, worth 300000 l. It must be therefore, I believe, something immediately from the Duke that I must tell him, that will persuade him to hope for better things when he shall govern. Adieu. I can say no more. Superscribed, To Edward Coleman, Esq Secretary to her Royal Highness. Transcribed, 8. Novemb. 78. Ed. Dering. Postscript. This is Abbot Mountague's Letter, which should have come the last Post. Paris, Febr. 9 THrokmorton was yesterday to speak with Pompone, whom he found alarmed by Ruvigni, for the King's Resolution about the Parliament; he had told him the greatest part of the story of the Lord Treasurer, concerning the Lord Arlington, though he said he took Throckmorton's coming to him very kindly, and heard him speak with great attention; which opportunity Throckmorton made the best use he could of to press the thing: he told him, that the Duke had hitherto done his utmost endeavours to hinder the Resolution of the Parliament, and to procure a Dissolution of it; That he had been in great expectation of the French King's Assistance, in which if he had but contributed in any measure, the thing might have been done six months since. Indeed Throckmorton has no orders from the Duke to ask any thing yet; but yet however Throckmorton knew the Affairs a little, and that he had great reason to believe the Duke would not be able to resist the Parliament any longer, if he were not very speedily assisted by the Fr. King. That the Parliament was certainly very opposite to both their Interests, but irreparably to that of the French King's; for that, as he had told him before, the Duke, if he would have quitted the Fr. King, might have made good Conditions for himself, and so he shall yet when he pleases, with the Parliament; but that for the French King he must expect no such thing, for that infallibly the Parliament would engage the King, the very first moment, to join in War with Spain, Emperor, Holland, Prince of Orange, and Spanish Governor in Flanders against him; that he must not judge of the Power of the King's Play now, by what he played for him whilst the Lord Arlington was Trumpets, and therefore, believe it, would not be more against him if the Lord Arlington should continue Trumpets with the Parliament; for that I assured him it would be most powerful, and carried against him with great animosity and heat; as on the other side, if Trumpets should be changed by the French King's help, and the Duke taken for Lord Arlington at the Parliament, he might promise himself somewhat a warmer and usefuller Assistance; that he had made him discourses to this purpose heretofore; that he had thought to have quite desisted, finding so little encouragement, and fear of being thought importunate; but that the War not now just upon new shuffling of the Cards, should warn him once more, but that now he had done, for he had discharged his Conscience, in doing his utmost for the Common Good; and if God did not see fit to bless his endeavours with success, he would sit down quietly, though never contentedly, before that the Catholics and his Interest should be thus abandoned, though there were no other Interest of the Duke's or the French King's in it. And there I began to tickle Pompone upon that Point; in which you must know he doth much— himself. That Throckmorton needed not to say any more to clear himself from any suspicion of private designs or interests in it, as from imposing any thing upon them, for that themselves knew he never did, nor never would benefit a shilling by them; and that the event of things had always showed them that his Intelligence was right, and his Advice sound. Pompone began to answer with a confirmation of the conclusion of his Discourse, and told him that the King had the same opinion of him that he could wish, etc. but came to his old [what Remedy?] again: for that Throckmorton had asked three, four, or five hundred thousand pounds; a thing impossible to be compassed. Throckmorton told him, that was a mistake, for that half of the latter, perhaps, might do it; and then told him the substance of Coleman's Letter of the 21th passed, as to time, and other circumstances too: but Throckmorton told him, that after all this, if there were 500000 l. or double, whether he thought in his conscience it were any better parting with it for the French King, than to have the Parliament join with Holland, etc. And whether he believed that double and triple that would not soon be set flying, in case of a War, supposing these circumstances? Then he cried, Hue par Dieu. Then, Sir, said the other, Look to it, for it will certainly be. Then he came to it again, and said, that the Duke said to Ruvigni, that notwithstanding he always told him the King had said free and friendly things on the French King's behalf. I answered, as you may guests, to that; but suspecting by all this, that Ruvigni might be his Creature, and that he was afraid he might be excluded in this business, Throckmorton told him, you may imagine, that I bear Ruvigni no good will. I protest to you the contrary; and to show you how little that is in my thoughts, though I must confess I think I could put them in a shorter way of doing it; Give Ruvigny but a sufficient Power to do it, and a strict Command to execute it, and I desire never to know it, nor will I trouble you any more to inquire after it; and shall think myself sufficiently happy if I have in any wise forwarded the thing for the doing of it effectually, which is the only aim I have, and therefore cared not by whom it was done. had promised Throckmorton, he would tell the French King the first opportunity all his discourse, and that he would do it with kindness, and desired Throckmorton to come again the beginning of the week, and he would tell him the King's Answer. This is all Throckmorton could do. And if they are blind or mad, you must have patience. But sure something they will do, and let it be what it will, or how it will, if the Duke can do his business by it, pray let him not reject it. His turning 300000 l. into 400000, makes me believe they intent to do something. I must confess I shall be overjoyed to see it to confirm the Duke: for if he give ground, Arlington and the Parliament have no bounds— You must imagine Throckmorton enlarged upon these heads. They had some discourse of Coleman too, who Pompone said he heard was a Man of Parts, etc. Throckmorton replied to that, what I think he could have wished himself had been said. I had yours of the 25th just now: If you cannot read mine better than I do yours, which is soiled one half, your Paper blots so, I do not wonder that you understand not what I would have you get Ruvigny to write. I would have nothing more than what he hath done. He hath done his part well; nor would I have him say any thing about the Bishop of Dublin, though he is the greatest Knave alive, for fear of mistakes; and I know you cannot explain yourself clearly to Ruvigny in that point. The King's Factor is much discontented against Pompone, Louvoy, and in fine all the rest. He gave me yesterday great signs of it, and pretty touches too against Duke Lauderdale. The French King hath cleared the business again with Sueden, and they are resolved again to act, you know (I suppose) what— rub in the way. They ofter to furnish them with 24000 Men in the Spring, provided they will pay them three months now; which I think is almost a Bargain. How this may work as to some other Affairs you know of, I cannot tell; but I think, however, this should be no hindrance. Adieu. I am almost tired to death. Pray get better Paper, and be more careful, for I cannot read half your Letter. Superscribed, To Mistress Coleman. Transcribed Novemb. 8, 1678. Ed. Dering. February the 13th. I Told you last Post, how Throckmorton had disposed Pompone to speak to the French King, and how they were agreed, that Throckmorton should come again, to know the French Kings Answer: which yesterday he did, and Pompone told him, that the French King had ordered him to write to Ruvigny effectually on this concern; that was, That Ruvigny should join that he should take Measures and Directions from the Duke; that he should consult with him about the means to prevent the Parliament, and get the Parliament Dissolved; and that all things that were possible to be done on the French Kings side, to Dissolve the Parliament, should be done. Throckmorton told him, this would do very well; that he was resolved to keep his word, for that he would not be inquisitive to know the other particulars, which he hoped however there were, or else they did nothing; that he was extremely glad it was put into Ruvigny his hand, for that he believed him a good man, and an able man; that his late experience too, had taught him, that he would the better know how to behave himself among so many Knaves; that he had now only two things to recommend to him, strongly to inculcate unto Ruvigny, that is (Secrecy and Promptness) for that Throckmorton did not know, whether all that he had said, and which was however as much as could be said to it, had evinced him that the thing did press as much as it did, but he did assure him that if either of these were wanting, or if he continued beating the bush, the business would be lost: that for Throckmortons' part, he had no other design but the common good, etc. he took him and embraced him, and told him the French King was very sensible of that, and gave all the imaginable to what he said; and therefore begun now, and would do all that was possible in his power, and as the urgency of the Affairs required. This is all Throckmorton for his life could do in this business, and perhaps as much too, as any other could have done in his circumstances. For I am confident he omitted nothing that could press him, as you may see by his Papers, when the young Gentlewoman comes; what the success of this may be, God and is certain that Louvy, who hath hitherto been against him, and for War, is now so much turned again, hearing some disgrace by him, that it is believed he will carry the French King to embrace Peace presently, upon any terms. Now if this were so, and Louvy a wise man, it were the fairest way for us in all the world: for nothing (it is certain) would do us more kindness, than to see the Parliament Dissolved. But if Louvy be a Fool and a Beast, who can assure us of their patience, for this way and not called to his passion of fear _____, and let any underhand little Engineer write to you on the whole or in part, this is all I apprehend: for unless this be an underhand way of his, I am confident there is nothing and then we are well enough; for let the French King beat about as he pleaseth now, he shall be forced at last to come to the Duke, and his terms too; and therefore I am clearly, with all submission, in my poor judgement, for this; That if the French King does not help vigorously to gain the Parliament Dissolved, that then the Duke should not be against the Parliaments coming; for I think it is not morally probable, that the Duke will be better armed against the Parliament three or four Months hence, than he is now: but on the contrary, six Months hence, in the first place, the Parliament will be more incensed and violent against him than now; for it is certain, they all take it for granted, that he does his possible for the Parliaments Dissolution. It's a prejudice to which the longer he is about, and cannot comply it in his heart, the more it will render the Parliament audacious, mean and despised by him: for it is clear, that whilst the Duke is at shall he, he loses ground Peace yet, and the French King will not have made terms of Peace for all his dodging. Now when the Parliament shall begin to play his prank, the French King shall without doubt assist the Duke with all he can in the world against the Parliament. But who will ensure that the French King and Peace will not be friends eight or nine Months hence? and if so, I am sure the French King says then, Fight Dog fight Bear, what can the Duke clear himself from the Parliament? let him but show as much Resolution in his Mind, as he has often done Valour in his Person, and not be startled or led away by Knaves; or by men's fearful Counsels, as he has too many about him of the one and other sorts, who mind themselves more than his service, and what can hurt him? I wish I had ten thousand Lives, and I would stake them all for him, only that a Throckmorton and Coleman may go to pot, and it may not do so well for the Catholics and his at first, but for the— Gods will be done; and for the other, really I cannot well pity some of them they having been so base and mean in his concern and their own as they have been. Let them smart, it will turn their good. I think if the Duke thought well of it, if Coleman speak to Rouvigny upon this now, and that he urged him to the utmost in it, about 300000 l. it would not be amiss, and then Coleman will find what is not: for Throckmorton has done what he could here, except he has new matter: for it is clear that this which Pompone told Throckmorton is only either a putting him off civilly, and that they intent to continue to dodge as they have given Rouvigny Orders, and resolve to act only by him; suppose which you will, I think it will be necessary to Coleman thus to deal with Rouvigny, that is, openly and home: for if they intent to do any thing, it will certainly be by Rouvigny; and if they intent to do nothing, you will by his shuffling discover it. I expected what you told me in your last from them both; no doubt they will Court the Parliament or the Devil, if they think him like to be uppermost: but let the Duke consider of it accordingly _____ the Duke nor Rouvigny trust the King with more than needs be: you know he is not good at keeping Secrets. Dated February le 20, 75. I Am not at all surprised at what I hear of Lord Treasurer and Lord Lauderdail, but should have been much, had they done otherwise than they have done: let us remember Dr. Creytons' Cat, and we never will confide in them, nor rely so much on them, as that any thing they can do shall be able to dismay us; & I hope the Duke is not at all, by what has happened yet. Throckmorton has done what has been in his power with Pompone; the whole business, as he hath told you in his two former Letters, is put into Rouvigny his hands, and truly as much as appeared to Sir William Throckmorton, with auspicous circumstances enough; it is therefore now between the Duke and Rouvigny, for it seems to Throckmorton, that the thing must be done by Throckmorton, or that they have not a design of doing it at all; and if it should happen to be the later, for Jesus sake be not dejected at it, but on the contrary encourage and comfort the Duke all you can; for on my Soul and Conscience, without affecting the Preacher, I dare confidently utter my opinion, that God intends it for his good, and that if he pleases but now to make use of those rare virtues of courage and constancy with which Heaven has endued him, all this will turn to his glory and advantage. My humble opinion in this case then, if I might give it, that if the King of France shall still continue to dodge, and give the Duke no vigorous assistance for Dissolving the Parliament, that then the Duke shall not continue to shuffle between the Parliament Dissolved, and the Parliament (as I have given you my Reasons in my former Letters) but in God's name let the Parliament proceed and prosecute his Suit; it is true, this is not the way one would have chosen, if the French King would have been persuaded to understand his own interest; but if that cannot be, what great prejudice can accrue to the Duke by the Parliament? none in the world say I, if he pleases but with magnanimity and scorn to shake off those little wretches and their Counsels, whom he hath with too much patience hitherto suffered to bait him continually to stoop and sneak to the Parliament; and will resolve never to receive them again that have once betrayed him, but on the other side put on a countenance, but above all, a mind full of noble and virtuous resolution and courage, which will make him look boldly upon his worst, and make good use of his best fortune; I say, if he pleases but to do this, and besides show all by the regulation of his Family as the virtuous conduct of his own person, how much he abhors and detests the debauchery of the King's house, which has made it so odious to all the Nation and the world, he will find that he will have all the Wise, Sober, good people, and such as are worth having, as well Protestants as Catholics on his side; and he shall live to see Lord Treasurer, and D. of Lauderdail, and Lord Arlington, and all the rest of that crew, knock themselves to pieces with the Parliament; and his resolution and courage, and virtuous behaviour, will not only keep the Parliament at a bay, but will keep him also in his bounds too. For it is by the King his stooping to the Parliament, the prejudice and dis-reputation will in great measure redound upon the Duke, that the Duke is to apprehend damage from: now this the Duke his resolution will in great measure prevent, by keeping the Parliament in some sort within his limits; and it will over and above, when Lord Arlington, and Lord Treasurer, and D. of Landerdail shall have bruised one another; and be at last all crushed by the Parliament, necessitate the King to throw himself into the Duke's Arms, who by that time will not only be strong in reputation, but in reality too, by the conjunction with him of all and generous men of whatsoever Party, with which then he shall usefully be able to serve the King and himself; for be not persuaded that the Protestants and Catholics make a difference in this point, but between such as are Rogues, and design a Faction. And to show you that this opinion is not only speculative, but that I can give you a proof, that the Duke's cause by what is happened yet, is not at all lost or deemed desperate in the opinion of _____ mwn; if you find that the Duke is disposed to take this course, and this way defend his Birthright, his Honour, and his Conscience altogether, I will then make you a Proposition of a number of persons, who you will not doubt have honour and courage by this their resolution, and I assure you are reckoned amongst the soberest and wisest part of the Nation, most Protestants, or are at least in show, and 4000 l. or 5000 l. a year apiece, who ask or expect no Reward or Offices, but only ask that the Duke will give them assurance, that he will not be persuaded hereafter to abandon his own interest and them, and they will give him all the assurance on their sides desire, that themselves and their fortunes shall sink and swim with him, and these are such as I dare assure shall perform their promise, and not do as Lord Treasurer, and D. of Lauderdail; and some of them perhaps have good interest with the Parliament too, that is, are of the same Families we are of his Cabal, but I am engaged upon my honour not to discover them, till I know the Duke will take that course that they may be useful to him, for they are unwilling (as you will believe they have reason) to expose themselves and fortunes, and do the Duke no service neither: for to deal plainly with you, they are so afraid of some that the Duke has about him, who they say betray him, and would do them so too, that they by no means dare discover themselves what is in their hearts, they are for the Duke's cause and his disposition, which keeps multitudes of others in the same suspense say they, for they all avow that it is not his being for the Catholics startles them; they ask but the Duke to be resolved to continue governing himself with virtue and moderation, to throw off such people as they say are about him and betray him, and then give them his word, and they will stick by him against Lord Arlington, and Lord Treasurer, and Landerdail, and the Parliament, and who he pleases. I do not doubt but the Duke is courted now by the Lord Arlington his Party, and some of the Parliaments too, but if ever he receives any that have betrayed, he will go nigh to run the King his fortune, that is, always abused by Knaves, when they see it for their purpose, and never trusted nor relied on by honest men. I had yours of the 4th just now. Mr. boatman sets out on Sunday. A Paper Entitled INSTRUCTIONS. SEeing that his most Christian Majesty was angry that I went to England, but that he did not show it for fear of giving any umbrage, and that for the same reason he hath not spoken with me, yet he hath since prayed me to assure his Highness, of some secret way that his Majesty doth take his part in all interests, and will serve him to the utmost of his power; and that he is strongly persuaded that my Lord Arlington is not in the esteem of his Majesty, nor in that of his Highness, although that some do labour to persuade him to it: he saith, The re-assembling of this Parliament will not be profitable for the King or for his Royal Highness, although my Lord Arlington will endeavour to uphold it; if therefore his Royal Highness shall judge it necessary to have another Parliament, he will assist him with Money to have such an one and as he shall desire; and prayeth him to make his Proposals thereupon, or upon any other thing that he shall judge either needful or profitable, being resolved to do all things possible for his Service. The Father hath told me of the Knavery of Monsieur de Sessaube, and of the folly of some others of ours; but notwithstanding all that, and also though his Majesty knoweth very well, that his Highness hath sent into Flanders, which in truth giveth him a little umbrage, notwithstanding his Majesty is resolved to conside entirely in his Highness, and to afford him all imaginable assistance; but above all, he prayeth his Highness that he will endeavour by all ways and means to confirm a perfect intelligence with his Brother; he told me morcover, that if Monsieur de Rouvigny was not a Man to your liking, nor such a one upon whom you may wholly rely, that if his Highness would give me the least order to advertise his Majesty thereof, he would endeavour to send over another person. The following LETTERS were writ by Cardinal Norfolk to Mr. Coleman. Rome, January 4.76. SIR, I Received your two this week, one of 19 November, by your Friend's way here, th'other without date, by Sir H. Tichb. I am glad of the Prorogation, so that the Parliament will not now in haste trouble you again or others; and if finally the King will resolve well, and keep close to it, all may yet do well; if not, God have mercy on ye. I wrote last week, as I enclose now another to the same, and assure the Duke I both can and will serve him and his faithfully to good purpose, having already for the short time put all in excellent way, of which more hereafter in due time, I having now very little, for so much I have to do. Mr. Hayes at Arundel-house can tell you something particularly of my condition here; time giving only leisure to add, I am Yours as you know. Rome, 8. Feb. Stilo Novo, 76. SIR, I Suppose you received my Answer to your _____ received since my being here, and the Duke my Answer unto his by Sir H. Tich. And you may be sure, that the Pope will do all he can to serve the Duke in all occasions, as I can as assuredly also answer for Cardinal Norfork both for his Affection and Duty, hoping before very long to show it by deeds, in a due time and proportion. I have in the interim written pretty full to Mr. Hayes (at my Brothers as you know) to confer with you, what my time is too short to repeat about the old business, in which the Portuguese would get the Queen to give Cardinal Norfolk his place to a Portuguese, under several specious pretexts, as some of your Friends give out here, will speedily be done; and if the King had not at first hindered, would have been done by the Queen. Now therefore you are desired to deal with the Duke, that he speak privately and efficaciously with the King, to hinder it on all scores, both at present or at any time hereafter, etc. as Mr. Hayes can tell you. Another business is, that Cardinal Norfolk being written unto from Paris by the Prince William of Furstenburg's Brother, to move the Pope's and others credits with the Emperor for that Prince's Liberty; it's thought good (if the Duke will please) to desire the King to send his Command to his late Envoy now with the Emperor, to join his endeavour with those of the Pope's Minister now at the Emperor, for the Liberty of the said Prince William, and also for the Peace; and that Cardinal Norfolk may know from you or others securely, that the King hath sent such express Orders to his Envoy, now with the Emperor; of which I will accordingly acquaint the Pope: who in the interim will send Order there, to join with the King's Envoy's endeavours for that and the Peace. In the same Order the King may also please to command his said Envoy, to join his endeavours with another, who will quickly be sent by the Pope for the Peace; as also the like is desired be sent to my Lord Barkley, Temple, and Jenkins, to join with the Pope's Minister for the Peace; and please to let me know of all fully, that I may accordingly dispose all here for the best, that I may likewise myself write by the Pope's Minister to my Lord Barkley and the rest about it. Henceforth, please to direct yours to me thus, A Monsieur Monsieur Chaumont, commis du general des Posts, en son Office à Brussels, pour fair tenir à Monsieur Thomas Grain; and with this Superscription he will send them me safe, as I have ordered him, and will also send mine to you safe and with less expense, putting mine to you on my account as far as Brussels; and if you think it safest and quickest (as I think it may be) he can direct mine to you by my good Friend Mr. Cook's way, who you know. I should have told you, that although the French Ambassador nor his Brother the Cardinal, do neither receive or give any Visit, or converse with any of the Cardinals of the last Promotion, yet the said Cardinal hath sent many Excuses and Compliments to me, how sorry he is, that he cannot at present visit and confer with me, as he doth mightily desire, etc. And I have as often sent the like Compliments to him; and finally the other night at a great Assembly at the Queen of Sweden (who often in public speaks mighty well of England and our Nation) her Majesty spoke to me (ex abrupto) in French, (although she used always before in Italian) and presently called on the Cardinal d'Estré (who was there with fifteen Cardinals more) to hear how well I spoke French (as she said) better than herself; and he approaching to her Majesty and me, who were alone talking, could not well but speak to us both, which when he did to me, I answered accordingly, and presently the Queen left us alone, so that I then began to talk to him of the business you know, of which he said much, and I answered as much, hoping that after the fury will be past, these Preliminaries may conduce to a good effect, as is wished by You know who. Pray acquaint your Master and Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Vincent also. Sir, THe Bearer hereof being heretofore known to you, and having relation to me, will not need many long Lines to desire you to believe him in what he can much better inform you, than my Letters at this distance; and if betwixt this and September you have any thing more particular to inform him, or to acquaint me by him, he will about that time be returning hither; and in whatsoever may concern your Master or Mistress, he will be most faithful and active; as likewise for yourself, whilst I need not reassure you of the same on my part, being Yours as you know, C. of Norfolk. Rome, March 1.76. Sir, TIme being extraordinary short with me, Lect. pro Rege. I cannot often answer yours, but ordered Mr Leybourn my Auditor to supply. Now to your four last; unto the first I understand the Duke had mine, and was pleased to say he would answer; however I wrote again unto him by Mr. Conne, who I sent hence some days past, and I do now again, this Post, to him and the Duchess (whose Answer to mine which you sent me I acknowledge) and desire their Pictures. I send them as usually to the Portugal Ambassador, but if you would have them sent to you, advise me that I may do accordingly: What you writ of the Archbishop of Dublin, his apparent Victory at Rome against his Adversary is choir the contrary; for the Archbishop of Dublin is not in esteem here, for that nor his other practices there, which are very ill relished; neither did Cardinal Norfolk ever write or trouble the Duke with those affairs which were more out of Faction than otherwise, and Cardinal Norfolk took Order long since, That no Proceeding should be in it before his Arrival, that all might be well Examined; and those unto whom it was committed, do much approve of the Arch-Bishops Adversaries Books. I wonder Mr. Sheldon maketh so much Noise in that affair also, having had no such Commission to trouble himself or others in it, and if (as you say) he came thither chief about that business, he might more quietly return as wise, and to as much purpose as he came; thus much in short to your two first and two last which contain the same: And let the Duke be assured Cardinal Norfolk will serve him and all the Catholics whether they will or no, although the Archbishop of Dublin and his Friends are enough to inflame all, if their Malice were not well known at Rome, and by Cardinal Altieri, Fra. Barberin, and many others; But I dare answer Cardinal Norfolk is of no Faction, but against the Factious, who are in great number but cannot prevail in iniquitatibus suis. The Secretary of the Duchess' cipher is not large enough, besides hath not the Alphabetical Letters (necessary to make words) and I find some numbers in his Letters which are not in the cipher, pray desire him to amplify it accordingly. The Archbishop of Dublin wrote hither to Cardinal Altieri a very foolish, ridiculous malicious Letter against Cardinal Fra. Barberin, as he hath often other such like and worse ones to others of manifest falsities, which I myself have seen and have actually, written by his own hand; besides his forging false Letters is a constant old Custom of his. I will say no more at present, lest I should say too much; but this I dare say, that if the Duke make use of him or show him his Favour, he will much disgrace himself and his Cause, and put both English and Irish Catholics in great Division, which will be the easiest way for the Protestants to destroy them, and every one wonders how Mr. Sheldon should be of late so great a Protector and Friend of the Archbishop of Dublin, when to my knowledge (and many others) he was quite the contrary (as he told me) not long before the Archbishop pretending to Mr. sheldon's place about the Duchess, but it appeareth that Mr. Sheldon and his Confederates by their late violent bending for the Archbishop and his ways against the other is more out of Faction than Zeal: However let not the Duke be troubled, Cardinal Norfolk will take care all be done according to Justice, let it be for whom it will, Fiat Justitia & pereat Mundus. But now I must tell you, I cannot but be sorry to understand (by Witnesses which I can produce) that some chief of Mr. sheldon's Confederates have informed that the Duke's affection is so much and only for those and the Confederates of the French Kings Confessor, That he absolutely declared it, and said he would be served by them only, which if so Vincent de Torre, and Cardinal Norfolk's Confederates may shut up their Shop and Traffic elsewhere, and I should be glad to know it, to provide accordingly, for although it is most clear and true what I said often in England, That if Cardinal Norfolk had not sent Fa. White in Post haste from Rome where the Duchess was then, and that he and another of his Confederates had not stoutly resisted and conclusively argued against the Potent confrater of the French Kings Confessor, with the Duchess, that that Duchess and none else as th'other would have, (to put off the concluding of this Duchess) was fitting, and to be had for the Duke, the whole business (which was then broken off) would have been spoiled and broken off for ever; But Cardinal Norfolk having notice from Paris at first of the breaking off of the other Treaty, a particular Friend of his there thought first of that Duchess which (God be praised) is, and spoke to Lord Peterb. of it. etc. (of all which the said Lord Peterb. can tell you) and at the same time Cardinal Norfolk wrote to several at Rome about it, and posted the Fa. White with full Instructions to employ all his little Wits and those of his Confederates (whose House joineth to that of the Duchess) to act all possible, as they did to the right purpose, and (nolens volens the juggling of others,) argued so hotly and well that it was concluded quite contrary to the intention and expectation of the Juggler's; My Lord Peterb. can tell you something of it, and I can much more; but since the business is done it's no matter, I did it not to pick thanks, or for recompense to me or mine, but to serve the Duke and Catholic Religion in England, yet I must tell you that not only Cardinal Norfolk, but his also are as able to serve the Duke and Catholic Religion in England as any whosoever, and both are in a greater power and esteem with the Pope and Cardinal Altieri, and General all of his sort, and at Rome and Spain than any whoever, and if the Pope live some considerable time (as its likely) he will make a third like Cardinal Norfolk alive in great Esteem, Birth, Worth, etc. I will say no more, but as Cardinal Norfolk hath served the Duke long since in Flanders and England when he least thought of it, and yet knoweth not of, so as he did it merely out of Affection and Duty, he will in all times and places he can continue the same. Yet Cardinal Norfolk is not ignorant of many ill Offices several others (whom God forgive) endeavoured to do Cardinal Norfolk with the Duke and Duchess, and also with the King and Queen for their factious ends; however Queen ambulat simpliciter, ambulat confidenter, as Cardinal Norfolk always did, those malicious endeavours being but small Flea-bite, although they endeavoured the like also with the Pope, Cardinal Altieri, Barbarin, and all others they could at Rome, sed nihil occulium quod non reveletur, Cardinal Norfolk had sufficient notice in England of all, and now a more ample; but I will ever go the old straight way with the Pater noster of demitte nobis debita nostra sicut & nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris, which I do with all my heart, continuing with that other old Prayer of demitte illis Domine quia neseiunt quid faciunt, & sic finitur. But unto the other part of this point. I must again take leave to tell you, That it may do the Duke no small prejudice, if the Catholics of England, or the Pope and Cardinal Altieri with his Confederates of Rome should be persuaded of the Duke's partiality to any whatsoever: He may be a good Friend to any in general or particular (amicus Plato sed magis tamen amica veritas) but partial to none, so far as to the exclusion of others; Pray Sir, excuse my freedom, which posteth my Pen beyond my first intention, whilst ex abundantia cordis os loquitur, and let it not be that veritas odium parit, my intention is good whatever the effects may prove. Finally, Liberavi animam mcam. Now Sir, ad hominem (quia fragites sumus) excuse Cardinal Norfolk's humanity, which must be mentioned whilst in this Valley of misery, as becometh an English man, for the reputation at least of the King, Queen, Duke, Duchess and the Catholics of England, if any of them have a true sense thereof, if not v deant ipsi the fault, and shame will lie at their Door, and damage not Cardinal Norfolk's, who will however be well able to do his Duty coram Deo & hominibus; Is it not a shame for them all to thrust Cardinal Norfolk totally on the Pope and Rome, who have already motu proprio done so much, beyond all imaginable expectation? nay, is it not worse that the King others, should endeavour to thrust Cardinal Norfolk on France, Spain or the Emperor, by most whereof Cardinal Norfolk has several years since had great offers, but would never by't at, and since made Cardinal Norfolk more powerful offered. But if the King and the rest Judge him not worthy of wearing his own Master's Livery, he will rather appear so naked as yet to cover pudicitiam patris (sive patriae) sui with his own simple Coat, rather than Embroider it with others Livery, to appear like a Bastard of his ingratae Patria. To obviate which, I proposed last week to Monsieur Vincent Torre, an old expedient, I had heretofore thought of, for another good end, and was of late practised for another purpose; but reflecting since that not only Qui cito dat, bis dat, but that those who efficaciously intent only to give good words and future contingencies, on which non datur scientia & quae nihil ponunt in re, will so put off things of Execution, and always create or find difficulties, insomuch that nothing is effected. To avoid this therefore, and better clear all, I have bethought myself of another more facile expedient, viz. That if the King will at once consider Cardinal Norfolk, it may be thus: To Grant a Barony unto such a one, whom he may name, of Worth, Estate, Fidelity, Desert, etc. for which Cardinal Norfolk may lawfully get a pretty Sum of Money, and of the rest, in due time, farther Consideration may be had; This the Duke can best manage, neither will it be a new wonder, or Scandalum Magnatum, although it should be even for a Catholic, more than when the King would have made Sir Francis Ratcliff what you know (which was more) on the score, you know, I shall need say no more, Quia sapienti & intelligenti pauca. If the King please to do it, and the Duke please to Act the request and perfectioning of it with speed, Cardinal Norfolk will gratefully acknowledge it accordingly, but if it be put off until better or worse times of futuris contingentibus, I can although not Scientifically, Prophetically (not as a Prophet, but as an &c.) guess it at an end, and will no longer cast my ●●ap at it, but square it according to my other Mathematical and Astronomical Instruments in other Regions, wherefore before the Actions and Influences of the hot weather come on, I shall expect the determinations of your cold Climates, lest I should be frozen up before I can break the Ice in due times and places. Your last Letters were sealed on the Writings, that I can well make the through sense out of them but by guess, your News is grateful, although your old Friends have the same from you Weekly, but they have an Addition unto it, which I was glad to hear of (although I virtually believed it,) of the Duke's endeavours to hinder what the Protestants did to his Daughters of late, you understand me, and if I had Letters (ut supra,) I could write more clearly of somewhat else, in which the Pope was not so well satisfied as I wished, but I have cleared the best I could, although I declared always my Opinion against it; but others more Wise and Politic went the contrary way, and knowing my Opinion, would not ask it me, as they did others, whom they thought to draw to theirs, Said in v●num Haboraverunt, not stating right, but Quibbling and Juggling the Question, and I having the Nuptial Vestiment, non fui vocatas ad naptias, which I was glad of, however I often offered Cardinal Norfolk, and his Confederates Services, which when accepted of, I hope to improve in all sorts of respects as well as any; and as to a Pension for the Secretary of the Duchess, I do not despair in time, when Cardinal Norfolk hath a little more entered into those and other affairs which he is now entering into, although you know that Pensions are hard things to be gotten at Rome, yet in time I hope to show how much Cardinal Norfolk is your true friend, as you know, Rome, March 14. 76. My Time is quite spent, and Eyes almost out, writing so much; no News, Cardinal Altieri had some misunderstanding with Cardinal Barbarin the other day, Cardinal Norfolk keeps well with both. Sir, THIS Week we have no Letters by way of Flanders from England, Lect. pro Rege. the French having intercepted them, as we are told; Sir Hen. Tich. is gone away hence towards France, and so for your Quarters. The very morning early before he went hence, I procured him a private Discourse with my Father here, in which he was much satisfied, and will bring my Father's particular recommendations to the Duke and Duchess, although (as Sir Hen. wrote to you sometime since,) at Rome they wonder the Duchess writeth not to the Pope, which when Cardinal Norfolk was first told of, he could hardly believe, being those of Rome stand much on those Punctilios, as you know, especially that the Duchess being of that Country, either the Duchess or other about her should remember her to do it, it being so easy a thing, nay, and on the matter a Duty, wherefore if it be not yet done, I pray hasten it hither, and I will present it with the best excusing Compliments I can, for here they have a Good will for the Duchess and the Duke, as they say, they shown to both in the Dispens. which the Pope granted to the Duchess to be with the Duke, as they are, although you know it was denied to the Duchess when she was in her own Country which denial they say, was not on any ill will to the Duchess or the Duke, but quite on the contrary, for both their good (the Pope having before exhorted the Duchess unto it) but on other reasons which I suppose you know, as also because the Pope was not fully satisfied of the Duke's being a Catholic; which if so, there would have been no need of the Pope's Dispens. nay, that which then gave him doubt of the Duke's being a Catholic, and which yet doth not at all satisfy the Pope, or at Rome is the Duke doing as (they esteem it) the contrary, by going (as you know) with the Protestants, which you know was long since condemned by former Popes, that the Catholics could not, etc. and in that point I confess I was put to my Trumpets in Rome, when it was objected to me, although I must as duly confess, it was never yet my Opinion in England that any Catholic could do it, and so I did clearly declare myself, when, and wheresoever I thought I ought, or that it was asked me, but I was informed, not long before I left England, that otherwise people proposed something confusedly (not to term it otherwise) to some whom they thought convenient, to pick out in order to say something to that purpose, nascitur rediculus mus; and so went on, as before, hand over head, it being well for me not to have been called to so wise a business, since they and others knew I was not wise enough to understand, being I did never love to go headlong in a business above my low Capacity, nor endeavour to run hand over head, before I can well go on my own Legs, much less on others Shoulders. Finally, I think I could talk a great deal more Nonsense on this, than is fitting to be written, it being more excusable, when ex abundantia cordis os loquitur; then when ex stultitia manu scribitur; I would however say and write, that hitherto I cannot perceive the right way hath been taken for the Duke and Rome to understand throughly one another, nor the Catholics and the Pope neither, but by confused, undigested (and too often Factious) Notions, which will never do rightly the Catholics of England's affairs: The Pope doth not at all desire the Duke to do any thing indiscreetly, or precipitantly, that all England may openly say, The Duke is a Catholic, leaving that unto his own discretion for a due time: but to do any thing to the contrary, as Rome thinketh (ut supra) the Pope cannot approve of; I have however (I am sure) done my part with Rome for the Duke, who is not so much to be blamed on his side, if others who should know more do not condemn, but rather approve, or at least connive therein. But of all this, and somewhat more, more hereafter: Interim, as to what you mention of a 100000 Crowns or more from Rome for the Duke is a Noli me tangere at present; which the very fear of so considerable a business so hard to be gotten, would frighten Rome: In order to other more easy things for the Duke and Catholics, we must first clear other small stumbling Blocks, lest we run on Precipices not so easily to be gotten off; and I hope all will do well, although Rome remembers, and speaks often, how in last Queen of England's time, another Pope was deceived of much more than a 100000 Crowns, under pretence of the Catholics in Ireland; However as I wrote unto you before, I am not out of hopes in some time to get a Pension for the Duchess' Secretary, but all Affairs here must be well matured first, and a perfect understanding betwixt the Duke and the Pope, and Cardinal Altieri and Rome: For although I assure you, That both the Pope and Cardinal Altieri have a particular Esteem for the Duke that must be improved, and well modelled, that if he come to need it, the Cardinal of Norfolk may the better endeavour it: And, for this purpose I think it not amiss, to tell you. That Cardinal Norfolk had some days since a Letter, of the one and thirtieth of January, lest at his Lodging, from the Duke, by I know not who, yet he called himself the Duke's Agent; and, by what Cardinal Norfolk's Servant tells me, He seemeth to be an Italian, as it's most probable; for, if he were of England, I think, he would not so publicly give himself that Name, which can do the Duke no good at present to be called so in Rome publicly: Although I think it were very fitting, the Duke should have a good one; and, if he like of it, Cardinal Norfolk offers him who useth to write to you; Mr. J. Lay; for whose Ability, Fidelity and Activity, Cardinal Nortolk will answer, and, what he cannot do, Cardinal Norfolk will supply, and this without taking the name of it or any Interest, which, certainly others would expect, and perhaps want; but he doth neither. This you may offer the Duke in Cardinal Norfolk's and his name. Here it is said, The Empress is not like to live; if so, why might it not be thought of matching the Eldest of our Princesses there, or, if not, France or Spain. I am much obliged to the Duke and Duchess for Endeavours, if need be, That the Queen of England should think of Removing Cardinal Norfolk: But, by what I hear from the Portuguese and others, I think there is no such Intent: It having been only the Invention and malicious Reports of some; however my Obligation to the Duke, Duchess and Secretary is the same. I wrote of late by Sir He— to the Duke and Duchess, and unto the Secretary, not long before; unto which I remit myself. Cardinal Altieri and Balberini have no great Friendship, which I suppose you know. April, 18. SIR, I Wrote to you a few Days since, and last Week received your Two together, of the 17th and 20th of March; the Two precedent Post-Letters being lost: having been taken a few Leagues from Brussels, So that, if you, or any Friends wrote any thing worth replying, please to give notice to them, as I do you: What you wrote of the Duke's being Advanced one step towards the Catholic Religion, was a most welcome News to Cardinal Norfolk, who presently rejoiced our Pope and Cardinal Altieri with it: and now yours of the Twenty seventh hath fully completed Cardinal Norfolk, our Pope, and Cardinal Altieri's Joy with it; As also the Dutchess' Mother and Grandmother, who are in Rome, and Cardinal Norfolk presently acquainted. No wonder if Fools talk like Fools, and Knaves like themselves. Your Correspondent I assigned you is your humble Servant: But we will not always too often trouble you with superfluous Expensive Letters: ospecially myself, who am mightily straightened for want of Time. My Humble Duty to the Duke, whom I will serve unto the Death, the best I can; as also the Duchess, who I hope will being forth an happy Catholic: Here some are curious to know who will be Godfathers and Godmothers'. Yours, as you know 2d May Please to send Mr. Vincent word, I have his of the 24th of March. May 16th, 1676. Sir, I Receive together your two of Friday the 7th, and Monday the 10th April, being much rejoiced the Duke doth so well, not doubting of God's blessing, but if the Duke or Duchess employ the Archbishop of Dublin, or his Adherents in Rome, it will but confound their and the Catholics affairs with chimerical Visions, which at Rome are not esteemed more than to spoil real affairs. Neither will Rome esteem a Benedictine coming on such things as belong not properly to his Trade. But suppose his business is to get a little Money for himself, which is not so easily parted withal, and as to Prince Rinaldi's affair, Cardinal Norfolk hath twice (although no body ever spoke to him of it) spoken earnestly about, but as affairs stand, nothing can at present be done for many Reasons, and you may be sure that Card. Fr. Barberine, who hath so long endeavoured it, and the Duchess' Mother now at Rome, and Card. Norfolk, will do their best when a fitting time and occasion will be, without others, foolish impertinent busybodies; and as to the A. B. of Dublins prevailing with the Duke in his late Resolution, few or none will believe it here, he being so used to write falsehoods and forgeries, that his saying it maketh it not believed, but if it were so, de bono opere non lapidamus te. He did his duty, for which God recompense him. And as to what Mr. Sheldon pretends to say in the other point, betwixt the A. B. of Dublin and his adversary, Rome needeth not such learned wits, to teach those who know better, others have already as foolishly been fiddling, but neither Fiddler or Fiddlestick is regarded. They may teach fools to dance if they can, for that Tune soundeth not right where a better is used. The best employment Mr. Sheldon can for the Duke and Duchess is to become a Benedictine, and pray for them quietly, whilst having nothing else to trouble you withal at present I am, Yours as you know. Sir, A Although I receive yours duly, yet I unwillingly trouble you with my empty Letters, having nothing hence worth your knowledge, but as before, that whatsoever I can with the Pope for Prin. Rinaldi being a Cardinal I shall do my best in, and I am glad the Duchess will write to the Pope which if ever before done, it's a wonder it was not delivered, as Card. Alteri (who should know) tells me, but when this cometh I will deliver it, and tell both how the Duchess supposed hitherto a former was. Your Correspondent will be ready to obey the Duke's commands when he shall be honoured with them, and certainly hath good abilities for it. The new invented reports of a Bishop for England are Chimaeras; that having long since been disposed of, although the Benedictines and others played the fools to stop the Execution of it in England when it was, not intended to be made use of but in due time, which others (at least as good as the Benedictines and the Caballers) ought to judge, and when due time will be, the same party per se vel per alium, vel alios, may do what will be to be done for since the Benedectines could not get to be a Bishop they would have two Bishops in hopes to be the one, which would be altar contra altar, as in Ireland betwixt Armagh and Dublin, but would be ever pejor priore, so that they may set their Minds and Tongues at rest, and look well to what is committed to them. The French fired the Spanish and Holland Ships and Galleys at Palermo most shamefully, as I suppose you will hear more particularly from others. They say many of English Mariners were with the French. My service to all Friends; Mr. Conne I suppose with you. I am Yours as you know. June 20. Sir, I Shall not need to make any particular Recommendations unto you of the bearer hereof, he being my Nephew, and in whom you may securely have all confidence in any thing which may concern your Master, as yourself, or me; for I assure you he hath a right esteem and fidelity for all, added to his natural good nature as well as good parts; and as affairs may occur, he will from time to time confer with you. He carrieth along with him some things for your Master and Mistress from my Patron, which you will be glad to see, whilst I remit the rest to him, remaining, Sir, Yours as you know, Card. of Norfolk. Rome 12. June, 1677. Rome 27th July, 1677. Sir, THe adjoined Packet, which I now direct to you, contains the Pope's brief in answer to the second Letter from his R. H. My Nephew, who carried the other, may about this time be near his journey's end with it; I assure myself they will both be very welcome, as that which occasioned them was to his Holiness. God grant to this new Correspondence a blessing, whereof the whole Nation may experience happy effects. I render you hearty thanks for your weekly favours, which is all I can do at present, there occurring to me here no other kind of return worthy your acceptance. The Animosity of those persons who formerly gave you some trouble is now I hope much relented; since your late Letters have made no mention of it. I wish you may continue to enjoy your satisfaction in this point, that your friends may thereby have the satisfaction of better enjoying you. I shall have my part herein, as being, Sir, Your Affectionate Friend, Card. of Norfolk. The Letters next following were written from the same place (Rome) by Mr. Leyborn to Mr. Coleman. Mr. Leyborn is said to have been in nature of a Secretary to the Cardinal of Norfolk. Sir, I Found in one of your last Letters to Mr. Grane, a desire of more punctual Correspondence from me then Ordinary whilst the Conclave sitteth: This desire shall be complied with, so far as it is possible for me, but I fear your Curiosity will not thereby remain fully satisfied; those within the Conclave, who look more religiously upon their Obligation, keeping their secrets to themselves; And amongst the great variety of reports which fly abroad, it is not easy to distinguish truth from falsehood. I shall therefore be sparing in delivery of such particulars, leaving you to the public fame, which in the Case may upon the matter be relied upon as well as the intelligence of those who pretend to have the best information. You will find here the list of the Cardinals which you desire, ranged under their several parties or heads, but the order of their promotions is not exactly observed, especially in the Creatures of Altieri and Ursini, (who before the other of the same name died was called S. Sisto) should be in the fourth place and Baladonne in the 9th. There may be other pretenders to the Papacy besides these which are mentioned; But I mark those which are most remarkable. Card. Norfolk hath received Letters from the King and Duke, enjoining his adherence with France, which he answereth by this Post, that to the Duke the Secretary of the Durchess will see. I refer you to other particulars to what I have writ unto my Lord Arundel; and Card. Norfolk to Mr. Hayd. Card. Norfolk will not except the offer from France of Albi, dreading the dependence which would follow. A like offer from Spain hath been refused; Many are of opinion the Conclave will last long, especially if the French persist in their animosity against Altieri, who will be able in spite of them to hinder the Election of any whom they would endeavour to have chosen without his concurrence. It would be a great service to the Church if this quarrel (which seems to have no deep bottom) were taken up; The present conjuncture seems most proper for it, and Card. Norfolk might be a proper instrument. I hear our Countryman the Cardinal of Norfolk hath his health well in the Conclave, and gains much in the opinion of his Brethren. As matter occurs to feed your Curiosity, you shall hear further from, Sir, Your most humble Servant. W. L. Sept. 5. Sir, THe Letters which came from you the last week, had been acknowledged and answered the ordinary day, and by the ordinary way, had not the expectation of the great business perfected this morning made me willing to defer writing two days longer. Cardinal Odeschelechi is the person on whom the great lot is fallen, by an unanimous consent of the Electors, and who was designed before by a general desire of the people; the two great Catholic Monarches concurring likewise in the Election, by their approbation of it, we have reason to promise ourselves that great matters will be done in his Pontificalte, for the advancement of Catholic Religion. We want here no more at present to render our joys complete, than to be assured that your Mistress is happily delivered of a Young Prince. This we hope will be the Subject of your next Letter, which therefore is expected with great impatience. My Lord hath by the Currier who carries these, writ both to your Mistress and the Duke: You need not be put in mind, how requisite it is that the Duchess lose no time in this occasion, but writ with what convenient speed she can to his Holiness, from whom she may promise herself all expressions that ought to be expected of a most tender and Fatherly affection. The time I have for writing of this is stole from other businesses, which now calling for it again, Oblige me to Subscribe, Sir, Your most humble Servant. W. L. Rome, Sept. 21. Card. Norfolk judgeth it necessary that the Duke writ also to the Pope, and that the Duchess Secretary may do well to propose; what was writ in the last Letters concerning Prince Rinaldi will be taken into serious Consideration: greater difficulties are to be overcome than you there without a long Discourse will easily be persuaded of, however the person to whom the business is recommended will not be wanting on his part: [This last P. S. is writ with the Cardinal's hand.] Just now I understand of the Duchess delivery of a Princess, which I told the Pope, and all the Cardinals of, who are all very glad; the Pope's name is Innocentius XI. Rome, Apr. 17th. Sir, YOu will not wonder at my seldom Writing, if you consider how little there occurs here to write of. Mr. Gr. desires me to render you his thanks for your weekly favours, and to let you know that the Letter which the Duke wrote to the Pope, and which was given to Mr. Con, hath miscarried: The Nunce at Paris doth acknowledge to have received of Mr. Con the Packet in which it was, and doth say he sent it hither, but here it cannot be found. The Card. of Norfolk hath made this known to the Pope, and Cardinal Cibo, who says the only remedy now is a Duplicat. I can give you no news hence worth your knowledge; Affairs at the Palace go on in their flow train. Monsieur di Luca the Pope's Auditor and Favourite hath these days passed been at death's door, but now there is hope of his recovery. The common speech is, that his Holiness will shortly call to Town some of his kindred, and confer Honours on them without Salaries. It is also said there may probably be a Promotion of Cardinals about whitsuntide, but nothing is more uncertain here than reports of this nature. Foreign occurrences are the great matter of Discourse, in which how much our wise men mistake, you may guests by a report, which some principal persons were Authors of last week, and which upon their credit was much believed, viz. That his R. Highness was in very few days expected in Florence, and that Sir Bern. Gascoyn by the great Duke's Order was gone to receive him at the Frontiers of that State. Some other passages concerning England, directly contrary to truth have been assured with great confidence, and accordingly believed. The Pope hath lately distributed some small Pensions to the Cardinals of the last promotion, not sufficiently provided for by his Predecessor. The C. of Norfolk hath (as I hear) for his share 1600 Crowns, part whereof is to expire at the end of 6 Years, according to the stile of Pensions given upon Benefices in Spain and Portugal. This help is thought by those who know his Condition, to have but small proportion with his necessities. But in this interressed Country, and thrifty Pontificat, any little Provision of this kind is thought considerable. I wish you all happiness and remain, Your most humble Servant. 29, May. Sir, MY last was of April 17. which I hope got safe to your hands; it was to acquaint you with the miscarriage of the Duke's Letter to the Pope, recommended long since to Mr. Caun. But the Pope remaining sufficiently satisfied by Card. Norfolk, that the Letter of the Duke was brought to Paris and given to his Nuncios hands, and addressed to Card. Norfolk, resolved without expecting the duplicat or such another Letter, concerning which I wrote in my last, to direct a Brief to the Duke which will be carried by Mr. Thomas Howard. Card. Norfolk doth not doubt but the Duke will reply thereupon, and hopes in the mean time that the expected duplicat, will meet with better success than the Letter last sent. June 5. Now the Brief directed to the Duke is in Card. Norfolk's hands, nothing finer or more full of that kind could be expected. Mr. _____ in few days doth departed with it, he carries also for the Duke and Duchess two pair of Beads from the Pope, with most ample Indulgences. It was desired here that some English Priest should be with the Pope's Nuncio at Nimegen, Mr. Godden was named by Card. Norfolk, but he desiring to be excused, I think Mr. Caun will go. My service to our Friend in Fleetstreet. June 25. Noise of peace is heard here from all places, we hope shortly to have it publicly proclaimed by singing of a Te Deum. I thank you for your Postscript which is concerning Mr. Platt, who is now so impertinent, as to declare that he was always a Protestant in his heart. _____ expects with great impatience an Order to recall him, and certainly Mr. Platt doth deserve it. July 9 The hope you give that Mr. Platt will be recalled is very welcome to the Duke of Florence. There is great need of it, for the Inquisition hath already begun to stir in it. Card. Cibo hath made complaint of it to the Resident of Florence, as I have signified more particularly to Lord Arundel. I long for your next which because it promiseth much, which straitness of time made you omit in the last. July 10. My last which was by the last Post acquainted you that the Letter of the Duke of York to the Pope was received, the good man in reading it could not abstain from Tears. Card. Norfolk doth answer will shortly be sent, though upon the matter it hath been done anticipatedly; greater tenderness, with expression of kindness and esteem, could not be expected, as you are desired to signify. July 16. What hath come to your mind concerning a Match with the Prince of Florence, and our Lady Anne, deserves better reffections than I am able for the present to make of it; setting aside the interest which might move the Duke of Florence to desire it. I am verily persuaded that the great respect he hath for the Duke of York, would set a great weight upon his Inclination to carry him towards it; I had yesterday a Letter from the Duke of Florence, who continues his pressing earnestness for compassing the business which hath been so often mentioned. I doubt it may linger a great while if such a reason be expected as may satisfy the Enemies of Religion. I think it might suffice to allege, that Mr. Platt is very unwelcome to the Duke of Florence. July 30. The Court here will not be well pleased, till the new difficulties which obstruct the peace at Nimegen be removed. July 24. Mr. Gr. is your servant, this day he hath a brief of the Pope in answer to the letter of the Duke. Aug. 6. These must acknowledge the receipt of yours June 28. and July 1. The Postscript in one of them was very welcome, for the satisfactory matter, it gave me for a Letter to the Duke of Florence, after two week's silence to the point he is so much concerned for. The same Post did also bring me a Letter from Lord Arundel to the same effect, which I shall thank for shortly. Card. Norfolk hath writ to the King, and sent a Letter from the Queen of Sweden, desiring him to take her into his protection at the Treaty in Nimegen. Reasons to prove the Justice of her pretences are sent to Mr. Cook. Card. Norfolk would be well pleased if Mr. Coleman would promote this Interest with the Duke. Aug. 13. I have had thanks this week from the Duke of Florence, for the account gave him the last, of what was contained in Letters from Lord Arundel, and Mr. Coleman about Mr. Platt. Aug. 20. We have had this week three from you, one of them gave hopes of a Letter from the Lord Arundel. I am indebted to our friend in Fleetstreet for two Letters. Sept. 11. A Brief was sent last year dated about the month of May, and carried from hence by an Irish Bishop. Card. Norfolk would know if it were delivered to the Queen, the answer was late expected. Card Barbarin is in pain to know whether a Picture which he sent to her R. H. hath been received. Nou. 20. Yours of October 5 and 8. found me in the Country with Mr. Gra. to morrow we return to Rome. I am sorry that my Letter of September 11. as to that part which was in cipher, after the trouble it had given you, proved at length not intelligible. That which Card. Norfolk would know if delivered to the Queen, was a Brief sent to her from the Pope last year, about the month of May, and given by Card. Norfolk to an Irish Bishop, who not passing by England delivered it to the Lady Nou. 28. The Confidence with which Mr. Coleman ends his Letter to the Prince doth much please; But that delivered by Mr. Caun, in naming to Duchess Lauderdale the Correspondent of Card. Norfolk is wondered at. I hope Mr. Coleman will on this accident judge it necessary to proceed with more caution, and send a false name to write to him. Card. Norfolk hath had some answer from Portugal but no resolution, England's Competitor is not Card. D'estre but Rospilias, to whose Uncle the Prince and Princess of Portugal own their Marriage. Dec. 18. We are told the Duke of Modena intends a journey to London, Card. Norfolk will to his power second the demand which Card. Barberin is to make in behalf of Prince Rinaldo; he saith that concern was never touched by the Duke or Duchess in any Letter to him, nor did the Duchess of Modena when she was here seem to relish it much. Jan. 1. 1678. The Letter of the Duke to the Pope, about the Marriage of his Daughter to the P. of Orange hath been delivered. I confess the Pope remains satisfied that the Duke was in no fault, but in his intended answer will not touch that point. The business of the Prince Rinaldo I fear is not yet ripe. Octob. 1. 1678. Intercepted. This Week's Post brought but one from you under date of Aug. 23. it was almost overtaken by an Express dispatched from Nimegen by the Pope's Nuncio, who yesterday morning brought the welcome News of a Peace made between France and Spain: His Holiness went yesterday afternoon to St. Marry Major to thank God for that public benefit, and Te Deum like to be Sug: There were several Letters writ to Mr. Coleman by the late Earl of Berkshire under the borrowed name of Rice. The names of principal men and matters are therein expressed in words of Cabal or cipher: which there was not any key found to open and explain. But at the Committee of Lords there was the following key made; but made by Conjecture only; and therefore it is not warranted for certain. But, the Reader may use this or his own sense, and Conjecture upon the 4 or 5 of the Letters here exhibited. March the 7th 1674/5 William Rice. Lady D. York Patch Arlington Brother D. York Trees Great men, Lord Treasurer Lady's Sister The King Oak The Treasury Lady to be passively neutral, etc. D. York to be passive in the matter of dissolving Parl. Adversaries The Protestant party The two Trees Parl. and Protestant party Yorkshire and Dorset Attorneys. Buckingham and Shaftesbury Bothoakes Lord Treasurer and L. Lady's Niece Duke of Monmouth The Aunt The Duke Octob. 20. 1674. Wife of Shaftesbury The Nonconformist Interest Without Date. Dorc. Attorney's Letter Shaftesburys letter to Carlisle Gardiner's brother The Duke The two trees The Parl. & Protestant Religion, or, Protestant Relig. & Property Lady's Sister The King Lady's house Romish Religion Plenipotentiary Lord Treasurer Champerty Court dissimulation, or undermining My Friend D. Buckingham Ladies friend over the Dike The French King A Term A Session of Parliament New Assize A New Parliament His Mistress The Popish Cause The Grand Jury The Parliament Men September 10. 1674. SIR, I Have received yours dated August the 28th. and if your Lady pleaseth with Confidence to retain me in her Cause, as you say she will, she may rest most secure to be both Faithfully and Uncorruptibly served, according to the old English Oath of an Attorney, without Fear, Favour, or Affection; from hence therefore I resolve not to stir, upon no other bodies Call nor Fees, until I have her special Command to come up to Westminster, and full Instructions how to move when I am there, which must be your part to see done and prepared in the mean time, because I would think a little thereupon between this and then, since the impertinentest of officiousnesses is to pretend to be wiser in other folks concerns than they are themselves; yet give leave to say that I doubt very much words will not be kept with her by those whom chief she doth depend on, not to shrink in the day of Battle, when bullets begin to fly thick and near; and though my Brother Attorney of Dorchest. and his whole packed jury saving two of the number, who are my Cousin Germains originally, are Cowards, let not that comfort you at all, for if you remember after Clinias was driven into the water, he fought like a lion; besides, the ills which they have already done, to speak the plain truth, cannot be safe but by attempting greater, wherein the Lady's Niece if good care be not early taken will have a considerable portion. I would you saw as I do because of my Ladies former displeasure towards me, which makes them lie at something an opener Garde with me in this particular than they do perhaps with others of the same profession, what postings, and meetings there are up and down the Country about this matter, to the exaltation of the Niece, usque ad Coelum, and to the crying down of the Aunt, nay and to such an insolence is the little Attorney grown, that when applications are made unto him, from the Centre of all these lines, as you well observe, and the man for whose sake I first fell into disgrace with the Lady to admit them into his Counsels and interests, the urchin still answers quod cùm impiis non vult Conversatio, and that he intends to do his work not by such assistances, sed solum ex pondere causae; wherefore if any Champarty masculine or feminine of that kind could be proved in open Court it were not amiss, but when the thing comes to the touch, you'll see that it will not abide the trial nor bear water. The giving of money than is all I can apprehend to be dangerous in this Case, with a Condition to exclude the Aunt out of the entail, because upon those terms no separate proviso can serve her turn, only conduce towards the invalidating the testimony of her witnesses and Friends. I desire to here only that you have gotten this note safe into your hands, show it unto my Lady at seasonable opportunities, and ever esteem me without welt or guard Your faithfullest Friend and Servant, William Rice. October 20. 1674. I Have Received yours dated the 13th. of this month, these come to you by a secure hand, else I would not venture to write out of paraboles. The new Parliament is that which the Dorsetshire Attorney, and all his Clients have now in chase, Consultations are on foot how to frame addresses for it, within the compass of the Law. Tell our Lady from me that she hath but one point seriously to intent, which is to make herself, and not be denied the Commission, mediatrix of the Peace, which France as well as Spain are more inclined towards than ever, because of the unruliness of the Germane Confederates, for should either the Duke of Buckingham, or my Lord of Arlington get that Employment from her, nay any one besides, there is an end of her story: By reason if the new Parliament cannot be obtained, to have their own Creatures trusted with this mediation, is the only hope they have left; I mean the wife of Shaftsbury: could they and their adherents be authors of the general peace upon the nick of this Conjuncture, I am afraid France will not stick so close to the Lady, as perchance she believeth they would, since to my knowledge they are actually in treaty at present with those two persons whom I last named to this very purpose, therefore you see in this cause I do not juggle nor regard either peculiar Interests, or friendship: for the Duke of Buckingham till he be at the brink of death, will never be right to our Cause more, both because he doth think the Lady underhand hath used him hardly in the matter of his late persecutions, as also, that most of our persuasion were in the contrivance of the petition which was delivered in Parliament against my Lady of Shrewsbury and him, though perhaps both equally mistaken, however, I must be sincere always with you, for so it is, and if my Lord of Arlington can obtain the Commission aforesaid, than a rope for the Pope, and long live the house of Nassaw, you see clearly I trust you, therefore I am sure you will not suffer the integrity of a poor Country Cloathier to be abused. I tell you again, if they can get the acting of the Peace into their hands, in one word, they will be able to do their work, peractum agere, and much better hilted than it was the last time, for so will they be Masters of the Case of all Subsidies, both abroad and at home, which you cannot be ignorant somewhere is a potent argument; but to those who look asquint upon things and men that are above their reach, these I easily believe will be held Chimerical Speculations. Should the matter be ordered so as to make the new Parliament the Cause of the Peace, or the Peace the means of the new Parliament, our Lady may when she pleaseth retire to hunt at her hired house in Suffolk. All that I desire from you is to let me know, as soon as you can, whether or no this Parliament shall meet and sit again the 13th. of April, for the rest I can better inform you of, than you me, in relation to Country transactions. To conclude, nothing can save us but resolution, and throwing off the mask, since none but children can be so weak as to imagine they are not known through a vizard, as much as without one on their Faces. My notes are ready, and transcribing to be sent you, let the Lady consider them, and dispose thereof as she thinks good; for 'tis a maxim I shall never quit, not to pretend to be wiser in other folk's matters than they are themselves. I beseech you burn these after our Lady hath seen them, I shall be very impatient till I am sure they are safe come to your hands, farewell. When I say Resolution, do not think I expect Impossibilities, Deus non coget ad impossibilia, nor am Ignorant how difficult it will be to get that herb out of a Garden, where nothing but irresolution groweth. November 20. 1674. THese come to you by a very safe hand, therefore be not afraid to read them, this was very unseasonable hunting weather, as I writ before, unless there be something at the bottom of that resolution which we do not see, for never think that these Carneval Plenipotentiaries go into Holland only to make merry with their wife's kindred there, and less that if my Lord Latimer goeth along with them, that he can either make or mar any sport, besides the treaty betwixt France and the Suedes and Rohans Conspiracy, whether true or false will have influences here that must of necessity make the little Dorsetshire Attorney and his Associates look seriously about them in order to their own preservation, you say that neither his R. H. My Lord Treasurer, nor the Duke of Lauderdale knew any thing of this Mysterious Journey, and then you may be sure it cannot be good, but thus much I can write upon certain knowledge, that their Emissaries do go up and down from Country to Country, to settle the minds of the people, that the Parliament will infallibly Sat, and meet in April again, and for an earnest token thereof do give them instance by the sudden renewing of the order for prohibiting of Papists from coming to Court, for out of whose quiver that came I need not tell you, only this I can tell you, that since he is Canonised not only for the best Statesman, but also for the best Protestant that ever was in England since my Lord of Clarendan's departure, you say we shall see something about the latter end of the Term, I pray God hearty that the Lady do not too often take nothing for something, yet am not ignorant of the difficulties she laboureth under neither, by my former Letters which I wrote unto you touching the matter of the Peace, I still intimated that if the Commission to treat it were taken out of her hands there was an end of the story, for if this Parliament doth ever meet again, good night, but standers by cannot understand the course of the Cards so well as those that play them, therefore will I say no more of this particular, though I be strongly persuaded within myself, that the Prorogation was resolved only to try to make the better bargain for the ruin of us all, which if it can be effected, remember I tell you let those whom she most dependeth upon without naming any body, promise never so deeply to the contrary, she will be deserted and left alone, sicut passer solitarius in tecto, for this Convention of Bishops which you mention, is only pararevias thereunto, since, to say the truth, that Church hath no other expedient left how to subsist, these few scribbled lines are directed to no other eyes but your own, pray write largely unto me once for all by this bearers return who is secure and trusty, and believe that in the whole world you have not a faithfuller Servant than William Rice. Show this Note to the Lady. IT is my duty the Lady should know all things which come to me whatever they are, considerable or not, to judge, and make what use of them she thinks best. Here was with me last night one of the Cabal and a near Relation, who saith he can propose the greatest matters unto her imaginable in order to her preservation and no less, in case the Parliament doth meet but with this restriction to me, that proffered service stinks, it is a vain time, and the present state of affairs makes most men more presumptuous and vain than otherwise they would perhaps be. His Proposals consist but of two Parts, the one to obtain a proviso of Exemption for her in the grand intended Bill against Popery, and the other by the same proviso as he saith he can demonstratively show that he is able to make good, that all her former offices, Bailwicks and places shall be re-invested in her again. The Lady seemed to approve of taking in all persons, I will be caution that this man shall not break his word, but not suretyship that he may not reckon without his host, he will not come unless sent for, all which I submit to the Lady's better judgement, having Commission to bring him thither whenever she pleases to Command his attendance William Rice. Saturday Morning. Oh formose Puer nimium ne crede dolori. TO answer yours then of the 15th. March both Latin and English, I presume that e'er this you may have seen the Dorsetshire Attornys circular letter to his Companions, because every Coffee-house has Copies of it, wherein he doth not only mention, a new Trial, but also a new Jury, or else resolveth flatly not to come up to the Assize. But an intimate friend of his told me no longer agone than yesterday, that he is sure nothing can be more remote from his heart, than a new Jury, and that he doth give out this only, Captare Benevolentiam with the Grand jury men, and John Bothoaks their Solicitor, because sayeth the crafty Pettifogger unto them, I move thus only for your sakes, since whatever I desire, the Judge will never grant, and so have dextrously avoided a new Jury by seeming to demand one, which considering the humour of the man's dealing is not totally improbable. Pray acquaint the Lady with this particular, because it is most true and worth her knowing. I am very glad to hear it again confirmed by you, that the Gardeners brother proveth a good man, he saith right, the two Trees must down, which now there is no more dispute cannot stand without the undermining of the Lady's house, but all the craft will be how to get them removed, for which the Gardiner's Brother's Tools I doubt are not sharp enough, besides those who have promised to work with him, when the Spade cometh to the Rock 'tis to be feared may dig Counter, for at present 'tis a tough piece of labour, and will continue so until the Lady's Sister doth feel the inconvenience of their standing there as well as she herself has felt it already. That the Lady has gotten a Plenipotentiary of her own choosing is good, if he doth not find that he must dig against the Rock too, for then as well as I love the man, he is not to learn this lesson of the Ladies, of any Church whatsoever, durum erit tibi contrà stimulum calcitare, my friend, I begin to hope may do well by something I have heard of him, whereof more by the next return. Send me word I entreat you what Bills are upon the Stocks, and whether there be one in hand to exclude the Catholic Lords from Sitting and Voting in the House of Peers, that I may prepare accordingly. Since the Priests and Monks are all gone, when they are beyond Seas again, more Masters of their Conceptions than they were here, I pray God that they may write no foolish Books to inflame the reckoning, which by the way they are like enough to do, unless warned to the contrary by the Lady, whose good they ought to tender more than the pleasing of their fancies, since the penalty of their follies, otherwise will certainly light upon her in the conclusion of things. Since the Lady will go to a new trial, intent, proceed, prosper and reign, the Gardener will not be long from you to accomplish his word; but if the event doth not prove otherwise than is expected I am much cozened, for either John Bothoaks must heeds be stark mad, or he is sure of having already packed the Cards enough to do his feat with the Jury before he cometh to sit down at primavisti with the Lady, in fine, though I knew Cassandra was an Ass for Prophesying always where she was never believed, yet I cannot leave this kind of style for my heart. Let your new Instruments be never so acceptable to the Jury for a while, that is to say, till the cheat be enacted, they will not have been long in the Lady's hands, but they will become like the others heretofore, whom they so much distasted, since their business is not to accept of her security upon a change of officers, but right or wrong to reject it, whatever she offers, or whomever she employeth. Another soruple too I have, which is, whether her friend over the dyke will be true to her or no, for if so, as you well observe Orange Trees will not thrive in our soil, farewell till I see you. March 24th. 1674/5. Coleman to Monsieur Le Cheese, 29th Sept. 75. SInce Father St. has been so kind to me as to recommend me to your Reverence, Lect. pro Rege. so advantageously as to Encourage you to accept of my Correspondence, I will own to him that he has done me a Favour without consulting me, greater than I could have been capable of, if he had advised with me; because I should not then have had the Confidence to have permitted him to ask it in my behalf: And I am so sensible of the Honour you are pleased to do me, that though I cannot deserve it, yet at least, to show the sense I have of it, I will deal as freely and openly with you at this first time, as if I had had the Honour of your acquaintance all my life; and shall make no Apology for so doing, but only tell you, that I know your Character perfectly well, though I am not so happy as to know your Person; and that I have an Opportunity of putting this Letter into the hands of Father St. Germain's Nephew (for whose Integrity and Prudence he has undertaken) without any sort of hazard. In order then, Sir, to the plainness which I profess, I will tell you what has formerly passed between your Reverend Predecessor Father Ferrier and myself, about Three years ago, when the King my Master sent a Troop of his Horse Guards into his most Christian majesty's Service, under the Command of my Lord Duras, he sent with it an Officer called Sir William Throckmorton, with whom I had a particular intimacy, and who had then very newly embraced the Catholic Religion; to him did I constantly writ, and by him address myself to Father Ferrier; The first thing of great Importance which I presumed to offer to him (not to trouble you with lesser Matters, or what passed here before and immediately after the fatal Revocation of the King's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, to which we own all our late Miseries and Hazards) was in July, August and September 73. when I constantly inculcated the great danger Catholic Religion, and his most Christian majesty's Interest would be in at our next Sessions of Parliament, which was then to be in October following; at which, I plainly foresaw that the King my Master would be forced to something in prejudice of his Alliance with France, which I saw so evidently and particularly that we should make Peace with Holland, that I urged all the Arguments I could (which to me were Demonstrations) to convince your Court of that mischief, and pressed what I could to persuade his Christian Majesty to use his utmost force to prevent that Sessions of our Parliament; and proposed Expedients how to do it: but I was answered so often and so positively that his Christian Majesty was so well assured by his Ambas here, our Ambas. there, the Lord Arlington, and even the King himself, that he had no such apprehension at all, but was fully satisfied of the contrary, and looked upon what I offered as a very Zealous mistake, that I was forced to give over arguing, though not believing, as I did; but confidently appealed to time and success, to prove who took their measures rightest. When it happened that what I foresaw came to pass, the Good Father was a little surprised to see all the Great Men mistaken, and a little one in the right, and was pleased by Sir W. Throckmorton to desire the continuance of my Correspondence, which I was mighty willing to comply with, knowing the Interests of our King, and in a more particular manner of my more immediate Master the Duke, and his most Christian Majesty to be so inseparably united, that it was impossible to divide them without destroying them all. Upon this I show that our Parliament in the Circumstances it was in, managed by the timorous Counsels of our Ministers, who then governed, could never be useful either to England, France, or Catholic Religion; but that we should as certainly be forced from our Neutrality at their next Meeting. as we had been from our active Alliance with France the last; that a Peace in the Circumstances we were in was much more to be desired than the continuance of the War, and that the Dissolution of our Parliament would certainly procure a Peace; for that the Confederates did more depend upon the Power they had in our Parliament, than upon any thing else in the World, and were more encouraged from thence to continue the War; so that if that were Dissolved, their measures would be all broken, and they consequently in a manner necessitated to a Peace. The Good Father, minding this Discourse somewhat more than the Court of France thought fit to do my former, urged it so home to the King, that his M. was pleased to give him order to signify to his R. H. my Master, that his Ma. was fully satisfied of his R. H's good Intentions towards him, and that he esteemed both their Interests as but one and the same; That my Lord Arlington and the Parliament were both to be looked upon as very unuseful to their Interests, and that if his R. H. would endeavour to Dissolve this Parliament, his Ma. would assist him with his Power and Purse to have such a New one as should be for their purpose: This and a great many more Expressions of Kindness and Confidence Father Ferrier was pleased to communicate to Sir W. T. and commanded him to send them to his R. H. and withal to beg his R. H. to propose to his most Christian M. what he thought necessary for his own concern, and the advantage of Religion, and his M. would certainly do all he could to advance both or either of them; this Sir W. T. sent to me by an Express who left Paris on the 2d of June 1674. S. N. I no sooner had it, but I communicated it to his R. H. to which his R. H. commanded me to answer as I did on the 29th of the same Month. That his R. H. was very sensible of his most Christian M's Friendship, and that he would labour to cultivate it with all the good Offices he was capable of doing for his Ma. That he was fully convinced that their Interests were both one. That my Lord Arlington and the Parliament were not only unuseful, but very dangerous both to England and France; that therefore it was necessary that they should do all they could to Dissolve it; and, That his R. H's opinion was, that if his most Christian M. would write his Thoughts freely to the King of England upon this Subject, and make the same offer to his M. of his Purse to Dissolve this, which he had made to his R. H. to call another, he did believe it very possible for him to succeed, with the assistance we should be able to give him here, and that if this Parliament were Dissolved, there would be no great difficulty of getting a new One which would be more useful, the Constitution of our Parliaments being such, that a new One can never hurt the Crown, nor an old One do it good. His R. H. being pleased to own these Propositions, which were but only General; I thought it reasonable to be more particular, and come closer to the Point. 1. That if we happened to agree, we might go the faster about the work, and come to some Issue before the time were too much spent: I laid this for my Maxim, The Dissolution of our Parliament will certainly procure a Peace; which Proposition was granted by every body I conversed withal, even by Monsieur Rouvigny himself, with whom I took liberty of discoursing so far; but durst not say any thing of the Intelligence I had with Father Ferrier. Next, That a Sum of Money certain, would vertainly procure a Dissolution: This some doubted, but I am sure I never did; for I knew perfectly well that the King had frequent Disputes with himself at that time, whether he should dissolve or continue them, and he several times declared, that the Arguments were so strong on both sides, that he could not tell to which to incline; but was carried at last to the continuance of them by this one Argument; If I try them once more they may possibly give me Money, if they do, I have gained my Point; if they do not, I can dissolve them then, and be where I am now; so that I have a possibility at least of getting Money for their continuance, against nothing of the other side. But if we could have turned this Argument, and said, Sir, Their Dissolution will certainly procure you Money, when you have only a bare possibility of getting any by their continuance, and have shown how far that bare possibility was from being a Foundation to build any reasonable hope upon, which I am sure His Majesty was sensible enough of; and how much 300000 l. Sterling certain (which was the Sum we proposed) was better than a bare possibility (without any reason to hope that that would ever be compassed) of having half so much more (which was the most he designed to ask) upon some vile dishonourable terms, and a 1000 other hazards which we had great reason to be afraid of; If I say we had had Power to have argued thus, I am most confidently assured we could have compassed it; for Logic in our Court built upon Money, has more powerful Charms than any other sort of reasoning: But to secure his most Christian M. from any hazard as to this point, I proposed that his M. should offer that Sum upon that Condition, and if that Condition were not performed, the Money should ne'er be due; if it were, and that a Peace would certainly follow thereupon (which no body doubted) his Majesty would gain his ends, and save all the vast Expenses of the next Campagn, by which he could not hope to better his Condition, or to put himself into more advantageous Circumstances of Treating than he was then in, but might very probably be in a much worse, considering the mighty Oppositions he was like to meet with, and the uncertain Chances of War; but admitting that His Majesty could Maintain himself by his great Strength and Conduct in as good a Condition to Treat the next year as he was then in, which was as much as could then reasonably be hoped for, he should have saved by this Proposal, as much as all the Men he must needs lose, and all the Charges he should be at in a year could be valued to amount to more than 300000 l. Sterling; & so much more, in case his Condition should decay, as it should be worse than it was when this was made: and the Condition of H. R. H. and of Cath. Religion here, which depends very much upon the success of his M. C. M. delivered from a great many frights and real hazards. Father Ferrier seemed to be very sensible of the benefit which all Parties would gain by this Proposal; but yet it was unfortunately delayed by the unhappy and tedious Sickness which kept him so long from the King in Franche Comte, and made him so unable to wait upon his Ma. after he did return to Paris; but so soon as he could compass it, he was pleased to acquaint his Ma. with it, and did write to the Duke himself, and did me the honour to write also to me on the 15th of September 74 and sent his Letters by Sir Will. Throck-morton, who came Express upon that Errand. In these Letters he gave his R. H. fresh assurances of his M. C. M's. friendship, and of his Zeal and readiness to comply with every thing his R. H had, or should think fit to propose in favour of Religion, or the Business of the Money; and that he had Commanded Monsieur Rouvigny as to the latter, to Treat and deal with his R. H. and to receive and observe his Orders and Directions, but desired that he might not be all concerned as to the former; but that his R. H. would cause what Propositions he should think fit to be made about Religion, to be offered either to Father Ferrier, or Monsieur Pompone. These Letters came to us about the middle of our September, and his R. H. expected daily when Monsieur Rouvigny should speak to him about the subject of that Letter, but he took no notice at all of any thing till the 29th of September; the Evening before the King and Duke went to Newmarket for a Fortnight, and then only said, That he had Command from his Master to give his R. H. the most firm assurances imaginable of his Friendship, or something to that purpose, making his R. H. a general Compliment, but made no mention of any particular Orders relating to the Subject of Fa. Ferrier's Letter: The Duke wondering at this proceeding, and being obliged to stay good part of October at Newmarket, and soon after his coming back, hearing of the Death of Fa. Ferrier, he gave over all farther prosecuting of the former Project. But I believed I saw Monsieur de Rouvigny's Policy all along, who was willing to save his Master's Money, upon an assurance that we would do all we could to stave off the Parliament for our own sakes, that we would struggle as hard without Money as with it, and we having by this time upon our own Interests prevailed to get the Parliament Prorogued till the 13th of April, he thought that Prorogation, being to a Day so high in the Spring, would put the Confederates so much beyond their measures, as that it might procure a Peace, and be as useful to France as a Dissolution. Upon these reasons, which I supposed he went upon, I had several discourses with him, and did open myself to him so far, as to say, That I could wish his Master would give us leave to offer 300000 l. to our Master for the Dissolution of the Parliament, and show him that a Peace would most certainly follow a Dissolution, which he agreed with me in; and that we desired not the Money from his Master to excite our wills, or to make us more industrious to use our utmost powers to procure a Dissolution, but to strengthen our Power and Credit with the King, and to render us more capable to succeed with his Ma. as most certainly we should have done had we been fortified with such an Argument. To this purpose I pressed Monsieur Pompone frequently by Sir W. Throck. who returned from hence again into France on the 10th of Nou. the Day our Parliament should have sat, but was Prorogued, Monsieur Pompone, as I was informed by Sir Will. did seem to approve the thing; but yet had two Objections against it: First, That the Sum we proposed was great, and could very ill be spared by his Master in the Circumstances he was in. To which we answered, That if by his expending this Sum he could procure a Dissolution of our Parliament, and thereby a Peace, which every body agreed would necessarily follow, his M. C. M. would save 5 or 10 times a greater Sum, and so be a good Husband by his Expense; and if we did not procure a Dissolution, he should not be at that Expense at all; for that we desired him only to Promise upon that Condition, which we were content to be obliged to perform first. The second Objection was, That the Duke did not move it, nor appear in it himself: To that we answered, That he did not indeed to Monsieur Pompone, because he had found so ill an effect of the Negotiation with Father Ferrier when it came into Monsieur Rouvigny's hands; but he had concerned himself in it to Fa. Ferrier; yet I continued to prosecute and press the Dissolution of the Parliament, detesting all Prorogations, as only so much loss of time, and a means of strengthening all those who depended upon it in opposition to the Crown, the Interest of France and Cath. Religion, in the Opinion they had taken that our King durst not part with this Parliament, apprehending another would be much worse. 2. That he could not live long without a Parliament, therefore they must suddenly meet; and the longer he kept them off, the greater his Necessities would grow, and consequently their Power to compel him to do what they listed would increase accordingly; and therefore if they could but maintain themselves a while, their Day would certainly come in a short time, in which they should be able to work their wills; Such Discourses as these kept the Confederates and our Malcontents in heart, and made them weather on the War in spite of all our Prorogations; and therefore I pressed, as I have said, a Dissolution, until February last; when our Circumstances were so totally changed, that we were forced to change our Counsels too, and be as much for the Parliaments sitting, as we were before against it. Our change was thus, Before that time, the Lord Arlington was the only Minister in Credit, who thought himself out of all Danger of the Parliament, he having been accused before them and justified, and therefore was zealously for their Sitting; and to increase his Reputation with them, and to become a perfect Favourite, he set himself all he could to persecute Cath. Religion, and to oppose the French; to show his Zeal against the first, he revived some old Dormant Orders for Prohibiting Ro. Cath. to appear before the King, and put them into Execution at his first coming into his Office of Lord Chamberlain; and to make sure work against the second as he thought; prevailed with the King to give him and the Earl of Ossery, who Married two Sisters of Men, Heer Dyke, leave to go over into Holland with the said Heeren, to make a Visit, as they pretended, to their Relations; but indeed and in truth to propose the Lady Mary, eldest Daughter to his R. H. as a Match for the P. of Orange, not only without the consent, but against the good liking of his R. H. insomuch that the Lord Arlington's Creatures were forced to excuse him with a distinction, that the said Lady was not to be looked upon as the Duke's Daughter, by as the Kings, and a Child of the State, and so the Duke's consent not to be much considered in the disposal of her, but the interest only of State; but this he intended to render himself the Darling of the Parliament and Protestants, who would look upon themselves as secured in their Religion by such an Alliance, and designed farther by that means to draw us into close Conjunction with Holland and the Enemies of France. The Lord Arlington set forth upon this Errand on the 10th of November 74. and returned not till the 6th of January following; during his absence, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Keeper, and Duke of Lauderdale, who were the only Ministers in any considerable Credit with the King, and who all pretended to be entirely united to the Duke, declaimed loudly and with great violence against the said Lord, and his Actions in Holland, and did hope in his absence to have totally supplanted him, and rooted him out of the King's Favour, and after that they thought they might easily enough have dealt with the Parliament; but none of them had courage enough to speak against the Parliament till they could get rid of him, for fear they should not succeed; but that the Parliament would sit in spite of them, and come to hear that they had used their endeavours against it; which would have been so unpardonable a Crime with our Omnipotent Parliament, that no Power would have been able to have saved them from Punishment; but they finding at his return that they could not prevail against him by such Means and Arts as they had then tried, resolved upon new Counsels, which were to outrun him in his own course, which accordingly they undertook, and became as fierce Apostles and as Zealous for Protestant Religion, against Popery, as ever my Lord Arlington was before them, and in pursuance thereof, persuaded the King to issue out those severe Orders and Proclamations against Catholics, which came out in Febr. last; by which they did as much as in them lay to Extirpate all Catholics and Catholic Religion out of the Kingdom; which Counsels were in my poor Opinion so detestable, being levelled, as they must needs be, so directly against the Duke, by People which he had advanced, and who had professed so much Duty and Service to him that we were put upon new thoughts how to save his R. H. now from the deceits and snares of them upon whom we formerly depended; we saw well enough that their design was to make themselves as grateful as they could to the Parliament, if it must sit, they thinking nothing to be so acceptable to them as the Persecuting of Popery; but yet they were so obnoxious to the Parliament's Displeasure in general, that they would have been very glad of any Expedient to have kept it off, though they durst not engage against it openly themselves; but thought this Device of theirs might serve for that purpose, hoping that the Duke would be so alarmed at this proceeding, and by his being left by every body, that he would be much more afraid of the Parliament than ever, and would use his utmost power to prevent its sitting, which they doubted not but he would endeavour, and they were ready enough to work underhand with him for their own sakes not his, in order thereunto, but durst not appear openly; to encourage the Duke the more to endeavour to Dissolve the Parliament, their Creatures used to say up and down, That this rigorous proceeding against Cath. was in favour of the Duke, and to make the Dissolution of the Parliament more easy, which they knew he coveted, by obviating one great Objection which was commonly made against it; which was, That if the Parliament should be Dissolved, it would be said that it was done in favour of Popery, which clamour they had prevented by the severity which they had shown against it beforehand. As soon as we saw these Tricks put upon us, we plainly saw what Men we had to deal with, and what we had to trust to if we were wholly at their mercy, but yet durst not seem so dissatisfied as we really were, but rather magnified the Contrivance as a Device of great Cunning and Skill; all this we did purely to hold them on in a belief, that we would endeavour to Dissolve the Parliament, that they might rely upon his R. H. for that, which we knew they longed for, and were afraid they might do some other way if they discovered that we were resolved we would not: At length when we saw the Sessions secured, we declared we were for the Parliaments meeting, as indeed we were from the moment we saw ourselves used by all the King's Ministers at such a rate, that we had reason to believe they would Sacrifice France, Religion, and his R. H. too to their own Interest if occasion served, and that they were led to believe, that that was the only way they had to save themselves at that time: for we saw no expedient fit to stop them in their career of Persecution, and those other destructive Counsels but the Parliament, which had set itself a long time to dislike every thing the Ministers had done, and had appeared violently against Popery, whilst the Court seemed to favour it, and therefore we were confident that the Ministers having turned their faces, the Parliament would do so too, and still be against them, and be as little for Persecution then as they had been for Popery before; this I undertook to manage for the Duke and the King of France's Interest, and assured Monsieur Rouvigny (which I am sure he will testify if occasion serves) that that Sessions should do neither of them any hurt; for that I was sure I had Power enough to prevent mischief, though I durst not answer for any good they should do, because I had but very few Assistants to carry on the work, and wanted those helps which others had of making Friends: The Dutch and Spaniards spared no pains, nor expense of Money, to animate as many as they could against France; our Lord Treasurer, Lord Keeper, all the Bishops, and such as call themselves old Cavaliers, who were all then as one man, were not less industrious against Popery, and had the Purse at their Girdle too, which is an excellent Instrument to gain Friends with; and all united against the Duke as Patron both of France and Cath. Religion. To deal with all this force, we had no Money but what came from a few private hands, and those so mean ones too, that I dare venture to say, that I spent more my particular self out of my own Fortune, and upon my single Credit, than all the whole body of Catholics in England besides, which was so inconsiderable in Comparison of what our Adversaries could command, and we verily believe did bestow in making their Party, that it is not worth mentioning. Yet notwithstanding all this, we saw that by the help of the Non-Conformists, (as Presbyterians, Independents, and other Sects, who were as much afraid of Persecution as ourselves) and of the Enemies of the Ministers, and particularly of the Treasurer (who by that time had supplanted the Earl of Arlington, and was grown sole Menager of all Affairs himself) we should be able to prevent what they designed against us, and so render the Sessions ineffectual to their ends, though we might not be able to compass our own; which were to make some brisk step in favour of his R. H. to show the King that his Ma's Affairs in Parliament were not obstructed by reason of any aversion they had to his R. H's Person, or apprehension they had of him or his Religion; but from Faction and Ambition in some, and from a real Dissatisfaction in others, that we have not had such fruits and effects of those great Sums of Money which have formerly been given, as they expected: If we could have made then but one such step, the King would certainly have restored his R. H. to all his Commissions, upon which he would have been much greater than ever yet he was in his whole life, or could probably ever have been by any other course in the world than what he had taken of becoming Catholic, etc. And we were so very near gaining this Point, that I did humbly beg his R. H. to give me leave to put the Parliament upon making an Address to the King, that His Ma. would be pleased to put the Fleet into the hands of H. R. H. as the only Person likely to give a good account of so important a Charge as that was to the Kingdom; and show his R. H. such reasons to persuade him that we could carry it. That he agreed with me in it that he believed we could; yet others telling him how great a damage it would be to him if he should miss in such an undertaking (which for my part I could not then see nor do as yet) he was prevailed upon not to venture, though he was persuaded he could carry it. I did communicate this design of mine to Monsieur Rouvigny, who agreed with me that it would be the greatest advantage to his Master imaginable, to have the Duke's Power and Credit so advanced as this would certainly do it if we could compass it, I showed him all the difficulties we were like to meet with, and what helps we should have, but that we should want one very material one, Money, to carry on the work as we ought; and therefore I do confess I did shamefully beg his Master's help, and would willingly have been content to have been in everlasting Disgrace with all the world, if I had not with the assistance of 20000 l. Sterling from him (which perhaps is not the Tenth part of what was spent on t'other side) made it evident to the Duke that he could not have missed it: Monsieur Rouvigny used to tell me, That if he could be sure of succeeding in that design his Master would give a very much larger Sum; but that he was not in a condition to throw away Money upon uncertainties; I answered, that nothing of this Nature can be so infallibly sure as not to be subject to some possibility of failing; but that I durst venture to undertake to make it evident, that there was as great an assurance of succeeding in it, as any Husbandman can have of a Crop in Harvest, who sows his Ground in its Season; and yet it would be accounted a very Imprudent piece of wariness in any body to scruple the venturing so much Seed in its proper time; because it is possible it may be totally lost, and no benefit found of it in Harvest. He that minds the Winds and the Rains at that rate, shall neither sow nor reap. I take our case to be much the same now, as it was the last Sessions, if we can advance the Duke's Interest one step forward, we shall put him out of the reach of all Chances for ever; for he makes such a Figure already, that cautious Men do not care to act against him, or always without him; because they do not see that he is much out-powered by his Enemies, yet is he not at such a pitch as to be quite out of Danger, or free from Opposition; but if he could gain any considerable new Addition of Power, all would come over to him as the only steady Centre of our Government, and no body would contend with him farther; then would Catholics be at case, and his M. C. M's Interest secured with us in England, beyond all Apprehensions whatsoever. In order to this, we have two great Designs to attempt the next Sessions: 1. That which we were about before, viz. To put the Parliament upon making it their humble Request to the King, That the Fleet may be put into his R. H's Care. And, 2. To get an Act for General Liberty of Conscience. If we carry these two, or either of them, we shall in effect do what we list afterwards; and truly we think we do not undertake these great Points very unreasonably, but that we have good Cards for our Game; not but that we expect great Opposition, and have reason to beg all the Assistance we can possibly get; and therefore if his M. C. M. would stand by us a little in this Conjuncture, and help us with such a Sum as 20000 l. Sterling, (which is no very great matter to venture upon such an undertaking as this) I would be content to be Sacrificed to the utmost Malice of my Enemies if I did not succeed; I have proposed this several times to Monsieur Rouvigny, who seems always of my Opinion, and has often told me that he has writ into France upon this Subject, and has desired me to do the like, but I know not whether he will be as Zealous in this Point as a Catholic would be; because our prevailing in these things will give the greatest Blow to the Protestant Religion here, that ever it received since its Birth, which perhaps he would not be very glad to see, especially when he believes that there is another way of doing his Master's Business well enough without it, which is by a Dissolution of the Parliament, upon which I know he mightily depends, and concludes, That if that comes to be Dissolved, it will be as much as he need care for, proceeding perhaps upon the same manner of Discourse which we did this time Twelve months; But with submission to his better Judgement, I do think that our case is extremely much altered from what it was then in relation to a Dissolution; for then the Body of our Governing Ministers, all but the Earl of Arlington, were entirely united to the Duke, and would have governed his way if they had been free from all fear and control, as they would have been if the Parliament had been removed: But they having since that time engaged in quite different Counsels, and Embarked themselves and Interests upon other Bottoms, having declared themselves against Popery, etc. to Dissolve the Parliament simply, and without any other step made, will be to leave them to govern what way they list, which we have reason to suspect will be to the prejudice of France and Catholics, because their late Declarations and Actions have demonstrated to us, that they take that for the most Popular way for themselves, and the likeliest to keep them in Absolute Power; whereas should the Duke get above them after the Tricks they have served him, they are not sure he will totally forget the usage he has had at their hands. Therefore it imports us now to advance our Interest a little farther by some such Project as I have named, before we Dissolve the Parliament, or else perhaps we shall but change Masters, a Parliament for Ministers, and continue still in the same Slavery and Bondage as before; But one such step as I have proposed being well made, we may safely see them Dissolved, and not fear the Ministers, but shall be established and stand firm without any Opposition; for every body will then come over to us, and worship the Rising Sun. I have here given you the History of Three Years, as short as I could, though I am afraid it will seem very long and troublesome to your R. among the Multitude of the Affairs you are engaged in; I have also shown you the present State of our Case, which may by God's Providence and good Conduct, be made of such Advantage to God's Church, that for my part I can scarce believe myself awake, or the thing real, when I think of a Prince, in such an Age as we live in, converted to such a degree of Zeal and Piety as not to regard any thing in the World in comparison of God Almighty's Glory, the Salvation of his own Soul, and the Conversion of our poor Kingdom, which has a long time been oppressed and miserably harassed by Heresy and Schism. I doubt not but your R. will consider our case and take it to heart, and afford us what help you can, both with the King of Heaven by your Holy Prayers, and with his M. C. M. by that great Credit which you most justly have with him; and if ever his Ma's Affairs, or your own, can ever want the Service of so inconsiderable a Creature as myself, you shall never find any body readier to obey your Commands, or faithfuller in the execution of them to the best of his Power, than 29 Sept. 1675. Your most Humble and most Obedient Servant. Father le Cheese his Answer. From Paris October 23. 1675. SIR, THE Letter which you gave yourself the trouble to write to me, Lec' pro Reg. came to my hands but the last night. I read it with great satisfaction; and, I assure you, that its Length did not make it seem tedious. I should be very glad on my part, to assist in seconding your good Intentions; I will consider of the means to effect it; And when I am better informed than I am as yet, I will give you an Account: to the end I may hold Intelligence with you, as you did with my Predecessor. I desire you to believe, that I will never fail as to my good will, for the Service of your Master, whom I honour as much as he deserves, and that it is with great truth that I am Your most humble, and most obedient Servant, D. L. C. A Second Letter from Coleman to Father Le Cheese. SIR, I Sent your Reverence a tedious long Letter, on our 29th of September, to inform you of the progress of Affairs, for these two or three years' last passed, I having now again the opportunity of a very sure hand to convey this by, I have sent you a cipher, because our Parliament now drawing on, I may possibly have occasion to send you something which you may be willing enough to know, and may be necessary for us that you should, when we may want the conveniency of a Messenger. When any thing occurs of more Concern, other than which may not be fit to be trusted, even to a cipher alone, I will, to make such a thing more secure, writ in Lemmon between the Lines of a Letter, which shall have nothing in it visible, but what I care not who sees, but dried by a warm fire, shall discover what is written; so that if the Letter comes to your hands, and upon drying it, any thing appears more han did before, you may be sure no body has seen it by the way. I will not trouble you with that way of writing, but upon special occasions, and then I will give you a hint to direct you to look for it, by concluding my visible Letter with something of Fire, or burning, by which mark you may please to know, that there is something underneath, and how my Letter is to be used to find it out. We have here a mighty Work upon our hands, no less than the Conversion of three Kingdoms, and by that perhaps the subduing of a Pestilent Heresy, which has domineered over great part of this Northern World a long time, there were never such hopes of Success since the Death of Queen Mary, as now in our days: When God has given us a Prince who is become (may I say, a Miracle) zealous of being the Author and Instrument of so glorious a Work; but the opposition we are sure to meet with, is also like to be great: so that it imports us to get all the Aid and Assistance we can, for the Harvest is great, and the Labourers but few. That which we rely upon most, next to God Almighty's Providence, and the favour of my Master, the Duke, is the mighty Mind of his most Christian Majesty, whose generous Soul inclines him to great Undertake, which being managed by your Reverence's exemplary Piety and Prudence, will certainly make him look upon this as most suitable to himself, and best becoming his Power and Thoughts; so that I hope you will pardon me if I be very troublesome to you upon this occasion, from whom I expect the greatest help we can hope for. I must confess, I think his most Christian Majesty's Temporal Interest is so much attracted to that of his R. H. (which can never be considerable, but upon the growth and Advancement of the Catholic Religion) that his Ministers cannot give him better Advice, even in a Politic sense, abstracting from the Considerations of the next World, that of our blessed Lord, to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteousness thereof, that all other things may be added unto him. That I know his most Christian Majesty has more powerful Motives suggested to him by his own Devotion, and your Reverence's Zeal for God's Glory, to engage him to afford us the best help he can in our present Circumstances. But we are a little unhappy in this, that we cannot press his Majesty, by his present Minister here, upon these latter Arguments (which are most strong) but only upon the first, Monsieur Rouvigny's Sense and ours differing very much upon them, though we agree perfectly upon the rest: And indeed, though he be a very able man, as to his Master's Service, in things wherein Religion is not concerned; yet I believe it were much more happy (considering the posture he is now in) that his temper were of such a sort, that we might deal clearly with him throughout, and not be forced to step short in a Discourse of Consequence, and leave the most material part out, because we know it will shock his particular opinion, and so perhaps meet with Dislike and Opposition, though never so necessary to the main Concern. I am afraid we shall find too much reason for this Complaint in this next Session of Parliament: for, had we had one here from his most Christian Majesty, who had taken the whole Business to heart, and who would have represented the state of our case truly, as it is to his Master, I do not doubt but his most Christian Majesty would have engaged himself further in the Affair than at present I fear he has done, and by his Approbation have given such Counsels as have been offered to his Royal Highness by those few Catholics who have access to him, and who are bend to serve him, and advance the Catholic Religion, with all their Might, and might have more Credit with his Royal Highness than I fear they have found, and have assisted them also with his Purse, as far as 10000 Crowns, or some such Sum, (which to him is very inconsiderable, but would have been to them of greater Use than can be imagined) towards gaining others to help them, or, at least, not to oppose them. If we had been so happy as to have had his most Christian Majesty with us to this degree, I would have answered with my Life for such Success this Sessions, as would have put the Interest of the Catholic Religion, his R. Highness, and his most Christian Majesty, out of all danger for the time to come; but wanting those helps of recommending those necessary Counsels which have been given his R. H. in such manner as to make him think them worth his accepting, and fit to govern himself by, and of those Advantages which a little Money well managed would have gained us, I am afraid we shall not be much better at the end of this Sessions, than we are now: I pray God we do not lose ground; by my next, which will be e'er long, I shall be able to tell your Reverence more particularly what we are like to expect; in the mean time, I most humbly beg your holy Prayers for all our Undertake, and that you will be pleased to honour me so far as to esteem me what I am entirely, and without reserve, Mon tres Reverend Pere, le Votre R. Le plus humble plus obeisant Serviteur. Coleman's Letter to Monsieur le Cheese, the French King 's Confessor, in the Duke of York's name. ON the Second of June last, his most Christian Majesty offered me very generously his Friendship, and his Purse too, for my assistance against the Designs of my Enemies and his, and protested to me, that his Interests and mine were so strictly bound up together, that such as opposed either, aught to be looked upon as the Enemies of the other; and told me besides his thoughts of my Lord Arlington, and of the Parliament, which are, that he doth not believe that either the one or the other were favourable to his Interests, or to mine, and thereupon he desired me to make him such Propositions as I should think sit for this Conjuncture. All this happened by the Interposition of F. Ferrier, who made use of Sir William Throckmorton, a good and honest man, who was then at Paris, and has corresponded with Coleman, one of my Domestics, in whom I put great confidence. As I was very well satisfied to see that his most Christian Majesty was altogether of my opinion, I returned him an Answer on the twenty ninth of June, by the same conveyance by which he writ me, that is, by Coleman, who directed it to F. Ferrier, by the said Sir William Throckmorton; and I agreed entirely with him, as well concerning the Union of our Interests, as how useless my Lord A. and the Parliament were to the King, my Brother, and his most Christian Majesty, and that it was very necessary for us to make use of all our Credit jointly, for preventing the Success of the evil Designs that my Lord Ar. and the Parliamentarians have form against his most Christian Majesty and me, which I promised to do faithfully, on my part, and whereof I have given since that time sufficient testimonies; after this, I made some Propositions that I thought fit for the accomplishment of what we were obliged to undertake, assuring him, that nothing could support our Interests so strongly with the King, my Brother, than the making him the same Offers of his Purse, by the assistance whereof, I had great reason to hope, that I should be capable of persuading him to dissolve the Parliament, and of frustrating the Intrigues of my Lord Ar. who endeavours continually to advance the Credit of the Prince of Orange and the Dutch, and to diminish that of the King, your Master, notwithstanding all the Protestations he now makes to serve him. But as our Propositions were delayed by the sickness of F. Ferr. our Business did not succeed according to our desire, only the Father writ me word on the fifteenth of the last Month, that he had communicated the Propositions that I directed to him from his most Christian Majesty, and that they were very acceptable unto him; but as they contained two things, one that concerned the Catholic Religion, and the other the offer of his Purse, he gave me to understand, that he did not desire I should treat with Monsieur Rovigny upon the former; but for the latter, he told me at the same time, that Monsieur Rovigny had order to concur with me in all that the Conjuncture of Our Affairs should make appear necessary. I have expected the Effects thereof until this time, but nothing being done, and perceiving besides, that my Lord Ar. and many others endeavour, by a thousand Tricks, to break off the good Understanding that is between the King my Brother, his most Christian Majesty, and me, for the deceiving of all Three; I have thought fit to acquaint you with all that is past, and to ask your Assistance and Friendship for preventing the Knavery of all those that have no other Design than to betray the Concerns of France and England too, and by their pretended Services, occasion their Disappointment. I do refer you farther to Sir William Throckmorton, and to Coleman, whom I have commanded to acquaint you with the particulars of our Affairs, and the true State of England, that many others, and principally my Lord Ar. endeavoured to represent to you quite otherwise than it is; and these two first are very much addicted to my Interests, so that you may treat with them freely, and without any apprehension. One of the Letters which could not be Deciphered by the Keys found. Rome, January 12. 1675. IT is certain, that the best way to render himself Master of the Kings Will, and to take him off from the Amity with the Parliament, is that of Money, and I doubt not but the Duke may by it make himself absolute upon his spirit, and take for his purest and for that of the Catholics the advantages which you observe in your last Letter, but when the Pope himself shall have the means to do that which shall be necessary in his Affair, which is very much beyond his power, for the reasons I gave when I had the happiness to see you, and of which I advertised you in many Letters, he can never be pressed with Reason to do it, but upon more solid foundations, and more probable assurances for the good of Religion and of the Catholics, which are not yet such, as are contained in the discourse mentioned in your last Letter, that which you propose touching 51666279669961 which is, 667177576661676676 cannot be put in execution 566662516 756665667 but with the 777699916699616797669961 of all 51679177 66629664996719 and only 667191776691 comprising 966699915167 91947151416791 you may then consider, if in the Lands where they are at present 5167916654566646267919680204. It would be to purpose for the Interest of the Duke, to put in public an affair of such a nature as this, of which I assure you with truth, and the Duke may be persuaded is what 66997766916564519167627664617199647671625167976664 91616267963204 will employ 6681272 and 5108126 and 51677762679 6646 for 51669191649161676266626791616694516464516651668126 6679981204 seeing that Rome and the Emperor have a most particular zeal and affection for all that which regard it. As for Gabriel he doth employ himself both with the one and the other, with the same passion he always had for the Duke's service, and you will see, it may be, very shortly marks of it. It is said here, that the King hath not for some time been in good health, advise me how it is, and of our Commerce you may continue till farther order, to send me your Letters by the same way you have done to this time. I am, without reserve, Your most Humble and affectionate Servant ALBANY. The cipher which I put into the hands of 300, and that you may have from him, will serve you to Decipher that which is above. There was several Faculties and Instruments found in the hands of one of the Five Jesuits, and of Mr. Daniel Arthur, which follow in the Original Latin, and Translated into English. Facultates pro Reverendissimo Domino Joanne Laket, Sacerdote Anglo, in Regnis Angliae, Scotiae, alissque Dominiis Legis Magnae Britanniae, excepta Hibernia. I. ABsolvendi ab Haeresi, & Apostasiâ à Fide & Schismate quescunque, etiam Ecclesiasticos, tam Seculares quam Regulares, non tamen eos qui ex Laicis suerint ubi Sanctum Officum exercetur, nisi in Locis Missionum in quibus impune grassantur Haereses, deliquerit, nec illos qui Judicialiter Abjuraeverint, nisi ipsi nati sint ubi impune grassantur Haereses, & post Judicialem Abjurationem illuc reversi in Haeresin fuerint Relapsi, & bis in foro Conscientiae tantum. II. Absolvendi in omnibus Casibus, etiam in Bullâ Coenae. III. Dispensandi in tertio & quarto simplici & mixto Consanguinitatis & Affinitatis gradibus in contractis Matrimoniis cum personis Catholicis, aut Haeresin relinquentibus, idque in foro Conscientiae tantum, & prolem susceptam Legitimam declarandi. IV. Restituendi Jus petendi debitum amissum. V. Administrandi omnia Sacramenta, etiam Parochalia, Ordine & Confirmatione exceptis. VI Celebrandi Missam quocunque loco decenti, etiam sub dio, sub terrâ, una hora ante Aurora, & alia post Meridiem, bis in die si Necessitas cogat; si tamen in prima Missa non sumpserit ablutionem: & super Altari portabili, etiam fracto aut laeso, sine Sanctorum Reliquiis & praesentibus Haereticis aliisque Excommunicatis, si aliter celebrari non possit, etsi non sit periculum Sacrilegii, dummodo inservient Misse, non sit Hereticus, & Excommunicatus. VII. Deserendi sanctissimum Sacramentum occultè ad Infirmos sine lumine, ubi est periculum. VIII. Recitandi Rosarium, vel alias Preces, si Breviarium secum deferre non possit, vel Officium divinum, ob aliud legitimum Impedimentum, recitare non habent. IX. Tenendi & Legendi quosque Libros prohibitos, praeter contentis in Bullâ Coenae, & praeter opera Caroli Molinei, Nicolai Machiavelli, & Libris de Astrologiâ Judiciariâ, vel incidenter, vel alio quovis modo tractantes? dandi etiam Licentiam Laicis ex justâ causâ, ut Libros Catholicorum contra Haereticos, Anglico Idiomate scriptos, & Sacras Scripturas, in idem Ideoma sideliter versas, legant. X. Dispensandi & comutandi vota simplicia ex rationabili Causae, exceptis Votis Castitatis & Religionis. XI. Benedicendi paramenta & alia Vtensilia ad Sacrificium Missae necessarium, ubi non intervenit Vnctio. XII. Dispensandi quando expedire videtur super esu Carnium, Ovorum, & Lactiniorum, etiam tempore Quadragessimo. XIII. Concedendi Indulgentiam plenariam primo conversis ab Haeresi, & sidelibus quibuscunque, in articulo mortis saltem contritis, si Consiteri non possint. XIV. Concedendi singulis Dominicis aliisque Dicbus Festis decem annorum Indulgentiam iis qui ejus Concionibus intervenerint, & plenaria iis qui previae Sacramentali peccatorum suorum Confessione, sacram Eucharistiam sument in Festis Natalis Domini, Paschalis, & Assumtionis Beatissimae Virginis. XV. Lucrandi sibi cisdem Indulgentiis. XVI. Singulis secundis Feriis, non impeditis Officio, novem Lectionum, vel iis impeditis, die immediate sequenti celebrando Missam, de Requiem in quacunque Altari etiam portabili, aborandi animam secundum ejus Intentionem à Purgatorii poenis per modum suffragii, quas facultates concedimus & septennium duntaxat duraturus, Ita tamen ut antea revocari etiam possint ad beneplacitum nostrum sine ullius Causae expressione, eaesque manu nostra firmavimus, Die 25 Mensis Junii, 1678. Per Cardinalis Barbarinus Protector. Christ. Abbas Blancas Secretarius. Faculties and Privileges granted to the Right Reverend Father John Laket an English Priest; to be by him extended unto, and executed in the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and all other the Dominions of the King of Great Britain, except Ireland. I. OF Absolving all sorts of persons from Heresy, Apostasy, and Schism, & that ecclesiastics or Religious, both Secular and Regular, as well as others: providing they did not live where the Roman Worship was used or practised. Yet always allowing that these may be Absolved, who in the way and places of their Mission, Missionaries, are those who are sent to spread the Popish Doctrine in Protestant Kingdoms, etc. are through the power and prevalency of Heresy forced and laid under a necessity of concealing themselves. However, they are not to be Absolved, who having judicially and according to Forms of Law, abjured and renounced their Heresy, do nevertheless withdraw and absent themselves from the Catholic Worship, unless they be such as are born and do live where Heresy universally obtaineth, as being established by Authority, or such who through their being cast into such places, have after the abjuration of their Heresy relapsed into it. And these are to be Absolved and Pardoned only, as to what respects Conscience. II. Of Absolving and Acquitting in and about all Cases, even those which are contained in the Bulla Coenae, or the Bull of the Supper or Sacrament. III. Of Dispensing and allowing a liberty to Catholics, and such who have forsaken the Protestant Heresy, to Marry within the Third and Fourth Degrees (whether simple or mixed) of Kindred and Consanguinity, and of declaring their Off spring and Issue Legitimate, yet so, that this Dispensation do only extend to Conscience. iv Of granting a liberty, and allowing a right to all from whom due benevolence hath been withheld, or to whom upon any pretence it hath been refused, of demanding and claiming the Duties of the Marriagebed. V Of Administering all the Sacraments, except those of Order and Confirmation. VI Of saying and celebrating Mass in any vacant place whatsoever, whether it be in the open fields, or in Vaults and Cellars, and that in case of necessity, it shall be lawful to perform this twice a day, viz. once in the morning, and once at noon, provided he have not at the first Mass received the Ablution. And this may also Celebrate upon any movable Altar, Ablution, is the Priests having dipped his fingers in the Cup which leaving upon the Altar till he have washed his hands, he afterwards returns & drinks up. Altars Portatile, is any Consecrated piece of Board or Stone, which the Priest carries about with him to Celebrate the Eucharist upon. though defaced or broken, and without sacred Relics. Yea, if it cannot be otherwise conveniently performed, it shall be lawful to administer in the presence of Heretics, and other Excommunicated persons, provided always that there be no danger of Sacrilege, and that he who serveth, assisteth, and Ministereth unto him at the said Mass, be neither an Heretic nor Excommunicated person. VII. Of carrying the Sacrament to any who are sick, and in cases of danger, without Lights or Torches. VIII. Of rehearsing the Rosary, or any other Prayers, when he cannot carry his Breviary about with him, or when by reason of some lawful hindrance or impediment he cannot repeat the Divine Office. XI. Of keeping and reading all sorts and kinds of Prohibited Books, except such which are contained in the Bulla Coenae, and the Book of Charles Molinaeus, and Nicholas Machiavelli, and such Books which either designedly or occasionally Treat of Judiciary Astrology. And of allowing upon a just and weighty cause a liberty to Lay-people to read such Catholic Books as are written in English against Heretics, and of reading the Sacred Scripture, provided they be faithfully Translated into the English Tongue. X. Of Dispensing with, making Commutation and exchange about, simple and naked Vows, unless they be Vows of Chastity, and of entering into Holy Orders. XI. Of blessing all the Accoutrements (paramenta) and Utensils required or needful for the Celebration of the Mass, except they be such which ought to be Consecrated. XII. Of allowing Dispensations for the Eating of Flesh, Eggs, and all Meats made or prepared of Milk, at all times when it shall be judged convenient, though it be in the very season of Lent. XIII. Of granting a Plenary Indulgence, or a Pardon from all sins, to all and every person and persons, at and upon your first Conversion from Heresy, and the like to all Catholics at the hour of Death, though they be not in a condition to make Confession, providing only, that they be penitent and contrite. XIV. Of granting every Sunday and every Holiday an Indulgence from all Sin for ten years, to such as have been present at the Sermons or Religious Worship: And a plenary Indulgence from all their Sins during their whole Life to such, who having first made Confession, do receive the Eucharist at the Feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Lord, the Feast of Easter, and the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. XV. That the said Reverend may take the benefit of all these Indulgences himself, and be participant of all these Pardons. XVI. He shall have Power and Authority every other day, unless prevented by the Office of the Nine Lessons; and in case he be so let or hindered, he shall then have Power and Authority the day following, of Freeing and Redeeming any one Soul, whom he pleaseth, from the Pains and Torments of Purgatory; and upon his saying and celebrating the Mass for the Dead, called De Requie, upon and portable or movable Altar. And these Faculties and Privileges we grant and allow, to continue and endure, for, and during the time of seven years; yet so, as without the assigning any cause or reason, we may revoke and recall them before the expiration of that time, if we be so pleased, and it seem good unto us. And these Faculties we have Ratified and Confirmed under our hand the 25th of June, 1678. Card. Barberini Protector. Christoph. Abbas Blancas Secretary. The like Faculties are granted to all Romish Priests who are here in England. Cardinal Vendosms faculty to the Cannons Regular of St. Augustins' in the Gallican Church. LUDOVICUS Sanctae Mariae in porticu Diaconus Cardinalis de Vendosme, nun'ctus ad serenissimum Dominum, Dominum Ludovicum Franciae & Navarrae Regem Christianissimum, & universum illius Regnum illiusque Provincius Dominia, Civitates oppida terras & Loca eidem Regi subjecta dictoque regno adjacentia caeteraque alia Loca ad quae nos declinare contigerit, S.D. N Clementis Divina Providentia Papae IX. & sedis Apossolicae a latere Legatus, Dilectis nobis in Christo filiis Canoniciae Regularibus Sancti Augustini, Gallicanae Congregationis pro Conversione Infidelium, Hereticorum & Schismaticorum in Domino salutem & benedictionem sempiternam, Nos igitur de vestra Pietate Charitate prudentia integritate scientia & experientia plene confidentes sperantesque quod ea quae vobis duxerimus committenda sollicite fideliterque gerere & adminisirare curabitis id circo vos ex nostra scientia liberaque & spontanea voluntate magnos Missionarios & poenitentiarios Apostolicos secimus & constituimus facimusque & constituimus vobisque plenissimam conceffimus & concedimus facultatem verbum Divinum praedicandi confessiones quorum eumque poenitentium Sacramentaliter audiendi ipsisque obsolutionis beneficium impertiendi ab omnibus casibus & censuris aut aliis quomodocumque sanctae sedi & Episcopis reservatis absolvendi, Sacramenta quaecunque excepta confirmatione & ordinatione admitrandi; in votis exceptis castitatis & Religionis & Juramentis cum Justa causa subest dispensandi sicut etiam in observatione Jejuniorum aliisque Legibus Ecclesiasticis, neo non in irregularitatibus quibus Libet ex delicto occulto provenientibus, aliisque omnibus & quibuscumque casibus in quibus summus Pontifex dispensare potest Libros prohibitos legendi & Haereticos in graemium Ecclesiae recepiendi dummodo errores suos haereses & schismata coram notario & testibus publice vel privatim detestati fuerint abjuraverint & anathematisaverint injuncta eis pro modo culpae poenitentia salutari, Denique omnia dicendi gerendi decernendi & exequendi quae ad munas Missionariorum & magnorum poenitentiariorum pertinet in quorum omnium & singulorum fidem praesentes litteras manu nostra signavimus ac sigilli nostri appositione voluimus communiri Datum parisiis die vigesima Maij millesimo sexcentisimo sexagesimo octavo pn'tus ejusdem, S.D.N. Papae anno primo. L. Cardinalis de Vendosme Leg. Locus Sigilli. De Bontils Auditor & Secretarius Legationis. Englished, as followeth. LEWIS of Vendosme, Cardinal; Deacon of Sancta Maria in Portico, Legate a Latere from our Holy Lord CLEMENT the Ninth, by the Divine Providence Pope; and from the Apostolic See, to the most Serene Lord LEWIS the most Christian King of France and Navarre, and to his whole Kingdom and all his Provinces, Dominions, Cities, Towns, Lands, and places belonging to the said King, and adjacent to his said Kingdom, and to all other places where We shall happen to come: To Our dearly beloved Sons in Christ the Canon's Regular of St. Augustine of the Gallican Congregation for the Conversion of Infidels, Heretics, and Schismatics, Greeting in the Lord and Eternal Benediction. We fully confiding in your Piety, Charity, Prudence, Integrity, Knowledge, and Experience, and hoping that what we have thought fit to intrust unto you, you will carefully and faithfully manage and administer, Have therefore made and constituted, make and constitute you of Our knowledge and free and mere motion, great Missionaries and Apostolical Penitentiaries: And we have granted, and do grant unto you full Power of Preaching the Divine Word, and of bearing Sacramentally the Confessions of all Penitents, and to impart unto them the benefit of Absolution from all Cases and Censures; and of Absolving from all things in any manner reserved unto the Holy See, or unto Bishops; of Administering all Sacraments, except Confirmation and Ordination; and of dispensing with Vows, except those of Chastity and Religion, and with Oaths where there is just cause, as also with the Observation of Fasts and other Ecclesiastical Laws, and all Irregular 〈◊〉 whatsoever proceeding from a hidden sin, and all other Cases whatsoever where the Pope can Dispense. And of reading forbidden Books, and receiving Heretics into the bosom of the Church, provided they do detest, abjure, and anathemarize their Errors, Heresies and Schisms before Witnesses Publicly or Privately, enjoining unto them a salutary Penance according to the measure of the fault. Lastly, of saying, doing, decreeing and performing all things belonging to the Office of Missionaries and great Penitentiaries. In Testimony whereof We have Signed these present Letters with Our Hand, and Sealed them with Our Seal. Given at Paris the 20th. of May 1663. and in the first Year of Our said Holy Lord. L. Cardinalis de Vendosme Legatus De Bontils Auditor & Secretarius Legationis. The place of the Seal. An Instrument constituting Benedict Stapilton, Prior of Canterbury. NOS Fr. Augustinus Hungate Praesbiter & Monachus Ordinis S. Benedicti Congregationis Anglicanae ejusdem ordinis Praeses Generalis, etc. Reverendo in Christo Patri ac confratri nostro Patri Benedicto Stapilton ejusdem congregationis Praesbitero & Monacho Electo Priori Cathedralis Ecclesiae Cantuariensis salutem in Christo sempiternam. Visa Electione personae Reverentiae tuae in Priorem praedictae Ecclesiae conventusque Cathedralis Cantuariensis Canonice & legittime celebrata, acceptaque de more obedientia Reverentiae tuae nobis & successoribus nostris promissa in scriptis exhibita facta quoque per Reverentiam tuam publica Catholicae fidei professione juxta sacri Tridentini Concilii Canones & Bullam Pii Quarti Pontificis Maximi, Authoritate S ae. Sedis Apostolicae, necnon & Cap'li nostri G'ralis qua utraque hac in parte fungimur Reverendam & delectam nobis sraternitatem tuam Reverende in Christo Pater benedict Stap●lton in dicto Prioris Cathedralis Officio ac dignitate tenore presentium Confirmamus: Mandantes prout per presentes pariter mandamus Conventui Cathedralis Ecclesiae Cantuariensis praefatae, omnibusque ac singulis monachis quatenus Reverendam Paternitatem tuam pro vero Priore suo Cathedrali legitimoque suo Superiore ac Praelato regulari recipiant, habeant agnoscant, & eidem reverenter juxta constitutiones nostras obsequantur In quorum fidem has confirmationis literas nomine nostro Secretariisque nostri subscriptas & Sigillo magno Sanctae Congregationis nostrae munitas expediri jussimus. Datum Londini 14 Maii. Anno Domini 1666. Fr. Aug. Hungate Praeses Gralis De mandato admodum R. Praesidis Fr. Gulielmus a Sancto Benedicto Secretarius Praesidii. Locus Sigilli. Englished as followeth. WE Fr. Augustine Hungate, Priest and Monk of the English Congregation of the Order of St. Bennet; and general Precedent of the same Order, etc. To the Reverend Father in Christ, and our fellow Brother, Father Benedict Stapilton, Priest and Monk of the same Order, Elected Prior of the Cathedral Church of Canterbury; do wish Eternal Happiness in Christ. Having seen Testimonial Letters wherein your Reverence is declared to be Lawfully and Canonically chosen Prior of the said Church and Convent of the Cathedral of Canterbury; and having according to form and custom received the Obedience which your Reverence hath exhibited in Writing and promised to us and our Successors: And your Reverence having also made a public Confession of the Catholic Faith according to the Canons of the Council of Trent, and the Bull of Pope Pius the IU. We by the Authority of the holy Apostolical See, as also of our general Chapter whose power we in this execute, and whose place we discharge; do by these presents confirm you the Reverend Father in Christ Benedict Stapilton in the Office and Dignity of Prior of the said Cathedral, and we do by these our Authentic Letters, charge and require the Convent of the aforesaid Church of Canterbury, and all and several the Monks thereof, that they receive, esteem, and acknowledge your Reverence for the true Prior of that Cathedral, and as their lawful Superior and regular Prelate, and that with all Humility and Reverence they obey you according to the Constitutions of our Order. In Testimony whereof we have subscribed these Letters with our own Name, and have caused them to be subscribed by our Secretary, and have also commanded that they be Sealed with the great Seal of our Holy Order. Dated at London, May 14. 1666. Fr. Augustine Hungate, Precedent General. By the Command of the most reverend Precedent. Fr. William St. Bennet, Secretary of the Precedent. The place of the Seal. FINIS.