1712.

STUART PAPERS.

V

DUKE OF BERWICK'S LETTERS TO THE PRETENDER.

(Extracts.)

St. Germains, Oct. 26. 1712.

I was yesterday at Versailles, where I dined with M. de Torcy, with whom I had no long conversation, by reason that there was conseil de dépêches immediately after dinner, and the public ministers had had their audiences in the morning. However, by the short discourse, I found he was of opinion the English Ministry would not open itself more clearly at present, but that he had written to Abbé Gaultier to let him know your Majesty's just apprehensions, in order to see what effect it would have. He also told me that St. John had opened himself to the Abbé, and desired to know what Whigs had been in correspondence with your Majesty, that matters might be concerted accordingly. Your Majesty's answer to M. de Torcy upon that point was very generous and just, and ought to have a good effect with the present Ministry, who by that will see that they run no risk in trusting your Majesty.

St. Germains, Nov. 4. 1712.

M. DE TORCY told me two days ago, at Versailles, that Mr. Harley had writ him word that your Majesty had sent lately into England some pickles, whose behaviour very much embarrassed the government. I told him that I believed it was a mistake, but that you were not master of all the Jacobites' actions and discourses, which very often were indiscreet: he told me he would write to your Majesty of it.

May 12. 1713.

He assures me

ABBÉ GAULTIER is arrived that M. Oleron (Oxford) has a great mind to serve M. Raucourt (James), and will do it effectually, as soon as Mr. Porray (the Peace) has had a little time to settle his concerns with Mrs. Alençon (England); and that there may be no mistakes on either side, he does intend to send an attorney (envoy) to M. Raucourt (James), to stay with

him till this affair be settled. But he still desires that it may be imparted to nobody alive, by reason of Mr. Walker (the Whigs) and Mr. Horne (Hanover).

He also says that the ablest physicians advise Mr. Robinson (James) to take the air in the fine season, for it will both divert him and hinder the ill humours gathering, which would quite ruin his health. Mr. Allain's country house (Germany) is very pleasantly situated, and the air is good, but he had better take into his company, before he parts, Mr. Soulegne (Security), who, it is hoped, will soon arrive from Valmont (Utrecht).

May 23. 1713.

J'AI fort pressé M. Waters (Gaultier) de savoir ce que M. Oleron (Oxford) conseillerait à ses Messieurs de faire en cas que M. Albert (Anne) vient à faire banqueroute, avant que d'avoir réglé ses comptes avec M. Romain (the restoration of James); il m'a assuré qu'il était dans les meilleures dispositions du monde de leur rendre service, et que M. de Sablé (Bolingbroke) était aussi de concert avec lui pour seconder l'intention où est Albert (Anne) de payer ses dettes, mais que véritablement on ne lui avait point donné d'instructions en ce cas-là; qu'il lui paraissait si raisonnable de décider quelque chose sur cela, qu'il presserait Messrs. Oleron et Sablé (Oxford and Bolingbroke) de le faire, dès qu'il aurait été rendre visite à M. Alençon (England), auprès de qui il se doit rendre incessamment. Que jusqu'à M. Porray (the Peace) fut arrivé chez lui, il n'était pas possible que l'on put traiter à fond, mais que présentement M. Porray (the Peace) étant arrivé, on allait travailler sérieusement sur les affaires de M. Romain (the restoration of James).

Fitzjames, July 31. 1713.

THE chief point is to get Oleron (Oxford) to speak plain, and go now heartily and quickly to work, for fear of M. Albert's (Anne's) breaking before he pays his debts I hear M. Sablé (Bolingbroke) and Oleron have been of late a little cold, but I hope and believe their common interest will make up all again.

1714.

STUART PAPERS.

Fitzjames, Aug. 22. 1713.

vii

I AM Sorry Mr. Lesley* has begun with speaking to your Majesty about religion, but I hope that after the first attempt he will give it over, though it had been better he had never opened his mouth on that chapter.

St. Germains, Aug. 18. 1713.

THE chief point will be to persuade M. Albert (Queen Anne); though really, if these gentlemen mean honestly, they ought, in my opinion, to take hold of the overture made, or find out some other. It is long and hard to put in a letter the whole proposition, but this is the substance : That M. Raucourt (James) should appear with M. Albert the very day of M. Puisieux's arrival (meeting of parliament) and that M. Albert should give M. Cassel (House of Lords) and Canaple (House of Commons) jointly an account of his agreement with M. Raucourt, and desire both their concurrence in the matter. I believe it would be such a surprise that neither of these two gentlemen would say no, and I make no doubt but M. Arthur (the English), who is naturally very fickle, would immediately give into it with as much joy as he has formerly shown on the like occasions; besides that M. Raucourt's being seen with M. Albert, will quite determine the matter. Mr. Belley told me a great many reasons, too long for a letter; but this seems to me an easier way of bringing the matter about than going to law with Horne (the Elector), or cringing to gain M. Puisieux (the Parliament), who is often out of humour, and hard to be brought to a right temper.

St. Germains, Feb. 4. 1714.

M. ORBEC (Ormond) has had a long conversation with M. Oleron (Oxford); but this latter never would come to a determination, though pressed very home by the other. He is a man so dark and incomprehensible, that one is often tempted to believe him a knave at the bottom, were it not that Mr. Walker (the Whigs), Horne (the Elector), and Malbranch (Marlborough) will never make up with him.

*James's Protestant Chaplain, a pious and worthy man. It appears that the Pretender would not even hear any argument in favour of the Church of England.

St. Germains, March 11. 1714.

MR. BELLEY has had a letter from Mr. Malbranch's friend (Marlborough) at Mr. Foster's house. I will send your Majesty, on Tuesday, the originals, though you will find little more than verba et voces, according to that gentleman's usual custom.

St. Germains, March 28. 1714.

M. DE TORCY sends your Majesty the letters he has received from England: they run on still in the same style about the religion, but that confirms me in the opinion that no answer is ever to be made on that subject. Truly, all this looks ill; for after two or three years' negotiation, to propose at last an impossible thing, is what we call une querelle d'Allemand: however, we must keep fair with them, for there is no remedy; but one must, at the same time, endeavour to get other friends to work, who will not speak of unreasonable, as well as impracticable, conditions.

St. Germains, April 20. 1714.

M. ORBEC (Ormond) has at last spoken plain to M. Albert (Anne), and they are both agreed to bestir themselves in behalf of M. Raucourt (James).

St. Germains, May 6. 1714.

M. TALON (Torcy) has had letters from Jeannot (Iberville) and Waters (Gaultier), which he intends to send unto M. Raucourt (James) by a messenger on purpose; so I shall only hint here, that for all M. Waters (Gaultier) formerly assured Oleron (Oxford) and Sablé (Bolingbroke) would never hearken, unless Raucourt (James) made up with Roland (became a Protestant), he now writes word that both these gentlemen have assured him that after Albert (Anne), they will never serve nor have any other master but Mr. Robinson (James).

St. Germains, May 11. 1714.

M. ORBEC (Ormond) continues in his good intentions for M. Raucourt (James), but he enters not into any particulars how he will render him service. Something was said of M. Roland (becoming a Protestant), but he seemed not peevish upon the matter. Mr. Robinson's (James's)

1715.

STUART PAPERS.

ix

affairs do not seem at present very current, but yet, when one puts all together, I think they have a better prospect, provided M. Albert (Anne) does not leave him too soon in the lurch.

Camp before Barcelona, August 28. 1714.

I HAVE been mightily concerned to hear the Princess of Denmark (Queen Anne) is fallen into an apoplexy, and I am in the greatest impatience to learn if she be recovered, for I fear your Majesty's measures cannot be ready, and I very much fear Hanover, the Whigs, Lord Churchill (the Duke of Marlborough), and the Treasurer, have taken their measures. One would even think that the fit of apoplexy is not natural; for, a little before, Lord Churchill and Bothmar arrive in England. The Treasurer is as great a villain as Lord Sunderland was.

LORD BOLINGBROKE TO JAMES.

Paris, July 23. 1715.

SIR,

YOUR servants at this place judging it impossible, by letter, to set matters in so full and just a light before your eyes as the nicety and importance of the present conjuncture require, the bearer of these packets has the honour to attend your Majesty.

I think it, however, my duty to make a deduction of what has past since my arrival here; to point out to your Majesty the mischiefs, and the causes of them, which your service labours under; and the remedies which appear necessary, and in your power to take.

The day I arrived I saw Mr. In(nes), and put into his hands all that you had been pleased to entrust me with. I soon found a general expectation gone abroad that your Majesty was to undertake somewhat immediately; and I was not a little concerned to hear, in two or three places, and among women over their tea, that arms were provided and ships got ready; but I confess I was struck with concern when I knew in such a manner as is to be depended upon, and as I beg your Majesty to depend upon, that the