Pro Ottone duce Brunfdicenfi & Luneburgenfi de Conceffione & Placitum. Numb. VIII.

Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. falutem.
Sciatis quod nos.

De gratia noftra fpeciali per advifamentum & confenfum confilii noftri certis confiderationibus nos fpecialiter moventibus.

Dedimus et conceffimus, ac per prefentes damus et concedimus, cariffimo et perquam fideli amico noftro, Ottoni duci Brunfuicenfi & Luneburgenfi, quandam annuitatem feu annualem redditum, Trefsentarum feptuaginta quinque librarum, legalis monete Angliæ.

Hebendum et annuatim recipiendum eidem duci et affignatis fuis, de thefauro noftro, ad receptum fcaccarii noftri, per manus thefaurarii et camerariorum noftrorum ibidem pro tempore exiftentium, a fefto natalis Domini Anno Regni noftri tertio, ad Duas anni terminas, viz. ad fefta Nativitatis fancti Johannis Baptiftæ & Natalis Domini, per æquales portiones, durante be ne placito noftro eo quod expreffa mentio, &c.

In cujus Rei, &c.

Tefte Rege apud Weftmonafterium vicellimo quarto die Decembris.

Per Breve de privato Sigillo,

Three LETTERS fent, Two from Her Moft Gracious MAJESTY, Viz. One to the Princefs SOPHIA, the Other to the Duke of CAMBRIDGE; and One from the Lord High Treasurer to the Duke of CAMBRIDGE; relating to his Coming over to England.

To the late Princefs Sophia.

Madam, Sifter, Aunt,

Since

Ince the Right of Succeffion to My Kingdoms has been declared to belong to You and your Family, there have always been difaffected Perfons, who, by particular Views of their own Intereft, have entred into Measures to fix a Prince of your Blood in my Dominions, even whilft I am yet living. I never thought till now that this Project would have gone fo far, as to have made the leaft Impreffion on your Mind: But as I have lately perceiv'd by publick Rumours which are induftriously fpread, that your Electoral Highness is come into this Sentiment, it is of Importance, with Refpect to the Succession of your Family, that I should tell You fuch a Proceeding

ceeding will infallibly draw along with it fome Confequences that will be dangerous to that Succeffion it felf, which is not fecure any other Ways, than as the Prince who actually wears the Crown maintains Her Authority and Prerogative. There are bere, (fuch is Our Misfortune) a great many People that are feditionfly difpofed: So I leave you to judge what Tumults they may be able to raise, if they fhould have a Pretext to begin a Commo tion. I perfuade My felf therefore, You will never consent that the leaft Thing fhould be done, that may disturb the Repofe of Me or My Subjects.

Open your Self to Me with the fame Freedom I do to You, and propofe whatever You think may contribute to the Security of the Succeffion: I will come into it with Zeal, provided that it do not derogate from My Dignity, which I am refolu'd to maintain. I am with a great Deal of Affection, &c.

Coulin,

N Accident which bas happen'd in my A Lord Paget's Family, baving bindered him from fetting forward fo foon as he thought to have done, I cannot defer any longer letting You know My Thoughts with Refpect to the Defign You have of coming into My Kingdoms. As the Opening of this Matter ought to have been first to Me, fo I expected You would not have given Ear to it without knowing My Thoughts about it: However, this is what I owe to My own Dignity, the Friendship I have for You, and the EleCoral Houfe to which You belong, and the true Defire I have that it may fucceed to My Kingdoms; and this requires of Me that I should tell You, that Nothing can be more dangerous to the Tranquility of My Dominions, and the Right of Succeffion in your Line, and confequently more difagreeable to Me than fuch a Proceeding at this Juncture. I am with a great Deal of FriendShip,

St. James's,
May 19th.

1714.

Your very affectionate Coufio.

Superfcrib'd

To the Duke of Cambridge.

May

May it please Your Royal Highness,

T

HO' I expect Mr. Harley every Moment in Return from your Court, and thereby fhall bave another Opportunity of doing My felf the Honour to prefent your Royal Highness with My most bumble Duty, and the Affurance of my utmoft Service: Yet I cannot flip this Occafion of the Queen's Meffenger attending your Royal Highness with Her Majesty's Letter, to lay My felf at your Feet. I have no Enemy that knows me, who is not just enough to allow me to be inviolably attach'd to your Succeffion, nothing coming into Competition with that, because I know I please the Queen when I am Zealous for the Service of your Serene Houfe. I hope therefore, I fhall find Credit with your Royal Highness, when I bumbly lay My fincere Opinion before You. The Queen is most beartily for Your Succeffion: If there be any Thing which may render it more Secure, which is confiftent with Her Majesty's Safety, it will be accomplish d. It is not the eager Defires of fome, nor what flows from the Advice of others, whofe Difcontents perhaps animate their Zeal, can balance the Security You have in the Queen's Friendship, and the dutiful Affection of Her faithful Subjects; for as I am fure your Royal Highness's great Wisdom would not chufe to rule by a Party, fo You will not let their narrow Measures be the Standard of Your Government. I doubt not, but the Accident that happen'd about the Writ, may be improv'd to encrease the most perfect Friendship between Gg 3

the