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WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

16. Kensington, November, 1697.

26.

I arrived here this evening, after having passed through the city amidst the lively acclamations of the people. I do not recollect having ever seen so great an assemblage of well dressed people. It is impossible to conceive what joy the peace causes here. I foresee that I shall be obliged to prorogue the Parliament for some days, because it is not possible to prepare everything for the session in so short a time. As for the temper of peoples' mind I am not yet able to say anything, as you may well suppose, since I have not had time to speak to any body.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

19.

Kensington,

November, 1697.

29.

I have been obliged, in order to have more leisure to make all my preparations, to prorogue Parliament for a fortnight. Hitherto I have not been at all able to judge of the turn which affairs will take. I can clearly see that in general they are inclined to have an army on foot during peace, but the main question is to regulate the number of troops: some are for fixing it at 30,000 men, others at no more than 20,000; so that it is not yet

possible to judge with certainty. There will be much difficulty in finding means to pay the debts, and the current expences. The session will therefore certainly be very long.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

Kensington,

Nov. 23.
Dec. 3.

1697.

I am very glad that the ambassadors of France have expressed themselves with so much civility, though there is little good to be expected from it for the cause of religion. I hope that those princes will not hesitate any longer to ratify, on the part of the Empire, the treaty of peace which has just been concluded: the term expires in a few days. I am not yet without uneasiness respecting the evacuation of Mecklenburg. The answer which the French ambassadors have given you on this subject seems to me to be very equivocal. What gives me the most distrust is, that the French have not till now made any reduction of their army; their troops are still very considerable, and yet you know that they are very economical.

I am sorry that the affair of the guarantee and the association makes so little progress. It will be proper, I think, to insist more strongly on this point after the evacuation of all the fortresses shall have taken place; for I consider this measure as the only security for peace.

As soon as the ambassador of Denmark shall have received instructions to treat, this business must be pushed.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

Kensington,

Nov. 26.
Dec. 6.

1697.

I have nothing worth communicating to you. I perceive that the project of maintaining troops in the country during peace will meet with more difficulties in Parliament than I had expected. The members who have come from the provinces (county members) seem to be strongly prejudiced against this measure, and infinite pains are taken to discredit it in the eyes of the public by speeches and by pamphlets. On the other hand, nothing is neglected to oppose this notion; but it is yet impossible to see what the result will be.

WILLIAM III. TO THE EARL OF GALWAY.

Kensington,

November 26.
December 6.

1697.

I refer you to what Lord Portland will write to you about the forces, by which you will learn my intentions. I assure you I am very much troubled to find things here run so high against the poor refugees. This has struck me; but you know these

sorts of things pass here very easily. Be ever assured of my esteem.

P. S.I hope you'll be able to put an end very soon to the parliament of Ireland.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

Nov. 30.

Kensington, Dec. 10.

1697.

From what you write to me respecting the conference with the ambassador of Denmark, it does not seem that that power is very eager to enter into a closer alliance with us. It is, however, very much for our interests, now that there is more reason than ever to fear that Sweden will throw herself entirely into the arms of France. But if, as I suspect, Denmark is not thus inclined, we can do no more than manifest our good-will in this respect, and await the course it may think fit to pursue.

I must tell you, to my great regret, that I find every day more difficulty in getting the members of Parliament to consent to keep a good number of national troops on foot. You have no idea of the manner in which people here reason.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

3. Kensington, December 1697.

13.

The opening of Parliament took place to-day: we cannot yet conjecture anything respecting the

issue of the deliberations. The two Houses have resolved to compliment me, and I believe that their addresses will not be wanting in frankness. This is a good commencement; but what will be the result, time must show.

WILLIAM III. TO THE PENSIONARY HEINSIUS.

Kensington, Dec. 7-17. 1697.

It is absolutely necessary that M. van Dykvelt should repair immediately to Brussels, for matters are in nowise going on there as they ought to do, and are taking a turn directly contrary to what was agreed upon at Loo. I do not know either whether it will not soon be time for the States to appoint their ambassador in France, because Bonrepos*, it is said, will shortly arrive at the Hague.

*Bonrepos, ambassador of Louis XIV. to the States-General. "Bonrepos," says Saint-Simon in his Memoirs," se prétendait gentilhomme du pays de Foix. Il avait passé sa vie dans les bureaux de la marine. M. de Seignelay s'en servait avec confiance; et quoique l'oncle et le neveu ne fussent pas toujours d'accord, M. de Croissy lui donna aussi la sienne. Un traité de marine et de commerce que pendant la paix précédente il alla faire en Angleterre, où il réussit fort bien, le fit connaître à Croissy. Il y demeura longtemps à reprises, et en homme d'esprit et de sens, se procurait des occasions de faire des voyages à la cour, où il fit valoir son travail. Cet emploi le décrassa. I continua à travailler sous M. de Seignelay, puis sous M. de Ponchartrain, mais non plus sur le pied de premier commis; il obtint permission d'acheter une charge de lecteur du roi pour en avoir les entrées et un logement à Versailles; il s'y était fait

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