CALENDAR OF THE MANUSCRIPTS OF HIS

GRACE THE DUKE OF PORTLAND.

Vol. IV.

HARLEY LETTERS AND PAPERS. VOL. II.

Sir ROBERT SOUTHWELL to [ROBERT] HARLEY.

1699-1700, January 10. Spring Garden-I enclose what I learned this day of the two persons you enquired after. And since you are never to be tired with papers, I add what I lately had from Mr. Carleton in Dublin. I had only writ to him at my Lord Clarendon's desire to know how the revenue went, about the end of my Lord Strafford's government.

I pray remember the saving I gave you wherein two of my best friends are concerned; and it were a sin to the public not to consider plantation, by which, in chimney money and excise, the revenue is increased.

Sir CHRISTOPHER MUSGRAVE to ROBERT HARLEY, in Lincoln's Inn. 1700, April 25. Edenhall-I had the favour of yours at Goldsborough, the Colonel's absence is the reason that the rarities are not so forward as his discourse renders them. Yours was sufficient to entertain my thoughts and to support me in my journey which was pleasant enough. And rest assured if the country give me any vigour, it shall be employed in your service which is the great pleasure of my life. I perceive Sir Edw. [Seymour] made the speech he told us, but no reply, silence being the new mode. The Commissioners having chosen Trenchard's brother for secretary, shows the bias. I wish the execution of that Commission may answer expectations. I suppose the examination of Kidd was not very strict. My humble service to your lady and daughters and Nathaniel and the rest of our friends.

[The SAME to the SAME.]

[1700,] May 6-I easily overcame the fatigue of the journey though I keep the cold contracted in St. Stephen's chapel. Your correspondence is the best cordial and it is a singular favour, knowing your time is precious. I wish Sir William Friend may send the cargo to your brother and my son. Your brother's goodness and your influence is that which I must entirely depend on, and should I live to hear your brother had admitted him to any share with him, I might then conclude my son were provided for. My service to Sir Edw. [Harley] and your brother whom I desire to acquaint my son Kit what he disbursed for the bedding and he will pay it. If Kidd's paper come to light I suppose

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that matter will be set in a true light. I think Lord Chief Justice will scarce accept it, the public wish Mr. Attorney. I pray God such men may be Ministers that will settle the nation upon its true bottom.

Sir WILLIAM TRUMBULL to THOMAS BATEMAN, in Little Scotland Yard, over against Sir Christopher Wren's back door.

1700, May 28. Easthampstead-If any good news could come from my honoured friend Mr. Harley's hands it would be extremely welcome, otherwise I am grown very indifferent. There is one thing I cannot decipher, which is why the French have taken this time to declare the agreement about the succession of Spain. If you will be so charitable as to get me some account of this matter, you know where to have it

[P.S.] If it be not too great secret pray send me word when the King goes for Holland.

[Sir CHISTOPHER MUSGRAVE to ROBERT HARLEY.]

1700, August 1-I am truly grieved for your severe distemper; it is most happy that the impostume is broke; the frequent returns of it should prompt you to take advice for carrying off that humour, and heartily wish you would be prevailed upon, not to study so hard for your late sitting up must ruin your constitution which is not strong enough to undergo the fatigue. Consider how the public, your family and friends are concerned in your health, therefore beseech you not to be prodigal of it.

SIMON HARCOURT to ROBERT HARLEY, at Lincoln's Inn.

1700, August 5. Hereford-The news of your illness had very imperfectly reached us. Since 'twas too true I need not tell you how sincerely I rejoice at the prospect of your recovery. The Duke of Gloucester's] death was very surprising. Every misfortune to the public make my dear friend's health more valuable, and is a fresh argument to beg you to preserve yourself. You may remember I promised my Lord R[ochester] an account of the commission of the peace in Oxfordshire. Not receiving the materials from you to enable me to do it before the commission passed, I have hitherto neglected it, but send it enclosed. If you approve it, seal and send it, otherwise make what use you please of it.

[P.S.] You are well acquainted with my Lord's temper, and can judge whether the enclosed will be agreeable to him or fit to be sent. I know you'll deal with me freely.

[Sir CHRISTOPHER MUSGRAVE to ROBERT HARLEY.]

[1700 ?] August 12-Your friend never intimated any such intention neither before or after his coming into the country. And the (Colonel ?) and his antagonist had made their applications before. I am accustomed to have malicious reflections. Within a post or two I shall endeavour to make some return to yours; but the difficulties are great. It is hardly possible to judge whether 32 or 92 is more eligible, unless it were known what 92 would produce. It will require time and great labour to calculate exactly 129. I know 111 will always be pressing 109, which ought not to be.

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[1700, August]-The death of the Duke of Gloucester] has raised great hopes in the late Ministers of making advantage to themselves by it. Lord Somers and Montague have determined that a commonwealth may now be erected.

A council of five Lords and ten Commoners are to be chosen by Parliament who are to execute the regal power, wherein they doubt not of obtaining their share. That this may be effected appears by these reasons. Many of the persons in possession of the executive power are their friends. The moderate men may be alarmed with fears of the Pr[ince] of W[ales.]

Many will fall into it being a new thing from a natural inclination to change; and all who are concerned in public funds will think their effects more safe thus than any other way.

And the generality of the people have been already in part and shall be fully persuaded that all the wrong things which have been done of late years proceeded from the obstinate temper of [the King ?] and his being influenced by the foreigners about him.

This they say will the easier gain credit when it shall appear that they promote a design that looks so national.

The chief difficulties are, [the King?] may marry or the settlement may be enlarged, for the first they will propose it to him and seem to promote it, and so have means to work on his temper, create difficulties, and make delays and so prevent it.

Enlarging the settlement depends on the House of Commons, there some will be tender in regard to the Princess [Anne] others will be satisfied with the provision already made for the meeting of a parliament on the death of the King. Mauy will think to keep it in hand in hopes of making advantage. And those they can trust will act in concert to promote the main design. I will tell you one pleasant thing they have made D[uke] Somer[se]t believe he has a fair pretence but at all adventures he is to have an eminent post and some other such men they say are to be wrought on by suitable application.

I have told you their scheme and leave you, to judge of it but enjoin you to show this to nobody.

1700, August 31.

NEWS-LETTER.

Whitehall-The De Grave a ship belonging to the New East India Company is arrived here from India very richly laden. She has brought letters from Sir Wm. Norris of the 11th March last, giving an account of his safe arrival at Metchelpotam and that he had given notice thereof to the Great Mogul, who had ordered that His Excellency should, suitable to his character, be safely and honourably conducted to his camp, which was 800 miles distant from Metchelpotam; and His Excellency was accordingly preparing for his march with a very numerous and splendid equipage. The Antelope another of the said Company's ships is shortly expected, not being far behind.

One Atkinson a priest was convicted last Thursday at the Old Bailey, upon the late Act, and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment.

A Dutch post came in yesterday; the King was gone his Progress, and would return to Dieren this night. There's nothing new from Riga. The Swedes had quitted Zealand and gone back to Schoner, and the King of Denmark was returned to Copenhagen. The Treaty of alliance between the Elector of Brandenburg and the States General was renewed and signed at Berlin the 31st August N. S.

Letters from Paris of 8th September N. S. say that the Thursday before the Court of St. Germain, except the late King and Queen, went into mourning for the Duke of Gloucester. My Lord Manchester was still indisposed of an ague.

The Marquis of Halifax died this day.

LORD GODOLPHIN to ROBERT HARLEY, at Brampton Castle.

1700, September 5-I am now able to tell you that it's all as well as ever it was and, perhaps better, by my being easy in that which it seems was looked upon as a greater sacrifice than really I think it.

As to the measures concerted at parting, there is not like to be the least alteration in any of the persons concerned, either on this side of the water or the other, and, I believe, you may govern your own coming to town accordingly. Your company will certainly be always useful and necessary as well as extremely acceptable to your friends.

NEWS LETTER.

1700, Sept. 7. Whitehall-The Lords Justices ordered in Council on Thursday last that the Parliament which stands prorogued to Thursday next shall be then further prorogued to the 17th of next month.

The mail from Holland of Tuesday last is not yet arrived. His Majesty is expected here the beginning of the next month. Sir George Rooke is to command the Convoy.

The Duke of Bedford died this morning, his honour and estate descend to the Marquis of Tavistock his grandson.

Letters from Paris 15th instant N. S. tell us that all the revenues which Cardinal Bouillon possessed in France were sequestered till such time as the Parliament met to give judgment against him. In the mean time his place of Great Almoner is taken away and conferred upon Cardinal Coislin formerly first Almoner in which employ he is succeeded by his nephew the Bishop of Metz.

'Twas computed the tax laid upon the Farmers of the Revenues would produce 14,443,000 livres. The Duke of Savoy was ill of an ague.

NEWS-LETTER.

1700, September 17. Whitehall-We had yesterday two mails from Holland with advice that on Tuesday the 3rd instant about ten at night the Electress of Brandenburg with the Electress Dowager of Hanover and the Princess of Hohenzollern came to visit the King at Dieren. They lay there that night and the next day went to Loo, where they continued till Friday the 6th when they took their leave of His Majesty and proceeded on their journey towards Aix, leaving the Electoral Prince of Brandenburg at Loo.

This morning came in the Dutch mail of last Friday. The Tuesday before His Majesty attended by the Electoral Prince and several General Officers reviewed five regiments of Horse, three of Foot, and the Royal Dragoon Guards, which came and encamped the day before near Loo and as soon as the Review was over they decamped in order to return to their former quarters. The Prince of Hesse younger son to the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel to whom His Majesty has given the command of the regiment of Dragoon Guards was presented to him at the same time.

The Electoral Prince of Brandenburg parted from Loo on Thursday in one of His Majesty's coaches for Utrecht in his way to the Hague. His Majesty designs to return to England about the middle of the next month.

The Saxons began to bombard Riga the 6th N. S., they threw in then fifteen bombs and did the like the 8th when they threw in likewise some red bullets which did a great deal of damage.

General Welling had sent some of his troops towards Nerva upon the news of the Muscovites intention to break with Sweden.

The Swedish Fleet was safe in the Haven of Carlscroon and three hundred and fifty transport ships were likewise there designed to carry forces into Livonia. The King of Sweden had resolved to go with them in person.

The Elector of Brandenburg has refused to come into the Treaty of partage.

The Earl of Portland is coming from Holland; he has lost his regiment of Dragoons and the Blue Guards."

Dr. CHARLES DAVENANT to ROBERT HARLEY at Brampton.

1700, September 19-Your man has delivered to me the records, of which about two months hence you will find I have made a plentiful use. The work goes on vigorously, but is infinitely of more labour than I expected.

The King will not be here till towards the latter end of October. The discourse of a new Parliament is not quite vanished; I wish but cannot believe it.

NEWS-LETTER.

1700, September 24. Whitehall-A mail from Holland came in yesterday with letters from Dieren 20th instant, which say that the same morning His Majesty reviewed the troops that lately served in Holstein.

Letters from before Riga 16th N. S. say that the King of Poland at the instance of the King of England and the States General whose subjects in that city might suffer great loss by a bombardment, had thought fit to put a stop to the same though all things were ready for that purpose so that it is hoped this will now facilitate things towards a Peace between him and the King of Sweden.

On Saturday last the Princess of Denmark found herself indisposed at Windsor, and her physicians were sent for from London but her indisposition went soon off again at proving only to be the vapours.

My Lord Portland arrived here from Holland on Sunday night. Letters from Denmark 14th instant say that the King was looked upon to be past danger though his small-pox was of the worst kind and accompanied with very bad symptoms; that the Prince Royal was very well recovered of his distemper, but that the Queen had miscarried.

We have an account of the arrival of two East India ships belonging to the old Company, the Josiah and the Benjamin.”

NEWS-LETTER.

1700, October 8. Whitehall--Letters from Paris 13th instant N. S. say the Pope died the 27th past and that the Cardinals were to go into the conclave ten days after. 'Twas thought the Cardinal zealots would