A continuation of the secret history of White-hall from the abdication of the late K. James in 1688 to the year 1696 writ at the request of a noble lord ... : the whole consisting of secret memoirs ... : published from the original papers : together with The tragical history of the Stuarts ... / by D. Jones ...

LETTER I. The Author revives his Correspondence with his Lordship, and intimates his resolves to continue it, as time and his circumstances would admit of, with some account of the Fears and Terrors the French Papists are in of the Prince of Orange, as he is called by them. (Book 1)

My Lord,

WHen I had dispatch'd away my last to your Lordship, I did not expect a sudden opportunity, if at all, to revive my correspondence with you, the mighty change that hath been wrought in England, having quite stopped up the ways of my former Conveyance. But revolving fre∣quently with my self, that it would be a matter highly grateful to your Lordship, to have from time to time, some secret in∣formation of the Affairs of this Country; I have left nothing unessay'd, whereby I might be in a capacity to gratify your cu∣riosity, and so have now, sooner indeed than my own expectations, found out a way that I hope, (though my fears are also very great) now and then may effect it, which is by — though I

must also inform your Lordship, that there is a more than ordinary care and circum∣spection used now to keep all Court-In∣treagues from taking Air, by frequent al∣tering of their Cyphers, Entries, and o∣ther Methods. Your Lordship knows best how the face of things appear in England, upon so grand a Revolution; they put the best Meen they can upon it here, and tho' there is a fair shew made at Court of it, yet nothing is more certain than that the Kingdom is in a general Consternation, of which surprizing marks are to be seen as well in the Lovre, as in Paris, and the Provinces: Some have smiled here, and I doubt not of your Lordship and our Friends in England smiling too, when I tell you, that the French King astonished, and not knowing how to believe, that the Prince and Princess of Orange have been Crowned in England, and proclaimed in Scotland, has asked several times a day, whether the News was true or no; so dreadful to him is that fatal Accident, and which has made him dispose of his Ar∣mies into all Quarters, where there can be any semblance of Danger, as if he ex∣pected to be attacked every way. But all these terrors from without, makes the Court abate nothing of their vigorous pro∣secution of the peaceable remains of the reformed within, so that upon the least suspition of any meetings of them, they run from all the Neighbouring parts to

circumvent them. For there being a report lately raised in Perigord, that a religious assembly of Hugonots was held at the House of one M. Dupare, the alarum Bell was im∣mediately rung, and all the Town got to∣gether, and ran to the House, but found no body in it, save a few Children: But this did not hinder the Neighbouring Vil∣lages to take the Allarm, who run in heaps to Massacre the Hugonots and Prince of O∣range, whom they believe to be always at their heels: And such Pannick Terrors does the apprehension of him strike into them, that about the same time, the Preacher of Sarlate was forsaken by all his Auditors upon an imaginary Rumour, thought to be spread abroad, that the Prince of Orange was at the Gates of Regaudi▪ how desira∣ble would it be, that King William and his Confederates might strike the Blow while the Iron is hot; But I shall not Dictate, but conclude with my hearty wishes, that this, or any other intelligence I may transfer to your Lordship, hereafter, may be of any advantage through your Honours Wise Conduct and Management, to my Native Country, and so remain highly satisfy'd of his opportunity, to testify how ready I am at all times to serve and obey You, and to subscribe my self,

My Lord,

Your Humble and most Devoted Servant.

Paris, May 14. 1689. N. S.