The secret history of White-Hall, from the restoration of Charles II down to the abdication of the late K. James writ at the request of a noble lord, and conveyed to him in letters, by ̲̲̲late secretary-interpreter to the Marquess of Louvois, who by that means had the perusal of all the private minutes between England and France for many years : the whole consisting of secret memoirs, which have hitherto lain conceal'd, as not being discoverable by any other hand / publish'd from the original papers, by D. Jones, gent.

LETTER XVII. (Book 17)

Of the Princess Henrietta Maria Dutch∣ess of Orleans's being sent Anno 1670. from the French Court, to dispose the King to a second War with the Dutch, in Conjunction with the French.

My Lord,

THe French Court having, as I told your Lordship in my Last, gain'd the Duke of Buckingham entirely to their Interests, they began now to conceive some hopes to bring our King to joyn with them against the States, at least wise with his Naval Power, of which they had most need; and therefore to strike while the Iron was hot; they deliberated of sending over an Em∣bassador of their own into England to ne∣gotiate the Matter; but to colour the In∣trigue, as if they had no Design of their own thereby, and to give no Matter of Jealou∣sie to their Neighbours, especially the U∣nited Provinces. It was agreed, it should be a Female Embassadress the Kings fair Sister Henrietta Maria Dutchess of Orleans, and so give out at the same time, she went over purely on a visit to her Royal Bro∣thers,

and that it was with some seeming Reluctancy the French King upon her ear∣nest Application to him to that Purpose gave his Consent; But she was furnished with such Proposals, which they knew well that sent her, none could with equal safety and privacy Advance, nor none with equal Power and Influence recom∣mend; and to secure the whole Transa∣ction from the very Suspitions, as well as the Penetration of any not of their Ca∣bal, and to make it appear as a pure visit, and the effect of natural Affection and void of all Intreague, her return was limited to so short a Time, and in so peremptory and notorious a Manner, that it might in∣duce the World to believe them too Suspi∣tious of the natural Inclinations, that Prin∣ces might still retain for her Royal Bro∣thers, and for the Weal of her and their Native Country, so incompatible with the exorbitant grandeur of France, to entrust her with any of the mysterious Arcana's of their Politicks; and so might prevent all Jealousie in England, at that critical Jun∣cture of that interview, by shewing so great an Apprehension of it themselves: She was charged with the same Message partly, and with some of the same Arguments, which they had endeavoured to insinuate by the Duke of Buckingham; but having an incomparable Advantage above him,

or any other Embassador to back whatso∣ever she advanced with all the Charms that a most accomplished and lovely Princes, and an only and most beloved Sister, could be armed with; she who had Wit and Dex∣terity enough, to manage those Priviledges to the utmost Advantage, not only prest the said Matter, and more home and with infinitely more Freedom and Efficacy, but adventured to propose, yet higher things and of a much more extended Conse∣quence; For addressing her Speech to the King (though not without intermixing some Expressions equally affecting also to her Brother the Duke of York) she told his Majesty that as she hoped neither of her Royal Brothers had any Reason to call in Question her natural Affection to their Persons, and inseparable Inclinati∣on for whatsoever did, or should at any Time appear to her to be conducing to their true Interest, so she believed they had as little cause to doubt, but she could see as far as another into the French Monarchs Heart, who loved her and admired her to that Degree, though innocently, as gave no small Umbrage to Monsieur his Bro∣ther, and her Husband; And that she did sincerely represent, both as his most Chri∣stian Majesty's Sence, and her own, that the only way to secure to his Majesty, and the present Royal Family of England, a

stability in the Throne they were lately Restored to, af••er so dismal an overthrow of the Monarchy, in the Reign and Per∣son of their unhappy Father, and to rein∣state the Majesty of the Brittish Kings in its former Splendor and Security, enjoyed so long and gloriously in Catholick Times, was by all Wise and Politick M••ans to la∣bour to introduce into these Kingdoms, the Catholick Religion, and to re-assume by Degrees absolute Power. ••or that the Church of England by woful Experience had been found too weak alone to defend the Crown, and that the Dissenters were so stifly Principled for a Common-Wealth, that they would never leave till they had once more overturned the Monarchy, unless his Majesty would timely provide for his Security, by Methods ••o be propos••d to him by her, and the most Christian King; who she knew had the atmost ten••erness for his Interest, as was clear eno••••h by all Ex∣pressions of his real Inclinations, ••••nce they were emancipated from the ••estraints, laid upon them under the Tutelag•• o•• a Cardi∣nal, who was a Master in pure Politicks, and altogether unacquainted with those nobler and more heroick Sentiments of Honour and Generosity, which are no less natural and unextinguishable in a born Prince, then common Reason is in the ••est of Mankind: The chief of which ex∣pedients

were flattering of the Church of England, and first persecuting by Act of Parliament the Protestant Dissenters, and wheedling with them again by a Preroga∣tive Lenitive, and so by the not to be Questioned acceptance of the Suffering Protestants on the one hand, and the no less assured Non-opposition of those of the established Church on the other, as by an irresistible Charm to lay asleep that watch∣ful Dragon, that had so long kept the gold∣en Apples of Contention between the King and People, from the Ravishment of the most enterprizing Monarch; and break that mischievous Devil, that had of late been so busie in asserting pretended Liber∣ties; and advancing the Soveraignty of old hateful Laws, above the more Sacred Majesty of the Princes, the only rightful Legislators, whilst the Crown as securely as unregardedly might seize, and seizing ••or all Perpetuity, appropriate as to it sell the important Jewel of Dispensing Power, which would fix and fasten the whole Chappelet of unbounded Soveraignty, by making us•• of that Popular Relaxation, to indulge the Faction esteemed the most dan∣gerous to the Monarchy, and to decoy them into a favouring of those Encroachments upon the Laws, and upon the Peoples Fundamental Right, and therein the Le∣gislation, who seemed of all Men the most

deeply principled against them; And so in effect to make those very Persons, the tools for the Erection of Absolute and Despo∣tick Sway, who otherwise could hardly be reconciled to the most Just, most Legal, and most Moderate Royalty. So far were the measures to be observed at home; and those which she and their Brother of France advised to be used abroad, were

1. To endeavour by all possible means the Subversion of the Republick of Hol∣land, the perpetual Source of Rebellion in England.

2. In order, with so much the more Expedition, certainty and Safety to effect the Reduction both of his own People, and of that ••nt••ward Neighbouring Nest, and receptacle of Plotters and Rebels; To resolve upon a firm and inviolable adhe∣rence to the Interest of the most Christian King, who in that Case would no way desert him, but vigorously and powerfully aid him, and carry him through all Dif∣ficulties; But in Case, added she, his Ma∣jesty could not satisfie his Conscience we••l enough, to attempt any such Change in Religion (as she just now had mentioned) or notwithstanding all remonstrances to the contrary, should continue over-perswa∣ded of the two great Difficulty, or impra∣cticableness of such an enterprize, that however as a Protestant of the Church of

England, which was firm to Monarchy, if he desired to put himself into a Condition to Protect, and that Reciprocally to Defend him and his Successors in time to come; It would be absolutely necessary for him at least, to concurr with his most Christian Majesty in Subduing the Republick of Holland; That besides the Advantage of such a Repartition of the Conquered Country, as he could rea∣sonably expect, he should find upon the re∣duction of it, that the Commonwealth Fa∣ction in England, and her Two other Sister Kingdoms, would dwindle away of it self, and so the King would not only become Ab∣solute Master of his People, but as his Chri∣stian Majesty would concert the Sharing of those Provinces with his Brother of England, the Naval Power and Trade of Great Brit∣tain would receive an incredible augmenta∣tion by the Destruction of a State, that was her only Competitor at Sea, and for Com∣merce and Riches promoted thereby; For that not only their Shipping and Seamen, toge∣ther with their Chief Sea-ports, and be••t Sea provinces, all entire would be his Maje∣sty's, but also that all the most Wealthy and Substantial Merchants, and Industrious and Ingenious Tradesmen and Artificers, even of the Provinces and Parts that should fall to the Share of the most Christian King, would in all appearance transplant them∣selves either into England or Ireland, as ly∣ing

more convenient for Trade, than their own Country, or at least into those Parts of the Netherlands which should be reduced un∣der the Power of the King of Great Brittain; To whose Domination, as approaching near∣est the Sweetness and Freedom of that they now were under, they would certainly more willingly submit their Persons and Fortunes, than to that of the more Absolute one of the French Monarch, for which they had enter∣tained a Thousand Prejudices. In fine, she most earnestly and affectionately besought him to take those Matters into his most serious Con∣sideration, and to return a speedy, and if it might any ways be, a favourable Answer, that she might have the Happiness to return back the Messenger of good News, and such News as might prove a Foundation of a last∣ing Felicity to both the Illustrious Families, from which both his Majesty and her self were descended. The King after a little si∣lence, told her by way of Reply to the things she had represented to him, That it was impossible for him to doubt of the ar∣dency and reality of the Affection of a Sister so Amiable, and who had always exprest so much Tenderness for his Interest; That he as little questioned, but that she had penetra∣ted as far into the Interiors of his Brother of France, as it was possible any one could into the Heart of a King, and therefore upon her Representation of him chiefly, which he

assured her would induce him to give the more Credit to the Favourable Conjectures, he had made of his Temper, during the lit∣tle time he had the Honour to Converse with him whilst in Exile, and to the general Cha∣racter he had, since his Personal Administra∣tion of Publick Affairs, obtained in the World, of being a Prince of great-Honour and Generosity, and thereupon passing by some former unhandsom and unkind Treat∣ments in his Court, as pure Effects and In∣fluences of the over-ruling Ascendant of the then Regnant Mazarine, and not of that Prince's own Inclination; he should put much Confidence in the sincerity of the most Christian King, and accordingly desired her to return his said Majesty, his Royal and most Hearty Thanks for those obliging Ex∣pressions of Amity and Affection, he had signified to him by her, and to assure him in his Name, he should ever have his Friend∣ship in high Esteem, and would go as great lengths as in Prudence and Interest he could, to serve him, and to comply with his De∣sires: But that the Matters proposed being of the highest Consequence, he must beg his Excuse if he required more time to give him a positive and satisfactory Answer thereto, than the short space limitted for her stay in England would permit; however, that he would with all convenient Expedition give him a better Account; In the mean while,

he should Request his most Christian Brother by her, to do him the Justice to believe he was as sincerely affectioned to his Person, as he could be to his, and should ever persist to be as far as a King of Engl. could, his constant and most Obsequious Friend: The like Com∣plement, as far as it was agreeable to his Circumstances, was returned by the Duke; After which the Princess renewing the Charge in the Business of Religion, the King freely told her, That as to that Point, tho' he had entertained very kind and favourable Thoughts of the Roman Religion, and its Professors, for several Reasons he instanced, and did believe, that if it were Re-establish∣ed in his Dominions, the Monarchy would be safer and easier than it could be under the present state of Protestancy, yet he was not so fully satisfied in it, as to make it his own Religion; and that on the other side he foresaw such unsurmountable Difficulties in attempting such a Re-establishment, that he did not think any Policy, no, nor the whole Power of France, could he Command it all entire, without any divertion from other In∣terested Neighbours, (too extraordinary a Juncture to be probably expected) could be able to carry him through them: To which, the Princess who saw well enough, as well by his Looks and Actions as by his Expressi∣ons, that she had made more sensible Im∣pressions

upon his Spirits, than he was wil∣ling to acknowledge; thinking she had done enough for her part, and sufficiently broke the Ice, for those that should be designed to push the Point further at more leisure, mo∣destly replied; That since that was his Ma∣jesty's Sence, in which he was fixed, she would wave all farther Importunities on that Subject, and leave it wholly depending between himself and God, whom she would continually pray to Inspire his Majesty with Light enough to know, and Courage enough to embrace the Truth, in his appointed time; But however, she should be glad to know his Majesty's Sentiments as to the De∣sign against Holland; adding, that she was confident, he could not but think it was at least for his Interest, and seasible too: Yes, Madam, answered the King, I am Convin∣ced that if crowned with Success, it would be enough for the Interest of this Monarchy, and of my People too; but yet as practica∣ble as it seems to be to you, it is likewise not without its Difficulties, and those very great ones too; for the ill Success of my last War with that Nation, the Dissatisfacti∣on of my People thereupon, the Tripple League in which I am lately engaged with Holland, the Inclination my Subjects have for the Dutch, as being a Protestant Nation, and the Implacable Avertion they have to

the French, and their Jealousies of their Power, and of their Religion, are mighty Obstacles in the way; However, if my Bro∣ther of France can propose me any practica∣ble Expedients to remove them, which I much doubt, I will, as I have said, do what I can to comply with him in that Enterprize: And so the Princess declaring her self well satisfied, with what had been said upon the Subject of her Errand, they passed from the Businesses of State, to the Divertisements of the Court, from which being obliged much sooner to break off than they were willing, by the more swift than welcome approach of the time Limitted for her departure, with unconceivable Regret, and ill-presaging Tears, she took her leave of her Royal Bro∣thers; tho' little did she or they imagine it to be her last Farewel, for soon after her return to France she died, not without vehe∣ment Suspicion of being Poisoned; But that her Husband the Duke of Orleance, had any just Cause given him further to foment his Jealousie of her upon this Visit, (for he cer∣tainly was suspitious of her Conduct before any mention of that Journey) and so push∣ed him on to the practice of undue means to accelerate her Fate, has been a Matter of much Discourse both in England and France, and continues to this Day a Mystery, which I will not nor cannot pretend to determine,

and so begging your Lordship's Pardon for this tedious Epistle, I remain,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most Humble Servant.

Paris, Feb. 3. 1677. N. St.