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 LIII. (Book 53)

Of King Charles II's urging the French Court for his Remittances, according to the private League between them.

My LORD,

YOU have heard what pressing Instan∣ces His Highness has made for his Remittances, according to Agreement; and what mighty Encouragements he has given this Court of gaining their Ends, both in Court and Parliament: And now 'tis fit the King should put in his Plea at last; which he did in this manner, as their Minutes represent it.

That for his part, he had advanced ra∣ther more than less Money than he had already received from them, for carrying on their Work; and that, not to enume∣rate many Particulars, he would observe to them, that when he saw there was no other Probability of obliging his dear Bro∣ther of France, in preserving the Neutra∣lity, so much desired by him, but by Pro∣roguing of his Parliament, which they knew well enough, was a tender Point: That yet not to be wanting to his Bro∣ther's Interests, and his own Engagements, he had adventured so far, as even twice to Prorogue them; and had withal ex∣pended most of his own Moneys, in en∣deavouring, if possible, against the next Meeting, or Session of Parliament, to make a Party, so as to be able, in a Par∣liamentary Way, to over-match his Ad∣versaries, and those of the Most Christian King, his Brother; and not only that, but to be in a Condition to support himself, during their Recess, in the Figure he ought, as King of England, to make, both at home, and abroad, for his own Advan∣tage, as well as that of the Most Chri∣stian King's; and so carry on the Work of Mediation between him and the Con∣federates, as his Brother of France would have; as likewise the desired Negotia∣tions in Holland, to induce the Prince of Orange, to a Compliance, &c.

That they could not but know he was much involved in Debts by the last War, in Conjunction with them, against Hol∣land, and other extraordinary Occasions, by Troubles arising, and fomented chiefly by his adhering to his Brother of France's Interest; and that he having Prorogued his Parliament upon his Account, and thereby put himself under an absolute Ne∣cessity of being deprived of the Legal Assistance of his People; it was but very reasonable and just they should advance such a Sum as might enable him, not only further to gratifie His Most Christian Ma∣jesty's Desires, but also to satisfie in part his own extraordinary Necessities, and re∣compence him for the Subsidies he miss'd of thereby again and again from his own Subjects.

And Lastly, He demanded, at least, such a Re-inforcement as he had before receiv∣ed at the Conclusion of the Treaty with France, and that by way of Extraordina∣ry, besides his Annuity punctually paid: And of this he expected an exact Per∣formance before the——, be∣sides another Advance at the Beginning of that Session; that so he might be able to make his Party good against all Oppo∣sers at their next Meeting, or else Pro∣rogue them, without fear of wanting Mo∣ney during their Recess: And did further insist, beside some other Proposals not

worth mentioning, upon his having Five or Six Millions of Livres allowed him with all convenient Speed, towards the Payment of his Debts, and the Retriev∣ing of his lost Credit. The Success of which Remonstrances and Proposals, both from the King and Duke, your Lordship may, perhaps, be informed of another time, by

My LORD,

Your Honour's Most humbly devoted Servant.

Paris, Mar. 16. 1680. N. S.