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 XX. (Book 20)

Of Mareschal Schomberg, and the M. de Ru∣vigni's Retreat out of France; and of the Favour shew'd to the Marquess du Quesne, with the Reasons thereof.

My Lord,

I Do not question but your Lordship had ac∣quaintance with Mareschal Schomberg, when some Years ago in England; you may, perhaps, see him there again in a short time, for he hath with very great difficulty, notwithstanding his many and signal Services for this Crown, obtai∣ned Leave to depart the Kingdom, but under very hard Restrictions, the number of his Do∣mesticks being limited, and the Vessel wherein he embark'd view'd very narrowly: The Court before his departure appointed him Portugal for his Retreat, that so that same Country, where he has been known for so many Victories, might become unto him rather a place of Exile, than Retreat. The Marquess de Ruvigni had always some measure of the King's Favour, but that, toge∣ther with all the Interest he has had with his Mi∣nisters of State, were little enough to procure him Leave to retire with his Family into En∣gland; but whether arrived there, your Lord∣ship can tell much better than I. As for the Marquess de Quesne, tho' fourscore Year old, and a person that hath deserved so much for his

long and glorious Services, and under whose Conduct the Naval Power of this Kingdom, heretofore so inconsiderable, was become formi∣dable to all the World; yet he hath not been able to obtain Leave to go finish his Days in a Prote∣stant Country: But the Court have complemen∣ted him seemingly with a great Favour, viz. to continue in this City, with Assurance he shall not be molested upon the score of his Religion; but no doubt but this Favour hath proceeded more from Court-policy than any Good-will; for they are, it's very likely, afraid, that had they granted him Leave to depart the Kingdom, he might go and inform Strangers of the state of their marine affairs, the Weakness and De∣fects whereof he knows, as well as he can dis∣cover the Strength and Power of the same; and as for the Liberty of his Conscience granted him, they found that also expedient, to hinder him to practise his escape by one Artifice or other, if he were menaced with any Constraint. I did not think once matters would have been brought to this pass here; but when they are at the worst, there will be Hopes they will mend, as I hope I shall in my Intelligence to your Lordship, who am,

My Lord,

Devoted to serve you.

Paris, S••pt. 4. 1686. N. S.