Letters written by Sir W. Temple, Bart., and other ministers of state, both at home and abroad containing an account of the most important transactions that pass'd in Christendom from 1665-1672 : in two volumes / review'd by Sir W. Temple sometime before his death ; and published by Jonathan Swift ...

To the Marques of Cas∣tel Rodrigo.

Brussels, Dec 12. S.N. 1665

My Lord,

THE News of your Excellency's In∣disposition has very sen∣sibly afflicted me; but, God Almighty will, I doubt not, quickly re∣store your Health, which is of too great Impor∣tance to Christendom, to sink under common Ac∣cidents.

I desire your Pardon for the Liberty I take to let you know, how Mon∣sieur Rhintorf complains exceedingly, that he finds yet no Advance in the Affair you were plea∣sed to undertake for his Master's sake, and in∣deed for that of the King my Master too. I desire your Excellen∣cy once more to give your Hand to it; and that if those Merchants

will not buy the Tin, you will give Order at least, to have it enga∣ged for three parts of it's value; so as some pre∣sent Remedy may be found to the Bishop's Necessities, wherewith, (by means of this delay) he is now press'd, to the last Extremities.

I take more part in this Affair, having alrea∣dy writ to the King my Master, that you had wholly finished it, in af∣fection to his Service; for which I do not doubt, but you will re∣ceive His Majesty's Thanks by the first Cou∣rier; so that I shall be in the greatest Confusi∣on imaginable if the Bu∣siness fails, and His Ma∣jesty cannot chuse but think me very imperti∣nent.

By my last Dispatch from Court of the 18th instant, I am informed, that the Spanish Ambas∣sadour did that Evening privately deliver his new Credentials to the King, to whom and his Mi∣nisters

he still continued to be very acceptable; and that upon arrival of these Credentials they began to enter in good earnest upon adjusting our common Interests.

By a Letter of the 15th instant from the Prince of Munster I am informed of the great and happy Progress of his Arms; but on t'other side, that the Hollanders used their last Endea∣vours to raise against him all the Protestant Prin∣ces of the Empire, under pretext, that Religion has part in the Quarrel, as well as the Interest of the House of Austria: And on both these Ac∣counts, as well as from your own Generosity, your Excellency is en∣gaged not to disappoint him in this little occasi∣on: not to alledge the Moral, which tells us, That, whatever good we can do without damage to our selves, we are obliged to do, even to a Stran∣ger.

Upon an Answer from your Excellency I am ready to dispatch an Express to Antwerp, and shall remain,

My Lord,

Your Excellencies most humble and obedi∣ent Servant.

Au Marquis de Castel Rodrigo.

Brussels, Dec. 12. S. N. 1665.

Monsieur.

LA Nouvelle de l'in∣disposition que votre Excellence a ressentie de∣puis quelques jours, m'a sensiblement touché; mais je ne doute point, que Dieu ne retablisse bien-tôt une santé qui est trop necessaire à la Chretienté pour succom∣ber sous des accidens vul∣gaires.

Je vous demande par∣don de la liberté que je prens de vous avertir que Mon∣sieur Rhintorf se plaint ex∣trement de ce qu'il ne trou∣ve encore rien de fait dans l'affaire qu'il vous a plu de prendre á coeur en fa∣veur de son Maitre; ainsi que sur la recommendati∣du Roy mon Maitre: Je supplie V. E. d'y mettre encore une fois la main, & de donner ordre que si on a resolu de ne point accepter

cette Marchandise, du moins on la prenne en gage pour les trois quarts de sa valeur; á fin de remedier sur le champ aux necessicez dont Monsieur l'Eveque se trouve pressé, qui peut etrê sont rendues extremes par ce retardement.

Je me trouve d'autant plus interressé dans cette affaire, qu'ayant deja mandé au Roy mon Mai∣tre que vous l'aviez tout∣a fait finie dans la veue de rendre service á sa Majes∣té, ce qui vous sera sans doute marqué avec remer∣ciment de sa part par le premier Courier; je sero is l'homme du monde le plus confus, & le plus imper∣tinent aux yeux du Roy mon Maitre, si citte af∣faire venoit a manquer.

Par la derniere lettre que j'ay receue de la Cour dattée du 18. du courant, j'ay étê averti que Mon∣sieur l'Ambassadeur d'Es∣pagne avoit le soir de ce jour lá presenté au Roy ce•• novelles lettres de creance

& que sa personne etoit toujours fort agreable, & á ses Ministres: qu'au reste sur l'arrivée de ces nouvelles lettres de creance on alloit commencer de fort bon coeur á ajuster nos in∣terets communs.

Par une lettre du Prince de Munster du 15. du courant, j'ay eté averti de ses grands & heureux pro∣grez; mais que d'un au∣tre coté les Hollandois fai∣soient tous leurs efforts pour soulever contre luy tous les Princes Protestans de l'Em∣pire; sous le pretexte que la Religion & la Maison d'Autriche y etoient inte∣ressés. C'est par lá aussi bi∣en que par vôtre generosité que vous êtes engagé à ne luy pas manquer en cette pe∣tite occasion, pour n'alle∣guer pas la Morale qui nous dit, Quicquid sine de∣trimento facere potes, vel ignoto faciendum.

Sur la Response de V. E. je suis tout prêt á depecher un exprez á Anvers; & bien resolu d'etre tou∣jours.

de V. E.

le tres humble & tres obeisant Serviteur.