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To Mr. Coleman, Secretary to her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York in Deans-yard in Westminster.
Paris 5/15 April 76.
I Do almost like you, I write not to you when you write not to me; and send you only small Letters, when you send not me great ones; and besides, our News is yet very little. The King goes from hence to Morrow, but it is not yet known whi∣ther; some say, to Besiege Cambray; others say, towards Sedan, to be betwixt Germany and Flanders; there are some who will have the King to go to Philipsburg, to oblige the Enemy to a Battel, at which he hath a great desire once to be.
For other things, St. Germain desires you will tell Mr. Coleman, that the King's Confessor hath positively assured him, That the French King will write to the Dutchess concerning the Business that is on foot; the Confessor told it to St. Germain in such a man∣ner, as he believes it will be to the Satisfaction of the Dutchess. The Confessor also added upon what St. Germain represented to him, That the French King leaving his home to make a round to∣wards his Enemies, could not so conveniently send the Letter of Exchange to Antwerp, as was desired, if he did dot do it before his departure; That the French King thought upon these Busi∣nesses as well Abroad as at Home: It is Necessary that Coleman in∣form St. Germain of what shall happen, and if the Dutchess have received an Answer, and what it is. Madam Tremblay writ a Letter of March 26 Nevv Stile to St. Germain, in vvhich vvas ex∣prest that Coleman had not seen her in Ten days, to tell her what he had done. Madam Tremblay hath writ to Madam Ruvigny's Brother, to oblige him to speak to the King's Confessor in favour of St. Germain, to procure him a Journey into England, if the Con∣fessor had asked St. Germains advice upon't, he would have coun∣selled him not to take that way which can never do well.
The new Ambassador's Secretary is very earnest with St. Ger∣main to befriend him with the Confessor, and seems very zealous for the Duke of York, but St. Germain would know if this Secre∣tary be as well with the Duke of York, as he would make us be∣lieve, and if the Duke hath all along trusted him with the secret of his Af∣fair. St. Germain entertains him with fair Promises, by that means to understand things which may be useful to his Friends, and chiefly to Coleman. This Secretary is much astonished at the