Don Carlos to the Lord Conway, 3. September.

I Have understood by Mr. Strada with particular contentment the newes of your good health, which God continue for many years. I see by yours received by Strada, what his Majestie hath been pleased to order concerning the ships of the Indies, which is as much in effect as could be hoped for from so great a King, so zealous of Justice and Equitie.

In the Conduct of this businesse, we will observe the order given by his Majestie, in confidence that the Subjects of the King my Ma∣ster shall obtain their ends, and his Catholique Majestie receive the contentment to know, that the excesses of those that shall be convin∣ced have been punished.

By the last Currier of Flanders, we received neither from the In∣fanta, nor any other person any other newes, then what Mr. Trumbal sent by his Letters.

I confesse freely, that the Marquesse, and my self have been much troubled, both of us being exceedingly desirous, that his Majestie Page  240should receive in every thing (even in words, and formalities) the same satisfaction, which we hope he shall receive in the effects. Never∣thelesse in discharge of her Highnesse, I will say that which is fit for me as I am her servant, and which I pray you from me to deliver un∣to his Majestie; but thus understood, that it is onely my own parti∣cular discourse.

By the displeasure his Majestie hath been pleased to testifie unto me upon many occasions of the Prince Palatines refusal to sign, and ratifie the Treatie of suspension of Armes; He may be also pleased to judge how it may have been taken by the King my Master in Spain, and the Infanta in Flanders, and the rather because of the continual reports, that at the same time went up and down and in∣creased (as ordinarily it falls out) of the descent of Alberstat with a mighty Army of 20000 foot, and 6000 horse, not any more to make war in Germany, but to joyn with the Prince of Orange, and fall upon those Provinces in obedience to his Catholique Majestie, which was no other but directly to aym at the vital parts of the Spanish Monar∣chie.

If for these just fears (which cannot certainly be held vain, being considered with those of the year past, proceeding from one and the same Cause, both of which have been scattered by the Almighty hand of God, in his secret Judgments) it hath not onely been law∣ful, but also necessary to conserve the ancient alliances, and procure new, I leave it to the judgment of every man of understanding, not doubting but for this respect you will be of the same opinion with me: And much more his Majestie, whom God hath endowed with so great knowledge, and royal qualities, as are known to all the world.

Morover, let us see if in the Law of gratitude, the Infanta could do lesse then acknowledge towards the Duke of Bavaria, the valour wherewith his Army had resisted the pernitious designs of Alberstat, having hazarded his own estate to hinder the imminent danger of the King my Masters.

Again let us consider if the Infanta sending to visit, and give him thanks could excuse her self from giving him all those titles, which the Duke of Bavaria gives himself, and desires should be given him. And if he might not, if she had done otherwise have thought the in∣gratitude the greater, then the acknowledgement. And therefore things being in this state, the Infanta could not excuse her self from sending to visite him, seeing he had succoured her in a time of need, and in visiting him to give him that, which he desired should be Page  241given him. And the like is to be said for the King my Master in case he hath done the like as Mr. Trumbal writes the Infanta should tell him, and with a great deal more reason because the Countries are his own. And therefore since his Majestie of Great Brittain is so great a King, and hath so great a reputation of the exact perform∣ing of his royal obligations, I doubt not but he will judge, that in this formality, the King my Master, and the Infanta his Aunt, have but acquitted themselves of their obligations. For the rest, if at the conferrence of Cullen, which his said Majestie, and her Highnesse have desired, and do yet desire his Majestie of great Brittain shall see, that they are wanting on their part to proceed with that sincerity and truth, which they have so often offered, and which the Marquesse of Ynoiosa doth still offer on the behalf of the King my Master, so that only the Prince Palatine make the submissions due to the Emperour as his natural Lord, and resolvie to follow the Pa∣ternal counsels of his Majestie of great Brittain, his Majestie shall then have reason to complain. And in the mean time the Prince Palatine should do but well not to entertain those Amities he endea∣vours to conserve, nor to sollicit those Leagues which he labours to procure, not only with the declared rebells of the King my Master, and of the House of Austria, but also with the enemies of all Chri∣stendom. I will ingage my head if following this way his Majestie and his son in law find themselves deceived.

You know Sir, that I treat in truth, and freedom, and do there∣fore hope you will impute my excuses to that, and will not call this libertie of my discourse, rashnesse, but an immortal desire in me in all things to procure the service of our Kings, laying aside all occa∣sions of misunderstandings, now we treat of nothing els, but uniting our selves more by the strickt bonds of love, over and above those of our Alliance.

I do humbly beseech you to say thus much to his Majestie, and to assure him from me, that when he shall be pleased to imploy me in this matter, as in all other, he shall ever find me faithful and real, as I have offered my self, and alwayes continue, being well assured, that even in that I shall serve my Master. And I pray you to believe in your particular that I am, and will be eternallie