Nederlandse historische bronnen 10

9

Hague, 24th December 1728

My Dear Lord, I trouble you with this letter, at the earnest request of mr. D'Ayrolles, the King's resident here²⁹. The business is this. He has an only nephew³⁰, whom he intends to make his heir, and whom he has a mind to breed up to business; he has accordingly given him an education fitt for it; he understands

29 James Dayrolle, British resident at The Hague, 1706-1712, 1717-1739.

30 Solomon Dayrolle, resident at The Hague, 1747-1752, minister at Brussels, 1752-1757.

[p. 143]

most languages, writes very well; and knows a good deal of modern history; he is a very well behav'd, good sort of young fellow, as can be, and about twenty years old; he had been some time at Hanover before the departure of the Prince³¹, he is now at Cassell with Sutton; and his uncle, has a great desire that he should be six months, under your protection at Vienna; all he asks is, any room in your house, and a runn in your kitchen; all other expences his uncle will supply him with. If you should sometimes want hands, to write or copy I believe he may be very usefull to you. You will be so good as to lett me know, whether you can conveniently grant the old man this request; and at the same time forgive the liberty I took of making it to you. I don't often trouble you with news from hence, because I know you have it better from other hands; the concerns that this Republick has with the Court where you are; you have full information of from Hamel Bruyninx; and for other affairs you have them en droiture, from the proper places, and I should only come a day after the fair. I will tell you however in generall that this State; begins to grow very weary of the chicanes and delays of your Court of Vienna; in relation to the affairs of Ostend and Oostfrize; and should vigorous measures prove necessary for the common cause³², they are enough irritated, to come into them very alertly, contrary to their naturall caution and slowness³³.

We are impatient to know what effect, Count Sinzendorf's return to Vienna, will have³⁴; and all our expectations depend upon that Court, which is undoubtedly, the sole governor and director of that of Madrid³⁵. If they should neither of them think fitt to come into reasonable measures, I believe our Master's patience, will soon be tir'd³⁶; and he will convince them that England can be as formidable an enemy, as they have formerly found it a useful friend.

I am inform'd your goods are not yett come to Amsterdam. I am with the very greatest truth and esteem - - -

31 Frederick, Prince of Wales (1707-1751), eldest son of George II, left Hanover for London in 1728.

32 The British urged that the Hanover Alliance powers should present Spain and Austria with an ultimatum over the Provisional Treaty, Townshend to Chesterfield, 5 Nov. OS, 17 Dec. 1728 OS, PRO, num. 84/302, f. 101-102, 245.

33 Chesterfield was being optimistic. The Dutch opposed the scheme for an ultimatum over the Provisional Treaty, Chesterfield to Townshend, 23 Nov., 14 Dec. 1728, PRO, num. 84/302, f. 132, 208. The French also opposed the idea and the proposal was dropped.

34 Count Philip Sinzendorff, the Austrian Chancellor, had returned from Soissons to Vienna. It was hoped that he would obtain Austrian support for the Provisional Treaty.

35 George II was very suspicious of Austro-Spanish collusion over the Provisional Treaty, Townshend to Chesterfield, 24 Sept. 1728 OS, PRO, num. 84/302, f. 18.

36 For George II's personal role in foreign policy: Black, ‘George II reconsidered’, 35-36. George was very pleased with Chesterfield's dispatches in this period, Townshend to Chesterfield, 17 Dec. 1728 OS, PRO, num. 84/302, f. 261.