Nederlandse historische bronnen 10

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Hague, 30th January 1731 NS

My Dear Lord, I dare return you nothing but my thanks for the favour of your letter, which is the reason I have troubl'd you so seldom; for a letter, though in cypher, by the common post, I look upon to be farr from secure, especially at this time, when the Court where you are, entertains such unjust suspicions of ours. I doubt it is farr from an unjust suspicion, to think that France does not intend to act at all; since they insist respectively with their allys, upon points which they know are impossible for them to agree to. And a refusall is what France seems the most sollicitous to obtain. I believe they did not expect the late augmentation here, which will certainly have a good effect everywhere; and Spain will certainly see that it is the maritime powers, who really mean the execution of the Treaty of Seville, and will of course lay the blame of the inexecution at the door of those who insist upon impossibilitys.

I thought I should have been in England by this time; but mr. Finch's journey has been putt off from time to time longer than I expected⁶³. I believe I shall certainly

63 William Finch (1691-1766), whom Chesterfield had replaced at The Hague, was due to return to the post. He did not do so until February 1733. Between Chesterfield's much delayed departure in February 1732 and Finch's arrival, British interests were represented by the resident James Dayrolle. Chesterfield had sought to be recalled for some time, Chesterfield to Tilson, 12 Dec. 1730, PRO, num. 84/309, f. 115, Chesterfield to Harrington, 2 jan. 1731, Coxe, Memoirs of the life and administration of Sir Robert Walpole, III, 47.

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be there in six weeks at furthest; but I shall not leave this place, without returning you my thanks for the favour of your correspondence during my stay here, and begging you, wherever I am, to continue me your friendship and remembrance, which no man living can desire or value more than, My Dear Lord - - -