Nederlandse historische bronnen 10

24

Hague, 15th June 1731 NS

My Dear Lord, I acknowledge at once the honour of your two letters of the 4th and 11 NS the last of which I have this moment receiv'd.

I have nothing yett to acquaint you with from hence, for though we have receiv'd the answer of the Court of Vienna to the remarks of the Republick upon the late Treaty; the naturall delays of this cursed form of government, have hitherto hinder'd us from proceeding upon it, because the province of Zeland has not yett authoris'd it's deputys to treat; but as those powers will certainly arrive here today or tomorrow Count Sinzendorf will begin his conferences next week; where I hope and believe that the remaining difficultys will be remov'd for I think the answer of the Court of Vienna is pretty reasonable. As for their concurrence to the Treaty there is no manner of doubt; and the difficultys and delays, that have arisen have been only such, as are inseparable from the nature of the people and the form of the government.

We wait here with equall impatience for news from Spain, after the arrival of our courier, of the 7th May OS and considering what he carried, I don't think what he brings back can be bad. If the Dutchess Dorothea had taken the same precautions, at the putting in of the child, as she does now for it's coming out, she had, may be, done better⁸², I am, My Dear Lord - - -

[P.S.]

The Duke of Richelieu⁸³ arriv'd here last Sunday, staid two days, is now at Amsterdam, returns here tomorrow; and goes back to Lisle next Tuesday.

82 The phantom pregnancy of the Dowager Duchess of Parma delayed agreement on Carlos' succession in Parma. Antonio, the last Farnese Duke of Parma, had died on 20 January 1731, leaving a will announcing that his wife was pregnant, and declaring her regent for the unborn child.

83 Louis-François-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, Duke de Richelieu, 1696-1788, French ambassador in Vienna, 1725-1728.