Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

LIII.
Willem Bentinck aan de gravin van Portland.

[B.M., Eg. 1712]

Den Haag, 8 Febr. 1743.

As the cases with the cheases are not yet arrived here, I cannot tell you yet what Pamphlets are come over. I am apt to believe that a fling at the country Hanover abroad is but with too much reason, and that the fear for that has but too much influence in every other deliberation¹⁾. Which must produce the same bad effect on your side of the water, as the fear of pinch'd fingers²⁾ does on this side, of both which fears together all Europe feels at present the effects. And I make no doubt of this being the key of many things which otherwise must appear incomprehensible.

The report of the King of Prussia's declaration is grounded upon the orders sent by him to his Ministers at London, and Mr. Podewils³⁾ here has said the same thing. But since the King of Prussia has received from the English Ministers an answer different from what he

1) Dat vrees voor zijn keurvorstendom George II's buitenlandsche politiek tot schade van Engeland's belangen beheerschte, was een algemeene klacht van Engelsche politici; en niet ten onrechte: vgl. P. Geyl, a.w., blz. 81 vlg.

2) Ongetwijfeld wordt hiermede de Prins van Oranje bedoeld (vgl. register onder Pinched fingers) en de strekking is, dat de Staten zich van een krachtige politiek onthielden uit vrees, dat oorlog de Prins aan het bewind zou brengen.

3) De Pruisische gezant in Den Haag.

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expected, his Minister here begins to recant, and not only says that it was without order, but even alters the sense of what he had said before. Yet those that have a good memory not only have not forgot his words but don't let him have the pleasure of thinking them dupes.

This Mons. Podewils is one of the most ridiculous, insignificant, superficial, frothy petit-maîtres I ever saw. And you may easily imagine that we are very good friends, especially he keeping constant company with Fénelon, and those of his party. Last Friday he writ to his Court in such positive terms that the affair of the succour to be given to the Queen was at a stand, that Saturday he was forced to send a courier to give himself the lye¹⁾. Fénelon, Sinsheim did the same thing, having writ in the same strain.

The deputation to Dort²⁾ I from the very beginning thought an unnecessary step, and what must necessarily occasion loss of precious time, besides the opportunitys that might be taken to start new difficultys. And I am still of that opinion, tho' by the event it has turn'd so that the conclusion against Dort at present is of more weight than if the deputation had not had place. The resolution of Holland was carry'd Wednesday to the States General, where Mr. Tork³⁾ had an opportunity of shewing himself, having voted there directly contrary to what he professes in conversation to be his sentiment. He pretends to be very zealous in all measures against the French, because he knows how odious it would make him in the publick, and in his family especially⁴⁾, to appear otherwise. But when things come to a point, he dare not venture to do otherwise than his brother Roosendaal orders, who is publickly declared against any measures in concert with England and is one of the most

1) 2 Febr. 1743 had Holland besloten dit plan desnoods bij meerderheid in de Staten-Generaal door te drijven.

2) Vgl. hiervóór, blz. 60.

3) F.W. baron Torck (1691-1761), gedep. ter St. G. voor Gelderland, jongere broer van de heer van Rozendaal.

4) F.W. Torck was gehuwd met een freule Wassenaer van Duivenvoorde, dochter van Arent W.v.D. en Anna Margaretha Bentinck, dochter van Willem B.'s vader uit diens eerste huwelijk.

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bitter and virulent in his expressions against the English, and the most grossly partial to the French.