Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

LX.
Willem Bentinck aan de gravin van Portland.

[B.M., Eg. 1712]

Den Haag, 2 Aug. 1743.

I received yesterday letters from Gelderland. Jack²⁾ was well. The first division is to march out of the frontier to-morrow. I expected to have been at liberty this week to go into Gelderland, and should have had the pleasure of seeing 'em there almost all together. But unforeseen business will keep me here till the middle of next week. That is what's most plaguing here in this form of government. One must always be alert, and ready to attend. Whereas if there was a steddy regular form, so that one could know where is the North and where the South, one could without any loss of credit, or detriment to the publick absent for a month or two. Now t' is a continual slavery.

2) Charles Bentinck.

[p. 70]

Yesterday I dined at the good and worthy old greffier's, who drank your health and desired his humble respects to you.

Prince Charles¹⁾ arrived at the King's army the 28 and was not to stay there long, I own I wish them in France²⁾. The French party here give still out that they are sure our Troops will do nothing. But they will be mistaken ... I received yesterday a long reasoned letter from Lord Stair. He cannot hide himself, and some expression here or there always escapes that shews the bottom.

1) Karel van Lotharingen, jongere broer van Frans, Maria Theresia's gemaal.

2) Er was na de slag bij Dettingen sprake van een invasie van Frankrijk. Daarover ontstond groot verschil van meening onder de generaals en er kwam ten slotte niets van. Lord Stair, de Engelsche opperbevelhebber, nam zijn ontslag uit ergernis over die werkeloosheid. Intusschen bond Carteret Engeland tot voortzetting van den oorlog bij het verdrag van Worms met Oostenrijk en Sardinië (13 Sept. '43), waarin de Nederlandsche staatslieden zelfs niet gekend waren.