Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

CXXII.
Willem Bentinck aan de gravin van Portland.

[B.M. Eg., 1713]

Den Haag, 31 Augustus 1745.

I don't know what to make of the news come from England relating to the affair of the Pretender in Scotland, which I can neither beleive nor disbeleive.

Mr. Trevor has asked provisionally for the succour due, which will be granted at his requisition......⁴⁾

(Oostende genomen door de Franschen.)

4) Trevor had, na ontvangst van een instructie dd. 13 Aug. O.S., 30 Aug. een conferentie met het Besogne. 31 Aug. nam Holland een toestemmend besluit. Het volgende ter aanvulling van P. Geyl, a.w., blz. 124 en 150: Trevor aan Harrington, 31 Aug. 1745 (P.R.O.): ‘I have chose to ground my requisition upon the Treaty of 1713; rather than upon either that of 1678, or that of 1717; as that of 1678 supposes an attack from some foreign power; and, tho' that of 1717 does indeed directly turn upon the guaranty of our present happy constitution, yet as it was a triple alliance, contracted in common with France, I have thought it less applicable to the present conjuncture; and besides, my Lord, the succour promised by this latter treaty is to be reimbursed by the party, that demands it; whereas that stipulated by the Treaty of 1713 is to be at the charge of the party that furnishes it; tho' custom and prescription have indeed more or less derogated from our insisting upon this advantage in full.’

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......I have not seen Lord Delawarr. But what I have heard from Count Nassau, and from Admiral Anson¹⁾, I have a very bad opinion of your politicks. I protest to you in honour that it is merely out of consideration and foresight that I stifle a great many things, which I could stop the mouth of many with, who talk as if they were as white as snow. I will continue silent as long as I see any hopes of matters mending. But when that hope is past, I will give vent to my spleen as well as others. I beg now to be most kindly remembered to the Boys. I am sorry to hear the youngest improves so little in his English, and beseech you to consecrate an hour a day to talk nothing but English with him, nor permit him to talk any other language, nor answer him if he does²⁾.

1) George Anson (1692-1762), 1751 First Lord of the Admiralty.

2) Dit is een van vele soortgelijke vermaningen, de een al dringender dan de ander.