Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1
(1934)–Willem Bentinck–
Auteursrecht onbekendDen Haag, 18 November 1745.I came back hither last Wensday morning, having past at Doorweert, where I had some business, last Thursday and Friday, and went Saturday morning to Loo where I staid till Tuesday in the afternoon. I do not at all repent having been there, having heard there a great many particulars which I am very glad to be informed of, which indeed could not bear paper; and having besides past my time there very agreably. The Prince is now perfectly well, and rides a hunting without any the least inconvenience from the operation he has undergone. The Princess Royal is in very good health, and most excellent spirits and always equally chearful. Princess Caro- | |
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linaGa naar voetnoot1) is the finest, strongest child of her age I ever saw. And Loo is, to my taste, one of the finest situated houses I know. I received at Doorweert your two letters of the 22 and 24 OctoberGa naar voetnoot2). I see that Jean's friend is not at all well inform'd of what is doing, and am afraid that Maho: does not know all that is done and said in his name. Be sure that what I told you is true. What Sir W. Young said the day the motion was made to address the King to recall all the Troops in FlandersGa naar voetnoot3), was not au hazard. I am sorry to see that our troupes are condemned to loose the reputation they had so justly acquired, and which I am sure they would still sustain, if they were well led. And it grieves me to see the spirit that reigns at present in England, of railing against the only allys England has or can have, and the only supports of the present constitution, of the House of Hannover, and of the Protestant Religion. I don't hear of anybody railing against France, tho' France has declared war against England. Neither is France mention'd in the King's Speech. France is certainly the cause and the primum mobile of the rebellion in Scotland, and has the good luck of being overlook'd by every body in England, and of seeing her own maxims talk'd about by those who, one should think, are her ennemys, since she has declared war against them, I must own we live in very odd times. It is impossible for me to refute, much less to prevent, the spreading of every particular relating to our Army, or our councels. The latter are much deteriorated by the pusillanimity in England: and the former is much the worse for having been under under the command of the Prince of Waldeck, who has no head for the post he has been in and is too wise to learn of others. But he must needs be there to put back the Prince of Orange. And | |
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thoseGa naar voetnoot1) who ought to be most interested in favouring the Prince of Orange have lent a hand to all that has been done against him. Our troupes will never do well nor be what they were, till he is at their head. I have informations of the troops under Smissaert very different from what you mention. And I have 'em from several hands, and now lately from him that has been at FrancfortGa naar voetnoot2). ......Trevor is not only mysterious with me, but hides himself entirely from me, as much as it is in his power. And I have found out that he had good reason to do so; which I did not suspect at first, but thought it was humour or oddity, which I am always ready to overlook, when I think people act fairly for the rest. I am very glad the motion of Mr. PittGa naar voetnoot3) was not attended with success, and wonder that anybody having any knowledge of affairs or common sense could come into it. We are waiting with great impatience for news not only from Scotland but from Westminster, and dread much more the consequences of bad news from the last place than from the first. I cannot say upon this all I think...... |
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