Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

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CCXIV.
Willem Bentinck aan Graaf Sandwich.

[B.M., Addenda 32.808]

Middelburg, 22 Mei (1747).

I received last night at eleven your letter of the 19^th1) and made the proper use of it. It came very à propos, for I had that same afternoon had a long conversation with Mons^r. Van Citters about recalling Van Hoey, and we had concerted together how to speak to the Prince of Orange about it; he was present when your letters arrived, and the Prince of Orange read him your letter, as I did that I had received to them both. As it was very late and that there were allso letters from Twickel from Breda, the conversation ran chiefly on that point. To-day I shall look for an opportunity - - and I shall certainly find it - - of speaking again about Van Hoey. I know your intention, and I have allready told you that I will in everything act in concert with you. You may be sure that I have actually set you up so high here that you will have ennough to do to maintain the character I give of you.

I wish you heartily joy of the good success at Breda, I mean the breaking of the Conferences by the French. I don't know what I must judge of Maccanaz. I don't believe there ever was seen such a complication of foolishness and rascality as these Breda conferences have shewn.

The Prince of Orange is making all diligence here to get things in order for the defence of the country, as well as for restoring the tranquillity within. Yesterday the Prince wrote directly to Lord Chesterfield, the letter

1) Deze brief hebben wij niet gevonden. In de Archives, IV, I, blz. 29, evenwel, komt een brief van blijkbaar gelijke strekking van Sandwich aan Willem IV voor, aldaar verkeerdelijk 19 Met S.V. gedateerd; de datum moet zijn: 19 Mei S.N. Sandwich deed zijn beklag over een van Van Hoey's brieven, waarin die betoogde dat voortzetting van de oorlog slechts in Engeland's belang was. Vgl. P. Geyl, a.w., blz. 224.

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was very well according to our notions and fit to be shewn to the King. I advised him to write to the D. of Newcastle after having told him how handsomely and with what zeal and affection the D. of N. had acted in this critical conjuncture¹⁾. The Prince did write, I hope you will approve of this; I believe this will oblige him much more than the letter you would have me write to his Grace.

I delivered your letter Saturday to Commodore Mitchell, who pleases me much, and whose diligence, activity, prudence, and spirit are quite remarkable and will gain him universal approbation.

1) 's Prinsen brief, gedagteekend: Middelbourg 21 May 1747, niet in de Archives, laten wij hier volgen.