Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1
(1934)–Willem Bentinck–
Auteursrecht onbekend
[pagina 301]
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18 October 1747.......I am very sorry to see by your letter of the 22 Sept. O.S. that everything is overturn'd bij the loss of Berg-op-Zoom. It is not so here, I assure you. For tho' it had been so dexterously and so maliciously set about at White'sGa naar voetnoot1) and elsewhere, that after the loss of Berg-op-Zoom the Prince of Oranges party would be no more master of affairs here, it has nevertheless happen'd that yesterday a motion was made by the Nobles in the States of Holland to settle the dignity of Stadholder on the Princes descendants, male or female, under certain precautions too long to mention now, but which you shall soon be inform'd of the detail of. This motion was very well received by the deputys of almost all the towns who had informed asunder without one's knowing the other; and none knowing it was to be done on yesterday. The Deputys of the towns are gone home for eight days to fetch orders on this important (matter), and I beleive they will bring satisfactory answers. If you consider all the consequences of this step, how it puts an end to all hopes of future cabals and partys, in case the Prince should come to fail, what additional strength it gives to our party, what a dependency it puts the magistrates of the towns in, &c &c &c, you will judge that this is as great a coup de parti as the election of the Stadholder. I shall tell you, for yourself and between you and I, that as soon as I came back from Zealand, I drew a plan for this very affair, which I communicated to the Greffier, to Charles, to the Prince and Princess Royal and after several additions and alterations, left it here, and it has been, during my stay in England, brought into another form in concert with those with whom I had spoke of it | |
[pagina 302]
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in Zeeland, the same who had been in the affair of the election. Yesterday sennight it was communicated to the Pensionary, who very readily and very prudently came into it, and promised to second it. He was employ'd to persuade those one had most reason to doubt of. As I was out of order, I have not had much trouble with this affair, but have received constant hourly reports how things stood. ......I have seen this afternoon the Princess Royal, whom I had not seen since the day after her arrival, having been but once out last Thursday, which agreed very ill with me, but yesterday I was at the Assembly from nine till three, and finding myself very well today went out again. I found the Princess Royal very well; and gave your present of China to Princess Caroline who took it very kindly and made me eat part of her dinner...... If I had absolutely nothing else to do, I could find wherewithall to employ myself with tracing back all the falsitys I have heard in England; and shewing all the channels daily employed to convey more. I only wish that the experience of past things, would make some I interest myself much in, more cautious in believing what is reported as facts. I forgot to tell you that both the Prince and Princess Royal each asunder made me a very handsome and obliging compliment, and in a very kind manner about what past yesterday...... |
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