Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

CCLIV.
Willem Bentinck aan de gravin van Portland.

[B.M., Eg. 1714]

Den Haag, 24 November 1747.

......The Princess Royal enquires very constantly about you, and always with a great deal of affection. The affair of the succession has been regulated with some alteration

[p. 330]

from the first project as we proposed; but even these alterations have not only been approved but settled by the Prince himself, so that he likes it better as it is now, than as it was at first proposed. I am not yet named in form for the Conferences at Aix, but as I know I am to go, I am preparing for it. I have, I believe, found a very fit person for a secretary; it is one Verdun¹⁾, a man of very good family and education, nearly related to the Saumaises and Missons; the Prince designs him for himself, and seems pleased of my having thought of him; for this will bring him further into business; and the way he behaves with me will either bar or contribute to his fortune. Besides he has been three year with Mr. Aylva in Germany²⁾, which is indeed no recommendation, but no disrecommendation neither......

1) Charles Verdun.

2) Tjeerd van Aylva; vgl. hiervóór blz. 157.