Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 2
(1976)–Willem Bentinck–
Auteursrechtelijk beschermd
[pagina 196]
| |
Rotterdam, 18 oktober 1748I am obliged to tell you, that Van der MeerGa naar voetnoot1) is still acting the same vilainous part: he came from The Hague last tuesdayGa naar voetnoot2) night and went with three others whom he had seduced to the place, where the petition is signing to dissuade those that were there from signing; and he threatened to give out another petition in opposition to this. Finding, that this would not do, he went next morning to the tall burgomasterGa naar voetnoot3) my friend, saying, that he was sent by the Prince to him to tell him, that the Prince expected, that our people would do nothing without him and that he had a form of a petition for signing; that he was ready for a reconciliation with the three patriots and that, if they would not consent to this he would fetch the commissaries to avoid the troubles this town is threatened with. The magistrat answered him with a great deal of resolution, that he could not give any credit to this message and that he had so often seen the name of the Prince made free with, by messages in his or the Princess' name which, when he came to The Hague, he found to be false, that he thought that the Prince would upon an affair like this, either send for him, or lett him know his pleasure by some other hand, that as to the change of magistrates, he was indifferent about it; that it should be just as the Prince pleased; and as to the petition, that neither he nor anybody else were ignorant, that such a thing was going forward, but so quietely, that he did not in the least fear any disturbances from it: unless some wrong head or other took it upon him to hand about a petition is opposition, which might produce a scene as disagreable as that att LeidenGa naar voetnoot4) and that, after what he, Van der Meer, had given to understand of his sentiments, he would, if such a thing be started, be severely punished as the author. That, however, nothing may be wanting on our side, I have been desired to try to persua- | |
[pagina 197]
| |
de our people to see him, but Van der Cruyff, Danserweg and Loover, have flatty told me, that they would have no dealings with a man, that they knew to be a rogue and that they were very sensible, that a conference of this kind, must end in blows; I must own, that I was so far convinced by their reasons, as even to dissuade the conference. I may now tell you, that it is to Van der Cruyff that I am obliged to for the former intelligence which I gave you; - and I must do him and his two commerades the justice to say, that they discover a great zeal for you from the persuasion of your good sentiments. It would, I think, be highly necessary to put a stop to Van der Meer's admission att court, as he never comes from thence, but he has some scandalous report or other to make. Van der Cruyff has collected all the tricks which he knows Van der Meer to have been guilty of; which I am to have pour être employés en tems et lieu. I shall try to see the Prince to morrow and point out Van der Meer as he deserves, as far as relates to this town. The scoundrel has allso made free with the caracters of the greffier and De Back allways extolling his hero Grovestins. Our people will I hope be ready for The Hague to-morrow with their petition. P.S. As another specimen of the perfidy and ill designs of Van der Meer, after having been last night with Kaeskooper, a mad East Indiaman, refused admittance at the place, were the petition is being signed, he sent Kaeskooper to the exchange this day att full'change time to exclaim publickly, against what was done and to declare, that it was against the opinion of the Prince. Kaeskooper was so riotous and insolent, that he frightened half the exchange. This has obliged me for fear of troubles to persuade our people to go to-morrow to The Hague with what they allready have and to continue getting people to sign by way of appendixGa naar voetnoot5). |
|