186 THE HISTORY OF THE EOYAL BUCKHOUNDS. 



when the King was absent on the war-path the Royal Buck- 

 hounds rarely assembled to hunt in England. On July 

 ^, 1697, Mons. de Blathwait, Secretary of War, in attend- 

 ance on the King in Holland, wrote to the Lords of the 

 Treasury, stating that his Majesty recommend them to make 

 " some speedy provision for the Buckhounds, which is greatly 

 wanted " ; and on August 20, 1701, Baron de Hompesch also 

 wrote from the Royal Palace at Loo to De Blathwait (who 

 was then at Dieren), requesting him to ask the King for the 

 salary due to him on account of his office. De Blathwait 

 wrote again to the Lords of the Treasury stating that the 

 King signified his pleasure that the money should be paid 

 forthwith ; but we can find no payment or acquittance to 

 that effect, except in the subjoined minute, b}^ which it appears 

 the Baron's claims in respect to this ofiice had been satisfied 

 down to Christmas, 1701.* 



* Dieren the 26 Ausr. 1701 N.S. 



Having laid before the King the enclosed Paper from the Baron de 

 Hompesch, Master of the Buck Hounds, His Majesty has been Pleased to Com- 

 mand me to Signify His Pleasure to the Eight Hon^'« the Lords Com" of the 

 Treasury, That what is Due to that Office to Midsummer last, be forthwith paid, 

 as His Majesty was Pleased to say, He had Directed before his coming from 

 England, wherewith you will please to acquaint theii' LoPs. 



I am, Sir, 



Yo'' most humble servant, 



Wm. Blathwayt. 

 Me. Lowndes. 



Indorsed. — Fro' Mr. Blathwayt -If Aug., 1701, for paying half a year to y*" 

 Buckhounds due at Midsum'' last. 



Inclosing — (copy). 



Monsieur, — 



Sa Maissut m'ayent ordona^r, de vous dire de vouloir ercrire line order 

 qii on paye la demice anne ceheuc pour son Equipage du Cerf le 70' de suin, je 

 viens prier d'avoir la bontee de vous en soiiveirn poiir la faire expedier : e moi 

 croUre. 



Monsieur, 



Votre tres humble et tres obiesans Cerunt, 



{Signed) K. "V. Baeon d'Hompesche. 

 Loo le 20 Aiieut, 1701. 



Indorsed. — Pour Jlonsieur de Blatwright, Secretaire de gure de sa Maiesti de 

 Bretainge, &c., &c. 



