The Embassy of Everaard van Weede 5 



Mazure sees no definite conspiracy against James at this time 

 in the minds of the opposition, but he maintains with emphasis 

 that "the return of Dykvelt decided the fortunes of James II in 

 fixing the resolutions of the Prince of Orange." 8 Foxcroft, who is 

 warm in his approval of Mazure's estimate, ends his annotation 

 thus: "Whether any suggestions of an ultimate intervention on his 

 part did actually, at this period, emanate from the Protestant 

 leaders, we cannot tell, but we may conclude, with little fear of 

 error, that the possible advisability of such a course began to 

 scintillate before the mind of the energetic Dutchman." 9 



The judgment of the Editor of Mackintosh's History is most 

 interesting in consideration of his careful study of the whole 

 Revolutionary period. His remarks form a conclusion to certain 

 observations based upon the correspondence of D'Adda, the papal 

 nuncio in London. Referring to Dykvelt, he says, "He left Eng- 

 land for the Hague, charged with letters to the Prince of Orange 

 from leading persons both Tories and Whigs, couched in terms so 

 explicit that they may be regarded as the first step in the conspiracy 

 which produced the Revolution!' n0 (The italics are mine.) 



De Grovestins notes, perhaps from a study of Dalrymple's 

 letters, that from this period there was established a regular 

 correspondence between the Prince of Orange and the opposition. 11 

 It is noteworthy, then, that the chief historians for this 

 period have seen in Dykvelt's embassy to England the definite 

 beginning and foundation for the Revolutionary enterprise. It is 

 strange, indeed, that an event of such moment, which concerned 

 the interests not only of England and Holland but of all Europe, 

 should have been so neglected. But though these various writers 

 agree as to the great importance of this mission, one will look in 

 vain for an account of it. 



8 Mazure, Histoire de la Revolution de 1688 en Angleterre, vol. ii, p. 250. 

 "Le retour de Dykvelt decida la fortune de Jacques II, en fixant les resolutions 

 du Prince d'Orange." 



9 Foxcroft, Life and Letters of Saville, First Marquis of Halifax, vol. i, p. 484. 



10 Mackintosh, History of the Revolution in England in 1688, Continuation, p. 460. 



11 De Grovestins, Guillaume II et Louis XIV, vol. v, p. 354. 



"C'est a partir de cette epoque que s'etablit une correspondance reguliere 

 entre le prince d'Orange et l'opposition." 



89 



