The Embassy of Everaard van Weede 17 



and he was constantly in touch with what was going on in the great 

 island nation. 59 James II knew his powers and excellencies, 60 

 and Avaux knew that he was one greatly to be feared. 61 The 

 English king was not altogether unsuspecting of his designs, 62 

 and the French ambassador did all in his power to prevent his 

 departure, even after the Provinces were sending in, one by one, 

 their formal approval of his mission. 



59 The interesting discoveries of Mr. R. B. Knowles may be found in the manu- 

 scripts of the Earl of Denbigh, also in the Historical Manuscripts Commission, 

 vol. vii, pp. 196-197 and vol. viii, p. 552. They are an interesting study in deter- 

 mining the character of a source. Moreover, they promise further results of 

 especial significance for the period. 



60 Avaux, vol. vi, 41 ff, Letter to the King, February 6, 1687. 



D 'Adda's Report of February 7, 1687, as found in the appendix of Mackintosh. 



"On the other hand, the personality of the ambassador Dykvelt was attrac- 

 tive to him. He is, continued James II, a man of experience and of deliberation. 

 It is an advantage to associate with such personalities, who possess capability and 

 understanding, who do not cling to the literal instructions of their ignorant sender." 



61 Avaux, vol. vi, 21 ff. 



62 In an interview with the papal nuncio, D'Adda, James II complained bitterly 

 of the motives for which Dykvelt had come to England. The account is given in 

 a letter of the nuncio to the Pope in the appendix of Mackintosh's history, under 

 date of February 7, 1686-7. This may also be found in Klopp, p. 325. 



How well James understood the situation may be gathered from this extract: 

 " 'The pretext of the embassy,' he said, 'is to obtain enlightenment over the report 

 of a secret engagement between me and France to the detriment of the Republic: 

 the true purpose is the plan of the Prince again to get on a good footing with me, 

 for he sees all his plans thwarted through the appointment of Tyrconnel in Ireland, 

 through the dismissal of Rochester, and through my other measures. But his 

 condition is, that I shall act according to his will, not as is proper, he according to 

 mine. If he does not succeed in this, he will thereupon go forth, and form for him- 

 self a party at the court and in the city, to breed discord through the unfortunate 

 condition of Parliament.'" 



Letter of Barillon, 27 January, 1687, in Lingard's History, vol. x, p. 138, note 2. 

 " 'Le Prince d'Orange', disait le roi, 'juge les autres par lui meme. U croit, 

 parcequ'il a ete d'avis de m'exclure, que le meme dessein pourrait me venir dans 

 1'esprit. Cependant ceux qui me connaisent, me croirent fort eloigne d'une pensee 

 si injuste et si impracticable. II prend la resolution de faire envoyer ici par les 

 Etats un homme qui lui est entierement affide, par le moyen duquel il 6spere forti- 

 fier et encourager tous ceux qui sont de son parti. ... II juge de moi par lui 

 meme. Mais il se tromp fort. C'est Dieu qui donne les couronnes, et mon inten- 

 tion est bien loin de rien faire contre la justice et le droit.' " 



101 



