The Embassy of Everaard van Weede 41 



We have noted the character of his negotiations with James, but 

 we have also seen that these negotiations were not crowned with 

 indubitable success. 



Dykvelt's Negotiations with the Factions 



The instructions which Dykvelt bore with him to England con- 

 tained a most convenient alternative. 178 In the event that the 

 King could not be reconciled to his son-in-law, Dykvelt was "to 

 try all sorts of people, and to remove the ill impression which had 

 been given them of the prince." 179 Besides the instructions, he 

 carried with him letters of credit for the members of the Council. 180 

 Avaux naturally viewed all this in the most sinister light. He 

 did not doubt that these letters were only a pretext for his speak- 

 ing freely with all parties. He suspected that the conferences of 

 the Prince with Dykvelt concerned designs with the most factious 

 of James's subjects. 181 



Dykvelt did, indeed, obey the second part of his instructions 

 religiously. He attached himself to the parties of church and 

 council. "He desired that those who wished well to their religion 

 and their country would meet together and concert such advices 

 and advertisements as might be fit for the Prince to know, that he 

 might govern himself by them." 182 



One of the most striking phases of the Revolution of 1688 is 

 the attitude of the political parties in England. The Tories, 

 traditional supporters of the royal prerogative, appear to have 

 been more enthusiastic and persistent in the councils against the 

 Catholic king than their opponents. The spokesmen of their 

 party were Nottingham and Danby. The latter was most 

 active in all the negotiations with Dykvelt, and his letter to the 



178 Supra, p. 22. 



179 Burnet, p. 450. 



180 Avaux, February 13, 1687, p. 43. 



Mackintosh, Appendix, Report of Adda to the Pope, Sunderland speaks to the 

 nuncio Adda about the letter which Dykvelt has for him. 



181 Avaux, February 13, 1687, p. 43. 



182 Burnet, p. 452. 



125 



