46 James. Muilenburg 



Dykvelt's Negotiations with Leaders at the Court 



The really significant part of the embassy of Dykvelt concerns 

 itself with his negotiations with individuals and certain small 

 groups. In these negotiations we see him working persistently, 

 skilfully, and carefully. It was not until the very end of his 

 sojourn in England that he incurred the wrath of James. In his 

 dealings with the factions, he was careful not to antagonize. 

 And in his relations with the chiefs of court and council he con- 

 ducted himself with dignity. 204 He kept "a great table." 205 Parlia- 

 mentary leaders resorted to his home, and Dykvelt made the 

 most of every opportunity. 206 



On March 7, a letter of great interest and import was sent to 

 the Prince of Orange from Lady Sunderland. 207 After effusive 

 apologies to the Prince for her boldness and an explanation that 

 she was unable to send her message by Mr. Sidney, 208 she proceeds: 



Your Highness is not ignorant I am sure what endeavors have been used here to 

 gain votes in Parliament for repealing the Test and Penal Laws, upon which, as I 

 suppose you know, several have and do quit their places rather than submit to; 

 which makes the Roman Catholics see that they are not like to carry it that way; 

 which brings me to that which I think of importance you should know; that the 

 last essay they will put in practice as to the Parliament, is to flatter Monsieur 

 Dixfield with a great many fine things, that there shall be an entire union between 

 England and Holland, nay farther, I am sure they intend to make you the finest 

 offers in the world, as your having a full power in military and civil affairs by naming 

 all officers; that Ireland shall be put into what hands you will; and for all this they 

 ask you to bid Monsieur Dixfield, and Monsieur Citers declare in your name, 

 that you with the Parliament would take off these laws, and that you think it rea- 

 sonable they should do so. 



204 Evelyn, Diary, vol. iii, p. 37, May 2, 1687. 



205 Ellis, The Ellis Correspondence, vol. i, p. 288 ff. 



"Dykvelt carries himself very high, and seems fondest of those that the Court 

 think worst affected; keeps a great table." 



206 Evelyn, Diary, vol. iii, p. 37, May 2, 1687. In the account of Evelyn, Dykvelt 

 protests against the French aggressions against Luxemburg. According to James's 

 letter to the Prince of May 10 (supra p. 38), it appears that the Prince did not have 

 anj- great apprehensions. 



207 Dalrymple, Letter of Lady Sunderland to the Prince of Orange, March 7, 

 1687, p. 187. 



208 Henry Sidney, later Lord Romney, was the brother of Algernon Sidney. He 

 travelled widely and was well-known in the courts of Europe. 



130 



