298 



AN EMINENT GUERNSEYMAN. 



was incompatible with loyalty to the Crown, and although he 

 successfully fought for and obtained the fullest recognition of 

 the hereditary privileges of the Channel Islands, yet through 

 all their varying fortunes he remained inviolably faithful, both 

 to his King and to his country. I think I can best conclude 

 with an extract from the letter of thanks sent him by the 

 States of Guernsey in 1667, of which this is a rough translation 

 from the original French. 



" We praise God with all our hearts, not only that He 

 has been pleased to grant to this island the honour of having 

 given you birth and descent from a notable family and from a 

 father who was both a good man and a worthy citizen, but 

 also that He has been pleased (among the other graces 

 with which He has adorned you), to have added that of 

 the love and honour of your country ; so that, during the 

 many years in which your talents raised you to honourable 

 employments in the Courts of three of our Kings, you have 

 repeatedly asked and obtained of their Majestys, whenever so 

 desired, not only the renewal and amplification of our Charters 

 and privileges, but all other decrees and ordinances which 

 could contribute to the happiness of this poor island, and this 

 without thought of personal advantage or private gain." 



