A.D. 1662. this affair; and talked openly, that, having made great mistakes in the king's marriage with the Infanta of Portugal, which had been concluded without any assurance beforehand of assistance from France, he had in like manner been as imprudent on this occasion, because he had abandoned Dunkirk, without being certain of that strict alliance he boasted this treaty would produce: that when the French king should become master of Dunkirk, without any stipulation or particular engagement with England, he would not think himself obliged to anything more than a common show of civility, which would not bind him to anything: that, as it was the chancellor's interest which had engaged him in the first affair, that he might be revenged for the ill treatment he had received from Spain, and his fear of being supplanted by the Spanish cabal; it was likewise this consideration, and his own advantage, which made him apply to France, forgetting the true interest of the king his master, and sacrificing a place which, with regard to the honour of England and her foreign concerns, was of more value than even Ireland." The Count d'Estrades, in the same letter, told his master, that "this extraordinary proceeding had convinced him that the King of England was A.D. 1662. absolutely bent upon gaining his friendship; that he knew it was useful to him; that the chancellor had kept him warm in this opinion, for his own particular interest; and that for this reason chiefly, the Duke of York would visit his majesty at Dunkirk, to give the more strong assurances of his regard to him; that he believed the duke would be intrusted by the chancellor with some advice, which would not prejudice the designs his majesty might form in time against Flanders."* After the treaty was signed,+ and publicly The treaty known, the clamours against it were very great, not only among the ministry, but the people. The principal part of the merchants of London Ce procédé extraordinaire me persuadoit que le Roi d'Angleterre veut absolument l'amitié de vôtre majesté ; qu'il connoit qu'elle lui est utile; que le chancélier l'échauffe à cela même pour son intérêt particulier; et que c'est pour cette seule raison principalement que Monsieur le Duc d'York vient voir vôtre majesté à Dunkerque, pour lui en faire de plus fortes protestations; et je crois qu'il sera chargé par le chancélier de quelques avis, qui ne nuiront † Après que le traité a été greatly dis liked. A.D. 1662. went up to Whitehall with complaints that it would become a nest of pirates. The chancellor told the Count d'Estrades, "that it was publicly said, that the French king, when once in possession of Dunkirk, would easily forget the desire which the King of England had shown of obliging him: that this had raised great complaints against him, which had given him to understand that the king would neither be supported by the parliament nor his people in case the affair should produce any commotions;" and he told the Count d'Estrades, that, as he had 66 the greatest part in the management of it, he should chiefly bear the blame, and, perhaps, find his master the first to reproach him: that to secure himself from this, he should be extreme kerque, et que cela avoit déja le mettre à couvert de cette crainte, il seroit infiniment obligé à vôtre majesté, si elle vouloit lui écrire une lettre, pour lui temoigner un honnête ressentiment de la manière obligeante dont il en avoit usé, et en même tems venir à des offres civiles sur toutes les suites fâcheuses que pourroit avoir cette affaire, qui n'engageroient à rien, mais qui ne laisseroient pas de produire un bon effet.-D. le 27 Oct, 1662, p. 359. ly obliged to the King of France if he would A.D.1662. write a letter testifying the kind sense which he had of his conduct, and if he would send, at the same time, civil offers of assistance in case of any unhappy consequences; offers, which would not oblige the French king to do anything, but could not fail of producing a good effect." The French king, in compliance with Lord Clarendon's request, wrote two letters,* to the King of England and the chancellor, to that purpose. By this means Charles might have been plunged in the greatest difficulties; for, if any commotions had happened in the nation, he might have been induced to trust to these offers, and would probably have been deceived. manner of on. This transaction was carried on during the The hasty interval of parliament, contrary to the opinion carrying it of the whole council,† and the inclination of the people. It was begun soon after the recess of parliament, and hurried into a conclusion before the next meeting; as if purposely to pre * Vide D'Estrades' Memoirs, pp. 391, 392. + J'ai trouvé tout le monde à combattre pour cela, hormis le Roi, Monsieur le Duc d'York, et le chancélier. - Lettre du A.D. 1662. vent the parliament's obstructing the sale, and annexing Dunkirk to the crown; for which a bill had been resolved on, and carried through the house of commons. Indeed, as the parliament had given the king money for supporting it, it could not properly be disposed of without Lord Ash- their consent during sitting. Lord Ashley opley opposed the sale of posed the sale in the most strenuous manner. Dunkirk, He well knew the high importance of Dunkirk ; he had already given a proof of the estimation in which he held it just before the Restoration; for when Monk, to prevent Lord Ashley's discovery of his designs in council, made the concessions which we have before mentioned, and declared his readiness to do anything to show the sincerity of his intentions, the first care of Lord Ashley was to provide a proper governor for Dunkirk; and he procured his friend, Sir Edward Harley, to be nominated. Immediately after the Restoration, upon the king's telling Sir Edward Harley, that he had no mind to part with Dunkirk, and therefore thought proper it should be annexed to the crown, a bill was passed in the convention parliament for that purpose. When Sir Edward afterwards found that it was to be sold, he could not, either by en |