Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/268

152 and are to meet again to-morrow. The Prince will press all he can to have powers sent to Monsieur Van Lewen, but he is yet very uncertain whether he shall obtain it. They are every day more and more afraid of France, and have perpetual intelligence out of England that makes them believe we are in a ten times worse condition than I hope we ever shall be.

In mine of the 16th, I sent you word that the Prince was of opinion that the negociation might as well be in England, and being that he finds the King is inclined to have it so, he will endeavour it all he can. In the same letter I sent you word that Monsieur Van Beuninghen was gone to Amsterdam to see in what humour that town was in towards us; he is now come back, and thinks he has done wonders. He saith he never took so much pains in his life; and when I go into England, I am to say a great deal to the King to let him know how well he is affected to his service. He thinks he hath prevailed with some of the chief of the town to be for our project of guarantee; but till they are in Assembly, one cannot be sure of any of them. He told me that the French Ambassador and the other Ministers of France do threaten them extremely, telling them they had best