Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/301

Rh and the Low Countries: Lord Essex told him of his resolution to quit. He went to persuade Lord Halifax to accept, hut he refused.

12th.Mr. Montague was with me to propose some expedient for uniting: I proposed my Lord Shaftesbury being of the Treasury; he said he would do all he could to persuade him. I met Monsieur Van Lewen; he told me he was afraid we were making an alliance with France, but now he was well assured there was nothing in it.

13th.I was with Mr. Pelham: met Sir William Jones, dined with Mr. Montague, who told me Lord Shaftesbury would not accept of being Commissioner of the Treasury; Sir Stephen Fox thought of. In the evening I spoke to the King of my going; he said he would consider of what was to be said to the Prince of Orange.

14th.The King went to Hampton Court. I was with Mr. Hide and my Lord of Essex: he is horribly vext; told me the story of the plot, and thinks we shall be all undone; he bids me tell the Prince that they are endeavouring to get witnesses to swear the King was married to the Duke of Monmouth's mother. I dined with Sir William