| Content Description | Asks the recipient to advise Sir David Colzeer [Colyear] to write to Mr Sydney; says he should write about himself and his brother; suggests that if there are vacancies, Mr Baillie should be made a captain; recommends consulting Mr Bentinck on this matter; refers to Baillie's service record and good character; says Hume will come over 'if they will give colours'; comments that he will get himself killed there, since he is constantly fighting; notes that at court the regiments are expected over in rank and file, and says all six are to be mustered in Hyde Park; notes that some people are suggesting that they will be sent to Ireland and disbanded there; says there are three drafts for a test for the army.
Quotes from a letter which was sent to Sydney the other day, warning him that he did not have many days to live; thinks Lords Dorset, Halifax and Shrewsbury have all received similar letters; comments that it has been a week of upheaval - 'the Troops recalled; A price on Dr Burnets head; MyLd Chancellor's Chaplain set on to be assassinated; and such letters, all in one week'; says there is a rumour there that Fagel is disowning the letter; has heard that a paper is being circulated which 'commends the Prince [William of Orange] mightily'; thinks this will give the Papist occasion to 'print what they have to print'.
Adds a post script giving an account of the attack on the Chancellor's chaplain; notes that the attackers got the wrong man; states that the story is being suppressed; supposes they meant to get Tennison.
The author is identified from internal evidence and by the hand of the original.
Copy of Pw A 2140.
Copy made in 1733 and forming part of a bundle of papers sent from Holland to England and referred to in the papers of the 3rd Duke of Portland (Pw F 1261). |