Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 1/Mr. Sidney to the Earl of Sunderland, August 19
MR. SIDNEY TO THE EARL OF SUNDERLAND.
My Lord,
I came yesterday from Amsterdam, where I saw a great many fine things, and little worth giving you an account of. I made Monsieur Valconier a visit more out of curiosity than kindness, though he is now pretty well inclined to us. I had a mind to see what kind of a man it was that could make himself so absolute as he hath done in that town: for I assure you the great Turk hath not more absolute dominion and power over any of his countrymen than he hath at Amsterdam; what he saith is ever done without any contradiction; he turns out and puts in who he likes, raises what money he pleases, does whatever he has a mind to, and yet he walks about the streets just like an ordinary shopkeeper. He complains mightily of their poverty, and saith this war hath almost quite ruined them; but he hopes, if it please God, to let them have peace with the King of England and the King of France, that they may recover.