have a care what measures they take with England, and then they would have a hundred thousand men quickly upon their backs.
On Saturday I was with the Pensioner. He told me he was hard at work to prepare every thing for the Assembly a Tuesday; that the Prince and he had kept the States from breaking up the last week a purpose to bring on our business, if it were possible; but he desired me by all means to keep it secret; for if the French Ambassador should have any light of it, he would do all he could to obstruct it. I find he hath a good opinion of it, though he can know nothing certainly. In yours of the 19th, you desire to know whether the States will conclude with his Majesty upon the foot of the guarantee I brought over. I am of opinion they will, and with very small amendments, and that they will be willing to have it transacted where the King pleaseth. To-morrow, about this time, I shall know positively, and will give you an account by the first opportunity. I will not pretend to have taken as much pains as Monsieur Van Beuninghen, but I have done what I could, and have great hopes of good success. Just now I am told that the French Ambassador hath some notice of what is designed for to-morrow, and hath
