Page:English Historical Review Volume 37.djvu/71

1922 COUNCIL AND CABINET, 1679-88 63 Seymor newly I have often heard his lordship blame Mr. Seyinor for his withdrawne insolence to the king : he almost scorned to sit at the lower end of the council table, but would corne up to the king and talk neer him and had no care of his expressions. Once he sayd to the king. Sir how long will you prevaricate with yourself ? which words the king repeated severall times, but made no reply, which shewed a resentment, but he hath often wished him againe amongst them to keep some in order that came afterwards in when his lordship was left alone without so much as one fair correspondent, and that he beleeved him to be a man of honour and to intend the publique good. LordSunderlandintro- Tnis was a melencholly omen and gave his lord- duct J and after made ship great discontent for he could not but reflect secretary in the place of upon his action when formerly secretary, both in (Conway) ^ ne parliament and councell, which raised so great an indignation in the king that he turned him out with disgrace and the mistery of his reentrance was not knowne but beleeved to be a conjuncture between the duke of York and the female french interest. This his lordship hath often sayd he hoped for no good after he came there. Probatum est. Spring 84 secretary There was a great friendship and concurrence in the Jenkins quitts to king's business between his lordship and secretary Syd. Godolphin Jenkins for he was a true painefull honest man, that intended his office with great sincerity and industry and sought not profit much, lived liberally and had no fault but a little pedantick stiffness, otherwise a man of signall vertue insomuch that King Charles the 2nd. used to sport himself with obscenish jests with him, and upon all such passages would look towards him and he had an infirmity of laughing most immoderately which augmented the jest always. Upon his going out his lordship had no friend left that he could open himselfe to conferr with. I have often heard him complain how things were changed from what they were before in the conduct of the king's affaires. The ministers usually mett every night to consider of matters that were in motion and how to direct them to the king's best advantage but then they met as in formality as if it were an indifferent thing Upon Discovery Con- which way buissness went. spiracy. D[uke of] This must be Russell's plott 2 and not Oatses but Y[ork] . . . from that time the Roman Catholicks had hopes of making some advances in the court, as it did succeed. After Northern circuit I have heard the lord keeper say he told the king 84 lord chief justice Jef- he was glad of that person's coming into affaires, freys appointed of it. 4 because he should have assistance in matters of law, but he understood for what end he was brought in 5 and that matter will serve for another time and place to inlarg upon. 1 This implication that Sunderland was a member of the cabinet before he became secretary of state is supported by the evidence cited supra, p. 59, n. 5. 1 That is, the Rye House plot. 3 In the Lives of the Norths (i. 307) this date is erroneously printed as 1685. 4 ' Cabanet or caball.' Original note. 'The king given charters and all his behaviour then the motive.! Original note.