David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

“ The king’s health is (God be thanked) every day better. The swelling of his legs is almost entirely gone off by rubbing and fomentations from without; to which they have added some very innocent remedies, which make him void water plentifully. His majesty sleeps, eats, and hunts as well as ever he did. The common opinion is that he will go over to England in six weeks. I hope that affairs will be put then upon a good footing. The Duke of Zell is expected here to-morrow week, with the Elector of Hanover, who will not go for England till some months after the king. ”

“ That there was little cordiality between the kings of England and France after the peace of Ryswick, appears from Robethon’s letter, which mentions that Louis XIV. had granted a pass to a Frenchman to buy French wines for King William’s use, only after some hesitation and as “a great favour.” The first serious business after the peace is concerning the “Perecation,” which he thus defines in a letter to the Earl of Manchester:—
“The Perecation is a tax laid on the Popish Clergy in the Principality of Orange, which is applied to the maintenance of the ministers. ”

“ I need not suggest to my readers that the Dean betrays his own ill-concealed conviction that Robethon was a man of consequence, if not of merit. The German statesman and general, Count Schulenburg, whose opinions regarding English politics leant strongly to the same side as the Dean’s, wrote to Leibnitz in July 1714:— “Robethon is able, but his violent passions and party spirit sometimes make him drive on the wrong side; he is hated and persecuted by the Hanoverian ministry, with the exception of Bernstorff, who supports him.” ”

“ The two potentates were impressed by Robethon’s ability and industry; and on King William’s death they engaged him to reside at their courts in the capacity of secretary. The letters of congratulation which he received prove him to have been recognised as a useful and influential public servant. The following is from the British ambassador to Denmark:—
“Copenhagen, July 29, 1702. — . . . You will do me the justice to believe that there is none who interests himself more in what concerns you than I do. ”

“ An Argument proving that the design of employing and ennobling foreigners is a treasonable conspiracy against the Constitution, dangerous to the kingdom, an affront to the nobility of Scotland in particular, and dishonourable to the Peerage of Britain in general. ”

“ I put an entire confidence in Monsieur Robethon.” After this visit, there were letters regarding the Elector’s enrolment in the English peerage as Duke of Cambridge. Lord Halifax writes —
“I think now we may be all allowed to boast that nothing was ever better pushed than the establishment of our succession here, since we had a Parliament to promote it. And if you can but take care to hinder your northern hero from breaking our measures, we will make France own both the Electorate and the succession of the House of Hanover.” ”

“ Our conjecture in England is so very extraordinary, that it will require not only his diligence, but also his utmost prudence. I pray God everything may end for the best; but our dismal aspect seems rather favourable for France than for ourselves. — I am with truth, Sir, your faithful friend and servant,
“Marlborough.”⁠ Robethon, though of the discarded party, felt it to be his duty to write respectfully to their successors, and sent by Lord Rivers a letter to Secretary St. ”

“ London, 1717. — Mr. Gowan, minister of the English Church at Leyden, being here this summer, was desirous to kiss the King’s hand, his Majesty being then at Hampton Court. Being an utter stranger there, he desired my assistance. I accordingly went with him, and applied to Mr. Robethon, his Majesty’s private secretary for Hanover, who received us with great civility. He, entering into free conversation with Mr. Gowan, enquired particularly after the behaviour of the Scottish gentlemen who retired into Holland after the late Rebellion in the North was over ”

“ Baron Hervart accordingly wrote to Robethon, and the dialogue quoted above is a part of his letter, which began with a polite hesitation as to Robethon’s remembering his name after a cessation of correspondence for ten or twelve years, and expressed real pleasure in resuming it, “no time having been able to make me forget a man whom I always highly esteemed.” ”

“ I am, &c,
““Halifax.”⁠ The honour which Robethon received was the post of Privy Councillor of Ambassage (as he calls it in his will) . Macpherson speaks of him, in 1713, as Secretary for Embassies, Secretaire des Ambassades. It was not a mere title, but a distinguished and responsible office. An anonymous author calls him Count de Robethon, and his signature might seem to confirm such an appellation, if it were not that in his will, which was written with his own hand, he does not own to any title of nobility.
The change of ministry in England in 1710 caused much uneasiness in Hanover. ”