from any view of the profit (which is so inconsiderable that it will hardly serve to pay the expense of searching offices), but from an earnest desire to serve his queen and country; for which that employment will qualify him, by an opportunity of access to those places where papers and records are kept, which will be necessary to any who undertake such an history.

ORIGINAL

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ILLUSTRATING

THE HISTORY

OF THE

FOUR LAST YEARS OF QUEEN ANNE.

1. The Queen's Letter to the Princess Sophia.

Madam, my Sister and Aunt,

SINCE the right of succession to my kingdoms has been declared to belong to you and your family, there have always been disaffected persons, who, by particular views of their own interest, have entered into measures to fix a prince of your blood in my dominions, even whilst I am yet living. I never thought till now that this pro ject would have gone so far, as to have made the least impression on your mind: but as I have lately perceived by publick rumours which are industriously spread, that your electoral highness is come into this sentiment, it is of importance, with respect to the succession of your family, that I should tell you such a proceeding will infallibly draw along with it some consequences that will be dangerous to that succession itself, which is not secure any other ways, than as the prince who actually wears the crown, maintains her authority and prerogative. There are here, (such is our misfortune) a great many. people that are seditiously disposed: so, I leave you to judge what tumults they may be able to raise, if they should have a pretext to begin a commotion. I persuade myself, therefore, you will never consent that the least thing should be done, that may disturb the repose of me or my subjects.

Open yourself to me with the same freedom I do to you, and propose whatever you think may contribute to the security of the succession: I will come into it with zeal,

provided that it do not derogate from my dignity, which I am resolved to maintain.

I am with a great deal of affection, &c.

St. James's,

May 19, 1714.

Superscribed,

To my Sister and Aunt, Electress Dowager of Brunswick and Lunenburgh.

2: The Queen's Letter to the Duke of Cambridge.

Cousin,

AN accident which has happened in my lord Paget's family, having hindered him from setting forward so soon as he thought to have done, I cannot defer any longer letting you know my thoughts, with respect to the design you have of coming into my kingdoms. As the opening of this matter ought to have been first to me, so I expected you would not have given ear to it without knowing my thoughts about it: however, what I owe to my own dignity; the friendship I have for you, and the electoral house to which you belong, join to the true desire I have that it may succeed to my kingdoms; oblige me to tell you, that nothing can be more dangerous to the tranquillity of my dominions, and the right of succession in your line, and consequently more disagreeable to me than such a proceeding at this juncture.

I am with a great deal of friendship,

3. The Lord Treasurer's Letter to the Duke of Cambridge.

May it please your Royal Highness,

THOUGH I expect Mr. Harley every moment in return from your court, and thereby shall have another opportunity of doing myself the honour to present your royal highness with my most humble duty, and the assurance of my utmost service: yet I cannot slip this occasion of the queen's messenger attending your royal highness with her majesty's letter, to lay myself at your feet. I have no enemy that knows me, who is not just enough to allow me to be inviolably attached to your succession, nothing coming into competition with that, because I know I please the queen when I am zealous for the service of your serene house. I hope therefore I shall find credit with your royal highness, when I humbly lay my sincere opinion before you. The queen is most heartily for your succession: if there be any thing which may render it more secure, which is consistent with her majesty's safety, it will be accomplished. It is not the eager desires of some, nor what flows from the advice of others, whose discontents perhaps animate their zeal, can balance the security you have in the queen's friendship, and the dutiful affection of all her faithful subjects; for as 1 am sure your royal highness's great wisdom would not chuse to rule by a party, so you will not let their narrow measures be the standard of your government. I doubt not, but the accident that happened about the writ, may be improved to increase the most perfect friendship between the queen and your most serene family. I still study to do every thing to demonstrate the profound veneration and respect wherewith I am,

May it please Your Royal Highness,

Your Royal Highness's most dutiful,

most humble, and most obedient servant,

OXFORD.

4. The Lord Treasurer to the Queen.

May it please your Majesty,

June 9, 1714.

I PRESUME, in obedience to your royal commands, to lay before your majesty a state of your affairs. Though I have very much contracted it from the draught I made, and the vouchers from whence it is taken; yet I find it swell under my pen in transcribing; being willing to put every thing before your majesty in the clearest light my poor understanding can attain to. It was necessary to lay it before your majesty in the series of time, from the beginning to this present time; and when that is completely laid before you, it remains only for me to beg God to direct your majesty. And as to myself, do with me what you please; place me either as a figure or a cypher; displace me, or replace me, as that best suits your majesty's occasions. You shall ever find me, with utmost devotion, and without any reserve,

Madam,

Your most dutiful, most faithful,

most humble, most obedient subject,

and unworthy servant,