Stuart dynasty

APPENDIX I. 425
promis'd to follow the King anywhere, without the
proviso of the French Court's giving me leave.
" The King may very well remember that three
yeares agoe, of my own accord, I made him the offer
of my services under the above said proviso, his
Majesty thought it then so reasonable, that he
thanked me for it, and writt to the French Court to
obtaine the leave ; it was then granted, but after
Queen Ann (sic) death, the late King of France
thought it necessary to avoid any occasion of quarrel
with the new government of England, and, therefore,
not only recalld his leave, but even forbid me posi-
tively from stirring. I did all that lay in my power
to obtain the recall of that prohibition, but in vain,
as I can prove by an original letter under M. de
Torcy 8 hand, dated of the 19th June last.
" Since the King of France's death, I have usd all
my endeavours with the Regent, but to as little
purpose.
" This being my present case^ all I can say is that
I am still ready to part, whenever the Regent will
allow me, but 'tis neither consisting with my honour,
my duty, my oaths, nor even with the King's interest
or reputation, that I should desert like a trooper.
" It was with his Majesty's leave that I became a
Frenchman, and I cannot depart from the vast obli-
gations I now have incumbent upon me without
breach of public faith and gratitude. Your Grace is
too much a man of honour not to approve of this my
conduct and resolution. If ever proper occasions
offer you shall find me as zealous as any man to