Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

220 The Earls of Middleton.
present. James wished to continue on the coast for
a time ; x Middleton writes to request the King of
France's permission.
To the Marquis de Croiffy.
[Translation.]
" Boulogne, 28th April, 1696.
" I have given the king, my master, the letter
which you did me the honour to write to me the 25th
of this month. He commands me to tell you that he
wishes you had acquainted him with the king's senti-
ments with regard to his staying in this place, or his
returning to St. Germains, that he might conform
himself to them.
" It is true I have already had the honour to write
to you that the preparations at Dunkirk, when the
king's army was at sea and the troops on the coast,
would so far disconcert the measures of the Prince of
Orange, that he would not know to what side he could
direct his attention. But at present, when he sees
nothing of this kind, it is not to be believed that the
King of England's stay in this place can embarrass
him in any manner; yet his Britannic Majesty believes
that he ought to stay here until Rooke 2 arrives, rather
1 Journal of James.
2 When the conspiracy was discovered, Rooke received orders to
return from Cadiz. He arrived at the end of April. (Smollett.)