Public and select correspondence of Thomas Thynne: [born 1640: Bart. 1680: cr. 1st...

Public and select correspondence of Thomas Thynne: [born 1640: Bart. 1680: cr. 1st Viscount Weymouth 11 Dec. 1682: died 1714] including letters from Sir William Temple, from Brussels: Sir William Morice, Secretary of State: John Seymour, 4th Duke of Somerset: Louise Renée de Querouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth: Thomas Wyndham: William Penn: Sir Thomas Clarges: Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield: Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough: Matthew Prior: Sir Robert Harley: James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon: John Fell, Bishop of Oxford Dr Henry Hammond, etc: and news letters from London:

1. Thomas Thynne [Viscount Weymouth, 1682] to his father, Harry Frederick Thynne, on the state of affairs on the Continent, the imminence of war, etc. "The Pope and the King [Louis XIV] are againe at some difference, ye one having excommunicated ye Sorbonne, whom ye other defends": Paris, 18 Sept. 1665. f.1.

2. Sir William Temple, Envoy at Brussels, etc: (a) that what is wanted there is not officers but men, etc. "Since the taking of Lisle by the French and their defeating the Court Marsyn's vanguarde of horse in their passage from Bruges to Cant taking prisoners about 120 with above a dozen officers": Brussels, 10 Sept. s.n. 1667f.3: (b) "I have been heere about foure days and shall remaine incognito till my entrye, however that hinders mee not from giving and receaving visits among which I have fallen already into conversation with Mons. Appelboom, and shall find expedients to continue it notwithstanding the difficultys in use heere betweene our different characters which I thincke must yeelde one way or other to our Masters business": Hague 4 Sept. s.n. 1668. f.17: (c) "I am sorry your opinion of the Swedish Courte agrees not with that of Monsieur de Groet who assures them heere that hee findes all the inclinations that can bee to a constancy in the triple Alliance and the endes upon which it was framed. I cannot yett answer for the satisfaction they expect from Spayne in the pointe of their subsidye": Hague, 28 Nov. s.n. 1668. f.21: (d) concerning business with Lady Ogle, "I have since received your commands of the 22th from Long Leat, And though I have seen my Lady Ogle but once since her arrivall, and keepe my resolution of having noe more to doe with her affairs, yet I would not fayle of performing that office you were pleased to desire and which I promised you, etc: Sheen, 29 March, 1682, f.33.

3. Sir William Morice, Secretary of State, written to T. Thynne when Ambassador at Stockholm: (a) The Swedish Ambassadors from the Hague have urged the King of England to pay the remainder of the hundred thousand pounds to keep their army together which they promise shall take that side which the King of England shall espouse: 4 Oct. 1667. Partly written in cypher but decyphered, f.5: (b) apologizing for not sending him copies of the King of Sweden's letter and the propositions of the President thereupon, etc. "The French Embassadors began their iourney homewardes this morninge and his Maiesty hath also recalled my lord Holles. We have intelligence that the Duke of Beaufort hath in the straights taken 3 of our ships returninge with their cargoes from Zante worth about 60,000li," etc. Byford, 30 Nov. [1667] f.7: (c) that he has little news to tell him, things at the Court being very quiet, "The Dutch Ambassadors effect nothing heere having nothing to propose worth our acceptance theeir end being to sell their friendship the dearer to France:" 27 Dec. 1667. f.9: (d) on affairs in Europe, "The French King hath assented to the alternative, hath signed and sealed a concept of a treaty wherunto the Envoyes of his maiesty and the estates have agreed and this King and that state are guarantees": etc. 13 Apr. 1668. f.13: (e) that Parliament is to be adjourned for three months, "They doe generally talke in France that the peace wilbe infallibly concluded, Holland accounts it certaine, the plenipotentiaries at Aix on both sides have signed and sealed, and no veri-similitude that Spaine in this posture should not ratify" etc. 24 Apr. 1668. f.15.

4. Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington, Secretary of State, on state affairs, "Next to ye multiplicity of buisnes which takes up my whole time I have this reall excuse for my delaying soe long to write to you that I have beene every day in hopes of being able to tell you we were agreed with the Swedish Ambassadors. Of our side nothing has been printing towards it, but ye Spanish and Holland Ambassador.

5. John Cooke, Under-Secretary of State, "The Queen came from Audley End the last night, not too well satisfied with the peace...... The King has also left Audley End and betaken himself to Newmarket for the divertisement of horse-races and hunting": Whitehall, 16 Oct. 1668. f.19.

6. Edward Wood, Ambassador at Stockholm, giving news of Sweden, and particulars of a conversation he had with Count de Nunes, the Spanish Ambassador: Stockholm, 5 July, 1693

7 [John Beaufort, Duke of] Somerset, agreeing to support Sir Richard Howe in place of Lord Cornbury [M.P. for on his succession to the Earldom of Clarendon: 21 Dec. 1674. f.25.

8. L[ouise] R[enee] P[enancoët, Duchess of] Portsmouth, asking him to forward a letter from her to Lord Sunderland: Windsor, 15 Aug. 1678. f.29.

9. [Thomas Bruce, Lord] Bruce: a discharge to Sir T. Thynne Bart. and Sir W. Gregory, executors of Frances, late Duchess Dowager of Somerset, for a sum of £595 due from them to her son John, late Duke of Somerset, whose executors have transferred their trust to him, Lord Bruce: 27 May, 1682. f.35.

10. Thomas Penruddock, as to the vacant Lieutenancy of Co Southampton, that the Duchess favours the Earl of Pembroke, while others make suit for the Duke of Somerset: the writer thinks Lord Weymouth "would much more conduce to his Majestyes servyce and satisfaction of the neighbourhood": Winchester, 30 Sept. 1683.

11. Timothy Redman, a most interesting letter on the alterations of the house and gardens at Longleat, "The chappel looks very well, although neither painted at all, nor wholly glazed nor paved: 'twill be very noble when finished" ...... his lordship has lost many hundred deer this winter, etc.: Longleat, 19 Apr. 1684. f.39.

12. Thomas Wyndham: (a) on French matters as related in a letter which he saw from Sir Samuel Morland, etc. "His Majesty goes to Winchester on the 26th inst. ..... Just now is arrived an expresse to the Spanish Ambassador with an account that the truce was signed by the King of Spaine, with which his Majestie was mightily pleased": Windsor, 12 Aug. [1684]. f.41: (b) chiefly on political matters, "The lieutenance of Ireland hath excited such a fuide between my lord of Rochester and the famille of Ormond never to be reconciled though his Matie on all occasions declares he is not at all disatisfyed with my lord in managing the affaires of Ireland": London, 22 Nov. [1684]. f.43.

(c) That Sir Stephen Fox is parting with the lands he lately purchased of Sir Edward Hungerford at Warminster for since he finds it impossible "to have your Lordshipps frindshipe he will not be your neighbour" ..... "the Duke of Monmouth hath bin in towne and is gon backe againe for Holland": London, 4 Dec. 1684. f.45: (d) further on the subject of Sir S. Fox and on public matters, "The Duke of Ormonde is expected here in January being resolved not to stay to make his lordship that suceedes him the complyment of delivering the sword. His Matie hath had information of a rising intended by the Scots in the north of Ireland": London, 20 Dec. [1684]. f.47.

13. Sir Paul Rycaut: (a) on the planting of the garden at Longleat, "I expect by the first ship from Constantinople a bushell of horse-chestnuts which producing a most pleasant and hansome tree and the most beautyfull, that I ever beheld I would designe wholy for your Lordships plantations": with news on the relations between Germany and the Sultan, the designs of the French King on Genoa, etc. London, 17 Jan. 1684[5] f.53: (b) thanking Lord Weymouth for his hospitality to him when at Longleat, and on public matters, "The Earl of Clarendon hath beene declared Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and his office of Privy Seale is to be held in commission of 2 or 3 persons of which the Lord Preston is to be chiefe": London, 5 Sept 1685: (c) on money matters, and that the Earl of Clarendon "hath beene pleased to make choice of me for his principall Secretary the which hath beene confirmed by his Majesties gratious approbation": London, 10 Sept. 1685. f.65.

14. [Henry Howard, 7th Duke of] Norfolk, and [Earl] Marshall, summoning Lord Weymouth to the Coronation[of James II.] as Assistant to the Earl of Devonshire, Cupbearer to the Queenl 13 Apr. 1685. f.55.

15. William Penn, the Founder of Pennsylvania, asking for Lord Weymouth's favour for "John Kidd, formerly in the famely of thy kinsman Thyn ......if not to get him pardond at least transported": Holland House, 27 Apr. 1685. f.59.

16. Sir Thomas Clarges: (a) as to Lord Weymouth's promise to give a "livwing of forty pound a yeare" to one of "the poore ministers that are come from France" if one could be found "that had English enough to serve a cure": 19 Dec. 1685. f.67: (b) on the same subject, that Mr Ady will accept the living offered, and on public matters, the proroguing of Parliament, of an attack on a private Mass House at Edinburgh, etc. "The Coroner's inquest that went upon Mr Talbot hath given a verdict of manslaughter and the Duke of Grafton is thereupon bayled": 11 Feb. 1685[6]. f.69: (c) on affairs in Holland and France, and Court news, "We are in expectation to heere of the successe of my Lord Chamberlains adresses to my Lady Coneway three dayes agoe Rumur had maried them, this day's reports makes the matter doubtfull": etc. 25 Feb. 1685[6]. f.71.

17. [Maurice Berkeley, Viscount] Fitzhardinge, on local and court matters, "Next Wensday and Thursday are like to be bloody dayes at Bruton unles all the Cock matches be dispatched ye first day" ..... "The Duke of Northumberland when the King was marrying him to the best fortune in England by his ill choise hath shewn he is not soe wise as the great Fox-hunting prince his eldest Brother": 13 Mar. [1686]. f.73.

18. [George Legge, Earl of] Dartmouth, that the King goes from Bath to Winchester on the 14th inst. and will be glad to use Lord Weymouth's coach and horses from Upton to Amesbury: Bath, 10 Sept. 1687. f.82.

19. Order of the House of Lords, committing to the Tower James [Cecil,, 4th] Earl of Salisbury and Henry [Mordaunt] Earl of Peterborough for "High Treason in being reconciled to the Church of Rome": 24 Dec. 1688. Copy. f.84.

20. [Henry Somerset, Earl of] Beaufort, that he is unable through ill-health to attend Parliament, he sends his Proxy "with an entire submission to have" his vote disposed of by Lord Weymouth's judgment: Badminton, 6 Nov. 1689. f.86.

21. [Philip Stanhope, Earl of] Chesterfield, concerning his Proxy which he has now sent to Lord Halifax, as Lord Weymouth could not accept it. He ends his letter, "My Lord, I find that your Lordship is often pleased to be pleasant on the subject of the Ladyes which gives me occasion to repeat the old proverb that 'the Devil is not so black as he is painted' ": 5 Jan. 1689[90]. f.90.

22. [James Bertie Earl of] Abingdon: Lavington, 8 Feb. 1689[90] f.93: (b) concerning Lord Cornbury and others, candidates for the coming Parliamentary election: Wytham, 14 Feb. s.a. f.97: (c) hopes he will soon be coming to London as he wants his support in a Bill affecting his son in Parliament: London, 1 Feb. s a f.136.

23. Sir Edward Seymour, Speaker of the House of Commons: on the coming elections, "I shall goe into Devon where my Interest will doe most service in keeping out of Phanaticks": etc. Bradley, 8 Feb. 1689[90]. f.95.

24. P. Repington, of Geneva, in charge of Lord Weymouth's son travelling in Italy: Padua, Venice, 3 Apr - 13 Nov. 1693 ff.99-111.

25. [Lewis de Duras, Earl of] Feversham: (a) that he has received his proxies but will only use his vote as if his lordship was in the house: London, 6 Apr. 1697. f.115. (b) that as the Queen must leave Bath for London he begs Lord Weymouth will send his coach for her "halfe away between this place and your house": etc. Bath, 11 June s.a. f.138.

26. [Laurence Hyde, Earl of] Rochester: (a) thanking him for "taking so much notice of ye late misfortune in my small family": etc. 3 June, s.a. f.117: (b) thanking him for an invitation to Longleat: 24 June, 1694. f.119.

27. Sir George Rooke, thanking Lord Weymouth for his sympathy in his "exceeding greife and concearne for the unhappy and cruell separation" of his "poore deare freinde from" him: "Jerman Streete" 29 June, 1699. f.122.

28. S[arah Churchill, Duchess of] Marlborough, asking him "to order the payment of what is due from the Marquiss of Hallifax's trustees to my lord of Marlborough there having been great delays in that matter", that she has a sum of money to pay into the Exchequer by the 24th of this month, and she believes she can "get it by the law", she is sure that Lord Weymouth "is too true and too reasonable to think that my lord Marlboroughs money should contribute to the payment of the Marquis of Hallifax's debts which is in plain terms the case while wee are unpaid": St James's, 10 June, [1701 ?]. f.124.

29. Sir Robert Harley, a letter of compliments, "I am very sensible how unequal I am to the service I am unfortunately engag'd in, I can only promise your Lordship I will never knowingly do any thing unbecoming a true Englishman or your Lordship's servant": 25 May, 1704. f.129.

30. Matthew Prior: (a) giving news of affairs abroad and at home, "The news of our Victory on the Danube is received here with universal Joy and particular Justice is done to my Lord Duke of Marlborough's merit ...... Our Portugaise affairs begin to have a better aspect, my Lord Galway is preparing in a few days to go to that Country .. ... My Lord Tresurer had the Garter given him this morning ..... As to the affairs of our board, we have sent the Proclamation for regulating the Coyns together with the different values of Coyn explained by way of Table to the several Plantations": Westminster, 6 July, 1704. f.131: (b) describing the sudden death of Lord Jersey: Westminster, 28 Aug. 1711. f.133.

31. Fifty-eight letters from John Fell, Bishop of Oxford, [1676-1686:] many of them signed "Your affectionate Tenant", chiefly on ecclesiastical and political matters: circ. 1659 - 1685. ff.142-256.

32. Dr Henry Hammond, the Divine: [d. 1660]. Six letters to Lord Weymouth when a young man at Oxford: etc. All undated (as to years) ff. 258-263.

33. William Lloyd, [Bishop of Worcester 1699], 1 Oct. 1661. f.264.

34. James Hyde, Regius Professor of Medicine, Oxford, asking Lord Weymouth to use his influence with the Duke of Ormond, the Chancellor of the University for the payment of the arrears due to the various Professors: Oxford, 17 Feb. 1673[4]. f.266.

35. P[eter Mew, Bishop of] Bath and Wells, on the death of Mr Daw whom he calls "an unjust steward": Wells, 27 Sept. 1680. f.268.

36. Robert [Frampton, Bishop of] Gloucester: (a) recommending Capt. Gibbs and his wife: Gloucester, 11 Feb. 1684[5]. f.270: (b) apologises for filling up the living of Kempsford without consulting him but the person whom he has appointed is "of an innocent life, very good learning, sound principles and after all a plausible preacher": Standish, 23 July, 1686. f.273: (c) asking for his favour for a godson and namesake of the Bishop's with the Warden of All Souls "for the next election": 17 June 1696. f.285: (d) is writing once more before he dies " "being on the brinke of fourscore and full of infirmities" begs his favour for "Mr John Jackson, ye son of a right good man, a minister", and for "Mr Kemble" his present curate: Signed, "Robert Frampton, Bp. of Gloucester heretofore". Undated. f.287.

37. H[enry Compton, Bishop of] London: (a) Order from Lord Weymouth for payment to the Bishop of £50, with the latter's receipt for the same: f.276: (b) Two letters to Lord Weymouth (1) apologising for his inability to call on him at Longleat: Bath, 26 June, s.a. f.311: (2) mentioning a "charitable purchace" of Lord Weymouth's of an estate of "Mr Midgeley", and presenting him with Dr Cockburn's sermons: n.d. f.313.

38. T..... C..... A long letter to Lord Weymouth concerning the election of Leopold William Finch to be Warden of All Souls, Oxford, the appointment having lapsed to the Archbishop of Canterbury who seems unwilling to sanction the election "which I take to be as well against the interest of the church and the university at this present, as against the interest, profit and advantage of the college, and Mr Finch his settlement. If Dryden or some worse man of the Popish religion had been introduced there, his Grace would have found himself involved in no small trouble"..... that Mr Hall has bee elected President of Magdalen College: etc. 23 Apr. 1687. f.275.

39. Copy of a letter from ---- Bayes to Thomas, Bishop of St David's concerning his visitation etc. and suggests a meeting "at the sign of the Bowl and 9 pinns next dore to the Pope's head in Ave Mary Lane neer Pater Noster row where we will drink the Popes health in a Bowle of Punch and Confusion to the Peticioning Bishops in a Glasse of Ale and afterwards by way of Divertion take one Game of Kettle Pinns for a Tester ot two": [1687]. On the back are "10 Plain Queries" offered to the Bishop for his Clergy.

40. Lancelot Addison, Dean of Lichfield, asks Lord Weymouth to use his interest at Tamworth, "for bad men will there offer themselves, one especially who I fear has too great a power with Mr Langley the minister, I write this out of perfect zeal to monarchy and the established church": Lichfield, 10 Feb. s.a. f.283.

41. William [King, Bishop of] Derry: (a) asking him for advice as to applying for the Primacy of Ireland now vacant: Dublin, 10 Dec. 1702. f.289: (b) on the same subject, the appointment of a new Lord Lieutenant having complicated matters: Dublin, 12 Feb. 1702[3]. f.291.

42. William Hawkins, concerning the death of Bishop [Thomas] Ken, who has in his will which is in the writer's possession left Lord Weymouth all his books, of which Lord Weymouth "has not the duplicates": etc. Sarum Close, 27 Mar. 1711. f.293.

43. Alexander [Ross, Bishop of] Edinburgh, thanking Lord Weymouth for many kindnesses and especially "in contributing so eminently to assert the justice of Mr Greenshield's cause, by which the intire ruin of our much shattered Church has been so happily prevented": Edinburgh, 29 Mar. 1711. f.295.

44. Francis Atterbury, acquainting Lord Weymouth that the Queen has appointed him Dean of Christchurch; Chelsea, 3 Aug. 1711. f.297.

45. John [Robinson, Bishop of] Bristol, Keeper of the Privy Seal, thanking Lord Weymouth for his congratulations [probably on his appointment as Lord Privy Seal]: Windsor, 7 Sept. 1711. f.298.

46. George [Hooper, Bishop of] Bath and Wells: (a) condoling with Lord Weymouth on his "great loss": Wells, 31 Dec. s.a. f.301: (b) on his inability to travel owing to the snow, etc: 17 Jan. s.a. f.303.

47. J[ohn Pritchard, Bishop of] Gloucester, on business matters, his estate at Kempsford, etc. n.d. f.308.

48. Resolution of French ministers to build a church in England. Signed by: Rondelot, minister of Bordeaux: J. Renandot, minister etc. of Salm: P. Degaleniere, late minister of Le Mans. circ. 1700. f.315.