hat we have been informed, that, in _all the
Changes_ which have hitherto happened in your Dominions, and in
the almost general _Defection of_ your Subjects, _none_ stood
_more constant_ to their lawful Sovereign, even in the greatest
Streights, than the _Catholicks_: So that, if they are now branded
for their Religion, it may be said, for their Honour, that, in
Times past, none could be found _readier_, or more _cheerfully
disposed_, than _they_, to serve and assist their Prince; and that
with so much _Ardour_, that their Zeal then for the Royal Family
was reckoned a certain Mark of their true Religion. It is for that
Reason that we now become their Intercessors to you: For,
otherwise, had they _failed_ in the Fidelity they owe you, instead
of interceding for them, we would join with you in using them with
all imaginable Rigour; and it would never come into our Thoughts
to concern ourselves, as we do, for the _Catholicks_ of _Ireland_;
though we _were obliged to it_, by the last Treaty of Peace made
with the Marquess of _Ormond_, and which was granted them by our
Mediation. And, as we are well assured, that, since the Conclusion
of that Peace, they have done Nothing which can be called a
_Failure of their Duty to you_, we find ourselves under so much
the greater Obligation to conjure you, to make good that Treaty to
them, in that they _religiously_ observed it on _their_ Side, in
all its Parts: And to beseech you not to suffer, that either the
Hatred, which an immoderate Zeal swells some bigotted Sectaries
with, nor the unlucky Spoils of these poor People, render criminal
or miserable the _most faithful_ of your Subjects; to whom their
lawful King, as you are, is not _the less dear_, nor _less
respected_, because of a _different Belief_ from _theirs_. We
propose Nothing to ourselves in this, nor ask any Thing, but what
we daily _practise_ (as you may know) towards those of our
Subjects who are of the _reformed Religion_. And, as we have
commanded the Sieur Marquis _de Rouvigny_ to explain our
Sentiments more amply on this Subject to you, be pleased to give
him a favourable Audience: And, above all Things, be perswaded,
that, in this Affair, we have no less your own _true Interest_ in
View, than what _natural Reason_ and _Equity_ requires; and that
our sincere Friendship for you