answer the Lord Envoy of England, that he cannot believe, if his Britannic Majesty was well informed of the justice of his pretensions, that he would oppose himself to the legal pleas he makes for the bringing the same to take effect. . . . . As to what remains, his Highness will always receive whatever comes to his hand from the King of England, for whose person he hath a particular respect, in a becoming manner, &c.”
We next meet with Baron Hervart in Switzerland, acting in concert with the Marquis of Puisieux in a negotiation connected with the Second Treaty for the partition of the Spanish dominions. Both France and England wished the Deputies of the Cantons to be the guarantees in this Partition Treaty; and both the ambassadors made orations to the deputies in the summer of 1700, but in vain. A memorial was then drawn up, containing full explanations in writing. As to the non-success of this, the Baron wrote to the Earl of Manchester:—
Soleurne, Sept, 29, 1700.
“My Lord, — The answer of the Swisses to our memorial is not such as Messrs De Puysieux, Valkenier, and I expected, as you will see. They believed, that by explaining themselves in the manner I gave you an account of by the last Courier, and, as we thought, they might do it, they would enter into an engagement, which at present they have no intention to come to. The best reasons of the Ambassador of France, joined to two hundred thousand livres which he caused to glister in their eyes, not having been capable to make them change, what could M. Valkenier and I do?
“Nevertheless, I must tell you, my Lord, that in general all the Deputies, have, by express orders of their sovereigns, spoke to me of his Majesty with so much esteem, respect, and veneration, that I was charmed with it, the very particular expressions they made use of, both coolly, and in their cups, not giving me leave to doubt but that their hearts spoke; and I have not perceived the same eagerness for his most Christian Majesty, when we dined with his Ambassador. To-day the Deputies of the four Cantons are to dine with me, and on Friday I set out from hence for Berne. I am, with all esteem, &c.”
“D’Hervart.”[1]
The Swiss probably thought that an English Envoy was in very unsuitable company during our hollow peace with the Bourbons. The rupture, which soon took place, brought out a purer style of oratory and composition from Baron Hervart. In 1701 he addressed the Swiss on the “French King’s recognition of the Pretended Prince of Wales.” The following passages in his memorial were much admired:—
“It is certain that his Britannic Majesty was unconcerned, and made no complaint at the late King James having, since his abdication, passed at the French Court as King of Great Britain, in regard that his late possession of that crown allowed him in some manner to assume the title thereof during life. But this prince being now dead, his Majesty could not but highly resent the French king’s declaring and owning the pretended Prince of Wales as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
“My Lords, you have too much prudence and penetration to be persuaded that this recognition of that pretended prince is consistent or compatible with the Treaty of Ryswick, and with the formal declaration which both kings have made to maintain a perpetual peace, a sincere mutual friendship, and to do nothing but what may tend to each other’s honour and advantage. The Most Christian King stands engaged, by virtue of the Fourth Article of the Treaty of Ryswick, not to trouble or molest his Majesty in the possession of his kingdom, and to give no assistance or countenance, directly or indirectly, to any that shall presume to disturb his Majesty in his present possession. How ridiculous, and what nonsense is it, therefore, to imagine that the French Court should persuade any one who is not strongly prepossessed, that the recognition of this pretended prince for King of Great Britain and Ireland (which high title he never can enjoy nor hope for, neither by the constitution or laws of England, nor by his birth, nor by virtue of the late King James' declaration), was made to contribute to the honour and advantage of his Majesty ! How can this faithless proceeding consist with the French king’s engagement, not in anywise to favour those who should form any the least design against his Majesty’s royal dignity? The French Court seems to have a mean opinion of the generality of mankind by endeavouring to abuse their credulity, and to make them believe so strange a paradox.”
The above is all that we know of Baron Hervart’s public life, except what concerns the Waldenses. The plan and arrangements for establishing Vaudois Colonies in Germany were devised and carried out by him in 1695. The British Government established an annual grant for the salaries of seven pasteurs and seven schoolmasters, who settled along with those Waldenses at Dirments, Wiertheim, Knitlingen, and Heyinsheim in Wurtemburg, at Meerfelden and Rosibach in Darmstadt, and at Homberg. The local treasurer was Mr. Isaac Behaghel, banker, at Frankfort-on-the-Main, who charged nothing except his outlay in postages. Mr.
- ↑ Cole’s Slate Papers.
