Chapter 164: Worries
May, 1714
The Queen was slowly worsening. She never left her chambers, and according to the Duchess of Somerset she could barely leave her bed. He had had to carry his mother once or twice to the lavatories when he had visited. The memories were burned into his mind and he could not remove them. She would die soon and then there would be all sorts of things that needed to be done. Right now, though, James pushed that thought to the back of his mind and focused on the problem facing him immediately.
He had summoned the Duke of Marlborough and the Duke of Grafton, the Commander in Chief of the Forces and Lord High Admiral respectively, to discuss his concerns. He took a breath and then said. “Gentlemen, thank you both for coming. The need for this meeting is urgent. As we are sure you are both aware, two weeks ago, the Dutch Republic almost started a war when they intercepted a French merchant convoy coming back from the Americas with goods. Only our swift talking ambassador was able to prevent full out war. Our sources in The Hague, report that this is not just a one-off thing. They report that the Dutch are very much considering making this a long-term priority.” James put his hands on the table. “Gentlemen, the prospect of war is very likely.”
The Duke of Grafton spoke first. James liked the man, he had common sense, something his siblings lacked. “Your Royal Highness, I have looked through the logs and spoken with the Board of the Admiralty, we feel that the Britannic fleet is ready to meet any challenge that the Dutch might throw at us. Our ships are more advanced, and the investment has been most useful.”
“Why were you not aware of the actions before they happened?” James asked. Usually his cousin was quite on point with such things, this lapse was worrying.
The Duke of Grafton bowed his head. “Forgive me, Your Royal Highness. I had not thought to continue patrolling those northern waters when the Dutch had not shown any sign that they were going to break the treaties of peace.”
Marlborough spoke then. “The Dutch are a cunning people, Your Royal Highness. They are likely going to try and play off this attempted start at war as nothing more than a misunderstanding, they will then build up their armed forces. The Prince of Orange is ailing, but his son has demonstrated some good smarts.”
“Indeed.” James responded. “Our spies report that it is he who is developing the martial capabilities of the Republic.” The man was his brother by marriage and a distant cousin as well. “How prepared is the army should we need to launch a war?”
Marlborough thought for a moment and then responded. “As ready as we will ever be, Your Royal Highness. We have some of the best commanders in Europe, and our weapons are the latest. Of course, one would need to consider whether or not the Dutch are truly a viable threat.”
“After that little incident, you cannot surely believe that the Dutch are not a potential enemy, Your Grace?” Grafton enquired.
“I am not saying that they are not, Lord Admiral,” Marlborough responded. “However, I am urging caution, as I believe that this might be part of the Dutch plan.”
“How so?” James asked. He wanted to hear what his former mentor had to say on this before he reached a conclusion.
The Duke said nothing for a moment and then responded. “This could be part of some plan to get us to realise where we want to sit within Europe, and bear in mind that William of Orange has his friends amongst the Whigs in Parliament, they might be feeding him information on some regard or the other. Though even if they are not, they support an alliance with him.”
“Speak plainly.” James commanded, he suspected he knew what Marlborough was getting at but this riddle speaking was beginning to annoy him.
Marlborough bowed his head. “What I mean, Your Royal Highness, is that by staging this attempted attack on a merchant convoy, the Dutch might well have wanted us to spring into action. Knowing that this would humiliate the French, it would likely draw arguments from the French and cause tensions to build again. There are those within court who favour the Dutch alliance and are opposed to the French marriage of your son, Your Royal Highness. Therefore, by stirring these tensions they are playing on two things. Your Royal Highness’s desire to defuse tension, and the humiliation this would cause France.”
James thought on this and remembered the arguments he had had with the French ambassador because of his action and the frustration he had felt. He remembered Somerset suggesting abandoning the French if this was their response, something Beaufort had also suggested. James looked at Marlborough and asked. “What would you suggest then? We cannot remain unprepared.”
“Of course not, Your Royal Highness. I would not even think to recommend such a thing. No, what I recommend is that the army and navy be put on readiness mode and should something happen then deploy them. If not, then they act as deterrents to any possible hostile action.” Marlborough said.
James thought on this for a moment and then said. “Very well, we shall speak to the Queen.”
