had not Sr William Russel supplyed it with Provision when all the seven Provinces could not do it Being now intent upon the settlement of their State-General out of the Particular Deputies of the several Provinces the Earl of Leicester being called home and they hearing of a Spanish Armado knowing not what to do but to importune her Majesty of England that she should make no peace without them Now she was in treaty with the Prince of Parma which she waves though privately willing enough to reconcile their private differences which was the greatest Motive she had to abandon them It being not likely they should do any good themselves especially since there was such jealousies and mistrusts among their chief Officers who could never have been united but by the vast Armado of the common Enemy which awed both sides to so much moderation that they settle the Government in the States reduce all Parties into one Oath and submission reconcile Vtrech to Holland pay their Souldiers very punctually establish Prince Maurice in the Admiralty and Prince William in the Government of Friezland They defeat the Marquess of Varumbon with Sir Francis Vere's assistance take the Antwerp Convoy raise jealousies between the Inhabitants of Groening and their Governour maintain Liberty of Conscience nourish the French differences get 125 26l a month of the Queen of England They surprize Breda engage the Electors and get the Prince of Parma off to the siege of Paris Blackinbergh Collenbergh the Fort before Zuphten Holt Nymighen Grumbergh Geertrudenbergh Seenwye and other places are recovered by the Valour and Conduct of the English particularly Sir John Norris Sir Roger Williams and Sir Henry Vere An Edict is made concerning Printing a War is contrived between France and Spain the United Provinces and the Estates under the King of Spain treat for peace Philip William eldest son to William Prince of Orange is released from his 35 years Imprisonment whereto he was confined since he was taken in Leyden as we have formerly intimated Prince Maurice and Sir Francis Vere Sir Robert Sidney's overthrow Cardinal Albertus his Army Wan 1577 whereupon Embassadours are sent to the States from the Empire from Peland and from other parts whom they remitted to the Queen of England as being able to do nothing without her In the mean time they prevailing under her protection set up the India trade assisting their Merchants with Artillery and Ammunition so as four ships were set forth to destroy the Countrey and bring away some Inhabitants against another Voyage where 8 ships ventured that way from Amsterdam as did many more from other places in the East and West Indies to Guine besides others to Syria and Greece 1578. But the poor States being left out of the peace between France and Spain are at a loss till the Queen of England sends to them that if they resolved for a War they should inform her what provisions they had towards it and rest assured of her utmost assistance So they forbade Traffique with Spain and entertained some overture afresh in order to an offensive war towards which she sent 2000 souldiers more under Sr Th. Knowles besides 6000 men she procured from the Circles of the Empire several Forts are set up by her directiōs the Contributions are mitigated in Zealand now ready to mutiny by her Order the offensive War in Flanders began by her intimation 2800 sail of ships Rendesvouzed in the the Sea-towns of Holland Zealand and Friezland Grave Oastend and Newport are besieged and the Arch-Dukes Army is defeated Chimney-money and Excise is imposed the United States and the States-General Treat In the mean time the Arch Duke Albertus his Forces mutiny and are entertained by the United Provinces The Hollanders and the English engage the Spaniards at Sea the King of England that succeeded the Queen March 24. 1603. promising them fair in general termes whereupon Oastend and Sluce are taken and the States refuse all intercessions for peace especially since they defeated Spinola by Land and the Spanish Gallies by Sea After which the Arch-Duke Albert and his Wife Isabella in the name of the King of Spain declared them Free-states and in that capacity offered to Treat with them upon peace all the Princes of Christendom offering their Mediation onely the King of Spain's Aggreation as they call it was not clear and the 62 Articles containing their Priviledges were not moderate enough to be the ground either of a Treaty of peace or a Truce In fine These people being very intent upon the preservation of their Liberties and most prone to jealousie motion and surprizes being agitated by others passion and their own for those two great Dianaes Priviledges and Liberty of Conscience high-flown upon the Battel of Newport gotten by Sir Francis Vere refused Reason Notwithstanding the peace at Verven between the King of France and Spain which cut off half their assistance the difference between Embden and the Governour of Friezland that disturbed their Union the taking of Oastend Rhainbergh Grelen after three years siege and Sir Francis Vere's great endeavours to preserve it that weakned their Interest being grown great with the private Alliance of France and that more open of England their Trade to the Indies and their Piracies upon Spain until Spinola humbled John May the Provincial of the Franciscans perswaded and what is more then all this the King of Englands inclination to a good understanding with Spain frighted them into a twelve years Truce in a Treaty begun at Antwerp 1607. No sooner are they at peace without but having recovered the Cautionary Towns from the English by old Barnavel's cunning who as King Henry the 4th said was the ablest Statesman in Europe as far as his money went but their humours began to work among themselves Rebels are as troublesom to themselves when they have defeated their Soveraign as they were to him before their Predestination Points and the nicities of Priviledges engaging them to the great danger of the whole Government had not King James by his Embassadour Sir Ralph Wenwood very effectually interposed The King of Spain finding the observation of a great Lord upon the Truce true That assoon as the common Enemy was over they would fall by themselves set the Arch-Duke upon offering them the confirmation of the Truce into a Peace in case they would accept of his Soveraignty An overture they scorned so far that the Embassador in his way through Delph was almost stoned by the dregs of the people and assoon as the Truce was over utterly denying the prolongation of it they besieged Gulicke spoiled Brabant invited Mantsfield into East-Friezland and shrouded themselves in a League against the house of Austria with France England and Denmark c. making the Interest of Europe their security in defence of the lower Circle of the Empire took the Plate-fleet and what promised Wonders there being men in it that could dive under water and flie in the Air the Fleet of
Expound 5. Catechise 6. Baptize 7. Receive the Communion the first Sundayes in April July October and January after 18. dayes warning 8. To marry a Widow within six months a Maid at 14 with an Exhortation 9. To make a sick mans Will 10. To go before a dead body without either Prayer Sermon or so much as the tinkling of a Bell. 11. To admonish suspend excommunicate 1. By praying for the guilty person 1. On Sunday without naming either him or his fault The 2d Naming him The 3d. Naming him and his fault for which he is excluded till he confesseth it before the Congregation and the Pulpit And all these things with that indifferency that if men will they may use them and submit to them if not they may let them alone Insomuch as there is not a more ridiculous Meeting in the World than their Parochial Sunday meetings where they do what they please indeed for an hour or two and the people do what they please all the Week I think we may wave that Point and see what is Their present Condition in point of Land-Forces Trav. VVHâ—n 1. They are â—orced to maintain so many thousands in time of Peace on purpose that they may be ready against a War 2. When their Weesvaders for the Orphans of their souldiers when their Easthuysen for maimed souldiers when their Aelmoestiniers for old servants and Officers when their Die huyse sitten de Armen and other Wase-houses Guest-houses Du houses and most prudent provisions for those persons that fail in their service stand them in 364547l 16s 4d Amsterdam alone maintaining 113764. with weekly accommodations 3. When at their last year Estimates as the custom is of States and Persons they sunk almost half in half besides that so many served forreign Princes without leave against the fundamental constitution of their Government 4. When in the greatest danger of the Countrey they will stand upon this Punctillio of their Magna Charta that none should be forced to serve out of his own Province 5. When so many excellent persons especially almost all their Commanders must either quit their service or their own Allegiance 6. When the Coyn of each Nation is by strict Lawes kept there and the States must spend upon the common stock 7. When the Lord of the Sea in Right and Power forbids the Importation of any Bullets Match Powder Armes Ammunition or any other Contraband Goods from any part of the World into Holland upon pain of forfeiting the Goods and Vessels too 8. When the gross Inhabitants are so unweildy that they can do nothing but sit on their Breeches in a ship 9. When they are as much at a loss for Men to their Arms as they may be for Arms to their Men in a very short compass of time should a mighty Prince who is Lord of the Sea in Power as well as Right continue that severe Edict whereby all Nations are advertised That what Powder Ammunition or other Contraband Goods soever they shall Import to the Lands Territories Plantations or strong Holds belonging to the Estates of the Vnited Netherlands shall be judged Prize-goods and forseited accordingly And consequently the Dutch stores being likely to supply at least 40000 men by Sea and Land without any hoped recruit the Countrey must needs be lost as Amsterdam was once for want of Ammunition Besides that they will be as much to seek for Provision as for Men the Pestilence preceding their War not more fatally sweeping away â—the one a third part being missed in Holland than the Famine following it cuts off the other the Market is already improved a moyety and when the Baltick-sea is commanded by Sweden and Denmark the Mediterranian awed by the Turk and French and the Brittish-coasts over-ruled by their Soveraign Holland will not be said so properly to be overcome as to be starved it being not likely that the King of England should be guilty of the King of Spain's oversight Princes seldom erre twice which cost him those Provinces and as much money as would have bought as much Land thrice over and rendred them as considerable as it made him despicable that is ly pelting at their impregnable Townes when he may swallow their whole Common-wealth and take that pedling Countrey quickly by the Wholesale that cost others so much by the Retail It s true their Towns are strong but Factious driving at their particular Interests to the prejudice of the general States and ready to submit to any new Masters rather than Truck under Amsterdam Antwerp chose rather trade under Spain than Liberty under the free States each Governour pursuing his own design as vigorously as the High and Mighty do theirs Neither is there a Garrison there wherein the Governour is not engaged against the Burgemasters and they inveterate against him wherein the Townsmen would not betray the Souldiers or the Souldiers sell away the Townsmen Besides as an Agent who doth there more service than an Army may order the affair such may the misunderstanding be between the respective Provinces that they had rather as the Duke De Alva observed be ruined by themselves than saved by one another though indeed as they are hardly attempted by reason of the narrowness of their ways and frequency of their Dikes so they are more hardly relieved a 1000 well-encamped men being not to be attempted there by 10000 to which may be added That as strong soever their Towns may be by Land they lye open by Sea and so no longer tenable against us then their Masters are Lords of the Brittish-coasts But suppose their Forces by Land most considerable yet you must suppose withall Commanders to those Forces who being of necessity Forreigners men of fortune and it may be persons of various apprehensions never likely to close in a common Quarrel or Action unanimously or honestly Yea let me tell you their very strong Holds are their weakness as to which they trust so much that they could never yet look an Enemy in the face in the Field nor perform any thing resolute or honourable Not to mention their pay which must as duly be paid as the Usurers Mortgage-money in the very time and place or else the Countrey may be over-run while they lay down their Arms and cry Ghelt ghelt as they did in the very first action of the Prince of Orange towards their freedom to the loss of 5000 men and three Counts of the Empire at Steinbocke Neither is it the least consideration That the Scene of a Land-war must be the very bowels of their own Countrey they not daring to look beyond their Cantons by Land for fear of their friends nor by Sea for fear of their enemies Not to aggravate the affair with this unhappy reflection That 2000 Horse eats up their Countrey in Summer and must be eat up themselves for want of Butter and Cheese in Winter Yet the worst is to come viz an untoward Oath was put upon so many expert valiant and deserving
That their Expences must be intollerable 5. That Holland would enjealous the rest of the Provinces or surprize them all which are now their confessed case Their Case in a War with us made out from the Causes moving the Queen of England to give Aâ—d to the defence of the peâ—ple Afflicted and Oppressed in the Low-Countreys 1. THe Natural Sâ—ituation of the Realm â—f England and the Low-Countreys one directlâ— opposite to the other and by reason of the ready crossing of the Seas â—nd multitude of large and Commodious â—avens an our side a constant Ira â—â—ck and Commerce between the people of England and the Low-Countreys continued in all antient times when the several Provinces were under their respective Lords 2. Such hath been the devendâ—nce of these poor people upon England that their Prelates Noble-men Citizens Burgesses and other Commonalties of their Port-towns entred into Obligations and Stipulâ—tions under their particular Seals from time to time to the good people of England for â—avours Affections and friendly Offices shewed towards them 3. Such was the necessity of Commerce between these two People that they have remonstrated to their Governours at several times That they could not subsist without a Commerce with England â—s to Philip Duke of Burgundy in H the 6th his time to his Son Duke Charles and Arch-Duke Philip in H. H. 7th his time and to Charls the 5th in King H. the 8th his time 4. Upon the often and continual Lamentable Requests made by the Universal States of the Countries of Holland Zealand Gelders and other Provinces for Succours in their Extreamityes we thought at to Aid those poor and distres-People Gent. How is it then things being so that they have been able to do so well hitherto as they have done SECT 4. The things that formerly advanced the Netherlands Trav. 1. EVrope hath been ever sâ—nâ—e a most Constâ—â—â—ly embâ—â—â—â—ed 2. They have had a Regular wâ—y by themsâ—lves of â—ax I mâ—an their Excise whereby the more they pâ—y â—he more they receive â—or what the souldiers receive in pâ—y they pay in â—rinkâ— theâ—r veâ—y Enemies though they hate the States yet love their Lâ—qâ—or and pay Excise Yea the most â—dle sloathfull and improvident that selleth his blood for drink and his flesh for bread serves at his own charge for every pay day he reckoneth with his Father and he with the common Purse 3. Pyracies whereby they have those Commodities in time of War in Gross which they have onely in time of Peace by Retail 4. They have formerly checked the Austrian power which is now low 5. They go out with less charge than other Nations their ships requiring fewer men and those men all sharing in the Design are contented with courser farâ— flesh among them being kept hot more dayes than a Pigg in Pye-corner it being their own case they go through all difficulties with patience so they husband all Expences with thrift 6. They eugrossed the Coyn of Europe carrying the Commodities of one Countrey into another 7. They have been hitherto allowed in England Denmark and Muscoâ—y to trade upon the best and sreest conditions 8. They kept in with England and its Protestant Allies 9. They have imployed all the poor that could work and provided for those that could not 10. They have had formerly Lombards or Loan houses where the poor have money upon any Pawn for a Reasonable Rate viz 6. in the 100. with Reasonable time of payment 11. Their Diet was course and of every mans own providing 12. They spent money formerly but now their time in drinking 13. They Trafficked for others superfluities but not their own 14. Their Apparel was plain and their Ambition onely upon Realities and Solidities 14. Their Lawes were strictly executed and no forfeitures left to the corrupt disposals of an Officer but all bestowed upon the Publick 15. Usury was a stranger to them every man laying out his Estate upon the Publick-traffick 16. No idleness there and therefore no thievery a fault more effectually restrained there by Whipping than here by Hanging 17. If any man gained there extraordinarily by money the tenth of his gain was the Common-wealths Usurers escaping not there as here 18. One undone by casuality they set up one cast to Prison the Creditor maintains one troubled with a shifting Adversary a quick tryal relieves 19. All men debated and all contributed to the Publick affairs as concerned both by advice and purse 20. Their Resolutions were secret and sudden 21. Their Industry hath been great and their Expences small they maintaining it for a Maxime That a thing lasts longer mended than new 22. Their Recreation hath been Warlickâ— and they have been to be souldiers before they were men 23. They have been a hardy and a head-strong people and you might sooner convert a Jew to Christianity turn an old Puritane than convince a Dutchman of Reason 24. Not a man of them but might have been a Statesman for they have all this gift not to be too nice-conscienced 25. They were seldom deceived for they trusted no body though every body must trust them 26. They love none but those they profit by 27. Complement is an idleness those brutish people were never skilled in they are half marred being Saylors and being Souldiers they are quite spoiled for there saith my Authour they would let a Jew build a City where Harlem-Mear is and after that couzen them of it 28. They have had a Religion and a Liberty of both which they were very zealous formerly and are as careless now 29. They have enjoyed the Easterlings trade in the North and ours in the East 30. Their watches were seldom of a Nation so that they could seldom concur to deliver up one Town 31. They were very strict upon Musters the list and the pole seldom disagreeing 32. Their souldiers are well Cloathed Armed Disciplined and paid the souldiers seldom any where committing fewer insolencies upon the people or the Officers fewer deceits upon the souldiers 33. Their General could not betray them his Army being composed of many several Nations his Officers not at his own but at the States disposal and his Commission never Implicitly left to his discretion but by reason their Countrey hath no great bounds he receives daily commands what to do 34. Discipline was thus Their Military Rules and Orders 1. THat no man shall swear or blaspheme upon pain of 5s the first offence five days imprisonment the second and a disbanding the third 2. That they shall pray prayers twice a week 3. That they play not at either Cards or Dice upon pain of two days imprisonment 4. That no Women follow the Souldiers but Wives Nurses and Landresses upon pain of Whipping 5. That none lay violent hands on Women with childe Virgins Babes or old Persons without Order 6. That Drunkards shall be discharged 7. Concealers of Treasons shall be racked 8. Correspondents with Enemies shall dye 9. None shall leave his Rank or File without
leave upon pain of death 10. He that sleeps at a Watch or bewrayeth the watch-word must dye 11. Mutineers and unlawful Assemblers shall dye 12. None shall Quarrel with a Souldier or lift up a sword against an Officer on pain of death 13. He that leaves his Post and Breach dieth 14. He that deserts his Captain or serveth under two shall be imprisoned during pleasure 15. He that imbezleth his Armour Provision or Furniture is discharged 16. He that steals any Souldiers Furniture fore-stalls any Victuals Exacts on the people abusâ—th Tradesmen shall dye 17. He that resist a Proclamation assists any Mâ—lefactor disturbs any Quarters sets on fire any Building within the Camp or without makes any false Alarms knavishly shall dye 18. No man shall neglect an Alarm entertain a stranger converse with Trumpeters or Messengers of the other side loyter with the Carriages or Forrage abroad without leave upon pain of suffering what the Marshal or chief Commander pleaseth 19 No Captain shall undertake any Enterprize or be absent from the Watch without Order from the General 20. Neither Souldier nor Captain shall dismiss sell or ransom any Prisoner or Booty beâ—ore he hath presented him or it unto his immediate Officer 21. Every Souldier shall stand by his Ensign day and night till ordered to depart and observe and learn the sound of Drums Fifes and Trumpets 22. No Beast shall be garbaged no Easement made but at a distance appointed from the Camp 23. Whosoever delivereth any place left to his charge or keeping flieth to the Enemy or passeth any other way either in Town or Camp but at the ordinary Gates without Order shall dye 24. No man shall as they March make any cry at all at the putting up of any hair c. All other offences that may tend to disorders not comprimised in the foresaid Rules shall be punished as the chief Commander shall think fit These are the several Particulars whereby they rose to this Grandeur and opulency whereof some have failed and the rest are not able to bear up that Government which they altogether erected Gent It being so obvious from these reflexions to conclude their weaknesse it were necessary their present Case and Controversie should be favourably staâ—ed to their Neighbours for compassion or assistance Trav. They are more unhappy in the ground of this present Quarrel than in any of the fore-mentioned particulars Gent. As how Sir Trav. Why first In reference to trade and Fishing in the narrow Seas The present state and Controversie between us and the Dutch ALl the world know that we have Right to the Narrow-Seas for the Seas that surround our Island whither the Scottish the British the Irish or German were possessed and secured by the Brittains who fished so much upon them that they furnished the Hilts of their Swords with such fishes teeth as they took and traded so considerably that none came amongst them but Merchants Those Seas were by them transmittâ—d with their countreyes to the Romans upon the Conquest who as they managed the Government of the Land by Presidents so they did that at the Sea by an Archigubernacy or chief Governour and Admiral who seâ—ured Commerce took Prizes looked on the Coasts of Spain Italy and Affrica it self After the Romans the Saxons succeeded to this Right and Dominion and commâ—nded the Sea under a Count of the Saxon shore i. e. whatever Pava ollus saith to the contrary the Sea-shore Octa and Ebista under Vortigerne and Hergist commanding these Seas the Saxons and Danes keeping a numerous Navy to that purpose by such Tributes and Duties as they imposed upon their Vassals particularly Dane-ghelt for the Guard of the Sea Edgar and Canutus styling themselves Soveraigns of the Sea The Right and Dominion of the Seas passed with this Nation to the Normans as appears 1. From their Government the custody of the Seas being under an Admiral by Commissions from the several Kings maintained by Tributes paid in consideration of the said custody 2. From their Right in all the Islands lying on the Sea before the French shore 3. From leave asked alwaies and granted to Forreigners by the English to pass thâ—se â—eaâ— And those that asked leave were the Kings of Denmark and Sweden the Hans Towns in Quern Elizabeths time Hollanders and Zealaâ—â—ers themselves not daring to fish before they asked leave of Scarborough and Kâ—ng James proclaiming May 6. 1610. That none fish upon the English or the Irish Sea without leave obtained and every year at least renewed from the Commissioners appointed for this purpose at London But 4. Our Right to the Sea appears from the Limits we set to such Forreigners as Moderators of the Sea as 〈◊〉 at enmity with one another and at amity with the English 5. From the Publick Records wherein the Dominion of the Sea is ascribed to the Kings of England by the King himself and the Estates of Parliament with very great deliberation and in such express words as these Lords of the English Sea on every side all people accounted us Soveraigns of the Seas That our Soveraign Lord the King and his Illustrious Progenitors being Lords of the Seas would impose a Tribute upon all strangers the Kings of England have by right of their Dominions been Lords of the Sea these are the words of all Europeâ— by their Commissioners at Paris and made Laws Statutes and Restraints of Arms upon them together with Admirals that they should preserve their Superiority over the same 6. From the Laws and most received Customs of England that make the Seas the Patrimony of Eng. and the King by the old custom of Engl. Lord of the Narrow-â—eas and his Soveraignty there so ancient that they make the four Seas to be equivalent with those words within or without the Kingdom De mer Apourtenant au Râ—â—d ' Angleterre The Sea belonging to the King of England 7. From the Coyn called Rose-nobles of which its said four things our Nobles sheweth to our King Ship Sword power of the Sea 8. From the custom of striking sail on our Coast time out of mind 9. From the Licenses granted upon their humble supplications to the French and Flemings with limitted number of Boats to fish upon our Coastâ— 10. From the Prerogative whereby all wrecks and Royal fishes as Whales Sturgeons c taken in our Seas are due to the King of England onely or unto such to whom by special Charter he grants the same Stat. Edw 3. 17. The state of the Controversies in point of Injuries and Affronts with the Vnited Netherlands Trav HOw they forced us to trade at second hand 1. In Ternata under their Fort Tabuche 3 In Motir 3. In Tidore 4. In â—alvan Hillo Amboyn 5. At Bunda 6. Poleway 7. The Coast of Cormandel near their Arsenal at Jacatra 8. Their chief places Bantham Japan Jamby though we directed them to all these places How they represented us as Pyrates there and when they had done any mischief said they were Englishmen untill for our safety we were fain to distinguish our selves from them by the solemnity of Novemb. 17. and 5. How they contrived to blow up our Warehouses forbad us all Commerce upon Queen Eliz. her death made all Christians so odious that the first Question asked in those parts was Are you Flemmings How they seized our Yards Wharfs c. giving order to kill every Englishman that would not swear fealty to them upon the erecting of their Fort at Banna intending to put all English in an old ship and blow it up How they search and stop our ships give out that they are under a King Make us pay them Custom at Bantham How they seized our ships at Poâ—eway though the Island was given our King leading our men about streets with Halters about their necks and an Hour glass before them intimating that after that ran out they should be hanged How though the Mogul would not look on them till Sir Tho. Roe assured him they were our Friends they seized our Poleroon 1617 suborning the Slaves to burn our ships loading our men with Irons dismembring some setting others in their wounds in hard Grates wherein their Legs swelling so that they could go neither in nor out without a Carpenter pissing over their heads in Dungeons every morning and allowing them but a half-penny loaf and a pinte of water a day How it was proved at Jacatra that the States were seven years a plotting a War between the English and the Dutch at the Indiâ—s threatning likewise to land 60000 men in 24000 Flat-boats in England How they carried us in Cages from Port to Port boasting that our King was their Vassall How though between 1577 when we assisted them first in their Indian trade and 1625 they got 1500 Tuns of Gold in Private hands besides 400 in Common they used us in Amboyna They disputed our Right to the Sea stopped our entrance to and Trade at Bantham Scanderooâ— Guinee Angola c. burned â—â—ur Factories at Jambee How they surprized us at Guinee abused us in the restoring of the Island Polaroon which they have promised from time to time since 1622. How they gave us Law in the New Netherlands a spot of ground they held of us by curtesie How they put our men in nasty Dungeons at Castledelmina to lye in their own Excrements having not bread and water enough to sustain Nature leaving the living and the dead after exquisite tortures to lye together Injuries these with Infinite more of the like nature to the value of 600000l in goods being aggravated with their preparations for War to maintain them even when His Maâ—esty for three years together solicited them to justice and peace that make it evident to the World that War which is defined The state of two Parties contending by publick force about right and wrong is become necessary to us since equity is denyed and that we must put our affairs to the order of force when they dare not come to the Test of the Law Insomuch that I conclude That as few will pity this ill-natured and unhappy People at the end of the War as incourage them in the beginning of it FINIS
Antwerp on the one side of the Suburb called Kiel along the River compassed in with five mighty Bulwarks and every one defended by a Cavalier or Mount and all things were setled so well that there was a Monument set up for the Duke with this Inscription Ferdinando Alvarez de Toledo Albae Duci Philippi â—di Hispan regis apud Belgas Praefecto quod extinctâ seditione rebellibus pulsis Religione procuratâ justitiâ cultâ Provincias pace firmavit Regis optimi fidelissimo ministro politum Iongelingi opus ex aere Captivo That the Duke spared half his Forces under the Earl of Aremberge for the Guises assistance against the Reformers that â—e seized the Prince of Orange his eldest son the Earl of Herren at LoLovain whence he was sent to Spain till 1575. He cited the Prince himself who answered his Citation at large He sentenced the Netherlands in the Inquisition for seditious Heresies 1568 and had his Sentence confirmed in Spain the same year he razed the place of Culenberge where the Council of State used to meet setting up a Pillar in the middest of the Ruine with this Inscription Regnante Philippo 2do Cath. Hisp Rege in his suis inferioribus Germaniae regionibus Gubernanti Vero Ferdinando Alvar. de Toledo Albae Duce c. Florenti de Palant quondam domum solo aequaris sancitum est ob execrandam memoriam repetitae in eâ conjurationis adversus Religionem Eccl Cath. Rom. regiam Majestatem ipsas regiones Anno 1568. 5. Cal. Junii He proceeded in the Process against the Prince of Orange in the midst of which great actions some fugitive Gentlemen that had taken refuge in Cloysters designed with some Horse and Foot they corresponded with to surprize the Duke at his devotion between Brussels and the Cloyster of Groenendale in Somen wood The Prince of Orange Prints his Justification against Slanderers The Earl of Hoochstraten produced Five Articles drawn out of the Priviledges of Brabant either belonging to the Golden-fleece or contained in the Joyous entry to impeach the proceedings against him and the Prince of Orange The Elector Palatine of the Rhine stops the Duke of Alvarez's money under pretence that the Merchants that conveyed it payed not the accustomed duties The Emperour and the Princes interpose in the behalf of Orange a Prince of the Empire That Prince and his Brother Lodowick of Nassau arm with this Motto Recuperari aut mori resolving to distract the Duke de Alva with several attempts upon many places at once but unsuccesfully the Lord of Villers with his 3000 French Protestants being defeated in their design upon Ruremond in Gelderland upon the Mase as Seigneour Coquevil with his 1100 Fugitives was at St Valiers in the mouth of the River Some onely Count Lodowick vanquished Count Aremberge with the overthrow of 3000 men May 24 1568 whom the Governour revenged on the best Gentlemen of the Revolt that came to his hands not sparing the Earls of Horn and Egmont who after a due Process against them were beheaded June 5th 1568. The Barons Montigni and Berghen who died in Spain attainted for their lives and goods in the Netherlands a severity imparallel'd yet not able to repress the Insolencies of the Factious Dutch who now pretend themselves desparate and cry No man was safe and so madly joyn with Count Lodowick of Nassau's Germans till they were becalmed with the Imperial Interdict to besiege Groningen whence De Alva quickly forced them with their shattered Colours in some of whom they carried Pelicanes in others the Roses of England from whose Queen they looked for all their succour In others this device Pro Lege Rege Grege along the Mase about which they took in some small Garisons and might have taken more yea and overthrown Don Fred. the Dukes sons 4000 Harquebuâ—iers had not the Landtskneghts as before when they should fight cried Ghelt Ghelt till the Duke himself who was strongly intrenched every night pursued them by day into France where the French King promises failing and the Rebels mutyning among themselves now they were already weary of the war they resolve for Germany now out of order too the discontented French Nobility joyning with them and the Prince of Orange declaring That such undutiful persons as set on any Designs save the Liberty of the Countrey and their Consciences of what perswasion soever they were should be enrolled among his mortal Enemies In Germany they lodge themselves till the Queen of England being disobliged by the Duke of Alva about money she had taken of some Merchants though the Duke pretended it his for her private use upon Interest interdicted all trade with Holland making Hamburgh the Staple for Cloth when the Prince of Orange with his unquiet followers assisted the French Protestants as De Alva with his well disciplined Regiments did the French King both Parties so translating the Wars out of their own Countrey The Garison at Valencianes mutiny against the Earl of Lodron an Italian but being drawn out by fair words and pay are cut off by two Regiments of Spanish Horse that surrounded them at their Muster in Bourgethout near Antwerp Such as could not escape out of the Netherlands drew together in the Woods by Land and those that did took to Pyracies at Sea Both these took Briel a convenient Harbour on the Hollanders side and agreed for Dover as fit a place on the English and improved themselves incredibly upon the discontents in the Countrey at the New-floud on All Saints day 1570 that swept away their Towns And the new Taxes the 10th 20th and 100th peny levyed by Soldiers upon the very Clergy themselves that carried away their Estates especially at Vtrecht where many Orders Answers Replies Duplies and Writings passed but all decided by a Garison of Veteranes sent thither that made a shift to perswade the troublesome Town that they had forfeited all their Estates by their connivance at the Image-breakers with other Incendiaries and their Adherents and at Brussels where neither Bakers nor Brewers would either bake or brew upon the new Impost insomuch that all Hollanders turning Pyrates under Will Earl vander Alarch and forbidden Harbour on the English Coast with 40 Sail most Fly-boats sailed from Dover towards North-Holland In their way whither they took 2 rich Ships the one of Antwerp the other of Biscay and spoiled other men of War before Amsterd Enchuesen and in the Mase drowning Boslules Forces before the Briel who came to encouÌ„ter them they deal underhand with the Flushingers inhabiting the next Sea Town to Briel notwithstanding the Dukes Agents cunning who made a Breach in their Wall under pretence of fortifying it cloyed their Cannon opened their Sluices and counterfeited their Keys to keep out the Spaniards as they did with the Villages of Coukirke the Inhabitants of Daventer and that not unsuccesfully since Zealand prospered in its Pyracies so well that their Captain Worst with seven ships had beaten the Spaniards
Army was so likely to moulder away for want of pay that she thought fit to intercede for the distressed States with his Majesty of Spain and Don John by the Lord Cobham and Sir Fracis Walsingham and when that failed a Religious Peace as they called it which the States-General consented to was settled which bred great jealousies in the Provinces where many were still stiff for Popery especially at Gaunt till the Queen of England declared against them and promised notwithstanding that Duke Casimer and the D. of Anjou retired in discontent to stand by the Protestant States to the utmost as she did effectually having brought the Estates first to stricter Union and Alliance at Vtrech 1579 than that before at Gaunt and afterwards to erect a Council of State for the management of affairs whose very first debate was a Consultation about the alteration of Government to shorten the War and engage some Person in their defence The next was the taking and demolishing of several strong Holds that had been too serviceable to the King of Spain But their affairs not prospering they resolve upon the Duke of Anjou as their Soveraign upon 27 Articles signed on both sides with Medals coyned whereon were these devices Leonem loris mus li erat Liber revinciri Leo pernegat Pro Christo grege lege Religione justitià reduce vocato ex Gulliâ pacatâ duce Andegariensi â—elgiae Libertatis vindice vos terrâ â—go excubo ponto 1580 Si non nobis saltem posteris And that being dispatched they agree upon Martial Discipline and relieve Steenwich under the conduct of Sir John Norris who victualled it and raised the Siege having given notice of it in Letters which he shot in his Bullets The States-General in the mean time answering the King of Spain's Proscription against the Prince of Orange and providing against the insolences of the Papists by a restraint upon the exercise of their Religion at Brussels and Antwerp declare thus The States General of the United Provinces Guelders Holland Zealand Zuphten Friezland Overysel and â—roeninghen having declared Prince Philip of Austria second of that name King of Spain fallen from the Sigâ—ioâ—y of the said Provinces by reason of his extraordinary and too violent Government against their Freedom and Priviledges solemnly sworn by him having by the way of Right and Armes taken upon us the Government of the publick State and of the Religion in the said Provinces An 1581 having by an Edict renounced the Government of the K. of Spain breaking his Seals Counter-seals Privy-signets for new ones made by them in their stead and entertaining the Duke of Anjou nobly attended from England by the Lord Willoughby Sheffield Windsor Sir Philip Sidney Shirley Parrat Drury and the Lord Howard's son and recommended by the Queen who avowed That what service was done him she esteemed as done to her self and commended to him this one good Rule to be sure of the hearts of the People who invested him Duke of Brabant and Earl of Flanders wherein Dunkirke did import him much to keep a Passage open from Flanders into France as the refusal his Brother made of succour and his entertainment of French Nobility to the discouragement of the Netherlands did him much harm especially since most of his Followers were either men of Spoil or secret Pensioners to the King of Spain and he by their advice lost himself in his Enterprize upon Antwerp so far that had not her Majesties Authority reconciled them the States and he had broken irrecoverably though indeed they never after peiced For the Duke thereupon delivers all the Towns he had taken to the States retyring himself to Dunkirke while the Ganthoes and other troublesom men of the Innovation declared against him and for Duke Casimir And all the Estates humbly beseeched the Queen of England by General Norris to have mercy upon them in this woful juncture especially when the wise Prince of Orange was murthered by a fellow recommended to him by Count Mansfield and serving him three years to await this opportunity having time to say no more but Lord have mercy upon my soul and this poor People And the Spaniards during the States differences and the youth of Grave Maurice of Nassau who succeeded his Father carrying all before them insomuch that the King of France was so afraid to take the Netherlands into his Protection that he sent Embassadors to the Duke of Parma to remove the very suspition of it Especially when the Guisian League brake out upon him and the poor States had now none to trust to but the Queen of England who during their Treaty with France had made them gracious promises by Secretary Davison by whom by the Respective Deputies of their Provinces June 9. 1585 they absolutely resigned the Government to her Majesty who upon sundry great considerations of State refused that yet graciously sent them 4000 men under General Norris 184600 Guilders upon the security of either Ostend or Sluce and promised 5000 Foot and 4000 Horse under a General and other Officers of her own with pay For which the States stood bound giving Flushing Ramekins Briel and the two Sconces thereunto belonging into her hand for security and taking in her Commander in chief with two persons of Quality more of her Subjects by her appointment into their Council of State According to which Contract Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester is made Governour of the Low-Countreys for the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Queen of England to whom the whole Countrey did Homage receiving him as their absolute Governour though the Queen disavowed that as being likely to engage her too farr in the Quarrel and the States humbly submitted to her pleâ—sure in which capacity he set out Edicts for Discipline for the Treaty and Traffique which these troublesom people upon pretence of Liberty and Priviledg mutinied against to the great hinderance of the Earls proceedings insomuch that after he had born up their Interest as his entrance into the Government just ready to sink and taken Daventer Zuphten and other places he resigned his Government to the Council of State leaving a Meddal behind him on the one side whereof was engraven his Picture with these words Robertus â—omes Leicestriae in Belgia Gubernator 1587. And on the other side a flock of sheep scattered and before them an English Dogg with these words Non gregem sed Ingratos invitus desero Whereupon Deputies of Estates attended him with a Present a Cup as big as a Man and an humble supplication to the Queens most Excellent Majesty not to forsake them now in their low Estate so low that the King of Denmark thought fit to intercede for them to their own Leige the King of Spain while they in extremity devolve their affairs upon young Grave Maurice and declaring against the Earl of Leicesser's proceedings incensed the Queen so far that she called home General Norr is though yet Sluce had ben lost
Dutch were flush with a Ten years free Trade and we spent with as many years Rebellion when we were the â—dium of Mankind and they at least upon the account of that Quarrel the Darlings of Europe a handful of our meanâ—st and most inconsiderable of our People durst Vote That no Goods should be Iâ—ported or Exported into or out of England but in English Bottoms And when the Lords States forsooth took that in Dudgeon our bold fellows the King Lords and Commons standing by and not concerned Vote their Embassadoâ—r the Lord Joachim away out of England Octob 6. 1650 within a month at his peril at whose return the High and Mighty draw in their Money sink their Bank mistrust one another break all to pieces raise Fortifications cast Ordinances provide new Artilleries Yards Rendezvouz Militiaes and withdraw 200 Families at least to Hamburgh and the other Hans-Towns of Germany Yet so much Courage they had left as to scorn the pretended Embassadours our Mock-Governours sent thither insomuch that one Dorisla by name lost his life there and another Strickland was weary of it strike to his Majesties concerns as he was King of Great Brittain in most of their Treaties with France Portugal Denmark Sweden c. though yet in their General Meetings Jan. 20. 1651. they Voted our Tom Thombs a free State forsooth and Common-wealth and that they would transact with their new-coyn'd Honours about a Truce and that too by old Joachim who was sent packing but two Months before the Province of Holland having cast the charges of a War and considered that half the money might advance it to a Seignory over its Sister Provinces And all the Provinces being amazed at the Tempest that broke the two Dikes St. Anthonies and the Harlem-Dike to the ruine almost of Gelders Zuphten Overystel Friezland and Holland Upon the least suspicion of War up came Chimney-money Poll-money Excise on Salt Beer Vinegar Wines Butter Oyl Candles all Grains Seeds Turff Coals Lead Brick Stone Wood Linnen and Woollen Clothes Silks Silver Gilt Wagons Coaches Ships and other Vessels Lands Pastures Gardens Nurseries Houses Servants Immovable Goods all Seals They forbid all affronts to their Lordships forsooth Strickland and St. John They drink and that was a great Argument of the High and Mighty States good affection in continuationem prosperitatem Reip Angliae Notwithstanding all which complyance the paltery thing called Our Parliament stayed a Fleet of theirs in the Downs forsooth till further Pleasure because there was Cordage Powder and Ammunition in them under the Corn. Whereupon His Majesty prospering in Scotland and a Peace being made with France the Mighty make bold to tell Sir John That they cannot answer his Proposition touching a League Offensive and Defensive under four Months for that they must send to all the Provinces for their advise and consent in a business of so high a concernment and our High and Mighties take snuff and call their Messengers home to the no little trouble of their Brethâ—en who beseech and intreat their stay but to no purpose the young Usurpers being intollerable when ever intreated to be kind and when that would not do pass this Vote The States General of the Netherlands having heard the Report of their Commissioners having had a Conference the day before with the Lords Embassadors of the Common-wealth of England do Declare That for their better satisfaction they do wholly and fully condescend and agree unto the 6 7 8 9 10 and 11 Propositions of the Lords Embassadors as also to the 1 2 3 4 and 8 Articles of the year 1575 made between H. 7th and Philip Duke of Burgundy Therefore the States do expect in the same manner as full and clear an Answer from the Lords Embassadors upon the 36 Articles delivered by their Commissioners 24th of June 1651. And not only so But they nominate the Heer Bever of Dort and the Heer Vell of Zealand with old Joachimi for Agents to the Common-wealth forsooth of England remembring the old Motto in Queen Elizabeths time Si Colâ—idimur frangimur Especially when the men at Westminster gave Letters of Mart to several Merchants to make themselves satisfaction for the losses they had suffered by Pickeroons belonging to the Netherlands Whereupon they filled up their Embassy with min Heer Schaep delaying the matter till the Kings Majesties business was decided Their 11 East-India ships worth a Million were put to sale an 160 sail arrived from Bourdeaux Mounsier Borreel could not prevail in France and the bold ones at Westminster make an Act as they called it for Increase of shipping the improvement of Trade the encouragement of Fishing and Navigation so prejudicial to the Cities of the Rine which together with the surprize of so many Amsterdamers awaked them so farr that Van Tromp with 36 sail in three Squadrons was ordered to Sea first to the Straights and then to the Downs to secure their Monopoly of Wine and Currans and Agents dispatcht to Denmark Sweden Portugal and France to strengthen the War in behalf of it altering their Embassadors for England whither they send the cunning Head-pieces mine Heer Catz and min Heer Scaep the last whereof in the mean time treats with France about Dunkirk and with Sweden about Neutrality The English men discourse of 100000 for Amboyna the Herring-fishing free passage through the Shee ll and the cautionary Towns frighting them to a resolution with 152 sail to commence a War eight Dutch ships being taken by the English as they came from New found-land and the Swedish Embassador Speering dealing under-hand with the English insomuch that they forbid any ship to stir from either the Mase or Texel and Amsterdam offereth an no sail as Zealand doth 40 on condition its Petition be granted about Letters of Mart the States fortifying Briel and Flushing prohibiting the Exportation of any Warlike Provisions and making a stay of all English ships In the mean time a certain Faction crept in that disturbed their Publick Peace at Middleburgh and Dort because they mentioned not the Prince of Orange in levying Souldiers till Trump departed in July with resolution to find out the English Yet espying Sir George Aiscue in the Downs with a Squadron was not able to bear up with him because of a Calm wherefore he addresseth himself against Blake in the North attending some Indian Vessels and taking the Dutch Herring-Busses from whom a Tempest parted him to his loss as the night did De Ruyter from Aiscue onely he met with Captain Badileyes 4 ships in the Straights and took the Phaenix which was re-gained by Captain Cox in Portologn upon a Dutch festival night when during the heat of the Holland Carouses he stole upon it in a Boat in the habit of a Dutchman which success was indeed allayed by Captain Appleton's weighing Anchor out of Legorn Mole sooner than he should and so falling into the hands of 22 Dutchmen of War before Captain Badiley could come
at him A while after General Blake discovered the Dutch Fleet on the backside of Godwyn-sands being about 60 men of War under Vice Admiral Witti Wittison against whom Captain Young Reynolds and Chapman having humbled the Legorn Merchants and their Convoy he bore up and notwithstanding he was on a dangerous Sand called Kentish Knocke where the water was not three fathoms deep assuring his Souldiers vast encouragements he staid by the Dutch Fleet till night parted them And next day though the wind was low bore North and by West up to them being then two â—eagues North-east of the English who coming with much adoe within shot of them made them so afraid they should get within them that they run for it 10 Frigats chasing them till 6 a clock at night June 18 excusing themselves to Captain Bourn that cross Winds had blown them upon our Coasts against their wills Yet having with fair words collogued with our Dons so farr that they laid up half their Fleet in Harbour upon the loss of their Plate-Fleet which they pretended was the King of Spains but really was theirs they appear before Dover with 70 men of War and 10 Fire-ships forcing Blake with but 42 men of War and them ill manned and worse commanded to engage to an unavoidable loss Which yet was quickly recompensed when withdrawing to the Harbour and in spight of the Hollanders industry to hinder all Nations from bringing any Tar Pitch or Masts into England equipping 80 sail against the 18th day of Feb. 1653 upon which day the Dutch Fleet in number about 80 sail with an 150 Merchant ships from Rovan Nants and Bourdeaux were discovered between the Isle of Wight and Portland and about 8 in the morning the Headmost of the Enlish Fleet came up and engaged them I mean the Triumph wherein Blake and Dean were with 3 or 4 more the rest not being able to get up holding 30 Dutch ships in play till two a clock in the afternoon when half the Fleet came up and fought the Hollanders till night And next morning Feb. 17 chased them to the Leeward having 60 Merchants and 9 men of War in our hands and 2000 men dead on the shore insomuch that the Hogens intreat a Peace by a new Embassador the Lord Paw and their Merchants are forced the long and perillous Voyage round the North by Ireland and Scotland and before Norway as did the Rochel and East-India Fleet that belonged to the Baltick Sea not daring else to stir out of the Flye For though the Spanish the Italian the Levant and Indian Merchants 145 sail in number attended by 90 men of War for their Convoy yet the English Fleet consisting only of 65 men of War being at Anchor on the South side of the Gober discovering them about two Leagues to Leeward being about 100 sail together weighed and bore sail to them with so furious a charge that night and next morning that they tore quite away as fast as they could only the wind freshing Westward The English bore in so hard among them that 12 of our men of War sunk 6 of theirs and had done the whole Fleet had not night surprized them so near the Godwyn-sands where the Dutch decoyed them that they were forced to weigh Anchor while the shattered Dutch got into the Texel the Wieling and the Flye the English resolving to pursue them to their own Coast as near as they durst where they took Prizes in a manner every day and as it were blocked them up Till beating up Drums first in their own name and when the people fell to a Tumult at Enchuysen because it was not in the Princes name in the young Prince of Orange his name they reinforced another Fleet pro aris for is to relieve their Coasts and themselves both imprisoned by an English Power quartering a great Body of Horse in the mean time for fear they should land and sending four Commissioners to England with most humble Propositions of Peace During which Treaty July 27 the English Scouts discovered a Dutch Fleet from the Wiâ—lings of about 75 men of War Upon notice whereof the English Fleet made what sail they could after them which the Dutch discerning stood away yet by five a clock that evening were Engaged by 30 English Frigats so resolutely that they sent away some torn ships in the night and stole themselves too undiscerned by the English into a designed conjunction with 25 sail of stout men they expected out of the Texel with whom they fell furiously on the English next morning When after some success against the Garland the Triumph and the Andrew by their Fire ships they observing the declining of their fortune bore away towards the Texel whither the English durst not follow them for fear a cross wind should meet with them at that shore where they saw the Dutch led to Harbour having lost their Admiral Vaâ— Tromp thirty men of War and 6000 men A defeat that set the Hague Alchmuer and many other places in Holland in an up roar and being added to their loss of seven Braziel ships on Calice Road taken by Captain Reynolds Moullon and Cranâ—ley and of Braziel it self recovered during this War by the Portugez The taking of 9 ships upon the coast of France by Captain Pack Wright and Jordan in spight of the French Protection The jealousies between Van Tromp and De Witt since the first knock on the Godwyn-sands after their ranting in one Pamphlet of their Lyon and his Prey in another of Englands being possessed with a Devil and in a third That Hollanders are Angels a Dutch man in his double Jugg proportion with a box of Butter in the one hand and a pickled Herring in the other is a Pretty Cherubim and English men Devils Notwithstanding their Threats of combining with the World against us that brought them on their knees in reiterated Messages of Peace not scrupling the perliminary Points of satisfaction formerly so much boggled at in former Treaties And shall these unhappy people that were baffled by a poor Remnant of a Rebellion undertake the Generous Honestâ— and full Power of a Monarchy That they who withstood not the distracted ambition of a few Out-lawes that were almost lost in the pursuit of other mens Estates and Powers presume against the settled authority of a Prince whose onely business is to preserve his own who frights none and is afraid of none having no Enemies because owning no undoing thought against any but such for whose ruine a true and satisfactory Reason may be given to the World In vain do they vapour against a Nation whose Government is fixed since they fell before it when it was loose alteration of Interests was their Hope then the sixedness of it must be their Fear now Then they had to do with many Factions now with one Interest Then with a Power that mistrusted it self whence they knew how to â—â—jole the Council of State against a Parliament as
both sorts than any people besides the French and English and no Timber yet spending more than any Nation Trav. 1. A Power that confines them at home starves them and one years stop on their Trade overthrows them Gent. I look upon the Dutch in this Quarrel with England like the Belly in its Controversie with the Members which fed them or like the Rebellion of Paris which saith the Historian was starved rather than Conquered But Sir the next Province Trav. 2. Zealand consisting of 7 Islands the remainder of 18 hath no more to secure it from Flanders than the left Branch of the River Scheld or Hont or from Brabant East-ward but the right Branch of the said River nor on the West from England but the Sea whereof the whole World knows who is Master A Province that is so ill provided with Wood that without a supply of Coals from New-Castle and Scotland hath no other remedy now but to digg Turffs out of the Banks too much weakned already thereby in the late English War and that is to be drowned for fear of being starved whose Fate depends upon â—lushing another cautionary Town formerly a poor one since the very Key of the Netherlands without whose License no ship could pass formerly either to or from Antwerp and the most capacious Haven Ramme or Armynygden Gent. 3. West Friezland Sir Trav. West-Friezland That hath no Fire but Cow-dung no Ayr but foggy no water but Marshy lyeth Eastward obnoxious to Westphalen in High-Germany N. and W. to the main Ocean Gent. Where lyeth the strength of that place Trav. 1. In the strong Castles that over-looks Harlingen-Haven and Staveren in that part of it called Westergoe 2. Leuwarden in that called Oastergoe The rest of the Countrey being the seven Forrests called Seven-Wolden In an Isle whereof called Schelink to divert you you may observe the taking of Dog-fish in this manner The men of the Island attire themselves with Beasts-skins and then fall to dancing with which sport the fish being much delighted makes out of the waters towards them Nets being pitched presently between them and the water which done the men put off their disguises and the frighted fish hastning towards the Sea are caught in their Toyles Gent. But if it please you the Scituation of Vtrecht Trav. 4. Vtrecht lyeth safe enough being surrounded by Holland and Gelderland East West North and South as doth 5. Overyssel onely West phalen casts a scurvey Aspect towards it Eastward Gent. Where lyeth the advantage against this Countrey Trav. In several parts of the Isle which is secured onely by Daventer and Campen as they are onely by the adjoyning Marshes which yet are rendred utterly unserviceable in one month of Frost as appears An. 1527 when the Imperialists were let into both these Provinces Gent. Please you Sir to go on Trav. 6. Gelderland which bred a Bull 1570 that weighed 3200 pound must watch the Elector of Bradenburgh Eastward whereon it s bounded with Cleveland whereof the States have got half into their hands and the Brabanters who shut it up South-ward Gent. Where lye the passages into this Countrey Trav. At the confluence of the Mase and the Wael where Duke Albert erected and the States maintain the Fort St. Andrews to command that Passage and Gelders the onely place in the Province that would never submit to the States Gent. Zuphten Sir Trav. 6. Zuphten lyeth at the mercy of Westphalen on the East and Cleveland on the South Gent. Where is this place usually attached Trav. Over the old Yssel from Westphalen onely Zuphten Groll and Doesburgh secure it which yet every year of the last War shifered their Masters so lyable they were both to surprize and Corruption 7. To which I may add Groning inclosed by the Friezlands on all sides save the North that lyeth open to the main Ocean succoured onely by Old Haven and Groning Gent. But have the States no holding in Flanders or Prabant Trav Yes they have the Sluyes the Isle of Castandt in Flanders with such plaees of Importance in Braâ—ant as may tempt their watchful Neighbours to improve this juncture of their breach with England to recover all the World knowing that when they are so mightily ingaged by Sea they will have but a very poor defence by Land and it being obvious to themselves but that Fate infatuates them it would punish that a breach with England may lose what amity with it hath gotten them Gent. I pray how bigg may this United State be Trav. It s Circuit is some 300 miles its walled Towns 71 whereof 23 belong to Holland 8 to Zealand 11 to West-Friezland 5 to Vtrecht 11 to Overyssel 16 to Geldâ—rland 8 to Zuphten And its Villages 1560 whereof 400 are in Holland and 300 in Zealand â—45 in West-Friezland 70 in Vtrecht an 100 in Overâ—sseâ— 300 in Gelderland 145 in Groning besides the Towns in Brabant â—landers and Cleveland Gent. I pray how stand all these Neighbours affected towards their United Province Trav. Westphaliae and the Bishop of Munster is disobliged about the Eyler-Sconce the Elector of Bradenburgh is not well pleased with some Passages in Cleveland the Emperour and Spain strenthen themselves in Flanders neither is the King of France without preparations in Picarty and Artois and all this while the King of Great Brittain hath made the most dreadful preparations against them that any Age can remember Gent. This is so sad that it must needs sink any other people but the Dutch who are so much given to hope that like St Clemens though drowned they have an Anchor about their necks Trav. Yet this is not all for the Hollanders under pretence of Liberty of Trade which the Duke of Rhoan saith is their Interest having engrossed a Monopoly of it which all the World decrees as their Usurpation The industrious Portugeze whom they have wormed almost out of all their discoveries in Asia and Africa upon the least Truce with Spain would set up Reprizâ—ls as well for their Trade as their Goods on either side of the Line The incensed Swede is ready to revenge Modern affronts and former unkindnesses besides his design for free Trade in the Balticc-sea The concerned Dane must secure his Sound or quit his Kingdom The generous French meditate a free Trade and an Universal Commerce equally suitable to the inclinations and necessities of Man-kind in order whereunto as Sir George Downing observes he hath permitted his Subjects the recovery of some places in the Dutch hands with Honour the loss whereof his Predecessors connived at not without some disgrace What the Duke of Muscovy may do when disabused is obvious to discerning men who know that those Northern and indeed all rude people are never more implacable than when imposed upon never knowing upon what ground to trust when once deceived Neither is Christendom onely offended by this unhappy people who when put on by an Heathen Prince that forbad Christians Trade to the sad choiâ—e to