A Narrative OR JOURNAL Of the Proceedings of their Excellencies the Right Honourable the Lord HOLLES AND THE Lord COVENTRY Appointed by His Majesty of Great Britain to be his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries for the Treaty held at BREDA With the Ambassadors of the French King the King of Denmark and the States General of the United Provinces By a Person of Quality concerned in this Ambassy In the SAVOY Printed by Tho. Newcomb and are to be sold by Robert Pawlet at the Bible in Chariety-lane near Serjeants-Inne 1667. A Narrative or Journal of the Proceedings of their Excellencies the Right Honourable the Lord Holles and the Lord Coventry appointed by his Majesty of Great Britain to be his Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries for the Treaty held at Breda with the Ambassadors of the French King the King of Denmark and the States General of the United Provinces BEing Monday April 29. 1667. their Excellencies the English Ambassadors weighed Anchor from the Hope His Excellency the Lord Holles in the Kent Fregat commanded by Captain Silver His Excellency the Lord Coventry on board the Amity commanded by Captain Poyn both Ships carrying white Flags in the Main top From the Hope they fell down to the Bnoy in the Nore and so to the Gunfleet from whence they weighed again on Thursday Following being the second of May about two in the morning having a very excellent Passage May 2. About eight in the evening their Excellencies arrived before Flushing about five leagues off the Coast and there made up to them a Dogger-boat sent out by order of the States to attend their Excellencies approach and to give notice of the same which the Dogger-boat did by shooting of several Guns Upon which signal there presently hafted out six noble Yachts or Pleasure-boats two belonging unto Holland two unto Zealand one to the States General and one to the East India Company which met their Excellencies a league from shore and at their first meeting there passed great Acclamations of joy The Yachts lowred their Topsails their Trumpets sounded and the first salute of their Trumpets we observed to be the Tune of The King shall enjoy his own again Presently after there came on board their Excellencies two Gentlemen sent by Monsieur Seneschy a Colonel and belonging to Zealand the chief person appointed by the States to complement and conduct their Excellencies to Breda which two Gentlemen did in the name of the States and particularly of those of the Province of Zealand and of the Deputies of Middleburg congratulate their Excellencies safe arrival and further acquainted their Excellencies that there were several persons of Quality on board those Yachts who came to wait upon their Excellencies and were ready to receive them into the Yachts if their Excellencies so pleased Their Excellencies returned answer That it was so late it would be inconvenient for them to remove that night and therefore they-thought better to deferr it until nine or ten of the Clock next morning In this conference those Gentlemen taking some further occasion to express the particular respects of the States of Zealand to the Person and Interest of his Majesty of Great Britain His Excellency the Lord Holles replied That His Majesty also particularly desired to satisfie and assure those of Zealand that he highly owned their Respects and would be also ready to express a sensibleness and suitable good will to them when any occasion should present it self After which those Gentlemen abundantly satisfied departed with much cheerfulness May 3. Colonel Seneschy attended by about a dozen Gentlemen came on board their Excellencies and did in the name of the States and the rest congratulate their safe arrival and acquainted them That he was commanded to wait on their Excellencies to Breda and about two of the Clock in the Afternoon their Excellencies went on board the Yachts and anchored that night before the Rammekins At their going off in their Yachts from before Flushing they were very respectfully saluted by the Great Guns from the Town and from all the Ships of Note in the Road and also by all the Forts and Block-houses on the River-side May 4. Saturday At night their Excellencies arrived at Terheyd a small Fort half a league from Breda Their Excellencies were treated very honourably all the way c. Monsieur Seneschy declaring that the States had allowed Eighteen hundred pounds sterling for their Entertainment May 5. Being Sunday Monsieur Courtin one of the French Ambassadors sent a Gentleman to congratulate their Excellencies safe arrival May 6. In the morning Monsieur Courtin came himself incognito to give their Excellencies a visit After which his Excellency the Lord Coventry departed incognito to Breda At Breda there were two houses adjoining together taken up for their Excellencies and their Families and the walls broak through from one house unto the other for their mutual Entercourse May 7. In the morning a Gentleman came from Monsieur Courtin with his Coach unto his Excellency the Lord Holles his Excellencies own Coach being not yet ready to bring him incognito to Breda But his Excellency with a return of much respect excused himself from making use of it On the same day his Excellency the Lord Holles upon the invitation of the Governour of Terheyd removed on shore to lie in the Fort. May 8. His Excellency was Treated by Monsieur Seneschy on board the Yachts and May 9. His Excellency entertained Monsieur Seneschy and the Gentlemen with him on shore in the Fort. May 10. His Excellencies House in Breda being in some measure fitted for his Reception he removed incognito to Breda After their Excellencies arrival at Breda there were already arrived Monsieur D' Estrade and Monsieur Courtin Ambassadors for France Monsieur Clinenberg and Monsieur Charisius Plenipotentiaries for Denmark and Monsieur Beverningk Monsieur D' Huybert and Monsieur Jongestal Plenipotentiaries for the States May 11. Monsieur D' Estrade gave their Excellencies a private visit after which their Excellencies prepared for their publick Entry In order to which May 14. On Tuesday Their Excellencies with their retinue went incognito out of Breda to the Speele-house a pleasant summer house in the Prince of Oranges Park some distance from the Town and there spending some time till Monsieur Valkenhaen Lievtenant Governour of the Town came to wait upon their Excellencies Sir George Charnock the Knight Martial immediately by their Excellencies Commands disposed the train into this Order First rode eight Grooms on Horseback after them eight Pages all in the Ambassadors rich Livery then four of his Majesties Trumpeters next rode their Excellencies two Gentlemen of the Horse then immediately next before their Excellencies own Coach rode the Knight-Marshal to the Ambassie bearing in his hand a Richly guilded Batton or Staff the Ensign of his Office his Horse attended on each side with Footmen in the Ambassadors Liveries then followed his Excellencie the Lord Holles his first Coach which was
both in it self and all the Furniture of the Horses exceeding Rich and Royal In this Coach rode their Excellencies accompanied with Monsieur the Marquess of Hauterive Governor of Breda and Monsieur Seneschy and several others who are Sons and Brothers to some of the Nobilitie also Nicholas Morrice Esq Son to the Right Honorable Sir William Morrice Principal Secretary of State who was by his Majesties special appointment Secretarie unto the Ambassie a Gentleman of eminent Desert particularly for the diligent and prudent discharge of his imployment in this Affair The said Coach was attended on each side by the gross of the Footmen being near Fifty in number in very costly and rich Liveries Next followed his Excellencie the Lord Coventries first Coach which was also of a suitable Magnificence Next followed the Lord Holles his second Coach and then the Lord Coventries second Coach in all which Coaches their Excellencies were also attended by divers other persons of Honor and Quality After that went the Governors of the Town then the Coaches of the several Nobilitie and Gentry about the Town There were drawn up in the Park three Troops of Horse to attend their Excellencies The first of which upon their Excellencies moving by after having very respectfully saluted them advanced and led the way at the head of all out of the Park The other two Troops stood still while the whole Train passed by all of which they with like respect saluting closed in after and brought up the rear At the head of these was Monsieur Ouderkirk Captain of one of the Troops and Gentleman of the Horse to the Prince of Orange a brave young Cavalier and Brother to the Right Honorable the Lord Arlingtons Lady At their Excellencies entrance into the Town they were received by Monsieur the Marquess d'Hauterive the Governor with all possible demonstrations of Kindness and Respects to which their Excellencies having made suitable Returns invited him into their own Coach which he accepted accordingly There was all the Souldiery in the Town amounting to about Two thousand Foot besides the rest of the Horse disposed at the ends of all Streets they passed by And the whole great Market being the principal place for Beauty and Largeness in the Town was filled with Horse and Foot leaving onely room for the Coaches to pass At this place appeared the greatest State and Splendor of the Solemnitie during the whole time of which the great Guns from all sides of the Town liberally discharged what contribution they owed to so joyful an appearance It is not conceivable how the spectators who in throngs filled all Windows and Streets were transported with admiration and content insomuch that from the unanimous Content of all their expressions it may be truly affirmed that nothing of this nature hath ever been performed with more advantage to the Honour of the English Nation Being arrived at their own House they found a very splendid Entertainment provided for their Excellencies and their Retinue by the States appointment where Monsieur the Marquess d'Hanterive Monsieur Valkenhaen Monsieur Ouder kirk and Monsieur Seneschy with the Noble persons that accompanied their Excellencies and those who attended them in the several Coaches did all Dine in their Excellencies Presence May 15. The French Ambassadors did in the morning give their Excellencies a publique visit and in the afternoon the Danish Plenipotentiaries gave their Excellencies a visit May. 16. The French Ambassadors did again in the morning give their Excellencies a publique visit and in the afternoon their Excellencies gave the French Ambassadors a publique visit May. 17. The Swedish Ambassadors having not yet made their publique Entrie gave their Excellencies a visit incognite And after them the Ministers of the Town gave a visit and the same morning their Excellencies visited the Danish Plenipotentiaries In the afternoon the States Plenipotentiaries visited their Excellencies May 18. The Burgomasters of the Town waited upon the Ambassadors The same morning their Excellencies visited the States Plenipotentiaries In the afternoon their Excellencies visited Monsiour d'Hanterive the Governor May 19. Their Excellencies visited the Swedish Ambassadors and some of the following days were likewise spent in visits The place appointed for the Treaty was at the Castle In the Castle there was a large Room next unto the great Hall richly hung with Tapestry and in the middle of the Room was a round Table covered over with green Velvet over which hung a Canopie of green Velvet over-shadowing all the Table about which were placed many Chairs and Cushions suitable the floor of the Room under the Table and round about the same was covered also with green Velvet To this Room there were three doors one opening into the great Hall at the other end of the Room was another door and the third door was on the side of the Room next to the Gallerie However the Ambassadors not finding it convenient to make use of this Room for their ordinary meeting together made choice of several distinct appartments the the Swedish Mediators passing betwixt from one to the other as there was occasion communicated their several Proposals Objections and all of that Nature relating to the Negotiation which manner of proceeding was observed during the whole Treaty May 25. Being Saturday The respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries according to appointment came to their several appartments in the Castle and the Treaty was begun in the method aforesaid During their whole residence at Breda there passed not at any time any disrespect between the persons interessed in the Treaty nor any of their followers or Retinue but every thing carried on with all mutual civilities and kindness After the first general meeting on the 25th of May there was a discontinuance of all Treaty and Transactions until the three and twentieth day of June and during the said time very few if any visits were made June 23. In the morning their Excellencies the English Ambassadors visited the Swedish Ambassadors June 25. The French Ambassadors visited their Excellencies and were in conference with them above three hours And in the afternoon of the same day the Swedish Ambassadors visited their Excellencies and were in conference with them above three hours June 26. Their Excellencies visited the French and Swedish Ambassadors and were with them all the Afternoon June 27. All the Respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries came to their several appartments in the Castle about four of the Clock in the Afternoon and continued their Treaty till about nine in the evening in manner as before June 28. The Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries came to their several appartments in the Castle about five a Clock and continued their Treaty till about nine in the Everning in manner as before June 29. The Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries came again to their several appartments in the Castle at nine in the morning and continued on their Treaty till about one of the Clock in manner as before and they came again in the Afternoon
Treat of all Fowl the season afforded they were entertained with a noble Banquet In the street before the said Stadthouse was erected a large Scaffold on which were several Figures serving to artificial Fireworks all performed by an excellent Engineer At each end of the Scaffold were erected four Structures in equal distances from the Scaffold about sixteen foot high each Structure full of Arms with burning Flambeaux The Fireworks continued and the Flambeaux were burning the streets full of Horse and Foot Trumpets sounding Drums beating and Colours flying for the most part of the night all the windows of the Houses full of People great acclamations and demonstrations of Joy through the whole Town Aug. 15. During the time of the Treaty the Ambassadors had received very good Testimony of the Pious endeavours used by Mr. Ernest Mr. Halsins and Mr. Planet three Ministers in Breda both in their Frayers in publique and otherwise for Gods blessing upon the Treaty for a Peace and happy Union betwixt the two Nations The said Mr. Ernest and Mr. Plance being also Professors in the Schools at Breda and themupon their Excellencies were pleased to signifie to the Lord Chancellor of the Universitie of Oxford their respective Merits and obtained of his Lordship three Diploma's from that University whereby they received as Rewards of their good affection the Degrees of Doctors in Divinity And on this day the Ambassadors being in a great Room of their Palace and seated in two Chairs at the upper end of a Table in the said Room the Gentlemen of the Ambassy attending about them in the Room the said three Ministers were introduced into the Room by Doctor Mew Doctor in Divinity and Fresident of St. Johns Colledge in Oxford a person who hath morated much by the several good offices of Prudence Industry and Piety which he hath eminently discharged in the service of Chaplain to their Excellencies and after a concise and eloquent Latine Speech by him made for that occasion the Condition of the persons receiving that Honour the Renown of the University his Mother and the Dignity of their Excellencies and the said Ministers return of thanks for the Honour Doctor Mew delivered the said Diploma's unto them respectively Aug. 27. Their Excellencies dispached Sir George Charnock with expresses unto his Majesty of the Exchange of the Ratifications and of Proclaiming of the Peace and several publications of the same And the said Sir George coming to Middleburgh was very civily treated by the President of the Admiralty and had a Warrant to one of the States Men of War then at Tervere who lay ready to transport him for England the Ship being by the States Order well furnished with Provisions for his entertainment in his passage and Sir George embarquing took into her also many English Prisoners and came to the North-foreland where were riding the Vice-Admiral of North-Holland with about four Dutch-men of War to whom Sir George gave notice of the Proclamations of the Peace At which the Vice-Admiral expressed much joy and so did all the Seamen with very great Shouts and Acclamations and then shot off many Guns and immediately after hung up their blew Flag weighed Anchor and went away Sir George landed at Margett and there took Post-horse immediately for London Aug. 23. Very early in the morning he came to Whitehall and in discharge of his Duty delivered his Expresses Aug. 24. By His Majesties special Command the Peace with the French Dane and Dutch was Proclaimed by three several Proclamations at the Court Gate and at the usual places in the City of London by the Heraulds Serjeants at Armes with the Trumpets and other Officers attending The Right Honourable the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London waiting also upon the publication of the same from Temple-Bar through the City unto Bishopsgate-street to Gresham-house the present Exchange where the last Publications and Proclamations were made During the time after the dispatch of the formentioned Publications there passed diverse Invitations and Entertainments betwixt the several Ambassadors while they remained till His Majesties Fregats the Portland and the Reserve arriving at Flushing for their Excellencies reconveyance into England they took their journey from Breda thither accordingly being by the way very earnestly importuned to receive a Treat from the States at Middleburgh which in regard of the haste they desir'd to make in returning to his Majesties farther service they excused themselves from staying to accept of coming after on board their Fregats They set sayl from before Flushing on Monday morning September the 9th and quitting the Fregats before Gravesend they entred there into Barges sent down express by His Majesty and arrived at Whitehall on Friday the 13th in the Afternoon where they were most graciously received by His Majesty FINIS