the Romans the title of companions seeming not kind enough since the Countrey was over-run by the Danes and Normans who were long masters of it but in the time of Pepin King of France they recover'd their liberties CHAP. II. Therry of Aquitain the First Earl THe most receiv'd opinion of the learned Antiquaries is That Thyerry or Childeric Duke of Aquitain was made Earl of Holland by Charles the ball'd Emperour and King of France He took possession of it in the year 863 and tam'd the fury of the Frizelanders his Subjects growing weary of the long peace which he did politickly keep with all his neighbours conspir'd against him and drive him out of Holland but by the assistance of the Emperour's Forces he subdued them and punished the authors of the rebellion His Wife was Jane daughter to King Pepin of Italy Having reigned forty years in Holland he dyed peaceably leaving his State to his Son Thyerry the Second Succeeding his Father married Hulgard Daughter to Lewis King of France He overcame the Frizelanders in two pitch'd Battels and re-built the Monastery of Egmont which they had burn'd He died after he had governed eighty eight years and lyes buried at Egmont Arnulph or Arnout the Third This Earl maintain'd a long War against the Frizelanders in which he was at last kilâ—'d and buried at Egmont having reign'd five years Thyerry the Fourth Thyerry the third was preferr'd to the dignity of Earl of Holland before his elder Brother and married the Daughter of the Emperour Otho In his time there appeared a Comet which seem'd to prognostick the War that happen'd with the Bishop of Utrect after the loss of much Nobâ—lity the said Bishop was taken and kept prisoner for a long time because he did obstinately refuse all conditions of peace This Duke to revenge his Fathers death over-ran and ruin'd most of East-Frizeland and at last gave it to Florent his younger Son After this he undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and died coming back Thyerry the Fifth Thyerry the fourth of this name and Earl of Holland being gone to Leege to a publick Turnament and having in it kill'd the Bishop of Cullen in revenge thereof was pursued to Dort and there kill'd Florent the Sixth Florent the first of this name succeeded in his Brothers place who died without issue he forsook Frizeland to come and govern Holland he had Wâ—r with the Archbishop of Cullen the Bishop of Leege and the Earl of Louvain whom he defeated luckily by a stratagem invented by an old man who advis'd him to cause deep Ditches to be made upon his enemies way and to cover them over with straw and hay this design succeeded and his enemies falling in great numbers he charg'd them so smartly and at such an advantage that he obtain'd a great victory the Archbishop nevertheless having rallied his scattered Army came again into Holland and was again defeated A little after the Earl Florent was treacherously kill'd Gertrude of Saxony the Seventh This Princess took the reins of the Government in hand after the death of her Husband and during the minority of her Son She was married a second time to Robert of Frizeland and died having govern'd in great tranquillity She left divers Children by both her Husbands Robert of Frizeland the Eighth This Prince is reckoned amongst the Earls of Holland though he were but Guardian to the young Thyerry he acquitted himself with much integrity and honour of this his employment but he was driven out of his State by Godfrey of Lorrain who by the strength and assistance of the Bishop of Utrect possest himself of his Countrey Godfrey the Ninth Godfrey being in possession of Holland built the Town of Delft subdued the Frizelanders and after a happy Reign was at last treacherously murdered Thyerry the Tenth This Prince the true and lawfull Heir having at last recover'd his own made it his business to clear his Countrey of the Bishop of Utrect's Forces which he did by making peace with him after which he set upon the Frizelanders and having pass'd his Army over the Ice he encountred theirs and kill'd four thousand upon the place nevertheless they rallied and coming up with new Forces challenged the Earl and his Army which he bore so impatiently that immediately charging them with all fury he routed them and in pursuit of his victory spar'd neither man woman nor childe This bloody execution made them promise obedience After which the Earl died in 1091. having reigned fifteen years his Wâ—fe was of the House of Saxony Florent the Fat the Eleventh This Floâ—ent govern'd Holland for thirty one years being a very tall corpulent man his inclination was peace and was very charitable He left four Children by his Wife Petronella of Saxony Sister to the Emperour Lotaire He died in the flower of his age and left the administration to his Wife during the minority of his Children All his Subjects had a great respect and veneration for his piety Thyerry the Twelfth Thyerry the sixth of that name was married to Sophia Daughter to Otho Count Palatine by whom he had four Sons and three Daughters He chastized the Frizâ—landers but they rallying again fell stoutly upon North-Holland and burnt the Town of Alcmaer being in a way to make their anger still more sensible to his State if he had not resolutely opposed them A little after hearing that his Brother-in-law was taken prisoner by them and that his Forces were also defeated by the Bishop of Utrect he immediately led his Army and sate down before the Town with so much resolution that he had undoubtedly taken it had not the Bishop for a last shift put on his Pontificall habit and come out with the rest of his Clergy to excommunicate the Count. Thyerry then fell upon his knees and to avoid the excommunication asked pardon and raised his siege He was at lâ—st kill'd by the Frizelanders having reign'd forty five years Florent the Thirteenth Florent took place after Thyerry and married with great transport of joy the Daughter of the King of Scotland which Wibold Abbot of Egmond had brought to one of the Sea-Towns He had by her four Sons and four Daughters He chastized the Frizelanders who had once again burnt Alcmaer and died gloriously at Antioch after he had seen the Sarrasins defeated and driven out of the holy Land Thierry the Fourteenth Thierry succeeded and had by his Wife Alide of Cleves two Daughters whereof one was married to Henry of Gueldre and the other to the Earl of Loen He made War in Brabant and took Boisteduc but was at last taken prisoner by the Duke of Lorrain Ada the Fifteenth Ada Countess of Holland and Daughter to Thierry did not govern long for being married to the Earl of Loen whom most of the neighbouring Princes did envy there were many seditions fomented in her State which at last broke out with great effusion of blood William the Sixteenth William the first of the
was Daughter of William the Good and Wife to Lewis of Bavaria Emperour She came with a great retinue into Holland and having took possession gave the Government to her Son William reserving for her self a Pension every year She sold all the Estates the Frizelanders had in Holland to revenge her Brothers death She died in the year 1355. and in her ended the House of Hainant CHAP. IV. The House of Bavaria William of Bavaria the Twenty fifth VVIlliam the fifth Duke of Bavaria and Son to the Empress Margaret govern'd three years and had no Children by his Wife who was of the House of Lancaster He ran mad and kill'd a Gentleman of great quality whereupon his Subjects gave him a Guardian who was Albert the Twenty sixth Albert his Brother govern'd as Guardian for the space of thirty years after which time the right fell to him and he reign'd sixteen more He had by his first Wife William Albert and John afterwards Bishop of Leege Katherine Dutchess of Gueldres Mary of Burgundy Jane of Austria and Jane Queen of Bohemia In second marriage he took the Daughter of the Duke of Cleves The Frizelanders felt the effects of his just anger William the Twenty seventh William the sixth Son to Albert was twice married first to the Daughter of Charles King of France who died without issue secondly to the Daughter of Philip the bold Duke of Brabant by whom he had a Daughter call'd Jacqueline He made War with the Duke of Gueldres but after he made not only peace but friendship with him A little before he died he made an assembly of the States in which his Daughter was by common consent proclaim'd his Heiress He died in the same year which was the thirteenth of his Reign Jacqueline the Twenty eighth Jacqueline being sixteen years old was married to the Dolphin of France Son to Charles the sixth who died the first year of their marriage and left her at liberty to marry John Son to the Duke of Brabant but this marriage being void by reason of the proximity of blood they being Cousin-germans before the cause could be decided at Rome she went into England and there was married anew to Humphrey Duke of Gloucester Brother to King Henry but this marriage being likewise made void by the Pope she married Francis de Borsales who was taken prisoner by the Duke of Burgundy In her time there were many civil Wars and by her death her State fell to Philip of Burgundy and in her ended the House of Bavaria CHAP. V. The House of Burgundy Philip the Good the Twenty ninth PHilip of Burgundy Son to John of Burgundy and Margaret Daughter of Albert Duke of Bavaria added this noble accession to his Dutchy He had three Wives the first Michelle Daughter to Charles the sixth King of France who died without Children His second was Claudina Daughter to Robert Earl of Heu who was also barren His third was Isabelle of Portugal by whom he had three Sons who died young and the fourth nam'd Charles Earl of Charoloâ—â— lived He govern'd thirty four years he was a vertuous witty Prince One day some body telling him that the inhabitants of Gâ—â—nt did much court his Son Charles he answer'd that they were much given to love their Masters Son but that they would hate him when he should be their Master He receiv'd some injury from the King of England and in revenge besieged Calais with a prodigious Army but the inhabitants of Ghent and Bruges forsaking his Army because he did not act according to their hasty expectations were the ruine of his design This Prince was the first that instituted at the Hague the Order of the Golden Fleece and it has been since transferr'd to the House of Austria His ordinary stay was at Bruges in Flanders where he died Charles Earl of Charolois the Thirtieth Charles sirnamed the Warrier succeeded to his Father By his first Wife Katherine of France he had no Children but by his second Elizabeth of Bourbon he had the Princess Mary War was this Princes inclination which he begun against the King of France Lewis the eleventh He chastized the inhabitants of Liege and caused the Town to be laid waste He was still out-witted by Lewis though he were assisted by the Constable de St. Paul whom Lewis beheaded He drove the Duke of Larrain out of his Countrey who recover'd it again by the assistance of the Swissers against whom by his fault he lost a great Battle and in the hopes of revenge having engaged them with a new Army he lost above sixteen thousand men And at last his ill fortune still pursuing him he went to besiege Nancy and was there betrayed by an Italian whom he loved and trusted too much his Army defeated and himself kill'd upon the place It is thought that his design was to have extended his Dominions as far as Italy by Lorrain and the Swissers and that he had often desir'd the Emperour to erect his States into a Kingdome Never Prince was more courted by forreign Powers than he for he had one only Daughter extream handsome and who was to inherit all his Dominions he promis'd her to none but gave fair words to all His death was much resented by his Subjects and hardly beleev'd by the Hollanders Lewis King of France was very glad of his death for he stood much in awe of his power and 't is thought that he prevailed with money upon this Italian to betray him Mary Countess of Charolois Dutchess of Burgundy and Countess of Holland the Thirty first The loss of this great Warriour brought a great consternation amongst his people and made them assemble the generall States at Louvain to take care for the safety of those Provinces and their Mistress This young Lady was then about fourteen years old when the tragick news of her Fathers death reach'd her ears The Emperour Ferdinand did desire her for his Son Maximilian and Lewis of France for his Dolphin Charles and it seem'd that the Ladies inclinations were more inclin'd o the French but they too hasty to seize the prey having entred Artois with an Army the States gave her to Maximilian the Emperours Son the Countess of Meguen her Governant having boldly said that the Princess was of age to bear a man and therefore they should not give her a childe such as the Dolphin of France was The French upon this marriage were so incensed that they laid wast all the Countrey of Artois and from thence fell upon Hainaut They tryed also to annoy these Provinces by Sea but were beaten by the Hollanders This excellent Lady having liv'd some years in admirable union with her Husband fell one day as she was a hunting and broke two ribbs whereupon a Feaver citing her she died in the year 1482. She left a Son call'd Philip and Margaret her Daughter CHAP. VI. The House of Austria Maximilian the Thirty second THis Imperiall Prince having married the Princess Mary at
of severity and mildness he had without doubt better fitted the humour of the Nations he had to do with He is to this very day in great aversion among the Hollanders who call all cruell men by his name It is said of him that he bragg'd he had brought above 18000. to their end by the hand of justice I know not whether it be true but I know that the States have founded the justice of their pretensions upon his cruelties He govern'd six years and left no body afflicted for his depart It was said and well said that either King Philip should never have sent him or never have recall'd him CHAP. IX The Government of Don Lewis and the great Councell of State LEwis of Requesens high Commander of the Kingdome of Castilia was sent in the place of the Duke and his famous Statue which he had caused to be set up in Antwerp was pull'd down by his order to the great satisfaction of the States His first care was to set out a Fleet to succour Mondragonius a brave Captain who had defended Middleburgh almost two years but he was ignorant that the Sea was the Throne these Nations intended to settle their Empire in The Earl Bossu had been beaten the year afore by the Hollanders and now the Zelanders burn'd and destroyed this Fleet in the presence of Don Lewis and took Middleburgh The Count Lewis of Nassaw had worse fortune for having brought a brave Army out of Germany he was met at Nimmiegue by Davila and entirely defeated himself and his Brother slain This victory was followed by a sedition in the Spanish Army which much weakened their power but being appeas'd were sent before Leyden in hopes of having the pillageing of that Town but being there shamefully repulsed their indignation fell upon their Generall whom they detained in prison till they had received their full pay After that they took Oudewater and Schoonhof Many Propositions and Treaties were advanced but none taking effect Don Lewis fram'd that famous enterprize by many thought impossible of besieging Ziriczee This Island was in the Confederates hands and the Royalists waded through the Sea up to the neck to go and besiege it 't is true there was no hopes of a return the Sea being encreased by the flowing water Ziriczee held out nine moneths after which it yeelded Vitellio a great Captain died during that siege and Don Lewis followed him shortly after By his death the Authority came into the hands of the Couâ—cell of State who for want of union ruin'd the Kings affairs and gave occasion to a fourth sedition of the Spaniards A little after followed the pacification of Gand and the alliance of the Provinces against the Spaniards who seeing themselves generally hated and that the inhabitants of Antwerp were about to divide the Town from the Cittadell by a Trench agreed at last with the Governour Davila and sallying out plunder'd the Town for three dayes together which was a most barbarous and detestable action CHAP. X. The Government of Don John of Austria and of the Prince of Parma DOn John of Austria was receiv'd Governour upon condition that he should subscribe to the pacification of Gand which he did but finding himself without Authority he surprized Namur whereupon the States proclaimed him as an enemy and raised an Army He was a Bastard of Charles the fifth and had made himself famous by that immortall Battle of Lepanto against the Turks in which he was Generall The States chose in the mean time the Archduke Matthias Brother to the Emperour Rodolf for their Governour Then having assembled their Army at Gemblours they faced Don Johns Forces who couragiously engaging them obtained the victory but liv'd not long after it declaring Alexander Prince of Parma for his successour This was that famous Alexander who by his valour and conduct reduced all Artois Hainaut Flanders and Brabant to their obedience who took Antwerp Malines Ipres Brussels and many other Cities and at last he had brought the Confederates to the necessity of submitting to some forreign Prince for protection if God had not raised up Prince Morrice to defend them In the mean time the Archduke Matthias finding that the States had a mind to be rid of him and were ready to call the Duke of Alencon and make him Duke of Brabant left the Low-Countreys The Duke of Alencon went first into England in hopes of being married to Queen Elizabeth but the match being deferr'd he went into Brabant and took possession of the Dutchy In the year 1582. the Prince of Orange was shot in the face with a Pistoll which made the people take some jealousie of the French and threaten to cut their throats and their new Dukes He on his side did complain that all the Authority was in the Prince of Orange his hand and thereupon fram'd a design upon Antwerp but fail'd when it came to the execution so that they were forced to leave the Town and soon after Alexander made them quit the Countrey in which he did still advance having taken Tournay Oudenard and Breda defeated Biron and taken Dunkirk All this while William Prince of Orange was seriously employed in framing and giving Laws to this new Commonwealth but being wakened by the progress of Alexander Duke of Parma he made a Remonstrance to the United Provinces that now there was but two wayes left to provide for their safety the one was to submit and patiently yeeld to the Spanish domination the other to declare the King of Spain to be fallen from and to have lost his right to the said Provinces and thereupon choose another Prince mentioning the Duke of Alenson The last of these was followed and in a generall Assembly at Antwerp King Philip was depriv'd of his right and power in those Provinces and the Duke of Alenson as it has been said before chosen in his place It is to the great wit and prudence of this Prince of Orange that Holland owes its liberty but he liv'd not to enjoy the fruit of his labour for he was assassinated at Delft the same year and day that the Duke of Alenson died at Chasteaâ— Thyerry Alexander having reduced Ipres and Bergue resolv'd against the opinion of all to besiege Antwerp and though he met with inconceivable difficulties in the execution yet he atchiev'd his enterprize with great glory But his noble actions and the brave resistance of the United Provinces with all the series of the long War they have maintain'd for the defence of their liberties have been eloquently written by divers good Authors to whom we refer the Reader our scope in this short Narration being only to instruct him how Holland and the other Provinces were govern'd before their union which having perform'd we now come to our main design which is to give a particular Account of this Union of the Conditions upon which it was concluded and by which it yet stands as it follows in the Second Part of this Book
THE SECOND BOOK Containing the State and Government OF THE United Provinces OF THE LOW-COUNTRIES CHAP. I. The League and Union of the Provinces IT was in the Year 1579. that some of the 17. Provinces formerly under the Dominion of Philip King of Spain began to be call'd the United Provinces because of the League and Union which they made to defend themselves against the Spaniard their common Enemy and though these Provinces be now in the number of seven yet at first they were not so many but those that are mentioned in the Annals are these following Gueldre Zutphen Holland Zeeland the Diocess of Utrect Friezland or that Country which is call'd Omland situated between the Rivers Ems and Larica the Country about Nimmiegue and Arnhem the greatest part of the grietmans of Friezland Antwerp Ypres and Breda The Provinces call'd Overyssel and Groningue followed their example and were admitted into the Union in the Year 1594. Here follow the Articles of this Union 1. That all the aforesaid Provinces shall be as straightly and intimately united as if they did all make up one entire Province and Politick body and that they shall never be capable of being dis-united by any will codicil gift cession sale contract agreement or mariage of any Prince nor by any other means whatsoever 2. That every one of these Provinces shall inviolably keep and enjoy all their Immunities Customs Priviledges and Statutes of their Ancestors that they shall help one another against all Enemies whatsoever that if it should happen that any contentions should arise between the said Provinces that the de-bate should be judged either by the ordinary Judges or by Umpires friendly chosen and in the mean time they shall forbear troubling and offending one another till sentence be pronounced 3. The said Provinces shall be bound to defend and protect each other mutually and freely against all Princes and Lords either of their own Country or Foreigners who shall offer to invade them or commit any act of hostility whatsoever and for this effect they shall raise such Forces and such Money and Contribution as shall be thought fit and judged necessary by the greatest and major part of the Confederates 4. To the end that the said Provinces be alwayes in a readiness and provided against all designs of their Enemies the Frontier Towns shall be Fortified and provided with Men and Ammunition at the Publick charge by the consent of all the Provinces and that those whose Towns are already Fortified shall nevertheless contribute as the rest and if there be found necessity of building any new Forts demolishing or changeing the old ones that it be done at a common charge 5. And to the end that the necessary means whereby to answer all these designs fail not there shall be leavied and raised every where alike and by the same form and way Taxes and Imposts upon all sorts of Wine Beer Wheat Corn Salt Cloths Silks Cattle till'd and pasture Grounds the weight of Merchandizes weighed in publick weights c. That those Regal Rights belonging heretofore to the King of Spain shall still remain and be converted to the use aforesaid that all the Money raised by these or any other wayes shall not be destin'd nor imployed for any other use than for the defence of the said Provinces and the said Imposts shall be lessened or encreased according to publick emergencies 6. That the Frontier Towns shall be bound to receive or dismiss all Garrisons by the command of the States as likewise to pay them their pay out of the publick Money and to the end the safety of the said Towns be the better preserv'd it is agreed that the Officers of the Garrisons shall be sworn not only to the States General but also to the Magistrates of the particular Towns they shall be in that care be taken to make a Military Law to the end the Souldiers be not trouble some to the Inhabitants that the Souldiers themselves in Garrison be not freed from paying the Imposts and there be a sum set apart by the States to pay the Citizens for the lodging and quartering of Souldiers 7. That a moneth after the publication of this Union there be a general review made of all those that have attain'd the age of 18. years and are under 60. and that their Names be registred and declared to the States General to be imployed as they shall think fit 8. That there be made neither Peace War nor Truce nor new Imposition without the consent of all the Provinces not one resisting or standing out and as for the other things that concern the administration and execution of the said alliance that they be undertaken and perform'd by those that shall be appointed by the greatest part of the Confederates yet that all be call'd if there be either Peace or War or some other important business to be decided if the States cannot agree then the business be put to the Arbitration of the Governors of the particular Provinces and that all may follow their decision 9. That none of the said particular Provinces shall make League or Union with any Neighbouring Power or strange and remote Prince or People by their own private Authority and without the consent of the rest and likewise that if any Princes desire to come into the aforesaid alliance that they shall be received by common consent 10. That all approve of or reject the same coyn stamp and money and that as soon as can be there come forth a rule or settlement for coyning which all shall follow 11. As for the publick exercise of Religion whether or no any other ought to be receiv'd besides the Protestant let every Province dispose and ordain about it as they please provided still that they be all bound to let every man have the liberty of his Conscience without persecution for that subject 12. If there should happen any contests between any of the Provinces that then those of them that shall not be concern'd shall have power to determine about the debate of the others but if in these divisions all were concern'd then let the Governors of all the Provinces meet and decide the matter in a moneths time after which there shall be no appeal exception revision or nullity to be pleaded 13. That the said Provinces and Members of this Union do take a special care not to give any occasion to Foreign Princes to make War against them and therefore that they carry themselves towards Strangers with the same equity justice and moderation as towards the Naturals and if any of the Members do infringe and break this Article it is the duty and power of the others to constrain them to observe it by all means whatsoever 14. The States and Governors of each Province shall not lay a heavier Imposition upon those of their Subjects that shall travel to and fro than upon those that are found Inhabitants 15. That the Government and publick administration be well setled as
King and Commonwealth of Poland particularly for the great quantities of Corn that come from thence though the Imposts be there likewise very high and such as have often made the Hollanders think of changing their Market and buying in Muscovy which they would have compass'd by this means The Countrey people in Muscovy are such slaves their Duke being the Proprietary of all their Lands that they never trouble themselves to plough or sow more Land than just as much as will make such a product as can find them and their Families food Thence it happens that huge Fields of good ground lie wast Now the Hotlanders design was to perswade the Duke of Muscovy to force his Subjects to Till more ground and so he would be able to drive a great Trade and to further this they offer'd to leave Overseers that should direct the work While this was a treating the Poles fearing the consequence bated their Imposts and Customs and so things remain as they were In the Year 1615. there was a Treaty made likewise with the King of Swedeland and Traffick was the ground of it A little before the said King fell upon Germany the amity was renewed and it was agreed that the United Provinces should give the said King 400. pound a moneth as long as the War should last between him and the House of Austria but since these few years the succour that has been given to the Danâ—â— and the interruption of Trade in that Kings Dominions have almost chang'd this Friendship into War There has been likewise a very good Treaty for Trade made with the Duke of Muscovy where mongst other things liberty is granted to levy Souldiers here in his Name and to transport Ammunition for War into his Dominions Trade has also made the States make Treaties with the Emperor of the Turks the Sophy of Persia and the Pirates of Thunis and Algier In Italy the States have no Alliance but with the Venetians which is yet maintain'd for the Honour of these two Commonwealths which are the only flourishing ones in Europe and for certain reasons the Venetians do give five hundred pound a moneth to the Hollanders towards the maintenance of the War with the Spaniards as also the Hollanders have promis'd the like succour to Venice if it should be attaqued by the Spaniard In the first birth of the Common-wealth there was a most advantagious Treaty made with the English under the reign of Queen Elizabeth who maintain'd this reeling State by the succours of Men and great sums of Money which she sent over to them though in such a way that the Hollanders were bound to respect her as if they had been her Subjects Now that the Peace is made with the Spaniards there remains nothing of this Alliance but the liberty of Trade and Commerce and the use of the English Ports There has been likewise many Treaties with the King of France and the States of the United Provinces have receiv'd from him great sums of Money towards the carrying on of the War CHAP. XVIII Of the Admiralty and care that is taken to maintain a Sea-strength SInce it is true that a State is maintain'd by those means by which it is first acquir'd the United Provinces ought not to neglect their Maritine affairs because they have and do really get all their subsistance out of the Sea This Sea-strength consists in a number of Men of War parâ— whereof belong to the States and part to particular men and are call'd Privateers The first are set out at the charges of the publick the other borrow only the States Banner and Commission though to encourage them the States have propos'd to them a set price according to the value of the thing they take from the Enemy The Men of War of the States serve to convoy Merchant-men to and fro and preserve them from danger of Pirates and Enemies The Privateers are most imployed to give chase to and take the rich India Ships of the Spaniards coming from the West-Indies The High Admiral who at present is the Governour General of the States commands over all Ships of War but he seldom goes in person because his presence is necessary at home his room is supplyed by a Vice-Admiral The Great Council call'd the States Gâ—neral being as well oblig'd to look after the Maritine affairs as the Land business and yet finding themselves over-burden'd with business they have discharg'd that care by choosing some others to compose a Body or Council which shall order all Sea-affairs in the Name of the States There are divers of these Assemblies and particularly in those three Provinces which are near the Sea viz. in Holland at Amsterdam Roterdam and Horne this last is sometimes transported to Enchusen which is a Town of North-Holland in Zeeland at Middlebourg and in Friezeland formerly at Doâ—cum but is now transported to Harlingue Each of these Assemblies consists of seven Counsellors or Senators who being chosen by the Members of each Province are delegated and impower'd by the States General they have a Secretary and a Treasurer The Governour General is the head of all these Assemblies as High Admiral the Vice-Admiral represents him in his absence these Deputies did formerly use to meet at the Hague twice a year and do still meet there when the affairs require a conjoynt deliberation with the States about the necessary means of securing the Sea and furthering Commerce They have a Treasury particular to themselves and the Money which is in it is gather'd from the Money that their own Merchants and Strangers pay for Convoys and likewise from the Imposts laid upon Commodities that are transported from one Harbour to another There is likewise brought into this Treasury all the Money that is rais'd by giving licenses to transport Commodities to the Enemies The Deputies of these Assemblies are bound to give an account every quarter of all their expences and receipts to the Commissioners from the States General They have also the power of naming Captains to the Men of War but then the Admiral chooses out of those that they have nam'd In a word their charge is so to secure the Sea as there be no interruption neither from Pirates nor Enemies of any other sort in Trade and Navigation to judge and determine all causes between Seamen and Officers and that Soveraignly and without appeal provided the summe in dispute exceed not fifty pounds observing exactly all brevity and expedition not suffering long harangues in any Cause or giving leave to the parties to reply more than once or twice and that because ordinarily Sea people have occasion of departing upon long Voyages and cannot come again suddenly Last of all it belongs to them to see that the States be payed their proportion of what is taken The fifth part of all prizes belongs to them the tenth to the Amirall and the rest to those that have set out the Privateer as also to the Captain and Sea-men This is only
the King of Spain and the States Generall there has happened some disputes about the true sence of the separate Article concluded the 4th of February 1648. in the said Town touching Navigation and Commerce the said King and States have thought fit for the more sincere and perfect observation of the said Treaty of peace to give a better explanation of their meaning to which end the said King has on his side Deputed and Commission'd Messire Antony Prun Counsellor in his High Councill of State for the Low-Countries near his person and his Plenipotentiary at the Treaty of Munster as his Ordinary Embassador to the said States who on their side have likewise Commissioned these following Rugzer Huygens Knight Banninck Cock Knight Lord of Purmerlant and Apendam Bourgemaster and Counsellor of the Town of Amsterdam Cornelius Ripera Bourgemaster Regent of the Town of Horne James Vâ—th Counsellor and Pensioner of the Town of Middlebourg in Zeeland Giisbert de Hoolk old Bourgemaster of the Town of Utrect Joachim Andree first ancient Counsellor in the Provinciall Court of Friâ—zeland John de la Beech of Dorvick and Crystenburgh Bourgemaster of the Town of Deventer Adrian Dant a Stedum Lord of Nittersum all Deputies of the body of their Assembly The said Embassador and Deputies having held many Assemblies and Conferences have at last in the name of the said King and States agreed upon and concluded this present Treaty all its Articles and Conditions 1. The Subjects and Inhabitants of the United Provinces may with safety and liberty trade with all those Kingdoms States and Countries that are or shall be in peace amity or neutrality with the said States of the United Provinces 2. And they may not be molested or troubled in this freedom by the Ships or Subjects of the King of Spain by reason of the hostilities that are or may be hereafter between the said King and the said Kingdomes States c. that are in peace c. with the said States 3. This shall extend it self as to France for all sorts of Commodities that were used to be transported before the said Kingdome was in War with Spain 4. Yet shall not the Subjects of the United Provinces furnish France with such Merchandizes as come from the States of the said King of Spain and may serve the French against him and his States 5. And as for other Kingdomes States c. that may be in War with the said King of Spain and are in neutrality or friendship with the States their Subjects shall not carry to those Kingdomes c. any forbidden Goods or Merchandizes of Counterband which to hinder the said States shall forbid it by express prohibitions 6. Besides to prevent the dispute that might arise concerning the Merchandizes that are of Counterband and those that are not it is agreed that under that name and quality are understood these following all fire-Arms and things belonging to them as Canons Musquets Mortar-Peeces Petards Bombes Grenadoes Cereles Squibs Carriages Forks Powder Match Salt-Peter Bullets All other Arms likewise offensive and defensive as Pikes Swords Casques Helmets Back and Breast-pieces Halberds Pertuiscens and other such Besides under the same name are understood the transport of Souldiers Horses Harness Metall Pistols Belts and all other Implements of War 7. Further to avoid all dispute it is agreed that under that name of forbidden Merchandize are not comprehended Wheat and all sorts of Grains Salt Oyl Wine nor in generall any thing that is nourishment and sustentation to mens bodies which shall be free as all other Goods and Merchandizes not specified in the fore-going Articles and may be carried to all Towns except to such as are besieged and blocked up 8. And the better to hinder that the said forbidden Merchandizes do not pass into the hands of the enemies of the said King and that under pretext of hindring the said transportation the safety and liberty of Trade and Navigation be not hindred it is agreed that the Ships belonging to the Subjects of the United Provinces being entred in any Port of the said Kings Dominions and being from thence bound for the Ports of his enemies shall be obliged only to produce and shew to the Officers of the said King their Pasports containing the particulars of their lading seal'd and sign'd by the Officers of the Admiralty of such places as they come from with declaration of the places they are bound for the whole in ordinary form after which they shall not be molested searched nor detained under any pretext whatsoever 9. Likewise the Ships of the States Subjects being at Sea or coming into some Bay without entring the Harbour or coming in without unlading shall not be bound to give an account of their lading except they be suspected to carry Merchandizes of Counterband 10. And in case of a violent suspition they shall only be forced to shew their Pasports as has been said 11. If they are met at Sea or near the Shore by any Ships or Privateers of the said King then to avoid disorder and plunder the said men to War may send their Boat with two or three men in it aboard the Ship of the States to which men shall be shewed by the Master the Pasport above-mentioned with a particular Letter shewing the quality and place of residence of the owner of the Ship and Master in the said United Provinces and to these shall be given credit without further enquiry but that there be no counterfeit Letters the said King and States shall agree of particular marks not easily to be imitated 12. And in case there should be found in the Ships belonging to the States Subjects by the foresaid means some of those Merchandizes call'd of Counterband they shall be seized upon and confiscated before the Judges of the Admiralty or other competent ones but the said Ship and the rest of the lading shall no wayes be detained or seized upon 13. It has been agreed besides that all Goods whatsoever that the Subjects of the States shall lade in the bottoms of the said Kings enemies shall be confiscated without reserve or exception 14. But also all that shall be found in the bottoms of the Subjects of the said States though part or all of it do belong to the enemies of the said King yet it shall all be free and not seized upon except they be Merchandizes of Counterband 15. The Subjects of the said King shall enjoy all the same liberties in Trade and Navigation as is by this Treaty accorded to the Subjects of the United Provinces with the same equality and though some Kingdomes or States should have friendship or neutrality with the said King though they were enemies of the States yet shall his Subjects enjoy all the benefit granted in the like case to the Subjects of the United Provinces 16. This present Treaty shall be as an explanation to the particular Article concluded at Munster the 4th day of February 1648. 17. This present Treaty shall have
Ghent was declar'd Earl of Holland His first care was to invite all his Nobility to be reveng'd of the French for pillaging Maries Territories in effect he defeated them and took the Town of Tournay and a year after he constituted for his Lieutenant in Holland Nun. de lalain seigneur de montigny and Knight of the golden Fleece After the death of Mary the French pretended that the care of the Children did belong to them but it was judged for the Father He was at last chosen Emperour and died in the year 1519. in January Thus the Low Countreys became annexed to the House of Austria and by the marriage of Philip Maximilians Son to Jane of Castile was fram'd that great House which has so long given subject of fears and jealousies to all Europe Philip of Austria the Thirty third This Prince firnam'd the Delight of Mankind for his beauty and goodness was married to Jane Daughter to Ferdinand of Castile He brought her into the Low-Countreys and there she was brought abed of Charles who was afterwards Emperour as also of another Son nam'd Ferdinand Then he return'd into Spain and so won the hearts of all the Nobility there that his Father-in-law Ferdinand became jealous of him but durst not trust any body with his jealousie nay such was his distrust that he began to hate that great Captain Dâ—n Gonsaloe But Philip freed him from his fears by dying in Spain which made many suspect poison His Wife did love him so passionately that she ran mad and died not long after him Charles the fifth of Austria Emperour King of Spain and Earl of Holland the Thirty fourth Charles was born at Gheat in the year 1500. the twenty fourth of February His Father died when he was but six years old and at fifteen he was receiv'd as Prince in the Low-Countreys at eighteen he was acknowledg'd King of Spain and proclaim'd Emperour at nineteen He was very well bred up by his Aunt Margaret and his Tutor Adrian of Utrect whom he afterwards made Pope He was solemnly crown'd King of Spain at Valladolid but while he was absent in the Low Countreys the Spaniards revolted from him Francis the first King of France stood with him to be chosen Emperour but fail'd of his pretensions thence sprung an animosity between them which caus'd many bloody Wars wherein Charles his good fortune prevail'd for he took Francis prisoner and for his ransome made him yeeld all his right to Naples Milan and the Low-Countreys In his time and under his colours Rome was taken and sack'd and the Pope kept prisoner He bought the Lordship of Utrect and Transilvania and annexed them to the rest Solyman the Emperour of the Turks had besieged Vienna but hearing of Charles his approach rais'd his siege and march'd away He overcame the Protestant Princes took the Duke of Saxony and the Landgrave of Hessen He pass'd over into Africa and took the Town of Tunis These are couragious actions but the boldest of all was when he trusted his person in the hands of his mortall enemy Francis the first which was upon this occasion The inhabitants of Ghent were revolted and did desire the French to protect them Charles then in Spain demands passage through France and safe conduct which was ordered and nobly observ'd by Francis who caus'd him to be sumptuously entertain'd all along his journey Being arriv'd in Brabant he found his Rebels ready to submit he receiv'd them to mercy but with very infamous conditions for them by the advice of one of his counsellors who was afterwards banished Flanders for being the author of so severe a proceeding After this having made peace with the other Protestant Princes he came and laid siege to Mets a Town in Lorrain where he was worsted and forced by the valour of the Duke of Guise who was within the Town to retire having lost the greatest part of an Army of a hundred thousand men This so much afflicted the Emperour that he was divers daies before he would be seen in publick and it is thought that from that time forward he fram'd the design of resigning his Crown In pursuance of this resolution he call'd the States to Brussels and there in the presence of his Son having recited his actions and given account of his Government he desir'd to be eas'd of the burden in his old age and so absolv'd them from their Oathes of Allegiance and dispos'd of all in favour of his Son Philip. I desire you said he to obey my Son to keep peace and union amongst your selves to observe your old Religion and to forgive me if I have offended you Then turning to his Son he desir'd him to confer the love he owed him as his Father upon the people His Speech ended with tears in his eyes and drew showers from his spectators and old Servants Philip his Son having kiss'd his Fathers hand commanded Cardinal Granvell because he could not speak French himself to assure the States of his good favour and of the desire he had to follow his Fathers example and instructions Two moneths after he resign'd all his Kingdomes to Philip and sent the Imperiall Crown to his Brother Ferdinand And then Charles who had been one of the greatest Monarchs of the world being become a private person embarqued for Spain in the year 1556. and arrived there in a few dayes passing the rest of his life which was just two years in the solitude of St. Just. In this retir'd place he died in 1558. having enjoyed the Empire thirty six years I have spoke a little more at large of the actions of this Prince than our method bears for two reasons First Because he is the author of many fine Laws and Constitutions which are to this day observ'd in Holland Secondly Because his memorie is yet in great veneration amongst these Nations Some of the Citizens of Utrect having carried themselves very insolently towards him he patiently endur'd the affronts that he might give an example to other Princes how they are bound to observe themselves the Laws they lay upon their people though in this case it were not he but one of his Officers that was in fault It is said that he gave the Citizens of Utrect this priviledge that their estates should not be confiscated though their persons were executed and that for what crime soever but that their heirs may enjoy it in paying five pound fine In all his Wars he had no faithfuller Subjects than the Low-Countrey people witness his own words at Ingolstat where he had like to have been quite oppress'd by the Pretestant Army he still cheer'd up himself and his Souldiers by saying Courage my Low-Countrey Subjects will be here shortly And when he saw them arrive he cryed out with joy We have now vanquished our enemies In his life time Martin Luther began his reformation and had converted the greatest part of Germany to whom the Emperour was forc'd to grant a toleration in matters of
whereupon the Princess desir'd leave to be gone for Italy Before her departure she took her leave by Letters of most of the Cities and the Nobility shewed their respects in waiting upon her to the borders of Germany where she left them to their great sorrow for the loss of so wise and moderate a Princess CHAP. VIII Containing the Government of the Duke of Alva THe Duke D'alva having pass'd by Savoy and Lorrain with an Army of 10000. Spaniards and Italians all old Souldiers he was sent by the King to punish and chastize all those that had any hand in pulling down Churches and Monasteries or that had any way favour'd the former Confederations This he executed by a Court of twelve who were to judge soveraignly and without appeal of all Delinquents This was call'd the Councell of blood and so frighted the people that thousands of them fled with their Families into neighbouring Countreys to the great detriment of those Provinces as the Princess Margaret had well fore-seen The Prince of Orange and they that were with him had wisely avoided this storm which they fore-saw but Henry of Erederode the Earls of Hooghstract Culemburg and Bergue were cited before this Councell but they ran into Germany and implor'd the succour of the Princes there In the mean time the Duke of Culemburghs house was razed to the ground and Philip his Son taken from Louvain and sent into Spain to be bred By this time the Princes had got an Army and Hooghstract fell upon Artois and was there defeated by Davila Lewis of Nassaw with his brother Adolfe invaded Friezeland and routed the Earl of Aremberg who oppos'd them the Earl and Adolfe were both kill'd D'alva hearing this resolv'd to meet â—hem in person but before he undertook his journey he made nineteen Gentlemen be publickly executed and a little after caused the Earls of Horne and Egmont to be beheaded no prayers nor entreaties made in favour of so great a Warriour being able to prevail with his fierce temper He valued as little the threats of vengeance that were made after their deaths but in pursuance of his design went and fought the Army of Lewis which he utterly ruin'd and immediately turn'd head to the Prince of Orange who was got into Brabant with another considerable Army him he overcame by policy for he refus'd to fight knowing that the Princes Army for want of pay would soon disband which accordingly fell out After this he demanded the tenth penny through the whole Low-Countreys and that was the apple of division which separated and divided the Low-Countreys and made two states of them one part remaining under the Spanish domination and the other making up that powerfull body of the United Provinces now acknowledg'd by Philip the fourth to be Soveraigns All the people were very much shaken in their affection to Spain by the former causes but this last did as it were precipitate them into war and discord which have at last by the exactness of their discipline produced that incomparable fruit of peace and tranquillity This tenth penny was a new tribute upon all merchandises besides there was a twentieth upon immoveables and a hundredth part upon all for once But the people concern'd in this demand chose rather to put hands to their swords than to their purses and yet by a strange but necessary effect of their resolution they have been forc'd to lay much heavier burdens upon themselves to enable themselves to maintain the War but the desire of liberty made them endure joyfully that which they were so much afraid of from anothers hand In the mean time the Councell still proceeded to execution upon the guilty and those that refus'd to pay this new imposition and though the States did represent what damage would befall the Countrey by the removall of Mark-lands yet he being jealous of his Authority made them go on But there happened an accident which much vexed the Duke which was that Queen Elizabeth of England stop'd in her harbours divers Ships loaden with money destin'd to pay his Army and caus'd it to be transported into the Tower of London where iâ— remain'd never to be repayed This disappointment cool'd the Dukes heat a little and made him publish a solemn pardon for the following year but in vain for by this time he was become so odious that all the people forsook and turn'd to the Prince of Orange as it appear'd not long after About All-Saints day there hapned an unlucky presage of the following calamities and which was indeed a great one it self for the Sea having broken the dikes and sluces over-flowed almost all Friezeland with a great part of Holland and Zeland they say that above 20000. persons perished in Friezeland alone This great misfortune made them represent to the Duke the impossibility of paying the Taxe he requir'd who little satisfied with their Remonstrances was upon the point of dealing severely with some Citizens of Bruxels when the news came that the Gueux d'eau or water Gueux or Beggars had surprized the Bril upon Palm-Sunday The chief of this Faction was the Earl of Lumee who being cast there with his Fleet by a storm found occasion of surprizing the place and there discharg'd upon the Church-men the hatred he owed the Spaniards The Count de Bossu hastening to its relief was beaten off and then seeking to secure Dort he was refus'd entrance Upon this news all the Towns of Holland cast off the yoke and joyn'd with the Prince of Orange except Amsterdam and Schorhof Flushing in Zeland followed the example of the rest being animated to it by a Priest The Province of Overissel chang'd likewise but nothing so much troubled the Duke as the taking of Mons in Hainaut by the French under the conduct of Lewis of Nassaw For fearing lest Charles of France should take this occasion of invading the Low-Countreys he immediately turn'd all his Forces that way which gave time to the Hollanders to frame their small Commonwealth and give it some foundation He besieged Mons by his Son at first and at last came himself and took it in spight of Lewis and his Army who endeavouring to succour the place were beaten and forc'd to a retreat Mons being recover'd many other Towns yeelded and Malines for having receiv'd a Garrison from the Prince was sacked The Dukes Son Frederick following his Fathers foot-steps recover'd Overissel and Friezeland from thence passed into Holland and by the bloody action he committed at Naerden he fastened an indeleble hatred upon his Nation Harlem also was taken but Alcmaer stood out and much fortified the Confederates The year 1573. was famous by the Duke of Alvaes leaving the Low-Countreys He was recall'd by Philip who thought his absence might bring a calm in this troubled Sea but the agitation was too great to be so soon layed He was a cruell proud man a very good Souldier but inexorable in his chastizings if he had made a mixture
chooses an Agitatour who resides near the States to sollicite the payment of those he represents and when there is no Money in the publick Treasury he may confidently and does borrow and take up Money for the present necessity and it is repaid him again with interest by the States order The hopes of the great profit there is to be made engages these Sollicitors to do thus for when they advance their Money it is at the rate of 10 per Cent. gains which they tâ—â—e upon the arrears which the State owes to the Officers But this produces another inconvenience which is that the Officer being forc'd to give so much to the Sollicitor out of his pay endeavours to recover it again upon the States and musters more men in his Company than he really pays Besides their pay the Souldiers have likewise their Lodging free and the States do pay to the Inhabitants of all Towns upon that score six pence a week for each Souldier they lodge and this is call'd Service-Money If the Enemies besiege a Town and that the Money laid up in it for the paying of the Souldiery come to fail they make Money of Tin Brass Leather or Pastboard which the Magistrates set a price upon and such a one as exceeds very much the price of the matter of which such Money is made In the mean time the Souldiers take it freely for the siege being raised or the Town yielded up there comes a Treasurer who gives them currant Money for their other All sorts of Provisions that are brought to the Armies are free from all Imposts and Tributes in favour of the Souldiers In the siege of Towns the Souldiers have likewise gratuity given them some Provisions for their diet out of the publick Magazines The Souldiers and inferiour Officers being made Prisoners are at liberty in paying their ransom which by agreement between the States and the Spaniards is a moneths pay of the Prisoners The Inhabitants or Citizens are not so mildly dealt withall for they are constrained to pay whatsoever the Enemy demands or to rot in Prison till there be a general exchange made of Prisoners which is once or twice a year The Women and Children under twelve years old are not to be taken So much for the Forces in ordinary In extraordinary dangers there are extraordinary Forces rais'd which they call Waertgelders to encourage them the more the States do promise them Ten pence a day but because that many in hopes of so great a pay do forsake the ordinary Companies and take imployment in these new ones it has been often thought fit to command out instead of these Waertgelders the Train-bands of every Town and to mingle with them some old Souldiers and so make them fit for service Every Souldier as well in the Army as in Garrison is subject to the Jurisdiction of a Council of War which is compos'd in the Field of the General and some high Officers and in a Garrison of the Governour and his Captains they judge according to the Articles of the Formulary prescribed and printed by the States order The pay of Souldiers on Ship board is 12 s. and 6 d. a moneth besides which they have their diet which he that commands the Ship is bound to find them and receives from the States 6 d. a day for each man At Sea there is no such custom as the ransom at Land nay at first all Prisoners were bound hand and feet and thrown over-board but because so great a cruelty displeased both Spaniards and Hollanders they agreed there should be quarter given but not at such easie rates as at Land The Spaniards reason for this his so great a severity was that he might deterr the Hollanders from venturing to Sea but it produced only this that it made them defend their Ships with more courage and successe than before Ostend and Dunkirk were the places from whence they made most incursions upon the Hollanders which made them every year put a Fleet to Sea and come and besiege the Ports of these two Towns CHAP. XVII Of the Alliances of the United Provinces with Foreign Princes THe external Forces of the United Provinces are their Alliances which they maintain either by their Ambassadors or by their Agents They allow their Ambassadors ordinarily a thousand pound only he that is in this quality at Constantinople is allowed more that he may maintain the glory of his Nation to the eyes of that ambitious people Let us consider these Alliances one after another With the Emperor of Germany there is no Alliance but only a Friendship observ'd since these many years in appearance though not in reality for the Emperor has often sent great succours to the Spaniards under-hand and the Hollanders have done the same to the Princes of France and Germany Yet the Emperor has by divers Embassies press'd the United Provinces to declare themselves Members of the Empire as their Princes were formerly writing to them in the stile of Faithfull and Well-beloved But the States have been so far from consenting to such a Proposition that they have often order'd that such Letters should be sent back again to the Emperor without being opened saying that theirs was a free absolute State which had never yielded to pay homage to any Prince In the mean time there passes between them all Commerce and offices of Friendship There was likewise a League and Union made between the United Provinces and the Princes of Germany to protect them from the oppression which threatned them from the great Power the Emperor was got into and in this they did nothing but what the care of their Liberty did force them to for had those Princes been over-power'd the Low-Countries might have feared the same fate Above two hundred years ago there was an Alliance between the Anseatic Towns and the Low-Countries and there happening to be amongst the United Provinces some of these Towns as Amsterdam Middlebourg Dort which now make a part of the Common-wealth it was thought fit to renew the Alliance which was accordingly done in 1614. by a new Treaty in which the States oblige themselves to maintain the Rights and Priviledges of the said Anseatic Towns This the Emperor took so ill that he endeavour'd to make those Anseatic Towns that were in the Empire liable to the crimes of Treason and Rebellion against his Imperial Majesty but by their Ambassadors they proved that time out of mind they had the right and priviledge of making such Alliances The Treaty of Alliance made formerly with the King of Denmark concerns nothing but a reciprocal liberty for Traffick and Commerce and yet these States have often been forc'd to complain to their Ambassadors of the excessive Rates and Customs they did pay in passing the Sound But the necessity they stand in of venting their Commodities makes them undergo this hardship and has produced of late a more strict Alliance for the maintaining of Trade They are likewise in Friendship with the
Suits about the publick revenue and receit of Customes c. In the absence of the Governour Generall they determine all Causes concerning Prisoners of War touching Plunder and Booty c. Here follows the method they use in all their affairs 1. They do the business that concerns the whole Province 2. Those affairs that regard Towns and Corporations Last of all They decide the Controversies between private persons The Counsellors of the Admiralty who are six in number ought to be very carefull and to act conjoyntly with the Admirall the States and their Deputies to have alwayes a convenient Fleet ready to secure the Sea from Pirates and that all Merchants and Passengers passing to and fro upon Rivers and Channels be duely provided of Pasports They are also to find out the ablest Pilots and stoutest Captains and when they have sworn them give them their Orders They are soveraign Judges of all abuses and frauds committed in falsifying and counterfeiting Pasports as also of all quarrels and suits between Sea-men and Souldiers aboard the Ships In a word they have all the power that Admirals do enjoy in England France or any other Countrey I have not time to shew here by what Agents and Officers the States do administer justice to their Subjects keep accounts of their treasure give Livings and Fees to be held from them and many other things which would require a greater Volume It remains to satisfie some Politicians curiosity who would know it may be whether our State be Monarchie Aristocracie or Democracie or of which of these it participates most To which I answer that I think the Government of Holland to be a fit mixture of them all In the person of the Governour Generall who commands the Armies both at Land and Sea with an absolute Authority is seen Monarchie the States represent Aristocracie and Democracie is seen in the Government of the Cities and Towns for nothing is done without the consent of the meanest Inhabitant CHAP. XXIV The Proclamation of the States of Holland and West-Frieze touching the ancient Right of the Common-wealth of Holland THe Knights Nobles and Towns of Holland and West-Frieze representing the States of the said Provinces after a mature deliberation and communication of the business with the Nobles and Senates of Towns and carefully weigh'd their advice and answer have in discharge of their Oath and duties thought fit to publish and make known to all the world by a publick Edict the State of Government of the said Provinces being perswaded that all Readers will be inclin'd to pitty and favour the deplorable estate of our Countrey It is most certain for that in past ages for the time of 800. years the Soveraign Administration of the Provinces of Holland West-Frieze or Zeeland was committed to the care of Earls or Countesses who had receiv'd this power from the States and that upon certain Conditions These Earls did govern with so much moderation and prudence that they did never undertake either to declare War or make Peace or lay Imposts or Taxes without asking the advice and consent of the Nobles and of the Magistrates of Towns though they had their own Privy Councellors men of great capacity and abilities but they did much yeeld to the Authority of the States for any business that concern'd these Nations This Government thus founded upon equity and justice could not choose but attract the blessings of Heaven upon its Lords and indeed it did for no Princes ever perform'd more glorious actions or receiv'd more demonstrations of honour from their Neighbours than they William the second Earl of Holland was chosen Emperor in the year 1247. And that which is yet an addition of glory for these Princes is that they have maintain'd many bloody Wars obtain'd many famous victories and alwayes so defended the very borders of their States that their enemies have not been able to get any ground upon them We may also protest with truth that in the space of 800. years Holland and Zeeland were never conquer'd nor subjected by any Strangers whatsoever neither did they pass under the power of any Foreign Prince which is an advantage that we believe no State in Europe except it be the Republick of Venice can brag of We do ingeniously confess that the firm Constitution of this our Government does consist in the union and good intelligence which is between the States and the Prince for the power of these Earls was very inconsiderable without the help of the States they having nothing but their own Demean or Revenue to live upon and uphold the splendor of their Court We have also observ'd by what means and Authority they have often made their Courts remember that duty which some evil counsellors had perswaded them to forget and that not only by Remonstrances and Petitions but often by chastizing and personally punishing those who wickedly abusing the Princes Authority did lead them so much out of the way of justice and moderation We find likewise in our Histories that the States have chosen Guardians for their Princes under age and that William the Fifth being run mad they created a Lieutenant-Governour in his room In a word 't is a thing question'd by no body that the Soveraign power was alwayes in the States whensoever their Princes came to die or were otherwise disabled from performing the Functions of their Charge and in those Cases they did appoint a Governour whom they called Guardian or Ruwarde Under the Domination of the Dukes of Burgundy this Right was also maintain'd for a little after the death of Charles their Duke and his Daughter the Dutchess Mary Maximilian of Austria having undertaken to introduce some novelties and oppress the Authority of the States was so oppos'd that had he continued he had without doubt undone himself The Emperor Charles being yet minor receiv'd Guardians and the Provinces receiv'd Governors from the said States and though their liberties had suffer'd some diminution under the Dukes of Burgundy yet did the said Emperor alwayes respect and honour them as being perswaded that without their assistance his power could not stand Upon this Subject he gave many grave admonitions to his Son wishing him to govern with all moderation and not by any means to exasperate that power whose consent he must have to enjoy his Prerogative And indeed he now knows to his own and these Provinces great cost the truth of what his Father did foretell for there can be no other cause alledged of the troubles and revolutions of the Low-Countreys than his going about to infringe their Priviledges and fasten the yoke of servitude about their necks Though these things be as clear as day yet we have thought it necessary to publish them to the world because that many being yet in suspence and ill-inform'd do think that the States are only a tumultuous Assembly of some Deputies who being men concern'd in the quarrell do carry on things more according to their own ends than
forbid the transport of Arms or Ammunition under pain of death Yet at last when victuals and necessaries for life grew dear among their enemies and that there was an evident advantage for the Confederates to furnish them with those things licence was granted and they drove such a trade with their enemies as made themselves grow rich and powerfull 3. There is likewise a great summe of money rais'd upon the granting of Passports to those in the Spanish Dominions who desire to transport themselves into the Territories of the States for every Passport costs fifty shillings of English money And yet lest this also should prove prejudiciall to the State they seldome grant any to those amongst their enemies who are either in military or politick employments and to any others they scarce grant them for longer than the time of six moneths 4. The Contributions that are levyed upon those Villages and that part of the Countrey which lyes between the enemy and them make another part of their supplyes for these Bourghs pay as much to the States as to the Spaniards and there are Treasurers upon the Frontier for the receit of it 5. The Imposts payed in the conquer'd Towns of Brabant and Flanders make another part of their revenue for there is excise upon Wine and Beer and Salt A Tax upon Houses and upon Lands 6. They receive a part of the plunder made by the Souldiers upon the enemy 7. They have hitherto had from the French and the English great summes of money as long as they have had War with the Spaniards The French to make diversion did maintain in the service of the States a body of 6000. Foot and 2000. Horse at their own charges for many years The serene State of Venice in vertue of a Treaty made in 1622. did promise 4000. pound a moneth in time of War 8. They have money at use that is they keep a bank of such moneys as are lent the State by particulars and pay use for it five in the hundred is the use the State payes All these great summes of money are by the Order of the States committed to the care of a particular Councell call'd A General Directory for the Treasury which is composed of the Deputies of each Province CHAP. XVI Of the principall Forces which do maintain the Commonwealth of the United Provinces THe greatest internall or defensive strength of these Countreys does lye in their situation which makes all their Towns easily to be fortified As for the externall it consists in their Leagues and Alliances with Foreign Princes Let us speak first of the situation That situation which is advantagious for the defence of a Countrey the exercising of commerce and consequently growing rich must needs proceed from the neighbourhood of the Sea and the affluence of great Rivers and Channells thence comes the Proverb The Hollanders are born for the Sea and the Sea for them of which they are well convinc'd and consequently spare no cost nor industry to be the masters upon this Element having long ago graven upon their Coyn this Motto Imperator maris est terrae Dominus If the Spaniards had been so wise as to have spent that treasure in hindring the Hollanders trade and navigation that he layed out upon attaking their Countrey he had undoubtedly ruin'd them and he now perceives it and does endeavour by all means though too late to obstruct their commerce Besides the Sea there are the Rivers of Rhene Meuse and Jud that do make the Countrey almost inaccessible Besides if any enemies be taken on this side these Rivers there is a Law which is exactly observ'd which commands to hang them up immediately The strong Towns are upon the Borders not only in Brabant Flanders Gueldres and Friezeland but also upon the Confines of Germany as Rhinbergue Wesel and divers places bordering upon the Dutchy of Cleves The reason whereof is this the War being kindled between the Spaniards and the United Provinces the Spaniards did first begin to seize and put themselves in possession of the Towns of the Dutchy of Cleves and of the Electour of Cullen that they might the better annoy the Hollanders who fore-seeing the mischief like to arise from thence sent an Army and seized as many of these Towns as they could put Garrisons into them and nevertheless still preserv'd the Inhabitants in all their propriety liberty and priviledges Hereupon arose great contests between the Emperour the Duke of Cleves and the Electour of Cullen on one side and the Hollanders on the other but the Hollanders kept possession Besides the Garrisons they maintain in all Frontier Towns they have also two Magazines in each one with Ammunition for War the other with provisions for life A Governour commands the Garrison they that command in small Frontier Towns are call'd Commanders and they that command in great strong Towns are qualified Governours And for the greater safety of the said Towns the Keys are partly in the Governours partly in the Bourgmasters hands The Civill and Military powers are likewise so distinct that the Governour has nothing to do with the Inhabitants nor the Judges of the place any power over the Souldiers As for the Land-Forces they consist of Strangers and Naturals but the Strangers do exceed the Naturals in number who are more enclin'd to long Voyages and Trade than to Warre Neither is the State endanger'd by putting the force and military power in Stangers hands for they being of different Nations as English Scotch French c. have different inclinations and aversions and so will hardly conspire to oppress their Masters who do alwayes mingle them in their strongest Towns It is believ'd that the number of Souldiers paid by the States and sworn to them does come very near one hundred thousand The Companies are for the most part of a hundred men some few excepted who are either stronger or weaker as necessity requires The Regiments are of ten twelve fourteen sixteen eighteen Companies Each Regiment is commanded by a Collonel The Horse is much inferiour in number to the Foot because that in these Countreys the greatest employment for Souldiers is besieging and defending of Towns in which the Horse are not so necessary as in set Battles There are two sort of Horsemen distinguish'd by their Arms viz. Cuirasseers that wear iron breast and back-pieces and Arquebusiers that carry short Guns on Horseback Their Horses ought to be sixteen handfull high measuring from the hoof of the fore-foot to the top of the shoulder The Infantry has about four shillings and six pence a week pay and the Horse about fifty shillings a moneth They that are payed by the States money are soon and exactly payed but they whose payment is assign'd upon the money that comes from France wait a little longer for it It is very observable in these Provinces that though there be no Money in the Treasury yet the Souldiers receive their pay every week or moneth for every Regiment