Army was so likely to moulder away for want of pay that she thought fit to intercede for the distressed States with his Majesty of Spain and Don John by the Lord Cobham and Sir Fracis Walsingham and when that failed a Religious Peace as they called it which the states-States-General consented to was settled which bred great jealousies in the Provinces where many were still stiff for Popery especially at Gaunt till the Queen of England declared against them and promised notwithstanding that Duke Casimer and the D. of Anjou retired in discontent to stand by the Protestant States to the utmost as she did effectually having brought the Estates first to stricter Union and Alliance at Vtrech 1579 than that before at Gaunt and afterwards to erect a Council of State for the management of affairs whose very first debate was a Consultation about the alteration of Government to shorten the War and engage some Person in their defence The next was the taking and demolishing of several strong Holds that had been too serviceable to the King of Spain But their affairs not prospering they resolve upon the Duke of Anjou as their Soveraign upon 27 Articles signed on both sides with Medals coyned whereon were these devices Leonem loris mus li erat Liber revinciri Leo pernegat Pro Christo grege lege Religione justitià reduce vocato ex Gulliâ pacatâ duce Andegariensi â—elgiae Libertatis vindice vos terrâ â—go excubo ponto 1580 Si non nobis saltem posteris And that being dispatched they agree upon Martial Discipline and relieve Steenwich under the conduct of Sir John Norris who victualled it and raised the Siege having given notice of it in Letters which he shot in his Bullets The states-States-General in the mean time answering the King of Spain's Proscription against the Prince of Orange and providing against the insolences of the Papists by a restraint upon the exercise of their Religion at Brussels and Antwerp declare thus The States General of the United Provinces Guelders Holland Zealand Zuphten Friezland Overysel and â—roeninghen having declared Prince Philip of Austria second of that name King of Spain fallen from the Sigâ—ioâ—y of the said Provinces by reason of his extraordinary and too violent Government against their Freedom and Priviledges solemnly sworn by him having by the way of Right and Armes taken upon us the Government of the publick State and of the Religion in the said Provinces An 1581 having by an Edict renounced the Government of the K. of Spain breaking his Seals Counter-seals Privy-signets for new ones made by them in their stead and entertaining the Duke of Anjou nobly attended from England by the Lord Willoughby Sheffield Windsor Sir Philip Sidney Shirley Parrat Drury and the Lord Howard's son and recommended by the Queen who avowed That what service was done him she esteemed as done to her self and commended to him this one good Rule to be sure of the hearts of the People who invested him Duke of Brabant and Earl of Flanders wherein Dunkirke did import him much to keep a Passage open from Flanders into France as the refusal his Brother made of succour and his entertainment of French Nobility to the discouragement of the Netherlands did him much harm especially since most of his Followers were either men of Spoil or secret Pensioners to the King of Spain and he by their advice lost himself in his Enterprize upon Antwerp so far that had not her Majesties Authority reconciled them the States and he had broken irrecoverably though indeed they never after peiced For the Duke thereupon delivers all the Towns he had taken to the States retyring himself to Dunkirke while the Ganthoes and other troublesom men of the Innovation declared against him and for Duke Casimir And all the Estates humbly beseeched the Queen of England by General Norris to have mercy upon them in this woful juncture especially when the wise Prince of Orange was murthered by a fellow recommended to him by Count Mansfield and serving him three years to await this opportunity having time to say no more but Lord have mercy upon my soul and this poor People And the Spaniards during the States differences and the youth of Grave Maurice of Nassau who succeeded his Father carrying all before them insomuch that the King of France was so afraid to take the Netherlands into his Protection that he sent Embassadors to the Duke of Parma to remove the very suspition of it Especially when the Guisian League brake out upon him and the poor States had now none to trust to but the Queen of England who during their Treaty with France had made them gracious promises by Secretary Davison by whom by the Respective Deputies of their Provinces June 9. 1585 they absolutely resigned the Government to her Majesty who upon sundry great considerations of State refused that yet graciously sent them 4000 men under General Norris 184600 Guilders upon the security of either Ostend or Sluce and promised 5000 Foot and 4000 Horse under a General and other Officers of her own with pay For which the States stood bound giving Flushing Ramekins Briel and the two Sconces thereunto belonging into her hand for security and taking in her Commander in chief with two persons of Quality more of her Subjects by her appointment into their Council of State According to which Contract Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester is made Governour of the Low-Countreys for the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Queen of England to whom the whole Countrey did Homage receiving him as their absolute Governour though the Queen disavowed that as being likely to engage her too farr in the Quarrel and the States humbly submitted to her pleâ—sure in which capacity he set out Edicts for Discipline for the Treaty and Traffique which these troublesom people upon pretence of Liberty and Priviledg mutinied against to the great hinderance of the Earls proceedings insomuch that after he had born up their Interest as his entrance into the Government just ready to sink and taken Daventer Zuphten and other places he resigned his Government to the Council of State leaving a Meddal behind him on the one side whereof was engraven his Picture with these words Robertus â—omes Leicestriae in Belgia Gubernator 1587. And on the other side a flock of sheep scattered and before them an English Dogg with these words Non gregem sed Ingratos invitus desero Whereupon Deputies of Estates attended him with a Present a Cup as big as a Man and an humble supplication to the Queens most Excellent Majesty not to forsake them now in their low Estate so low that the King of Denmark thought fit to intercede for them to their own Leige the King of Spain while they in extremity devolve their affairs upon young Grave Maurice and declaring against the Earl of Leicesser's proceedings incensed the Queen so far that she called home General Norr is though yet Sluce had ben lost
AN EXACT SURVEY OF THE AFFAIRES Of the United NETHERLANDS Comprehending more fully than any thing yet extant all the Particulars of that Subject In Twelve HEADS mentioned in the Address to the READER Ictus Piscator sapit LONDON Printed by Thoâ— Mabb for Thomas Johnson at the Golden Key in Cannon-Alley over against the great North-door of Saint Pauls Church Anno 1665. The Preface to the READER THese discourses now in hand are published with no further care of their reception and entertainment than the consequence of them may deserve whereof the Readers not the Publishers must be Judges And we need not be moved with the common Passions of such as make Epistles and Prefaces conceiving our trust very well discharged when we have given the Reader the usefull Contents of the Book which contains I. An exact History of the Dutch since they inhabited that Countrey An. 700 to this present year 1665 with a continued and close succession p. 1. II. A very particular account of their Revolt from the King of Spain's subjection and their being declared a Free-state at the Hague 1608 and confirmed so at Munster 1648. III. An impartial view of the assistances by Councils countenance 60000 men and 3 mâ—llions of Money afforded by Q Elizabeth K. James K. Charles the first of Famous memory upon their humble Petition when the Distressed States that they might live under our Protection IV. A faithful Narration of such affronts and injuries as they have offered us in Europe Asia Affrica and America particularlarly in Amboyna V. A compleat Recapitulation of the seven Advantages they make of our Fishing and Royal favours of his most Sacred Majestie 1. In their shipping and their Mariners 2. In Trade 3. In Towns and Fortifications 4. In their Power abroad 5. In publick Revenue 6. In private wealth 7. In all manner of Provisions and store of things necessary amounting to 24 Millions yearly by His Majesties gracious permission at home and abroad VI. How unable they are in that and 16 other respects to engage with England and that point made out VII In a very punctual relation of the last Dutch War from its rise when it began 1650 1651 throughout its whole management to the years 1652 1653 when it was ended with the virtues of that Peace VIII A prudential survey of the present State of the united Netherlands in regard of the Sâ—iâ—uation of their Countrey and in respect of their Neighbours IX A satisfactory consideration of their present State in point of Interest throughout the World and their dealings with every Prince particularly X. Very curious reflections on their present State in point of Government and that not only in the States General but in every one of the 7 Provinces and the Towns belonging to them apart XI Choice Observations on the present state of the Dutch 1. In point of Government 2. In matters of Religion 3. In the particulars of their strength by Sea and Land XII An exact account of the state of the present Controversie between England and the Vnited Netherlands in the three great points 1. Of Trade 2. Of Fshing 3. Of Pretensions Claims affronts and Wrongs And all this directed to no other end than the framing of right and clear Apprehensioâ—s touching the present affairs in those mens minds who are very many that are therein concerned in point of Interest or in those who are almost all who concern themselves therein in point of Discourse Consideration and Observation for whose accommodation these Discourses are contrived Close and not Tedious Real and not Wordy justly entred in the List of those Writings that express more than they promise and Intimate more than they do Express Books lately Printed A Disswasive from Popery By the Right Revereud Father in God Jeremy Taylor L. Bishop of Down and â—onner A Vindication of the Lords Prayer as a formal Prayer to be used by Christians as a Prayer By Meric Casaubon D. D. The History of the French Academie erected at Paris By Card Richleiu consisting of the most refined Wits of that Nation The lives of the two most Illustrious Princes Henry Duke of Glocester and Mary Princess of Orange Sir Walter Raleigh's Maxims and Aphorisms of State published by John Milton Esquire The Mystery and Iniquity of Non-coaformity In an Historical account of the Designes and Practises of the Non-conformists against Church and State Instructions for Jury-men on the Commission of Sewers Delivered in threee several Charges at several â—essions of Sewers at Spalding in Lincolnshire A Treatise of Spiritual Infatuations the Present visible distemper of the English Nation By Dr. William Stamp Trigonometrâ— or the Doctrine of Triangles â—y the Famous Mr. William Oughtred both in Latine and English either with the Tables of Logarithms or without And there is now in the Press ready to be published â—n ingenuous Discourseâ— written by a Persâ—â— of quality Intituled Europae Modernae Speculum Or a view of the Empires Kingdoms Principalities Seigniories and â—ommon wealths of EUROPE in their Present State their Government Policy different Interest and mutual Aspect one towards another from the Treaty at Munster Anno 1648. to this present 1665. All to be sold by Thomas Johnson at the Golden Key in Cannon-Alley over against the great North door of Saint Pauls Church The Original and whole History of the Hollanders In an exact Succession from the year 700 to this present year 1665. CHAP. I. SECT 1. THE Hollanders being a People that seemed born to fill the last Age of the World with Disturbance and this with Noise I was as restless as they are till I could find the Original of those Bustlers Power whereof as old as I am I am likely to see an end The men are the old Hirmodures that were lodged by Nature in no more benign an Habitation than the dreadful distance between the Hercyâ—ian-Forest â—nd Sâ—ythia and they retain this of their Wilderness that they would have still all things in Common whence upon a quarrel about the Salt-pits of Sala as unreasonable as that since about the salt waters of the Ocean the Caths Cerusieâ—s and Ligiens chased those troublesom Neighbours to Cat senel boggen a Port of Fessen an Earldom which the House of Nassau claims but that of Fessen enjoyeth and thence Battus and Zelandus the two Principals of the Nation falling out 〈◊〉 came with his Train to Holland called from him Batavia and Zealand to Zealand called so from him Holland and Zealand it seems were divided in their Founders the one building Bata vâ—durum or Wychterduyrstede a famous Town 800 years ago of three miles compass some three Leagues from Vtrecht now a small Village and the other Arm Viden and Gumpuere but both subject to the Gaules or French who thereupon have a Right to Holland § 2. For Charles the bald King of France 863 at a general Assembly of his Princes and Barons at Bladell in Brabant of Champeigni upon some Lords motion bestowed upon Thierry
make an Interest yet in the divisions of Europe Trav. It s possible but very improbable since they have lost their Reputation which is the bottom of their Interest and you will fide none will heartily close with them because none can really trust them Gent. Potentates without Integrity are the same thing with Tradesmen without Credit for suspicion is irreconcileable and it s said of Rome that Favendo piet ati fideique ad tantum fastigii per venerit And if you can make this good the Low-countreys have seen their best days Trav. I wish them no more harm than that your inference be not as fatally just as the premises are irrefragably true and easily evidenced to be so by as notorious an Induction as is this day Registred in Europe Gent. As how Trav. 1. In reference to Spain Then they petition against strangers declare for Liberty and Religion when they had newly taken the Oath of Allegiance made their Soveraign a Present of 120000l and insinuated their chief Demagogues to the places of greatest Honour and Trust in the Countrey Then they surprize Mecklenburgh Enchusen c. when they treated at Brussels Then they subscribed themselves Vassals to Franâ—e when they had senta Petition to Spain In a word Whatever was the ground of these mens revolt from that Kingdom their conduct in it had nothing of Honour or clearness as wholly suiting a Popular and Plebeian humour 2. In reference to France Not to mention the affront they put upon Mounsier 1578 when they entertained him for Protector yet obliged themselves to whence upon his exclusion Q. Eliz from Amsterd the Hierogliphick that represented them was a Cow fed by Q. Eliz. stroaked by the Prince of Orauge and held by the tayl by D. Francis till it bewrayed him or any other sleights before they came to a consistency which may be reckoned as their necessity rather then their fault 1627. When they were High and Mighty a strictly mutual Consederacy and Alkance Defensive and Offensive for 17 years with a mutual Engagement not to treat with Spain on either side without consent was agreed on Aug. 28. between Lâ—wis 13th of France and the States of the United Provinces ratified June 30 1630 and pursued on the French side with a Million of Lieurs i. e. 100000l sterling besides 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse fallen into Artois and Henault notwithstanding all which particulars they endeavoured a Truce with Spain and the States of Flanders without the advice or consent of France as appears by several underhand dealingâ—s of the Dutch with the Spaniards couched in the French Embassadours memorial to the States 1634. With whom I mean Mounsier de Charness by name when their â—reaties with Spain proved fruitless Feb 8. 1635. they renewed the former League upon the very same terms of No peace with Spain without mutual consent and in pursuit of it fell with joynt forces upon Tienen Loven Skinchen-Schons yet the Province of Holland suspecting France no less than Spain in the very heat of this War wherein the French were engaged on their account so good are these Watermen at Rowing one way and Looking another their Attorney General Musch is secretly dispatched to Don Martin Axpe Secretary to the King of â—pain about a Treaty which the States solemnly denyed to Carnasse and yet their Embassador Paw when the French King told him That these secret proceedings did contradict their solemn Treaty and how much it differed from the justice his Majesty used towards them said they had communicated it to Charnesse 1641 1642 1643. Yea though Anno 1635 1636 1637 1638 there were notwithstanding these underminding several ratifications passed of these Treaties and 1644 a League Guarantin entered into Yet as Mounsier de la Thuillerâ—es averred to their Faces not a Month in these years passed without overtures between them and the Spaniards which brought on the Treaty at Munster without and against the French Kings consent even when he was in the field on their behalf at Dunkirk Stechen Loqueren c at the rate of 18 or 20000 Foot and four or 5000 Horse to no purpose the Dutch slurring him in most undertakings as particularly at Antwerp which did as good as offer up it self to their Army Nay which was more the intercepted Letters of Count de Pennerandâ—â— made it evident That The peace at Munster was agreed on without any regard to the French Interest which was not so much as named by the Dutch And though the other Provinces were against it yet because Holland was for it they would soon bring the other Provinces to a complianâ—e Only honest Heer van Nederhurst refused to sign so perfldious a Treaty against not only the Honour but the very Interest of his Countrey of which I may say as the Greek Orators of Sparta No League no subsistance no Faith no League 3. Should I re-capitulate their strange dealings with England how they solicited our Queen and yet dealt with the French King How they promised us free Trade yet stopped our ships How they borrowed our money to buy a peace with Spain How they admitted our Embassadors to their supream Senate yet because he should not understand all Debates they presently set up a secret Council How they intreated the Q. to send over the Earl of Leicester yet abused him so far that he left behind him a Meddal whereon there was engraven a Dog and a flock of Sheep with this Inscription Non Oves sed Ingratos How they depended on our Field Officers and yet enjealousied them one against the other How they delivered us the Caution Towns we had taken yet were never quiet till they had trucked for them How they owned King James their Protector yet set up a blasphemous Reader I mean Vorstius in competition with him What earnestness they used to disswade him from Alliance with Spain when they had a correspondent there How they complemented King Charls the first of blessed memory when they disputed his Right to his own Seas How they protest their Obligations to him yet cheat us of the Impost upon their Herring fishing and presume to fight with Oquendo the Spanish Admiral in our very Havens How they had their Agents here during our Civil War under pretence of mediating our Peace observing the advantages they might make of our War How affectionately they there embraced the Kings Interest and yet how suspiciously their Embassadour faultered about his death How zealously they espoused his Majesties Interest that now is while hopefull 1649 1650 1651 1652 for a pretence to hide their design of quitting the Homage they owed to England and engrossing its Trade and when that was done how like themselves that is Cunningly they deserted it from 1653 to 1660 How eager they were to entertain His Majesty though not till they had assurance of his Restauration and yet how unkind to his Excellent Sister and her Son How instant for Peace at White-hall and yet how unreasonable
least moment but see their Orders executed 2. The States General called Hoegh Moeghend or High and Mighty consisting 1. Of Delegates chosen by the seven Provinces somtimes for three years somtimes for more never for life 2. Of a President changed every eighth day 3. Secretaries removed every three years all paid by their respective Provinces a constant stipend and when sworn not to regard so much the Interest of their particular Provinces as of the Union trusted 1. With the choice of Cenerals not so much to Command as Oversee 2. With the Oaths and other Disciplines of War by Sea and Land 3. With the answering of Embassadours 4. With the Accounts of the resective Governours and States of Provâ—nces and all other affairs They may be at leisure for 5. Onely all these affairs must be offered first to the States of every Province and thence imparted to the States General by the major part of whom all things are ratified unless in case of Taxes War Peace c. And such things as concern the Constitution of the Republick 3. A Council of State called by them Den Raet van Staten out of the states-States-General whose care is the Discipline and Provision of the Militia with the Execution of such Orders of the states-States-General as concern the Union and the whole Common-wealth 4. Upon Extraordinary occasions a General Assembly of the States called De general vergadering made up of more Delegates than ordinary are convented to treat of Offensive and Defensive Wars of Truce Leagues unaccustomed Taxes c. Affairs so managed with such unanimous consent that they cannot proceed till the dissenting Provinces be by Delegates sent to that purpose from the Assembly satisfied 5. The Council of the Admiralty consisting of Merchants and Sea-men whereunto their Maritine Revenue is brought with their Deputies changed every year whereof there are three appointed to reside in Holland the first at Amsterdam the second at Rotterdam and the the third at Hoorn One in Zealand and that at Middleburgh and one in Friezland and that at Harlem consisting of seven Senators one Secretary and one Treasurer of the Navy 6. The Council of the Treasury or the Committee of all Accounts new every 2 years to which all their taxes are paid in consisting of Merchants and Vsurers Gent. I do not clearly apprehend what judgment to make of their present state from their Government the least light in this particular will be a very great favour Trav. Briefly thus 1. While a Monarch acts these great Councils debate while he is at their door they demur either the quarrel as Vtrecht and its Deputies or the Method as Zealand or the charge as Friezland or the Command and Conduct as Holland 2. Each State and Province pretending to an equal Power they are so long in perswading dissenters by Delegates to Reason that they lose both their Votes and the very designes of them 3. Particular Piques and Animosities shall hazard a Publick Interest and some great ones will chuse to betray the State rather than gratifie an Adversary 4. Nay such are the disorders of a Common-wealth that when they should fight an Enemy they are scuffling among themselves and when the people expect effectual Orders in their Defence they are throwing Ink-horns at one anothers heads 5. The Deputies of each Provinces are ingaged to particular Interests when the whole lyeth at stake and the Question is Whether Zealand shall yeeld to Holland at that very instant when it s a question too Whether both are not swallowed by the first Invader 6. The temporary Grandees of a free State have a private fortune and a Posterity to provide for upon the Publick Stock when the Hereditary Princes of a Kingdom are secured for both and De Wit shall design onely the erection of a Family when King Alphonso the 4th aymes at the free Trade of EVROPE 7. And a Pension shall buy the best Vote in the Senate where is a man but would rather be a Duke under a Soveraign than Burgemaster among the Rabble 8. Besides that a sudden advancement of a Boor from his shop to the Senate not for his Wit God knoweth but for his Money is as much to seek in the affairs of War and Peace as myn Heer vander Meer who would needs make his son Admiral because he had one day ventured in a Caper from the Weiling to Burdeaux 9. Among which ignorant and unskilful multitude to be Eminent is to be dangerous and to deserve well of the Government and Countrey looks like a design to surprize it an instance whereof is old Barnevelt who after 40 years incomparable services was allowed no other Recompence than the loss of that head for out-witting his Countrey men which had so often over-reached their Enemies as likely to betray that State which he had so often supported 10. Neither is this the onely inconvenience of their backwardness and bangling in State-matters though its very sad that excellent persons dare not oblige their Countrey and its safer there to miscarry than go through an Enterprize for besides this they are forced to keep so many Forreigners in Pension during life as well when they have occasion to use them as when not lest they should be surprized in their ignorance or weakness as put them to the charge of a War in the calmest and best settled peace 11. What a peevish thing a free-Free-state is when the people want Trade or Work and those people are many in a narrow compass where they with much ease and privacy Meet Debate Complain Contrive yea and Remonstrate too is upon no Ground better known than in Holland and the United Provinces 12. And when all this is done they are so much puzzled about the choice of Officers and Commanders that to pitch upon a Commander when all cannot enjoy what every one desires in Chief is to hazzard a Revolt and to decide a Competition is to lose a Province where however the rejected Party will be able to undo in Private whatever his Competitor may undertake in Publick not heeding the Quarrel so much as the men that manâ—ge it 13. Neither is this all the mischief of that Government the nicities of Priviledges and Liberty Propriety and the Fundamental shall buzze the people in the greatest dangers to Mutinies against any trespassers against these sacred Rules that are within either their Malice or Revenge 14. Nay to see the ambitious Heads that aym at Power and Advantage by the disorders of the Publick affairs engaging 1. The simple and the sloathful 2. The I and no men and Blanks 3. The Contrivers and Speakers 4. The Sticklers and Dividers by Menaces Flattery Pretences Money or Preferment to move to press to quit divert and put off Debates in such season and order as may best comport with their Design and Advantage what fair dresses and cleanly couching of Proâ—ects what suitable ways of working they have upon the humours of their Fellow Burgemasters as their Fear their
Gorrechom and lost in the Watry and Marsh-Countrey about After Delf Wormer Ryp Graft Purmerend and Vlpendam in West-Friezland and Waterland insomuch that the Spaniards seemed very inclinable to a peace as seemed by their overtures to the Prince of Orange Which yet the States refused as appears by their sawcy Petition becoming Subjects that submitted only with their swords in their hands and their cutting the Dike and raising all the Sluices saying that they had rather have a spoiled Countrey than have lost one to prevent the taking of Leyden after which many other Towns had followed with their resolution to live and die with the Prince of Orange With which resolution they kept Leyden in so great extremity as to coyn Paper-money upon which was inscribed Haec Libertatis ergo for 11 months defeating the Spaniards ships about Leydeâ— with stratagems and wiles and keeping the Passages open for Supplies till Octobâ— 3d. It was after a months famine strangely relieved and quitted by the Spanirds and the Prince coming thither himself to see it fortified charitably recruited it by the Neighbours collections as a place that had cost the Hollanders a Million of Gold the Prince of Orange's two Brothers and a Cosin all three Princes of the Empire Whereupon their Soveraign offered with the intercession of the Emperour Maximilian very gracious Propositions of peace which could not be accepted in regard as the Earl of Switzenburgh observed at Breda where they traded the Rebls could not trust their Soveraign as indeed no security can satisfie men guilty of Treason against their Prince and therefore he that draweth his sword against his Prince must throw away the scabbard and never be reconciled to him it being reasonable that a disloyal Person should not think his Soveraign would be true to him when he hath been so perâ—idious to his Soveraign But the Treaty at Breda 1575 was not a little reputation to the men of the Revolt who being hitherto esteemed but turbulent Boulfeus are now respected as just Enemies in which capacity to preserve their Lives Wives Children Goods and what was dearer than all these their Religion they are their own words they bethink themselves of a Protector and 1. They propound the Empire which they laid aside as too much divided in it self 2. France which yet they waved as perfidious to them of the Religion in the Massacre at Paris and exhausted by their own civil Wars In this extreamity the distressed States by five Commissioners humbly submit themselves unto the Q of Englands Protection Or if necessity so required to acknowledge her for their Princess and Soveraign issued from the Earls of Holland and Zealand by the Lady Philippa Daughter to William the third of that name Earl of Henault and Holland c. Which the wise Queen entertained not immediately to prevent the jealousies of Neighbour Princes but 1. Received their Exiles to her Harbour and Countrey 2. Mediated for peace with a Protestation that upon refusal she would succour them 3. Gave them leave to leavy men and buy Ammunition in England And 4. Supplyed them with money upon security while the Spaniards mutiny for want of it The King of Spain breaks in the Merchants debts 14 Millions of Duckets the Pope dispensing with and nulling all his Bonds and Obligations The chief Commander Don Lewis with his Marshal Vitells dye All the Countrey is up against the King of Spains intollerable Impositions surprizing the Council of State he erected upon his Governours death the hatred of the Spaniards being by the Dutch Artifices become universal and all places petitioning against strangers meaning Spaniards The Queen of England being somwhat cold and indifferent the Provinces invite the Duke of Anjou the King of France his only Brother to their Protection who dealing in the late mentioned Mutinies surprized the Cittadel of Cambray and upon Don John of Austria the next Governours unpleasing carriage made up of stâ—atagems and threats joyned Brabaâ—t in a strict League with Holland and Zealand against the Spaniards and their Tyranny joyning his Interest with the Prince of Orange for leavies in Germany and assistance from England From the last of which upon their promise to maintain their Religion and Allegiance they are assured of men and money by their Orator the Lord of Swevenghen and Captain Horsley it being her Interest rather to engage the Papists there than in her own Dominions with whom Secretary Wilson and Mr Wendebank went and payed the money receiving the States Obligation with the security of Brussels Gaunt Bruges Dunkirk Newport and Middleburgh where with free passages were made by raising the Sluices according to the Queens direction in several places of the Country for fear the Spaniards might prevail at Sea And the union was effected upon the Mutinies of Groninghen and Zuphten between the States for the expulsion of Spaniards with an acknowledgment of their Allegiance to the King of Spain By virtue of which Colonel Balâ—our and his Englâ—sh having brushed the Spaniards the States capitulated with Don of Austria whose vain conceits of Conquering England lost the Netherland and would have agreed with him could they have had any assurances for performance of Articles at the great conferences between his Deputies and the Prince of Orange at Gertrudenbergh May 22 1577 which failing his practises were discovered in setting the Provinces at variance among themselves that he might govern them all by his Letters to Spain intercepted and his vain attempt upon Antwerp Which made all the Provinces revolt from Don John some to the states-States-General at Brussels that declared onely for Liberty and Priviledges and others to the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland and Friezland that declared also for Religion CHAP. IV. How the English assisted the Hollanders and made them a Free State ESpecially when her Majesty the Queen of England the onely succour of the distressed States declared for them by Mr Wilkes whereupon Leeuwarden mutined and yeelded to them Antwerp is dismantled Germany sends in Aides â—reda is delivered up Groninghen is Tumultuous the Prince of Orange is invited to be Rovard or Governour of Flanders Don John of Austria is declared Enemy to the States notwithstanding his Army of 16000 Foot and 2000 Horse The Nobility revolt Amsterdam asserts its Liberty the pacification at Gaunt so much insisted on by the Queen is confirmed the Duke of Anjou offereth his assistance and marcheth to distresse Henault The case of the afflicted Netherlands is taken into consideration upon St. Aldegon's motion at the Imperial Assembly at Wormes whence the Duke of Anjou had 12000 men towards his relief of the Low-Countreys under the notion of the Defenders of the Liberty of the Provinces against the Spaniards and their Adherents Colonell Norris Stuart Captain Bingham and Candish saved the States whole Army by a brave Retreat they maintained for four miles with three Regiments in their shirts by Rymenant The Queen seasonably assisted them with 30000l when their
had not Sr William Russel supplyed it with Provision when all the seven Provinces could not do it Being now intent upon the settlement of their State-General out of the Particular Deputies of the several Provinces the Earl of Leicester being called home and they hearing of a Spanish Armado knowing not what to do but to importune her Majesty of England that she should make no peace without them Now she was in treaty with the Prince of Parma which she waves though privately willing enough to reconcile their private differences which was the greatest Motive she had to abandon them It being not likely they should do any good themselves especially since there was such jealousies and mistrusts among their chief Officers who could never have been united but by the vast Armado of the common Enemy which awed both sides to so much moderation that they settle the Government in the States reduce all Parties into one Oath and submission reconcile Vtrech to Holland pay their Souldiers very punctually establish Prince Maurice in the Admiralty and Prince William in the Government of Friezland They defeat the Marquess of Varumbon with Sir Francis Vere's assistance take the Antwerp Convoy raise jealousies between the Inhabitants of Groening and their Governour maintain Liberty of Conscience nourish the French differences get 125 26l a month of the Queen of England They surprize Breda engage the Electors and get the Prince of Parma off to the siege of Paris Blackinbergh Collenbergh the Fort before Zuphten Holt Nymighen Grumbergh Geertrudenbergh Seenwye and other places are recovered by the Valour and Conduct of the English particularly Sir John Norris Sir Roger Williams and Sir Henry Vere An Edict is made concerning Printing a War is contrived between France and Spain the United Provinces and the Estates under the King of Spain treat for peace Philip William eldest son to William Prince of Orange is released from his 35 years Imprisonment whereto he was confined since he was taken in Leyden as we have formerly intimated Prince Maurice and Sir Francis Vere Sir Robert Sidney's overthrow Cardinal Albertus his Army Wan 1577 whereupon Embassadours are sent to the States from the Empire from Peland and from other parts whom they remitted to the Queen of England as being able to do nothing without her In the mean time they prevailing under her protection set up the India trade assisting their Merchants with Artillery and Ammunition so as four ships were set forth to destroy the Countrey and bring away some Inhabitants against another Voyage where 8 ships ventured that way from Amsterdam as did many more from other places in the East and West Indies to Guine besides others to Syria and Greece 1578. But the poor States being left out of the peace between France and Spain are at a loss till the Queen of England sends to them that if they resolved for a War they should inform her what provisions they had towards it and rest assured of her utmost assistance So they forbade Traffique with Spain and entertained some overture afresh in order to an offensive war towards which she sent 2000 souldiers more under Sr Th. Knowles besides 6000 men she procured from the Circles of the Empire several Forts are set up by her directiōs the Contributions are mitigated in Zealand now ready to mutiny by her Order the offensive War in Flanders began by her intimation 2800 sail of ships Rendesvouzed in the the Sea-towns of Holland Zealand and Friezland Grave Oastend and Newport are besieged and the Arch-Dukes Army is defeated Chimney-money and Excise is imposed the United States and the States-General Treat In the mean time the Arch Duke Albertus his Forces mutiny and are entertained by the United Provinces The Hollanders and the English engage the Spaniards at Sea the King of England that succeeded the Queen March 24. 1603. promising them fair in general termes whereupon Oastend and Sluce are taken and the States refuse all intercessions for peace especially since they defeated Spinola by Land and the Spanish Gallies by Sea After which the Arch-Duke Albert and his Wife Isabella in the name of the King of Spain declared them Free-states and in that capacity offered to Treat with them upon peace all the Princes of Christendom offering their Mediation onely the King of Spain's Aggreation as they call it was not clear and the 62 Articles containing their Priviledges were not moderate enough to be the ground either of a Treaty of peace or a Truce In fine These people being very intent upon the preservation of their Liberties and most prone to jealousie motion and surprizes being agitated by others passion and their own for those two great Dianaes Priviledges and Liberty of Conscience high-flown upon the Battel of Newport gotten by Sir Francis Vere refused Reason Notwithstanding the peace at Verven between the King of France and Spain which cut off half their assistance the difference between Embden and the Governour of Friezland that disturbed their Union the taking of Oastend Rhainbergh Grelen after three years siege and Sir Francis Vere's great endeavours to preserve it that weakned their Interest being grown great with the private Alliance of France and that more open of England their Trade to the Indies and their Piracies upon Spain until Spinola humbled John May the Provincial of the Franciscans perswaded and what is more then all this the King of Englands inclination to a good understanding with Spain frighted them into a twelve years Truce in a Treaty begun at Antwerp 1607. No sooner are they at peace without but having recovered the Cautionary Towns from the English by old Barnavel's cunning who as King Henry the 4th said was the ablest Statesman in Europe as far as his money went but their humours began to work among themselves Rebels are as troublesom to themselves when they have defeated their Soveraign as they were to him before their Predestination Points and the nicities of Priviledges engaging them to the great danger of the whole Government had not King James by his Embassadour Sir Ralph Wenwood very effectually interposed The King of Spain finding the observation of a great Lord upon the Truce true That assoon as the common Enemy was over they would fall by themselves set the Arch-Duke upon offering them the confirmation of the Truce into a Peace in case they would accept of his Soveraignty An overture they scorned so far that the Embassador in his way through Delph was almost stoned by the dregs of the people and assoon as the Truce was over utterly denying the prolongation of it they besieged Gulicke spoiled Brabant invited Mantsfield into East-Friezland and shrouded themselves in a League against the house of Austria with France England and Denmark c. making the Interest of Europe their security in defence of the lower Circle of the Empire took the Plate-fleet and what promised Wonders there being men in it that could dive under water and flie in the Air the Fleet of
Dutch were flush with a Ten years free Trade and we spent with as many years Rebellion when we were the â—dium of Mankind and they at least upon the account of that Quarrel the Darlings of Europe a handful of our meanâ—st and most inconsiderable of our People durst Vote That no Goods should be Iâ—ported or Exported into or out of England but in English Bottoms And when the Lords States forsooth took that in Dudgeon our bold fellows the King Lords and Commons standing by and not concerned Vote their Embassadoâ—r the Lord Joachim away out of England Octob 6. 1650 within a month at his peril at whose return the High and Mighty draw in their Money sink their Bank mistrust one another break all to pieces raise Fortifications cast Ordinances provide new Artilleries Yards Rendezvouz Militiaes and withdraw 200 Families at least to Hamburgh and the other Hans-Towns of Germany Yet so much Courage they had left as to scorn the pretended Embassadours our Mock-Governours sent thither insomuch that one Dorisla by name lost his life there and another Strickland was weary of it strike to his Majesties concerns as he was King of Great Brittain in most of their Treaties with France Portugal Denmark Sweden c. though yet in their General Meetings Jan. 20. 1651. they Voted our Tom Thombs a free State forsooth and Common-wealth and that they would transact with their new-coyn'd Honours about a Truce and that too by old Joachim who was sent packing but two Months before the Province of Holland having cast the charges of a War and considered that half the money might advance it to a Seignory over its Sister Provinces And all the Provinces being amazed at the Tempest that broke the two Dikes St. Anthonies and the Harlem-Dike to the ruine almost of Gelders Zuphten Overystel Friezland and Holland Upon the least suspicion of War up came Chimney-money Poll-money Excise on Salt Beer Vinegar Wines Butter Oyl Candles all Grains Seeds Turff Coals Lead Brick Stone Wood Linnen and Woollen Clothes Silks Silver Gilt Wagons Coaches Ships and other Vessels Lands Pastures Gardens Nurseries Houses Servants Immovable Goods all Seals They forbid all affronts to their Lordships forsooth Strickland and St. John They drink and that was a great Argument of the High and Mighty States good affection in continuationem prosperitatem Reip Angliae Notwithstanding all which complyance the paltery thing called Our Parliament stayed a Fleet of theirs in the Downs forsooth till further Pleasure because there was Cordage Powder and Ammunition in them under the Corn. Whereupon His Majesty prospering in Scotland and a Peace being made with France the Mighty make bold to tell Sir John That they cannot answer his Proposition touching a League Offensive and Defensive under four Months for that they must send to all the Provinces for their advise and consent in a business of so high a concernment and our High and Mighties take snuff and call their Messengers home to the no little trouble of their Brethâ—en who beseech and intreat their stay but to no purpose the young Usurpers being intollerable when ever intreated to be kind and when that would not do pass this Vote The States General of the Netherlands having heard the Report of their Commissioners having had a Conference the day before with the Lords Embassadors of the Common-wealth of England do Declare That for their better satisfaction they do wholly and fully condescend and agree unto the 6 7 8 9 10 and 11 Propositions of the Lords Embassadors as also to the 1 2 3 4 and 8 Articles of the year 1575 made between H. 7th and Philip Duke of Burgundy Therefore the States do expect in the same manner as full and clear an Answer from the Lords Embassadors upon the 36 Articles delivered by their Commissioners 24th of June 1651. And not only so But they nominate the Heer Bever of Dort and the Heer Vell of Zealand with old Joachimi for Agents to the Common-wealth forsooth of England remembring the old Motto in Queen Elizabeths time Si Colâ—idimur frangimur Especially when the men at Westminster gave Letters of Mart to several Merchants to make themselves satisfaction for the losses they had suffered by Pickeroons belonging to the Netherlands Whereupon they filled up their Embassy with min Heer Schaep delaying the matter till the Kings Majesties business was decided Their 11 East-India ships worth a Million were put to sale an 160 sail arrived from Bourdeaux Mounsier Borreel could not prevail in France and the bold ones at Westminster make an Act as they called it for Increase of shipping the improvement of Trade the encouragement of Fishing and Navigation so prejudicial to the Cities of the Rine which together with the surprize of so many Amsterdamers awaked them so farr that Van Tromp with 36 sail in three Squadrons was ordered to Sea first to the Straights and then to the Downs to secure their Monopoly of Wine and Currans and Agents dispatcht to Denmark Sweden Portugal and France to strengthen the War in behalf of it altering their Embassadors for England whither they send the cunning Head-pieces mine Heer Catz and min Heer Scaep the last whereof in the mean time treats with France about Dunkirk and with Sweden about Neutrality The English men discourse of 100000 for Amboyna the Herring-fishing free passage through the Shee ll and the cautionary Towns frighting them to a resolution with 152 sail to commence a War eight Dutch ships being taken by the English as they came from New found-land and the Swedish Embassador Speering dealing under-hand with the English insomuch that they forbid any ship to stir from either the Mase or Texel and Amsterdam offereth an no sail as Zealand doth 40 on condition its Petition be granted about Letters of Mart the States fortifying Briel and Flushing prohibiting the Exportation of any Warlike Provisions and making a stay of all English ships In the mean time a certain Faction crept in that disturbed their Publick Peace at Middleburgh and Dort because they mentioned not the Prince of Orange in levying Souldiers till Trump departed in July with resolution to find out the English Yet espying Sir George Aiscue in the Downs with a Squadron was not able to bear up with him because of a Calm wherefore he addresseth himself against Blake in the North attending some Indian Vessels and taking the Dutch Herring-Busses from whom a Tempest parted him to his loss as the night did De Ruyter from Aiscue onely he met with Captain Badileyes 4 ships in the Straights and took the Phaenix which was re-gained by Captain Cox in Portologn upon a Dutch festival night when during the heat of the Holland Carouses he stole upon it in a Boat in the habit of a Dutchman which success was indeed allayed by Captain Appleton's weighing Anchor out of Legorn Mole sooner than he should and so falling into the hands of 22 Dutchmen of War before Captain Badiley could come
Increase of Power abroad Nor is it onely at home that they thus streng hen themselves but being by their largness of Traffique as it were Citizens of the World and having so great number both of Ships and Mariners they Plant and strongly Fortifie themselves in other more remote parts of the World Nay they have by this means extended their Power so far in the East-Indies as that in many places they keep both King and People at their devotion And t is by some conceived that they are in that part of the World as considerable as they are at home both for their own defence and for offending their Enemies 5. Publich Revenue What enlargement of the Publick Revenue by their Fishing trade may easily be calculated by the quantity of the Fish by them taken and it appears upon Records for that end kept that they have taken in one year between 40 and 50 thousand last of Herrings onely besides Ling â—od and other Fish which after the usual Rate they are sold at comes to 10000000l the Custom and other Duties arising from them to the State in their Exportations amounting to between 500 and 600 Thousand pounds besides the Revenue arising from the Merchandizes Imported in exchange of these Fish 6. Private Estates And it must necessarily follow That where the Trade is so large and the Commodity of so certain sale and general use necessity I may say to some Countreys and purchased at so easie Rates and Private men or the people in general exercise this Trade those Private men so trading must I say needs grow rich and wealthy and we know they are so Whereunto I shall add the great benefit arising from the Imployment this Trade affords to all sorts of Tradesmen and Artificers with their Families that have any relation to shipping or the Sea which comprehends almost all Trades whatever And equal to this do I esteem the commendable advantage of setting all sorts of poor people at work not onely the strong and healthy but even the most impotent the Lame and the Blind Old and the Young insomuch that 't is a rare thing to see a Beggar in Holland 7. Store of Provisions And Lastly We find by Experience that though the Hollander be but little beholding to their own Countrey for the production of any thing considerable for their support yet do they in return for their Fish furnish themselves even to abundance with all sorts of Provisions necessary for life conducing to Luxury and Appetite or requifite for War and Defenâ—e The Premises considered I cannot understand the sullen perversness of that People in provoking and quarrelling with the King of Great Brittain in whose Power it is if not wholly to damm and choak up this the Fountain yet strongly to interrupt the Steams and Current not onely of their Greatness but of their very Being But if for their ingratitude to their best friends who made them what they are their Treachery and False-heartedness to all their Consederates and Allies without any regard to their solemn Engagements their Barbarous and inhumane Cruelties to all both Friends and Enemies where they have gotten Advantage Divine Justice think it time to call them to account Jupiter quos vult perdere dementat prius The present state of the Vnited Provinces Countrey Gentleman SIR I can finde little or no satisfaction in the Pamphlets you sent me concerning the present condition of Holland and England shall I intreat your Observations concerning both where the one boasts Your â—irth the other Your Education Traveller The Pamphlets I sent pretended not your satisfaction but your Pleasure as designed rather with their variety to Entertain than with their exactness to Inform you And I am as heartily glad we have in the retirements of our Countrey such exact Judgments as rest not in superficial Accounts of things as sorry I am not in this particular more able to answer their expectation or yours However being as your Worship knows by many instances more willing to betray a Weakness then an Vndutifulness your Curiosity shall not sully to that particular on these two Subjects wherein my Observations shall not attend it Gent. The first particular that offers it self to consideration is the * Their condition in regard of Scituation present condition of Holland in regard of its Scituation Trav. And that very Rationally the Interest of all Countreys depending on their Position and their Estate arising from the mutual aspect of their Neighbours towards them and theirs toward their Neighbours wherein to proceed with a clearness agreeable to my Temper and Subject I need not inform you That of 17 Provinces formerly belonging to the House of Burgundy and in Right of that House to the House of Austria there are seven united in a free State among themselves under the notion of the united Netherlands the Scituation of each whereof in particular will resolve your first Question 1. Holland the chief of them and the Province that designes the enslaving of the rest ever since it enjoyed freedom for it self is awed on the N and W with the German-Sea and whosoever is Master of it On the E. bounded with Vtrecht on the South lying over to Brabant the Mase onely parting them Gent. It must needs be sad with that Countrey when so mighty a Prince by Sea threatneth it on the one hand as the King of Great Brittain is in the German-Sea and such a Neighbour watcheth it as the King of Spain is in Brabant unless they are wonderfully fortified on all sides Trav. Three places there are upon which depend the Fate of Holland 1. Encheusen on the very point of Zuider-zee standing most conveniently to command the Posts of Amsterdam 2. Edam upon the very same Gulf their great Chaâ—tam or Arsenal of ships and 3. Briell in the Island Voorn formerly one of the Cautionary Towns chosen by the English in regard of the great command it hath upon the passage to Gertrudenburgh and the rest of Brabant as also to Delph Dort Rotterdam the greatest Towns of trade in South Holland Gent. Since we unhappily parted with this Town such are the Dikes and Channels round it Hoorn and most of their strong Holds that it is impossible to possess our selves of them Trav. When you remember how ordinarily they were bought sold and surprized in the Spanish War you will not despair of them Besides that the whole Countrey lyeth so low that it is but dispatching a few Pick-axes against the Mud-wall Banks Ramparts and Dikes whereby with much adoe they confine the Sea and the Rivers and the whole Countrey shall lye in Pickle as their Herrings do Gent. It s the greatest Bogg of Europe and Quagmire of Christendom that 's flat of which it was formerly more strane than it will be upon this War true That having no Corn of their own they had the Granary of Europe no Wine they drank more than any Countrey besides no Wool or Flax they made more Cloth of
popular prejucice against its Schepenen or Judges and their Raet-Pensionarous or Advocate 4. The Factions in their Gecomitteerde Raeden or the Commissioners at the Hague 5. The great difficulties in settling the De vergaederinge van de Staeten van Hollandt ende West-Friezland and the respective Delegates of it 6. The vast charge that is laid upon the Kamer van Reekeninge or the two Chambers of Accounts that overlook their Estates and Tributes 7. The vast loss upon the stoppage of free Trade and Herring-fishing and the Blocking up of their Navigable Rivers 8. The inclinations of the persons that command their strong Holds of Sluce Berghen op Zoom Breda Gertrudenâ—ergh I say when I put these particulars together with the invidious Aspect cast upon this growing Province by the rest of its Neighbours I expect not it should be able to perform now what it did under a happier Government in a more useful League and Consederacy in Guicciardine's time 2. First so much given to Tumults are the fierce and rough Inhabtants of Zealand 12. So full of awls and Contentions are their Hoosden or the merry monthly meetings designed to promote friendship and good Neighbourhood 3. So Lawless and Pyratically given are their Seamen and Mariners 4. So deceitful and apt to betray their confederates for an Interest 5. So sottish whorish and licentious 6. So Impatient of Order I awes Rules or Government 7. Such the clashing between their Admiral and the Admiral of the States-General 8. So little account can their Treasurers at Middleburgh give of their antient Revenue by French Wines Salt Oyles or Eastern Trades 9. So weak are their Banks and Rampires though painfully made and chargably maintained being at best but 7. Ells in heighth and 17. in breadth at bottom made of the hardest Clay that can be gotten in the inside stuffed with Wood and Stone on the outside covered with Matts a weak defence God knoweth against a stroug Enemy and a stronger Stream 10. So visible is the decay of the trade of Middleburgh upon the opening of that of Antwerp 11. So obnoxious is that Flushing the Ramekins the chargable Islands Romerswal Schowen and Doveland to any Adversaries that the Zealanders now they cannot Fish upon which imployment depends their chief trade are more likely to perplex the State General than to assist them 3. Considering 1. That but half Gelderland is under the States-General lying open in the other half to none of their best friends 2. That their Governour and Chancellour are of late so much disobliged 3. That the proceedings of their Province are so dilatory as depending so much on its particular Cities as Zuphten c. which could never since the Revolt grow towards a settlement so many irregular hands heads being concerned in each Vote 4. That it hath so ill a Neighbour as Brabant Cleveland and Bradenburgh that Province at this juncture in my Opinion only makes up a number Notwithstanding it was once so fruitful that a Gelderland Bull was sold at Antwerp 1570 that weighed 3000 pound weight and pretendedly so strong that it boasts of 16 walled Towns though those upon the Eure and Mase lie very open to the Lord of the Sea 4. Zuphten is so ill befriended by Westphalia and the Bishop of Munster on the East of it and by Cleveland on the South so suspicious is the present Governour of Zuphten so hardly came the Vote for Subsities out of their 12 Senators that I may neglect it as much as Duke Alva did 1573. 5. The maritine Friezlanders have 1. so little use of their Nets The Inland Countreymen or Husbandmen judge themselves 2. So little concern'd in the Quarrel 3. So intent they are upon the peaceful arts of Pasturage and Tillage 4. So much do they please themselves with their very fancy of Liberty and Priviledges 5. So hardly will they part with their Money 6. So Modest Meek and Quiet they are and given to hunting and Hawking 7. So jealous are the Protestants of West-Friezland who are under the States of the Catholicks of West-Friezland who are under an Earl of their own that the Frizons are neither very able nor willing to dance after the East and West-India Companies Pipes in Holland and the rather because though surrounded with water yet not so liable to an Invasion as the States insinuate who would make use of their fears to begin a War which onely their Valour can prosecute because of the many and cross Dykes that forbid any marching throughout the Coast by either Horse or Foot 6. The Inhabitants of Groning are so delicate lazie and proud its Councill of 12 called Naetsluyden and 24 called Geswoeren Raden their Wacht Meesters are so stubborn refusing at this present affair boâ—h a consederacy with contribution to or commands from the United Provinces being so safe in their rich and strong Groning and so contented with their own Domestick-trade prohibiting all Forreigners upon pain of Confiscation of Goods and Vessels that they neither know nor fear any Enemy 7. Neither is Groynland so secure as Overyssel that low Marsh is fearful Daventer and Swoll it s two chief Towns having still impressions of the English Valour since the fierce assaults made upon them 1576 under the Earl of Leicester then Governour of the Low-countreys as likewise hath the troublesome Bishoprick of Vtrecht which hath been so inured to seditions at home that it understands not what means a War abroad Besides some modern disgusts taken by the President Senators and the Treasurer at the proceedings upon some appeals at the Hague make them unwilling to hazard the Rhine to any ordinary undertaker Gent. It seems then reâ—lly that the whole affair of this present War is against the Interest of this Countrey Trav. I leave thâ—â— to you when you have reflected on these Particulars which the Duke of Rhoan writing of the Interest of the States of Europe makes the peculiar concerns of the United Provinces viz 1. A firm League with England for trade and a Confederacy against Spain the antient Soveraign 2. A good correspondence with such Princes as are potent in the Mediterranian or the Baltick Sea 3. A quiet and easie Government free from Tumults and Seditions or the occasions of them want of Trade and Impositions 4. Free trade 5. A care that no one City or Province groweth either so Rich or Potent that the rest should envy or suspect it 6. A quickness to observe and readiness to buy off all pretensions or allegations of Neighbour-Princes as soon as they are made Gent. 〈◊〉 remember very well that there were 5 things for which Cardinal Bentâ—voglio presaged the downfall of this Republick and they are 1. That Liberty would come to Licentiousness 2. That there would such inequality arise from their pretended equality as would bring them as it did the Romans from many Masters under one Soveraign 3. That they must in time trust too much to general Officers especially their Admiral and General 4.
That their Expences must be intollerable 5. That Holland would enjealous the rest of the Provinces or surprize them all which are now their confessed case Their Case in a War with us made out from the Causes moving the Queen of England to give Aâ—d to the defence of the peâ—ple Afflicted and Oppressed in the Low-Countreys 1. THe Natural Sâ—ituation of the Realm â—f England and the Low-Countreys one directlâ— opposite to the other and by reason of the ready crossing of the Seas â—nd multitude of large and Commodious â—avens an our side a constant Ira â—â—ck and Commerce between the people of England and the Low-Countreys continued in all antient times when the several Provinces were under their respective Lords 2. Such hath been the devendâ—nce of these poor people upon England that their Prelates Noble-men Citizens Burgesses and other Commonalties of their Port-towns entred into Obligations and Stipulâ—tions under their particular Seals from time to time to the good people of England for â—avours Affections and friendly Offices shewed towards them 3. Such was the necessity of Commerce between these two People that they have remonstrated to their Governours at several times That they could not subsist without a Commerce with England â—s to Philip Duke of Burgundy in H the 6th his time to his Son Duke Charles and Arch-Duke Philip in H. H. 7th his time and to Charls the 5th in King H. the 8th his time 4. Upon the often and continual Lamentable Requests made by the Universal States of the Countries of Holland Zealand Gelders and other Provinces for Succours in their Extreamityes we thought at to Aid those poor and distres-People Gent. How is it then things being so that they have been able to do so well hitherto as they have done SECT 4. The things that formerly advanced the Netherlands Trav. 1. EVrope hath been ever sâ—nâ—e a most Constâ—â—â—ly embâ—â—â—â—ed 2. They have had a Regular wâ—y by themsâ—lves of â—ax I mâ—an their Excise whereby the more they pâ—y â—he more they receive â—or what the souldiers receive in pâ—y they pay in â—rinkâ— theâ—r veâ—y Enemies though they hate the States yet love their Lâ—qâ—or and pay Excise Yea the most â—dle sloathfull and improvident that selleth his blood for drink and his flesh for bread serves at his own charge for every pay day he reckoneth with his Father and he with the common Purse 3. Pyracies whereby they have those Commodities in time of War in Gross which they have onely in time of Peace by Retail 4. They have formerly checked the Austrian power which is now low 5. They go out with less charge than other Nations their ships requiring fewer men and those men all sharing in the Design are contented with courser farâ— flesh among them being kept hot more dayes than a Pigg in Pye-corner it being their own case they go through all difficulties with patience so they husband all Expences with thrift 6. They eugrossed the Coyn of Europe carrying the Commodities of one Countrey into another 7. They have been hitherto allowed in England Denmark and Muscoâ—y to trade upon the best and sreest conditions 8. They kept in with England and its Protestant Allies 9. They have imployed all the poor that could work and provided for those that could not 10. They have had formerly Lombards or Loan houses where the poor have money upon any Pawn for a Reasonable Rate viz 6. in the 100. with Reasonable time of payment 11. Their Diet was course and of every mans own providing 12. They spent money formerly but now their time in drinking 13. They Trafficked for others superfluities but not their own 14. Their Apparel was plain and their Ambition onely upon Realities and Solidities 14. Their Lawes were strictly executed and no forfeitures left to the corrupt disposals of an Officer but all bestowed upon the Publick 15. Usury was a stranger to them every man laying out his Estate upon the Publick-traffick 16. No idleness there and therefore no thievery a fault more effectually restrained there by Whipping than here by Hanging 17. If any man gained there extraordinarily by money the tenth of his gain was the Common-wealths Usurers escaping not there as here 18. One undone by casuality they set up one cast to Prison the Creditor maintains one troubled with a shifting Adversary a quick tryal relieves 19. All men debated and all contributed to the Publick affairs as concerned both by advice and purse 20. Their Resolutions were secret and sudden 21. Their Industry hath been great and their Expences small they maintaining it for a Maxime That a thing lasts longer mended than new 22. Their Recreation hath been Warlickâ— and they have been to be souldiers before they were men 23. They have been a hardy and a head-strong people and you might sooner convert a Jew to Christianity turn an old Puritane than convince a Dutchman of Reason 24. Not a man of them but might have been a Statesman for they have all this gift not to be too nice-conscienced 25. They were seldom deceived for they trusted no body though every body must trust them 26. They love none but those they profit by 27. Complement is an idleness those brutish people were never skilled in they are half marred being Saylors and being Souldiers they are quite spoiled for there saith my Authour they would let a Jew build a City where Harlem-Mear is and after that couzen them of it 28. They have had a Religion and a Liberty of both which they were very zealous formerly and are as careless now 29. They have enjoyed the Easterlings trade in the North and ours in the East 30. Their watches were seldom of a Nation so that they could seldom concur to deliver up one Town 31. They were very strict upon Musters the list and the pole seldom disagreeing 32. Their souldiers are well Cloathed Armed Disciplined and paid the souldiers seldom any where committing fewer insolencies upon the people or the Officers fewer deceits upon the souldiers 33. Their General could not betray them his Army being composed of many several Nations his Officers not at his own but at the States disposal and his Commission never Implicitly left to his discretion but by reason their Countrey hath no great bounds he receives daily commands what to do 34. Discipline was thus Their Military Rules and Orders 1. THat no man shall swear or blaspheme upon pain of 5s the first offence five days imprisonment the second and a disbanding the third 2. That they shall pray prayers twice a week 3. That they play not at either Cards or Dice upon pain of two days imprisonment 4. That no Women follow the Souldiers but Wives Nurses and Landresses upon pain of Whipping 5. That none lay violent hands on Women with childe Virgins Babes or old Persons without Order 6. That Drunkards shall be discharged 7. Concealers of Treasons shall be racked 8. Correspondents with Enemies shall dye 9. None shall leave his Rank or File without
leave upon pain of death 10. He that sleeps at a Watch or bewrayeth the watch-word must dye 11. Mutineers and unlawful Assemblers shall dye 12. None shall Quarrel with a Souldier or lift up a sword against an Officer on pain of death 13. He that leaves his Post and Breach dieth 14. He that deserts his Captain or serveth under two shall be imprisoned during pleasure 15. He that imbezleth his Armour Provision or Furniture is discharged 16. He that steals any Souldiers Furniture fore-stalls any Victuals Exacts on the people abusâ—th Tradesmen shall dye 17. He that resist a Proclamation assists any Mâ—lefactor disturbs any Quarters sets on fire any Building within the Camp or without makes any false Alarms knavishly shall dye 18. No man shall neglect an Alarm entertain a stranger converse with Trumpeters or Messengers of the other side loyter with the Carriages or Forrage abroad without leave upon pain of suffering what the Marshal or chief Commander pleaseth 19 No Captain shall undertake any Enterprize or be absent from the Watch without Order from the General 20. Neither Souldier nor Captain shall dismiss sell or ransom any Prisoner or Booty beâ—ore he hath presented him or it unto his immediate Officer 21. Every Souldier shall stand by his Ensign day and night till ordered to depart and observe and learn the sound of Drums Fifes and Trumpets 22. No Beast shall be garbaged no Easement made but at a distance appointed from the Camp 23. Whosoever delivereth any place left to his charge or keeping flieth to the Enemy or passeth any other way either in Town or Camp but at the ordinary Gates without Order shall dye 24. No man shall as they March make any cry at all at the putting up of any hair c. All other offences that may tend to disorders not comprimised in the foresaid Rules shall be punished as the chief Commander shall think fit These are the several Particulars whereby they rose to this Grandeur and opulency whereof some have failed and the rest are not able to bear up that Government which they altogether erected Gent It being so obvious from these reflexions to conclude their weaknesse it were necessary their present Case and Controversie should be favourably staâ—ed to their Neighbours for compassion or assistance Trav. They are more unhappy in the ground of this present Quarrel than in any of the fore-mentioned particulars Gent. As how Sir Trav. Why first In reference to trade and Fishing in the narrow Seas The present state and Controversie between us and the Dutch ALl the world know that we have Right to the Narrow-Seas for the Seas that surround our Island whither the Scottish the British the Irish or German were possessed and secured by the Brittains who fished so much upon them that they furnished the Hilts of their Swords with such fishes teeth as they took and traded so considerably that none came amongst them but Merchants Those Seas were by them transmittâ—d with their countreyes to the Romans upon the Conquest who as they managed the Government of the Land by Presidents so they did that at the Sea by an Archigubernacy or chief Governour and Admiral who seâ—ured Commerce took Prizes looked on the Coasts of Spain Italy and Affrica it self After the Romans the Saxons succeeded to this Right and Dominion and commâ—nded the Sea under a Count of the Saxon shore i. e. whatever Pava ollus saith to the contrary the Sea-shore Octa and Ebista under Vortigerne and Hergist commanding these Seas the Saxons and Danes keeping a numerous Navy to that purpose by such Tributes and Duties as they imposed upon their Vassals particularly Dane-ghelt for the Guard of the Sea Edgar and Canutus styling themselves Soveraigns of the Sea The Right and Dominion of the Seas passed with this Nation to the Normans as appears 1. From their Government the custody of the Seas being under an Admiral by Commissions from the several Kings maintained by Tributes paid in consideration of the said custody 2. From their Right in all the Islands lying on the Sea before the French shore 3. From leave asked alwaies and granted to Forreigners by the English to pass thâ—se â—eaâ— And those that asked leave were the Kings of Denmark and Sweden the Hans Towns in Quern Elizabeths time Hollanders and Zealaâ—â—ers themselves not daring to fish before they asked leave of Scarborough and Kâ—ng James proclaiming May 6. 1610. That none fish upon the English or the Irish Sea without leave obtained and every year at least renewed from the Commissioners appointed for this purpose at London But 4. Our Right to the Sea appears from the Limits we set to such Forreigners as Moderators of the Sea as 〈◊〉 at enmity with one another and at amity with the English 5. From the Publick Records wherein the Dominion of the Sea is ascribed to the Kings of England by the King himself and the Estates of Parliament with very great deliberation and in such express words as these Lords of the English Sea on every side all people accounted us Soveraigns of the Seas That our Soveraign Lord the King and his Illustrious Progenitors being Lords of the Seas would impose a Tribute upon all strangers the Kings of England have by right of their Dominions been Lords of the Sea these are the words of all Europeâ— by their Commissioners at Paris and made Laws Statutes and Restraints of Arms upon them together with Admirals that they should preserve their Superiority over the same 6. From the Laws and most received Customs of England that make the Seas the Patrimony of Eng. and the King by the old custom of Engl. Lord of the Narrow-â—eas and his Soveraignty there so ancient that they make the four Seas to be equivalent with those words within or without the Kingdom De mer Apourtenant au Râ—â—d ' Angleterre The Sea belonging to the King of England 7. From the Coyn called Rose-nobles of which its said four things our Nobles sheweth to our King Ship Sword power of the Sea 8. From the custom of striking sail on our Coast time out of mind 9. From the Licenses granted upon their humble supplications to the French and Flemings with limitted number of Boats to fish upon our Coastâ— 10. From the Prerogative whereby all wrecks and Royal fishes as Whales Sturgeons c taken in our Seas are due to the King of England onely or unto such to whom by special Charter he grants the same Stat. Edw 3. 17. The state of the Controversies in point of Injuries and Affronts with the Vnited Netherlands Trav HOw they forced us to trade at second hand 1. In Ternata under their Fort Tabuche 3 In Motir 3. In Tidore 4. In â—alvan Hillo Amboyn 5. At Bunda 6. Poleway 7. The Coast of Cormandel near their Arsenal at Jacatra 8. Their chief places Bantham Japan Jamby though we directed them to all these places How they represented us as Pyrates there and when they had done any mischief said they were Englishmen untill for our safety we were fain to distinguish our selves from them by the solemnity of Novemb. 17. and 5. How they contrived to blow up our Warehouses forbad us all Commerce upon Queen Eliz. her death made all Christians so odious that the first Question asked in those parts was Are you Flemmings How they seized our Yards Wharfs c. giving order to kill every Englishman that would not swear fealty to them upon the erecting of their Fort at Banna intending to put all English in an old ship and blow it up How they search and stop our ships give out that they are under a King Make us pay them Custom at Bantham How they seized our ships at Poâ—eway though the Island was given our King leading our men about streets with Halters about their necks and an Hour glass before them intimating that after that ran out they should be hanged How though the Mogul would not look on them till Sir Tho. Roe assured him they were our Friends they seized our Poleroon 1617 suborning the Slaves to burn our ships loading our men with Irons dismembring some setting others in their wounds in hard Grates wherein their Legs swelling so that they could go neither in nor out without a Carpenter pissing over their heads in Dungeons every morning and allowing them but a half-penny loaf and a pinte of water a day How it was proved at Jacatra that the States were seven years a plotting a War between the English and the Dutch at the Indiâ—s threatning likewise to land 60000 men in 24000 Flat-boats in England How they carried us in Cages from Port to Port boasting that our King was their Vassall How though between 1577 when we assisted them first in their Indian trade and 1625 they got 1500 Tuns of Gold in Private hands besides 400 in Common they used us in Amboyna They disputed our Right to the Sea stopped our entrance to and Trade at Bantham Scanderooâ— Guinee Angola c. burned â—â—ur Factories at Jambee How they surprized us at Guinee abused us in the restoring of the Island Polaroon which they have promised from time to time since 1622. How they gave us Law in the New Netherlands a spot of ground they held of us by curtesie How they put our men in nasty Dungeons at Castledelmina to lye in their own Excrements having not bread and water enough to sustain Nature leaving the living and the dead after exquisite tortures to lye together Injuries these with Infinite more of the like nature to the value of 600000l in goods being aggravated with their preparations for War to maintain them even when His Maâ—esty for three years together solicited them to justice and peace that make it evident to the World that War which is defined The state of two Parties contending by publick force about right and wrong is become necessary to us since equity is denyed and that we must put our affairs to the order of force when they dare not come to the Test of the Law Insomuch that I conclude That as few will pity this ill-natured and unhappy People at the end of the War as incourage them in the beginning of it FINIS
first is That the very grounds of their Taxes fail them The second is That the Measure of them breaks their People Gent. As how Trav. Thus Their Taxes are either Those by Sea or Those by Land 1. Those by Sea must needs fall to the ground in this manner 400000l a year besides the tenth fish and the wastage of what was spent in Holland or transported to any other Countrey which together with the benefit of allaying the Coyn taken in those Countreys amounted to an infinite Treasure for Herring and other salt-fish now forbidden them on our Coasts is lost or at least much diminished 2. Licenses Pasports Customs since Trade is much deaded by their late Sickness and more by their present War wherein their Merchants lose their Principal and therefore Rationally they cannot expect their Interest 3. Their Prizes and Auxiliary Aides reckoned in the Spanish War a part of their revenue fall within a narrow compass 4. Their Imposts upon French Wines Vinegar Coals will be very short till they have cleared the Coast between Burdeaux and New castle and the like Judgement is to be made of their Tribute 1. Of assurance of Westlebank and Factorien in this great stop of Trade 2. Those by Land if it be possible to raise them in these Islands without free trade at Sea are so grievous that the third part of them cost the King of Spain his Dominion and these with the least defeat to improve the discontent of the people may cost the States the Republick Hear them and bless God heartily that you are an Englishman born 1. Polt-money i. e. 4s for every Head called by them Hooft-ghelt 2. Chimney-money called Scoorsteen-ghelt 1s 6d a Chimney 3. De twee Honderste Penningh i. e. The 200l penny of every mans Estate 4. Sout-ghelt or the Tribute for Salt 6d a Bushel 5. Tribute on Ale and Beer 3s a Barrel strong Beer and 12s small 6. Tribute on Victuallers a half penny a Meal 7. Tribute of Butter and Candles 1d a Pound 8. Den Impost van de ronde Maeten or an Impost on whatever is measured with a round Measure 9. The Impost on Turffs Wood Cloths sowed Grounds Waggons Boats Houses Pictures Books Ships and all immoveable Goods 10. Four shillings for every Man-servant and Maid servant with many more that would tyre the patience of a better humoured people Gent. Indeed when I consider that the two Supports of that Countrey are 1. Merchandize 2. Manufacture And withall reflect what little freedom there is for the trade of the one and how little vent for the Workmanship the other I am very apt to believe their Counsel of the Treasury have as in that for Trad though I admire not so much their buses are so low now as that ever they could be so high Trav. Indeed 1. The Scituation of their Rivers running through each part of their Countrey and conveying thither the Wealth of the German the British and the Meditaranian-Sea 2. Their Excise rising with their charge the most idle sloathful and improvident Souldier that selleth his blood for drink and his flesh for bread serves at his own charge for every pay-day he payeth his Father and he the Common purse 3. The Coyn of Nations hoarded in their Banks for their Commodities which as the Carriars of Christendom they convey from one Nation to the other 4. Their trading every where upon the freest Conditions 5. Their encouraging of Merchants and Artists 1. By freedom from Imposts 2. By due limits of every one in his own way as the Hamburgh and Dansick Merchants in their way the East-Indians in theirs and the West Indians in theirs 3. By their Respects towards them and the Priviledges allowed them 4. By taking care that neither Merchant nor Artizan that is expert in the secrets and Mysteries of his Profession go out of their Dominions 6. The concernment of each Person in the state of the Publick 7. Their prudence in committing all Accounts to Merchant Commissioners 8. Their fundamental constitution for a yearly estimate of all Estates and Persons 9. The very necessity of being industrious in a Countrey where Nature can do nothing without Art 10. The Peoples humour to maintain their Liberty which cannot be without Arms as Arms cannot be supported without Stipends nor Stipends without Impositions which are the easier raised the more lively apprehensions those people have of Danger and the easier paid because they appoint 40 days to every Souldiers month Gent. Besides there is a world of money raised under pretence of Repairing the Publick Banks and maintaining the common Cause called Quota insensibly from this free State But are you able to make out how much their Treasure falls short by reason of this War Trav. Besides the fore-mentioned Argument on that Subject I shall add another by way of Instance in particulâ—â— Provinces 1. Holland which ballanceth the rest of the Provinces in Expences and Counsels depends in its Revenue on 1. Weaving and making of Cloth as at Harlem and Leyden which a restraint on Spanish and English Wool besides our skill therein stoppeth 2. on Merchandize and Navigation as at Amsterdam and Rotterdam which this War baffleth 3. In the vent of Cheese Butter French-Wines and Beer as at Delph and Dort which this Quarrel forbids 4. The sale of Salt and Salt-fish throughout the Countrey which they owed to our Indulgence 2. Zealand on the Wines of France the Wines and Allum of Spain the Spices and Gold of India hitherto with our leave onely carried to Prusia Liefland Denmark and other Northern Ports 3. Friezland on Horses Bulls Turff and Onions commodities sold among themselves not likely to support so vast a charge as a War with Great Brittain and Ireland may amount onely Embden Port must not expect its usual confluence of English Danish Nind Norway ships nor its wonted vent for Milk Barley and Beans to Cermany To say no more A War with a potent Nation at Sea doth what they complained of in Spain Imprison them in a poor home that hath onely Ayr and that none of the best to breath in The Dutch present Condition in respect of Government Gent I Am very well satisfied with respect to the present state of affairs together with the strict Acts of State in most Kingdoms against the Exportation of Coyn and Bullion in what condition our Neighbours are in point of Treasure will you be pleased to proceed to the point of Government Trav. Their Government to use a Fellow-Travellors words is a Democracy and there had need be many to rule such a Rabble of rude ones tell them of a King in jest and they will cut your throat in earnest the very name carryeth in it more Odium than Image to a Jew Old Age to a Woman or a Surplice to a Non-con or mist made up of these parts viz 1. A Stadt-holder or General whose Power is not to decree any thing but to Advise not to order any matter though of the