June 1630. between Monsieur de Beangy Ambassador of the King of France and the Commissioners of the Lords States of the United Provinces and ratified to continue for the space of seven years being occasioned by several offers of the King of France both of men and money in case the Dutch should continue the War with Spain and not to make a Peace or Truce without the consent of the King of France viz. 1 A million of Livers to the Dutch yearly whilst it continued as aforesaid 2 That in case he came to break with Spain he would enter the Low-Countries with a powerful Army which the Dutch should reinforce with 10000. Foot and 1500. Horse and should make on their side a powerful onset on the place agreed on with 30000. Foot and 4000. Horse 3. That if good Considerations move the States to continue the war that he would give them a greater sum of money then a million as long as the war should last The Lords Commissioners of the States in answer proposed that the King of France should break with Spain and fall into the Country of Artois and Henault with 40000 men and that they would then fall upon him with all the power they could make That till such time that as the King of France did fall into open war into Artois c. the Lords States should be free to make a Truce or Peace with Spain but after they are joyntly entred into a war neither shall make Peace or Truce without they other That if the Lords States shall not think fit to yeeld to a Peace with Spain the King of France shall give them two millions French money to be paid at London or Venice But the States having a minde to continue war with Spain struck up immediately into an Alliance as aforesaid Notwitstanding which the States did endeavour to make a Peace or Truce with Spain and the States of Flanders without the advice or consent of France as appears by several passages of the underhand dealing of the Dutch with the Spaniards in a Complaint made by the French Ambassador to the States It is true this Treaty with the Spaniard took no effect because they could not get their ends of the Spaniard and the State of Flanders though they had been contriving to make a Peace with Spain two years together When the said Treaty was broken off the States of the United Provinces began presently to treat with Monsieur Charnasse Ambassador for France about a League Offensive and Defensive which though the Province of Holland liked not because being rid of the Spaniard they expected the French as a more powerful Enemy and therefore protested against it yet that prevailed not but at the Hague April 15. 1634. an Offensive and Defensive League was concluded on wherein no Peace was to be made with Spain entring upon war conjoyntly And that the present Treaty shall no waies prejudice that which was made the 17th of June 1630. but to remain in full force and power in all things And this Treaty was made for the space of seven years to begin from the day agreed on as also the preceding Treaty of the year 1630. shall continue for the time that is therein agreed on and that this Treaty shal be renewed at the end of seven years if both parties were willing to it as by the 6 7 and 10th Article of the said Treaty doth appear Signed and sealed by Charnasse and the Lords Commissioners of the States In the year 1635. February 8. A League Offensive and Defensive was concluded and ratified by Lewis the 13th and the States General of the United Provinces where the ninth Article saith expresly That in case after the signing sealing and ratifying of this Treaty for a breach with Spain either Party should come to make a Peace Truce or Suspension of Arms that then this shall not be done but by a conjoynt consent of the King of France and the Lords States of the Vnited Provinces likewise both Parties are obliged to break conjoyntly and to enter into a War against the Spaniards and their Adherents as often as they happen to break or to violate any of the Conditions agreed on in the Treaty of Peace or Truce which shall be made without which neither Party can afterwards make any new Treaty of Peace or Truce then conjoyntly or by common consent conditionally that if it come to be violated his Majesty and the Lords Estates shall enter conjoyntly into open war against those that are the brekers thereof An in the 14. Article it is agreed on both sides That this present Treaty shall no waies derogate from any thing that was agreed on in the former Treaties of the 15. April 1634. maâ—e at the Hague which shall remain in full power and entire to be executed in all points Presently after this Treaty both Armies joyned hard by Maestricht and took Tienen and besieged Loven and the State lost Schenchen Schans to recover which both Armies came and incamped and it was retook afterwards by the Dutch Notwithstanding all this presently after the ratifying of this solemn Treaty and that the war was already begun with Spain and the French had entred into it partly for their sakes there were more Overtures made by the Spanish side concerning a Peace with the Dutch who presently began to enquire after them so far as that the Prince of Orange and the States General sent their Atturney General Musch to Craneberg to speak with Don MartÃn Axpe Secretary to the King of Spain about it and this without the consent of the French who coming there found that this Secretary had no sufficient procuration from the King to Treat besides the Spaniards were too strange and exorbitant in their demands that there was no hope of gaining any thing whereupon Musch returns and makes report of it to the Prince of Orange and the States General whereupon this Treaty was broken and the war carried on very fiercely but the Dutch would never confess any of this to the French Ambassador Charnasse when he told them of it but denied it saying there was no such thing and this was told the Lord Pauw who presently after went Ambassador into France by the King of France who likewise denied it there the King told him plainly That these secret proceedings did contradict their solemn Treaty and how much it did differ from the justice his Majesty had used towards them The Dutch to excuse themselves said That they had communicated it to Charnasse but it was after they had notice given them that their design would not take and that the Spaniard stood too much on Tipto This League Offensive and Defensive concluded in the year 1635. was renewed in the year 1636. where in the tenth Article it is expresly set down that this present Treaty shall no waies derogate from the former Treaties made beween the King of France and the said States dated at the Hagne September 6. 1636.
In the year 1637 there was another Treaty where the 7th Article saith that it shall not derogate from the former Treaties but shall all remain in force and vigour to be Religiously observed and effected on both sides In the year 1639 where in the 7th Article it is expressed that it shall no ways derogate from the things concluded on in the former Treaties but shall remain in their full force and vigour to be religiously kept on both sides Made at St Germains 26 April 1639. Nevertheless the Dutch Treat again with the Spaniard whereupon in the year 1640. Monsieur de la Thuillerie was sent Ambassador into Holland to let the States know that they could not conclude a Peace with Spain but conjoyntly His Commission being to hinder a Peace or Truce without France to tell them that they were not capable to make a Peace or Truce without his consent that it would be quite contrary to their Treaties Honour and Interest and that if he perceived any such inclination in them to protest against them for breach of Leagues and Covenants Whereupon in the year 1641 was made another Treaty the 6 Article of which saith that it shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been formerly agreed on all which shall remain in their full force and vigour to de Religiously observed on both sides Made at Paris Feb. 14. 1641. In the year 1642. there was another Treaty made where in the 6th Article you have the same as is mentioned before in the sixt Article 1641. made at St Germains Jan. 7. 1642. In the year 1643 there was another Treaty in the sixt Article of which is expresly set down as in the forementioned 1642. made at Paris March 3 1643. The King hapning to die in May following his son Lewis 14th succeeding him this Treaty was reconfirmed by him August 30. 1643. In this year 1643 the Lords States of Holland began to consult of sending to Munster to treat of a Peace with Spain without the consent of France at which the other States were offended and Monsieur de la Thuillerie was no ways backward to perswade them from making a Peace but pari passu according to the Treaties Therefore whilst the Lords States were busie in sending Plenipotentiaries to Munster there was a Treaty made in the year 1644. called Ligue Guarantie In the third Article of which Treaty are expresly the words of the ninth Article of the Treaty made with Lewis thirteenth and the sixth Article saith that this Treaty shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been concluded on in former Treaties which are to be vigorously and religiously observed by both parties made at the Hague March 1. 1644. and the 1 2 3 4 6 7. Articles speak expresly that no Peace shall be made directly or indirectly without the consent of both in very full and Emphaticall expressions which I forbear to mention because of brevity In the year 1645. another Treaty was made for the carrying on of the War conjoyntly and not to make any peace without the consent of each other abrogating nothing that concern'd former Treaties but all those things remaining in full force and vertue The King of France understanding that the States of the United Provinces were resolved to make a Peace with Spain in the year 1646. offered the Dutch a greater summ of mony and more men then ever was agreed on formerly in case the Dutch would stick to their Treatie of Ligue guarantie in the year 1644. and that neither party should make peace without the consent of the other conformable to these Articles 1. That the King should assist during that year the States General with 1200000 livers for no other use then to maintain an extraordinary supply of Souldiers whereupon the States do promise faithfully and Religiously to assault their Enemies with all their force and power 2. That the King of France shall give assignations for the said money to be paid all of it before the end of October following 3. In consideration whereof the States do oblige themselves to raise a strong Army and to bring them in the field and to make some considerable enterprize the King of France also promiseth the same in the Low Countreys to disadvantage his enemies as much as lyes in his power 5. This Treaty shall no ways derogate from the former Treaties which shall be faithfully and religiously observed and effected Signed and Sealed at Paris April 6. 1646. In explanation of the third Article the King of France was to bring an Army into the field of 18 or 20000 foot and 4 or 5000 horse by the fourth of May following The States obliged to set to sea 30 men of war of 2 3 4 and 500 tuns to hinder the enemy from entring into Flanders by Sea and to invest such Towns by sea as the King of France shall besiege by land hindring relief to such Towns either from the King of Spain or any other also to keep their Armie in the field so long as the good of the common Cause shall require it and the season of the year will permit According hereunto both armies drew into the field but the Dutch held the French in suspence appearing well in the field with their armie but when they were desired to undertake some notable Enterprize they put the French off with delays of which the French King complains but to little purpose for not long after the Dutch begin to treat with the Spaniard without the consent or advise of the French which was chiefly set on by Holland Then comes the Marquiss de Castel Rodrigo from Brussels to the States with a full power to treat the same was confirmed from Munster the Earl Penneranda sends word of it by his Secretary to the States Ambassadors at Munster and Monsieur Le Brun the King of Spains Ambassador came personally to the Hagte and shewed the Originall Copie of the said power to the States dated June 7. This stir'd up many to conclude the Peace suddenly The French Ambassador made several complaints hereof to the States also that the Catholick Religion was not permitted at Hulst according to the Treaty in the year 1635. desired their resolution in writing for the tolleration of the Catholick Religion in those Towns that should be taken that Summer Then Monsieur le Thuillerie went to Breda to consult about marching of the armies which was carried on but coldly though there seemed great advantage to offer it self and all likelyhood to carry Antwerp which France urged very much The Prince of Orange replyed That they had not men enough secondly he knew not in case the Town should be taken how to satisfie France in point of Religion France willing to give them any content thereby to take them off from making Peace with Spain freely offered them a supernumerarie of 3000 horse provided that upon reducement of Antwerp the Catholique Religion might there be tolerated Signed D' Estrades at Breda
Dutch for the fraught of the French Goods found aboard them without taking any of their goods at any time the contrary whereof our Merchants have found when as the Dutch have taken not only the Portugall Goods found aboard the English but such English Ships and Goods also without making of satisfaction to this day of which we have pregnant testimonie yet the searching for French Goods aboard their Vessels is so equitable and necessary that it is impossible unless we land Armies in France to have any reparation so long as the French may wholly manage their Trade in Dutch Vessels But to any rationall man this cannot be the cause of the late transactions of those people to us for first a long time before any Letters of Reprizall were granted they performed all those evil Offices aforementioned in the generall and since those Letters of Reprizall both on themselves and French for their sakes have been suspended their Admiral with his Fleet came to our Borders and whilst we lay securely in a time of friendship and Treaty came upon and assaulted part of our Navy as is formerly mentioned at large whereby it appears that as they formerly helped on our destruction so far as it concerned their profit and to lay us and our Liberties at the feet of a bloudy Tyrant so it is now their resolution as they are able to bring down this Nation to serve their Lusts and Cruelty and this as a reward for our saving of them from the sword of Spain and spilling our blood and money on the ground to lay the Foundation and secure the structure of their Riches and Prosperity The Blood of Amboyna shewed formerly how such things relished their Pallats and the clapping Captain Green and his men in Chains of late together with the outrages committed on our Ambassadors and several English people in their Territories their severall Arrests on our Ships and goods in their Ports and the late Engagement of Van Trump do now clearly demonstrate Though every weeks occurrences fild our ears with the noise of their preparations and the ranting and vile expressions against this State the abuse of the English there and their Ambassadors giving our Councell of State and Parliament Papers of their Resolutions of setting forth one hundred and fifty ships of War extraordinary which we might then very well conclude and have cause now to be assured were intended against us yet till those Papers came the Parliament moved not at all in any extraordinary preparations and then how requisit it was for this State to prepare for the security of their Seas and of that part of the ancient and undoubted Dominion of England let the world judge Yet so did they prepare as only to secure their own Right and what high time it was so to do the forementioned insolent and hostile behaviour of some of their ships to Captain Young for which the States gave one of the Captains a chain of gold and of Van Trump to our Navy whom they continue still in his Imployment thereby owning his late action is evident to all men It is worthy observation to consider unto what a height of Ingratitude Injustice and forgetfulness the pride of these men hath lifted them up It is not unknown to the world and to themselves though they would willingly forget it what was their condition when England first undertook their protection and what England hath done for them how they have permitted them to pass through their Seas to manage their Merchandise and required only their striking to our ships and Castles in acknowledgement of our Soveraignty And to fish in our Seas sometimes upon the requiring of a certain Tax sometimes freely and yet so bold are they upon our former Indulgence and condiscentions as to come up to our very dores and by treachery and force endeavour to snatch the Dominion thereof out of our hands though they cannot assigne one particular wherein the English hath designed or attempted any incroachment upon their Rights and Priviledges but have maintained them against all their opposers And no doubt but those men who with so much impudence and wickedness have attempted to dispoyle us of so antient and Indubitable a Right whereby our very defence for those Seas and our Ships are the outwalls and Bulwarks of this Island is endeanoured to be broken will also as they have oportunity labour to dispossess us of our Land Inheritance But as the former Kings of England took a severe course to chastise and cut off such luxuriant Exorbitances and as the Providence of God hath in their late Engagements given them a very great check so we doubt not but the Wisdom and Justice of the State through the assistance of God will so effectually proceed in the vindication of such wrongs as shall let them know what Right of ours they have encroached upon and by effectual ways perswading them from attempting such usurpations for the future What high time it is to take order with such men and reduce them to their proper bounds let the World judge and if that hereafter this State exerciseth a more strict Command over their own Jurisdiction in letting those men know at what rate they shall buy their Intrenchment on our Liberties they may thank themselves for such experience It is not the bare Complement of striking the Flag that hath been the occasion of these late contests as they would seem to pretend to gull and cheat well minded people as if so be for such a slight thing as the putting off a mans hat or the not putting it off were the ground of the late engagement or of what shall ensue thereupon In vain is such a snare as this set in the sight of England But it is the absolute and substantial Soveraignty of the narrow Seas which on our parts by such a deportment as the striking of the Flag or Topsail to our ships on those seas is required to be acknowledged and so hath been for many hundred years understood agreed unto and acknowledged by the Nations of Eruope which the Dutch by refusing to strike would deny A thing of such high importance that the former Kings would never endure but in their Commissions to their Captains at Sea commanded them to require obedience thereto by all or to fire sink or destroy them and which both Houses of Parliament in their Ordinance to that purpose commanded their Maritin Officers Now the Dutch refusing to strike do deny our Title and by their armed Fleets endeavour to take possession of our Inheritance therefore though to extenuate their hostility and cover their designes they would fain make the striking of the Flag a frivolous thing yet it is of as much concernment to us as the Dominion of those Seas and therin of our defence and the commodity of Fishing which those Seas yeeld in abundance and which themseves have found to be of so vast an advantage as that they know it to be the great staple
whilst the Prince of Orange drew his Army forth towards Antwerp upon the same Article to assist the taking in of which the French over above the former agreement of men and money lent them 3000 horse and 3000 foot which also were shipped and landed as desired ready to join in performance of that exploit The Prince of Orange having taken in the Castle of Teemche lying by the Scheld beyond Autwerp The French the Town of Dunkerk might easily have made himself Master of the Town of Antwerp they within having as good as tendred themselves up to him yet the Prince of Orange neither besieged nor assaulted the said Town but having left the Castle of Teemche assoon as he had taken it in a manner the design pretended against Antwerp vanisht to the great discontent of the French whose 6000 supplies were not made use of and committed many outrages in the County of Waes and the leaving that Town in the hands of the Spaniard and the poor Protestants there their owne flesh and blood called in dirision Brothers to the oppression of the Catholiques and other mischiefes to this very day contrary to the Union aforesaid whereby they were obliged to redeem them if taken out of the hand of the Spaniard How easie it was for them to have possessed Antwerp the forementioned particulars do evince and the whole Army of the Prince of Orange that were there know and the world is not ignorant thereof And all this for no other reason as can be imagined but that the Town of Antwerp being thus reduced would have drawn to its selfe its ancient and great Trade which Holland and Zealand enjoyes whilst Antwerp continues in the hand of the Spaniard and the Scheld shut up In the year 1624. presently after the Treaty of Campeigne made between Lewis 13. King of France and the States of the Vnited Provinces concerning a Subsidie against Spain another little Treaty was at the Hague between the King of France and the States wherein the States agreed to furnish the King of France with 20 ships under the command of Admiral Haultaine in a design to shut up Genoa by water whilst the Constable Lesdigueries should besiege it by land The War between the Protestants of France of which Rachel was the chief and the King of France falling out in the mean time the said King agreed also by his Ambassador Monsieur de Belluion with the said States for 20 ships against the Protestants of France whereof having received 8. the French King by his Ambassador Monsieur d'Espesses at the Hague moved the States that in regard he had present need of the other twelve ships which were not yet ready that the States should let him have twelve of the twenty that were designed for Genoa to be commanded by French Officers though the Lords States judged it better that they should be commanded by their own And these ships were to be imployed against the Duke of Sonbize principally who was tending to England for reliefe Whereupon the Lords States deputed the Lords of Essen Noortwyck and Bootelar to enter into conference with the said Ambassador who after many debates the 12. of Aprill 1625. at the Hague did finally agree and conclude First That the 20 ships should he forthwith sent to Sea and that the Admiral Haultain that should command them being come to the height of Callice and Dover shall give advice thereof to his Majesties Troops being at Haure de Grace That they may there imbarque themselves and that they then doe joyn with the Fleet and conjunctly steer their course to the Isle of Wight where being informed where the Duke of Soubize did keep himself and what Forces he might have And having first resolved how they might set upon him then they should put aboard the French Foot into 12 of those ships which afterwards should be commanded by French Officers under the conduct of the Admirall Haultain and this notwithstanding without removing out of the ships the Dutch Captains Officers or Mariners but in case they should be informed That the Duke of Sonbize was reduced to obedience or that the 12 ships of Supplies were arrived then the said 20 ships shall remain under the conduct of their Captains and the last 12 arrived ships shall be commanded by French Captains and then the 20 according to Treaty might passe as it was agreed on These ships were imployed against the Duke of Soubize and the charge defrayed by the French King and if any of the said ships came to miscarry in the French service the loss was to be made good by the French King Whilst the Admirall Haultain was at Sea in the Design aforesaid a Gentleman came to give his wife a visit who asking her how she did she told him That she was very much perplext and troubled in herself not being able to satisfie her own Conscience For if she prayed for the prosperity of her husband then she should pray against her owne Religion For her husband served against the Protestants And on the other side if she prayed for the Protestants then she should pray against her Husband Yet it is observable how God crost the Dutch in point of advantage in this business For though the ships performed very great service for the King of France and the poor Protestants were utterly subdued yet the King of France or the Cardinal Richelieua little after ordered a great number of their Merchant ships to be kept by force in the French Harbours and altogether some with their Cables Anchors Lading and what else belonged to them were sunk in the Channell of Rochell for which great losse and charge the Dutch were not paid in many years after And when they were paid it was by piecemeals being enforced to give great Bribes and Presents for the accomplishing thereof And to all this I might add what they have done in assisting the late King of England and his son against the truly godly of this Nation But this is already discoursed When a people come to be bold on God and in presumption of his favour upon some good act or other of theirs take liberty to commit all manner of wickednesse even to the putting out the face of Religion supposing that God is engaged to passe by their iniquity because of some acts of righteousnes and make such use of his patience and long-suffering which should lead them unto repentance as to think he delayes his coming and therefore fall on beating their fellow-servants and eat and drink with the drunken and of his holding of his peace and permitting of them success that he is one like unto themselves and approves of their falsness and wickedness Here what the Scripture saith in this particular Psal. 50. 21 22. These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a man as thy selfe But I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget
them in point of Trade in the East Indies and other parts which occasioned severall Treaties between them and us and in the year 1619 all things were concluded Notwithstanding which in the year 1622. was committed that barbarous and wicked murther on our English in Amboyna and the dispossessing us of those Islands of Spices to this day without making any satisfaction for the blood then shed the spoils then committed the breach of the Treaty then made and the Merchandize then and since taken from the English though it amounts to great sums and should have been perfected in the year 1625 or before it to say nothing of any other particular Certainly the Judgement of God and the Justice of Man will have a time to purge such blood from the Earth which it hath defiled and render unto them according to their deserts But paramount to all was Van Trumps late assault when we were in Amity upon their own offers treating for a more strict Union as is elsewhere mentioned at large in the Parliaments Declaration from the mischiefs and sadeffects of which God alone by his great mercy and providence hath delivered us And to all this let it onely be added That they are already in a League Defensive and Offensive with France a League de non offendendo with Spain a League Defensive with Sweden against Denmark and Defensive with Denmark against Sweden and all other Nations To sum up all If so be by the instances mentioned and what else may be brought of the same nature those of the Vnited Provinces have made it to appear as it seems to be very clear that they have been so far from asserting though they pretend nothing more the true reformed Protestant Religion and Liberty that they have not onely deserted strangers that have professed and contended for the said Principles but their own Flesh and Blood contrary to their holy and perpetuall League and Union called the Vnion of Vtrecht in the year 1579. as in the case of Antwerp Gant Bruges but have assisted the Popish Princes in the warres against their Protestant Subjects as in the case of Rochell and tyrannicall Princes in their warres against their Protestant Parliament and People contrary to the fundamentall Lawes of their Kingdoms as in the case of England and furnisht bloody Rebels with Arms and Ammunition and all other provisions to commit the most hellish massacres upon the Protestants as in the case of Ireland If so be that their sole businesse is to be free themselvs and to have all the world their slaves as they are able as is manifest by the whole proceed of their affairs and to shut up the commerce of the world from any but themselves as in the case of the Sound East Indies Amboyna Antwerp Flanders c. If so be the strongest and most sacred Stipulatious and Leagues solemnly sworn before God and oftentimes renewed upon the same sacrednesse made upon their own desires and necessity and grounded upon old and new curtesies and friendship and upon their own interests others have quitted Peace for their sakes onely and weltred in blood to effect their requests have been broken as two before the fire and of no validity as in the case of France Sweden and England and where they have made shew of tendernesse and affection to help up a Kingdom rising from the ground and yet design it onely as a cover to possesse their strength and riches as in the case of Portugall If so be they can easily swallow down Leagues contrary one to another as Earth is to Heaven as in the case of Sweden Denmark France and Spain If so be that when they seem mostly to desire Peace and strict union they intend it as a disguise to cover their designs of treachery and surprize as in the case of Trumps late assault If so be the Basis of their actions Divine and Humane and the whole of what ever they do attempt be advantage and profit and that Religion Liberty Principles Leagues Treaties Friendships Assistance must serv as oft as they judg it fit and think themselves able to accomplish it though never so contrary to the being of Humanity and all the Rules of Honesty and Faithfulnesse in the world as in the instances aforementioned And lastly if so be we of this Nation of England do believe that there is such a Cause of God this day amongst us that wil take off the a Burthen and the Yoak and cause b Justice to be administred equally to all and c establish Righteousnesse and Judgement in the Earth And that as it hath done much hereof in England already so it will perfect it and that God his will herein will cause to be declared and to proceed to other Nations till the whole d Creation that is now groaning under the exorbitant and wicked lusts of Kings and great ones whether in Monarchies or States be delivered into freedom and that this Cause will e Chastise every one that hath opposed it or born evill will unto it Then I say let England judge things rightly and take heed how they make Leagues and Union with such a people How they forbear to mind what the f voyce of Providence saith to them or neglect to take the opportunities that such a signall hand of God as hath lately appeared hath put before them to secure themselves do justice to their people and maintain the Reputation of that Cause amongst them which God hath written his Name upon both at Sea and Land in such unparalleld and glorious Characters And let every man take heed how he g seeks to bind the Hand of God when he is shaking his Rod over a people especially when they have upon them the symptoms of Displeasure and how they stand in the way of Gods designes in the world and how they expresse more tendernesse to such a people then to the security Blood and right of their Countrey-men and the will of God which we ought to pray to be done in earth as it is in Heaven For when the Lord is moved from his Throne to doe his great works in the world in routing Antichrist making of his name glorious in the relieving the h oppressed delivering the i captive helping him to k right that hath no helper throwing down the unrighteous Powers and Kingdoms appearing as the righteous Judge of all the Earth And lastly in setting up his l King on his holy Hill of Syon which he hath said shall be done and we believe and expect it to be done in these later times of the world Let all men yea the people of God take heed how they stand in his way For if his m Wrath kindle but a little happy are all those that trust in him FINIS 1622. O d. Lords and Commons in in Parliament April 5. 1643. Jer. 2. 3 Zach. 2. 8 a Eze. 25 3. 26. 2. b Eze. 25 6. c Eze. 25 12 15. 35. 5. d Eze. 26 2 e Eze. 36 3. f Eze. 35 12. g Eze. 35 10. h Zeph. 2. 8 i Jer. 12. 14 k Jer. 46 10. Isa. 63. 4 l Jer. 46. 15 16 18 22 27 28 29. m Isa 8. 21. n Psalme 125. 5 o Zac. 8. 2 p 1 Sam 17. 37 q Deut. 28. 1. r Is 13. 2 Gant 2. 4. Å¿ Isa. 55. 13. Zac. 9. 16 t 1 Kings 20. 23 Isay 16. 4. 5. 2 Pet. 3. 9. 1575 1609 100000. l. Sterling 200000. l. Sterling sterling 120000l Note Pennerands Letter intercepted saith that the French were not so much as named in the treaty by the Dutch 1640. a Isa. 9. 4. 10. 27. 14. 25. 58. 6. b Jer. 23. 5 6. Ezek 45. 9. Isa. 56. 1. Gen. 18. 19. 2 Sam. 8. 15 c Isa. 9. 7. 16. 5. 42. 4. Ps 99 4. Dan. 7. 22. d Rom. 8 22. e Jer. 12. 14. 46. 10. Ezek. 28. 24. f Mich. 6 9. 1 King 20. 42. 2 King 13. 19. g Jer. 7. 16. 11. 14. 14. 11 Gen. 19. 16. 17. 26 14. 12. 14 16 1 King 22. 28. 30. 32. h Ps. 103 6. 146. 7. i Isa. 61. 1. k Psa. 72. 12 l Psal. 2. 6. m Psal. 2. 12.
THE Case Stated BETWEEN ENGLAND And the United Provinces In this present Juncture Together with a short view of those Netherlanders in their late Practises As to Religion Liberty Leagues Treaties Amities Publish'd for the Information of and a warning to England By a Friend to this Commonwealth They rewarded me Evill for Good Psalm 35. 12. And Joab said unto Amasa Art thou in health my brother and Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to Kiss him but Amasa took no heed to the Sword that was in Joabs hand so he smote him therewith in the Fift Ribb 2 Sam. 22. 9 10. Who knowing the Judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of Death not only do the same but have pleasure in them that doe them Rom. 1. 32. For thus saith the Lord of Hosts After the Glory hath he sent me to the Nations that spoiled you for he that toucheth you toucheth the Apple of his Eye Zach. 2. 8. London Printed by Tho. Newcomb and are to be sold by Anthony Williamson at the Queens-arms in Pauls church-yard near the West-end M. DC LII The Case stated between ENGLAND and the UNITED Provinces in this present Juncture HAd it pleas'd the supream disposer of all things who changeth times and seasons and doth with the Nations of the World as he pleaseth to have continued the ancient Amity and friendship that hath been between the Commonwealth of England and the Vnited Provinces which on our parts hath always been endeavoured It would have been matter of great content unto us to have wanted the opportunity of discourses of this nature the English Nation having given for almost a century of years together the most unparalel'd Testimonies of their affections and love unto those Countreys but since they seem to chuse War rather then Peace in bringing their armed Fleets to our borders and there in a hostile manner assaulting and endeavouring to destroy part of our Navy whilst the Amity between them and us continued yea even when their Ambassadors were treating with us for a strict League and Vnion and notwithstanding the great tenderness of this State to avoid every thing that might lead to a Rupture saving the undoubted Rights and Dominion of this Nation and the Justice they ought to administer to their People thereby enforcing us to some engagement and seeing how necessary it is in such times as these that the People be rightly informed in the state of things I have briefly placed a few things together as the state of the Case whereby the People of England may know how much it concerneth them to look about in this present Juncture When the Spaniard was likely to have swallowed up the People of the Vnited Provinces their Libertie and Exercise of the Protestant Religion in the days of Queen Elizabeth and the sad groans of those then distressed States were by their Publick Ministers breathed forth to the State of England though the constitution then of this Nation was under Monarchy Though the Nation had but then abandoned the practise of the Popish Religion professed therein for many hundreds of years before which greatly dissetled the Peace thereof and caused many Rebellions Though this Nation was then engaged in War with Ireland and the Countreys about Though the chief Government thereof was by a Woman matter of encouragement to Enemies both abroad and at home to designe upon England Though all these were very great grounds wherefore England should have looked to her self and not empty her Treasures and weaken her Force for the preservation of others especially when that thereby she was likely to provoke the Spanish Powers against her self as it afterwards fell out in 1588 yet so open was the heart of the People of England to receive the cries of the Vnited Provinces so tenderly did they resent their Condition that as if it were not now the Dutch but the condition of England they willingly espoused their Quarrel undertook their Protection the Parliament of England advanced Queen Elizabeth several subsidies for this work and England enabled her to lend the Dutch eleven hundred thousand Pound Sterling which was a great sum of mony in those days and to them especially who could then hardly raise any considerable sum for the management of so great an affair in all their Provinces ship'd them over many thousands of English men when their own Countrey afforded very few Souldiers and all this when neither League Amity or Reciprocall kindness required them thereunto and which through the goodness of God put a present stop to the Spaniard who was breaking in upon them like the breach of the sea and in time helped them into that condition which hath occasioned them to give themselves the title of High and Mighty States and assisted their Nation so not for a year but for above four score years not in the beginning of their Wars only but till the last year that by Peace there was an end of War not when their condition had a probable dress of advantage upon it but when it was under the greatest improbabilities and this not with a thousand mens lives onely but with the lives of many thousands whose blood was shed in their Wars Nor did the necessity of our Engagements with Rebels within and the neighbour Nations round about cause us to withdraw our help from them but so dear were their Liberties and the profession of the Protestant Religion with them to us that it seem'd to be but one Nation one Cause and quarrel being entertained by us with the affections of Brethren the love of Friends and the respects of Neighbours and Allyes nor have we envyed at but rejoyced in their welfare and prosperity In process of time when the late King of England thought fit to put in execution what had been before contrived in his Father's days to wit the enslaving of England and to that end advanced his prerogative above the Law by which he ought to have ruled both by his oath and the constitution of this Nation and his power upon the consciences of his Subjects in the Injunction of superstitious Innovations in Religious Services which with his tolleration of Popery permitting of many Jesuits and the Popes Nuntio in England himself being sometimes seen at Mass were black symptomes of the Antichristian darkness coming upon us and to advance this end levied Arms against the Scots who then both saw and opposed those growing mischiefs when these things answered not his expectation but rather turned both Nations into union to withstand such proceedings he countenanced if not commissionated that horrid and not to be parallel'd Rebellion in Ireland the blood whereof is not stopt to this very day and yet when he saw the Parliament more resolved to oppose his wicked and Tyrannicall proceedings and that nothing would serve them but Justice on his evil Councellors and security for their Laws and Liberties being grieved that he had condiscended to any thing though it
Voluntiers to man 150 sail of ships of Warre which they declared to us they were providing their people calling for Arms against us and raging after such a manner as the English Merchants went not without danger in their streets and all this when their Ambassadors were treating with us here for a strict League and Union and when we had no thoughts of engaging against them or began any preparations to reinforce our Navy though it was high time after such alarms as those for the Parliament of England to provide for the security of their Seas and Traffick And that they might indeed shew their good will to this Commonwealth after much time had bin spent in treating for a more strict Union and things were drawing to some conclusion is it not manifest that they meant nothing lesse then a peaceable accommodation and intended their treaties as the disguised Ushers of treachery and warre in that Trump on the 19 of May 1652. with 42 ships of warre came up to the Downs and there assaulted our Generall Blake who riding neer Foulstone with fourteen ships only was enforced for some time by himself and afterwards with the rest of his Fleet to maintain four hours sharp fight till night parted them In which the providence of God mightily appeared in preserving our Fleet and repelling the enemy to his losse dishonor and therby delivered this Island at that time from the design treachery domination and cruelty of those people who when their tongues were smoother then oyl prepared war in their hearts and with their hands put it in execution Nor can it be otherwise understood then a designed engagement if so be his anchoring in Dover Road with his Fleet when extremity of weather did not enforce him his refusing to strike when Dover Castle by their shot summoned him thereto the denying the Merchanrs of Dover the night before the fight to perform their accustomed civility to visit their Fleet his sending two of his ships to Major Bourn who lay there onely with eight sail of ships the striking of those ships and their endeavours seemingly to excuse Van Trumps coming so neer and alledgeing the reason why he came no neerer viz. to avoid giving offence in regard of the controversie as he called it of the Flag and that he intended no injury to the English Nation which made Major Bourn jealous that they intended some mischiefe therefore he commanded out two ships to attend their motions and sent Generall Blake notice of their being there His moving the next day towards the French Coasts when Generall Blake came in sight of him and upon speaking with a Dutch Vessell which made all the sail she could to him and wafted her Flag to signifie as much his comming up presently with full wind and sail to Generall Blake who rode alone from his other ships his refusing to strike the ancient and undoubted acknowledgement of the English right and soveraignty in the adjacent Seas when Generall Blake summoned him thereunto by a Gun without a Ball another with a Ball his fiering through Generall Blakes Colours and falling upon him with a broad side immediatly without any parly before Generall Blake gave him a broad side his setting up presently a red Flag which being the signe before given the rest of his ships fel on our General and maintained with him his other ships a very hot fight as aforesaid and as by the narrative of the engagement and the examinations of his own Officers and letters relating thereunto printed by order of Parliament and ordered to be given unto their Ambassadors as an answer to their Papers and Desires for the proceed of the Treaty doth appear Together with his being angry with one of the said Captains in Holland because he struck sail to our Friggats as he came from the Streights as the said Captain and the Lieutenant now taken prisoners upon their examinations acknowledge besides what other accounts we have received of their debates and preparations to engage our Fleet Now what hath England done to these people that might occasion any such disingenuous and hostile proceedings Oh that they would produce their cause that we might answer thereunto and leave it to the world to judge Certainly had they any reall cause to assign that might bear weight in the ballance we should have heard thereof ere now for they are a people that are seldom wanting in things of that Nature Only we heard that the granting of Letters of Mart by us hath been made use of to incense those people against this State and by making of them mad under that pretence to shed their blood in an unjust war and to hasten their own and the destruction of their Countrey There is nothing more clear then that the granting of Letters of Mart in cases where Justice is denied to be done after it hath been duely sought as is our case is a necessary lawfull and just way according to Reason and the Laws of Nations practised throughout the world and by themselves and that such Letters of Reprisall are so far from being the occasion of War that they are in such cases the ultimate Preservatives against Nationall Engagements otherwise for Injuries done to the Subjects of any Nation by a Forraign People War must effect the satisfaction or it may be lawfull for any to rob and spoyl on the Seas that are enabled with power so to do it might occasion some discourse of that nature at large and the quoting of their own as well as the practises of other Nations for Instances but thus hath been the case with us that for very great Injuries and Blood and after above twenty years waiting in some cases for Justice of them which being denyed the Justice of this State renewed but one Letter of Reprisall upon them in the case of Mistriss Paulet granted by the late King for recōpence of 20000 l. principal besides charges of 20 years standing her self and Family being brought thereby to a morsell of bread yet when that was understood to be made use of by some Malignant spirits to prevent that Union which was said to be endeavouring by their Ambassadors in their Treaty that all occasion might be taken from those that sought occasion of difference this State suspended that Act before it was fully satisfied and not only so but all Letters of Reprisall upon the French who had so notoriously and to very great damages injur'd the Merchants of England notwithstanding that these wronged men had been at a great deal of costs to set out ships for recompence and had not accomplish'd it being thereby enforc'd to sit down by the loss of those charges also And all this to remove any occasion of clamour that might unduely happen upon the searching of Dutch Ships for French Goods though it is a known thing that the French covered their Goods in Flemish bottoms to avoid giving the English satisfaction and this we did notwithstanding that we paid the
June 22. The Lords Commissioners accepted with all humble acknowledgement the tender of 3000 Horse but withal desired the loan of 3000 Foot June 29 following The Duke of Orleans by Captain Remond sent this answer wherein he granted their desire both of 3000 Horse and 3000 Foot provided that the Catholick Religion be allowed as aforesaid Made at Breda July 4. 1646. Signed Remond Whereupon the Lords Commissioners promised to the King of France and Queen Regent that the Town of Antwerp falling into their hands they would leave there the exercise of the Catholick Religion free and publick Made at Breda the 11 July 1646. and signed by the Commissioners and in explication of the said agreement the Churches left for that purpose shall be four But that it may appear not onely how the Dutch did one while Treat with the French and make a shew of Friendship and that they would not break their Leagues with the French yet did deal under-hand with the Spaniard for the conclusion of a Peace as I have shewed already I shall now shew you how unhandsomely they served the French after the grant of these supplies and how they might have taken Antwerp if they had pleased Upon the ratification of the former things the Army of the Prince of Orange advanceth towards Antwerp and he was with his Army the 26 of July at Stechen then at Loqueren the French Supplies came according to Promise Teemche Castle lying by the Schelde beyond Antwerp was taken in the people of Antwerp did as good as offer up the Town to the Prince of Orange The French in the mean time had taken Dunkerk Antwerp would have followed with ease But the Prince of Orange left Teemche Castle assoon as he had taken it though that was the time to have taken Antwerp and never besieged or assaulted the said Town but the design thereof soon vanisht and the 6000 Auxiliaries not made use of to the great discontent and dammage of the French who by sparing such a number were disinabled to undertake any considerable thing that Summer and to the ruine of the poor Protestants there as I said before and the Treaty of Munster with the Spaniard went on without the notice or consent of the French And the French Ambassador told the States that some of the State-Plenipotentiaries at Munster had been with the Spanish Plenipotentiaries and assured them that although the Army of the States General should march into the field yet they should only lie still and effect nothing to the prejudice of the Spaniards Also the French Ambassadors shewed the States several Letters which they had received from France making mention of some Letters intercepted of Pennerandas wherein â—ee writes That the Peace was agreed on without having any regard to the French Interest which was not so much as named by the Dutch and though the other Provinces should hee against it yet because Holland was for it they would soon bring the other Provinces to a compliance as it did appear afterwards But to proceed the War being carried on against the Spaniard conjointly from the year 1635. to the year 1647. It brought the King of Spain very low Who thereupon sent his Ambassadors The Lords Conde De Penneranda and A Brun to sollicit the Dutch to a Treaty of peace who notwithstanding all the forementioned Leagues and Treaties to be faithfully and religiously kept that no Peace or Truce should be made with Spain without the consent of both parties having entred into a Ligue Guarrantie several times for that purpose the French being thereby deeply engaged against the Spaniard and having begun these Allyances and War upon the desire of the Dutch yet they entred upon a Treaty of Peace without the consent of the French and notwithstanding the several speeches of the French Ambassadors the Letters of the King and at last the Ambassadors Protest the 30 Januar 1648. A Peace was signed sealed and ratified at Munster between Philip 4. of Spain and the States of the United Provinces I shall only give you a touch of the proceeds of the French Ambassadors with the States during this Treaty and the States to him and so conclude this long yet necessary and pertinent story The States General having taken their final resolution for a Treaty of peace with Spain Monsieur de Thuillerie theFrench Ambassador Extraordinary the 15 November 1647 presented a paper to the said States wherein hee told them That he understood that they were upon the point to send their Plenipotentiaries to Munster to conclude their Negotiation with Spain and that nothing was wanting to be done but signing that he thought it convenient to minde them that hee had spoken with them concerning the reciprocal obligations that were between France and them which invited them to stand firm to what hath been formerly agreed upon to which he had received no answer it being requisite that hee should have one to give to the King and Queen Regent that they might give their Plenipotentiaries advice at Munster what they may expect especially since that at that time the Spaniard flattered himself of the hope he had to separate that State from the Crown of France Therefore he desired them earnestly to consider what had been formerly agreed on between them and that he had good hope of their great wisdome and wonted loyalty not to send their Plenipotentiaries to Munster otherwise then with Orders conformable to those obligations aforesaid and the Ancient friendship they had alwayes with France Hague 15 Novemb. 1647. Signed De la Thuillerie The States resolution being once for all confirmed they answered this Paper with silence The Heer Van Nederhorst was the only man of the Plenipotentiaries that scrupled the signing of the said Treaty and his reason was because their League and Covenants with the French King were not yet abrogated and that Oath of Agreement by which they were tyed to him not yet taken away who being one of the Plenipotentiaries feigning himself not well desired leave of the States for his healths sake to come home but the true cause why he desired to come away was to avoid signing it being against his Conscience for the reasons aforesaid The King of France understanding that the Treaty between the Spaniard and the Dutch was agreed on and signed sent a Letter to the States dated 14 Februar 1648. wherein hee tells them That he had heard with the greatest admiration what had past at Munster the 30 Januar. where the greatest part of their Ministers and Deputies had signed a particular Treaty with the Ministers of Spain that he could not imagine that their Ministers had acted therein according to their Intentions and that he doubted not but that assoon as they should be informed thereof they would give those necessary Orders whereby they will remedy all what hath been done to the prejudice of so many solemn Treaties agreed on at several times between that Crown and them which did hold forth expresly
that the Negotiation of Peace shall continually march hand in hand and that no Peace shall be agreed upon but by joint consent of both parties that for the farther manifesting thereof he had sent many particulars to his Ambassador Extraordinary to communicate to them on his behalf at that conjuacture of businesse of so great consequence to whom hee conjur'd them to give full credit Signed Lewis and then De Lomeine Paris 14. Februar 1648. The 3 March afterward Monsieur La Thuillerie had audience given him in the Assembly of the States where he made great complaints against their irregular proceedings in the Treaty of Peace with Spain against their own solemn Treaties with France That the King his Master did think himself highly injured by their breaking of their Vowes and Covenants which they had mutually promised viz. That they would never lay down their arms till they had wholly beaten the Spaniard out of the Low-Countries and not then neither but with the consent of both parties that the King his Master could not choose but protest against their unworthy dealing in forsaking them now on whom the French had built their strongest hopes and from whom they did expect in the like conjuncture in which they now were the reciprocal assistance which the French had given to the Dutch in their affairs both of Money and Men which they had spent to curb the ambition of Spain with whom the French were good friends but by their sollicitations the French had entred into that chargeable War whereby the burthen of the Dutch hath been lighter and those that were the Dutch's they had made their Enemies That they could not be ignorant in what state and condition the French were in the year 1634. how generously they declared War against the Spaniard in the year 1635 In which year was made that solemn Treaty never to make any Peace with Spain but with the mutual consents of both parties he called the world to judge how careful France had been to observe those Treaties and that the Plenipotentiaries of France were such Religious Observers of their promises that they staid twenty one moneths at Munster expecting the coming of the States Ambassadors before they would receive any one proposition from any Publique Minister whatsoever and withall if it were lawful for him to tell them that this one Action of theirs did very much eclipse the candor which that Commonwealth did profess That the King his Master could not believe that what was done was according to their Orders and that so many honest and Noble persons that did compose that body of State would break their solemn Leagues and Covenants which they had formerly made with the King of France therefore the King his Master did hope that they would not break so just and necessary a League I dare not say said he if you deal thus by us what other Princes will think of you that may have to deal with you Your Ratifications are not yet exchanged and you may refuse to deliver them to the Plenipotentiaries of Spain you are our Allies therefore more obliged to us then by words wherefore I doe maintain said he that you can goe no farther and that you and we have our hands tyed If so bee wee doe any thing that concerneth a peace with Spain if we doe it not with the consent of both parties Made at the Hague 3 March 1648. Signed De La Thuillerie Monsieur de la Thuillerie receiving no answer to this upon the 17 of March following demanded Audience where hee made another Proposition much like the former being resolved not to give over propounding till he had gotten an answer Who at length gave him this for answer That they were heartily sorry there could not bee the like Treaty of peace concluded on between the two Crowns of Spainand France as they had made with Spain That they had commanded their Plenipotentiaries to use their utmost endeavours to bring those two Crowns to a good agreement but all what they had done was labour lost to the great grief of the States That it was in vain to insist any longer on this point at Munster both parties being so unwilling to be reconciled And this was the Judgement of the Lords Mediators and others that have knowledge thereof Or else the States Generall would not have sent for their Ministers home That notwithstanding they were resolved to use all possible means to bring those two Crowns of Spain and France to an agreement and that there be a fair correspondence kept between the Crown ofFrance and the States of the Vnited Provinces and that they would send to their Plenipotentiaries to farther with all faithfulness an accommodation between Spain and France Monsieur de la Thuillerie perceiving the Dutch to be resolved to conclude the peace at Munster sent in this Proposition to the Assembly to let them understand how highly discontented the King his Master was with their proceedings in making a peace with Spain without his consent quoting their Leagues and that if they proceeded on in that Treaty as they had begun his Master would be inforced to let the world know how unhandsomely the Lords States have dealt with him and that he was obliged to take notice how they had dealt with the Spaniard to his prejudice contrary to the Treaty 1635. renewed 1644. where they were to proceed pari passu both in war and peace That if the Dutch had a mind to conclude a peace that they would communicate to the French Plenipotentiaries at Munster how farre they had proceeded in their Treaty with Spain which they had not performed all the while they had been at Munster according to agreement for the Treaty doth say expresly in one of the Articles That they shall communicate their proceedings conjointly if they enter into a Treaty of peace at any time with Spain which must be also with the consent of France Therefore he humbly desired them to write to their Plenipotentiaries to communicate their proceedings in writing to the French Plenipotentiaries as their loving friends and allies and also that his Master did desire them to desist from Treating according to former agreement aforementioned till both parties agree to carry on the Treaty again conjointly which the Lords Ambassadors of France had done being sent to by the Spaniard to Treat which they refused to doe because the Dutch had minded them of the agreement therefore his Master desired them to do the like by him All this said he was laid open to the Plenipotentiaries of this State at Munster by the French Plenipotentiaries notwithstanding the said Plenipotentiares came confidently the next day to the Plenipotentiaries of my Master and told them that they would proceed very speedily to the conclusion of their Treaty with the Spaniard whereupon the French Plenipotentiaries could do no less then protest against their proceedings who have formally declared at Munster that the Dutch have broken the Treaties made between them and