no arguments to excite his valour where indignities are offered These are the same Enemies which the Parlamentarians did heretofore contend with the Subject of the quarrel is the same there is the same justice therein that was formerly the Government is only varied to a Monarchy under which they possess their former Indulgence It behoves them now to convince the Dutch by new atchievements and redoubled fervour that they were no less valiant then fortunate and to satisfie His Majestie that they are not factious but deserve the favours they now enjoy I had forgot to tell the Reader one thing which is that the Dutch and English Memorials and Narratives do differ in their dates not only in the old and new Styles but otherwise two or three days so that if any person should endeavour to invalidate this Treatise upon such trivial exceptions I confess thus much and desire any man who can to amend such mistakes which are not much material to the grand controversies This ensuing Treatise was written long before the late revolutions in Holland and the death of the two brothers Cornelius and John deWit and whatsoever therein doth reflect upon the treacherous designs and villany of the States general and People it is to be applyed unto the Lovestein faction which hath always presided directed and swayed in the Councils and Determinations of the United Provinces partly by Artifice and popular insinuations partly by the interest of the Province of Holland For the better understanding of this affair it is requisite that I deduce the History of that faction from its first original whereby it will appear that the English have just cause to detest the Memory thereof and the Dutch good reason to impute thereunto the Odium Infamy and Calamities under which they at present suffer and upon the sense whereof the Burghers of the Hague did so barbarously murther those two insolent criminals John Olden Barnevelt was born at Amersfort in the Province of Utrecht his Extraction was mean but such his insinuation so popular his address so ready his wit so great his prudence so extraordinary his Learning in the Civil and Municipal Laws Usages and Records of his Countrey that having spent several years at Lovain in France Italy Germany and Switzerland at his return the Province of Holland entertained an high respect for him and He was much resorted unto being one of the Advocates at the Hague when the Count vander Marck had seized the Brill and that the rest of Holland began generally to embrace the party of the Pr. of Orange he was one of the three Advocates who in the year 1572. first acknowledged the proscribed Prince to be the lawful Governour of Holland He had no aversion for Popery his wife was of that Religion He contested with Leicester and the Protestant party in the Netherlands for an equal toleration of the Romanists c. But he was so fierce an Enemy to the Roman Ecclesiasticks that the Spaniards formed particular designs against him who by his niceties in Law disturbed the civil power and animated the people unto those outrages whereby their Church and Church-men were destroyed Having signalized himself by this demeanour he was chosen Councellor and Pensioner for the City of Roterdam A. D. 1576. The which office He executed with so much Zeal for the general liberties of his Countrey and of Roterdam particularly he so studiously caressed the Burgomasters and populace so fervently did he perswade his masters of Holland to seize upon all Church-lands so vigilant was he that the Magistrates in each Province and City should preserve their Soveraignty over the Protestant Clergy by placing and displacing them at pleasure and confining them to preach as the Magistrates pleased that he gained the repute of a most worthy Patriot in Holland and West-Friesland His Councils and Actions always shewed him to be implacable against the Spaniards and he pretended a great devotion to the House of Orange in 1579 he was zealous for the contracting that everlasting Union at Utrecht At which time the Provinces had not cast off all obedience to the King of Spain the Prince of Orange was Governour or State-holder of Holland Zealand and Utrecht by vertue of a Commission from the King in his name and for his service all things were said to be done by the United Provinces Notwithstanding that by this Union Art 9. No agreement for truce or peace or war was to be undertaken but by common consent And notwithstanding another League or Union particularly contracted betwixt Holland and Zealand for their acting joyntly and by communication of councils in 1575 1576. This Barnevelt faction designing to erect themselves into a Republick did take a resolution and privately sware amongst themselves that they would never acknowledge the king of Spain for their Soveraign pretend his authority or make use of his Seals whereby through an immutable negative Suffrage of that Province the rest were involved in a perpetual revolt This determination was made and they absolved one another from the Oath of Allegiance without the consent of the other Provinces and a good while before that the Deputies of Holland could perswade Zealand to consent thereunto It was decreed by Holland and West-friesland April 19. 1581. whereas the States General did not before 1582. declare that the king of Spain had forfeited his right and Dominion over those countries and all princely authority ceasing in him thereby was consolidated into the Estates and the whole Soveraignty devolved to the States of the respective united provinces Hereupon the Pr. of Orange from a Spanish Governour became subordinate to them and derived his Commission of State-holder and Captain-General from their Authority I shall not mention what the said faction did in opposition to the Archduke Matthias and the Duke of Anjou whereby they enervated their authority always acting separately and clandestinely from the rest of the Union It is an acknowledged case that the Province of Holland being swayed by the faction of Barnevelt were averse from the incorporating their Province with the Realm of France and had that king seriously inclined to accept the overture he would have found such private restrictions on the part of Holland as would have frustrated the negotiation indeed they were contrary to the conditions which the same province had assented unto in the Assembly of the States General Neither was Barnevelt better inclined unto Engalnd in reference to any real subjection thereunto It was never the intention of that party to return under any Monarchy and whatever he as one of the Deputies protested upon his knees whatever he signed unto it was his purpose only to engage the Queen to their protection and to involve Her Majesty in a war with Spain and thence to derive all the strength and profit imaginable without ever submitting unto her or to the Crown of Spain In that Treaty with Q. Elizabeth in 1585. He with the rest told the Qâ—…een that the
were to pay at Sea unto that Usurper being regulated as to the manner by the president of what had been Exhibited to the Royal Progenitors of his Majesty the Antient Kings of England the Right of whom was so acknowledged a thing heretofore in Holland that it is not only coâ—…fessed in the League of Cromwel and both the Treaties betwixt his Majesty and the Dutch but in the Twelvthâ—… Article of the Offensive and Defensive League betwixt France and the United Provinces Anno Dom. 1635. It was Agreed That if the Dutch Fleet which was to Scowre the French Coasts in the Mediterranean from Pirats should at any time meet the French the Admiral of the Dutch was to strike his Flag and lowre his Top-sail at his first approach unto tâ—…e French Flâ—…et and to Salute the Admiral of France with Guns who was to return the said Salute by Guns also as was usual when the Dutch and English Fleaets did meet With what sincerity the Dutch did Negotiate with the Crown of France is known only to the Searcher of Hearts and to Themselves For since the first Revolt of these pâ—…rfidious Hollanders unto this day it hath been their constant course to observe no Leagues further then they conduce to the Profit of the United Provinces and to Imbark all Princes in Wars upon promises of a firm Amity and Assistance and as soon as the said Princes are plunged thereinto to desert them and draw Advantages from their Enemies or else compel their Allies aforesaid to yield them more beneficial Articles Thus They served Queen Elizabeth Who complained thereof in 1598. Thus They imposed upon the most Christian King in 1635 and afterwards all along untill the conclusion of the Munster-peace Thus They served the Queen of Sweden in 1643 1644 It is possible that the King of France might suspect their Treachery especially since the same Men do now Sway the States General and Province of Holland who cheated France in the Munster-Peace lest having involved Him in a War with England and transported his Forces into that Kingdom they should change Sides and having extorted Cautionary Towns from the English employ their Armes against Him to His great detriment and disgrace if not Ruine It is much more possible that this Haughty and Generous Prince seeing in the Person of the King of England the Sacred MAJESTY of all Princes Vâ—…lified and Abused and recalling to mind how the same Dutch had Cosened the Crown of France and disappointed all the most hopeful designs of that Kingdom and its Allies by the Munster-peace contrary to so many Leagues renewed from them and after such constant supplies of Men and Money and without any default on the part of the French I say it is much more probable that upon these regards and a Detestation of the late Insolence of the Dutch towards His most Christian Majesty who during his Progress in Flanders had sent their Navy as it were to Brave him on his Coast at Dunkirk He was inclined more to the Amity of the King of England However it were the Dutch Negotiations in France were discovered by His Majesty the King of Great Brittain some months after the aforesaid refusal of the Flag Our King had Expostulated with their Embassadour Boreel concerning the Indignity of that Act which was a notorious Breach of the Articles and a thing which they yielded unto Cromwel As for Cromwel the Embassadour replied THEY FEARED HIM The which words as they carry with them the greatest Contempt in the world towards His Mayesty so they are demonstrations of the Dutch principles that these Hollanders act out of no sense of Honour Honesty and Conscience but accordingly as THEY HOPE AND FEAR He did further answer that If his Mayesty would be informed of the Action and the Sentiments of his Superiours their Assembly was at the Hague and thither he might send to be acquainted therewith Although Replies of this nature sound very harsh in the Ears and sinck deeply into the Minds of Princes yet so averse was His Majesty from a War with the United Provinces so willing to retain an inviolate Amity with that arrogant and ingrateful People that He did purpose to send an Envoy to demand Satisfaction for what had past and to understand their future Intendments But since to precipitate this Message had been to undervalue His Crown and Dignity as also an Argument of His fear to lose the Alliance of their High and Mighties one Moneth viz. August was suffered to Lapse before those Thoughts were assumed again It being but Justice that those who had offered the Affront and those HOLLANDERS HE the King of Great Britain should first apply themselves unto His Majesty After a Moneth or so was past Mr. Boreel takes an occasion to Discourse with the Principal Secretary of State and askes When His Majesty did intend to dispatch His Envoy to the Hague about the Action of Van Ghent It being rumour'd that His Majesty was much displeased thereat The Reply was That His Majesty had very great reason to take it ill that since He had gratified the Hollunders so much in the Treaty of 1662. and that of Breda and also in the Triple Alliance League of Guaranty and defensive Articles They should deny unto HIM above all others the RIGHT OF THE FLAG that antient and undoubted Regality of the Crown of England That he could not comprehend their meanings since if they had any respect for His Majesty or valued his Friendship they should voluntarily have done him right in a case so NOTORIOUS and Well-known unto them That the causless Breach of one Article in this Conjunction of Affairs rendred the Alliance with the United Provinces NULL and their FRIENDSHIP for ever suspected Yet so willing was His Majesty to continne the mutual Amity that an Envoy should ere long be dispatched It seemed harsh to an English Spirit that the King of Great Britain should send any Envoy from London to attend the leisure of an Audience from their High and Mighties at the Hague yet this had been done but that the States General to anticipate the Errand and prevent all hopes of accommodating the Affair but by a new Treaty proceeded to Vote and Decree that Van Ghent had done nothing but what became him nor did the Articles oblige THEIR FLEETS to strike the Flag unto ANY SINGLE MAN OF WAR of the Navy Royal of England They also represented the claim of his Majesty unto the Dominion of the Seas to be most Irrational and Ridiculous THIS was the Subject of the general Laughter and Scorn in Holland and with much Contempt did their Embassadours discourse of it in the Courts of Forein Princes His Majesty did regard these Passages with extraordinary Prudence He considered their Import at present and their future tendency It was manifest that all the Confederacies betwixt Him and the Dutch were at an end that the Defensive Articles were no longer of any force to oblige the
occasion these evils which thus ensue nor is He any way guilty of them If then the War with the United Provinces be Just which is an unquestionable truth if it be lawful for the Protestant King of Great Britain to enter into a League with the King of France though a Papist which cannot well be questioned those considerations ought not to perplex the Consciences of any English man which arise from the voluntary and subsequent proceedings of his most Christian Majesty It became the States General at first to weigh those things they are extrinsical to our Business But we ought to take notice with what circumspection as to this point his Majesty hath proceeded by Inviting them to come hither and securely to profess their Religion in England Whereupon his Majesty did most piously and motuproprio make as great a provision for the support of the Protestant Religion as it was possible for him in that condition which the Treachery and Villany of the Dutch Governours had reduced Him unto They had made the Interests of the two Nations to be incompatible and as it becomes all English-men to prefer their own Welfare before that of a Stranger so it is manifest that the Reformed Religion will be in a better Posture by the Grandeur and Puissance of these Realms than if they fell under the force of Holland Out of what hath been alledged in Answer unto the first Scruple there hath been in a manner suggested a Reply unto the Second Yet I do further say That his Majesty hath a Cordial and sincere regard unto the general good of the Protestants and how much he regarded the welfare of the Dutch it doth appear by the Treaty at Breda the Triple Alliance and Defensive Articles It is not in His Power to oblige them further against their Wills nor is it requisite and fitting that he give up the Rights of England and abandon the concerns of His natural Subjects for the benefit of Holland It is for the general benefit of Protestancy that England flourish rather then be destroyed Hereunto His Majesty hath bent all His Councils He neither sought this War nor ever declined a just and honourable Peace We cannot expect He should perform impossibilities in behalf of the reformed Religion in general and we ought not to amuse the People with insinuations that are either vain or malitious Let us rather contemplate the success which hath happened upon the contests betwixt Protestants heretofore When Maurice aided Charles the 5th though the Lantgrave of Hesse and Elector of Saxony both were overthrown in the quarrel yet was not Protestancy it self prejudiced thereby and the like events have sundry times fallen out so that we have no such reason to prognosticate these calamities unto the reformed Religion whether we attend unto experience or the good will of God in the disposition of affairs and whilst we perplex our selves about the Hollanders it may be they are now saying It is good for us that we were afflicted They may now be reclaimed from their Pride and Insolence and at once become better Christians and better Neighbours But to resume my Discourse The Reasons aforesaid did not the more elevated judgement of His Majesty suggest unto Him any others are sufficient to authorize our Amity with France and Enmity with Holland Which His Majesty did so conclude upon as to remember the English interest in preserving Flanders unto the Spaniard The Embassadour of that Crown I am sure hath with repeated Declarations been satisfied that His Majesty did not intend nor had by this League abandoned those thoughts which at first led Him to enter upon the Triple Alliance and that an Article to that purpose was so penned that a Son of Spain could not have been more express as to that point then the King of England was If his Majesty did transact this whole affair with great secrecy it is an Argument of His extraordinary Conduct which was necessary to so great an affair If He did not advise with the Parliament about the War let us believe it not to have been fit that His privacies should be made publick or that the League should be protracted by their tedious debates and let us acknowledge that according to the English Laws His Majesty is sole Arbitrator and Judge of War and Peace and if our Kings have sometimes advised with their Parliaments about Wars they were never obliged thereunto If that hitherto the Conduct of His Majesty hath appeared to be such that every man must be satisfied with His care and vigilancy for the welfare and honour of His Subjects that which I now come to treat of is such an Action that represents His Prudence to be as great as Clemency and as by the latter vertue He hath equalled Himself to the best of former Princes so I am confident that Antiquity even those Ages which our Homily terms purer then our's did never produce any contrivance equal to what I now come to discourse upon and that is His Majesties Declaration to all His loving Subjects March 15. 1671. To do His Majesty justice about this point and to describe the excellency of that advise I shall choose to imitate the Painter of Crotona who being to draw the Picture of Venus assembled all the beautifull Damsels of the City and by reducing all those perfections which were scattered amongst them into one Effigies did pourtray His Deity or as in some Optick Tables the beautie of a multitude of little Figures are transferred and by reflexion form the Image of some Hero which is all life charm and attraict Thus I will faithfully repeat the several Decrees of the Christian Emperours in the purest times whose Prudence and Piety hath endeared their memories unto all the Church and whom the Church of England doth oblige all Her Sons to have in Reverence and thence it will be manifest that His Majesty hath revived again with advantage that Piety and Policy which is thought to have declined these thirteen hundred years Before I descend to the particulars it is requisite that I deduce these Counsils of His Majesty from their true Original that is His great Devotion unto and tenderness for the preservation of the Church of England Were Our Church retired into the Wilderness were their Dioceses in the desarts of Thebais or some unknown corner of the Earth the Ecclesiasticks might with safety perhaps attend unto their Devotion and perform in their Cells Hermitages and Mandrae the duties of Religion with poverty and without molestation But since it hath pleased Divine Providence to advance the Christian Church above its Primitive Streights want and persecution being originally its allotment to reduce the Kings and Emperours of the Earth unto the Christian Faith and to incorporate the concerns of Religion with those of the Empire other contrivances other means are necessary to support the Lustre and Grandeur of this Church now then were practised in its first condition and those are such as conform
they owe to his Royal Ancestours as to entreat His Majesty so uncivilly in this case whereas in June 1652. after their Fleet had been repulsed by Blake to appease Us They of their own accord did declare by the Lord Adrian Paaw that The States General had no intention to lessen the Honour and Dignity of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England but that They had given command heretofore and also since the late unhappy Accident New Order That upon meetings and salutings of the Fleets or Ships of War concerning the striking down of the Flag and what belong to it there should be the same Honour done to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England as was formerly done during the other Government We cannot but wonder that They should be so ready then to exhibit those Honours to such as they were not due unto and now refuse to pay them when they are due by an immemorial custome which They cannot plead ignoranâ—… to The Rights of the Crown of England being the basis of the Parlamentary pretensions and the measures for the adjusting those Honours were taken from what had been done during the Monarchy of England To the Article aforesaid as it is worded their Embassadours Nov. 22. 1653. did not make any exception either as to the striking of the Flag or Soveraignty of the Sea but they protested against the visiting of their Ships as repugnant to the practise of their Country and subject to a thousand disorders and disputes and injuries to their State besides the visiting is not to be reciprocal Whereupon Cromwell in the name of the Commissioners replyed That the searching of their Ships was no new thing but an undoubted right which naturally followed from the Soveraignty of the Sea the which did appertain to England It was likewise an efflux of the same dominion for the English to prescribe unto them with what number of Ships of War they should pass the British Seas That they ought to be much more zealous now for the asserting the said ancient dominion of the Sea in all its branches because it had been so lately and so notoriously disputed and invaded And whereas the Embassadours had somewhat boastingly said in their Memorial that Their people were of such Generosity that they would never endure such Terms To this Cromwel said he would reply no more Then that we were English-men and had not lost our Courage After this the Embassadours came to be more calm and Dec. 23. 1653. gave in a particular Answer to the Articles exhibited and as to this They desired it might be extended in this manner That the Ships and Vessels of the United Provinces as well Men of War as others meeting with any of the Ships of War of the State of England shall honour and dignifie them with the striking of the Flag and lowering the Topsail in such a manner as ever under any form of Government in times past they have been honoured and dignified and to prevent all quarrels for the future the particulars thereof shall be regulated by the advise of the Generals and Commanders But hereunto the Council of State would not assent being resolved to have the Dominion of the Sea recognized by them And the Embassadours did at last resolve to comply with them in that demand beseeching them that they would mitigate the other Articles But Cromwel having deposed first that pretended Parliament and then the Council of State to ingratiate himself with them and secure his usurpations the better He consented Decemb. 26. 1653. That the Article should run thus That the Ships and Vessels of the United Provinces as well Men of War as others meeting with any of the Ships of War of the State of England shall strike their Flag and lower their Top-sail The Embassadours hereupon Decemb. 28. 1653. moved That it might be limited within the Narrow Seas which commonly are called the Brittish Seas and by a special Order it may be regulated with a distinction of places and shores in such a manner That the same honour and dignity of striking the Flag and lowering the Topsail be observed for the future as in tiâ—…e past under the former Government it hath been observed On the same day Cromwel returned them this Answer that For the inserting of those words the Brittish Seas He did adhere thereto but it seems He thought it a Diminution of his Glory to have the respects payed to his Highness compared with those which were usual to the former Kings of England Whereupon the Embassadours rejoyn That the words In such a manner as it hath been observed in times past under any former Government derogate nothing from the State or Nation 〈◊〉 but are necessary for them to justifie it to their Superiors and People supposing it to be no Novelty By these degrees was the Thirteenth Article of the Treaty betwixt Cromwel and the Dutch modelled into what is printed in Aitzma And thence it was transcribed into the Tenth Article of the English League made at White-hall Sept. 14. 1662. and afterwards into the Nineteenth Article at Breda In the management hereof we may observe that Cromwel the better to ensure himself against his forreign and domestick Enemies did rather leave untouched and undecided the Soveraignty of the Seas then relinquish the Right Secondly by the Brittish Seas in the Article about the Flag are meant the Four Seas and not the Channel only Which is evident hereby in that Art 3. He doth not distinguish the Brittish Sea from the North-Sea as in the Seventh Article of the Treaty of Breda but includes the North Sea in the Brittish Seas where He mentions depraedations happening twelve dayes after the Peace being signed It is also to be remarked that the pretended Common-wealth did explain what They meant by the Brittish Seas ARTIC XIV That the Inhabitants and Subjects of the United Provinces may with Their Ships and Vessels furnished as Merchant-men freely use their navigation sail pass and repass in the Seas of great Brittain and Ireland and the Isles within the same commonly called the Brittish Seas without any wrong or injury to be offered them by the Ships or People of this Common-wealth but on the contrary shall be treated with all Love and friendly offices And may likewise with their Men of War not exceeding such a number as shall be agreed upon in this Treaty sail pass and repass thorough the said Seas to and from the Countreys and Ports beyond them But in case the States General shall have occasion to pass the said Seas with a great number of Ships of War they shall give three months notice of their intentions to the said Common-wealth and obtain their consent for the passing of such a Fleet for preventing all jealousies and misunderstandings betwixt the States by means thereof This therefore being the notion of those times must contain the sense of Cromwel and we wonder that the Considerer should offer
that they were really inclined by Just and Honourable means to extinguish the fire of war stop the effusion of Christian blood and restore Amity betwixt the Nations That as They had not been wanting in the beginnâ—…ng to prevent the ensuing calamities so they were not altered with successes from their former good Intentions That they were ready upon the grounds expressed in the Letter from the Proâ—…incial States of Holland and West-friesland friendly â—…to compose differences c. These Letters had that effect which the Parlamentarians proposed to themselves The other Provinces complained of Holland that They had broke the Union by treating privately and separately The States of Holland and West-friesland denied they ever writ such a Letter The Commonalty raged thereat and cryed it was more safe to fight then to trust that Parliament But wiser men thought it impossible for them to continue the war and Count William of Nassau induced Friesland and Groninghen to joyn with Holland and afterwards the other Provinces did consent to a Treaty They were somewhat angry that the pretended Parliament had given no Titles in the inscription of their Letter and that They had now lost the Elogies of High and Mighty They saw that this Treaty was not likely to be so Glorious for them as that of Munster where Their Plenipotentiaries were stiled Their Excellencies and the States General never mentioned but with the addition of High and Mighty when the Count Penneranda waited on their Embassadours unto their Coaches and Mr. le Duc de Longville with D' Avaux and Sevaient gave them the precedence and accompanied them to their Coaches That the K. of France in a thousand Treaties and Letters had given them These Titles and verified them by an Edict upon complaint that His most Christian Majesty had robbed Them of the Titles of The Most Invincible The Most Mighty The Most Renowned in some addresses of His and presumed to name them Sieurs Estats instead of Seigneurs Estats in the draught of the League of Guaranty 1644. But these Parlamentarians were people of no breeding since They omitted these so usual Titles and gross Sectaries from the Reformed Religion to deny them all the Attributes of God Almighty viz. The Most High The Most Mighty The Most Fore-seeing States General c. Yet since they had to do with the Commors of England not with Kings and Princes with such persons They would not now dispute Titles the omission whereof did not argue their weakness but the rudeness of the English and consequently the disparagement was on Their side A Letter therefore was sent From the States General of the United Provinces to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England Wherein they declared that They had alwaies endeavoured with a good and sincere intention not only to keep but to augment more and more all manner of friendship and correspondence with the said Parliament and would now do any thing that might contribute to so pious and Christian an Union desiring a Neutral place and Plenipotentiaries might be appointed forthwith on both sides Apr. 30. 1653. Whilst these things were thus transacting at the Hâ—…gue Col. Dâ—…leman and those that transacted for the Province of Holland together with Hugh Peters did make very submiss applications to the Members of the Council of State and Parliament confessing That they were not able to conâ—…est with the puissance of England offering to acknowledge the English for Soveraâ—…gns of the Brittish Seas to express this in each Captains instructions and declare it by an Act of State and withal to purchase their Aâ—…y with a sum of 300000 l. These overtures being made to Gen. Cromwel amongst others did raise in him an Ambition to aggrandise himself by deposing His Masters who began to suspect his Greatness and designs whereunto the Dutch animated Him into the hopes of that or a greater sum The pretended Parliament being secluded the Army placeth the power pro tempore in the Council of State it being constituted of many of the former Members and some additional Officers of the Army The old Rumpers were befoold by Cromwel as if He by a kind of Dictatorship would settle that equal Republick which 't was impossible to institute and effect by the Parliament To the more devout and Fifth-monarchists He promised to erect a Dominion of Saints both became hereupon divided in their intents though equally animated against the Hollanders To them doth G. Cromwel impart the Letter from the States General which their Messenger Mr. Thilman Aquilius had delivered unto Him The Council returned an Answer May 6. 1653. signed J. Lambert President J. Thurloe Secretary declaring That not withstanding the late change and alteration of affairs which it had pleased the wise and all-disposing hand of God to bring to pass in the Common-wealth yet They had the said amicable intentions for the United Provinces with sincere desires to put an end unto the war and establish a firm and lasting peace betwixt the Nations That it would be tedious to send Plenipotentiaries to a Neutral place but if The States General would send any to London the Council would begin a conference with Them and yield to any terms that might reasonably be expected This revolution in England added new life to the drooping Dutch they begin to contemn the new Government and think to extort any conditions from the distracted Nation they flatter themselves with an opinion that the conduct of affairs will be altered that the Fleet would not fight that the pretended Parliament would attempt to re-establish themselves Whereupon they equip out a great Fleet under Van Trump De Wit the two Evertsons and De Ruâ—…ter And withal design sour Deâ—…uties Mr. Beverning Nieuport Vande Perre and Jonstall to go upon an Embassy unto England whereof the first should go away presently there to spy into the posture of the Nation the intentions of the Council and to keep on foot a Treaty which they would seriously pursâ—…e as occasion required Their Fleet was much more numerous then that of the Englâ—…sh the Commanders stout and expert yet were They beaten June 2. and 3. upon the Coast of Flanders about thirty four of their Ships buâ—…nt and taken and the rest chased home towards their ports This ill success hastned the dispatch of the Deputiâ—…s and Van Beverning is immediately sent to London not staying for a Pasport where He arrives about June 16. there He found a welcome answerable to what He deserved For His Superiours did hope to have retarded the English preparations and Counsils whilst They encreased the Strength of their own Navy so as that They doubted not to put a more speedy end unto the war by Battle then by Composition and the Council being aware of these intendments and that They did not really and cord ally embrace the Treaty for Peace They determined to use them with such haughiiness as Their present Victory inspired Them with and since but one of the
Republicks and of mingling the Soveraignties in such manner as is propounded not the least mark will appear nor in any former ages in any Histories or any Treaty of any Nation The Amphictiones in Greece the Associated Cities in Italy in the first times of the Romans who were so straightly and closely confederated that they had the same friends and enemies have yet maintain'd every one of them an absolute Soveraignty The same is and hath been observed by the Switzers Grisons and others in their confederation the Princes of the house of Burgundy having obtain'd by succession and time the Dominion of the seventeen Provinces have endeavoured to Unite them Under one head and supream absolute Authority the Princes of the house of Austria in the same quality and being supported by the German Empire and so many Kingdoms have not only imployed all sorts of Policy but all their Arms and Forces to the same effect but the States of the said Provinces have not only opposed themselves with all sorts of reasons and remonstrances but at last to maintain their Rights and the Priviledges of their Provinces have imployed their forces to the utmost hazards of their lives and fortunes and by God's blessing have had an happy Issue and being necessitated to a mutual defense for the future stand united by the most compleat and firm confederation that could possibly be made yet with great precautions of their several Soveraignties and Priviledges which cannot admit any mixture and consequently no Coalition so qualified as is here propounded And how can it be conceived for us to joyn or unite our selves more strictly to others then we are amongst our selves The same incongruities which offer themselves in the general would be discovered in the particulars if all the circumstances of such a Coalition should be represented at large the marks the rights the effects the execution practice of Soveraignty considered apart would include a thousand impossibilities which are needless to specifie in this Paper Assuring themselves that the Lords of the Council of State do easily comprehend them And to Answer again to this Proposition the subscribed Deputies are obliged to say that having been invited hither to a negotiation honourable and just They cannot comprehend that the Lords of the Council would now retard a business of so high a consequence for circumstances which they themselves cannot but judge impossible but will rather condescend to reasonable Articles and Conditions by a Treaty tending to a firm and mutual union and confederacy wherein might be found the reciprocal satisfaction and security so much desired And if contrary to their expectations the Lords of the Council persist still in the same resolutions expressed in their last Paper the said Deputies will be necessitated to return to their Superiours to relate and give an account to them of their negotiations here And to that end do earnestly desire that as soon as possibly they can the Lords of the Council will be pleased to afford them the opportunity of taking their leaves being very sensible that after more then five weeks expectancy they shall be forced to return without any effect of their wished and sincere intentions so often reiterated in their several Papers Protesting before the Almighty God that to their Power they have not been wanting to set a just and fitting period to this bloody and Unchristian War and will be no wayes guilty of the Innocent blood and sad inconveniencies that will of necessity fall upon both Nations they having such pregnant Reasons to seek each others mutual good and prosperity The Answer of the Council to the aforesaid Paper THe Council of State having perused the Paper which the Deputies of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces sent unto them upon Wednesday night at seven a clock do confess themselves to be very much surprised therewith having in no sort expected the Answer given thereby to the Proposition of the Council conteined in their last Paper delivered unto them in a Conference the Monday before and cannot yet comprehend the particular reasons and grounds which have moved their Lorships thereunto And therefore find it necessary to declare that having seriously weighed and considered with themselves the true Interest of both Common-wealths the state and posture of each others affairs and the grounds and causes of the present differences with the security which this State was in justice to expect It was not obvious to them by what other means this breach could be throughly healed a peace secur'd and those ends professed by both sides to be aimed at in this present Treaty accomplisht then by the Uniting both States into one Common-wealth whereby a security would not only be obtained but great advantages arise out of it to both States especially to the people of the United Provinces which is so demonstrable that if the said Deputies had by their Answer given opportunity for the Consideration of particulars instead of having under the General terms of Confusions Impossibilities and Novelties condemned and concluded against it upon Allegations that they have not found such Coalition and mixture of Soveraignties in the first times of the Romans or in the Histories of former Ages No doubt would have remained concerning the Candour and entire affection of this State in the propounding it or of the real benefits which would accrue thereby and it is such an Instance of friendship and goodwill on the part of this State that all circumstances considered no age can procuce a Parallel And therefore the Positive refusal of this Tender is no less strange unto the Council then it is to find also in the same Paper that the said Lords Deputies do confess openly and in express terms that no more is meant by their often repeated words of more Intrinsick Union and close and straight confederation that what is contaiâ—…'d in the Propositions offered by them at their first Audience whereby they do demand free trade to the Islands and Plantations of this Common-wealth in America prohibited by an Act of Parliament to all Strangers and in the same Article restrain this Common-wealth from trading to their Plantations in the East-Indies or elsewhere save in Europe the recalling as to them the Act lately made for the Encouragement of Trade and Navigation the taking away of Strangers-Customs liberty for their people to buy land in these countries equally with the Natives Nay by the first article of these Propositions They do in effect demand to share with this State in the Soveraignty of the Narrow Seas and in their rights of Fishing so that whereas the Council dâ—…d propound the Uniting of the two Common-wealths into one whereupon would follow an equal communication of all priviledges and advantages without distinction of Place or Persons and wherein the Advantage would be to the People of the United Provinces in respect of the greatness of this State the multitude of â—…orts the fishing and other Advantages which the
Netherlands have not they on the other part would unite in an allyance so farr as might only give to One side a right to what is peculiar to the Other And these things being askt and vehemently insisted on by the Three extraordinary Ambassadours of the United Provinces before and at the time of the Attempt made by their Admiral Tromp upon the English Fleet and the same being now again revived and prest in every Paper as it cannot be otherwise understood but that the Present War was begun in a great measure to obtain these by force seeing they were not likely to be had by a Treaty so doth it so much the more justifie the demand of this State for satisfaction and concern them to insist upon security for the future which latter they have not in any of their Papers confined to Coalition as excluding all other wayes or means of security having propounded it no otherwise but as that which in their judgment is most just and equal in it self most honourable and profitable unto both most easie and practicable in respect of the present difficulties and lastly the most likely means by the blessing of God to obviate and prevent the designs of the Enemies to the Interest of Christ and his People in both the Nations And seeing the said Lords Deputies are of another mind the Council did expect to have understood from them by what other particular wayes and means this State shall be secured nothing having hitherto been propounded by them but what gives rather ground of Jealousie then Confidence with their direct Answer to the Demand of Satisfaction that thereupon the Council might speedily have applyed themselves to a reasonable and moderating ascertaining of the sum are sorry that after six weeks time They have not been able to obtein either Notwithstanding this State have not omitted at large to explain and evince the justice and reasonableness of their demands on that behalf nor to declare the same by their Letters writ as well to the States of Holland as to the States General before the sending of the said Deputies hither expressing themselves therein ready to proceed upon the same grounds for making up the present breach as formerly they offer'd in Answer to that part of the Paper of the Lord of Hempsted desiring This State to propound what might be just and reasonable for composing the present differences and without other alteration then what is incident to that which hath since happened in this unwelcome War which the said Deputies themselves acknowledge in their said last Paper to be an Invitation honourable and just and Therefore the Council doth the less understand why They delay to conform themselves thereunto Seeing no more is insisted now upon then was plainly expressed in the afforesaid Letters which they call their Invitation hither And this being in brief the true State of the Proceedings hitherto if the said Deputies of the Lords the States General shall judge it best for the Interest of both States and the Protestant Religion to return home without giving any satisfactory answer to the Demands of Repuration and Security and thereby leave the Nations imbroyled in this bloody War when it is put into their power to End it Although the Council cannot deny to give them Audience to take their leaves at what day and hour they shall desire it yet this State will be able to acquit themselves before the Lord and all good men that with all uprightness and sincerity they have contributed their Endeavours to make up the breach and to unite the two Nations more firmly and entirely then heretofore This Paper amazed the Dutch Embassadours it being manifest that the English were inexorable and resolute not to entrust their future safety and peace upon any pretensions promises or assurances which the United Provinces could give them that it was impossible to divert them from these sentiments by any Artifices or by the interposition of any forreign Prince in regard that the Council of State had declined the mediâ—…tion of the Crown of Sweden telling Mr. Lagerveldt Embassadour thence that They thanked Her Majesty of Sweden for the zeal which she expressed for the resettlement of peace betwixt England and the United Provinces That the Parliament hoped and did pray to God that the hearts and minds of the States General might be seriously disposed to accept thereof Wherefore they desire a Pass for two of them W. Nieuport and Allard Peter Jongstall to go unto the Hague there to give unto their Superiours a full relation with all the circumstances of these proceedings The which was readily granted Aug. 3. 1653. The Council adding That as They had omitted no just and sitting means to testifie their readiness to a peace with the United Provinces so do They continue the same good intentions and shall still contribute their endeavours to effect the same for the mutual good and security of both States upon the grounds and principles expressed in their former Papers The Embassadours Mr. Van Beverning and Van de Perre which remained in England omitted not to sollicite any persons that they thought might influence the Council of State The total defeat of their Naval forces accompanied with the Death of Van Trump ensued the departure of those Deputies and the States General were about the same time acquainted with the demand of the Council of State and with the Successes of the English under the Admirals Blake and Monk who had sunk and fired about thirty Men of war no quarter being given till the end of the battail six Captains and about a thousand Men were taken prisoners and about six thousand slain This added much to the courage of the English Nation in general at home and to their renown abroad the Royalists had no commiseration for the Dutch because they had refused to mix the interests of the King with those of the United Provinces from whence They did collect that the Hollanders did really intend the subjugation of England and that their purpose was to reduce the Nation to a perpetual dependence upon them as to Navigation and Commerce The Parlamentarians did not doubt of the sinister ends of the Dutch and that They most perfidiously intended the destruction of the English Fleet The Munster-peace was fresh in every ones Memory and none could promise to themselves any security in the Leagues and Promises of the Hollanders who had so horribly deluded France The point of Coalition seemed most just and eqâ—…itable since it brought the Dutch into that condition which they begged upon their knees to be received unto in the dayes of Q. Elizabeth and the effects of all the English conquests appeared moderate and Christian being to terminate in the making an union of the two Nations and putting the vanquished in the same estate with the Victors As to the dominion of the Sea none doubted that it was the Right of England and that we ought not to abandon it and suffer the
encroaching Dutch to grow too potent thereon nothing being so certain as this That the Dutch wheresoever they mingle themselves do undermine and destroy the Trade of all other Nations that resort unto those parts The Convention summoned by the Council and vulgarly stiled Praisegod Barebone's Parliament were as averse from the Dutch as any men They looked upon them as carnal and worldly politicians Enemies to the Kingdome of Christ and such as would upon all occasions retard the progress of the Saints and People of God in overturning the powers of this world that Antichrist the Man of Sin could never be destroyed in Italy whilst the Dutch retained any considerable strength in the United Provinces The Nicety of the Flag they did not much insist upon nor assert the dominion of the Seas but they did hold it necessary in order to the coming of Christ and the personal Reign that the Seas should be secured and preserved as peaceable as the Land and that all Powers whether by Sea or Land ought jointly to submit unto the Sceptre of King Jesus whose wayes They and not the Hollanders were to prepare As for the procedure of the Dutch by way of Petition they thought it might be continued since the power of the Council of State was all one with that of the Saints and theirs derived from Him to whom all power is given And upon that account the Dutch ought to continue their addresses of Messeigneurs and Tres-illustres Seignâ—…urs most honourable Lords unto the said Council not in that sense wherein it is forbid by the Gospel but in that whereby our Lord Christ assumes such Tâ—…les and likewise confers them on the Saints that the signification not sound of words was to be attended unto that there is a great equivocation in Language that King and Kingdom Power and Dominion are names equally communicable to Christ and Satan but yet there is a vast difference in their import on such dâ—…stant cases The Saints therefore might tolerate them without scruple and the Dutch ought not to refuse them least it should be deemed a rejection of the Kingdom of Christ which was now approaching that the Dutch ought to kiss the Son least he be angry and they perish and should have a care how they contemned his holy ones least they were chastised with the rod of Iron In sine so little did they value these empâ—…y Titles in reference to the world that if the Deputies would salute every masiiff dogg or barking curr in England with the complement of Monseignor they would not resent it as an Indignity The Embassadours were now móre perplexed then before it was difficult to treat with and impossible to prevail upon these Men they were now in danger to be absolutely ruined as Enemies of Christ rather then of England and a Coalition with England would not satisfie except they likwise annexed their Provinces unto the Fifth Monarchy In Holland the distractions were so great that the common people obeyed no longer their Governours The Placaris of the States General were despised and They in danger to be plundered and ruined by the ignorant and impetuous rabble However the Provincials met and consult about new Instructions for their Embassadours in this juncture The opinion of Holland was that The Coalition should never be assented unto but a strict League Defensive should be proffered in the same manner as before that They ought to contract forreign Amities especially with France and equip out a Fleet with all possible expedition The other Provinces advised that assistance should be given to the Scots and no satisfaction yielded unto the English and that a League should be made with France Brandenburgh and the German Princes After this Nieuport and Joâ—…aestall depart for England with instructions to protract time according as they saw disorders to encrease there upon the male-governance of that pretended Parliament to be ample in the Ganerals concerning the defense of the Reformed Religion and of the houshold of faith to reject the Coalition absolutely and to offer a strict and intimate League but dealing as tenderly as They could in point of Reparation Satisfaction and Security Being come to London their Reception was somewhat cold The most secret transactions of the States General were known to the Council as also their private Instructions They knew also that They were distracted into innumerable factions at home the which were not to be reconciled That Holland complained it was exhausted by the losses they had sustained and contributions paid in this war that some other Provinces excused themselves by their poverty from contributing to the publick that they were afraid least the Electors of Colâ—…gne and Brandenburgh should repossess their Towns or the Emperour in right of the Empire seize them They were jealous of Spain and uncertain least France should resent the Munster-peace so as to delay their Amity Neither was it to be doubted but that all these Princes would make them dearly purchase their Allyance nor was it possible for them ever to man forth their Fleets so great a consternation had the last fight and the death of Van Trump infused into them The Fifth-Monarchists were animated against them by the news of their Forreign Alliancâ—…s It was no more then was prophesied in Scripture and in course to be expected that the Gentiles should rage and the Kings of the earth set themselves against the Kingdom of Christ but they should all fall before him and be broken to pieces They were fierce to encounter Gog and Magog and by a series of victories inflamed to the combat with this Antichristian host After the Deputies had consulted together a few dayes they repaired to Mr. Jessop Octob. 27. 1653. to deliver this Petition to the Council in French and English A Messeigneurs dú Conseil d'Estat de la Republique a'Angleterre THe subscribed Deputies of the States General of the United Provinces being charged by their Superiours to propose to the Council of State several points of importance doe thrice humbly and instantly beseech that to them favourable Audience may be granted as soon as it is possible and the important affairs of the said Council will permit On the next day They obtained Audience Octob. 28. 1653. and with great submissions delivered the following Paper in French and English The Translate of the said Paper in English as the same was then delivered by the said Deputies Most honourable Lords OUr fellow Deputies Nieuport and Jongstall having with all integrity and fidelity related to the Lords the States General of the United Provinces all the Propositions which on our part since our first arrival here have been exhibited to your most honourable Lordships and the answers which you have been pleased to return are come back again with express orders of our Lords Superiours that we together should make our addresses again to this most honourable Assembly and renew yet once again the most sincere and cord al protestations of their
terms they think it needless to expound it with other particulars as not requiring any further agreement the subscribing Deputies persuading themselves that it is an infallible and necessary consequence that after the Conclusion of so strait and everlasting an Union there ought to be such a Correspondence and confidence that never any thing be done and undertaken against the mutual good and interest of either or of both Commons Beseeching therefore most instantly that their Lorships would agree to the aforesaid Articles c. This Paper being read in the Council so far incensed them that They would not vouchsafe any Answer thereto though the Embassadours did twice Nov. 7. 9. beseech the most Honourable Lords of the Council to gratifie them as soon as might be with a favourable answer and resolution to the said Propositions and Memorial Some there were who apprehended that the Analysis was contumeliously penned as if by so many subdivisions the Godly that usually preached had been scorned These aggravated the Dutch insolence Others concluded that the whole procedure of the Embassadours was dilatory and inconsistent with the present distractions at home that Parliament having irritated the Clergy and Nation and dangerous factions encreasing and with the greatness of the Naval exploits that there was no sincerity in the Dutch protestations of Faith no imaginable Truth in their expressions of so ardent a Love for the English which the continual Libels and infamous pictures did proclaim and any man might conjecture at by estimating what dammage what disgrace the victorious English had done unto the United Provinces That it was intolerable in them not to propose any â—…paration to the English nor any acknowledgment of those Rights which they had so openly and perfidiously violated and the vindicating whereof had cost so much Christian blood and Treasure If matters passed thus the Dutch would insinuate it and the world would be prone to believe that the English did unjustly commence the war and were guilty of all the blood shed therein That 't was unreasonable for them to desire to be informed of all the affairs of the English State when they could not reciprocally per form the like to England It being evident that though the States General should undertake to do it yet such is the constitution of that Government so weak the Union that each Province can manage the highest affairs of State secretly and separately as appeared at the Munster-treaty in the late address of Holland for peace and at other times and the Province of Holland alone gives laws to the counsils of the States General by paying or refusing their moneys as they please It did rather become the English now to impose then receive Laws This is the Right of Conquerours and that the fortune of the vanquished That The English should be false to themselves and unworthy of the present mercies God had shewed them in this war If they did not improve this opportunity to a safe peace If they reaped no other benefits thence then a little space to breath and prepare for new engagements A Coalitiâ—…n being thus arrogantly and obstinately rejected by which we in a most Christian manner would have done by them as by our selves reconciled all interests secured all quarrels for the future and as it were entailed peace upon both Nations We must establish our safety by other means which if rigorous are yet just and Christian because they are necessary to our just preservation and put in practise against those who by an unjust war and a fallacious way of treating have subjected themselves to the extreamest courses If They cannot endure to live as our equals by Coalition We must continue them so far our Inferiours not by shadows but substantial contrivances that they may never attempt this Nation again Let us make them pay the usual Submissions at Sea this is due to your repute Let them pay for the Liberty of Fishing this is due as you are Soveraigns of the Sea Let them pay for Convoyes and ease themselves of the charge of Wafters 't is you are the proper Guardians of the Brittish Seas Let them never equip any number of great Ships without giving you a real account long before of their intentions and ask leave to pass your Seas and to all this adde but the payment of such a sum as will satisfie this war which in conscience they ought to reimburse and make reparation to each Merchant for the damages sustained by them in several parts of the world which to demand is a discharge of the Trust this Nation reposeth in Us and if you gain these points you will contribute as much to a firm everlasting peace as humane prudence can attain unto After some debates of this nature the Council ordered a draught to be framed of such Articles as might be the foundation of a straight firm and everlasting League and which might prevent all matter of future quarrels and wars and appointed a Conference with the Embassadours Nov. 17. 1653. the which was principally managed by Cromwel who though He did nothing in the point of Coalition or in the recited advise then the casâ—…iered Members of the Long Parliament designed and suggested intended to pursue his ambitious projects by seeming the sole manager of this affair and by whose aid the Dutch must expect to find the conditions moderated Cromwel began his discourse with large protestations of the sincere and great desires of the Parliament to make a firm peace and intimate Union with the United Provinces He layed his hand upon his breast and called God to witness that the Council of State had a most sincere and hearty affection for the United Provinces and that the Parliament being Fifth-Monarchy men was so devoted to do them all good offices that they equally studied the welfare of England and the Netherlands As an evident testimony thereof They had proposed this Coalition of people by which they might unite the interests as well as hearts of both Nations and commuâ—…icate the felicities of England with their good neighbours of the United Provinces But since it had pleased the Deputies to decline that so amicable and extraordinary offer and to insist upon a confederation and stricter Union then ever had been before The Commissioners were ready to enter upon those debates protesting before God the searcher of hearts and from whom nothing is concealed that They hated war and desired peace especially with the United Provinces And although They thought they had great reasons still to insist upon those preliminaries about Satisfaction and Security the which demands They found to have been enâ—…cted and urged by the late Parliament yet they did intend frankly to lay open their very bosoms unto the Deputies and acquaint them with Their further thoughts It is an agreed thing on both parts that the Peace here agitated is not an ordinary one but a most streight intrinsick everlasting Amity and Union such as never was heretofore betwixt
reparation for the Charges and Dammages which the English hath been put to during the war And the States General shall pay unto the English such further sum for reparation as aforesaid and in such manner as shall be agreed upon in this Treaty and thereupon all offenses c. to be forgotten By the fourteenth Article They were not to enter or pass the Brittish Seas but with a certain number of Men of War to be agreed upon in this Treatie But in case the States General should have occasion to pass the said Seas with a great number of Ships of War that They should give notice of their intentions to the English and obtain their consent before they put to Sea By the fifteenth Article They were to strike the Flag and lower their Topsails be they Fleets or Ships unto any Man of War wearing the English Flag and in their Service and likewise submit to be searched by the English as Lords and Soveraigns of the Brittish Seas The Preamble also of the sixteenth Article did perplex Them viz. And as the Common-wealth of England have declared their Resolutions that They will from time to time take care to put forth upon their Seas a convenient number of armed Ships for the defense and safeguard thereof and to maintain and preserve all lawfull Navigation Trade and Commerce therein against Pirates and Sea-rovers and all others that shall act or do any thing to the disturbance thereof So for the greater freedom of Commerce and Navigation that neither of the Common-wealths shall give reception to any Pirates c. The seventeenth Article obliged Them to take a Lease for One and twenty years for the Fishing and to pay an annual Rent As hath been related in the precedent discourse The twelfth Article did oblige Them not to permit the Prince of Orange or the Princess Mary to relieve with counsil victuals any Rebels or Enemies of the Common-wealth of England c. And to seclude the Princes lineage from being State-holder Admiral General or Governour of any of their Towns The Dutch Embassadours were extreamly aggrieved at these Articles finding all the amicable protestations of the English to end in these so rigorous impositions whereupon They delivered in a complaint to the Commissioners Nov. 22. which was that day reported to the Council but not vouchsafed any Answer thereupon they sent another Paper to Secretary Thurloe Nov. 25. which was the same day read in the Council Whereunto They received a Reply some dayes after The three Papers were these following A Paper delivered by the Deputies of the States General of the United Provinces to the Commissioners for the Dutch Treaty Novemb. 22. 1653. and the same day reported to the Council Most Honourable Lords TO the 27 Articles which his Excellency and the Lords Commissioners of the Council of State have been pleased to deliver to us in the last Conference on â—â— 28 Novemb. We find our selves obliged to answer that After a Preface of the love and affection of this State towards the United Provinces of the low Countries and such a solemn protestation of their integrity and Candour many times reiterated yea with a calling to Witness God Almighty in the two last Conferences We are amazed to see a draught with an extension of Articles wherein we find nothing at all that is suitable or conformable to the particular demonstrations that we did look for nor to our expectations in the Proposals of a firm and streight Union which was to be the Scope and end of our Negotiation but contrary that examining all the Particulars we find that the Lords of the Council have been pleas'd to compile together some Articles of the Treaty of Entercourse of the year 1495. and to draw some parts thereof out of the Retroacts passed between the Extraordinary Embassadours of both Common-wealths heretofore at the Hague and at London also so framed and composed that in both the Intention and Interest of the Lords the States General together with their Considerations and Proposals are not regarded but put to Oblivion And contrarily all is set down propounded according to the intention and meaning of this Government and to their greatest advantage Insomuch that concerning the same points we find our selves yet after a negotiation of so many moneths in the same state and condition as at the first beginning and some other Articles of greâ—ter Concernment newly added thereunto which were never yet debated far against and beyond our expectation Therefore we find our selves obliged reserving also the same full power to debate hereafter the Articles of less moment which we pass for the present and to propound all which we think necessary for the interest of our Superiours In this conference to represent some points of greater importance justly and lawfully shewing that the same are no wayes to be admitted Protesting before the Omniscient Lord who is to be Judge of our Intentions that we have alwayes proceeded with an irreprehensible sincerity and candour and that for the future we are most willing according to our so many times reiterated protestations to confer and agree if it be possible with all fidelity and uprightness of heart without reserving any thing of the Orders of our Superiours in a business of such an high concernment And therefore to the third Article forasmuch as there is mention'd in it of satisfaction we must say there is no justice nor reason in the proposal And to the Twelfth forasmuch as it toucheth the Prince of Orange excluding the same and all his line for ever out of the free Election which the Lords the States General or Provincial might make of his or their persons that it is a point absolutely appertaining to the disposition of the said States wherein with no more Reason or Equity the Lords of this Council are to meddle then we in their elections in the like occurrences in this Nation And to the Fifteenth Concerning the submission to be visited as well for Men of War as Merchants that it is against the Practice of our Country and subject to a thousand disorders and disputes and injurious in the point of Dominion and Soveraignty especially in that all reciprocation is wholly excluded And to the Seventeenth Article of permission of fishing for a certain Recognition of money We say that thereby the Lords the States General should be put out of an immemorial possession without Cause or Reason having alwayes enjoyed the freedom of fishing And we shall at all times be ready to express our selves more particularly and to justifie with a Convenient deduction of Arguments and reasons our Intention concerning the before-mentioned Articles But before we come to any farther debates of the said points we are obliged to declare our mind to the Fourteenth Article speaking of the limitation of the Number of the Men of War and notice of their intention to be given to this Common-wealth and theiâ—… Consent to be obtained for the passing and before they
themselves that any reflection by the most honourable Council hath been made thereunto but that contrarily other very strange Points and unusual proposals are therein inserted We do apprehend that our true and sincere meaning being only delivered by word of mouth hath not been regarded as it should have been And therefore we have thought it our Duty seeing that in a business of such a high Concernment nothing ought to be neglected that could conduce to hinder all further effusion of innocent Christian blood and the ruine of thousands of honest and godly people on both sides to represent the Premisses in writing Beseeching most instantly that the Council of State may be pleased to take to heart the sad inconveniencies between the two so near neighbour States and Nations in continuing this unwelcome war and to gratifie us with a good and favourable Answer and Expedition A Paper agreed upon in Council Novemb. 1653. and ordered the same day to be delivered to the said Deputies which was done accordingly IF the Paper signed by the Deputies of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces and presented to the Council the 20. Inst. had not been delivered by the said Lords Deputies themselves to the hands of our Commissioners We should have made some doubt whither their Lordships trusted in so great affairs and fully acquainted with all that hath passed in the present Treaty had indeed been the Authors thereof several passages and expressions being contained therein which are altogether unusual and no way agreeable to the nature of transactions between States and rather tend to irritate and disturb then to moderate and compose the minds and affections and for which no ground or cause was given in the 27. Articles delivered unto them the 18 28 Septemb. Instant now in the Preamble thereunto And therefore considering the aforesaid Paper and likewise reflecting upon what hath passed in former Papers We most ingenuously profess our selves to be yet to seek of the meaning and intention of their Lordships upon the Whole matter of this Treaty When the Council by their former Papers of the 22. and 25. of July last propounded the uniting of both States into one the aforesaid Lords the Depuâ—…ies were pleased without coming to the debates of the practicableness thereof and of the Advantage and Utility accruing thereby to both States to reject and condemn the same under the General terms of Novelty Confusions and Impossibilities as appears in their Papers of the 27. of the said moneth of July offering nothing in the stead thereof but general professions of their desires to enter into a strict union with this State And now We having compiled and put together the Articles aforesaid as the means to establish a just peace and to effect the desired league and union being also at several Conferenees pressed by the said Lords the Deputies to descend unto particulars and delivered them to their Lorships When we expected by free debate with them to have considered and examined from point to point every particular thereof as they lie in Order They were pleased by a Paper without any debate under General terms of unjust extravagant and unreasonable to express their dislike of and declare themselves against them Whereas if their Lordships had thought it fit to come to a discussion of the Particulars the method used in all Treaties of this kind as the proposing of them would have appeared to be very suitable and conform to the professions and protestations of Candor and Ingenuity made by the Council or their Commissioners upon this occasion so the Articles themselves having been considered and examined might have been setled and adjusted according as the justice and reasonableness should appear upon the Arguments produced by both sides which to do by Papers would consume too much time as affairs now stand And because much mention is made in the Paper of the said Lords the Depuâ—…ies of the Protestations made by the Council and their Commissioners We find our selves obliged further to say that Certainly we did never declare our selves by any profession or protestation from asking and insisting on those things in the Articles which are the undoubted and unquestionable Right of this Common-wealth nor give any ground to the said Lords the Deputies to expect that we should part with them as a Demonstration of the affection of the State to the United Provinces Our Commissioners having to the contrary in the two last conferences mentioned in the beginning of their Paper of the 22. Instant declared that since their Lordships had refused the Coalition and mingling of Soveraignties whereby the two States might not onely be one in name but in Truth that now they were to be considered as distinct in Interests and as having peculiar Rights and Priviledges belonging to each other the setling and fixing whereof was to be considered in this Treaty of Union and Confederation That when the Rights of both sides were agreed upon they should sooner become friends and longer continue so And we do not yet understand upon what other grounds either side can proceed in this Treaty as it is now stated unless the expectation of the said Lords the Deputies be that this State should part with whatsoever is peculiar to them both at Sea and Land without having any thing in Recompence thereof more then the bare name of a strict Union according to what seems to be held forth in both their Papers of the 22. and 25. Instant In the last whereof they say that distinguishing the Interests which are communicable from those which can admit no mixture or communion as the Supream Powers and Government all other Interests of both States and Nations might be made common between them under the Notion of a straight and near union and what the Consequences of such an Union would be to this State it is altogether needless to unfold as it is to shew the inequality thereof Or if the meaning of their Lordships be otherwise and their minds be to make this peace upon just and equal grounds They may have opportunity upon the debate of the Articles to manifest and explain themselves in particulars and at any time during the Treaty to propound what they conceive just and reasonable to be insisted upon on the behalf of their Superiours further then is expressed in the said Articles But the said Lords the Deputies having most unexpectedly by their said Papers refused any Conferences or debate thereupon it appears not what is farther to be done therein on our parts while they continue in this mind Having already not in General and Ambiguous Terms but fully and particularly explained our selves and endeavoured in all sincerity and uprightness to put the Treaty in that way and method which might best discover the justness and Equity of each others propositions and the validity of these grounds and reasons they are enforced upon and thereby the sooner bring this negotiation to an happy Issue Notwithstanding the Rhodomonâ—…ade
your Trade the result of your Industry But the vast commerce you have not to tell you of the Fraud and outrages upon the English merchants is principally supported by un-licensed enâ—…ment upon Our Territories The Law of Nations obligeth you to be just to every one and not to enrich or otherwise strengthen your selves by endamaging others According to the vulgar saying of Pomponius Neminem debere cum alâ—…rius damno locupletari and that of Tryphonimus Ex aliend jâ—…cturd lucrum haurire non opâ—…riet We do not desire you to fish upon our Seas But if you will reap any profit out of them common reason obligeth you to a reciprocal acknowledgment of the kindness and it is but just that you submit to the Taxes and Conditions to be imposed in case you desire to draw unto your selves the emoluments The common maxims of State do authenticate our proceedings if we totally interdict you them and it is an Argument of our respects to you that we offer you to fish therein upon such terms that the profits which accrue to the States-General out of the said Fishery be transferred upon Us to whom They duly appertain For the Soveraignty of those Seas doth belong unto England by immemorial prescription continual usage and possession the acknowledgment of all our Neighbour States and the Municipal Laws of the Land An Account of the English how They were tortured at Amboyna A. D. 1622. on Sunday Febr. 16. old style at which time they were in Amity by solemn League and Copartners with the Dutch in that Trade Having thus martyred the poor man they sent him out by four blacks who carried him betwixt them to a dungeon where he lay five or six dayes without any Chirurgeon to dress him until his flesh being putresied maggots crept from him in a most loathsome and noysome manner Thus they finished their Sabbath-days work and it growing now dark sent the rest of the English first to the Smith's shop where they were loaden with Irons and then to the same dungeon where Clark and the others already tormented lay with several Japoneses whose ulcers were likewise putrefied Thus ten English of the East-India Company no way subjected to the Hollander were tortured more or less according to their courage and obstinacy until they had confessed themselves guilty of a Plot wherein ten English without Arms without any possible assistance from any other English Factory by the aid of ten simple Japoneses designed to surprise the strong Castle of Amboyna guarded diligently by two or 300 Dutch souldiers besides as many more Free-burghers in the Town and which might be easily relieved or re-taken by their neighbouâ—…ing Castles well manned which the Dutch had in the same Island After this the Dutch Governours met and before sentence earnestly called upon the name of the Lord that He would be pleased to be president and predominant in every one of their hearts in this their sorrowful Assembly and that He would inspire them only with that which might be judged expedient and just c. Then they adjudged them to be beheaded They were carried to execution not the ordinary way but round about in a procession through the Town the way guarded with five Companies of Souldiers Dutch and Amboyners and thronged with the Natives of the Island that upon summons given the day before by the sound of Drum flocked together to behold this Triumph of the Dutch over the English They all at their deaths professed that their confessions were false and extorted from them by the teâ—…ours of the Torment and disclaimed that unimaginable and unseasible conspiracy But the Plot was on the Dutch-side that they might hereby possess themselves of the Spice-trade and as Iezabel caused a Fast to be kept before judgment against Naboth so did the Hollanders in this case King Iames demanded satisfaction for their blood they being neither guilty nor Subjects to the Dutch nor within their Dominions neither if they had been were they proceeded against by the rules of Holland Their Iudges had no jurisdiction over them the proceedings were arbitrary and barbarous such as none of humane race much less Christians would execute against the greatest Criminals but these insolent ingrateful unchristian Netherlanders Yet no amends could that King obtain for the murther of his Subjects or the damage which the Company had suffered by confiscation of their Goods The matter was put off with delayes until 1624. And then the States desired 18 moneths time for the recalling of the Actors of that bloody Tragedy but in the mean space King Iames dyes and King Charles I. succeeds the Dutch instead of disgracing or imprisoning Harman van Speult Governour of Amboyna receive him with great honour and triumph at Iacatra and instead of sending him to Europe according to the directions and command of the States General in a Letter conveyed thither by the English they made him chief Commander of a Fleet of Ships sent from thence to Surat and instead of making any restitution or reparation to the English which was promised and pretended they possessed themselves of the whole trade of the Moluccos Banda and Amboyna about 1632. some of the Iudges at Amboyna returned into the Low-Countreys where they lived free and well countenanced and were never punished by their Superiours The remonstrances of K. Charles were ineffectual and he had employed his Arms for reparation but that the controversies about Ship-money retarded his Naval strength and the succeeding troubles in Scotland and England totally disappointed him The losâ—… our Company received at Amboyna Banda and the Moluccos amounted to 48900 l. 15 s. besides other damages The pretended Common wealth by their Embassadour at the Hague demanded ample satisfaction for all the losses of the East India Company and withal judgment against those that had so murdered the English at Amboyna some whereof were then present in the States provincial of Holland In their Articles they inserted one to this purpose and it was agreed to under Cromwel But he to establish himself the better by indulging the province of Holland his dearest confederates did not enquire into the affair having only proformâ and as it were for his credit inâ—…ted on that Article or acquiâ—…ing in the Retroacts of the Dutch whereby they offered to justifie the procedure the which Retroacts were printed in Quarto 1633. and disproved by the East-India Company at the same time Those Retroacts were no secret in this Nation being published verbatim with the Answer They which first urged the Article were not ignorant thereof and Cromwel himself was satisfied with the illegality of the Action until he abandoned the regards of his Conscience to those of his Ambition and Interest O mites Diomedis Equi Busiridis Arae Clemâ—…es Iam Cinna pius jam Spaâ—…ace lenis Cuâ—… Batavis collatus cris FINIS M. Schoockius de imperio maritimo c 30. urgeâ—…t apud pleâ—…em cultum cujusdam divae quae
revenues of the Provinces were much less than they were thereby to draw from her the greater sums And whereas it was covenâ—…nted betwixt the Qâ—…een and the States that the Earl of Leicester should continue all such in their employments which he should find already preferred this Barnevelt did solicite the States of Holland and West-Friesland that they and also Zealand would choose Grave Maurice State-holder before the arrival of the Earl thereby to disappoint him of that Government at which he aimed and unto which by a custome received in Brabant the Earl might well pretend He did also further contrive that Grave Maurice should be dignified with the Title of Prince though it did not of right appertain unto him he not being the Heir but Administrator of the Principality of Orange during the imprisonment of his elder brother Philip William in Spain Both these actions the Queen being already engaged did think fit to dissemble though the Earl did not conceal his resentments but construed the one as a diminution of his power and the other as a lessening of his esteem and glory The Election of Grave Maurice to the said State-holdership was purely a provincial act he had not any Commission from the Generality yet he had thereby the disposal and managing of the affairs of war by land in Holland and Zealand and particularly the besetting or garrisoning of all Cities and Forts of those Countries by the advice of the States thereof or their Commissioners and also the removing or trans-placing the encreasing diminishing or altering of the Garrisons of the said Provinces was to be done by the Orders of his aforesaid Excellency of Nassau with the advice of the States afore named or their Commissioners To allay the Indignation of the Earl of Leicester upon his arrival at the Hague the States contrary to the mind of the Queen made him by a publick instrument and absolute Commission to be Governour and Captain General not simply of the Leaguers or over the Souldiery only without the voicing Provinces so as the successive Princes of Orange had their Commissions of Captain General limited and circumscribed but absolutely over all the United Provinces themselves thère being yielded up unto him powerfully and absolutely to make use of the words of Authorization given by the States General unto the Earl Jan. 10. 1586. to command in the matter and point of war and that which depends thereon by Sea and Land over all the aforesaid Provinces Cities and Members thereof c. accordingly as he should think best The collation of this absolute power which all the Dutch Historians acknowledge was the voluntary and unanimous deed of the Deputies of the Generality and Olden Barnevelt as Pensioner of Roterdam was instrumental in the promoting it but no sooner did the Earl begin to put in exeoution the power which they had given him without applying himself most humbly unto the Council of State and the then pittiful Magistrates of each Province and City but the confederates of Olden-Barnevelt begin to repine clamour and contrive how to invalidate the Commission of the Earl and to elude that obedience which they had so solemnly sworn unto In the same year 1586. Olden-Barnevelt is put into the place of Advocate General of Holland whereupon he was no sooner entred but he informs the people and Provincials of Holland that all their former Customes were inverted their priviledges infringed the Government in danger to be altered the Union of Utrecht violated by the excluding Papists from the Magistracy that they had done ill to confer so great power on the Earl and to permit the English in the Council of state to be acquainted with all the Secrets of their Government Having possessed that province herewith designs were formed against the Earl of Leicester to invalidate his Authority Remonstrances framed Libels Medails and scurrilous pictures scattered abroad jealousies fomented betwixt Pr. Maurice and the Earl the Count Hohenlo is exasperated and spreads dissentions in the Army a devi ce is found out for the introducing an Assembly of the States General with an Authority and Superintendency over the Council of State All oaths taken unto the Earl are either forgotten or annulled and it is declared that the People are the original of the Magistrates power which is so transferred upon them that it still remains in the donors that the Majesty of the Government is not fixed in the persons of thirty or forty assembled and ruling as States but in the Provinces themselves who might reject or admit of the decrees of the Council of State as they saw cause A declaration to this purpose was sent unto the Earl by the States of Holland and West-Friestand being penned by Olden-Barnevelt This Notion of Government and of the States Generall was at first laugh'd at and exploded universally in a manner and the persons of the provincial States rendred contemptible but in time Olden-Barnevelt and his associates made the Government so uneasie unto the Earl that he departed and resigned it up and because the Ministers were extreamly devoted to the Earl and asserted his power and the obligation of the Oaths of fealty taken unto him to distract and divide them this Olden-Barnevelt introduceth amongst some of them the Tenets afterwards denominated from Arminius whence arose such fâ—…uds amongst them that they were forced to divert their thoughts from State-affairs to those of Religion and and to demand a National Synod for the composing of Church-Divisions The Advocate by his artifices and private insinuations eludes the calling thereof and thereby necessitates the Ministers to seek their support by a greater compliance with the Burgo-masters The Earl having relinquished his titular Authority the States General assume all power to themselves the Office of Governour general is extinguished they make Pr. Maurice Captain General whose power extended only to the Souldiers in the Leaguer and field he not having any command over the particular Governours or State-holders of the Provinces within their respective jurisdictions but these particular Governours notwithstanding the Captain General appointed over the Souldiery were themselves Captains General over the Souldiers lying in the respective provinces Neither could the Captain General transplace any Garrisons or enquarter in any City without the Consent of the Province and Magistracy of the City The prerogative of the Advocate General 's Office consists chiefly in this viz. To have a priority in all matters and to defend the Soveraignties and rights of the States provincial and the immunities of the Countrey to have a care of calling the publick Assemblies in them to have a voice in all businesses to take charge of Remonstrances and Petitions tendred unto them and to exhibite them at convenient times to consult and deliberate with the Nobles concerning them and all other things propounded in those meetings That being done to pronounce the verdict passed either by joint consent or at least plurality of
voices to be their verdict and to strengthen them with allegations and reasons as should be most fit Afterward to demand the suffrages of the free Cities to conclude by most voices and lastly to employ his utmost ability that what was decreed may be put in execution This place is esteemed the highest whereunto any man can arrive in that Democracy the people reverence him as the great assertour of their franchises and the Atlas libertatis Belgicae It is not to be wondred if a man of great address and subtlety being thus dignified do sway the Provinces as he please the whole interest of Holland being at his devotion Olden-Barnevelt and his faction have endeared themselves always to their Provincials by raising suspicions and jealousies in the heads of the populace as if the Princes of Orange had designed to make themselves Soveraigns there and have peretually except when they made use of the house of Nassau in opposition to the Earl of Leicester laboured by all manner of practices to depress them and lessen their power so that upon every occasion the instructions of the Captain General were more and more limited and the power of State-holder was abated by many restrictions in the several Provinces according as the province of Holland could influence the Members thereof Every Province doth separately choose its State-holder and the power doth vary much in the several Provinces One part of his power is to choose the Magistrates out of a double number proposed unto him this he doth with the Council or Court provincial or in his absence the Court alone doth it Another part of that charge is that in case the Provinces or Towns could not agree amongst themselves about matters of Truce Peace War or Contributions the difference was to be referred and submitted to the State-holders of the said Provinces who were to reconcile the differences betwixt the parties or determine the same as they should judge it fitting in equity there being no appeal from or review of their sentence But notwithstanding this Authority so refractory were that people always so tender of their priviledges so jealous of their State-holders that the Lords State-holders durst not make use of their power to pronounce any definitive sentence or make decisions between the principal members of such a considerable body but endeavoured for the most part to compose the differences by way of intercession and perswasion Twice we find the State-holders to have acted Authoritatively in the suppressing of Olden-Barnevelt Hugo Grotius c. in 1618. and in the visitation of Holland and attempt upon Amsterdam in 1650. But so malevolent and tumultuous are those Provinces especially Holland that they have never laid aside the resentments for those proceedings nor ever ceased to contrive the ruine of the house of Orange upon that account Notwithstanding that their State-holders did therein nothing but what the Union and resolutions of the States General impowered them to do and what was absolutely necessary for the preservation of the Countrey in peace Grotius and Hogherbet were imprisoned in Louvestein house near Gorcum and so was deWit together with the other five Lords in 1650. This faction hath always been enemies unto England and although Olden-Barnevelt did prefer the protection of the English before that of France it was rather out of interest than affection and with a design upon all occasions to impose upon and cozen the Queen The which he did sundry ways whereof he boasts in his Apology as of so many services rendered unto his Fatherland He was perpetually averse from K. James and hated him for his opposition to Arminius In the several Treaties betwixt that King and the States about the Fishing and East-India trade he it was and his faction that first disputed the Soveraignty of the Seas and from that Cabal did issue the Mare liberum entituled unto Grotius Not one of those Treaties betwixt the two Nations did ever take effect and all the dammages which the English have sustained in the East-Indies all the mischief which hath befaln this Nation hath ever been occasioned or fomented by that party It is not to be wondred that they have so long continued for in that government if I may call it so for it never deserved that name any more than Poland doth The Burghers or Townsmen have no power to elect their Magistrates but the Common-council or Vroed-Schapen which are for life and consist of 20 26 32 or 40 do choose them and supply their own number accordingly as any one happeneth to decease and the people are absolutely concluded by their Magistrates whence it is manifest that the Republick was no Democracy nor were the people free as the Considerer and those Canaanites did pretend This party being thus once setled did perpetuate themselves nor was there ever any of their State-holders who did not once in a year or two sensibly understand who were their Masters This party of Olden-Barnevelt did always profess to vindicate the liberties of the people and by alledging old customes and immunities and insisting thereon as also by new expositions of Laws and deeds nice distinctions which â—…bid more of acuteness than probability and urging oftentimes the Letter contrary to the meaning intent and design of the Authors did imbroyl and dissolve the Government Those that shall hereafter write political discourses when they come to treat about Common Lawyers what interest employment and regard they merit in a Government will find occasion to amplifie their debates from the consideration of the United Provinces The Province of Holland being the most rich and contributing more than all the rest unto the publick as also abounding more in Towns was the most easily wrought upon and Olden-Barnevelt did so contrive affairs that his partisans ruled in Holland and Holland did rule all the rest of the Provinces Although the Union of Utrecht was so formed that in matters of the greatest concern the plurality of voices had no place but every Province was particularly to consent yet did Olden Barnevelt in 1609 enforce Zealand to admit of the Truce and afterwards when he was resolved to ruine the Authority of Pr. Maurice which was not great except when the Army was in the field that he might fortifie the Arminian faction he revived old priviledges that each Town might raise what Souldiers they pleased without the consent or privity of the States General or Provincial and without any subordination unto the Captain General or State-holders and administer an Oath of fealty unto them to be true to them not the States provided they did this at their proper charge He told the People that they were the Soveraigns and that the States General had but a delegated representative power the real Majesty being fixed in them He sowed discontents and jealousies be wixt the Nobility Gentry and Commons and also betwixt Holland and the other Provinces and either actively advanced that Province unto a Sway over the rest or
Avarice Gruelty and Insolence of the Spaniard which qualities since he was not likely to change it was in vain for Her to think of a safe and durable Peace The same Inclinations the same Incentives continuing wouldin a short space produce their usual effects that by this Amity she would but give him time to Recruit that Strength which would be employed against Her The conclusion with a little Change runs thus Those Kings and States have taken wiser Courses who without any particular Provocation have made a timely Opposition to growing Empires lest the Conquest of their Neighbours should render them a Prey to the Victour They knew that there are some Wars made to procure a Peace some because no Peace can be had For as betwixt Fire and Water both being of a contrary Nature so between those that are ambitious to Rule over all and those that scorn to become Tributaries and Vassals to any there is a perpetual Strife and everlasting Enmity wherein 't is too late to revenge Injuries when received It becomes the Wise and it is most Glorious to prevent them whilst they are yet only Threatned or Imminent Heaven hath not given unto Kings their Power and Government only that they might redress and punish Evils their chief Business and Care ought to be to provide that they may never happen He doth not so much as defend himself who contains within the narrow bounds of Defence Wicked minds are excited by Impunity Whether the Dutch make War with France or enlarge their Conquests in both Indies or Fight with the Dane or Swede or with great Fleets guard their Fishermen and Merchants those dangers which we do not yet feel do still hang over our Heads and whilst they are in Arms England must be in a continual Jealousie and at a constant Expense The question is Whither it be best to perpetuate or dispel our Fears And which is the most prudent course to spend our own Incomes or subsist upon the Spoils of others These considerations prevailed with that Queen whose Memory and Actions are to this day Celebrated and Reverenced in England Were that Queen now alive let us examine what Maxims She would inculcate to this Age upon the present Juncture and if we may conjecture by her past Deportment what She would urge it would be to this effect Never to Relinquish any thing of Honour A Prince despised and contumeliously used is already half-ruined If he endure it long he is totally lost at Home and Abroad She made the States decree Death to such as should Libel or revile her Majesty and one reason of Her quarrel with Spain was that the King had slighted her Embassadours Never to abandon the Dominion of the Sea but to maintain constantly such a Fleet of Ships as may secure it and strike an Awe into the Neighbouring States To propagate Trade by all possible means into all Parts as the principal means of encreasing the Riches of private Men the Revenues of the Prince and the Renown and Puissance of the Realm To improve the Fishery by all manner of Contrivances as observation of Lent and Fasting-days encouraging and protecting the Fisher-men whence will arise besides the effects for a gainful Trade a constant Seminary of Mariners inured to the Sea acquainted with the Coast and skill'd in Navigation Never to suffer any Nation to grow more Powerful at Sea or greater Traders then our selves but by sundry Artifices or open War to dâ—…stress them and draw the Trade to England Thus She undermined the Hanse-Towns because they did prejudice the English Trade notwithstanding that many of them did profess the Reformed Religion Such Aphorisms as these would She instil into the English were She now living And I am confident had She lived to see France and the United Provinces both in their grandâ—…ur last Winter She would neither have stood Neutral nor joyned Her Forces with those of the Dutch Against a Neutrality it is a Rule in Politicks That in a War begun betwixt two mighty States it is dangerous for a Thâ—…rd and Neighbour to them both not to be a Party being called into the Action For he is in peril of becoming a Prey to the incensed Victor Except the Neutral Prince be so Potent as to be able to secure himself from the Conquerour But this not being our condition at present the next Debate is Whether we ought to adhere to the United Provinces or to France Against the United Provinces so many Arguments have been already Alledged that it is a shame not to assent unto them except the like or greater can be produced against the League with France Although it be true Policy for every Prince to oppose the excessive growth and strength of another State that it arrive not at that heighth of Puissance as to be able to reduce the rest under obeisance yet Wise men suggest many considerations before a War be commenced against this so Potent Empire For if we judg of Events by the ordinary course of Humane Affairs whosoever makes War upon a State infinitely surpassing his in Power doth but occasion his own Ruine Neither is it providentiâ—…l for a weak Prince though he foresee that he shall be at last subdued by this puissant Empire therefore to run Precipitously into a War against it any more then it would seem Wisdom for a company of Men to Accelerate their own Destruction because they are ascertained that in time they shall be Destroyed If the Question were now the same that it was in the days of Cromwel which way the Scales should be turned betwixt Rising France and Declining Spain the debate might end in favour of the House of Austria but since that Cromwel by Assisting France and Depressing of Spain hath contributed much to the paramount Greatness of that Monarchy and that His Majesty of Great Britain hath since his Restauration been enforced to emplóy his Cares upon those most necessary and urgent Affairs of composing his distracted Kingdoms Re-establishing the Government Securing and Advancing the Trade of his Subjects in opposition to the Hollanders without leisure to regard the growth of the French Monarchy The Case now seems different from what it was and it doth not seem prudential to oppose the greatness of France now that it is Arrived unto its present Heighth under so Haughty Martial and Wise a King so able Council so plentiful a Treasury so Vast Well-commanded and Well-disciplined Armies There is no one State that is able to Counter-poise the Forces of his most Christian Majesty and great Leagues which are to be made up of a multitude of Parties and Confederates are so uncertain Strengths to be relied on by the Wise that History doth not acquaint us with any Instances almost of their succeeding well and 't is manifest to any who understands the Genius of this Age that any such League would become Ineffectual Let Us therefore resolve that it is at present best for
the King of Great Britain to joyn his Arms with those of France leaving off the respects unto Remote and perhaps only imaginary Evils that may never fall out Let it be thought a more safe Procedure to Acquiesce in the Royal Word and Honour of the King of France then in any promises of the Hollanders Let it be conceived that the Designs of Universal Monarchy in Europe are vain and success-less Projects that a thousand Casualties may disappoint them and that his most Christian Majesty may Die and leave an Infant or a Successor whose Inclinations Wisdom and Conduct may not be equal to his But the Case is different in regard to the Dutch for there is no Death to be looked for of the States General but in the subversion of the Republick A succession of Men educated to the same Principles and capable to manage the same Projects is there perpetuated Trade is the great interest of England the Dutch have now in a manner engrossed it the French are not Competitours with Us for it and by reason of the incommodiousness of their Harbours and the unfitness of that Nation to manage Traffique with other People perhaps never may become our Rivals therein So that this benefit will arise by the French alliance that the English shall divert the Traffick of the Dutch and with much advantage Scramble for the greatest part with the French Merchants and that Fishing which the Sates General do esteem one of the Principal Revennues and happiness of their Provinces will inevitably devolve unto these Realms Besides a War with Holland upon the account of Prizes is less expensive then a War with France And it hath this further advantage that it weakens our onely competitour in Naval strength and the same maritine Force which baffles Holland will secure Us of the French amity revenge the injuries we have received and regain that Honour which they have so Villanously clouded and bereaved Us of abroad the recovery whereof and the revenging the indignities done to our Prince are considerations superiouri to any that can be alledged unto the English and the sole means remaining whereby to convince the World that our Friendship and Enmity is of any impor tance It cannot be expressed what great Respect and Confidence in Friends these Superficial things created from opinion do produce nor what reservation and fear they beget in Enemies How much doth it concern sick and crazy States for preventing the Obstructions of Recovery and of Restitution to Health That it be believed they are in Health and and have also Forces for defence against assaults The two Principal Parts of the Greatness of a State are these and to seem to have them is oftentimes as availaable as if we were possessed thereof There are but two Material Objections that can be urged with any speciousness against the present Alliance betwixt His Majesty and the most Christian King and â—…ne is drawn from the regard to be had unto Protestancy in general the condition whereof may be weakned by the Conquest of the Dutch and so become obnoxious to the nâ—…w prevailing Popery The other is deduced from this consideration that we assist a Roman Catholick Prince against the Protestant State the Governours whereof howsoever they have been so irreligious as it is specified and universally acknowledged yet the publick Restauration of the Papistical Religion and the excluding of the honester and more real Protestarts from their Churches and Evangelical Liberty do seem to make the Alliance to be un Christian and un-lawful in Us who believe the truth of Protestancy and the Idolatries and Impieties of the Church of Rome and although we do verily believe that â—…is Majesty of Great Britain hath not in this League any direct intention to extirpate Protestancy in those Countreys yet since the consequences and events of Actions are to be examined and in point of Conscience and Morality to denominate an attempt just or good we ought to regard the final Issue thereof for if the general or most frequent consequences of such Councils be evil the whole Series becomes so and the will of the Author is at least indirectly criminal and culpable It being a Rule amongst the Casuistical Divines Quando ex factis nostris indirecte gravissima fequuntur vel sâ—…mper vel plerumque mala actionem ceteroquin de se indiflerentem reddunt illicitam perinde ac si directa voluntate appeterentur Seeus vero si per acciâ—…ens hoc est raro tantum quasi casu aliquo consequantur When most grievous evils and such are the prophanation of the Reformed Churches the Restauration of the Idololatrical and Antichristian Mass the contempt and subversion of Protestancy the leading of those into temptation if not destruction for whom Christ died do constantly or most commonly ensue upon any action of ours which is indeed in it self indifferent the action is thereby rendered so unlawful as if we had directly intended all those evils But the Case is otherwise where those evills do seldome and as it were thorough un-foreseen chance fall out upon any indifferent Action of Ours To these Scruples which indeed are of some moment and were transmitted unto me by an unknown hand I do return this perspicuous and satisfactory Answer and I shall begin my reply by a Solution of the latter and then proceed to the former It is most certain that the Measures of our Love to others are to be taken from the affection we bear to our selves We are to love our Neighbours as our selves but not better That common Proverb Charity begins at home is a principle of Nature and Consonant to the Gospel The War on the part of His Majesty is purely defensive and was inevitably drawn upon Him by the arrogance of the Dutch in vilifâ—ing the Honour of His Majesty and of his Realms their injuries in detaining some and oppressing others of His Subjects their treachery in breaking the Articles made at Breda whereby His Majesty was deprived of that support whereon He might rely in opposition to the Grandeur of France their constant treachery in the forming and observing of Leagues whereby it became unsafe for his Majesty to enter upon or presume on any Treaty with them Out of all which considerations it is manifest to the most prejudicate Persons that His Majesty is totally innocent as to any evil consequences which ensued upon the Alliance and War and the whole blame is be transferred upon the Dutch There hath never happened a War in the World that I remember wherein those onely suffered by the consequences thereof which were guilty of its occasion Those that are Subjects to hereditary Princes might be better absolved then those whose Magistracy is elective and their Authority more precarious But as there are just Wars betwixt successive Monarchies so the righteousness of this with the united Provinces is most notorious the generality of the People being so exasperated against the English and so malevolent
towards His Majesty that 't was thence their Superiours derived much of their confidence They did believe the suggestions of John de Wit and his Partisans that His Majesty did seek what He could not avoid That what they made unavoidable was purely the effect of his unsatiable avarice and ambition That he was the most blood-thirsty person in the World that He armed against them such a Militia as would make Fricacies of their Children and Salt up the Men and Women for Naval Provision If the prevailing Party which swayes their Councils and Determinations were thus animated whatsoever be the fatal consequences of the War they are not to be imputed unto Us but unto the Loevesteine Faction and their deluded or malicious adherents If their ill success and time hath undeceived some what doth this reflect upon the Resolutions which His Majesty assumed last Year before they were dis-possessed We may reckon them unfortunate we may pity those who were averse from the War and His Majesty did express as much concern for the interest of the Prince of Orange as the nature of His Treaties would permit but we can charge no injustice upon the Arms of our King There was heretofore a sort of People who did not think it lawful for Protestants to contract Leagues with Papists or Idolaters But Prince William of Orange and His Divines did long since refute this Opinion For albeit that the Israelites might not make any League with the Inhabitants of Canaan whom God destined unto destruction yet with other Nations as with Hiram King of Tyre the Kings of AEgypt and Assyria c. they might The Cantons of Swizzerland as well Protestants as Papists are consederated for mutual defense The Protestant Princes of Germany joyn with the Papists in one Empire and in the Election of a Romanist to be Emperour The same Princes have sometimes called in by League the French to their assistance as Geneva hath implored their protection against the Savoyard If we consult the Law of nature the respect we owe to our Lives Liberties and Estates requires this at our hands that we preserve our selves and if we cannot effect thus much by our Domestick Forces we must recur to forein assistance The Law of Grace doth not destroy that of Nature hence it is that the Obligation doth still remain and that those Alliances made by Kings with Infidels and Hereticks when profitable or necessary may not justly be blamed Do we not see in holy Writ how the Patriarchs and the most renowned Kings of Juda have authorized this Doctrine by their Example Did not Abraham covenant with Abimelech both for himself and his Posterity as also with the Canaanites was not Lot confederate with the King of Sodom and went to War in his Company The Maccabees though zealous in the observance of their Religion did yet confederate themselves with the Lacedaemonians and Romans King David joyned his Forces with those of the Philistines against Israel nor doth it appear but He would have fought in that quarrel since He tells the King now thou shalt see what thy Servant will do To pass by the examples of Antiquity let us descend to latter times where seeking for Proofs of this Truth we find St. Paul recommending to the Primitive Christians a Peace with all men He himself makes use of the protection of the Pharisees against the Saducees and refuseth not to be secured against the violence of the Jews by the assistance of two hundred Archers and seventy Horsemen all Infidels What can be objected against this Reason It is permitted every one to make an alliance with all such as are comprised under the notion of Neighbours and it may not be doubted for the Son of God hath commanded Us to love them as our selves The Infidels are positively comprehended under that Title especially when they are of advantage unto us as Jesus Christ testifieth in the Parable of the Samaritan And by consequence it is evident that alliances with Infidels and Hereticks are permitted unto Princes If it be said that a Prince may make an alliance with such to have Peace with them or commerce or perhaps employ their Forces against others of the same Religion with them but not against such as profess the same Religion with himself I answer that the general practice of Christianity hath been otherwise How often did the Emperours of Constantinople the Kings of Spain and France contract for the assistance of the Sarracens against Christians Which of these Realms hath not confederated with the Turks to invade the Christians Which of them hath not combined with the Hereticks and made use of their assistance against their Enemies though of the same Religion with them If we turn our Eyes upon the Protestants do we not find Q. Elizabeth contriving with the Count of Embden how to undermine the Hanse-Towns many whereof were Protestants Do we not find the Dutch assisting the French King against the Protestants of Rochel Do we not read of Maurice Duke of Saxony assisting Charles the Fifth against the other Protestants Did not the House of Brandenburgh do the like Have not the Swedes fought against the Duke of Saxony and other Protestants in Germany who were reconciled to the Emperour by the Peace of Prague and did not the one Party adhere to the House of Austria whilst the other was supported by France Have not the Danes fought against the Swedes by confederation with Poland and the Emperour In such cases every Party regards the other as Potent Ambitious and Injurious Adversaries not as Protestants and whatever Dammage befals the Reformed Religion in the heat of War it is to be charged upon those that give occasion thereunto not unto them that are enforced to secure themselves We must distinguish betwixt the Church and State this War is not commenced against the First but the Latter nor doth his Majesty contract to advance the Religion but Dominions of France Whatsoever hath or may fall out as to the Popish Religion being restored in the United Provinces is not to be imputed unto Us but unto the French who are Zealous for its Promotion His Majesty is but indirectly and by accident concerned therein it being contrary to his Wishes and Inclinations nor can He be said so much as Interpretatively to Will the thing We ought to distinguish betwixt those events which do by a natural consequence follow our own Actions and those which ensue accidentally by reason our Allies are of another Religion Though there may be found a way to argue an indirect and interpretative Will in the former case yet that cannot be extended indefinitely to all such evil contingencies as arise not from our Wills but the particular intendments of another And it is a received Maxime amongst the Casuists that in such Circumstances no man is bound to avoid such enterprises if He have just Causes and Reasons moving Him thereunto Nor can he be said either expresly or interpretatively to Will or
with the dictates of humane Policy It is now no less requisite unto the Clergy that the Nation be puissant populous and rich then it is unto the Layety and the common interest of all is that the Monarchy be supported and Rents duely paid But these ends could not be accomplished without the Declaration aforesaid As to the Divisions in these Kingdomes the Sects and Heresies which distract and afflict the Church His Majesty is innocent as to their original and progress Inimicus homo fecit haec He did not make them but found them and from Holland they were constantly fomented His Majesty not only by His Royal Example but by sundry Acts of Parliament and reiterated endeavours for the space of twelve Years hath laboured to compose the affairs and promote the interest of the Church of England And perhaps if all others in their proper Sphears had contributed as much to the removing of Scandals and re-establishing of the Peace of the Church there had not been any need to exchange the wayes of Coercion for those of Toleration But since those pious intendments of His Majesty have been frustrated so long partly by the negligence and other defaults of some and the untamed obstinacy of the Sectaries it seems the dictate of ordinary Wisdom rather to endure then attempt the healing of inveterate Ulcers and to continue them as running Sores rather then to endanger the whole Body by amputation or violent Remedies It is apparent that this Nation doth want Men to carry on our Trades at home and Merchandizing abroad And if we consider how requisite it is unto the common security that the Naval strength be always great and that the Fishing be resumed nothing can be more clear then that we ought by all possible means continue amongst us the People which we already have and invite in hither also what Numbers we can of Foreiners We do not live in the new Atlantis nor have we for our Neighbours the Natives of China who desire not to enlarge their Domions nor any such Potentates as have made a decree not to encrease their Territories Our Shores are washed with the British Seas the United Provinces and France are our immediate Neighbours Ever since the days of John Olden Barnevelt unto the Reign of John de Wit the Hollanders have been constantly undermining our Reputation and our Trade and our long sufferance had so far imboldened them as that at length they doubted not by open force and Clandestine machinations to effect our ruine or reduce us under their protection Had we been at the same time attacqued by their Fleets and imbroiled by domestick Commotions what would have been the condition of our State and Church If there be no Trading how little will the difference be betwixt the alienation of Church-lands and the receiving no Rents from them In fine let the Clergy consider how they are better provided for by his Majesties Declaration then they would have been by the Pensionary of Holland and any Placart of the States General and they will see just cause to acquiesce in and magnify that Prudence which hath preserved the Nation that Prudence whereby our domestick Peace is ensured our Trade and Strength pnt into a possibility to be advanced and whereby His Majesty hath obliged the Non-Conformists unto His Service whom the Dutch presumed upon as their Friends and had rendered as it were their Pensioners by their joynt Trade and the sums of money which had been remitted to Amsterdam Whereupon they seemed to be the most fitting Instruments and were treated with in order to the involving their native Country in another civil War It is certain John de Wit omitted not any artifice or suggestion that might conduce unto these ends That Faction did not propose to themselves a generous War the issue whereof might be an honourable and lasting Peace but such a one as should end in the desolation of these Realms and final subjection under them Less would not secure unto the Dutch the universal Trade and the passage through our Chanel for their East-India Ships whose Voyage by Scotland they complain of as tedious expensive and dangerous Not would the malice of the de Wits satisfie it self with any more moderate terms then the ruine of His Majesty of His Royâ—…l Highness and the Court and a total alteration in the Government The Pensioner the better to inveigle the English pretended that they had no quarrel with the Protestants of this Nation they beheld them as dear Brethren and begged they would either divert His Majesty from this War or pray to God to confound His Counsils that the Advisers of this War were the common Enemies of both Nations and from the insinuations of John de Wit came that vulgar jealousie of the designs on Foot to introduce amongst us a change of Religion and an Arbitrary Government by this War with Holland But those they treated with did not prove such absolute Phanaticks as the great Minister of the States of Holland did imagine they would Experience had shewed them how difficult a thing it was to overthrow an hereditary Monarchâ—… and how impossible it was for a Nation inured to Monarchy divided in interests discriminated by degrees of honour debauched in its manners irreconcileable in its factions to retain its liberty though Fortâ—…ne upon any accident or attempt should dissolve its present Monarchy They did consider the general treachery of Men and the particular Impostures which their own Partisans had deluded them by heretofore nor could theâ—… upon the most diligent enquiries propose to themselves any Person in whose hands they could wish the Conduct of affairs entrusted rather then in those of His Majesty of whose Prudence Generosity and Clemency they had seen so great and unexpected Trials They knew that the Dutch hated the Phanaticks by reason of the dammages they had received by them in the War 1652 1653. And that they would never endure England to be modelled into a Republick especially under the leading of the Phanatick Party Nor could they believe the design feasible upon this account though the beginnings should happen prosperous that all new Governments are weak and there being two such potent Neighbours adjoyning unto England it seemed unimaginable that they should be Passive in the business and neither of them endeavour to possess themselves of all or some of these Realms and draw to themselves so great and facile advantages as such a revolution would invite them unto Upon such considerations besides that regard to the honour of old England which nothing can obliterate in any English Soul those generous Phanaticks who were most of them removed out of the Dominions of His Majesty did abominate the enterprize discovered the Plots of the Lovesteine faction and prepossessed their Friends against the artifices of the Dutch and fixed them unto the service of His Majesty and of their native Country This deportment of that supposed Faction created in the breast of his Majesty better
in the begininng and another when it hath made a large progress Then it may be suppressed easily and the publick receives little prejudice by the banishment or ruine of a few But in the latter case it is to be considered that the Kingdom receives a great and irreparable damage in its strength in its trade in its unanimity if Multitudes come to be exiled or impoverished The Manufactures may be transported into foreign Countries as happened in Flanders upon the persecution there by the D. of Alva Secrets of State and Interest may be divulged Or if they will not retire foreign correspondences and complotments may happen to be driven on by the enraged or desperate to the ruin of the Kingdom and Church If the revolt of Africk to the Vandals If the revolt of Italy unto the Goths were an effect of the rigorous usage against the numerous and obstinate Donatists and Arians If the progress of Mahometanisme was facilitated by the severity practised against the Arians in Syria AEgypt and Africk I would fain know whether the Church benefited more by the Indulgence of the first Emperours or rigors of the latter It was a Rhodomontado of Philip II. King of Spain that He had rather have no Subjects at all than those He had to be Hereticks By such Maximes the Moors the Jews were ejected Spain If a Wise-man examine the consequence of this opinion He will find that the Exchequer of Spain hath been exhausted the Revenues infinitely lessened the strength and riches of the Kingdom mightily diminished several Provinces lost the Monarchy scarce able to support it self And is this nothing unto the Bishop and Canons of Toledo Next It is Declared That there may be no pretence for any of Our Subjects to continue their Illegal Meetings and Conventicles We do Declare That We shall from time to time allow a sufficient number of Places as they shall be desired in all parts of this Our Kingdome for the use of such as do not Conform to the Church of England to meet and assemble in in order to their Publick Worship and Devotion which Places shall be open and free unto all persons This Paragraph contains a part of Wisdom which is superiour unto any thing the Fourth Century doth suggest unto me about this Subject Hereby His Majesty understands the Place the Persons meeting and their Numbers and may the access being free inform Himself of the Doctrine taught of the Discipline practised and of the Immoralities that may happen amongst some Sects which may resemble the Valentinians Gnostics Basilidians Priscillianists c. Those Sects which most distract the Church and subvert the Common-wealth are such as cannot bear the Light and a publick view There cannot be a more Moral certainty that neither Church nor State shall be damnified by these Schismatical Assemblies then this That His Majesty doth allow the Place and Teacher Amongst the old Hereticks and Schismatics the Emperors never had the Approbation of their Bishops but they were Elected and Ordained and admitted without His privity This occasioned great troubles to the Emperors and to the Schismatics themselves for as they sometimes chose out of faction at other times they were deceived by the Hypocrisie of an Ambitious person who was to rise by a seeming piety and cajolling of the populace so the Emperors did persecute them frequently for the disorders and misdemeanors of their Pastors and were forced to enact Laws against those Hereticks that did ordain or were ordained Something like unto what His Majesty doth I remember to have read of in the life of that brave and wise Goth Theodoric King of Italy He was an Arian yet did tolerate the Orthodoxe their Bishops and Churches And it is observed that whilest He had the Approbation of the Catholick Bishops the Churches were better served then ever He inviolably adhered unto the Indulgence given and placed His interest in approving of such Bishops onely as were peaceable and pious Nor did They endeavour to serve their private ends but the Church in their Ministry because that such courses might endanger their Bishopricks which were held but precariously of the King Whosoever shall compare this Declaration and way of meeting with that Act whereby four besides the family might convene under any Teacher will discern the sagacity of Our King who hereby prevents the Blasphemies Gross Errors un-moral and pernicious principles which might be inculcated into his subjects privily that way by the illiteterate ignorant wicked Teachers as Ranters c. who might be retained I cannot but take here notice of that Ancient Prudence and Respect unto the Church of England which His Majesty shews in the form of His Licences wherein He doth not vouchsafe unto their Assemblies the Name of Churches but Meetings and their Instructor is called a Teacher not a Pastor or Presbyter which is exactly consonant to the Edicts of Theodosius the Great and His Son Arcadius His Majesty concludes And if after this Our Clemency and Indulgence any of Our Subjects shall presume to Abuse this Liberty and shall Preach seditiously or to the Derogation of the Doctrine Discipline or Government of the Established Church or shall meet in places not allowed by Us We do hereby give them warning and Declare We will proceed against Them with all imaginable severity And We will let them see We can be as severe to punish such Offenders when so justly provoked as We are Indulgent to truly Tender Consciences Those that preach Sedition do abuse their Liberty and if they suffer thereupon the Indulgence to Tender Consciences is not violated To be obedient unto the Magistrates in Civil affairs To walk orderly and without giving offence these are indisputable Duties of Christianity If we consider the example of Our Saviour he fulfilled all Righteousness If we regard S. Paul he retracts the harsh Language which he had given unto the Jewish High Priest and at Ephesus He was not found Blaspheming or Reviling the Gods of the Gentiles In the Levitical Law there was a precept Not to blaspheme the Gods And it was a tenet of the first Christians that they ought not to blasphome or rail against the false Deities of the Pagans lest They should give the Gentiles occasion to blaspheme the true God There is a Canon of the Church which denies unto them the Glory of Martyrdom who should disturb a Priest at his Sacrifice or demolish their Altars and Idols Such a reverence had They for Government and so great a care to preserve the Peace The Donatists were persecuted by Constantine Constans and Honorius by reason of the frequent tumults they made contemning the Authority of the Emperors seising violently the Churches of the Catholicks committing intolerable outrages upon their persons sometimes killing their Bishops and Clerks Whereas the Novatians demeaning themselves Civilly and Peaceably were not molested The Arians were enjoyned by the Great Theodosius to hold their Meetings without the City of Constantinople And
complying with the more general concernments by the neglect whereof the other lost themselves and became a prey unto the Turks Of two evils the least is to be chosen and that is the least not which is accompanied with the greatest inconveniences at present but which occasions the greatest dammage for the future Wherefore it becomes prudent persons to attend unto both these cases For as in Arithmetick one great sum doth prove much less then many smaller accompts put together and added to the first So in the Government of a State that which seems a very great evil at the first view may judiciously be submitted unto if the contempt thereof be probably accompanied with greater and irreparable detriments Besides that a very great prejudice if the effects thereof be of no long continuance is to be chosen before a less but everlasting misery Let us then peaceably acquiesce in those Counsils which Prudence it self seems to have dictated and whence we derive our present tranquillity and an hopeful prospect of future Strength and Riches Let us not asperse our Superiors with Calumnies to their great discouragement and the distraction of the Realms Let us think better of them and more meanly of our selves There is not any Pest so dangerous to a State as that of declaiming against Men in Authority I need not urge the destruction of the Florentine Republick which was ruinated thereby we may remember what did precede our Wars and was the consequent of those specious pretexts of bringing Delinquents to Tryal and how fatal was the Denomination of Malignants No Ruler no Minister of State could ever please all people and some have valued themselves and their Counsils by a repugnancy to the populace If we will consult the Presidents of Rome we shall find it to have been a part of their Civil prudence rather to pass by then punish the failors of their Magistrates and to have had that regard unto Authority that those who had either voluntarily mis-employed their power received but gentle punishments and such as had miscarried through ignorance were appaied with Honours and Rewards They did imagine that publick affairs were accompanied with so much of Solicitude so great difficulties that 't was imprudence to augment the cares of their Governors with new terrors and additional considerations of their personal hazards if they miscarried in their Counsils or Transactions And certainly those Men create a very ill president against themselves who instruct the giddy multitude in complaints against their Governors If there be any rumours of this nature diffâ—…sed through the nation be they well or ill-grounded they are unseasonable and all wise Men ought to stifle them as far as they can possible All private animosities and injuries ought to be forgotten out of a respect to the general welfare Not onely Rome and Greece but also the Barbarians have celebrated those who have relinquished their domestick concernes and feuds the better to serve their Countrey Thus Themistocles and Aristides being joyn'd in an Embassy agreed to lay aside all particular quarrels betwixt them untill their returns And I cannot but recommend unto Christians the example of the Christian Emperour Constantine Several People resorted unto Him with Remonstrances and Complaints the Emperour commanded them all to bring in before Him on a certain day all their Libels and Petitions that He might take cognizance thereof Which being done He arose up and having with a grave Speech reproved them for retarding the publick business and concernments by Private quarrels and remonstrances He cast them all into the fire without vouchsafing to read those Papers which were likely to embroile not amend His Affaires That Nicene Council which we all reverence did admire and magnifie this conduct and by their Authority do I propose it to the imitation of our Parliaments though the considerations of the distracted and forlorne condition wherein the late-united Provinces and the Kingdome of Poland now suffer are more immediate Objects to convince this Age How unseasonable and dangerous an attempt it is for Inferiours to foment even just quarrels or resentments against their Superiours much more to revile and persecute them with unjust calumnies idle suggestions and frivolous surmises whilest the approach or attack of a most puissant Enemy or a suspicious Neighbour doth oblige us to pursue the more secure courses An APOLOGY c. WE cannot but with some resentments behold those who after that gracious Act not only for our Indemnity but the utter Oblivion of our defaults continue to upbraid Us and unseasonably to foment those differences amongst the English which the most Heroical Example Authority Prudence and Charity of his Sacred Majesty hath so studiously and wisely endeavoured to extinguish We are all promiscuously twisted together by mutual affinity relations and common Interest subjected equally to the same Prince and Natives of the same Realms and we do heartily desire that we may be looked upon as Brethren under which Civil consideration we do regard our other Fellow-Subjects We profess to retain no other Memory of our former quarrels then what endeareth us to the service of his Majesty by imprinting in us a sense of those dangers which arise from mis-interpretations of State-Affairs vain jealousies and imaginations of remote and forreign consequences which may happen God knows when from such grounds and principles as popular brains do rather phansie to themselves then really comprehend We do experimentally know upon what specious pretences the vindicative and Ambitious spirits do contrive their siâ—…ister and wicked designs to the publick detriment and the great abuse of well-meaning persons And we have been so often betrayed and suffered so much hereupon that they must be strangely prepossessed who think us not impregnable against any suggestions or attempts of that nature We are infinitely sensible of the Clemency which our King expressed to us in his Act of â—…race and we think He hath compleated his Royal favour towards us by the late Declaration for suspending the penal Laws in reference to All Non-conformists It is our unhappiness to dissent from the doctrine and discipline of that Church to which his Majesty doth adhere but since we continue to do so rather out of Zeal for the supposed Truth then Faction against His Majesty and pursue spiritual not temporal advantages thereby It is evident that the Civil Government can receive no prejudice by such toleration of us It may receive much accessional strength from the continuance of so numerous parties and perhaps if we may credit great Politicians some security from the so-much exclaimed against diversity thereof since it is apparent that wheresoever there happen to be in any Realm potent factions and such as the supream Authority cannot well extirpate 't is much more safe for the general peace that dissentions remain under many entire and lesser parties then be reduced to a narrower compass And the Prince is best served whilst each party distinctly courts and strives
to intimate as if because the Article had been varied in the words as aforesaid that therefore it was suited to his sense No less strange is it that He should expound the intentions of his Majesty by the privacy of Cromwel's Conclave and not according to the true legal and known import of the words We add that if He found in our ordinary Maps the Channel and Brittish Sea as equipollent and Synonymous terms yet He never found the Channel to be called the Brittish Seas and therefore that allegation is most impertinent and fallacious And He must seek to the common vogue for a more authentick explication thereof As little doth it avail Him to find in the Seventh Article a distinction betwixt the Brittish Sea and North Sea for seeing that the Number is varied 't is most certain the Sense is also However it is a Rule in the Civil Law Dubitationis gratia quae apponuntur nocere non praesumuntur Such clauses or words as are put in to prevent disputes ought not to occasion any or prejudice the inferter Surely Pride or Passion transported the Considerer beyond his reason when He esteemed that Objection invincible as it did beyond Truth when He distinguished betwixt Fleets and Ships and made Cromwel to do so too of which there is not the least appearance to our knowledge How willing soever the Dutch were to acknowledge the Rights of England as to the Dominion of the Brittish Seas and Flag They still insisted upon the Freedom to fish without License or Letters of Safe-conduct This they proposed in a draught of Articles tendered by them to Mr. St. Johns and after to the Council of State But the pretended Common-wealth refused absolutely to assent thereunto nor would They admit of any Treaty with the Dutch except they would first acknowledge The English Soveraignty of those Seas and contract for the Liberty of Fishing The Article which They imposed was this ARTIC XVII The people and inhabitants of the said United Provinces of what condition or quality soever They be shall with their Busses and other Vessels fitted for that purpose have liberty from time to time for the term of one and twenty years next coming to sail and fish as well for Herrings as all other sort of Fish great and small upon any the Coasts and Seas of Great Britain and Ireland and the rest of the Isles adjacent where and in such manner as they have been formerly permitted to fish In consideration whereof the States General shall during that Terme pay into the publick Treasury of this Common wealth at the City of London the sum of at two equal payments upon every twenty fourth day of June and twenty fourth day of December The first payment to begin on the twenty fourth day of June next Hereunto the Dutch excepted That by the taking of such a Lease for the Fishing the States General should be put out of an Immemorial possession without Cause or Reason Having alwayes enjoyed the freedom of Fishing As they were ready to prove by an ample deduction of Arguments and Evidences And instead of this Article They thought it reasonable to urge the Fourteenth Article of the Treaty called Intercursus Magnus A. D. 1495. viz. That the people and Inhabitants of either State of what condition or quality soever they be shall freely without any molestation safe-guard or pass sail and fish every where at Sea The Council of State were very angry at this plea of the Embassadours and told them that They wondred with what confidence the States General could pretend to an Immemorial possession of the Fishery seeing that the time was not yet Immemorial since They first were owned to be Free States If according to the Civil Law we allow an 100 years as a just prescription yet was it not so long since their Ancestours first possessed themselves of the Brill A. D. 1572. That the time wherein they fished as Subjects of the House of Burgundy by vertue of a League made betwixt England and those Dukes did not establish an Immemoridlpossession or prescription in favour of the States General That since the Fishery was held by the Subjects of Burgundy and they exempted from the paying for Licenses and Convoyes onely by vertue of a Treaty Nothing was more manifest than the Immemorial Right of the English whereby before that Treaty they did exact mony for Licenses and Convoyes That what was held by League did expire with the said League That this League of Intercourse was expired upon the subsequent Wars betwixt Qu. Elizabeth and the Crown of Spain and had never been confirmed again since that time That the Dutch could not claim any Liberty by vertue of that League now partly because the Alterations of the Government in the Netherlands and other accidents have deprived the English of those great benefits which accrued to them by that Treaty and in consideration whereof it was assented unto by them and consequently It was lawful and just for them to resume their Right of the Fishery and that the Effect should cease with its final Cause partly because that the United Provinces are not to be deemed the same people since their Union into a Republick and alienation from the other Provinces and Dominion of the Dukes of Burgundy that they were before They are not the persons with whom the English made any such Contract or ever renewed it It is most certain that Qu. Elizabeth did deprive the Hanse Towns of their privileges in London upon these reasons That since the English had acquired the manufacture of Cloth and could manage that Trade themselves therefore there was no need no reason to continue the priviledges of the Hanse Towns which had been granted purposely for the better exportation and vending of our Cloth Also because that most of the Hanse Towns were extinguished and esloigned from the first and ancient confederation which consisted of 72 Towns and therefore the Corporation or subject of those priviledges being ceased the priviledges themselves were ceased It was further urged that since the expiration of the said Treaty whatsoever Liberty the Dutch had taken in Fishing it was an usurpation upon the English rights that by the Civil Law they were possessores malae fidei and consequently could not claim any Prescription They knew that the Right of the Fishery was vested in the English and since They fished in those Seas during the Burgundian League in right of the English and afterwards by a notorious usurpation 't was no less evident that They had not any possession then it is that whatsoever They had was not Immemorial And therefore the English expressed a great kindness unto them in not demanding Satisfaction for the past Fisking Besides their possession had been at several times disturbed and therefore the claim invalid For not only Philip. II. had taken a lease of it in the dayes of Q. Mary for one and twenty
by the Lord Buckhurst Though She were by the Articles to protect them only until they could obtain an assured peace not till they could form themselves into a Republick yet did They constantly reject all overtures made by Her for their reconciliation with Spain Whereat Shee was so angry that Shee writ to them How the indignities they put upon her Majesty were such and their Ingratitude for the eminent favours conferred by her so villancus that She might very justly desert the League and relinquish their Amity They formed a New Assembly of The States General distinct from the Council of State and thereby excluded Her Embassadour from being privy to all important affairs of State which ought to have been communicated unto Him by the League and was intended when He was admitted to sit in the Council of State This Oldenbarnevelt said was no violation of the Treaty because the Embassadour retained His due place but the cognisance and debates of the chief affairs were transferred thence It was then laid down for a Maxim of that Republick That whensoever any received usages or leagues become inutile or prejudicial to the State and yet to prevent the imputation of Treachery the Republick cannot but adhere to them some new expedient must be found out whereby those customs or contracts may not seem violated and the publick detriment be also avoided This fraudulent beginning had the High and Mighty States General and as the foundations of that Assembly were layed in Treachery so the fabrick hath ever since been supported by the same Artifices Hereby they gained an opportunity of transacting with the French and sending Him assistance without ever acquainting of the Queen or her Embassadour Whereas by the Articles All matters of moment that related to the war were to be first communicated to Her Majesty or those that sate by her appointment in the Council of State At this She was so angry that She was ready to recall Her forces and desert them and being urged with the Capitulations Sir Thomas Bodley replied for Her that It did not become such as observed no Covenants for to press them upon others Neither were They more faithful in their Leagues with K. James notwithstanding that He prevailed with the Spaniard to own them as Free States and upon easie terms surrendred the cautionary Towns After a firm Treaty in 1619. ensued the murther of the English at Amboyna and other depredations in the East Indies They were to make satisfaction for that fact by the year 1625. but K. Charles never lived to see any given though He menaced them severely with Reprisals or a War in case He had not reparations within eighteenth months for the dammage His Subjects had received and the indignities done to His Crown and Honour In the year 1625. King Charles made a League with the Dutch in which a sincere Amity was mutually agreed unto each being to do what they could for the benefit safety and security of the other In the year 1627. They form a League with France to aid that Realm in case the English invaded it and that they would prohibit as far as they could possibly do that the English should be supplied with forces ships or ammunition to the prejudice of the French during all which time the Treaty of South-hampton was in full force Nor have the English only cause to complain of their perfidiousness the Crown of France hath more then once been deluded by them A. D. 1630. The Dutch made a League with France obliging themselves never to make any Truce or Peace either directly or indirectly without the privity of that King This League was to continue Seven years and the K. of France paying them 200000 l. sterling annually Notwithstanding the assistance and moneys received in 1632. They treat with the Spaniard publickly without giving any advertisement thereof to the French or communicating any Articles The Treaty came to nothing and thereupon They ratified the fâ—…rmer League of 1630. with France adding other Articles for to make it offensive and Defensive April 15 1634. This League was to endure 7. years from the date thereof and France to pay annually 300000 l. to the Dutch besides other advantages This League was made by the States General without being communicated first to the Provincial States Least this should vacate it another was contrived Febr. 8. 1635. Here they oblige the K. of France immediately to invade Flanders with 25000 foot and 5000 horse and Neither party is to conclude any cessation or peace but in conjunction with the other and with mutual consent and the War to continue until the Spaniard be totally driven out of the Netherlands the Provinces being to be divided betwixt the French and Dutch according to agreement Notwithstanding all this when the French had begun the war according to the League the Dutch privately sent their Secretary Musch upon another Treaty at Cranebergh and after that unto Turn-hout thereof they gave no notice to the French but denied absolutely that He went upon any such employment until the Treaty was frustrated by the arrogant demands of the Spaniard The French to secure themselves against these treacherous actings ratifie the former Treaties by another September 6. 1636. and they oblige themselves to pay the Dutch greater sums of money the next year Every year these Treaties were thus renewed during the Reign of Lewis xiii And after his decease The same Treaties were confirmed anew August 30. 1643. In 1644. the Munster peace being entred upon and Plenipotentiaries to be sent from France and Holland a League of Guaranty was concluded in order thereunto in which it was agreed that Neither party should enter upon nor conclude any Treaty without the conjunction and consent of the other and to the end that one might not circumvent the other it was agreed that the Plenipotentiaries should inform the Spanish Ministers that there was a mutual confederacy betwixt France and the United Provinces so that they were obliged to treat conjoynedly and with mutual consent and so to proceed that the Treaties of both were to be dispatched with equal expediâ—…ion After this March 10. 1645. all the former Treaties were again ratified and a new sum of 120000 l. extorted from the French The same was again done Apr. 6. 1646. and a greater sum disbursed by the French But notwithstanding all this the States General did not send out the Forces they promised but rather contrived how to retard the success of the French Arms They made their Plenpotentiaries swear to proceed conjunctly and according to the League of Guaranty with France March 1. 1644. And presently after the said Plenipotentiaries came to Munster they entered into a separate Treaty first for a long Truce and afterwards for a Peace with Spain Amusing the French and all the Provinces except Holland with this pretext that They did but conclude provisional Articles which
were to be inserted into the Munster-Treaty but that all was to be of no effect in the mean while and thus much indeed was expressed in the Preface to the Treaty and so much of them was imparted unto the French the rest they needed not to inquire into since the Articles were to be hereafter approved by them and were only agitated now to pass the time In the mean space The Dutch declined to assist the French or manage an offensive war against Flanders and being pressed to regard their Treaties the Provincials of Holland began to hate the French as men that presumed too much upon old musty Leagues and Confederacies which was one of the greatest absurdities in the world Instead of prosecuting the war in 1647. They found out an expedient to fulfill the League by ceasing from all acts of hostility at Sea the which cessation was proclaimed by Leopold June 15. 1647. and 't is supposed ratified by the States though Aitzma could not find any deeds to that purpose for They suffer'd their Subjects to take the benefit thereof even the Zealanders who condemned the Action as perfidicus did by vertue thereof drive on a gainful trade with Flanders This year being thus passed in 1648. The province of Holland by sundry circumventions and such proceedings as repugned to the Union of the Provinces commute the provisional Articles into an Absolute Treaty and ratifie it without communicating it unto the French or any way attending their consent Six of the Provinces were amased hereat the people astonished the Heer van Nederhorst one of the Plenipotentiaries feigns himself sick refuseth to sign thereunto and gave in his reasons to the States General viz. that it was contrary to the Treaty with France and contrary to his instructions and Oath as Plenipotentiary The which action of his was justified by his Superiours of Utrecht and He received great thanks for adhering to his Instructions and the real interest of his Countrey On the other side the States of Helland by a publick Act do assert the integrity and honour of their Plenipotentiaries and avow they will protect and vindicate them against all the world giving them the general thanks of the Province The Plenipotentiaries also by a Manifest endeavoured to authorise their demeanour pleading That Treaties were subject to several senses how express soever that their procedure at Munster might fall under a good construction if men would interpret it aright and consider how much is to be attributed to emergencies and occasions That They had done nothing contrary to their Oaths and Instructions as some especially the contradictious French did clamour They did respect the French Amity very much but yet they found the obligations to their Countrey to be paramount that 't was true they had an Instruction to observe strictly the League of 1644. and to communicate all their affairs with the French But they had another more important Command also which was That they should do all things that were for the benefit of their Countrey and Republick and eschew all such things as in their judgment might turn to its detriment and prejudice The French King writ Letters and sent Embassadours to expostulate and protest against this Peace but De la Thuillery either got no answer to his Memorials or only this That the States General were satisfied They had not failed in their respects to His Master Most of the Provinces at first refused to ratifie the Peace and Zeland was obstinate to the last never signing it nor suffering their Plenipotentiary Knuyt to attend the ratification They desired that since things were proceeded so far the States General would but be so civil to their old confederate His most Christian Majesty as to send unto him and acquaint Him with the true condition of affairs and suspend the raâ—…ification untill the French had perfected their Treaty that this was the great intent of the Munster-Treaty to effect a peace for France and Holland if not for all Europe That to gratifie his Majesty thus far was but a small return for such kindness as he had alwayes expressed for the United Netherlands the particular testimonies whereof They should not relate but so many so ample they were that when Historians should record them they would not be believed by posterity as they could not be sufficiently acknowledged by any retributions or assiduity of service which the Dutch could pay unto that Crown Besides to ratifie this Treaty at Munster what was it but to put an end to all the Leagues betwixt the United Provinces and France even those of Guaranty and then They should loose their best support and allyance to the great danger of their Republick But no Remonstrances could prevail against the Artificles of the Hollanders wherefore by a plurality of votes a course not legitiâ—…ate in so high matters the States General did ratifie the peace and appoint it to be proclaimed and celebrated with bone-fires June 5. 1648. The Zelanders again interposed Calling God and Men to witness that They did never assent unto this Peace with the exclusion of France and that They were innocent as to all those calamities and misfortunes which either the wrath of Heaven or Indignation of exasperated Princes might create unto the United Provinces The Peace was proclaimed on the day asoresaid but the people were so possessed with the horrour of the Action that many in Holland as Leyden made not any bone-fires and none elsewhere gave those usual signs of joy The French KIng whose candour was justified by Nederhorst recalled his Embassadour from the Hague adding that since He had no manner of League with them a Resident might serve the turn there By the same peace they betrayed their confederates the Prince Palatine and the other Protestants of Germany who might have had great advantages by a General Peace but the Dutch only reaped the benefits of this These Dutch left their old friends the Hanse Towns out of the Treaty betwixt Denmark and Sweden in 1645. without any other motive then their peculiar profit There is not a Prince or State in Europe or the Indies that doth not form the like complaints against them Even the Spanish Embassadour Le Brun averred that the Dutch in a little time violated Seventeen Articles of the Munster-peace As to Their Religion we could never be convinced that The Hollanders did regard any Their first revolt was not founded upon any such principles They patiently endured the suppression of their Churches and Ministers the Country did not stir thereat nor upon the execution of so many thousand Protestants The best of their Historians and who was privy to the secret transactions of that age begins his Annals with a quite different account The States of Holland and West-Friesland avowed it and it is notorious that the exaction of the Tenth penny by the D. of Alva did more exasperate them then the
end unto the war until the Dutch should assent unto a Coalition so as that the two Soveraign powers should be united into one to consist of persons of both nations as should be agreed upon and All the people to enjoy the like priviledges and freedom in respect of habitations possessions trade ports fishing and all other advantages whatsoever in each others Countrey as Natives without any difference or distinction Other course they saw none in which they might with prudence and safety acquiesce The Province of Holland being particularly sensible of the expense and other detriments which that war brought upon them did privately employ Col. Doleman and others gaining unto them Hugh Peters to try the inclinations of the pretended Parliament this was concealed from the States General and known to few of the Provincials of Holland The English did not seem averse to a good peace upon just and honourable terms but refused to treat either in Holland or any neutral place nor would they condescend to any such negotiation except the Hollanders did make the first overtures by a Letter For as their necessities not affection to peace protestancy or the English Republick made them to seek it so it was requisite for the Honour of England which had been so despised and ignominiously treated by them that They should repair the pass'd Infamy and disgrace by effectual submissions The States of Holland and West-friesland considering the miserable distress and incorrigible disorders of their people did submit thus to confess their Errours March 8. 1653. THe States of Holland and West-friesland considering that without doubt it is a remarkable punishment from the just judgment of God irritated by the sins of the people that notwithstanding the communion of the pure Reformed Religion which ought to oblige the two Nations to Love Unity and a reciprocal care to procure each others good at home and mutual lustre abroad whereto Nature it self by the vicinity of the Countreys on both sides seems to have contributed and given advantage yet contrarily the present differences have caused that the prudence of nature is forced against Her aims and the means which might tend to mutual Conservation are employed to the ruin of each other and that the Religion the most dear and precious pledge which by the Grace of God hath been so long and until this present marvailously preserved between the two Nations against the machinations of the Enemies of its Honour is become endangered And also the Lord God having furnished both Nations with matter of thanks and praise to his clemency in that by his grace they may subsist of themselves and that they have the convenience of assisting each other in case of necessity and where his honour shall require it by these very Nations in lieu of due acknowledgment of these his said mercies matter is afforded to the Enemies of God and of both Nations of rejoycing by their present confusions and to hope for at length those will effect for them that which they themselves have not been able to bring to pass And that which adds to the reciprocal misfortune is that by the alternate and uncertain successes and daily effects of Arms seen by the great effusion of blood of the Houshold of Faith on the one and on the other side both waies apprehended by the Enemies of Gods glory and his Church so precious He that overcomes considering the thing in true Christianity ought to lament the victory equally with the other who seemeth to be defeated Wherefore the abovesaid States carried on by a pious zeal and being through the Grace of God in no wise constrained by any other consideration have not in the least scrupled to represent the abovesaid to the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to the end that They having the same apprehensions with the said States concerning this affair Consideration may be had what ought to be done for maintaining the Honour and Glory of God and for the good of each other State whereupon without doubt the Good God for His Name 's sake by the inspiration of proper and fit expedients will give his blessing Or in case the said Parliament be of another mind the said States having abundantly discharged themselves may with much more peace of Conscience attend the issue which it shall please God to give to the present Confusion and Disorders Done at the Hague March 18. 1653. By order of the States of Holland and Westfriesland Herbert van Beaumont Secretary to the abovesaid States The Speaker received this Letter by a special Messenger the Secretary of the Lord Adrian Paaw whereupon it was referred to the Council of State to answer it as They thought fit These considered that this Letter was the act of a Cabal and not of the States General and that They had to do with Hollanders whose integrity they much suspected They determined to write one Answer to the Authours and another to the States General acquainting them with the private overtures of Holland intending thereby either to make the States General own the same recognition or to create jealousies and animosities betwixt the other Provinces and Holland which had acted separately and clandestinely in a matter of that nature contrary to the Union These Letters were dispatched April 1. 1653. wherein they told the Hollanders in a dialect not less specious and pious that the inconveniencies to Religion in general and to the Trade and Liberties of each Nation were such as any man might have foreseen and that none could be ignorant how requisite it was for both Nations to preserve a good correspondence and amity together That the English had not omitted any thing on their parts But the Dutch had assaulted them in the midst of a Treaty for a strict Union and their Embassadour had used such tergiversation as made them justly imagin that their sense of things was different from what They now professed That the good endeavours of the Parliament were answered with unusual Preparations Acts of hostility and other extraordinary proceedings thereupon That they had this comfort and satisfaction in their own minds amidst the troubles and calamities of War that they had with all sincerity done what lay in their power to obivate all the evils specified That they did look upon the overtures of Holland if approved of by the States General to be an effectual means for composing this unwelcome war That they should insist upon nothing but what was reasonable and just However the Parliament having discharged their duty would in all Events with patience acquiesce in the Issues of providence whereof they had so gracious Experience This was the import of the Letter to the States of Holland and Westfriesland that to the States General was more brief though to the same purpose Viz. That there could be no doubt of the sincere affection and good will which the English did bear unto the United Provinces so that it might be well imagined
four was come and He not likely to make any serious overtures The Fleet was commanded to lye upon and infest the Dutch coasts about the Texel new reinforcemen's being expedited Nor did They doubt but the Terrour of the late bloody and gâ—…llant fight together with the sight of the same Enemies constantly before Their eyes would fill Holland with consternation and make them with more sincerity and submissness pursue the negotiation Van Beverning finding Himself so little respected and considering How deplorable the condition of His Countrey was at last applies Himself by way of Petition to Cromwel and the Council of State in these words To his Excellency and the Lords of the Council of State of the Republick of England THe subscribed Deputy of the Lords the States General of the Unâ—ted Provinces having order on their behalf to propound divers points of importance to his Excellency and the Lords of the Council of the State of England prayeth most humbly and instantly that He may obtain a favourable Audience as soon as their other affairs and deliberations may permit them and if it might be to day or to morrow Done at London the 20 30 of June 1653. But He could not prevail to be heard until the last day of the Month He was very submiss in his address gave the Council of State the Title of Illustrious and termed them Messâ—…igneurs and praied that God with his holy Spirit might preside at all their consultations and bless their Government and the Nation with all prosperity and happiness he desired that the memory of the past actions might be obliterated and that a perfect Amity and indissoluble Union and more entire correspondence then ever might be established betwixt both Nations That He and three more out of the States General were sent to renew with all candour and sincerity the protestations of their whole affections towards this Common-wealth and to assure His Excellency and their Lordships that They remain also continually in the same mind and in the same intentions They desire with all their hearts that with a mutual consent upon honest and reasonable conditions this unhappy and bloody war might be ended and a firm and perpetual peace established betwixt the Nations You see My Lords added He the freedom and ingenuity of their deliberations They oblige not themselves to formalities and have made no scruple to send their Deputies to your Honours without insisting so much as upon a Pasport expecting from you a reciprocal candour and freedome After this He tendered to Cromwel a Proposition for a streight Alliance betwixt the two Nations to be sincere perpetual and inviolable desiring They would relinquish the demands of Satisfaction and Security and acquiesce in a Defensive League whereby each Republick should assist the other with all their sorces to preserve and defend reciprocally the Liberty and Freedom of the People of both Nations against all that should endeavour to trouble them by Sea or Land Never doing or permitting that directly or indirectly any Act of hostility be done to the prejudice of this Alliance neither that any Counsil or aid â—…e given to the Enemies or Rebels of the one or other part But to the contrary hindering effectually and really all such and the like enterprizes and rigorously punishing the Authors as it is fitting This besides matters of commerce was the subject of his Proposition which He concluded with a prayer That the Great most good and most mereiful God would preside in their Counsils with his Spirit of peace c. Thus did He make an introduction to that Treaty which the other Three Embassadours were joyntly to carry on They arrived July 2. 1653. and all joyned in one Petition for a common Audience praying thrice-humbly and instantly they may have a favourable answer to the Proposâ—…tion made by the Lord Van Beverningh beseeching the God of peace to co-operate After that their Credentials and Power had been enquired into the Council of State returned Them a peremptory Answer that without satisfaction for what had been acted agaiâ—…st England and befitting Security that no such thing should be attempted again they could not proceed to any League of Alliance The Dutch replied that It was strange They should press so vehemently for Reparation who had so effectually satisfied themselves already by the prizes taken which were so many that the loss of their Subjects was inestimable As to Security They beseeched them not to doubt the sincerity of their Intentions nor to imagine that their Superiours would refuse to secure them by any just means and equitable ways and prayed a Conference Many conferences ensued in which the English treated them with much haughtiness accordingly as They deserved They wholly insisted upon Satisfaction for all the charges they had been put unto and for Security declaring that protestations of sincerity and love or written compacts could never assure them sufficiently of the Faith of the Dutch or That they would continue sincere who had dealt so treacherously in attacquing their Fleet. Both parties did talk of nothing but sincerity of affection and integrity of their thoughts and hearts Both were for laying the foundations of a godly peace the promotion of the Glory of God the advancement of the Reformed Religion Both were impatient for an eternal intimate and strict Union such as never intervened betwixt two Nations But they could not agree upon the means wherby all this was to be effected The Dutch were so zealous for the prosecution of the Glory of God and the benefit of the Reformed Religion that they held it a great Impiety against Heaven and a most enchristian deed to protract by any Scruple whatsoever the strict good sincere and mutual Amity betwixt the two Nations because it was so important for the Honour of God and propagation of the Gospel The Council of State did not come short of them in general expressions of kindness and the like but since the matter in agitation did Involve the welfare of the people of God and the support of the cause of God in these Nations they could not betray these by neglecting to take requisite security The Embassadours were much perplexed with this intricate procedure and found a necessity to prepare for another fight since the Treaty was thus delayed They urged the Council to come to the particulars wherein they would place their Security July 15. 1653. To which they received this Answer That albeit they might justly pursue to the highest point the Article of Reparation yet to shew their Candour and hearty inclinations to the strict Aâ—…ity they would not aim at great sums of money from the United Provinces very much preferring a Peace upon just and honest grounds before any consideration of that nature And as to Security since they were all so well agreed in the General expressions the Council thought fit to declare that This State is willing the said Security be by
Uniting both States together in such manner as they may become one People and Common-wealth for the good of both By which means not only the present breach will be made up and the difficulties of adjusting of each others interest by Articles of Alliance and Confederation will be overcome but all occasions of future difference removed and the strength and riches of both Nations which are now employed one against another will be united for the common defense and preservation of the whole July 21. 1653. The Embassadours being desired to give in a speedy Answer hereto seemed not well to understand the Proposal They were very ingenuously and sincerely ready to make and establish such an Union and Confederacy with England whereby both the States conserving their several present constitutions of Government may be so closely United and so nearly bound together that they may remain as one people and one Common-wealth They were exceeding glad to find that God had put into the Hearts of their Lordships likewise so good and pious intentions and did beseech most instantly that after these general and mutual declarations their Lordships would descend to the particulars which thereto shall be judged by them fit and convenient July 22. 1653. The Council returned Answer on the same day that They did not approve these delayes That the Embassadours did not speak about any Satisfaction to be given and did also where they speak of strict Union interlace words of Confederation and other expressions inconsistent with the common and genuine notion of Coalescence The Embassadours hereupon replied on the same day That the Lords of the Council having expressed themselves so as if they did not value money in comparison of a just firm and honourable peace the Embassadours thought they had relinquished the claim of Satisfaction That they used the term of Confederation because their instructions were so worded and by reason it was most significant to that near and intrinsick Union which they desired They confess ingenuously that not having found that word Coalition in the Answer of the Council July 21. but that of Confederation and Union They do not conceive what the Lords of the Council do understand thereby unless they shall please to explicate themselves The Council rejoyned That as to the Satisfaction demanded the Embassadours did mis-alledge their sayings who only expressed How moderate they would be but never intended to decline that demand totally As to Coalition it was sufficiently insinuated in their proposal at first That they did not now urge the word but the Thing which was emphatically enough declared unto them That their intendments were that both Nations should become One in Government not pretensions of Amity and that they should indistinctly fish c. with the English and the English indistinctly Trade with them every where c. Concerning this their Categorical Answer was speedily expected the Council having clearly explained their minds concerning Treaties and Leagues of Amity and Confederation between these Nations The insufficiency whereof to attain the ends of a lasting and durable peace is apparent by the attempt and war made upon this State contrary to these Treaties unless the same may be otherwise secured then heretofore they have been July 25. 1653. The Dutch Embassadours finding themselves necessitated to reply directly unto the point of Coalition did give in A Memorial thereupon the which and the Answer of the Council of State were as follows To the Lords of the Council of State of the Common-wealth of England THe subscribed Deputies of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces having nearer considered the Proposition expressed in the paper which from the said Lords of the Council in the Conference Munday last was delivered to them find themselves obliged to declare that the said Lords the States General have alwaies had a singular good affection to the English Nation and endeavoured not only inviolably to observe the Ancient friendships and correspondencies established by the Treaties of former times But further to make a more firm and streight Union upon grounds of the common Interests of the One and Other Republick and upon the offers of a mutual and more intrinsick Allyance on the behalf of the Parliament of this Common-wealth They have presently used all possible means to facilitate the advancement and the conclusion of such a Treaty and have from time to time continued by all convenient wayes by sending over their extraordinary Ambassadours by their Letters and lastly by the said Deputies to reassume the interrupted Negotiations and to advance the same to such a perfection that by a Treaty of a nearer alliance and intrinsick Union the Glory of God and the propagation of his Gospel may be advanced and the liberâ—…ies of the people assured to the mutual good and interests of both Nations And Considering the Lords the States General have from the first beginning till this present time proceeded in all the said Premisses with an iâ—…reprehensible candour and integrity the subscribed Dâ—…puties confess that the said Proposition in such terms was Unexpected having never seen or heard in any of the Propositions of former times the least mention of a Coulâ—…tion or mixture of the several Soveraignties Fully perswading themselves that such Imaginations had never been in the thoughts of either And because the words Of a near Union and Confederacy have alwaies been most proper and significant to express the sincere intentions concerning the mutual Allyance They marvail at it that now in the said Propositions of the Lords of the said Council it is expressed That nothing more was offered by the said Deputies but a streight and close allyance between the two Nations by a League of Amity and Confederation being glad that in the same Paper the Lords of the Council do openly confess that the very sâ—… had been propounded by the said Deputies at their first Audience and that the same Overtures have been made before ever the war began and confess ingeniously that yet they are not able to find a more convenient expression to the intention of their Lords and Superiours or to the nature of the business it self the intention of the Lords the States General having manifestly been propounded from time to time and especially in their last Papers dated 22 2 and 23 2 July August and the nature of the business it self being so conform to this intention cannot be otherwise managed or expounded unless with the unusual novelty of such a Coalition and Mixture all be put in hazard to be imbroil'd in all sorts of Confusions and Impossibilities If the Treaty of Allyanâ—…e and Confederation of the year 1495. be considered there will be found a good sincere true entire perfect and firm Amity league confederation peace and union by Land by Sea and the fresh waters for ever And if the Other succeeding Treaties from time to time be examined the same or like words will also be found but of Coalition of Nations and
inviolable affection to this Common-wealth and have charged us to declare that as in general the name and bloody effects of so sad a war are to them most abominable so more particularly they derest it in regard of the Government and Nation wherewithal They are ingaged We are likewise perswaded that there are no Christian considerations nor rules nor maxims of State or particular reflections which do not oblige Us reciprocally to joyn and unite us closely and firmly with heart and affection of Will and Deeds against the machinations of all them who endeavour to disturb together with the truth of God and his holy Word the â—…ommon interests of both Common-wealths We consider also that all Soveraign powers are from God and that the same Lord of Lords hath ordained them to the Glory of his blessed Name for the advancement of his Truth and the lawful liberty of his people We consider further that the form and constitution of our Governments and the intrinsick interests of both Nations do lead and invite us yea urge and press us to a streight and sure union for the discharge of our duties of piety and justice which we owe to God and the People of both States And finally we consider that we are reciprocally obliged to stop and prevent the further effusion of innocent blood of the Professours of the same faith and to maintain with a mutual agreement and with all our forces the Cause of God and his holy Gospel Therefore most honourable Lords for the Glory of God and the love of his Truth and the welfare of both States and Nations let us joyn our hearts our hands our wills and all our forces against all them that shall undertake to attack and disturb us by Sea or Land We protest before God who is a Judge of the integrity of our intentions that we offer you Ours with all condour and integrity expecting of your Generosity the like from your Lordships The merciful God we hope will preserve and keep us from the abomination of the Midianites falling by their own swords and from the punishment of Israel when Ephraim did rise against Manasseh Manasseh against Ephraim and both together against Judah Truly that saying of the Apostle is infallible If we do bite and devour one another the one shall consume the other Let us rather as Gods people be as one body and march as one man that England as formerly be a nursing mother of brave men to maintain our goods and liberties and the united Provinces a Bulwark to this Common-wealth against all who shall presume to disturb the Constitution of your Government and the just interest of both Nations so that those that attack your liberty may be regarded as attacking our Government and those that shall provoke our State as if provoking yours To that end we do propound on the behalf of our Lords and Superiours that there may be established between both States and Nations to the glory of God the advancement of his Truth the protection of the Professours of the same Faith the liberty of our States the freedom of our People and the lawful defence of their common interest a 〈◊〉 faithful and everlasting league in the best form and with sâ—…ch expressions and comprehension of the mutual interests so firm and intrinsick as ever between two Soveraign States hath been or can be made and established And to fasten it with a more firm more straight and more sure knot to the end aforesaid that this Union may be extended to the other Protestant States of Christendome and such as protect and tolerate the free exercise of the Orthodox Reformed Religion in their Dominions And for the greater assurance of this mutual security that neither shall make any Treaty of Alliance or Gonfederation with any State Prince or Potentate in Europe without the knowledge and communication of the other to be comprehended in the same if they think it convenient and however that in the said Alliances and confederations nothing shall be concluded or established which shall be any waies prejudicial much less contrary to the Articles of this straight and sure Union which we desire might be established between the two Republicks And whereas the consent and agreement of such an Union ought to be a sure and solid foundation whereupon in pursuance many other interests and particular conveniencies may be setled The Lords the States General have thought fit that we should begin with the said Proposition and have given us sufficient Instructions upon all particulars thereto belonging And therefore we most earnestly beseech your Lordships that after a mature consideration you will be pleased to appoint us Commissioners well instructed to confer and debate together the particulars of it And because that time is much considerable for many reasons and respects in this business We wish it may be as soon as the important affairs of this illustrious Council will any ways permit The Commissioners of the Council of State did not comprehend by these General overtures what the Dutch intended except it were to amuse them in their preparations and counsils Wherefore They desired at a conference Octob. 31. that They would in writing explain themselves more particularly which they did in a Paper tendered Nov. 3. wherein They gave them a brief Analysis of their first address viz. that it consisted of three Articles 1. In the first Aâ—…ticle there were two points viz. The propagation of the holy Gospel with the protection of the Professours of the same Faith And a straight faithful sure and everlasting Union betwixt the two Common-wealths For the first They are of opinion that it ought to be concluded in general Terms with such an intention that if it happeneth that any particular wrong or prejudice be done against it and the professors of the same faith be any where oppressed That both States shall agree according to the constitution of times and affairs concerning the means by which they shall be best able to redress it And to the next point That this straight firm and intrinsick Union shall comprehend all the publick and private interests of both Common-wealths for to maintain and preserve them against all those whosoever they be without any exception that shall undertake to cross attack or disturb them by Sea or Land and concerning the means wherewith the same with Gods blessing is to be effectuated and the assistance that is mutually to be given they are ready to confer and agree with their Lordships either that it be generally expressed or specified 2. To the second Article They think it convenient to adde a greater efficacy to the aforesaid ends that the protestant States be invited and comprehended in this Union as the protestant Cantons and Free Towns of â—…rmany together with the Protestant Princes there and the Crowns of Sweden Denmark and France also since they are there tolerated and protected 3. The third Article being perspicuous and couched in significaÌ„nt
two Nations To effect this 't is requisite that all obstacles all such scruples be removed as may at any time give occasion to new quarrels the several Rights of both Nations must be clearly adjusted and therefore in the first place and before any thing else thus much must be yielded to the English that They are Lords of the Brittish Seas and Proprietours of the fishing therein These two things being premised and granted all subsequent Articles would admit of a facile determination The Dutch Embassadours were somewhat amazed at this Harangue the professions of great sincerity and affection with appeals to God animated them a little the passing by the Articles of Satisfaction and Security with a promise to descend to plain and special Articles made them hope for a good issue of this conference But whither They did intend to prâ—…tract the time in expectation of those necessities whereinto the distracted Government of England was then running or apprehended that This unusual condescension was the effect of an alteration for the better in the minds of the Council or the product of some unknown fears in them whereupon they intended to take advantage or whither They acted cautiously and prudently as suspecting the favours of Men in open hostility with Them Certain it is They replyed with a great deal of reservedness First They protested that nothing They should say by way of discourse nothing that should perhaps seemingly be agreed unto and admitted of should any way oblige them to adhere thereunto except the whole Treaty took effect and were concluded upon Then They proceeded to say That the United Provinces would not refuse to pay unto the English all those honours and respects at Sea which their Ancestours had formerly rendred to this Nation As to the Fishing They desired that might not be controverted before the Articles of strict and intimate Union were accorded and after them it would be seasonable to treat of Commerce and the Fishing The English Commissioners replyed That what the Embassadours said was nothing to the purpose The Soveraignty of the Sea and the Fishing were the unquestionable Rights of England and there was no Equivocation in the Terms no doubt nor scruple of the Things themselves The Deputies rejoyned that They had spoken clearly and distinctly enough to both points but They would adde further That the Sea was to be considered either â—…s Ships met thereon and one Nation paies respect to another or in respect of Free Navigation As to the first They had explained themselves As to the second there was another distinction to be made for as to the simple use of the Sea that is open to All As to some particular profits and emoluments arising thence There might indeed be some plea for propriety but this discourse would be most suitable when They were to treat of Commerce The English were angry at this reservedness of the Deputies and told them they did not come to hear or confer about Scholastick subtilties but the real legal Rights of England which They desired might be assented unto in such manner as They had alwayes been understood and not eluded by such disputes and distinctions That if old Rights were thus disputed what security would there be in any New Treaty What foundation of a lasting and intimate Union if the proper Rights were not antecedently determined of That on the morrow They would transmit to the Deputies such Articles as were equitable and whereupon a perpetual Friendship and Union might be well bottomed and established And accordingly Nov. 18. A draught of such Articles was delivered unto them by the Commissioners with this Preamble The Preamble to the Articles delivered by the Commissioners for the Dutch Treaty to the said Deputies Novemb. 18. Anno 1653. THe Deputies of the Lords the States General cannot make the least doubt of the sincere love and entire affection of this State towards the United Provinces of the low Countries nor of the integrity of their intentions towards them If among other things the last Papers delivered by the Council of State to the said Lord Deputies be reflected upon and considered wherein were made such tenders and propositions on the behalf of this Common-wealth as through the blessing of God would have been effectual means not only to stop the further effusion of Christian blood in the presentwar but to bring both States into such an Union and consistency of Interests as might totally have extinguished the seeds of all future differences and rendred their forces and other advantages more serviceable for promoting those great ends of Liberty and Religion professed to be aimed at by both sides And though They have expected these three months for an Answer to their last Paper delivered in upon this subject and found their endeavours of this kind to be hitherto without their desired fruit Yet such is the tender sense that this State hath of the present condition of affairs between the two Nations and of the sad consequences and effects of this bloody war that they were resolved to leave no just and honourable means unattempted which may put an end thereto and unite both States together more firmly then heretofore and accordingly they have prepared and digested into several Articles the Body and Form of a Treaty and do herewith propound the same to the said Lords Deputies the substance whereof being assented to by them and fitting Caution and Security given to be now likewise agreed upon for the just performance thereof on the part of the said United Provinces we hope They will prove the means of establishing a lasting peace and firm friendship between the two Nations And the Council doth nevertheless reserve full power to adde and to alter or enlarge any of the said Articles before the conclusion of the Treaty as they shall find occasion for the same in the future management thereof And whereas several demands were heretofore made and exhibited by the Council of State in the name of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to the Lords Catz Schaep and Vande Perre Ambassadours of the States General for Satisfaction to be given and reparation made for several wrongs injuries and depredations done and committed upon the English as well in the East Indies as elsewhere by the People of the United Provinces The Council hath the same under their further consideration And in what manner the East-India-trade may be setled between both Common-wealths with Justice and shall in convenient time deliver the Particulars thereof to the said Lords Deputies It would be too prolix to transcribe them All at this time They are pretty faithfully recorded in Leo ab Aitzma p. 837. Those which most aggrieved the Dutch were these By the third Article The Ships Guns and Furniture and the Goods and Merchandises and other things which had been taken at Sea in Harbour or at Land from the Dutch by the English during the war should be accounted as part of satisfaction and
put them forth upon the Seas Truly my Lords we can hardly perswade our selves that it is in good earnest that so unreasonable and extravagant a proposal is offered and indeed if you do intend to give place to such thoughts we are obliged to tell you plainly we are so far from it that we should esteem our selves unworthy of the goodness and favour of God whereby his Divine Majesty hath blessed the endeavours of our Superiours in the lawful prosecution of their liberty If we did â—…ut enter thereupon into a Conference or if we did make the least scruple of an absolute negative We confess ingenuously that though we have no special orders or instructions of our Superiours concerning that point and how is it possible to have any upon such an unreasonable and incredible a proposal yet we are so well informed of the Generosity of our Superiours and the Constitution of their affairs and interests as also of the intention and goodwill of our people that no living soul without an absolute indignation could hear of such overtures How many times hath his Excellency and the Lords praised our Ancestours who with so much zeal and vigour have fought for the liberty of their Counâ—…y And how is it possible that they should now have the opinion that their posterity is grown so base that they would suffer themselves without reason or necessity to be deprived or frustrated of so notable a part thereof Liberty we say that permitteth them being a free and under Gods grace a Soveraign independent State to go and return to be in action or rest to take up arms or lay them down according as their interest and their just and lawful defence requireth We must needs say that we did not expect from his Excellency and the Lords after so many Protestations and obtestations before God and men in publick and private so many times reiterated that they would confine their good affections their sincerities and candours to such an inapparent proposal but that they would rather which we beseech most instantly confer and agree with us on conditions whereby the glory of God and the propagation of the Gospel may be advanced and a full faithful and everlasting Union on Reasonable and Equitable conditions rereciprocally may be established between the two Common-wealths in such a manner as we have represented in our last Propositions and Memorials or any other better and more convenient so as we together may agree To all which we shall expect an Answer assoon as may be A Paper from the said Deputies sent in a Letter to Mr. Secretary Thurloe Novemb. 25. 1653. and the same day read in Council To the Council of State of the Common-wealth of England THE subscribed Deputies of the Lords the States General of the United Provinces being bound by the express orders of their Superiours to neglect no time in the present transaction with the Common-wealth of England for the Reasons and Motives several times represented in their formâ—… Memorials are once more obliged to address themselves to the most honourable Lords of the Council of State most instantly desiring that the sincere and cordial offers made in the behalf of their Superiours to the re-establishing a good Christian love peace straight and firm Union between the two States and Nations on just and equitable Conditions for the Considerations more at large expressed in our Papers formerly exhibited might be received with a mutual readiness But because we have observed that in the three last Conferences his Excellency and the Lords of the Council have alleged that in the former Proposal on the behalf of the Common-wealth of England it was thought the fittest and surest expedient not only for the removing of the present differences but to prevent any others in future times that the Interests between the two Nations and States should be made Common without any distinction which being by us as his Excellency and their Lordships supposed absolutely contradicted and only a bare Union and Confederacy offered had moved the Council to frame such Articles whereby the Interests being separate the Rights of either are to be setled distinctly We cannot omit to beseech that his Excellency and the Lords of the Council will be pleased to remember that on Thursday and Friday the 17th and 18th of November we have with all â—…ndour and integrity of heart expressed our selves and declared that Distinguishing the Interests which are of the Nature that they are Communicable and such as cannot admit a mixture or communion as is the supream Power and Government without a total subversion thereof We conceived that all other interests of both States and Nations might as well be made Common between them under the Notion of a streight and sure Union as of a Coalition as by the Examples and Presidents hath been by Us demonstrated and that we had shewed with several Reasons and Arguments in our former Paper that the supream Power and Constitution of our Government only could not admit such an unpracticable alteration But for all other Interests and Advantages such as by the blessing of God both Nations do enjoy that the Union might be extended and established in such a manner that in the United Provinces and all the places thereunto belonging in Europe all the People and Inhabitants of the Common-wealth of England should enjoy and have all the same Priviledges Liberties and Immunities and benefits as our own Natives without any distinction at all and so vice versâ that the people and inhabitants of the United Provinces should be used in the Common-wealth of England and places in Europe thereunto belonging And that further by the said streight and intrinsick Union all the Liberties Franchises and other common interests of both States and People should reciprocally be maintained and protected against all such as should undertake or attempt to disturb or attack either of the two States and Nations in the Premisses by Sea or Land with such forces and means as should be agreed And that We Conceived that in such grounds and others expressed in our former Papers being muâ—…ual and reciprocal the Hearts of the Nations could be best united to the glory of God and advancement of the Gospel removing all Enay and Jealousies and re-establishing a good Christian love in peace and amity Protesting before the Lord to whom no secrets are hidden that we never had nor have the least thought or intention to diminish prejâ—…dice or controvert any known Right or Pre-eminence whereof the Common-wealth or People of England have been in lawful Possession Thinking it likewise unreasonable that in this time the Council of State after such serious protestations of love and tenderness toward the United Provinces should endeavour to put upon them harder Conditions and more intolerable then ever by all former Governments in this Nation have been offered to our Ancestours Yet because We cannot perceive in the Paper or Preface before the 27. Articles nor in the Articles
a faction Upon these moâ—…ives the Embassadours did importune His Highness for to sign the Treaty which 't is said He did without much insisting upon the said Seclusion The Peace was proclaimed at London April 5 1654. and mutual Ratifications sealed before the end of the said Moneth The Hollanders were in hope that the Protectour would desist from the Seclusion and not hazard a Rupture immediately after a Peace concluded but finding Him obstinate therein and that the Republicans did endeavour to renew the war They did May 4. 1654. make a Decree That the Noble and Potent States of Holland and West-fâ—…sland would never elect His present Highness or any of his Lineage to be State holder or Admiral of their Province neither should their Province ever give Their suffrage or consent that He or any of his Family should be Captain General of the forces of the United Provinces This was transmitted unto Beverningh and Nieuport to be kept secret and not delivered unto the Protectionâ—… if the thing might possibly be avoided But Cromwel would not exchange the Ratifications until They promised to procure that secret Article the hich those Juglers had then in their hands Although that Cromwel did not know that the States of Holland and West-friesland had signed and sealed the said secret Article yet it was by some artifice diâ—…covered to the States General and divulged throughout the United Provinces The other Provinces sent to those of Holland to know what They had really done which might give occasion to these reports It being contrary to the Union of Utrecht that any of the Provinces should sâ—…ngly make any Leagues or Treaties with forreign Princes It being also contrary to the unanimous and express determinations of the States General contrary to the Instructions of the Embassadours contrary to the pâ—…iviledges and liberties of the United Provinces whereby that could not be done to the meanest Subject which now was said to be decreed against His Highness and the illustrious House of Orange Tâ—…e People inveighed bitterly against the Provincials of Holland The States General were upon recalling the Embassadours to give an account of transactions and did send to know which of them had that secret Article that He should transmit a Copy thereof The States of Holland and West-friesland were amazed to find the Article become publick before it had been tendered They delay to give a true relation of affairs but declare unto all the Provinces that They neither had done nor ever would do any thing contrary unto the Union of Utretcht and reserving unto themselves the Supream jurisdiction of their own Province they neither had attempted nor should attempt any thing that might infringe the Liberties of the other Provinces That the Lords Nieuport and Beverningh were natives of the Province of Holland and therefore could not be obliged to give any account of the secrets of their Countrey unto the States General The Province of Zeland penned a Rational and smart Manifest against Holland The Deputies of Groninghen and Friesland added much bitterness to their Arguments The Pensionary De Wit was bold and used menaces in the behalf of Holland thus all things seemed to run into absolute confusion and the new firm everlasting Peace and Defensive Alliance contracted with Cromwel was in a few months endangered together with the Union it self of those Provinces Cromwel was aware thereof and astonished to see how the Dutch Embassadours had deluded Him notwithstanding all their protestations of extraordinary candour and sincerity and demanded the Article or menaced them with a suddâ—…in breach But they dissembled with Thurloe as if They had not received any such secret Article signed by the Provincials of Holland and West-friesland They multiplyed a thousand delaies and pressed the Protectour to omit this Article the very rumour whereof had produced all this combustion in the United Provinces The friends of Cromwel were exceedingly perplexed with the fraudulent dealings of the Embassadours Hollanders and were consident that such an Article had been decreed and transmitted to them though They disowned it The divisions in the United Provinces and the reservedness of Holland in declining to communicate their privacies to the States General made it seem an undoubted truth And all the Enemies of Cromwel rejoyced to find Him thus abused and cheated in a transaction whereon the grandeur of His Hâ—…ghness was established Cromwel at a conference with Beverningh and Nieuport May 22. 1654. fiercely urged the delivery of tâ—…e Article and forbade them ever to alledge any reasons to Him against it The Hollanders considering that the odium would be the same if it were delivered or not delivered since it had been resolved upon and seeing the whole peace and their support against the exasperated Provinces was in jeopardy by this delay They did order the Embassadours to deliver it unto Cromwel which was done in the beginning of June and Cromwel dispatched a comminatory Letter unto the States of Zeland to let them know that the Peace did entirely depend upon the signing of that secret Article June 16. 1654. Thus was that League finished at last in the management whereof the Dutch had shewed so much of Artifice and Fraud As to that secret Article it is much doubted to this day Whether it were not Stipulated for at that private conference betwixt Beverningh and Cromwel Jan. 6. before Their departure into Holland Whether the delaies in signing and delivering it were a finesse complotted betwixt Cromwel and Holland the better to justifie the actions of that Province unto the other Provinces or whether They did not understand each other but that His Highness was really imposed upon in that manner during that negotiation Those know best who were Actors therein The Deduction of Holland is consonant to the precedent Narrative But the Deputies of Zeland Frieslâ—…nd Ommeland and Groninghen did suspect the Truth thereof and believed there was a more intimate Union between Cromwel and Holland in opposition to the House of Orange then ever was made publick These are uncertaimies But this is most certain that the said Embassadours Nieuport and Beverningh sent by commission of the States General were to treat as from them and during that Commission could not receive Mandates especially contrary to their Instructions from a particular Province much less obey them as the Frieslanders and Zelanders did argue Besides They were sworn at the beginning of the Embassy to proceed according to the plain sense of Their Instructions They never acquainted the States General in the least with that Negotiation no not in the end of May when They demanded a copy of the Article and an account of what they had done about it Nay They were so far from doing this that upon the conclusion of the Treaty upon the fifth of April They writ to the States General that They had then finally concluded all the Articles without any exception and that punctually according to
Their Instructions and Mandates whereas This whole affair and this insuperable difficulty was still remaining to be transacted Such a demeanour hath not been read of but in the Annals of the United Provinces yet did their Provincial Superiours justifie them for Honest men and true Natives of Holland This and the interposition of Cromwel saved them from punishment and silenced all contests upon that subject This mutual defensive Alliance and secret Article did secure the greatness of Cromwel not only against the Republicans and Sectaries but Royalisis who together with His Majesty were excluded from any Aid or Assistance out of those Provinces and not permitted to reside there It depressed the House of Orange and all that party It advanced Holland so far above the other Provinces that They gave Laws to them ever since till their Arrogance and perfidiousness made them insupportable to the rest of the Provinces as well as to their Neighbours and so expedited their present calamities It is remarkable that notwithstanding that Cromwel and the Dutch had pretended so fervent zeal for the advancement and protection of the Reformed Religion and Houshold of faith during the Treaty yet in the Articles there is not any mention made thereof neither were All the Protestants comprehended in the League It is also observable that the said League was never well kept on the part of the Hollander but so violated in the East and West-Indies and elsewhere that Cromwel determined to fight them again upon the first opportunity and leisure The Lord Nieuport came over to pacifie Him a little before His death and attended in mourning at his Funeral and was the first Embassadour which condoled His late Highness's death and congratulated the advancement of Richard hoping that the same firm League and Peace might be continued between His Highness and those States which had been between them and his Princely Father He delivered His message in a publick Audience and received an Answer conformable to His desires But yet whereas by the Eighth Article of that League they were obliged to defend Him against all His Enemies The Dutch contributed nothing to his support but quietly permitted Him to be deposed and immediately before He had resigned courted those at an Audience within the House which had so injured their good Friend and Ally Upon a due regard unto the Considerations and Reasons alledged We think it our duty humbly to declare that We are entirely satisfied with the Righteousness of the present War with Holland and that Common Equity and the most infallible Reasons of State did oblige His Majesty to vindicate the Dignity of his Crown and the Honour of His Kingdoms as also to assert those ancient and inseparable Regalities which do not only adorn but chiefly support His Crown We do thankfully acknowledge the constant endeavours of His Majesty to promote the Trade and welfare of His subjects and to preserve them from being injured and oppressed by the depredations of the Dutch And seeing that the Perfidiousness of the Hollanders who have no regard to Oaths and Promises no sense of Religion Honour or Moral Honesty did render All Leagues with Them infirm and instable Seeing Their dilatory and treacherous Negotiations did render any Treaty with Them unsafe in so perillous a juncture as the puissance of the French King and their juglings with that Count made Us to be in We cannot but admire and celebrate those Counsils by which We enjoy an undisturbed peace and tranquility of our Consciences at home and are secured by a potent and victorious Navy at Sea It is the prudent conduct of His Majesty next under God which hath seasonably prevented that desolation whereunto the Hollanders would have subjected Us by transporting hither the French Armies We are not redevable to their care or kindness for that We are free from a calamitous war and all the miseries which the United Provinces do now sink under That Our condition is not the same with Theirs it is a felicity we derive from the wisdom vigilance and Generosity of our Prince who hath indefatigably busied Himself exposed his only Brother to all the dangers of the Sea and the perils of those dreadful Fights and exhausted His proper Treasury to supply the present exigence and to ensure the Estates of His Subjects May all his Subjects be sufficiently sensible How much They owe unto His Care and Goodness May their acknowledgments equal His merits May every one by His Royal Example contribute what He can to the General welfare of the Nation May no Animosities divide our Minds No impertinent quarrels No unnecessary and unseasonable debates retard or distract our Consultations and proceedings But may all advises and actions tend to the common utility which all Intelligent and Loyal persons must measure by the Riches Strength and Honour of their Soveraign Such ought to be the Prayers Wishes and Sentiments of every English Man Here followeth a Memorial read and delivered to the Lord of Hemsted Adrian Paaw extraordinary Embassadour from the States General of the United Provinces unto the pretended Parliament of the Common-wealth of England June 1652. Wherein the Importance of the Right of the Flag and of the Dominion of the Brittish Seas and of the Fishery together with the Rights of England thereunto are deduced and demonstrated This Memorial was originally very brief in comparison of what it is now It being not the mode of those Times to alledge any proof by way of Autority I have found out consulted and supplied the â—…eficient Citations which if they are not those They went upon are I am sure such as the Reader may rely upon And I have inserted them frequently into the Text as conceiving it more convincing and agreeable to the phansie of any Reader If the whole were represented as an entire piece and He not distracted with the multitude of References by way of Post-script Who prepared and penned it I cannot tell but it was as I am told supervised by Sir Henry Vane and others of the Commissioners and any man will find it answerable to that opinion which the world had of His parts and abilities who was the chief director and manager of that war and whose constant judgment it was that the Interests of England and the United Provinces were as irreconcileable as those of Rivals Trade being to both Nations what a Mistress is unto Lovers that there nevâ—…et since 〈◊〉 â—…ene any durable peace except both Nations did unâ—… Coalition or the English subjugate the others and reduce them into a Province or by strict conditions and contrivances ensure themselves against the growth and future puissance of the Dutch About the middle of June 1652. A conference was held betwixt the Commissioners from the Council of State and the Lord Adrian Paaw Kt. Lord of Hemsted Extraordinary Embassadour from the United Provinces In which the said Embassadour expatiated upon the mutual interest both Nations had to preserve peace and amity
the great sincere affection which the Dutch continued to bear unto the English the recâ—…procal bonds of professing the same Reformed Religion and the dangers that might be fall Proâ—…estancy in general should such important Members thereof ingage in a war That Christian bâ—…ood was precious â—…n the sight of God and ought not rashly or on a slâ—…ght occasion to be shed by Men that the fight in the Downs was casual and not designed by His Masters That The strâ—…king of the Flag was but a Ceremony of Honour and matter of complement about which He hoped the true Professours of the Gospel of peace meekness long-suffering and brotherly love would not contest unto blood that howsoever His Superiours did never pretend nor should pretend to dispute the Honour and Dignity of this Common-wealth which they repute the first and most considerable in Europe That no Delâ—…beration had been made No Resolution taken No Commâ—…ssion directly or indirectly given to their Vice-Admiral for to undertake any Dispute against the Fleet and Ships of the said Common-wealth upon the Controversies and Differences of the Sea And that The Ships of war meeting at Sea and behaving themselves as before and during the time of the former Government there should be thereupon no more Dispute hereafter Some Reply was then made but a full Answer was tendered and read unto Him at the next conference to this effect My Lord WE are very glad to understand from you mouth the sincerity with which you profess the true Reformed Religion and that cordial affection with which you declare your selves to seek Amity and Friendship with this Nation We would put as good a construction upon the Intents of your Superiours as the regards of our own safety will permit and certainly a prudent and due respect to our own preservation is not repugnant to the Gospel or Protestancy But we cannot conclude otherwise from the Actions of your States then that the late attempt in the Downs arose from a formed and premeditated Design To usurp the known Rights of England in the Seas to destroy the Fleâ—…ts that are under God their Walls and Bulwarks and thereby expose this Common-wealth to be invaded or otherwise imposed upon at your pleasure During an actual Treaty for a nearer Union offered by your selves you took a resolution to equip out 150 say 〈◊〉 besides what were already in your service and of this your Emâ—…dours gave notice to the Parliament March 15. 1652. Whether this intimation was made to amuse or terrifie us your Superiours do best know but such extraordinary preparations were not requisite at that time to secure the Trade and Navigation of the United Provinces when they had no Enemy abroad which upon the Rules and Maximes of State was a just cause of Jealousie unto the English and They had reason to put themselves into a posture and condition to defend themselves and their known Rights at Sea Nevertheless this State proceeded so slowly therein that until their Fleet was actually assaulted by Trumpe and thereby the true reason of preparing so great a Fleet made evident they had not increased their Fleet by one Ship and in fact there were not above 22 Ships of their Fleet at Sea May 19. 1652 when they were assaulted by the Dutch Navy and We were so unprovided whereby to answer those exigencies that we were constrained to hire about fifty Merchant Ships to strenghthen and reinforce the Fleet. How confidently soever you aver that Van Trumpe had no instructions to undertake any dispute against the Fleet or Ships of this Common-wealth upon the controversies and differences at Sea yet it is notoriously known and He himself avowed it that He had no Orders to take down his Flagg The which Omission wâ—… cannot reconcile with your so Christian desires to preserve a good correspondence strict League and nearer Union with this Common-wealth It being an indirect way and course to create a quarrel at any time Others of your Captains have been reproved and threatned with the loss of their Heads in case they did strike the Flag unto Us and 't is most true that Van Tâ—…umpe refused to do it and seconded his refusal with acts of the highest hostility From whence we can make no other deduction then that the words you use of Unity Peace League and a very near Friendship are different from what you imagine and purpose and that Noble work which you say all honest men wish for especially all the Churches of the Reformed Christian Religion is not at all pursued or intended by the States General of the United Provinces Wherein have you demonstrated the least sincerity in your Negotiations with this Common-wealth How unheartily and dilatorily did you deal with our Embassadours at the Hague in relation to their Errand whereby those endeavours for Friendship became fruitless When your Embassadoâ—…rs came hither How amicably weâ—…e they received And with what delayes did they protract the Treaty When positive demands were pressed they were evaded in thâ—…ngs not of the hardest resolution with Allegations of want of power though their Commission shewed no such restraint yet to obtain further Power Returns must be made to their Superiours and before Answers could be had the Provincial States must be Assembled the which gave small grounds of any real intendment of a firm Peace and Amity As to the business of the Flag How meanly soever you think of it and however you represent it as too trivial a subject to give beginning to a War We cannot look thereon but with different considerations Were it only an Honorary Salute and Cereâ—…ony yet since it is such an Honour as hath been paid to our Ancestâ—…urs for above four hundred years since it is of such an advantage to the continuance of the renown of this Nation and serveth to imprint new reverence in the forreigners that render it and adds so much to the courage of those our Sea-men that exact it We should not consent to relinquish it No Rules of â—…rudence no Maxims of State would authoriâ—…e the deed We know how much it imports a State that it be reverenced abroad and that Reâ—…e is the principal support of any Government it equally influenceth the Subjects ut home and forreign Allies No Nation in the world is more tender of their honour then the English none more impatiently tolerate the diminution thereof With what resentments would 〈◊〉 only the more generous and noble but even the popular and vulgar Seamen detest Us should this Age remit or loose that Regâ—…lity those acknowledgments which their Predecessours with so much glory asserted and the neglect whereof was alwayes punish'd as oâ—…en Rebellion We are confident the Nation would be so provoked at the indignity of such an action that to avoid an uncertain ruin by the forces of Holland we should precipitate our selves into evident danger of periâ—…hing by the English fâ—…ry And we doubt not but you my Lord by this time
the one party and the D. of Burgundy and his Heirs on the other party one Article is That the Fisher-men may sail and fish without being obliged to ask leave or to take License or Safe-conduct The aforesaid Article was afterwards inserted into that famous League of Commerce called Intercursus Magmâ—…s and Intercursus Haereditarius made betwixt K. Henry VII and Philip Archduke of Austria Duke of Burgundy A. D. 1495. wherein They contract for them and their Heirs That the Fishermen of both their Dominions of what condition soever they be may sail any whether and fish peaceably without any impediment license or safe-conduct The same intercourse was ratified again by Henry VIII when He made a peace with Charles V. And by virtue of that League did the Dutch enjoy the priviledge of fishing in the Brittish Seas without any License or acknowledgment of K. Edward VI. Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth The last Queen did never treat with you as a Republick nor ever intended that you should be such but She protected you as Subjects to the House of Burgundy whom She desired to preserve free from the usurpations and tyranny of the Spania ds After that England and Scotland were united in the person of K. James the condition of that League of Intercourse was much altered For the League being made by a K. of England only did not include the K. of Scotland nor entitle the Dutch to fish in those Seas without license much less exempt them there from paying the Assize-herring and other cusioms which were an unalienable part of the Regalities of that Crown Moreover you were then in 1609. acknowledged by the Heirs of the House of Burgundy viz. the K. of Spain the Arch-dukes Albert and Isabella to be Free States upon which they had no pretensions at all And if the House of Burgundy had no pretensions upon the United Provinces It is manifest that the United Provinces could not pretend to any thing by virtue of a League made purely with the Duke of Burgundy his Heirs and Successors their Dominions and Territories their Vassals and Subjects that either then were or afterwards should happen to be so For They are not Vassals and Subjects to the Successours of the Duke of Burgundy who was the Contractour at that League They are no more included therein then the K. of Denmark or Sweden Nor can They pretend that though They be no longer Subjects to the House of Burgundy yet They are in deed the people included in the League for when a Government is changed from a Republick to a Monarchy or from a Monarchy to a Dukedom or Republick it is not legally the same but the former becomes extinct as to Leagues Priviledges and Preheminences and this hath been adjudged a thousand times by the best Civilians and the common practise of Princes You must not therefore insist upon any Right of fishing by that League nor can you reckon the time past wherein you have enjoyed the fishing without license into an immemorial occupancy and prescription against the English Title For unto a Legitimate prescription It is requisit that the persons claiming thereby should be possessed immemorially of the thing claimed But you were never possessed of the Brittish fishery A tenant How long soever He hold the Land doth not prescribe against His Landlord and He with whom any thing is deposited lent or entrusted in another's behalf cannot challenge it by this title though after two hundred years That which is held by virtue of compact or League or upon sufferance without renunciation of right can never become the possessours by Prescription The League did not give away the English Dominion of the Seas but gave unto the Subjects of the House of Burgundy a freedom to fish therein without Lâ—…se The general Civil Right did still continue in the English and at the same time that you fished without License the English rights were asserted by enforcing others to take license and pay the Assize-herring And if your fishing without license could prescribe for any body the House of Burgundy must reap the benefit thereof and not the Free States of the United Netherlands We conclude that it is not only the undoubted Right of England to dispose of and direct the Fishery but to appoint Wafters or Men of War to secure the Fishers and to exclude all other Ships from that employment and withal to take a ratable proportion of every fisher-bark towards their costs and expenses in securing the fishing Thus K. Edward IV. invested three persons with the Naval power whom the Records call Custodes Conductores Waftores Guardians Conductors and Wafters whose office it was to guard the Fisher-men upon the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk To the end therefore that the expenses of the Guard might be defraied by the Fisher-men and all others whatsoever excluded from medling with this kind of Guard or Protection He appointed four Men by name Sir John Hemingham Kt. William Hopton Edmund Yve and John Wansfleet Esq as well say the Records themselves to over-see those Guardians Conductors and Wafters as to give notice to all Fisher-men of what countrey soever who shall desire to fish in the parts aforesaid under the protection of the said N. N. that those Fisher-men and every of them do contribute to all and all manner of Costs Charges and Expenses belonging to the same Guardians and Conductors in the time of fishing according to a certain proportion They are also to arrest apprehend and commit to goal any else that shall presume to act as Wafters and Conductors And there are Letters Patents of the same tenour issued out by Richard III. and Henry VII with this additional clause that no fishermen were to be exempted from the said payments though they had Letters of publick security and protection from other Princes Hitherto we have given you a plain and perspicuous account of the Fishery what Interest and Right the English have thereunto And If we do demand any thing for special Licenses or one in General to be renewed annually or after term of years It is no more then you your selves perform and comply willingly with in the Seas of Denmark That King receiving at his Ward-house in the Sound for a License one Dollar and for the Seal or Rose a Noble of every Ship and for every last of Herrings being 12 barrels one Doller In Russia many leagues from the main the Fishermen do pay great taxes to the Emperour and in most places none but the Natives are permitted to fish but where the Hollanders are permitted to fish there they pay every tenth fish to the Emperour The King of Sweden amongst the Begalities of that Crown hath that of the Tenth fish caught in his Seas or if not that then a General composition for the fishery He hath also sâ—…veral districts channels or veins Royal in his Seas which are appropriated to his particular