June 1630. between Monsieur de Beangy Ambassador of the King of France and the Commissioners of the Lords States of the United Provinces and ratified to continue for the space of seven years being occasioned by several offers of the King of France both of men and money in case the Dutch should continue the War with Spain and not to make a Peace or Truce without the consent of the King of France viz. 1 A million of Livers to the Dutch yearly whilst it continued as aforesaid 2 That in case he came to break with Spain he would enter the Low-Countries with a powerful Army which the Dutch should reinforce with 10000. Foot and 1500. Horse and should make on their side a powerful onset on the place agreed on with 30000. Foot and 4000. Horse 3. That if good Considerations move the States to continue the war that he would give them a greater sum of money then a million as long as the war should last The Lords Commissioners of the States in answer proposed that the King of France should break with Spain and fall into the Country of Artois and Henault with 40000 men and that they would then fall upon him with all the power they could make That till such time that as the King of France did fall into open war into Artois c. the Lords States should be free to make a Truce or Peace with Spain but after they are joyntly entred into a war neither shall make Peace or Truce without they other That if the Lords States shall not think fit to yeeld to a Peace with Spain the King of France shall give them two millions French money to be paid at London or Venice But the States having a minde to continue war with Spain struck up immediately into an Alliance as aforesaid Notwitstanding which the States did endeavour to make a Peace or Truce with Spain and the States of Flanders without the advice or consent of France as appears by several passages of the underhand dealing of the Dutch with the Spaniards in a Complaint made by the French Ambassador to the States It is true this Treaty with the Spaniard took no effect because they could not get their ends of the Spaniard and the State of Flanders though they had been contriving to make a Peace with Spain two years together When the said Treaty was broken off the States of the United Provinces began presently to treat with Monsieur Charnasse Ambassador for France about a League Offensive and Defensive which though the Province of Holland liked not because being rid of the Spaniard they expected the French as a more powerful Enemy and therefore protested against it yet that prevailed not but at the Hague April 15. 1634. an Offensive and Defensive League was concluded on wherein no Peace was to be made with Spain entring upon war conjoyntly And that the present Treaty shall no waies prejudice that which was made the 17th of June 1630. but to remain in full force and power in all things And this Treaty was made for the space of seven years to begin from the day agreed on as also the preceding Treaty of the year 1630. shall continue for the time that is therein agreed on and that this Treaty shal be renewed at the end of seven years if both parties were willing to it as by the 6 7 and 10th Article of the said Treaty doth appear Signed and sealed by Charnasse and the Lords Commissioners of the States In the year 1635. February 8. A League Offensive and Defensive was concluded and ratified by Lewis the 13th and the States General of the United Provinces where the ninth Article saith expresly That in case after the signing sealing and ratifying of this Treaty for a breach with Spain either Party should come to make a Peace Truce or Suspension of Arms that then this shall not be done but by a conjoynt consent of the King of France and the Lords States of the Vnited Provinces likewise both Parties are obliged to break conjoyntly and to enter into a War against the Spaniards and their Adherents as often as they happen to break or to violate any of the Conditions agreed on in the Treaty of Peace or Truce which shall be made without which neither Party can afterwards make any new Treaty of Peace or Truce then conjoyntly or by common consent conditionally that if it come to be violated his Majesty and the Lords Estates shall enter conjoyntly into open war against those that are the brekers thereof An in the 14. Article it is agreed on both sides That this present Treaty shall no waies derogate from any thing that was agreed on in the former Treaties of the 15. April 1634. maâ—e at the Hague which shall remain in full power and entire to be executed in all points Presently after this Treaty both Armies joyned hard by Maestricht and took Tienen and besieged Loven and the State lost Schenchen Schans to recover which both Armies came and incamped and it was retook afterwards by the Dutch Notwithstanding all this presently after the ratifying of this solemn Treaty and that the war was already begun with Spain and the French had entred into it partly for their sakes there were more Overtures made by the Spanish side concerning a Peace with the Dutch who presently began to enquire after them so far as that the Prince of Orange and the States General sent their Atturney General Musch to Craneberg to speak with Don MartÃn Axpe Secretary to the King of Spain about it and this without the consent of the French who coming there found that this Secretary had no sufficient procuration from the King to Treat besides the Spaniards were too strange and exorbitant in their demands that there was no hope of gaining any thing whereupon Musch returns and makes report of it to the Prince of Orange and the States General whereupon this Treaty was broken and the war carried on very fiercely but the Dutch would never confess any of this to the French Ambassador Charnasse when he told them of it but denied it saying there was no such thing and this was told the Lord Pauw who presently after went Ambassador into France by the King of France who likewise denied it there the King told him plainly That these secret proceedings did contradict their solemn Treaty and how much it did differ from the justice his Majesty had used towards them The Dutch to excuse themselves said That they had communicated it to Charnasse but it was after they had notice given them that their design would not take and that the Spaniard stood too much on Tipto This League Offensive and Defensive concluded in the year 1635. was renewed in the year 1636. where in the tenth Article it is expresly set down that this present Treaty shall no waies derogate from the former Treaties made beween the King of France and the said States dated at the Hagne September 6. 1636.
In the year 1637 there was another Treaty where the 7th Article saith that it shall not derogate from the former Treaties but shall all remain in force and vigour to be Religiously observed and effected on both sides In the year 1639 where in the 7th Article it is expressed that it shall no ways derogate from the things concluded on in the former Treaties but shall remain in their full force and vigour to be religiously kept on both sides Made at St Germains 26 April 1639. Nevertheless the Dutch Treat again with the Spaniard whereupon in the year 1640. Monsieur de la Thuillerie was sent Ambassador into Holland to let the States know that they could not conclude a Peace with Spain but conjoyntly His Commission being to hinder a Peace or Truce without France to tell them that they were not capable to make a Peace or Truce without his consent that it would be quite contrary to their Treaties Honour and Interest and that if he perceived any such inclination in them to protest against them for breach of Leagues and Covenants Whereupon in the year 1641 was made another Treaty the 6 Article of which saith that it shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been formerly agreed on all which shall remain in their full force and vigour to de Religiously observed on both sides Made at Paris Feb. 14. 1641. In the year 1642. there was another Treaty made where in the 6th Article you have the same as is mentioned before in the sixt Article 1641. made at St Germains Jan. 7. 1642. In the year 1643 there was another Treaty in the sixt Article of which is expresly set down as in the forementioned 1642. made at Paris March 3 1643. The King hapning to die in May following his son Lewis 14th succeeding him this Treaty was reconfirmed by him August 30. 1643. In this year 1643 the Lords States of Holland began to consult of sending to Munster to treat of a Peace with Spain without the consent of France at which the other States were offended and Monsieur de la Thuillerie was no ways backward to perswade them from making a Peace but pari passu according to the Treaties Therefore whilst the Lords States were busie in sending Plenipotentiaries to Munster there was a Treaty made in the year 1644. called Ligue Guarantie In the third Article of which Treaty are expresly the words of the ninth Article of the Treaty made with Lewis thirteenth and the sixth Article saith that this Treaty shall no ways derogate from any thing that hath been concluded on in former Treaties which are to be vigorously and religiously observed by both parties made at the Hague March 1. 1644. and the 1 2 3 4 6 7. Articles speak expresly that no Peace shall be made directly or indirectly without the consent of both in very full and Emphaticall expressions which I forbear to mention because of brevity In the year 1645. another Treaty was made for the carrying on of the War conjoyntly and not to make any peace without the consent of each other abrogating nothing that concern'd former Treaties but all those things remaining in full force and vertue The King of France understanding that the States of the United Provinces were resolved to make a Peace with Spain in the year 1646. offered the Dutch a greater summ of mony and more men then ever was agreed on formerly in case the Dutch would stick to their Treatie of Ligue guarantie in the year 1644. and that neither party should make peace without the consent of the other conformable to these Articles 1. That the King should assist during that year the States General with 1200000 livers for no other use then to maintain an extraordinary supply of Souldiers whereupon the States do promise faithfully and Religiously to assault their Enemies with all their force and power 2. That the King of France shall give assignations for the said money to be paid all of it before the end of October following 3. In consideration whereof the States do oblige themselves to raise a strong Army and to bring them in the field and to make some considerable enterprize the King of France also promiseth the same in the Low Countreys to disadvantage his enemies as much as lyes in his power 5. This Treaty shall no ways derogate from the former Treaties which shall be faithfully and religiously observed and effected Signed and Sealed at Paris April 6. 1646. In explanation of the third Article the King of France was to bring an Army into the field of 18 or 20000 foot and 4 or 5000 horse by the fourth of May following The States obliged to set to sea 30 men of war of 2 3 4 and 500 tuns to hinder the enemy from entring into Flanders by Sea and to invest such Towns by sea as the King of France shall besiege by land hindring relief to such Towns either from the King of Spain or any other also to keep their Armie in the field so long as the good of the common Cause shall require it and the season of the year will permit According hereunto both armies drew into the field but the Dutch held the French in suspence appearing well in the field with their armie but when they were desired to undertake some notable Enterprize they put the French off with delays of which the French King complains but to little purpose for not long after the Dutch begin to treat with the Spaniard without the consent or advise of the French which was chiefly set on by Holland Then comes the Marquiss de Castel Rodrigo from Brussels to the States with a full power to treat the same was confirmed from Munster the Earl Penneranda sends word of it by his Secretary to the States Ambassadors at Munster and Monsieur Le Brun the King of Spains Ambassador came personally to the Hagte and shewed the Originall Copie of the said power to the States dated June 7. This stir'd up many to conclude the Peace suddenly The French Ambassador made several complaints hereof to the States also that the Catholick Religion was not permitted at Hulst according to the Treaty in the year 1635. desired their resolution in writing for the tolleration of the Catholick Religion in those Towns that should be taken that Summer Then Monsieur le Thuillerie went to Breda to consult about marching of the armies which was carried on but coldly though there seemed great advantage to offer it self and all likelyhood to carry Antwerp which France urged very much The Prince of Orange replyed That they had not men enough secondly he knew not in case the Town should be taken how to satisfie France in point of Religion France willing to give them any content thereby to take them off from making Peace with Spain freely offered them a supernumerarie of 3000 horse provided that upon reducement of Antwerp the Catholique Religion might there be tolerated Signed D' Estrades at Breda
was their due and what was forced from him that concern'd their Liberty and that he might recover all that the People of England had got of their own of him and his Predecessors at once by the Sword he set up his Standard at Nottingham bidding thereby defiance to the Parliament and the Laws of England whereupon the flames of War broke forth in every part and nothing but the levying of Arms and the sad calamities of War abounded in all parts of this Nation When the Parliament were thus enforced to wrastle with the powers of the King the Malignity and opposition of most of the Nobility and Gentry the whole Prelaticall and Atheisticall party the Court and Monopoly Dependants the name of a King which had then some awe amongst the people the Treachery and apostacy of many of their Members and Officers in Civil and Military Imployments The War of Ireland and the Powers of forraign Kingdoms who in point of Interest might be expected to ingage against them and that through the blood of the People and the hazards of War they were constrained to proceed for the obtaining of that Liberty which the King was in duty to have preserved From whom could they expect any affections but from the Dutch who in point of Interest being themselves a Commonwealth but even now torne out of the Jawes of Monarchy through a sea of Blood and millions of Treasure In point of preservation we being the Generations of those who took their Cause out of the dust and set it in the Throne and who ballanced always the late Kings envy and malice to that State themselves also having the designes of the Prince of Orange in their own Bowels working up towards the height of that Tyranny which the Enemies sword would have set up in England And in point of gratitude to those people who had chosen the Neatherlanders before their own safety in theirs and the Neatherlanders greatest times of danger were so deeply engaged One would think that their affections their bowels their money their force and their very souls should have been ready to be powred out for the Parliament whom God made formerly the very Instruments of their beeing and upon whom they might write the Foundation under God of their Prosperity at least that they should not maligne their Cause or advantage their Enemy But instead thereof their Envy to our Nation Malignity to our Cause assistance to our Enemy affronts and scorns to us and our friends in the day of our calamity have exceeded Shall I say any nay all our neighbours round about they became our enemies Treasury for Money their Magazine for Armes and Ammunition their Arsenall for Artillery and warlick provisions both by Sea and Land their refuge and shelter their place for counsell and advice and no doubt had publickly asserted our enemies interest had not the consideration of their great advantage in getting the Trade and Riches of England into their hands by our wars perswaded a seeming Newtrality Nor did these things satisfie them as if they thought they could never shew respect enough to our enemies and enmity to us Borrel and Raynswoold their Ambassadors in the year 1645. coming into England upon pretence of recōciling our differences besides other disservices in the then House of Commons assigned the Justice of the quarrel on the Kings side an unparaleld affront and every way unfit to be given by any especially by Forreigne States who were not concerned in our civill differences and which the Lords and Commons in Parliament then took notice of in their Declaration to the States Generall of those Provinces Afterwards Mr. Strickland our Agent had the Door of the States Generall shut against him for the space of about one year and a halfe and never admitted audience though at the same time Macdowell Agent for the King of Scots had admittance to whom when Dr. Dorislans was added he was assassinated in their Provinces and to this day not so much as a Warrant sent forth by the States General for the apprehending of those murtherers nor have they proscribed them their Dominions nor any thing done by them whereby their abhorrency of the Murther of a publick Minister might appear Nor have things rested here but when the Lord Saint Joh◠and Mr. Strickland were lately sent over Ambassadors after the death of the Prince of Orange upon whom as a cause some of the former injuries against us were laid how were they affronted and endeavoured to be mischieved by Prince Edward who called them Doggs to their faces and Apsley who designed to strangle the Lord Saint John in his chamber to say nothing of all the abuses attempted upon them by the ungoverned multitude on their followers and the assaults on their houses and though they were some days in their power after complaints and demands of justice made yet were not secured and brought to justice or proscribed to this day which being added to the former affronts and injuries and the delayes in the treaty though it provoked not the Parliament to a demand of present reparation so tender have they alwayes been of a breach with them yet they so ill resented it that it was one reason wherefore they recalled those Ambassadors It will be too long to reckon up the severall supplies of Officers Souldiers Arms Ammunition Artillery Money Ships and Provisions that have been issued from those Countries for the assistance of the late King and the then King of Scots his son in their warres against the Parliament of England in England Scotland and Ireland particularly the 20000 Arms 26 Field Guns and 250 Barrels of powder shipt aboard two ships at Amsterdam for England when the King of Scots was lately at Worcester with his Army and at the said Kings desire Likewise the many intollerable injuries depredations and Murthers committed on severall of the English Nation as in the case of Amboyna sufficiently known to the world which was perpetrated even when the people were alive that saw what the English had done for them in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth and soon after a solemn Treaty and Agreement made of all differences between the Nations in those parts The many high Insolencies and affronts given this Nation at Sea in dragging the Colours of England under the Sterns of their ships after they had most injuriously taken their ships and goods from them and caneing the Seamen for being as they call'd it against their King some of this practised on severall English but the last Summer and the robbing of the English Merchants of their ships and goods at Sea to very great values Such things being fitter for a Volume then a few sheets of paper It will take up too much time also to particularize their late securing our ships and goods severall times that were within their coasts there being no cause given by us for such proceedings The marching of their Forces to their frontier Towns beating up of Drums for
of their Trade and Merchandize and the food of many Families the sweetness whereof they having tasted through our former Licences and our late neglect by reason of our Warres would now to settle it upon themselves force into their own hands And this together with the managing of our Trade for our best advantage held forth in the Act for Navigation and what else may be found convenient for such an end may be strongly presumed to be the true grounds of their quarrell against us and of the late engagement though the assignment of the latter is too grosse for them to hold forth to the world for that is as much as to take upon them to give law to England The truth is what through the negligence of former Kings and the corruption of their Ministers of State the overlooking the subtilties and encroachments of these people the ties of gratitude and friendship that were supposed to be upon them and the confusion of our late warres they had not only got a Staple of Trade as aforesaid but had almost ingrost all our Trade and thereby spoyled us of our Navigation and Maritin Defence Our long voyages about the world which carried the reputation of England through all the parts thereof being curted to their borders and mostly in their own ships to fetch from their stores at the second hand and to retail it in England by reason of which our gallant ships being drawn up and neglected in a little time we might insensibly have those locks of ours cut off and be fallen upon by them when we were not in a capacity to resist Now because the Commonwealth of England is through the mercy of God brought out of its war blood through dear experiences taught to mind its own concernment and to foresee and avoid such snares as these And because the Dutch see themselves prevented of â—â—aking our Markets emptying our Pockets and fishing in our troubled waters as they had done for many years before therefore are they offended and would now by force if they could conclude us under that a worse necessity and rather then fail embroyl us and their people in a bloody warre which themselves have already begun And this is the true reason wherefore they have all along assisted the late King and his son in all our warres and have been troubled at the late rout at Worcester and our other successes as much as the Gavalier because they knew that a Commonwealth would deprive them of those sweet Bits and might be expected to pursue things for their own advantage Besides they had large experience what their gold could do at Court which in a Commonwealth well ordered would be of little effect no doubt these things had prevailed with them openly to have asserted the Kings interest had not as I have said before the advantage of trading to all our ports during our warrs blinded them into a seeming Newtrality 'T is true Nature hath shut them up from all Merchandize if our passage through the North and South Seas were denied them therefore hath this Nation made their Seas so far open as to give them liberty through them to passe unto their traffick and that they may safely passe have been at the vast costs of strong Navies but must they therefore deny our dominion thereof and to make such acknowledgement as ought to be and hath been time out of mind agreed upon and submitâ—ed to by all Nations Or must therefore the Riches in those Seas be as much theirs as ours This were it in their own case would be said by them to be an inference very forraign would not be indured nor indeed ought it so to be Because a man permits a thorough-fare through his ground for the accommodation of Travellers or the Countrey shall the passenger therefore refuse to acknowledge the propriety of the owner to his land Shall he refuse to perform such a thing as he shall require for the acknowledgement of his propriety lest in time it become common through prescription shall the Herbage Corn Wood or whatsoever grows upon it or the Mines under it be by him claimed with as equall a right as the Proprietor Or will it be good manners or honesty for such a passenger with armed force to deny the acknowledgement of the right of the owner and to endeavour the making common the said land and what growes upon it or within it If the Proprietor hereupon shall to such persons shut up his passage and with armed force secure the growth of his Land from such intrusion and blood should be drawn thereupon whom will you judge in such a case to be the occasion thereof the Proprietor or such an ungrateful and injurious passenger This upon due consideration wil appear to be much our present case and which I should be more large in but that a learned Treatise on that subject will be shortly brought forth to common understanding in the English tongue Nor ought the specious and gilded Covering of a Treaty for a more strict union to have any influence at all to â—harm the English Nation into the least parting with any thing of their undoubted Rights or losse of time in prosecuting their opportunities for satisfaction and security in regard that both by former later experience we have not found such sincerity as may lay a Foundation for us to pitch upon in that particular where we cannot be assured of that as a Foundation to what advantage wil the conclusion of any thing bee or what encouragement is there for any proceeds in things of that nature For though Leagues are confirmed with all the sacredness that man knowes of to bind the performance yet if advantage be Paramount to such stipulations when a fair opportunity is presented no bonds be they never so high and intrinsecall will be able to preserve those Leagues from doing Homage to the supream Deity of Gain Profit Principles that center not in the performance of Leagues and Covenants further then are for advantage what differ they from that Tridentine one That Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks And upon such Quick-sands the Foundation of true Peace cannot be laid And indeed the English Nation have by experience found that some States have not retained that simplicity in poynt of Treaties which England hath held forth to them on all occasions I wish that our Neighbours of the Vnited Provinces had administred nothing of this nature to us whereby we may be rationally put to a losse in this particular Certainly their carriage in the businesse of Amboyna within a year or two after the conclusion of the Treaty in the year 1619. and their not making satisfaction to this day though it should have been by the year 1625. their chusing Arms rather then satisfaction for other injuries done by them to us and the late assault of Trump on our Fleet upon our Borders whilst we were in Amity treating for and neer
in the way of his Judgments which he hath brought forth Ought or can with a Salvo to their Duty and a due regard to the presence of God with them in pursuing Right and the Reputation hee hath put upon them permit the People of England to be so grossely injur'd No no should they which I trust never will be the Lord will finde a way to preserve his Cause amongst Us and right Us on our Enemies for it is God that manageth our Cause and Interest whose wonted Presence as we found it upon your late Assault So we doubt no but that he will Signally manifest that he is with Us upon our future Engagements In the humble confidence of which we go forth and wait upon him for a Blessing on our Undertakings I had thought here to have concluded but sithence the States of the United Provinces and their Abettors talk so much of the Reformed Protestant Religion and of Liberty and endeavour to insinuate some Indearment upon the hearts of many upon that account It seems to mee to bee worth the while and very necessary a little to discourse how far those States have by their Actions appeared considerable at to those two grand and noble Interests and those things being well weighed together with the Cause now on foot in England their Carriage to other States in point of Leagues Treaties and Amity and particularly with this Nation how far it is safe for England to enter into a strict League and Union with those People Interest is the true Zenith of every State and Person according to which they may certainly be understood though cloathed never so much with the most specious disguise of Religion Justice and Necessity And Actions are the effects of Interests from whom they proceed and to whom they tend naturally as the stone doth downward So that unless it be in some things seemingly contrary Acted now and then the better to work about the grand End for the Devil himself mostly deceives when he appears as an Angel of Light and in cases of necessity where force and power constrain another Course which will return into the old Channel the first opportunity thereby the measure of every state and person may be taken and determined Therefore it will be requisite to instance in some of the practises of the United Provinces in reference to the things proposed where by some Judgment may be given therein And if such Presidents be not according to what they do pretend yet it is but their own Picture by which if they would not have themselves known they should have forborn by such Practises to have set it forth to the world or by their late Actions to necessitate Us in point of our safety and intimate concernment to set forth any thing of that nature for a warning to England It being so farre from us to delight in the uncovering of their nakednesse that we wish if the Lord had pleased that there had been no such things done or any occasions offered us to take notice thereof since we have wished so well to and done so much for their advantage First concerning the Interest of the Protestant Religion True it is that it hath been there for many years professed and exercised and with the fruit of the power of Godliness in many afore time and wee hope at this present that some are there eminent for the profession thereof and they have been a place of Refuge to many precious Saints from the bitter persecutions of the Enemies of God and true Religion which God hath always taken well even of Moab and hath rewarded it with long and many kindnesses and for his peoples sake and the hiding of his out-casts hath lengthned the tranquillity of places who otherwise have been the people of his wrath And if any thing prevail with God to save them from destruction certainly this will be a chief one but withall it is to be considered 1. That all other Religions have had their professions there as well as the Protestant and the Exiles thereof received and protected even of what is most contrary to the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ and the Scriptures 2. The Exercise and Protection aforesaid is upon a State principle of advantage not upon a principle of true Religion whereby they not only keep quiet at home but draw all such people to their quarters It being the only place of such priviledge in the world and thereby have been possessors of their Vertues Ingenuities Friends Occupations Persons and Estates 3. In the 36 Articles that themselves proposed to England as the matter of a Treaty for a strict Union formerly and in their late Treaties here they have neither mentioned nor proposed any thing concerning Religion 4. In point of gain they have not only deserted the opportunities of effecting the liberty of the true Protestant Religion in other places which they might have done by their power and interest and particularly their own flesh and bloud Contrary to their holy and perpetual Union as it is styled but have assisted Popish Princes against the poor Protestants when they have been contending in bloud for their Religion and Liberty as by the following instances may appear In the 13 Article of the Union of Vtricht in the year 1579. it is said That what concerneth the point of Religion Those of Holland and Zealand shall dispose of it according to their pleasure and the other Provinces of this Union may regulate themselves according to the intention of the Treaty of Peace about Religion made between Archduke Matthias Governour and Captain General then of these Lands with those of his Councel of the States General in the year 1558. In the first Article of the said Union is promised an Eternal Union and never to separate consequently never to forsake the members that have signed the said Union Amongst those that signed the said Union are also those of Antwerp those of Gant and those of Bruges Contrary to this Union those of Holland and Zealand made a Truce with the Spaniard in the year 1609. for 12 years and a peace in the year 1648. and left out the said Towns of Antwerp c. notwithstanding that there was all likelihood that they might have delivered those Towns from the yoak of the Spaniard and have obtained freedome if they would for those of the Protestant Religion in those Towns especially for Antwerp as by what follows may appear For the Town of Antwerp 't is true it was taken by the Duke of Parma and in the Spaniards possession but how easily it might have been re-taken will appear when as it is considered that upon a new League and Agreement made with Lewis 14. King of France and the States of the United Provinces to pursue the War against the Spaniard conjointly the said King drew 20000 Foot and 4000 Horse into the Field in Flanders according to the third Article of the said League infesting the Spaniard on the one hand
whilst the Prince of Orange drew his Army forth towards Antwerp upon the same Article to assist the taking in of which the French over above the former agreement of men and money lent them 3000 horse and 3000 foot which also were shipped and landed as desired ready to join in performance of that exploit The Prince of Orange having taken in the Castle of Teemche lying by the Scheld beyond Autwerp The French the Town of Dunkerk might easily have made himself Master of the Town of Antwerp they within having as good as tendred themselves up to him yet the Prince of Orange neither besieged nor assaulted the said Town but having left the Castle of Teemche assoon as he had taken it in a manner the design pretended against Antwerp vanisht to the great discontent of the French whose 6000 supplies were not made use of and committed many outrages in the County of Waes and the leaving that Town in the hands of the Spaniard and the poor Protestants there their owne flesh and blood called in dirision Brothers to the oppression of the Catholiques and other mischiefes to this very day contrary to the Union aforesaid whereby they were obliged to redeem them if taken out of the hand of the Spaniard How easie it was for them to have possessed Antwerp the forementioned particulars do evince and the whole Army of the Prince of Orange that were there know and the world is not ignorant thereof And all this for no other reason as can be imagined but that the Town of Antwerp being thus reduced would have drawn to its selfe its ancient and great Trade which Holland and Zealand enjoyes whilst Antwerp continues in the hand of the Spaniard and the Scheld shut up In the year 1624. presently after the Treaty of Campeigne made between Lewis 13. King of France and the States of the Vnited Provinces concerning a Subsidie against Spain another little Treaty was at the Hague between the King of France and the States wherein the States agreed to furnish the King of France with 20 ships under the command of Admiral Haultaine in a design to shut up Genoa by water whilst the Constable Lesdigueries should besiege it by land The War between the Protestants of France of which Rachel was the chief and the King of France falling out in the mean time the said King agreed also by his Ambassador Monsieur de Belluion with the said States for 20 ships against the Protestants of France whereof having received 8. the French King by his Ambassador Monsieur d'Espesses at the Hague moved the States that in regard he had present need of the other twelve ships which were not yet ready that the States should let him have twelve of the twenty that were designed for Genoa to be commanded by French Officers though the Lords States judged it better that they should be commanded by their own And these ships were to be imployed against the Duke of Sonbize principally who was tending to England for reliefe Whereupon the Lords States deputed the Lords of Essen Noortwyck and Bootelar to enter into conference with the said Ambassador who after many debates the 12. of Aprill 1625. at the Hague did finally agree and conclude First That the 20 ships should he forthwith sent to Sea and that the Admiral Haultain that should command them being come to the height of Callice and Dover shall give advice thereof to his Majesties Troops being at Haure de Grace That they may there imbarque themselves and that they then doe joyn with the Fleet and conjunctly steer their course to the Isle of Wight where being informed where the Duke of Soubize did keep himself and what Forces he might have And having first resolved how they might set upon him then they should put aboard the French Foot into 12 of those ships which afterwards should be commanded by French Officers under the conduct of the Admirall Haultain and this notwithstanding without removing out of the ships the Dutch Captains Officers or Mariners but in case they should be informed That the Duke of Sonbize was reduced to obedience or that the 12 ships of Supplies were arrived then the said 20 ships shall remain under the conduct of their Captains and the last 12 arrived ships shall be commanded by French Captains and then the 20 according to Treaty might passe as it was agreed on These ships were imployed against the Duke of Soubize and the charge defrayed by the French King and if any of the said ships came to miscarry in the French service the loss was to be made good by the French King Whilst the Admirall Haultain was at Sea in the Design aforesaid a Gentleman came to give his wife a visit who asking her how she did she told him That she was very much perplext and troubled in herself not being able to satisfie her own Conscience For if she prayed for the prosperity of her husband then she should pray against her owne Religion For her husband served against the Protestants And on the other side if she prayed for the Protestants then she should pray against her Husband Yet it is observable how God crost the Dutch in point of advantage in this business For though the ships performed very great service for the King of France and the poor Protestants were utterly subdued yet the King of France or the Cardinal Richelieua little after ordered a great number of their Merchant ships to be kept by force in the French Harbours and altogether some with their Cables Anchors Lading and what else belonged to them were sunk in the Channell of Rochell for which great losse and charge the Dutch were not paid in many years after And when they were paid it was by piecemeals being enforced to give great Bribes and Presents for the accomplishing thereof And to all this I might add what they have done in assisting the late King of England and his son against the truly godly of this Nation But this is already discoursed When a people come to be bold on God and in presumption of his favour upon some good act or other of theirs take liberty to commit all manner of wickednesse even to the putting out the face of Religion supposing that God is engaged to passe by their iniquity because of some acts of righteousnes and make such use of his patience and long-suffering which should lead them unto repentance as to think he delayes his coming and therefore fall on beating their fellow-servants and eat and drink with the drunken and of his holding of his peace and permitting of them success that he is one like unto themselves and approves of their falsness and wickedness Here what the Scripture saith in this particular Psal. 50. 21 22. These things hast thou done and I kept silence thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a man as thy selfe But I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes Now consider this ye that forget
God lest I tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you Isai. 61. 8. I the Lord hate robbery for Burnt-offering Jerem. 7. 4 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. Trust ye not in lying words saying The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord are these Behold you trust in lying words that cannot profit Will you steale murther and commit adultery and swear falsly and burn Incense unto Baal and walk after other Gods whom you know not and come and stand before me in this House that is called by my Name and say We are delivered to commit all these abominations Behold even I have seen it Go to Shiloh where I set my Name at the first see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel And now because you have done all these works saith the Lord and I spake to you rising up early and speaking but you heard not and I called you but you answered not therefore will I doe to this House as to Shiloh and I will cast you out of my sight as I have done your Brethren Therefore pray not thou for this people neither lift thou up cry nor prayer for them neither make intercession to me for I will not hear thee Matth. 24. 48 49 50 51. But and if that evill servant shall say in his heart My Lord delayeth his coming and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants and to eat and drink with the drunken The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him and in an houre that he is not aware of and shall cut him asunder and appoint him his portion with the Hypocrites There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth 2. For the Interests of Libertie it is true they are in a condition of a Free State but so far from establishing others in the same condition who have groaned under the sad oppression of Tyrants that it is known to Europe how their great designe hath been to be Free Men themselves and to make the world as far as they are able their slaves and vassals So far have they been from the true Principles of Freedom which is ready to make others as free as it self We need not run far for Instances of this nature nor multiply them Our own late experience will be enough to evince this particular The kindness blood and money aforded by the Parliament of England in the days of Queen Elizabeth put them into the condition of Liberty from the Sword of Spain The power and interposition of England in the days of King James caused them to be declared a Free State The Valour and Arms of English men hath stood by them to seucure their Freedom Yet when the Parliament of England were enforced to contend in blood for Libertie and Religion against the Armies of our late Tyrant and his son who sought to destroy both and had the influence of the same designes upon themselves by the Prince of Orange Yet none contributed more assistance to that King and his son then the United Provinces and none more scorned abused and injured the Parliament and their Friends then the Neatherlanders In so much that they appeared as one body and carrying on the same designe as members thereof and that the same soul possessed them appears in what they have lately attempted upon this Nation as hath been at large mentioned in the former part of this discourse Much might be also said concerning their endeavour to monopolize all Trade into their own hands having by their League with the King of Denmark begun in the year 1649. and ratified in the year 1651. which was managed by Vlefeld Ambassador for that King agreed with the said King for the passage of the Sound at 140000 Pattacoons or Dolors per annum for certain years to come and that the said King should not during those certain years let it at the same rate to any other Nation whereby they have in effect excluded all other Nations from the Baltick Trade The Eastland Trade The Trade of Sweden Lyfeland Prussia Poland Pomerania Silesia c. in regard they have the passage of the Sound at so low a rate and that others must not only pay the King of Denmark's old Toll shew their Pass to the Dutch Commissary but pay the same Toll over again if they come to Holland also all other ships that formerly used from Holland to Trade through the Sound or return through the Sound to Holland or other places And in effect have forced the Merchandize of the Baltick Sea viz Masts Pitch Cables Iron Copper Brass Clapboard Tar and other Stable Commodities to their own Markets where they put their own prices upon them and it is at their choice whether they will part with them or no Also by their denying all Nations to sail or trade to Graveling Dunkirk Newport Ostend Blackenbergh they have taken to themselves all the Commerce of Flanders and those parts during their war with Spain and in the mean time themselves did furnish those of Brabant Flanders Consen Dunkirk and Graveling And by their treacherous cruel and inhumane dealing with the English in Amboyna in the year 1622 and dispossessing of them out of those Islands have monopolized the Trade of Nutmegs c. from all the world and wickedly have ravished and detained it from the English but I shall forbear further discoursing hereof it being besides my purpose largely to treat concerning these things onely this may be taken notice of that where they have seen any thing of advantage if by cunning force or fraud they have been able no consideration of Right Friendship Leagues Humanity or Religion have held them from the endeavouring the accomplishing of the same For their carriage in point of Leagues and Treaties I shall onely give some instances of latter years for proof of which we shall not be enforced to history but to the living Testimonies of the present times in which I shall be necessitated to be a little large My first shall be of France In the year 1627 a Treaty of Confederacy or Alliance was agreed on at Paris August 28. between Lewis the 13th King of France and the States of the United Provinces to relieve each other and to secure the Trade and Commerce of each other but this was not ratified till the yeer 1630. At this Treaty it was agreed on likewise That if the King of France did enter into a war with Spain the Dutch were to assist him and the King of France was to do the like as long as the Dutch continued the war with the Spaniard also both parties coming to break they were not afterwards to make Peace with Spain directly or indirectly but conjoyntly and with the consent of both parties and that under the word Peace was comprehended also a Truce or suspension of Arms as by the third Article thereof doth at large appear This was concluded on the thirtieth of
June 22. The Lords Commissioners accepted with all humble acknowledgement the tender of 3000 Horse but withal desired the loan of 3000 Foot June 29 following The Duke of Orleans by Captain Remond sent this answer wherein he granted their desire both of 3000 Horse and 3000 Foot provided that the Catholick Religion be allowed as aforesaid Made at Breda July 4. 1646. Signed Remond Whereupon the Lords Commissioners promised to the King of France and Queen Regent that the Town of Antwerp falling into their hands they would leave there the exercise of the Catholick Religion free and publick Made at Breda the 11 July 1646. and signed by the Commissioners and in explication of the said agreement the Churches left for that purpose shall be four But that it may appear not onely how the Dutch did one while Treat with the French and make a shew of Friendship and that they would not break their Leagues with the French yet did deal under-hand with the Spaniard for the conclusion of a Peace as I have shewed already I shall now shew you how unhandsomely they served the French after the grant of these supplies and how they might have taken Antwerp if they had pleased Upon the ratification of the former things the Army of the Prince of Orange advanceth towards Antwerp and he was with his Army the 26 of July at Stechen then at Loqueren the French Supplies came according to Promise Teemche Castle lying by the Schelde beyond Antwerp was taken in the people of Antwerp did as good as offer up the Town to the Prince of Orange The French in the mean time had taken Dunkerk Antwerp would have followed with ease But the Prince of Orange left Teemche Castle assoon as he had taken it though that was the time to have taken Antwerp and never besieged or assaulted the said Town but the design thereof soon vanisht and the 6000 Auxiliaries not made use of to the great discontent and dammage of the French who by sparing such a number were disinabled to undertake any considerable thing that Summer and to the ruine of the poor Protestants there as I said before and the Treaty of Munster with the Spaniard went on without the notice or consent of the French And the French Ambassador told the States that some of the State-Plenipotentiaries at Munster had been with the Spanish Plenipotentiaries and assured them that although the Army of the States General should march into the field yet they should only lie still and effect nothing to the prejudice of the Spaniards Also the French Ambassadors shewed the States several Letters which they had received from France making mention of some Letters intercepted of Pennerandas wherein â—ee writes That the Peace was agreed on without having any regard to the French Interest which was not so much as named by the Dutch and though the other Provinces should hee against it yet because Holland was for it they would soon bring the other Provinces to a compliance as it did appear afterwards But to proceed the War being carried on against the Spaniard conjointly from the year 1635. to the year 1647. It brought the King of Spain very low Who thereupon sent his Ambassadors The Lords Conde De Penneranda and A Brun to sollicit the Dutch to a Treaty of peace who notwithstanding all the forementioned Leagues and Treaties to be faithfully and religiously kept that no Peace or Truce should be made with Spain without the consent of both parties having entred into a Ligue Guarrantie several times for that purpose the French being thereby deeply engaged against the Spaniard and having begun these Allyances and War upon the desire of the Dutch yet they entred upon a Treaty of Peace without the consent of the French and notwithstanding the several speeches of the French Ambassadors the Letters of the King and at last the Ambassadors Protest the 30 Januar 1648. A Peace was signed sealed and ratified at Munster between Philip 4. of Spain and the States of the United Provinces I shall only give you a touch of the proceeds of the French Ambassadors with the States during this Treaty and the States to him and so conclude this long yet necessary and pertinent story The States General having taken their final resolution for a Treaty of peace with Spain Monsieur de Thuillerie theFrench Ambassador Extraordinary the 15 November 1647 presented a paper to the said States wherein hee told them That he understood that they were upon the point to send their Plenipotentiaries to Munster to conclude their Negotiation with Spain and that nothing was wanting to be done but signing that he thought it convenient to minde them that hee had spoken with them concerning the reciprocal obligations that were between France and them which invited them to stand firm to what hath been formerly agreed upon to which he had received no answer it being requisite that hee should have one to give to the King and Queen Regent that they might give their Plenipotentiaries advice at Munster what they may expect especially since that at that time the Spaniard flattered himself of the hope he had to separate that State from the Crown of France Therefore he desired them earnestly to consider what had been formerly agreed on between them and that he had good hope of their great wisdome and wonted loyalty not to send their Plenipotentiaries to Munster otherwise then with Orders conformable to those obligations aforesaid and the Ancient friendship they had alwayes with France Hague 15 Novemb. 1647. Signed De la Thuillerie The States resolution being once for all confirmed they answered this Paper with silence The Heer Van Nederhorst was the only man of the Plenipotentiaries that scrupled the signing of the said Treaty and his reason was because their League and Covenants with the French King were not yet abrogated and that Oath of Agreement by which they were tyed to him not yet taken away who being one of the Plenipotentiaries feigning himself not well desired leave of the States for his healths sake to come home but the true cause why he desired to come away was to avoid signing it being against his Conscience for the reasons aforesaid The King of France understanding that the Treaty between the Spaniard and the Dutch was agreed on and signed sent a Letter to the States dated 14 Februar 1648. wherein hee tells them That he had heard with the greatest admiration what had past at Munster the 30 Januar. where the greatest part of their Ministers and Deputies had signed a particular Treaty with the Ministers of Spain that he could not imagine that their Ministers had acted therein according to their Intentions and that he doubted not but that assoon as they should be informed thereof they would give those necessary Orders whereby they will remedy all what hath been done to the prejudice of so many solemn Treaties agreed on at several times between that Crown and them which did hold forth expresly
France And that they have protested against the Authors of such an Act so contrary to all Publick Faith and all manner of Reason and Decency And what ill consequences should follow that business are to be imputed to the Contrivers and Abettors of that unworthy action of concluding a peace without the consent of both parties according to the Articles of agreement and this the Plenipotentiaries of France have been fain to do to prevent a Rupture in the Union between France and the States of the United Provinces and to clear their Consciences and Duties towards his Majesties of France who could never perswade themselves if the present Opposition and Protestation had not been made that in a business in which there is only treated to keep to an Enemy some secret promises or to accomplish several Treaties so solemnly made with an ancient friend the Spaniards should have had more power over the Plenipotentiaries of the said Lords States of the United Provinces to ingage them to a breach then those of France have had to perswade them to observe the agreements and treaties made between France and the Low Countries But this Proposition having taken no effect the next day Monsieur de la Thuillerie put in another Paper into the assembly That they would be pleased to send thus much to their Plenipotentiaries that they should not sign their Treaty of peace with Spain till France had likewise made an end of their Treaty of peace with Spain This the assembly would not do because it was to the prejudice of their affairs Thus all along till the treaty at Munster was concluded and ratified the French Ambassadors at the Hague and the French Plenipotentiaries at Munster never gave over propounding to the States what wrongs the States of the United Provinces had done and the Crown of France had sustained by their breach of Contracts solemn Leagues and Treaties but none of them prevailed though France at their desire had begun and prosecuted the Warre against Spain whereby Spain was brought low which contrary to their many solemn Contracts to Ingenuity and Gratitude was taken up by the States and made use of to serve their advantage leaving France alone to contend with Spain to this day refusing to lend the King of France supplies of money whereof he had occasion according to the treaty of Campeigne 1624. when the French King supplyed them and having tyed up their hands from assisting the French against the Spaniard by their League de non offendendo The Plenipotentaries of the States of the United Provinces that transacted this affair were Bartolt Van Gent. John of Matenesse Adrian Pauw I. Knuyt G. Van Reed J. V. Donia William Ripperda Adr. Claut Notwithstanding these proceedings with the Spaniard the King of Spains Ambassador Le Brun complains that the States have broken 17 Articles of the late treaty at Munster I have been the larger in this because it is so full necessary and pregnant an Instance whereby at once the States inside is turned outside exactly and a rare President and Caution given to this Nation and all Princes to discern these serpents under all their green and smooth expressions of friendship and their most solemn stipulations for that purpose of which in my judgment I could omit nothing I shall therefore be more brief in the following Instances and forbear the quoting as many as I intended least by too much prolixity I might offend The next that I shall produce is Portugal who whilst under the Command of the Spaniard were understood and Prosecuted as Enemies by the Dutch because one with Spain But in the year 1640. the Kingdom of Portugal making themselves free and distinct from Spain all good Patriots in the united Provinces did look upon it as a business of great good and welfare and an order was made for a cessation of Arms at Sea against the Portugal But those of the East and West Indie Companies true Lucriones shewed their regret at this publick joy foreseeing by this that their Piracies exercised against the Portugals there must come to an end and the conquests also that they had promised themselves over the Portugal in the East-Indie and Brazil This beginning of friendship in the cessation of Arms pleased the Portugal extremely who sent an Ambassador to the Hague where there was a truce concluded on between the Portugal and the United Provinces for twelve years But the craftiness and cunning of the Dutch is worthy observation for because the East Indie and Brazil were so far off the Hollanders caused this clause to be inserted That the Truce should not begin in the East Indies till within a year and in Brazil till within half a year after the ratification thereof In the mean time the Hollander before and in the time gave order and express advice to their men at Brazil and elsewhere to do their best to take all they could get from the Portugals as indeed they did for they took Angola St Tomce and Marinsan and in the East Indies they took Mallacca also in Brazil they took and confiscated divers Portugal ships coming to honest and Cordial friends as the Dutch The Truce being made and both Parties as well the Portugals as the Hollanders having ful notice of it the Portugals at Angola relying upon the Truce admitted the Hollanders as friends with a great deal of joy and alacrity into the Castle but the Dutch being no sooner entred they took and turned out the Portugals and having boarded them in an ugly rotten Bark unprovided of provisions sent them to traverse the sea in a thousand dangers with the same deceit they entred into the Islands of Marinsan and St. Tomce Ambassadors were sent from Portugal to demand these places the Hollanders produced the said clause of the Truce which was all the Portugal could get from the Hollander for said they There is no wrong done in regard that in that clause is said That each side shall hold and keep what he can take and in such a time Whereupon the Portugal Ambassador said to them very well That that must be understoodBona fide viz That which should be taken without having any knowledge of the Truce But those of the West Indie Company and those that were in their service had full knowledge of the Peace or Truce and nevertheless had treacherously faln upon the Portugals and taken from them those places who no waies suspected any such cheat but admitted the Dutch as friends The Dutch having made the business less suspected in regard they expressed great love to the Portugal and ordered a cessation of Arms before the Portugal had desired them but for what end the world may judg which action was the more cruel and treacherous in regard that the King of Portugal had but then torn himself from the Spaniard into his own rights and in this Infancy of his Government was thus dealt withal Besides all this the Government of the Dutch in Brazil hath been so