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 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.
June 22. The Lords Commissioners accepted with all humble acknowledgement the tender of 3000 Horse but withal desired the loan of 3000 Foot June 29 following The Duke of Orleans by Captain Remond sent this answer wherein he granted their desire both of 3000 Horse and 3000 Foot provided that the Catholick Religion be allowed as aforesaid Made at Breda July 4. 1646. Signed Remond Whereupon the Lords Commissioners promised to the King of France and Queen Regent that the Town of Antwerp falling into their hands they would leave there the exercise of the Catholick Religion free and publick Made at Breda the 11 July 1646. and signed by the Commissioners and in explication of the said agreement the Churches left for that purpose shall be four But that it may appear not onely how the Dutch did one while Treat with the French and make a shew of Friendship and that they would not break their Leagues with the French yet did deal under-hand with the Spaniard for the conclusion of a Peace as I have shewed already I shall now shew you how unhandsomely they served the French after the grant of these supplies and how they might have taken Antwerp if they had pleased Upon the ratification of the former things the Army of the Prince of Orange advanceth towards Antwerp and he was with his Army the 26 of July at Stechen then at Loqueren the French Supplies came according to Promise Teemche Castle lying by the Schelde beyond Antwerp was taken in the people of Antwerp did as good as offer up the Town to the Prince of Orange The French in the mean time had taken Dunkerk Antwerp would have followed with ease But the Prince of Orange left Teemche Castle assoon as he had taken it though that was the time to have taken Antwerp and never besieged or assaulted the said Town but the design thereof soon vanisht and the 6000 Auxiliaries not made use of to the great discontent and dammage of the French who by sparing such a number were disinabled to undertake any considerable thing that Summer and to the ruine of the poor Protestants there as I said before and the Treaty of Munster with the Spaniard went on without the notice or consent of the French And the French Ambassador told the States that some of the State-Plenipotentiaries at Munster had been with the Spanish Plenipotentiaries and assured them that although the Army of the States General should march into the field yet they should only lie still and effect nothing to the prejudice of the Spaniards Also the French Ambassadors shewed the States several Letters which they had received from France making mention of some Letters intercepted of Pennerandas wherein â—ee writes That the Peace was agreed on without having any regard to the French Interest which was not so much as named by the Dutch and though the other Provinces should hee against it yet because Holland was for it they would soon bring the other Provinces to a compliance as it did appear afterwards But to proceed the War being carried on against the Spaniard conjointly from the year 1635. to the year 1647. It brought the King of Spain very low Who thereupon sent his Ambassadors The Lords Conde De Penneranda and A Brun to sollicit the Dutch to a Treaty of peace who notwithstanding all the forementioned Leagues and Treaties to be faithfully and religiously kept that no Peace or Truce should be made with Spain without the consent of both parties having entred into a Ligue Guarrantie several times for that purpose the French being thereby deeply engaged against the Spaniard and having begun these Allyances and War upon the desire of the Dutch yet they entred upon a Treaty of Peace without the consent of the French and notwithstanding the several speeches of the French Ambassadors the Letters of the King and at last the Ambassadors Protest the 30 Januar 1648. A Peace was signed sealed and ratified at Munster between Philip 4. of Spain and the States of the United Provinces I shall only give you a touch of the proceeds of the French Ambassadors with the States during this Treaty and the States to him and so conclude this long yet necessary and pertinent story The States General having taken their final resolution for a Treaty of peace with Spain Monsieur de Thuillerie theFrench Ambassador Extraordinary the 15 November 1647 presented a paper to the said States wherein hee told them That he understood that they were upon the point to send their Plenipotentiaries to Munster to conclude their Negotiation with Spain and that nothing was wanting to be done but signing that he thought it convenient to minde them that hee had spoken with them concerning the reciprocal obligations that were between France and them which invited them to stand firm to what hath been formerly agreed upon to which he had received no answer it being requisite that hee should have one to give to the King and Queen Regent that they might give their Plenipotentiaries advice at Munster what they may expect especially since that at that time the Spaniard flattered himself of the hope he had to separate that State from the Crown of France Therefore he desired them earnestly to consider what had been formerly agreed on between them and that he had good hope of their great wisdome and wonted loyalty not to send their Plenipotentiaries to Munster otherwise then with Orders conformable to those obligations aforesaid and the Ancient friendship they had alwayes with France Hague 15 Novemb. 1647. Signed De la Thuillerie The States resolution being once for all confirmed they answered this Paper with silence The Heer Van Nederhorst was the only man of the Plenipotentiaries that scrupled the signing of the said Treaty and his reason was because their League and Covenants with the French King were not yet abrogated and that Oath of Agreement by which they were tyed to him not yet taken away who being one of the Plenipotentiaries feigning himself not well desired leave of the States for his healths sake to come home but the true cause why he desired to come away was to avoid signing it being against his Conscience for the reasons aforesaid The King of France understanding that the Treaty between the Spaniard and the Dutch was agreed on and signed sent a Letter to the States dated 14 Februar 1648. wherein hee tells them That he had heard with the greatest admiration what had past at Munster the 30 Januar. where the greatest part of their Ministers and Deputies had signed a particular Treaty with the Ministers of Spain that he could not imagine that their Ministers had acted therein according to their Intentions and that he doubted not but that assoon as they should be informed thereof they would give those necessary Orders whereby they will remedy all what hath been done to the prejudice of so many solemn Treaties agreed on at several times between that Crown and them which did hold forth expresly
that the Negotiation of Peace shall continually march hand in hand and that no Peace shall be agreed upon but by joint consent of both parties that for the farther manifesting thereof he had sent many particulars to his Ambassador Extraordinary to communicate to them on his behalf at that conjuacture of businesse of so great consequence to whom hee conjur'd them to give full credit Signed Lewis and then De Lomeine Paris 14. Februar 1648. The 3 March afterward Monsieur La Thuillerie had audience given him in the Assembly of the States where he made great complaints against their irregular proceedings in the Treaty of Peace with Spain against their own solemn Treaties with France That the King his Master did think himself highly injured by their breaking of their Vowes and Covenants which they had mutually promised viz. That they would never lay down their arms till they had wholly beaten the Spaniard out of the Low-Countries and not then neither but with the consent of both parties that the King his Master could not choose but protest against their unworthy dealing in forsaking them now on whom the French had built their strongest hopes and from whom they did expect in the like conjuncture in which they now were the reciprocal assistance which the French had given to the Dutch in their affairs both of Money and Men which they had spent to curb the ambition of Spain with whom the French were good friends but by their sollicitations the French had entred into that chargeable War whereby the burthen of the Dutch hath been lighter and those that were the Dutch's they had made their Enemies That they could not be ignorant in what state and condition the French were in the year 1634. how generously they declared War against the Spaniard in the year 1635 In which year was made that solemn Treaty never to make any Peace with Spain but with the mutual consents of both parties he called the world to judge how careful France had been to observe those Treaties and that the Plenipotentiaries of France were such Religious Observers of their promises that they staid twenty one moneths at Munster expecting the coming of the States Ambassadors before they would receive any one proposition from any Publique Minister whatsoever and withall if it were lawful for him to tell them that this one Action of theirs did very much eclipse the candor which that Commonwealth did profess That the King his Master could not believe that what was done was according to their Orders and that so many honest and Noble persons that did compose that body of State would break their solemn Leagues and Covenants which they had formerly made with the King of France therefore the King his Master did hope that they would not break so just and necessary a League I dare not say said he if you deal thus by us what other Princes will think of you that may have to deal with you Your Ratifications are not yet exchanged and you may refuse to deliver them to the Plenipotentiaries of Spain you are our Allies therefore more obliged to us then by words wherefore I doe maintain said he that you can goe no farther and that you and we have our hands tyed If so bee wee doe any thing that concerneth a peace with Spain if we doe it not with the consent of both parties Made at the Hague 3 March 1648. Signed De La Thuillerie Monsieur de la Thuillerie receiving no answer to this upon the 17 of March following demanded Audience where hee made another Proposition much like the former being resolved not to give over propounding till he had gotten an answer Who at length gave him this for answer That they were heartily sorry there could not bee the like Treaty of peace concluded on between the two Crowns of Spainand France as they had made with Spain That they had commanded their Plenipotentiaries to use their utmost endeavours to bring those two Crowns to a good agreement but all what they had done was labour lost to the great grief of the States That it was in vain to insist any longer on this point at Munster both parties being so unwilling to be reconciled And this was the Judgement of the Lords Mediators and others that have knowledge thereof Or else the States Generall would not have sent for their Ministers home That notwithstanding they were resolved to use all possible means to bring those two Crowns of Spain and France to an agreement and that there be a fair correspondence kept between the Crown ofFrance and the States of the Vnited Provinces and that they would send to their Plenipotentiaries to farther with all faithfulness an accommodation between Spain and France Monsieur de la Thuillerie perceiving the Dutch to be resolved to conclude the peace at Munster sent in this Proposition to the Assembly to let them understand how highly discontented the King his Master was with their proceedings in making a peace with Spain without his consent quoting their Leagues and that if they proceeded on in that Treaty as they had begun his Master would be inforced to let the world know how unhandsomely the Lords States have dealt with him and that he was obliged to take notice how they had dealt with the Spaniard to his prejudice contrary to the Treaty 1635. renewed 1644. where they were to proceed pari passu both in war and peace That if the Dutch had a mind to conclude a peace that they would communicate to the French Plenipotentiaries at Munster how farre they had proceeded in their Treaty with Spain which they had not performed all the while they had been at Munster according to agreement for the Treaty doth say expresly in one of the Articles That they shall communicate their proceedings conjointly if they enter into a Treaty of peace at any time with Spain which must be also with the consent of France Therefore he humbly desired them to write to their Plenipotentiaries to communicate their proceedings in writing to the French Plenipotentiaries as their loving friends and allies and also that his Master did desire them to desist from Treating according to former agreement aforementioned till both parties agree to carry on the Treaty again conjointly which the Lords Ambassadors of France had done being sent to by the Spaniard to Treat which they refused to doe because the Dutch had minded them of the agreement therefore his Master desired them to do the like by him All this said he was laid open to the Plenipotentiaries of this State at Munster by the French Plenipotentiaries notwithstanding the said Plenipotentiares came confidently the next day to the Plenipotentiaries of my Master and told them that they would proceed very speedily to the conclusion of their Treaty with the Spaniard whereupon the French Plenipotentiaries could do no less then protest against their proceedings who have formally declared at Munster that the Dutch have broken the Treaties made between them and
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
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