in their Usurpations Pyracies Depredations and Surprizes in Affrica and America How ready to deliver the Pepper Islands and what pretences from year to year to keep it How earnest in soliciting a War with the Turks in Algiers yet how treacherous in deserting it How importunate in their addresses for peace yet how diligent in their preparations for War How ready to make satisfaction for old injurâ—es when the mean time they offer new ones How respectful of His Majesly in their Embassies yet how abusive of his Person Government and Relations in their licensed Libels and Pictures What Civility what Kindness pretended yet how barbarous to our Prisoners at home How severe to our Merchants abroad Should I I say recollect more particularly their several Transactions with England from the year 1665 to the year 1665 that is for an Hundred years together it might be interpreted my Spleen rather than my History and the gratification of my own Interest than the information of your Judgement 4. With Denmark they made a League wherein among other things it was provided they should pay a Rose-Noble for every ship that passed the Sound which yet they payed or denyed as the King of Denmark Remonstrated onely according as their Convoys were either weak or strong sometimes â—â—â—pâ—ting his very Dominion in the 〈◊〉 and threatning the â—rade of the Baltick-Sea 5. Yet when Swedeland upon their instance 1640 1643 1644 1645 entred into a League Guarantine and in pursuance thereof began a War in Denmark the very same poynt of time they sent 50 ships to the Sound and three Embassadours to Copenhagen representing the formid able Power of the Swedes in the East-Sea and entring into a League Defensive with the Dane not onely without the Queen of wedens consent but with a promise of 4000 men against her yea and an Article wherein she is obliged to pay Toll to the Dutch for the Sound they having hired it during some years for 140000 Pattacoons or Dollars per annum Of which matters the Swedish Ministers have made loud Remonstrances to the States General and to the World 6. Neither have they any more Credit with the Portuguez with whom they ordered a Cessation of Hostility upon the alteration there 1640 conducing so much to the Spaniards weakning and their own establishment yet cunningly inserting this Clause viz That the Truce should not begin in the East-Indies till within a year nor in Braziel till within half a year after the ratification thereof and as cunningly by vertue thereof giving order to their men to take what they could in the mean time as they did at Angola Marinsan and St. Thome which they surprized being admitted by the innocent Portuguez to them under the colour of that League and Truce the Mighty States making this unworthy Allegation to the Portuguez Embassadour in behalf of that action viz That there was no wrong done in regard that in that Clause its said That each side should hold and keep what it can take in such a time Whereunto the Embassadour generously replyed That That must be understood Bonâfide viz That which should be taken without having any knowledge of the Truce 7. Nay in the 11th Article of the Union at Vtrecht An. 1579. it s promised That no Member thereof should be neglected in fuâ—ure Treaties and proceedings yet how Antwerp Gaunt and Brussels though involved therein were deserted in the Truce 1607 and the peace 1648 as well as in the War 1625 when the Prince having taken the Castle of Teemche and the French Dunkirk Antwerp might have been easily rescued is as well known to the World as the Reason of it viz because Antwerp being reduced would have drawn to it self its antient and great Trade which Holland and Zealand enjoyed as long as Antwerp and the Shilds were dammed up Gent. These passages with 1. The Amboyna action within two years after a solemn Treaty begun at London 1613 continued at the Hague 1617 and finished at London 1619. 2. The 20 ships lent against their antient friends the French Protestants 1625. 3. The little satisfaction we have for our losses at Amboyna notwithstanding the special promise of Reparation before the year 1625 together with the 326 particular injuries done our Merchants and Countrey within these 145 years amounting to 958646l where it s not unknown to the World nor to themselves though they would willingly forget it what their condition was when England first undertook their Protection what kindness Blood and Treasure from England set them up in Queen Elizabeths days what Power and interposition from Great Brittain had them declared a free State in King James his time what Indulgence and condescention to let them pass trade and fish on our Seas upon the civil condition onely of striking sail to our ships and Castles in acknowledgment of our Soveraignty have satisfied me That the Dutch having been so careless of that Grand thing Reparation that they are as unlikely to make an Interest in Europe for the future as they are unable for the present And now they are to stand upon their own bottom will you vouchsafe to shew me their Strength and that first in point of Money the Sinnews of Warr The Dutch present Condition in reference to Money and Treasure Trav. HAving of late years Engrossed most of the Trade in the Baltick sea i. e. the East-land Trade the Trade of Sweden liefland Prusia Poland Pomerania Silesia for Masts Pitch Cables Iron Copper Brass Clapboard Tar c. the Sound being let them 1651 at so low a rate as 140000 Pattacoons or Dollars Monopolixed the Spice Gold Pearl and other Trades in the East and South so that all the World traded upon second-hand from Holland then the Emporium of it passed and fished without controul upon our Coast these 30 years It s not unlikely but that they have amassed a considerable Treasure but now the French King and all Europe pursue so vigorously the design of free Trade now the King of Denmark prepares so considerably for the maintenance of the Sound now the Swedes have a mighty Navy to restore their Northern Trade now the Portuguez devolve their Interest upon the King of Great Britain and that mighty Prince checks their Usurpations and Monopolies abroad and forbids their Trade and Fishing at home that Bank must sink and their great Charge and little Trade must eat out the principal Stock beyond all recruit amongst themselves whose 7 Provinces not so big as 7 of our Shires the great Quagmire of the South cannot maintain the 7th part of their Inhabitants at the rate of a Chelsey-Prisoner who lived always upon Neighbours eat their Bread wear their Cloth grow rich on their pay and sterve at their displeasure Gent. I but they have infinite Methods of Imposts and Taxes Trav. They have more wayes indeed to raise Money than to earn it But in their Taxes there are two things that portend their Ruine Gent. I pray what are they Trav. The
Dutch were flush with a Ten years free Trade and we spent with as many years Rebellion when we were the â—dium of Mankind and they at least upon the account of that Quarrel the Darlings of Europe a handful of our meanâ—st and most inconsiderable of our People durst Vote That no Goods should be Iâ—ported or Exported into or out of England but in English Bottoms And when the Lords States forsooth took that in Dudgeon our bold fellows the King Lords and Commons standing by and not concerned Vote their Embassadoâ—r the Lord Joachim away out of England Octob 6. 1650 within a month at his peril at whose return the High and Mighty draw in their Money sink their Bank mistrust one another break all to pieces raise Fortifications cast Ordinances provide new Artilleries Yards Rendezvouz Militiaes and withdraw 200 Families at least to Hamburgh and the other Hans-Towns of Germany Yet so much Courage they had left as to scorn the pretended Embassadours our Mock-Governours sent thither insomuch that one Dorisla by name lost his life there and another Strickland was weary of it strike to his Majesties concerns as he was King of Great Brittain in most of their Treaties with France Portugal Denmark Sweden c. though yet in their General Meetings Jan. 20. 1651. they Voted our Tom Thombs a free State forsooth and Common-wealth and that they would transact with their new-coyn'd Honours about a Truce and that too by old Joachim who was sent packing but two Months before the Province of Holland having cast the charges of a War and considered that half the money might advance it to a Seignory over its Sister Provinces And all the Provinces being amazed at the Tempest that broke the two Dikes St. Anthonies and the Harlem-Dike to the ruine almost of Gelders Zuphten Overystel Friezland and Holland Upon the least suspicion of War up came Chimney-money Poll-money Excise on Salt Beer Vinegar Wines Butter Oyl Candles all Grains Seeds Turff Coals Lead Brick Stone Wood Linnen and Woollen Clothes Silks Silver Gilt Wagons Coaches Ships and other Vessels Lands Pastures Gardens Nurseries Houses Servants Immovable Goods all Seals They forbid all affronts to their Lordships forsooth Strickland and St. John They drink and that was a great Argument of the High and Mighty States good affection in continuationem prosperitatem Reip Angliae Notwithstanding all which complyance the paltery thing called Our Parliament stayed a Fleet of theirs in the Downs forsooth till further Pleasure because there was Cordage Powder and Ammunition in them under the Corn. Whereupon His Majesty prospering in Scotland and a Peace being made with France the Mighty make bold to tell Sir John That they cannot answer his Proposition touching a League Offensive and Defensive under four Months for that they must send to all the Provinces for their advise and consent in a business of so high a concernment and our High and Mighties take snuff and call their Messengers home to the no little trouble of their Brethâ—en who beseech and intreat their stay but to no purpose the young Usurpers being intollerable when ever intreated to be kind and when that would not do pass this Vote The States General of the Netherlands having heard the Report of their Commissioners having had a Conference the day before with the Lords Embassadors of the Common-wealth of England do Declare That for their better satisfaction they do wholly and fully condescend and agree unto the 6 7 8 9 10 and 11 Propositions of the Lords Embassadors as also to the 1 2 3 4 and 8 Articles of the year 1575 made between H. 7th and Philip Duke of Burgundy Therefore the States do expect in the same manner as full and clear an Answer from the Lords Embassadors upon the 36 Articles delivered by their Commissioners 24th of June 1651. And not only so But they nominate the Heer Bever of Dort and the Heer Vell of Zealand with old Joachimi for Agents to the Common-wealth forsooth of England remembring the old Motto in Queen Elizabeths time Si Colâ—idimur frangimur Especially when the men at Westminster gave Letters of Mart to several Merchants to make themselves satisfaction for the losses they had suffered by Pickeroons belonging to the Netherlands Whereupon they filled up their Embassy with min Heer Schaep delaying the matter till the Kings Majesties business was decided Their 11 East-India ships worth a Million were put to sale an 160 sail arrived from Bourdeaux Mounsier Borreel could not prevail in France and the bold ones at Westminster make an Act as they called it for Increase of shipping the improvement of Trade the encouragement of Fishing and Navigation so prejudicial to the Cities of the Rine which together with the surprize of so many Amsterdamers awaked them so farr that Van Tromp with 36 sail in three Squadrons was ordered to Sea first to the Straights and then to the Downs to secure their Monopoly of Wine and Currans and Agents dispatcht to Denmark Sweden Portugal and France to strengthen the War in behalf of it altering their Embassadors for England whither they send the cunning Head-pieces mine Heer Catz and min Heer Scaep the last whereof in the mean time treats with France about Dunkirk and with Sweden about Neutrality The English men discourse of 100000 for Amboyna the Herring-fishing free passage through the Shee ll and the cautionary Towns frighting them to a resolution with 152 sail to commence a War eight Dutch ships being taken by the English as they came from New found-land and the Swedish Embassador Speering dealing under-hand with the English insomuch that they forbid any ship to stir from either the Mase or Texel and Amsterdam offereth an no sail as Zealand doth 40 on condition its Petition be granted about Letters of Mart the States fortifying Briel and Flushing prohibiting the Exportation of any Warlike Provisions and making a stay of all English ships In the mean time a certain Faction crept in that disturbed their Publick Peace at Middleburgh and Dort because they mentioned not the Prince of Orange in levying Souldiers till Trump departed in July with resolution to find out the English Yet espying Sir George Aiscue in the Downs with a Squadron was not able to bear up with him because of a Calm wherefore he addresseth himself against Blake in the North attending some Indian Vessels and taking the Dutch Herring-Busses from whom a Tempest parted him to his loss as the night did De Ruyter from Aiscue onely he met with Captain Badileyes 4 ships in the Straights and took the Phaenix which was re-gained by Captain Cox in Portologn upon a Dutch festival night when during the heat of the Holland Carouses he stole upon it in a Boat in the habit of a Dutchman which success was indeed allayed by Captain Appleton's weighing Anchor out of Legorn Mole sooner than he should and so falling into the hands of 22 Dutchmen of War before Captain Badiley could come
make an Interest yet in the divisions of Europe Trav. It s possible but very improbable since they have lost their Reputation which is the bottom of their Interest and you will fide none will heartily close with them because none can really trust them Gent. Potentates without Integrity are the same thing with Tradesmen without Credit for suspicion is irreconcileable and it s said of Rome that Favendo piet ati fideique ad tantum fastigii per venerit And if you can make this good the Low-countreys have seen their best days Trav. I wish them no more harm than that your inference be not as fatally just as the premises are irrefragably true and easily evidenced to be so by as notorious an Induction as is this day Registred in Europe Gent. As how Trav. 1. In reference to Spain Then they petition against strangers declare for Liberty and Religion when they had newly taken the Oath of Allegiance made their Soveraign a Present of 120000l and insinuated their chief Demagogues to the places of greatest Honour and Trust in the Countrey Then they surprize Mecklenburgh Enchusen c. when they treated at Brussels Then they subscribed themselves Vassals to Franâ—e when they had senta Petition to Spain In a word Whatever was the ground of these mens revolt from that Kingdom their conduct in it had nothing of Honour or clearness as wholly suiting a Popular and Plebeian humour 2. In reference to France Not to mention the affront they put upon Mounsier 1578 when they entertained him for Protector yet obliged themselves to whence upon his exclusion Q. Eliz from Amsterd the Hierogliphick that represented them was a Cow fed by Q. Eliz. stroaked by the Prince of Orauge and held by the tayl by D. Francis till it bewrayed him or any other sleights before they came to a consistency which may be reckoned as their necessity rather then their fault 1627. When they were High and Mighty a strictly mutual Consederacy and Alkance Defensive and Offensive for 17 years with a mutual Engagement not to treat with Spain on either side without consent was agreed on Aug. 28. between Lâ—wis 13th of France and the States of the United Provinces ratified June 30 1630 and pursued on the French side with a Million of Lieurs i. e. 100000l sterling besides 10000 Foot and 1500 Horse fallen into Artois and Henault notwithstanding all which particulars they endeavoured a Truce with Spain and the States of Flanders without the advice or consent of France as appears by several underhand dealingâ—s of the Dutch with the Spaniards couched in the French Embassadours memorial to the States 1634. With whom I mean Mounsier de Charness by name when their â—reaties with Spain proved fruitless Feb 8. 1635. they renewed the former League upon the very same terms of No peace with Spain without mutual consent and in pursuit of it fell with joynt forces upon Tienen Loven Skinchen-Schons yet the Province of Holland suspecting France no less than Spain in the very heat of this War wherein the French were engaged on their account so good are these Watermen at Rowing one way and Looking another their Attorney General Musch is secretly dispatched to Don Martin Axpe Secretary to the King of â—pain about a Treaty which the States solemnly denyed to Carnasse and yet their Embassador Paw when the French King told him That these secret proceedings did contradict their solemn Treaty and how much it differed from the justice his Majesty used towards them said they had communicated it to Charnesse 1641 1642 1643. Yea though Anno 1635 1636 1637 1638 there were notwithstanding these underminding several ratifications passed of these Treaties and 1644 a League Guarantin entered into Yet as Mounsier de la Thuillerâ—es averred to their Faces not a Month in these years passed without overtures between them and the Spaniards which brought on the Treaty at Munster without and against the French Kings consent even when he was in the field on their behalf at Dunkirk Stechen Loqueren c at the rate of 18 or 20000 Foot and four or 5000 Horse to no purpose the Dutch slurring him in most undertakings as particularly at Antwerp which did as good as offer up it self to their Army Nay which was more the intercepted Letters of Count de Pennerandâ—â— made it evident That The peace at Munster was agreed on without any regard to the French Interest which was not so much as named by the Dutch And though the other Provinces were against it yet because Holland was for it they would soon bring the other Provinces to a complianâ—e Only honest Heer van Nederhurst refused to sign so perfldious a Treaty against not only the Honour but the very Interest of his Countrey of which I may say as the Greek Orators of Sparta No League no subsistance no Faith no League 3. Should I re-capitulate their strange dealings with England how they solicited our Queen and yet dealt with the French King How they promised us free Trade yet stopped our ships How they borrowed our money to buy a peace with Spain How they admitted our Embassadors to their supream Senate yet because he should not understand all Debates they presently set up a secret Council How they intreated the Q. to send over the Earl of Leicester yet abused him so far that he left behind him a Meddal whereon there was engraven a Dog and a flock of Sheep with this Inscription Non Oves sed Ingratos How they depended on our Field Officers and yet enjealousied them one against the other How they delivered us the Caution Towns we had taken yet were never quiet till they had trucked for them How they owned King James their Protector yet set up a blasphemous Reader I mean Vorstius in competition with him What earnestness they used to disswade him from Alliance with Spain when they had a correspondent there How they complemented King Charls the first of blessed memory when they disputed his Right to his own Seas How they protest their Obligations to him yet cheat us of the Impost upon their Herring fishing and presume to fight with Oquendo the Spanish Admiral in our very Havens How they had their Agents here during our Civil War under pretence of mediating our Peace observing the advantages they might make of our War How affectionately they there embraced the Kings Interest and yet how suspiciously their Embassadour faultered about his death How zealously they espoused his Majesties Interest that now is while hopefull 1649 1650 1651 1652 for a pretence to hide their design of quitting the Homage they owed to England and engrossing its Trade and when that was done how like themselves that is Cunningly they deserted it from 1653 to 1660 How eager they were to entertain His Majesty though not till they had assurance of his Restauration and yet how unkind to his Excellent Sister and her Son How instant for Peace at White-hall and yet how unreasonable
Princes and the Earl of Egmont's Government who indeed underhand encouraged them to break Images and all Church Utensils to counterfeit and act the Preachers to disturb all Church-meetings with their Tumultuous cry Vive le Gueux which so lighted the Governess to deal plainly with his Majesty That the Prince of Orange the Earls of Egmont Horne and Hoochstrate had betrayed the Government which nothing but his Presence and an Army could settle Though in the mean time she was so much a woman as to dissemble her fears and enter to a â—â—â—emn promise of Protection of the Conâ—ederates which had accorded the differences for the present but that the Prince of Conde Admiral Coligni and other noble Protestants of France interposed their jealousies of that accord with fair overtures of assistance Whereupon the Seditious keep in and engage some of the Kings Forces whom the Earl of Egmont sent on purpose to widen the difference to an irreconcilableness to provoke them upon pretence of secret Instructions they said were given to the Kings Officers to murther them at the League and turn the Provinces to an absolute Monarchy in two most bitter Letters of Francisco de Allanas the Spanish Agent in the Court of France to the Lady Governess directing the cutting off of the Kings leaders of the Sedition meaning Orange Egmont c. one by one very privately and so examplarily that the Rebellion it self may be odious to all Christendom And concluding that the Riot could not be without the Intelligence and Supports of some Great men and namely of those three that carries so good a shew meaning Orange Egmont and Horne Passages da ed Aug. 1566 which with the intimation of seizing the Marquess of Berghes and the Baron of Montigny in Spain of chusing De Alva Governour and many more sent to Egmont from his Brother Montigny then in Spain amazed the Nobility into an Assembly Oct. 3. at Duremond where the Resolutions were so high for a Defensive War and the natural way of opposing Force with Force that they break up in discontent Arm themselves seize several strong Holds and upon assurance of the Warlike Preparations in Spain Alarm the excellent Governess to Arms. CHAP. III The Hollanders War against their own Sovereign begins VAlenciens of Henault a place very Zealous for the free exercise of Religion Cambresa Haysel Mastricht and many other Towns refused the Kings Garisons till forced by a greater Power after the Decollation of the Herlins Father and Son with other Ring-leaders of the Revolt the reducing whereof staggered the Faction to humble supplications to his Majesty who by the mediation of some Princes of Germany for liberty of Conscience for which fears and jealousies upon their late defeats having divided their Leaders they offered three Millions of Florens an ostentation of their riches as the Spanish Council judged it rather than an Argument of their submission But in vain the Dutchess forbidding the Confederates any approach to her Court and attaching all Passes Forts strong Holds while the Reformers spend 6 Months in Petitions Remonstrances Replies and Protestations watching a fair opportunity to appear especially against the new Oath upon that occasion introduced which they had upon the Edict That the Confederates and all their Adherents should appear before the Governess within â—0 dayes upon pain of being declared Rebels when those that fled not to England took the Field in Troops now desperate under the Seigniour of Tholouse who hovered about Antwerp but disowned by the Prince of Orange till he was surprized at Austerweel where 1590 were slain and excluded the Town of Antwerp being it self in an uproar for two days but with so little success that the Confederacy seemed to be broken the Lord of Brederode and his followers being commanded 5 miles out of Amsterdam with a severe injunction to behave himself there so as to give the Governess or his Majesty no further cause of discontent an injunction the Burgemasters of Amsterdam took so ill that they guarded their dear Lord by Hundreds protested against the present proceedings especially when the Prince of Orange with a formidable retinue of Gentlemen retyred in discontent first to besiege his Town of Breda and then to his County of Nassau advertising the confederate Gentlemen to prepare themselves for â—light or resistance and leaving this with the Earl of Egmont who met him to take his leave at Willebrouke viz That seeing he would not resolve with him and others to stop the entry of the Duke of Alva into the Netherlands as it had been propounded in their Assembly at Druremond he should be the Bridge whereon the Spaniards would first march to plant their Tiranny in these parts With which words Brederode whose word was God save my soul and my Honour with the other Confederates retyred into forreign Parts save that a Party made Head at Vianen two or three days where they and all their Confederates were defeated Antwerp Amsterdam and all other places yeelding to Mansfield and his Walloons who Levelled their Gates and reduced them to an absolute subjection to the King of Spain and Ferdinando de Alvarez Duke of Alva not a Confederate appearing but either in Prison on the Scaffold or in Beggars habit truly Geux now so dreadful a thing it is to meddle with them that are given to change for suddain is the ruâ—ne of them both He that is of a rebellious spirit a cruel Messenger shall be sent to him And such was the Duke of Alva with 8638 Foot and 1200 Horse mustered June 2. 1567 at a place called Rhethees in Piemont between Germany France and Spain and Marched in three Squadrons into Holland where the report of them no sooner arrived than the French the Switz and the Genevians were by the Confederates allarmed to a dreadful posture of defence Especially considering that the Duke advanced his Power and his March both together improving his 8000 to 32000 men and as the Confederates gave out looked sternly on all even moderate Persons saying upon the approach of Egmont as they reported Behold that great Lutheran A word that was laid hold of to enjealous the whole Nation quartering his Souldiers round about him as one that designed that disorder a fair occasion to make the Netherlands an absolute Monarchy setting up a Council of Twelve instead of the Council of State and acting with a full power to dispose of all places Civil and Military to judge of all Cases Publick or Private no respect being had to the Priviledges Customs Lawes Jurisdictions or Appeals of that Countrey in former times which he managed so severely that Executions and Banishments swept away half the Countrey the Keys of most Towns were taken the Gates of several Cities were taken down the Earls of Egmont and Horne the most eminent subscribers of the late undutiful Petition were Imprisoned Count Charles of Mansfield and many others escaped the former Garrisons were displaced New Citadels were built whereof the most eminent at
Antwerp on the one side of the Suburb called Kiel along the River compassed in with five mighty Bulwarks and every one defended by a Cavalier or Mount and all things were setled so well that there was a Monument set up for the Duke with this Inscription Ferdinando Alvarez de Toledo Albae Duci Philippi â—di Hispan regis apud Belgas Praefecto quod extinctâ seditione rebellibus pulsis Religione procuratâ justitiâ cultâ Provincias pace firmavit Regis optimi fidelissimo ministro politum Iongelingi opus ex aere Captivo That the Duke spared half his Forces under the Earl of Aremberge for the Guises assistance against the Reformers that â—e seized the Prince of Orange his eldest son the Earl of Herren at LoLovain whence he was sent to Spain till 1575. He cited the Prince himself who answered his Citation at large He sentenced the Netherlands in the Inquisition for seditious Heresies 1568 and had his Sentence confirmed in Spain the same year he razed the place of Culenberge where the Council of State used to meet setting up a Pillar in the middest of the Ruine with this Inscription Regnante Philippo 2do Cath. Hisp Rege in his suis inferioribus Germaniae regionibus Gubernanti Vero Ferdinando Alvar. de Toledo Albae Duce c. Florenti de Palant quondam domum solo aequaris sancitum est ob execrandam memoriam repetitae in eâ conjurationis adversus Religionem Eccl Cath. Rom. regiam Majestatem ipsas regiones Anno 1568. 5. Cal. Junii He proceeded in the Process against the Prince of Orange in the midst of which great actions some fugitive Gentlemen that had taken refuge in Cloysters designed with some Horse and Foot they corresponded with to surprize the Duke at his devotion between Brussels and the Cloyster of Groenendale in Somen wood The Prince of Orange Prints his Justification against Slanderers The Earl of Hoochstraten produced Five Articles drawn out of the Priviledges of Brabant either belonging to the Golden-fleece or contained in the Joyous entry to impeach the proceedings against him and the Prince of Orange The Elector Palatine of the Rhine stops the Duke of Alvarez's money under pretence that the Merchants that conveyed it payed not the accustomed duties The Emperour and the Princes interpose in the behalf of Orange a Prince of the Empire That Prince and his Brother Lodowick of Nassau arm with this Motto Recuperari aut mori resolving to distract the Duke de Alva with several attempts upon many places at once but unsuccesfully the Lord of Villers with his 3000 French Protestants being defeated in their design upon Ruremond in Gelderland upon the Mase as Seigneour Coquevil with his 1100 Fugitives was at St Valiers in the mouth of the River Some onely Count Lodowick vanquished Count Aremberge with the overthrow of 3000 men May 24 1568 whom the Governour revenged on the best Gentlemen of the Revolt that came to his hands not sparing the Earls of Horn and Egmont who after a due Process against them were beheaded June 5th 1568. The Barons Montigni and Berghen who died in Spain attainted for their lives and goods in the Netherlands a severity imparallel'd yet not able to repress the Insolencies of the Factious Dutch who now pretend themselves desparate and cry No man was safe and so madly joyn with Count Lodowick of Nassau's Germans till they were becalmed with the Imperial Interdict to besiege Groningen whence De Alva quickly forced them with their shattered Colours in some of whom they carried Pelicanes in others the Roses of England from whose Queen they looked for all their succour In others this device Pro Lege Rege Grege along the Mase about which they took in some small Garisons and might have taken more yea and overthrown Don Fred. the Dukes sons 4000 Harquebuâ—iers had not the Landtskneghts as before when they should fight cried Ghelt Ghelt till the Duke himself who was strongly intrenched every night pursued them by day into France where the French King promises failing and the Rebels mutyning among themselves now they were already weary of the war they resolve for Germany now out of order too the discontented French Nobility joyning with them and the Prince of Orange declaring That such undutiful persons as set on any Designs save the Liberty of the Countrey and their Consciences of what perswasion soever they were should be enrolled among his mortal Enemies In Germany they lodge themselves till the Queen of England being disobliged by the Duke of Alva about money she had taken of some Merchants though the Duke pretended it his for her private use upon Interest interdicted all trade with Holland making Hamburgh the Staple for Cloth when the Prince of Orange with his unquiet followers assisted the French Protestants as De Alva with his well disciplined Regiments did the French King both Parties so translating the Wars out of their own Countrey The Garison at Valencianes mutiny against the Earl of Lodron an Italian but being drawn out by fair words and pay are cut off by two Regiments of Spanish Horse that surrounded them at their Muster in Bourgethout near Antwerp Such as could not escape out of the Netherlands drew together in the Woods by Land and those that did took to Pyracies at Sea Both these took Briel a convenient Harbour on the Hollanders side and agreed for Dover as fit a place on the English and improved themselves incredibly upon the discontents in the Countrey at the New-floud on All Saints day 1570 that swept away their Towns And the new Taxes the 10th 20th and 100th peny levyed by Soldiers upon the very Clergy themselves that carried away their Estates especially at Vtrecht where many Orders Answers Replies Duplies and Writings passed but all decided by a Garison of Veteranes sent thither that made a shift to perswade the troublesome Town that they had forfeited all their Estates by their connivance at the Image-breakers with other Incendiaries and their Adherents and at Brussels where neither Bakers nor Brewers would either bake or brew upon the new Impost insomuch that all Hollanders turning Pyrates under Will Earl vander Alarch and forbidden Harbour on the English Coast with 40 Sail most Fly-boats sailed from Dover towards North-Holland In their way whither they took 2 rich Ships the one of Antwerp the other of Biscay and spoiled other men of War before Amsterd Enchuesen and in the Mase drowning Boslules Forces before the Briel who came to encouÌ„ter them they deal underhand with the Flushingers inhabiting the next Sea Town to Briel notwithstanding the Dukes Agents cunning who made a Breach in their Wall under pretence of fortifying it cloyed their Cannon opened their Sluices and counterfeited their Keys to keep out the Spaniards as they did with the Villages of Coukirke the Inhabitants of Daventer and that not unsuccesfully since Zealand prospered in its Pyracies so well that their Captain Worst with seven ships had beaten the Spaniards
Gorrechom and lost in the Watry and Marsh-Countrey about After Delf Wormer Ryp Graft Purmerend and Vlpendam in West-Friezland and Waterland insomuch that the Spaniards seemed very inclinable to a peace as seemed by their overtures to the Prince of Orange Which yet the States refused as appears by their sawcy Petition becoming Subjects that submitted only with their swords in their hands and their cutting the Dike and raising all the Sluices saying that they had rather have a spoiled Countrey than have lost one to prevent the taking of Leyden after which many other Towns had followed with their resolution to live and die with the Prince of Orange With which resolution they kept Leyden in so great extremity as to coyn Paper-money upon which was inscribed Haec Libertatis ergo for 11 months defeating the Spaniards ships about Leydeâ— with stratagems and wiles and keeping the Passages open for Supplies till Octobâ— 3d. It was after a months famine strangely relieved and quitted by the Spanirds and the Prince coming thither himself to see it fortified charitably recruited it by the Neighbours collections as a place that had cost the Hollanders a Million of Gold the Prince of Orange's two Brothers and a Cosin all three Princes of the Empire Whereupon their Soveraign offered with the intercession of the Emperour Maximilian very gracious Propositions of peace which could not be accepted in regard as the Earl of Switzenburgh observed at Breda where they traded the Rebls could not trust their Soveraign as indeed no security can satisfie men guilty of Treason against their Prince and therefore he that draweth his sword against his Prince must throw away the scabbard and never be reconciled to him it being reasonable that a disloyal Person should not think his Soveraign would be true to him when he hath been so perâ—idious to his Soveraign But the Treaty at Breda 1575 was not a little reputation to the men of the Revolt who being hitherto esteemed but turbulent Boulfeus are now respected as just Enemies in which capacity to preserve their Lives Wives Children Goods and what was dearer than all these their Religion they are their own words they bethink themselves of a Protector and 1. They propound the Empire which they laid aside as too much divided in it self 2. France which yet they waved as perfidious to them of the Religion in the Massacre at Paris and exhausted by their own civil Wars In this extreamity the distressed States by five Commissioners humbly submit themselves unto the Q of Englands Protection Or if necessity so required to acknowledge her for their Princess and Soveraign issued from the Earls of Holland and Zealand by the Lady Philippa Daughter to William the third of that name Earl of Henault and Holland c. Which the wise Queen entertained not immediately to prevent the jealousies of Neighbour Princes but 1. Received their Exiles to her Harbour and Countrey 2. Mediated for peace with a Protestation that upon refusal she would succour them 3. Gave them leave to leavy men and buy Ammunition in England And 4. Supplyed them with money upon security while the Spaniards mutiny for want of it The King of Spain breaks in the Merchants debts 14 Millions of Duckets the Pope dispensing with and nulling all his Bonds and Obligations The chief Commander Don Lewis with his Marshal Vitells dye All the Countrey is up against the King of Spains intollerable Impositions surprizing the Council of State he erected upon his Governours death the hatred of the Spaniards being by the Dutch Artifices become universal and all places petitioning against strangers meaning Spaniards The Queen of England being somwhat cold and indifferent the Provinces invite the Duke of Anjou the King of France his only Brother to their Protection who dealing in the late mentioned Mutinies surprized the Cittadel of Cambray and upon Don John of Austria the next Governours unpleasing carriage made up of stâ—atagems and threats joyned Brabaâ—t in a strict League with Holland and Zealand against the Spaniards and their Tyranny joyning his Interest with the Prince of Orange for leavies in Germany and assistance from England From the last of which upon their promise to maintain their Religion and Allegiance they are assured of men and money by their Orator the Lord of Swevenghen and Captain Horsley it being her Interest rather to engage the Papists there than in her own Dominions with whom Secretary Wilson and Mr Wendebank went and payed the money receiving the States Obligation with the security of Brussels Gaunt Bruges Dunkirk Newport and Middleburgh where with free passages were made by raising the Sluices according to the Queens direction in several places of the Country for fear the Spaniards might prevail at Sea And the union was effected upon the Mutinies of Groninghen and Zuphten between the States for the expulsion of Spaniards with an acknowledgment of their Allegiance to the King of Spain By virtue of which Colonel Balâ—our and his Englâ—sh having brushed the Spaniards the States capitulated with Don of Austria whose vain conceits of Conquering England lost the Netherland and would have agreed with him could they have had any assurances for performance of Articles at the great conferences between his Deputies and the Prince of Orange at Gertrudenbergh May 22 1577 which failing his practises were discovered in setting the Provinces at variance among themselves that he might govern them all by his Letters to Spain intercepted and his vain attempt upon Antwerp Which made all the Provinces revolt from Don John some to the States-General at Brussels that declared onely for Liberty and Priviledges and others to the Prince of Orange with the States of Holland and Friezland that declared also for Religion CHAP. IV. How the English assisted the Hollanders and made them a Free State ESpecially when her Majesty the Queen of England the onely succour of the distressed States declared for them by Mr Wilkes whereupon Leeuwarden mutined and yeelded to them Antwerp is dismantled Germany sends in Aides â—reda is delivered up Groninghen is Tumultuous the Prince of Orange is invited to be Rovard or Governour of Flanders Don John of Austria is declared Enemy to the States notwithstanding his Army of 16000 Foot and 2000 Horse The Nobility revolt Amsterdam asserts its Liberty the pacification at Gaunt so much insisted on by the Queen is confirmed the Duke of Anjou offereth his assistance and marcheth to distresse Henault The case of the afflicted Netherlands is taken into consideration upon St. Aldegon's motion at the Imperial Assembly at Wormes whence the Duke of Anjou had 12000 men towards his relief of the Low-Countreys under the notion of the Defenders of the Liberty of the Provinces against the Spaniards and their Adherents Colonell Norris Stuart Captain Bingham and Candish saved the States whole Army by a brave Retreat they maintained for four miles with three Regiments in their shirts by Rymenant The Queen seasonably assisted them with 30000l when their
Army was so likely to moulder away for want of pay that she thought fit to intercede for the distressed States with his Majesty of Spain and Don John by the Lord Cobham and Sir Fracis Walsingham and when that failed a Religious Peace as they called it which the States-General consented to was settled which bred great jealousies in the Provinces where many were still stiff for Popery especially at Gaunt till the Queen of England declared against them and promised notwithstanding that Duke Casimer and the D. of Anjou retired in discontent to stand by the Protestant States to the utmost as she did effectually having brought the Estates first to stricter Union and Alliance at Vtrech 1579 than that before at Gaunt and afterwards to erect a Council of State for the management of affairs whose very first debate was a Consultation about the alteration of Government to shorten the War and engage some Person in their defence The next was the taking and demolishing of several strong Holds that had been too serviceable to the King of Spain But their affairs not prospering they resolve upon the Duke of Anjou as their Soveraign upon 27 Articles signed on both sides with Medals coyned whereon were these devices Leonem loris mus li erat Liber revinciri Leo pernegat Pro Christo grege lege Religione justitià reduce vocato ex Gulliâ pacatâ duce Andegariensi â—elgiae Libertatis vindice vos terrâ â—go excubo ponto 1580 Si non nobis saltem posteris And that being dispatched they agree upon Martial Discipline and relieve Steenwich under the conduct of Sir John Norris who victualled it and raised the Siege having given notice of it in Letters which he shot in his Bullets The States-General in the mean time answering the King of Spain's Proscription against the Prince of Orange and providing against the insolences of the Papists by a restraint upon the exercise of their Religion at Brussels and Antwerp declare thus The States General of the United Provinces Guelders Holland Zealand Zuphten Friezland Overysel and â—roeninghen having declared Prince Philip of Austria second of that name King of Spain fallen from the Sigâ—ioâ—y of the said Provinces by reason of his extraordinary and too violent Government against their Freedom and Priviledges solemnly sworn by him having by the way of Right and Armes taken upon us the Government of the publick State and of the Religion in the said Provinces An 1581 having by an Edict renounced the Government of the K. of Spain breaking his Seals Counter-seals Privy-signets for new ones made by them in their stead and entertaining the Duke of Anjou nobly attended from England by the Lord Willoughby Sheffield Windsor Sir Philip Sidney Shirley Parrat Drury and the Lord Howard's son and recommended by the Queen who avowed That what service was done him she esteemed as done to her self and commended to him this one good Rule to be sure of the hearts of the People who invested him Duke of Brabant and Earl of Flanders wherein Dunkirke did import him much to keep a Passage open from Flanders into France as the refusal his Brother made of succour and his entertainment of French Nobility to the discouragement of the Netherlands did him much harm especially since most of his Followers were either men of Spoil or secret Pensioners to the King of Spain and he by their advice lost himself in his Enterprize upon Antwerp so far that had not her Majesties Authority reconciled them the States and he had broken irrecoverably though indeed they never after peiced For the Duke thereupon delivers all the Towns he had taken to the States retyring himself to Dunkirke while the Ganthoes and other troublesom men of the Innovation declared against him and for Duke Casimir And all the Estates humbly beseeched the Queen of England by General Norris to have mercy upon them in this woful juncture especially when the wise Prince of Orange was murthered by a fellow recommended to him by Count Mansfield and serving him three years to await this opportunity having time to say no more but Lord have mercy upon my soul and this poor People And the Spaniards during the States differences and the youth of Grave Maurice of Nassau who succeeded his Father carrying all before them insomuch that the King of France was so afraid to take the Netherlands into his Protection that he sent Embassadors to the Duke of Parma to remove the very suspition of it Especially when the Guisian League brake out upon him and the poor States had now none to trust to but the Queen of England who during their Treaty with France had made them gracious promises by Secretary Davison by whom by the Respective Deputies of their Provinces June 9. 1585 they absolutely resigned the Government to her Majesty who upon sundry great considerations of State refused that yet graciously sent them 4000 men under General Norris 184600 Guilders upon the security of either Ostend or Sluce and promised 5000 Foot and 4000 Horse under a General and other Officers of her own with pay For which the States stood bound giving Flushing Ramekins Briel and the two Sconces thereunto belonging into her hand for security and taking in her Commander in chief with two persons of Quality more of her Subjects by her appointment into their Council of State According to which Contract Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester is made Governour of the Low-Countreys for the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Queen of England to whom the whole Countrey did Homage receiving him as their absolute Governour though the Queen disavowed that as being likely to engage her too farr in the Quarrel and the States humbly submitted to her pleâ—sure in which capacity he set out Edicts for Discipline for the Treaty and Traffique which these troublesom people upon pretence of Liberty and Priviledg mutinied against to the great hinderance of the Earls proceedings insomuch that after he had born up their Interest as his entrance into the Government just ready to sink and taken Daventer Zuphten and other places he resigned his Government to the Council of State leaving a Meddal behind him on the one side whereof was engraven his Picture with these words Robertus â—omes Leicestriae in Belgia Gubernator 1587. And on the other side a flock of sheep scattered and before them an English Dogg with these words Non gregem sed Ingratos invitus desero Whereupon Deputies of Estates attended him with a Present a Cup as big as a Man and an humble supplication to the Queens most Excellent Majesty not to forsake them now in their low Estate so low that the King of Denmark thought fit to intercede for them to their own Leige the King of Spain while they in extremity devolve their affairs upon young Grave Maurice and declaring against the Earl of Leicesser's proceedings incensed the Queen so far that she called home General Norr is though yet Sluce had ben lost
had not Sr William Russel supplyed it with Provision when all the seven Provinces could not do it Being now intent upon the settlement of their State-General out of the Particular Deputies of the several Provinces the Earl of Leicester being called home and they hearing of a Spanish Armado knowing not what to do but to importune her Majesty of England that she should make no peace without them Now she was in treaty with the Prince of Parma which she waves though privately willing enough to reconcile their private differences which was the greatest Motive she had to abandon them It being not likely they should do any good themselves especially since there was such jealousies and mistrusts among their chief Officers who could never have been united but by the vast Armado of the common Enemy which awed both sides to so much moderation that they settle the Government in the States reduce all Parties into one Oath and submission reconcile Vtrech to Holland pay their Souldiers very punctually establish Prince Maurice in the Admiralty and Prince William in the Government of Friezland They defeat the Marquess of Varumbon with Sir Francis Vere's assistance take the Antwerp Convoy raise jealousies between the Inhabitants of Groening and their Governour maintain Liberty of Conscience nourish the French differences get 125 26l a month of the Queen of England They surprize Breda engage the Electors and get the Prince of Parma off to the siege of Paris Blackinbergh Collenbergh the Fort before Zuphten Holt Nymighen Grumbergh Geertrudenbergh Seenwye and other places are recovered by the Valour and Conduct of the English particularly Sir John Norris Sir Roger Williams and Sir Henry Vere An Edict is made concerning Printing a War is contrived between France and Spain the United Provinces and the Estates under the King of Spain treat for peace Philip William eldest son to William Prince of Orange is released from his 35 years Imprisonment whereto he was confined since he was taken in Leyden as we have formerly intimated Prince Maurice and Sir Francis Vere Sir Robert Sidney's overthrow Cardinal Albertus his Army Wan 1577 whereupon Embassadours are sent to the States from the Empire from Peland and from other parts whom they remitted to the Queen of England as being able to do nothing without her In the mean time they prevailing under her protection set up the India trade assisting their Merchants with Artillery and Ammunition so as four ships were set forth to destroy the Countrey and bring away some Inhabitants against another Voyage where 8 ships ventured that way from Amsterdam as did many more from other places in the East and West Indies to Guine besides others to Syria and Greece 1578. But the poor States being left out of the peace between France and Spain are at a loss till the Queen of England sends to them that if they resolved for a War they should inform her what provisions they had towards it and rest assured of her utmost assistance So they forbade Traffique with Spain and entertained some overture afresh in order to an offensive war towards which she sent 2000 souldiers more under Sr Th. Knowles besides 6000 men she procured from the Circles of the Empire several Forts are set up by her directiōs the Contributions are mitigated in Zealand now ready to mutiny by her Order the offensive War in Flanders began by her intimation 2800 sail of ships Rendesvouzed in the the Sea-towns of Holland Zealand and Friezland Grave Oastend and Newport are besieged and the Arch-Dukes Army is defeated Chimney-money and Excise is imposed the United States and the States-General Treat In the mean time the Arch Duke Albertus his Forces mutiny and are entertained by the United Provinces The Hollanders and the English engage the Spaniards at Sea the King of England that succeeded the Queen March 24. 1603. promising them fair in general termes whereupon Oastend and Sluce are taken and the States refuse all intercessions for peace especially since they defeated Spinola by Land and the Spanish Gallies by Sea After which the Arch-Duke Albert and his Wife Isabella in the name of the King of Spain declared them Free-states and in that capacity offered to Treat with them upon peace all the Princes of Christendom offering their Mediation onely the King of Spain's Aggreation as they call it was not clear and the 62 Articles containing their Priviledges were not moderate enough to be the ground either of a Treaty of peace or a Truce In fine These people being very intent upon the preservation of their Liberties and most prone to jealousie motion and surprizes being agitated by others passion and their own for those two great Dianaes Priviledges and Liberty of Conscience high-flown upon the Battel of Newport gotten by Sir Francis Vere refused Reason Notwithstanding the peace at Verven between the King of France and Spain which cut off half their assistance the difference between Embden and the Governour of Friezland that disturbed their Union the taking of Oastend Rhainbergh Grelen after three years siege and Sir Francis Vere's great endeavours to preserve it that weakned their Interest being grown great with the private Alliance of France and that more open of England their Trade to the Indies and their Piracies upon Spain until Spinola humbled John May the Provincial of the Franciscans perswaded and what is more then all this the King of Englands inclination to a good understanding with Spain frighted them into a twelve years Truce in a Treaty begun at Antwerp 1607. No sooner are they at peace without but having recovered the Cautionary Towns from the English by old Barnavel's cunning who as King Henry the 4th said was the ablest Statesman in Europe as far as his money went but their humours began to work among themselves Rebels are as troublesom to themselves when they have defeated their Soveraign as they were to him before their Predestination Points and the nicities of Priviledges engaging them to the great danger of the whole Government had not King James by his Embassadour Sir Ralph Wenwood very effectually interposed The King of Spain finding the observation of a great Lord upon the Truce true That assoon as the common Enemy was over they would fall by themselves set the Arch-Duke upon offering them the confirmation of the Truce into a Peace in case they would accept of his Soveraignty An overture they scorned so far that the Embassador in his way through Delph was almost stoned by the dregs of the people and assoon as the Truce was over utterly denying the prolongation of it they besieged Gulicke spoiled Brabant invited Mantsfield into East-Friezland and shrouded themselves in a League against the house of Austria with France England and Denmark c. making the Interest of Europe their security in defence of the lower Circle of the Empire took the Plate-fleet and what promised Wonders there being men in it that could dive under water and flie in the Air the Fleet of
That their Expences must be intollerable 5. That Holland would enjealous the rest of the Provinces or surprize them all which are now their confessed case Their Case in a War with us made out from the Causes moving the Queen of England to give Aâ—d to the defence of the peâ—ple Afflicted and Oppressed in the Low-Countreys 1. THe Natural Sâ—ituation of the Realm â—f England and the Low-Countreys one directlâ— opposite to the other and by reason of the ready crossing of the Seas â—nd multitude of large and Commodious â—avens an our side a constant Ira â—â—ck and Commerce between the people of England and the Low-Countreys continued in all antient times when the several Provinces were under their respective Lords 2. Such hath been the devendâ—nce of these poor people upon England that their Prelates Noble-men Citizens Burgesses and other Commonalties of their Port-towns entred into Obligations and Stipulâ—tions under their particular Seals from time to time to the good people of England for â—avours Affections and friendly Offices shewed towards them 3. Such was the necessity of Commerce between these two People that they have remonstrated to their Governours at several times That they could not subsist without a Commerce with England â—s to Philip Duke of Burgundy in H the 6th his time to his Son Duke Charles and Arch-Duke Philip in H. H. 7th his time and to Charls the 5th in King H. the 8th his time 4. Upon the often and continual Lamentable Requests made by the Universal States of the Countries of Holland Zealand Gelders and other Provinces for Succours in their Extreamityes we thought at to Aid those poor and distres-People Gent. How is it then things being so that they have been able to do so well hitherto as they have done SECT 4. The things that formerly advanced the Netherlands Trav. 1. EVrope hath been ever sâ—nâ—e a most Constâ—â—â—ly embâ—â—â—â—ed 2. They have had a Regular wâ—y by themsâ—lves of â—ax I mâ—an their Excise whereby the more they pâ—y â—he more they receive â—or what the souldiers receive in pâ—y they pay in â—rinkâ— theâ—r veâ—y Enemies though they hate the States yet love their Lâ—qâ—or and pay Excise Yea the most â—dle sloathfull and improvident that selleth his blood for drink and his flesh for bread serves at his own charge for every pay day he reckoneth with his Father and he with the common Purse 3. Pyracies whereby they have those Commodities in time of War in Gross which they have onely in time of Peace by Retail 4. They have formerly checked the Austrian power which is now low 5. They go out with less charge than other Nations their ships requiring fewer men and those men all sharing in the Design are contented with courser farâ— flesh among them being kept hot more dayes than a Pigg in Pye-corner it being their own case they go through all difficulties with patience so they husband all Expences with thrift 6. They eugrossed the Coyn of Europe carrying the Commodities of one Countrey into another 7. They have been hitherto allowed in England Denmark and Muscoâ—y to trade upon the best and sreest conditions 8. They kept in with England and its Protestant Allies 9. They have imployed all the poor that could work and provided for those that could not 10. They have had formerly Lombards or Loan houses where the poor have money upon any Pawn for a Reasonable Rate viz 6. in the 100. with Reasonable time of payment 11. Their Diet was course and of every mans own providing 12. They spent money formerly but now their time in drinking 13. They Trafficked for others superfluities but not their own 14. Their Apparel was plain and their Ambition onely upon Realities and Solidities 14. Their Lawes were strictly executed and no forfeitures left to the corrupt disposals of an Officer but all bestowed upon the Publick 15. Usury was a stranger to them every man laying out his Estate upon the Publick-traffick 16. No idleness there and therefore no thievery a fault more effectually restrained there by Whipping than here by Hanging 17. If any man gained there extraordinarily by money the tenth of his gain was the Common-wealths Usurers escaping not there as here 18. One undone by casuality they set up one cast to Prison the Creditor maintains one troubled with a shifting Adversary a quick tryal relieves 19. All men debated and all contributed to the Publick affairs as concerned both by advice and purse 20. Their Resolutions were secret and sudden 21. Their Industry hath been great and their Expences small they maintaining it for a Maxime That a thing lasts longer mended than new 22. Their Recreation hath been Warlickâ— and they have been to be souldiers before they were men 23. They have been a hardy and a head-strong people and you might sooner convert a Jew to Christianity turn an old Puritane than convince a Dutchman of Reason 24. Not a man of them but might have been a Statesman for they have all this gift not to be too nice-conscienced 25. They were seldom deceived for they trusted no body though every body must trust them 26. They love none but those they profit by 27. Complement is an idleness those brutish people were never skilled in they are half marred being Saylors and being Souldiers they are quite spoiled for there saith my Authour they would let a Jew build a City where Harlem-Mear is and after that couzen them of it 28. They have had a Religion and a Liberty of both which they were very zealous formerly and are as careless now 29. They have enjoyed the Easterlings trade in the North and ours in the East 30. Their watches were seldom of a Nation so that they could seldom concur to deliver up one Town 31. They were very strict upon Musters the list and the pole seldom disagreeing 32. Their souldiers are well Cloathed Armed Disciplined and paid the souldiers seldom any where committing fewer insolencies upon the people or the Officers fewer deceits upon the souldiers 33. Their General could not betray them his Army being composed of many several Nations his Officers not at his own but at the States disposal and his Commission never Implicitly left to his discretion but by reason their Countrey hath no great bounds he receives daily commands what to do 34. Discipline was thus Their Military Rules and Orders 1. THat no man shall swear or blaspheme upon pain of 5s the first offence five days imprisonment the second and a disbanding the third 2. That they shall pray prayers twice a week 3. That they play not at either Cards or Dice upon pain of two days imprisonment 4. That no Women follow the Souldiers but Wives Nurses and Landresses upon pain of Whipping 5. That none lay violent hands on Women with childe Virgins Babes or old Persons without Order 6. That Drunkards shall be discharged 7. Concealers of Treasons shall be racked 8. Correspondents with Enemies shall dye 9. None shall leave his Rank or File without
leave upon pain of death 10. He that sleeps at a Watch or bewrayeth the watch-word must dye 11. Mutineers and unlawful Assemblers shall dye 12. None shall Quarrel with a Souldier or lift up a sword against an Officer on pain of death 13. He that leaves his Post and Breach dieth 14. He that deserts his Captain or serveth under two shall be imprisoned during pleasure 15. He that imbezleth his Armour Provision or Furniture is discharged 16. He that steals any Souldiers Furniture fore-stalls any Victuals Exacts on the people abusâ—th Tradesmen shall dye 17. He that resist a Proclamation assists any Mâ—lefactor disturbs any Quarters sets on fire any Building within the Camp or without makes any false Alarms knavishly shall dye 18. No man shall neglect an Alarm entertain a stranger converse with Trumpeters or Messengers of the other side loyter with the Carriages or Forrage abroad without leave upon pain of suffering what the Marshal or chief Commander pleaseth 19 No Captain shall undertake any Enterprize or be absent from the Watch without Order from the General 20. Neither Souldier nor Captain shall dismiss sell or ransom any Prisoner or Booty beâ—ore he hath presented him or it unto his immediate Officer 21. Every Souldier shall stand by his Ensign day and night till ordered to depart and observe and learn the sound of Drums Fifes and Trumpets 22. No Beast shall be garbaged no Easement made but at a distance appointed from the Camp 23. Whosoever delivereth any place left to his charge or keeping flieth to the Enemy or passeth any other way either in Town or Camp but at the ordinary Gates without Order shall dye 24. No man shall as they March make any cry at all at the putting up of any hair c. All other offences that may tend to disorders not comprimised in the foresaid Rules shall be punished as the chief Commander shall think fit These are the several Particulars whereby they rose to this Grandeur and opulency whereof some have failed and the rest are not able to bear up that Government which they altogether erected Gent It being so obvious from these reflexions to conclude their weaknesse it were necessary their present Case and Controversie should be favourably staâ—ed to their Neighbours for compassion or assistance Trav. They are more unhappy in the ground of this present Quarrel than in any of the fore-mentioned particulars Gent. As how Sir Trav. Why first In reference to trade and Fishing in the narrow Seas The present state and Controversie between us and the Dutch ALl the world know that we have Right to the Narrow-Seas for the Seas that surround our Island whither the Scottish the British the Irish or German were possessed and secured by the Brittains who fished so much upon them that they furnished the Hilts of their Swords with such fishes teeth as they took and traded so considerably that none came amongst them but Merchants Those Seas were by them transmittâ—d with their countreyes to the Romans upon the Conquest who as they managed the Government of the Land by Presidents so they did that at the Sea by an Archigubernacy or chief Governour and Admiral who seâ—ured Commerce took Prizes looked on the Coasts of Spain Italy and Affrica it self After the Romans the Saxons succeeded to this Right and Dominion and commâ—nded the Sea under a Count of the Saxon shore i. e. whatever Pava ollus saith to the contrary the Sea-shore Octa and Ebista under Vortigerne and Hergist commanding these Seas the Saxons and Danes keeping a numerous Navy to that purpose by such Tributes and Duties as they imposed upon their Vassals particularly Dane-ghelt for the Guard of the Sea Edgar and Canutus styling themselves Soveraigns of the Sea The Right and Dominion of the Seas passed with this Nation to the Normans as appears 1. From their Government the custody of the Seas being under an Admiral by Commissions from the several Kings maintained by Tributes paid in consideration of the said custody 2. From their Right in all the Islands lying on the Sea before the French shore 3. From leave asked alwaies and granted to Forreigners by the English to pass thâ—se â—eaâ— And those that asked leave were the Kings of Denmark and Sweden the Hans Towns in Quern Elizabeths time Hollanders and Zealaâ—â—ers themselves not daring to fish before they asked leave of Scarborough and Kâ—ng James proclaiming May 6. 1610. That none fish upon the English or the Irish Sea without leave obtained and every year at least renewed from the Commissioners appointed for this purpose at London But 4. Our Right to the Sea appears from the Limits we set to such Forreigners as Moderators of the Sea as 〈◊〉 at enmity with one another and at amity with the English 5. From the Publick Records wherein the Dominion of the Sea is ascribed to the Kings of England by the King himself and the Estates of Parliament with very great deliberation and in such express words as these Lords of the English Sea on every side all people accounted us Soveraigns of the Seas That our Soveraign Lord the King and his Illustrious Progenitors being Lords of the Seas would impose a Tribute upon all strangers the Kings of England have by right of their Dominions been Lords of the Sea these are the words of all Europeâ— by their Commissioners at Paris and made Laws Statutes and Restraints of Arms upon them together with Admirals that they should preserve their Superiority over the same 6. From the Laws and most received Customs of England that make the Seas the Patrimony of Eng. and the King by the old custom of Engl. Lord of the Narrow-â—eas and his Soveraignty there so ancient that they make the four Seas to be equivalent with those words within or without the Kingdom De mer Apourtenant au Râ—â—d ' Angleterre The Sea belonging to the King of England 7. From the Coyn called Rose-nobles of which its said four things our Nobles sheweth to our King Ship Sword power of the Sea 8. From the custom of striking sail on our Coast time out of mind 9. From the Licenses granted upon their humble supplications to the French and Flemings with limitted number of Boats to fish upon our Coastâ— 10. From the Prerogative whereby all wrecks and Royal fishes as Whales Sturgeons c taken in our Seas are due to the King of England onely or unto such to whom by special Charter he grants the same Stat. Edw 3. 17. The state of the Controversies in point of Injuries and Affronts with the Vnited Netherlands Trav HOw they forced us to trade at second hand 1. In Ternata under their Fort Tabuche 3 In Motir 3. In Tidore 4. In â—alvan Hillo Amboyn 5. At Bunda 6. Poleway 7. The Coast of Cormandel near their Arsenal at Jacatra 8. Their chief places Bantham Japan Jamby though we directed them to all these places How they represented us as Pyrates there and when they had done any mischief said they were Englishmen untill for our safety we were fain to distinguish our selves from them by the solemnity of Novemb. 17. and 5. How they contrived to blow up our Warehouses forbad us all Commerce upon Queen Eliz. her death made all Christians so odious that the first Question asked in those parts was Are you Flemmings How they seized our Yards Wharfs c. giving order to kill every Englishman that would not swear fealty to them upon the erecting of their Fort at Banna intending to put all English in an old ship and blow it up How they search and stop our ships give out that they are under a King Make us pay them Custom at Bantham How they seized our ships at Poâ—eway though the Island was given our King leading our men about streets with Halters about their necks and an Hour glass before them intimating that after that ran out they should be hanged How though the Mogul would not look on them till Sir Tho. Roe assured him they were our Friends they seized our Poleroon 1617 suborning the Slaves to burn our ships loading our men with Irons dismembring some setting others in their wounds in hard Grates wherein their Legs swelling so that they could go neither in nor out without a Carpenter pissing over their heads in Dungeons every morning and allowing them but a half-penny loaf and a pinte of water a day How it was proved at Jacatra that the States were seven years a plotting a War between the English and the Dutch at the Indiâ—s threatning likewise to land 60000 men in 24000 Flat-boats in England How they carried us in Cages from Port to Port boasting that our King was their Vassall How though between 1577 when we assisted them first in their Indian trade and 1625 they got 1500 Tuns of Gold in Private hands besides 400 in Common they used us in Amboyna They disputed our Right to the Sea stopped our entrance to and Trade at Bantham Scanderooâ— Guinee Angola c. burned â—â—ur Factories at Jambee How they surprized us at Guinee abused us in the restoring of the Island Polaroon which they have promised from time to time since 1622. How they gave us Law in the New Netherlands a spot of ground they held of us by curtesie How they put our men in nasty Dungeons at Castledelmina to lye in their own Excrements having not bread and water enough to sustain Nature leaving the living and the dead after exquisite tortures to lye together Injuries these with Infinite more of the like nature to the value of 600000l in goods being aggravated with their preparations for War to maintain them even when His Maâ—esty for three years together solicited them to justice and peace that make it evident to the World that War which is defined The state of two Parties contending by publick force about right and wrong is become necessary to us since equity is denyed and that we must put our affairs to the order of force when they dare not come to the Test of the Law Insomuch that I conclude That as few will pity this ill-natured and unhappy People at the end of the War as incourage them in the beginning of it FINIS