( PDF ) The True Interest and Political Maxims of the Republic of Holland

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THE TRUE

'INTEREST

-:' AND

:: Political Maxims,

OF THE

Republic of HOLLAND.

FIZ.

I, Of the Nature, Produ_, and /a_d in Rehtlon to foreign

Advantages of Idol/and. PrincesandStates.

II. Of the Fiihing-Trade, &c. IX. That a frte Navigation

of Holmnd. ought to be kept.

III. Why heavy Taxes have X. Of A!!iances, partlcularl7

not drove the Filhing-Trade, with England.

&c. out of Hd_nd. XI. That HolldndpunderaStad-

_V. Of the antient State of ho/der,was in continual Broils

Manufa_ureh Filheries, and and Tumults.

/_avigationin Eurqt. XII. That Hal&rid,daring its

V. That I'M/and is a richer free Government, is very

merchandizingCountry than well able to rcfi/_all foreign

everwas in the World. Power.

VL That all MonopOliesare XllLThatttol/and. unitedwith

prejudicialto Holland. Utrecht only, is able to de-

VII. The great Advantagesof fend herfelfagain_ allthe Po-

Colonies to ltolla_l, tentates of thc World, L:c.

VIII. Of the lntere_ of Hal- &c. &c.

Written by that greatStatefman and Patriot,

yo HN :Deg"x_r_,

Ga^N_-P_ssxosz_ of IIOLI..,4ND.

Tranflated from the Original Dutch.

To which is prefixed, (n_tr _ort p'i,ted)

HXSTORIe^L MpMoxas of the IlluPa'ious Brother_

CORNELIUS and _OHN de WIT_

B.v Joan C.MP_LL, _fg;

LONDON:

]Printedfor J. NouRsz, at the Lamb, oppo/it¢

K4tl_eria¢.Strcet, in the Strand, x746.

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THE

PREFACE.

IF-I"_ I S now full ten years, fince

the infinitely wife and good

God, in the courfe of his

over-ruling providence,was pleafed to

vifit me with afiti&ionswhich pro-

duced fuch melancholy thoughts in

me, that if they had continued might

have proved fatal to my health. But

beeaufethings par cannot be amended

by forrowor complaint,I accounted it a

part of wifdom to compofe the dif-

order of my mind, by applying my

thoughts to thingli more agreeable.

And whereas from my tender year_

I had been delighted with nothing

more than the ftudy of hiftory_ phi-

lofophy and political government, I

loon concluded that one of there

would be very much conducing to

my prefent purpofe and recreation,

A z And

iv _e P R E F A C E.

And whil_ I was deliberating

w th my felf about the choice,

I was defired by rome good friends

to let down m writing fuch poli-

tical thoughts as I had at feveral

times communicated to them. Partly

therefore for my own fake, and partly

for the fatisfa_ion of thole to whom

I owed the greate_ deference, I un-

dertook, among other things, to con-

fider the fundamental maxims of tho

republic of Holland and IP'ejt-Frief-

land.

There thoughts drawn up in

hare, and without the leaflc orna-

ment of language, I caufed to be

tranfcribed for the ufe of thole fri6nds

who had prevailed with me to write

them, and of rome others, who hav-

ing a part in the government of our

n,-ttlvecountry, ftand obliged to pro-

mote the publick welfare, and confe-

que_t/y to enquire into the means con-

ducing tothat end. And 1 doubted

not that if any thing let down in

thole papers thould be etteemed fer-

viceable to nay country, they would

upon

7"be P RE FACE. v

Upon occafion offer'd, make ufe of

it to advance the publick interefL

But Contrarytomy expe&ation, acopy

of this rough and imperfe& draught,

fell into the hands octhole, who with-

out my knowledge gave itto a printe,

iia order to be publithed to the world.

And this I found to be done by

perfons of an eminent chara&er, who

not only condei_ended to perufe my

papers, but alfo to firike out rome

things and to add divers others, in par-

cular the 29th and 3oth chapters of

that edition, treating of the reafons

_w_y the liberty enjoyed in Holland

fince the death of the prince of

Orange hath produced no moregood ;

and what publick advantages have

already rifen from the free govern-

ment. And indeed the f_ile of there

additions, as well as the fubje&,

plainly difcovers, that whatever had

been altered, added or diminithed,

was done by perfons of fo great and

profound knowledge of all affairs re-

lating to the united Netherlands and

goverm_nt of Holland, that they

A 3 feem

vi _e P RE FACE.

feem to have tranfa&ed all thole

things themfelves, or at leafi to have

been the principal perfons concem'd

in them.

But when the printer, in hopes of ]

more profit, had furreptitioufly re-

printed this imperfe& work, which

was never defigned for the prefs, I

refolved carefully to review it, to

make divers additions, and to reduce

the whole into a better order ; and

haviug kept it by me about nine years

(the full time prefcribed by one of the

mof_ judicious among the * antients)

to print and Fublifh it to the worM.

And becaufe the additions above-

mentioned havebeen highly efteemed

by many, and are accounted by me

to beof great moment, I fhall incor-

porate them without alteration in

this impreffion, which I own exclu-

five of all other, and iafert them in

the fifth and fixth chapters of the

third pa,t. I/hall likewife omit all

fuch matters as were expunged, out

of the fingular deference I owe to the

judgment

_' Nonumqueprcmaturin annum. Hot,

The P R :E F A C :E. vii

judgment of thole who did rne that

_&vour.

To the truth of this I think my

felf obliged to add, that I was never

difobliged by any monarch, prince,

or great lord, much lefs byany ofthe

family of Orange : neither have I

ever received any particular favour

from the governoursof any free ttate,

or defire any. Sothat it would bean

apparent deviation from truth to af-

firm, that this work was undertaken

with adefign either to flatterthegover-

hours of tbis greae and. powerfulcom-

monwealth, or to difhonour the me-

mory of the princes of Orange, who

were formerly captains general and

ttadtholders of there prov!nces. As if

my intention had been only to ff.ew

that the monarchical adrninittration

of thole princes was more prejudicial

to Holland, than that of any other

could have been.

On the contr_y, the ferviee of

my ¢otmtry, which 1 value above all

human concernments, was the only

thing I had in view when 1 wrote

A 4- there

viii _r& p R E F A G E.

there papers. I am no flavifh cour-

tier, who can be unconcerned for the

welfare of his country, and learns

to fpeak or be filent, as beil pleafes

his mailer. I am a true Hollander

who alwayscallsafpade afpade, and

hates allindire&paths. ThatI might

therefore be in rome meafure fervice-

able to my country and friends, and

like a good citizen inilru& fuch as

perhaps have lefs experience, 1 have

endeavouredto inquire into the true

intereil and maximsof our republick,

and to follow the thread of truth to

the utmoil of my po_-er.

And fince all men know that the

prefer,cation and profperity of a

country depends upon fuch a go-

vernment as is confiilent with it-

felf ; and reafon informs us, that

the welfare of Holland is founded

upon rnanufaequres, fifhery, rra_

and navigation, I tbink myfelf obli-

ged particularly to confider thole

means of fubfiilance and pillars of

the flare, with rome obfervations

upon the lategovernment of a _adt-

holder

_e P R E FACE.

holder and captain general, which

rome ignorant and mif_aken Hollan-

ders t_ill defire.

This did at firft bring me under

rome uneafinefs, becaufe thefe united

NetheHands, and particularly the

province of Holland and [4r¢fl-Frief-

land, having had no other ttadthol-

ders and captains general, except the

princes of Orange and Naffau, I

doubted not that many ignorant and

difaffe&ed perfom, more inclined to

the increafe of a prince's power, than

to the freedom and profperity of their

country and themfelves, would not

fail to fay, that I had written this

treatife with no other defign than to

traduce and calumniate thofe illuttri-

ous houfes. But when I eonfidered,

that no difficulties ought to difcourage

a man from performing his duty,

and that ill men, as well as ill things,

were to be * reiitted, I refolved to

go on, without any regard to thole

who had always oppofed the liberty

of this country, and to write for the

common

Tune cedemalis_fed contra audientior ito. Virg.

x T_e PREFACE.

common good,tim"great namestlaould

happen to beconcerned.

At leatt I mayjuttly fay, that ia

all that I have written either for my

fell, or my friends of the magiftraey

and others, touching thefe weighty

matters, I have always avoided and

abhorred the flatteriesof romewriters,

which I think not only defirue°civeto

nations, but to reafon iffelf; and

could never offerviolence to my judg-

ment, or flavifhly lay afide my pen.

For a good man ought in due time

and ptaeeto fpeakthe truth in the

caufe of his country, tho' with the

hazard of his life,

I conceivethe publication of there

papers cannot be blamed, unle_ by

thole, who maintain the monarckical

power of the princes of Orange to

' have been fo great in Halland and

l/_ea/t-FrieJland, that the flaadowoac

it iqillremaining among us, ought to

be fuf_cient to deter all men from

writing any thing agaim°cthe intereflc

of that power, or to the difadvantage"

of any perfons of that family, tho

irt

_e PREF_ICE. xi

in other refpe&s highly tending to

the publick fervice.

But if this were our care, we might

confer, that no country ever fell into

greater flavery than Holland lay un-

der during the ferviceand government

of thofe princes. Which I conceive

our greatef_ admirers of monarchical

government wilt not allow, becaufe

they ufed to extol the laid princesfor

affitting the f_ates to refif_ the king

of Spain, in order to deliverthis coun-

try from oppreilion, and not to exalt

themfelves into his place; comparing

them to girginius Rufus, who ha-

ving £uppreffedthe tyrannyof Vinde,,

defired only the following words tob

engraven on his monument ;

Here lies Virg. Rufus, whoexpdl'd

the tyrant, notfor $imfelf_ bu_

for his countrj.

Prince William and his fon might

in like manner have commandedtheir

heirs to caufe this their immortal at-.

chievement

7_e PRE FACE.

cbievement to be engraven on their

tomb,

Here lies ..... _vt_oa_ed to de-

fend his country again_ our earl

Philip II. king of Spain, in or-

der to deliver us from fe_'vitude_

and not to be our ma_er ;

if the f_ates general had not order'd

more words to be added, tho' to the

fame effe_, which may be feen upon

a marble monument ere_ed at Delft

16zo.

But becaufe I truf_ my country will

not fuffer herfelf to be brought under

the like intolerable fervitude, at leaPt

not in this age, I have prefumed to

fpeak of the true interefi and maxims

of Holland as far as I thought ne_.f-

fary. And this after the confidera-

tion and mature deliberation of divers

years, Ihave delivered to be printed,

not without the knowledge and al-

lowance of my natural fuperiors, the

t_ates of Holland and PP'ejqFriejland.

75e P RE/_'A'C_:. xiii

I have always been, and fiill con-

tinue to be a lover of the princes of

Orange, both as they were men, and

as far as their a&ions might tend to

the advantage of Holland and the ref_

of the United Provinces. I willingly

acknowledge that prince ICilliam the

firf_, with his £ons Maurice and

He._.ry, have generally been ePceemed

in there countries as men endued with

noble and princely virtues, and ble-

mi_ed with few monarchical vices.

For hiPcory informs us that prince r_r_.

H.rilliam I. in the r zth year of _" _ti,_-NIS glio.

age, by the laf_ will of Rme de Gkaa- va°

lons, became heir to all h'_ va_ pof- ahad-

feflions : that at twelve he was placed

by his father in the fervice of the em-

peror CloarlesV. as his page, in order

to fecure that great inheritance to

himfelf, by complying in the point

of religion, and gett.ng the favour of

the emperor. Ey this means he be-

came fo acceptable to Charles, that

he found no difficulty to take poffef-

fion of thole great revenues m due

time. We are alfo told that he car-

ried

_v T_e P R F_FACE.

tied himfelf with much prudence and

evennefsof temper aswell in adverfity

as profperity ; that he had a good

underf_anding, a tenacious memory,

and a magnanimous fpirit ; was not

at all infolent, but rather modefi, af-

fable, and of eafy accei_, by which

he gained the good-will of all fortsof

men. In ihort, we are inform'd that

he was a perfon of few words, and

knew very well how to conceal both

his thoughts and his paflions, tho' he

defigned to purfue them with the

utmoft confiancy. He is laid to

havebeen neither cruel nor covetous;

not wafting his time in gaming or

hunting, but on the contrary, free

from moil of thole vicesthatreign irt

the courts of princes.

Concerning prince tVIaurice the

hit}onans of that time lay, that his

elder brother Philip then living, and

by virtue of the will of Rene d_"C_aa-

lons, as well as in the right of his

mother, and that of primogeniture,

claiming the inheritance of his father,

asneceffarily devolved to him, he fo

acquainted

_e PREFACE. xv

acquaintedhimfelf during thetroubles

of the Netherlands, with all manly

and princelyexerci(_, that he became

a perfon of great ability. And tho"

at the death of his father he exceeded

not the age of 17 years, had no rums

of money in flock, law his father's

efiate encumbredwith manyand great

debts, and his own affairs as well as

thofe of there countries in a very low

condition ; yet being naturally of

great penetration and fagacity, pru-

dent, frugal and laborious, he over-

came all thole difficulties, and was

not blemifhed with many court vices;

not delighting in mufick, dancing,

hunting, gluttony or drinking.

As to prince Henry, his elder bro-

thers Philip and Maurice were heirs

to the paternal ettate and lordfhips

which his father left, and the latter

poffeffedall the great officesof prince

William in this country (except the

fiadtholderflaip of Friefland and Gro-

ningen,, which fell to his nephew

117illiamLodowick) fo that there was

little appearance during his youth,

that

xvi 7_e P RE F A C AL

that he thould ever have been advan-

ced to thole honours he attained to,

and therefore it muff be acknow-

ledged, that the courtiers had little rea-

fon to corrupt him in his education.

This prince was forty years of age

before he was advanced fiom the

command of colonel of the horfe, to

take poffeffion of the great offices, or

rather monarchical power that had

been introduced by ways of violence

into the government of Gue/der/and,

Holland, Utrecht, and Overyffel; and

might have learned by the confpiracy

which had been formed againft his

brother upon thole alterations, tha_

the fovereign power of there province8

might be fooner and more certainly

obtained by real or at leafi feeming

virtues, than by opening force and

avowed vices ; becaufe the legal ma-

gifirates and the inhabitants of there

countries had not yet been accufiom-

ed to commend all the vices and ble-

mithes of princes for virtues. 'Tis

therefore laid in praife of prince

Henry, that he was affable and cour-

teOUS_

7"3e P R E F X C E. _ii

teous, of a good underfianding and

great application to bufinefs; and

ufed not to mifpend his time in the

pleafures and luxury fo common in

courts. And thefe three princes ha-

ving had a better education, and a

more free and ufeful converfation

with men than other monarchs and

princes ufually have, they became

more commendable and better mo-

narchs and princes, than they would

otherwife have been.

And if, notwithRanding all this,

any one will go about to afperfe the

!ires, fervices and government of there

deferving monarchs, as if they were Hoord.

common ; and maintain that prince"St_a,.Rheid.

kFilliam I. was much addic"ted to

drinking after the German manner ;

if they fhould accufe him of inconti-

nency and riot in keeping fuch a court

as very much impaired his eRate, in

order to procure creatures to favour

his ambitious defigns ; whilft prcffed

by ambition on one fide, and want

on the other, he ufed all kind of arts

to make himfelf lord of there pro-

b vinces,

xviii St'he P R E F At 6"E.

vinces, in prejudice to the king of

Spain, whole right he who was his

ftadtholder f_ood obliged to main-

tain, or elfe to lay down his commif-

fion, fomenting our intet_ine difor-

ders, that he might render himfelf

fovereign of all the Netherlands, and

more efpecially of thole parts which

were under his own government.

And tho' this might be excufed by

laying, that * illuflrious ambition,

accompanied with poverty, may vio-

late laws and equity : yet his three

fons Philip, Maurice, and Henry,

can hardly be jufiified, who mutu-

ally engaged in the year 1609 to take

poffettion of their paternal and ma-

ternal et_ates, and to divide them

equally, with the exclufion of all

their fit_ers and creditors, who had

any juf_ pretences upon their father's

efiate.

Neither can there hard(hips be ex-

cured or removed, by alledging that

at the inftance of there princes, the

Pcates

Si violandum eft jus, regnandi caufa violan-

dum eft. _urip.

St'hePREFACE. xix

fiates of t_heUnited Provinces were

moved to allow their fif_ersan annual

penfion, and the creditors of the fa-

ther recommended to the fame flares

for payment. For we cannot from

hence infer any great virtues of there

princes, but only the goodnefs, gene-

rofity, and bounty of the flares gene-

ral, and efpecially of the flares of

Holland and _Uejq-Friefland.

But to return, if it be laid that

prince Maurice was not only fcanda-

loufly incontinent, but withal fo am-

bitious, that forgetting what he ow'd

to the province of Holland, and to

the befit patriots in the Leiceflrian

times, who next under God was the

principal caufeof hisfafety and future

greatnefs, he took away his life in

a moil unwarrantable manner, and

c.ontrary to the laws of that pro-

vmce.

Laflly, If any man _ould accufe

prince Henry of flaameful lewdnefs,

and affirm that when he had inheri-

ted the vail poffeitions of his two

brothers, and been advanced to all

b o_ thole

xx _r_SeP R E FACE.

thole great and profitableofflces which

prince Maurice had enjoyed, he be-

came riotoufly profufe and extrava-

gant in his expences : that he mani-

fetted his infatiable ambition on ma-

ny occafions, by affuming much

more power than ever had been con-

ferred on him, intruding himfelf into

,a_.. the ttadtholderfhip of Groningen in

the year I64% and wretting the fur-

vivorfhip of that of FrieJland from

his own nephew count l/Villiam ;

more efpecially by taking the field

for fo many years together with vatt

armies, at a prodigious expence, to

make his own name famous by con-

quet_, tho' to the prejudice and op:

preflion of Holland ; and this in or-

der to make himfelf or his fon love-

reign of thefe provinces. I fay, if

fuch things flnould be laid, fome men

would return the following anfwer.

Such accufers ought to know that

the princes of Orange, who are men

and not angels, fhould not be blamed

for fuch faults as are common to all

men, or at leafi to thole of great

birth_

5r3e P R E F A 6' E. xxi

birth, together with all fuch as are

advanced to the greater dignities.

Inferior lords ufually and without

fcruple take poflhffion of their pater-

nal efiates without paying any debts ;

and all young and healthy men are

violently inclined to women. Be-

tides, 'tis not jui_ to require modera-

tion in the fons of princes ; and in-

deed two of there having either ne-

ver married at all, or not 'till they

arrived to a confiderable age, could

not be guilty of fo great a crime as if

they had been engaged in marriage.

As to the profufion and excels of

drinking ufed in their court, to the

great diminution of its revenues, 'tis

a thing fo univerfally prad'tifed, efpe-

cially art the Northern parts, that

none of there princes ought to be

fo much blamed for it, as prince

Maurice deferves to be commended

for the frugality and fobriety of his

family.

And we have no reafon to wonder

at the ingratitude of the laid prince,

but on the contrary ought rather to

b 3 wonder

xxii _r_ep R E F A 6" E.

wonder that any wife man, after ho

has obliged princes in the highelt

manner, ihould expe_ any better re-

compence, fince reafon and experi-

ence, with all the hif_oriesof antient

and modern times, do unanimoufly

teach us, that no other rewards are to

be expe&ed from kings and princes

for extraordinary fervices. For prin-

ces beingperfuaded that their inferiors

are alwavs bound to do them much

more fervice than they perform, it

would be a rare and unexampled

thing to find one who fhould think

himfelf obliged to any. And if by

chance a prince of fuch underffand-

ing were found, he would hardly like

fuch a benefa&or, and for that very

reafon fend him out of the world

upon the fir_ fair opportunity.

And therefore if the words of

Louife princefs of Orange, may be

taken for true, '_ That the fervices

" and good officesperformed by the

" advocate Barnefelt to the houfe of

" Orangeand 1Vaffau, were fo great,

_ that he had a&ed not only like a

" friend

Z_e P R E F A G E. xxfii

" friend but a fa_er, and that the

" family was obliged to acknowledge

" all they had received from thole

'_ of Holland to have been procured

" by his means ;" then, according to

the.ufual courfe of things of this na-

ture, neither he nor the provinc_ of

Holland ought to have expe&ed any

other reward than they received.

Laflly, concerning the ambition of"

there princes, 'tis well known that all

men fpread the fails to a fair wind.

Ambition in princes meets always with

applaufe ; and when they either en-

croach upon a free people, or advance

their conquefts by fuccefsful wars

abroad, they are exalted to the hea-

vens, filled always augufl, enlargers

of their empire, and the moil glo-

rious of monarchs. And many will

be ready to fay that the princes of

Orange deferve as much praife for in-

creating their authority in the govern-

ment of there countries, as indu_rious

merchants for their ingenuity in aug-

menting their eftates by navigation

and trade. For the whole bufinefs

b 4 and

xxiv 7"be P R E F A C E.

and employment of princes confiRs

in endeavouring to increafe their

power.

If any man fay, that as fraudulent

merchants are to be abhorred with all

their profits and ill-gotten goods, fo

deceitful and tyrannical princes ought

not to be commended for their fuc-

cefsful frauds and violences ; 'r.isan-

fwered, that princes are not ufually

efteemed for their truth, jufiice and

integrity, like other men, but for

-_ their power, and knowledge how to

exert both force and fraud upon a

happy conjunc%re.

For an inftance of this, Pi_ilip the

fecond of Spain, by fixing his refi-

dence in that kingdom, and calling

home 4.000 Spaniards, who were

the only military force he had in thefe

provinces, gave a fair opportunity to

PPWliam prince of Orange, who was

then in the vigor of his years, and

about 30, poffeffed of a raft effate,

and by the king made f_adtholder of

Holland, Zealand and Utrecht, to

engage the t_ates, together with the

in-

The P R E F A G E. xxv

inferior magifirates and other inha-

bitants in his party. On the other

hand, the laid prince had great

opportunities to make himfelf mailer

of thefe countries, becaufe the ilates

themfelves, as well as the inferior ma-

gifirates and commonalty, had been

for many years opprefs'd under their

lords of the houfes of Burgundy and

Auflria ; none had experienced the

happinei_ enjoyed under a free Rate,

and few underttood the advantages of

a republic above the government of a '

tingle perfon. So that he had great

caufe to hope he might not only with-

draw himfelf from the obedience he

ow'd to his mailers, but bring the

ttates themfelves under his power, to-

gether with all the inferior gover-

nours and inhabitants of there pro-

vinces, which would certainly have

happened in the year 1584, if the hand

of a murderer had not put an end to

his life.

However the princes of Orange

have underttood fo well how to ma-

nage their own affairs, as to obtain

n-vi 7"he P R E F AI G E.

an increafe of power to be conferred

upon them from time to time under

colour of necefllty, or this failing,

to break through all rights, privileges

and laws, and yet deferred not fo

much blame, as the ttates and infe-

rior magittrates, who were intrutted

with the government of there coun-

tries, andwho, bymaking four of thole

princes captains general for life, fo ill

maintained and preferred the free and

legal government, that nothing could

be denied to them, without hazard-

ing that liberty, or rather flaadow of

freedom, which they feemed yet to

ffefs. Unlefs perhaps one might

y, and prove by former experience,

as well as by latter complaints of our

inhabitants, that the power of the

captains-general and ftadtholders has

been fo great, even from the begin

ning of our troubles, by reafon of

their numerous adherents, together

with the common people and Ptand-

hag army, that men may more rea-

fonably wonder, how the fiates of

Holland and [4Ze_-27riefland have fo

often

773e P R E F.4 6'E. xxvii

often adventured to {hew their zeal

to maintain their legal government

and liberties, with the apparent ha-

zard of their livesand efiates.

If there things are true, the reader

may conclude, that if the Rates of

Holland and [¢r_-Friefland, with

the inhabitants, manufa_ures, fiflaery,

trade and navigation, have been into-

lerably burdened, and yet greatly

neglected and difcouraged during the

power of thole officers ; whilPcHol-

land in the mean time was left with-

out defence either by leaor land, tho'

neeeflitated to take up incredible rums

of money at interefi to carry on their

ambitiousdefigns: I think I have to

my power declined to publifh the de.

fe&s of the princes of Orange, finee

I make no other than a general men-

tion of their infatiable defire of domi-

nion, which has exhaufted our trea-

lure, and weakened the frontiers as

well as the inland cities of the pro-

vince of Holland.

Betides,

xxviii 7he P R E F_/6" E.

Befidesit ishoped aprudent reader will

eafily conceive what pernicious effe&s

might be expe&ed from a fuccefllon

of fuch princes in the government of

Holland, and at the fame time con-

fider, whether the late prince [tlil-

liam would not have proved another

monarch both in his life and govern_

ment, if God, who is our deliverer,

had not taken him away before the

25th year of his age ; fince he, being

the eldef_ fon of his father, was to

inherit his vatt poffefiions and princely

dignities : and to this end in the year

16_ I, before he had attained the age

of five years, he was placed among the

governours of the United Provinces,

who feemed unwillingly willing to give

up the liberty of their country ; and

in all refpec_s to be able, willing and

neceflitated to bear an univerfal fla-

very, by granting and promifing to a

child the future fucceffion of all his

father's offices ; and whether the laid

prince l_illiam the fecond, who was

continually converfant with foreig-

ners,

273g P R E F At 6' E. xxix

hers, and other flavifh courtiers, had

any better education or converfation

with men than other ordinary mo-

narchs ufe to have : or whether, after

the reverfion of the fladtholderfhip

of Friefland had been taken from

count William, in order to qualify

the prince to obtain the elde_ daugh-

ter of the king of Great-Britain in

marriage, this prince would not of

neceflity have been fovereign of thefe

United Netherlands.

An undert_anding reader will alfo

confider, whether our late Radthol-

der of Holland and Wefl-Friefland

had not fpent his time in fuch a

manner, tho' he died before the =5th

year of his age, as to furni(h me

with abundant matter of writing, if

I were inclined to publifh the ble-

miflaes of his life and fhort govern-

ment ; and whether I have not fpo-

ken of him with as much regard

and temper as my defign of ex-

plaining the intereR of Holland

would permit : and I conceive on this

fubjea

xxx 77_e P R E F A G E.

fubjeOcI have fully manifefted my

moderation.

But to return from this long di-

greffion; the reader is &fired im-

partially to read this book, which

was written by me not only with a

compofed and fedate mind, but with

a fincere affe&ion to trut.h and to my

country : and by weighing and con-

fidering what is here laid concerning

the true maxims and intere_ of

Hollanit, he will be able to judge

whether I have effe&ed my defign.

And if he thinks otherwife, I &fire

him however m believe that I have

ufed the belt of my endeavours to

that end; and contenting my felf

to have done what I could, I think

I cannot but deferve thanks from

my native country, for exciting by

this attempt rome abler hand to

re&ify my miRakes, and finith the

work.

And tho' the matters treated in

this book have been carefully weighed

< and confidered fince tlm year t662,

and

The P R E F Ar6' E. xxxi

and indeed fo much altered and en-

larged, as to make the whole com-

pontion to feem new ; yet I would

not have any reader think that I be-

lieve it muf_ of neceflity pleafe him ;

fince in rome refpe&s I myfelf am

not contented with it, and particu-

larly becaufe it fell too hardily at

firf_ from my pen: and tho' after-

wards it was maturely confidered

and review'd, yet many pieces were

inferred, accommodated and fitted

to feveral parts, as well as my leifure

would give me leave, whilf_ I

wanted _ither time or application to

perufe the whole, as if it had not

been compofed by me, or to invent

and write with more order and me-

thod.

So that there is reafon to believe

that divers accidents may give oc-

cation to review this fubjec°c, which

concerns the profperity of the mo_

powerful republic at this day in the

world. Which that it may be done

fuccefsfully, may our gracious God

grant

xxxii 273eP R E F At 6"E.

grant us fuch happy times, as may

encourage men, both in public and

private, to conceive and write what-

ever (hall tend to the fervice of our

native country.

ME-

Ioe

MEMOIRS

CORNELIUS DE WITT and

J OliN DEWITT,

From their Entrance on the Aclmi-

nit'ration of P u BLIc A FF AIRs in

Holland, to the Time of their

Unfortunate Deaths.

F fame be a reafonable incentive to pa-

triotifm, it may be £afely averred, that

there is no virtue to which it is£ofirmly

attached. For if it ever happens, that

the people are mad enough to mi_ake it in one

age, there miftakes are amply over paid by the

tribute of"praffe and gratitude offer'd bypofte-

rity in the next. This we tee in the famouscare

of the Athenian patriot Pbocion, in the hiftory

of the illuftrious Gracchi ; and in the celebra-

ted brethren of whom I am to fpeak, who

fell /hort of the Greek and Roman hero's in

nothing, and who go beyond them in this,

that they lived fo lately as toleave us without

doubt, as to their true charac"ters, which it

_all bethe bufine£sof the following pages to

explain; with due re£pe_ to truth, and to

c thc

Xxxiv Memoirs of C o R NELI Us

the facred memory of there martyrs in the

noble caufe of Liberty a.

Cornelius and Yohn De Witt were the fons

of a very worthy _and honefi citizen of Dort,

who as he had reafon to glory in being their

father, £o he might juitly think it his misfor-

tune to "outlive them as he did. His name

was _acob de Witt, and he had given incon-

tei_ibie proofs of his integrity and abilities both

as a member of the /_ates, and in the feveral

embaffies in which he had been employed

before he was railed to the dignity of burgo-

maiter of Dort and deputy to the fiates of

Holland. In this capacity we find him in the

year 165o , when his highnefs William II.

prince of"Orange thought fit to arreft him and

five other Deputies whom he lent prifoners

to the carrie of Louvefldn, for no other crime

than that of endeavouring to free their coun-

try from the heavy burthen of taxes and im-

pofitions with which flae was oppreffed, under

colour of public neceffity, but in reality to

promote and fecure the intereft of the ftadt-

holder _; and fi'om hence the Dutch patriots

were denominated, by the friends of the

boule of Orange, the Louveflein Fabian. Their

ithprifonrnent however did not laft long, a

method being found to compromize matters

with his highnefi', at leait for the prefent,

The reader will perceive, that not only the genera/hilio-

rles of fi,_W/and, have been confialted in this work, but alfo all

the private memoirs and other pieces which contain any au-

thentic acccunt of the tranfa6tions mentioned therein.

o Wiquefort, lib iii. iv. Le Clerc. HiRoire des Provin¢ies,

unies lib, 13. De la Neuville lib. x.

and John Dz WITT. XXXV

in confequence of which the prifoners were

difcharged upon a voluntary demiffion of their

offices, by which their perfons were deli-

vered out of danger, and the prince of Orange

freed from the apprehenfions he had enter-

tained of their influence.

This extraordinary a& of power however,

with rome others, of which the reader will

find very clear and impartial accounts in the

fucceeding work would probably have been

attended with confequeaces fatal to the very

being of the republic, if the death of the prince,

which happened on the I3th of November

x65o d, had not given a new turn to affairs, /

and enabled the popular party in Holland to

put the government into fuch hands as they

thought fittett for rettoring their affairs, by

leffening the debts and taxes with which the

people were loaded, and introducing fuch a

fpirit of liberty as is neceffary to fupport a fiee

commonwealth, which had been in a great

meafure ffifled under the adminiitration of

the laff princes of Orange, and "Milch was

chiefly effe&edby the courage, wifdom and vigi-

lance of there two brothers, of whole tempers,

capacities and other perfonal qualifications we

will endeavour to give a fllort and clear ac-

count.

Cornelius de kKitt was born on the 25th

of_une 1623. His perfon was very agreea-

ble, and he had an air of majefty in his looks

c 2 which

¢ Lion Retabli par Airzma, p. 85.

a The Reader will find paffages relating to tMs matter in i'e.

veral parts of the book, but particularly m the preface, and in

the Jd chapter of th¢ third part.

x,xxvi Memoirs of Co _ s z x._v s

which very well became the employments he

afterwards filled. His temper was very lively,

his parts quick, his judgment penetrating,

and his eloquence warm and unaffe&ed. He

difcovered in his youth a great genius for aca-

demical exercifes ; when he grew up he ap-

plied himfelf to the t_udy of the law, and

amufed himfelf with looking into martial af-

fairs. He afterwards travelled to improve his

natural talents, and give the laft polifh to his

education, which having effec"tuallydone, he

returned home in I65o , and married Made-

moifelle Mary deBerkel, daughter to the re-

ceiver-general of the province of Holland.

Soon after the death of prince 14/illiamII. he

came into the management of affairs, being

advanced to the dignity of burgo-ma/_er of"

Z)ort, deputy to the affembly of the Ihtes of

Holland and IUefl-FriejIand, Ruard, that is,

governor and intendant of the dikesof the

county of Putten, bailiff of tteyerland, inten-

dant of the dikes of the country of Meerker-

ken, and curator of the univerfity of Leyden _.

But of all his titles he is belt known by that

of Ruard l/an Putten, by which he is called

in molt of the Dutch hiltories, to diffingui/h

him from his brother the penfionary, of

whole chara&er we are next to fpeak.

_ohn de Witt was born the z sth of Sep-

tember I6z 5. He had in his infancy a feri- i

oufnet_ in his counterance and manners that

was very fingular. He applied himfelf to his

£tudies

Hil_oirede Ia tie et de la mort des de0x illafires frercs

Corneille& Jean d¢ With Vol. I. p. z3I

and JoHN _ WIrT. xx_ii

t_udies with incredible diligence, and the

quicknefs of his parts, joined to an indefatiga-

ble indut_ry, rendered him, in the very be-

ginning of his life, the wonder of all who

knew him. Yet with all this _eadinet_ and

love of learning, he joined not only the ac-

compliflaments proper for a gentleman, by

being perfec_y verfed in his exercifes, but

whenever he thought fit to unbend himfelf,

had fuch a chearfulnefs in his converfation as

rendered him the moil: agreeable companion

in the world. But amonggcall the great and

truly amiable qualities with which the mind

of this extraordinary perfon was adorned, his

modefty and his magnanimity deferve parti-

cular notice. The fir_ was fo fettled and fo

unfeigned, that he took more pains to con-

ceal his abilities, than a vain man would have

done to have difplayed them ; of which we

have a remarkable inftance, in his engaging

Francis Scbootento publifh his Elementa cur-

varum linearum, one of the deepei_ books in

mathematics that had in thole days appeared,

and which was written by our author at

twenty-three. As to his greatnefs of mind,

I will not pretend to give any tingle infiance

of it, fince every fact that will be taken no-

tice of in there memoirs may be confider'd as a

proof of it. After receiving at home the de-

gree of do_7orof laws, he travelled for fome

years, and on his return, in _65o, he be-

came pe_folzar), of Dort, and diainguifhed

c 3 himfelf

_xxv'fii Memoirs of C o R _ E s. I v s

himfelf very earl_ in the management of pub-,

lic affairs ¢.

The war between the EngliJb and Dutch

republics commenced before _okn de 1Uitt

had acquired that influcnce which he after-

wards obtained ia the councils of Holland.

t-Ie oppofed it however as far as he was able

he fhewed the ill cont_quences it muff necef-

£arily ]Lavewhich ever way fortune inclined:

and when eventsja_ified his difcourfes to fuch

a degree as that they feemed to be a kind of

oracles or predi&ions, all who had the intereft

of the republic at heart endeavoured to pro-

mote his advancement, and to rai£e him to

that high £tation in which for fo many years

he held the helm of the commonwealth,.

An opportunity offered very early for the gra-

tifying their defires. The Sieur Paw van

Hemflede, penfionary of Holland, died in the

end of the month of February i653 _ and the

_ates of Holland being affembled in order to

_ ele& a fuccettor, the town of Dort, which is

the firt_ in the province, named the Sieur

Ruyil, penfionary of Harlem, and the depu-

ties from Harlem returned the complement,

by propofing _ohn de 14/itt, penfionary of

1)ort, though he was not then full twenty-

eight years old: and he was unanimoufly

chofen, firft to officiate provifionally, and

afterwards abfolutely into the office h

Upon

r Ibld. p. z 4.

• The proof of this may be met with, p. 39I, where our

author difcourfesof tileritb of that war, and of its detriment to

the fla:es.

h Aitzma, lib. 33" P. 787• cok x.

a_._ JoHN DE WITT. XXXtX

Upon. this occafion he confulted his friends

and relations whether it was fit for him to ac-

cept this honour or not. Many of them,

charmed with this mark of dif_in&ion, ad-

vifed him not to hefitate a moment; but the

wifeft among them, without entcring, into

long arguments, put him in mind of the fate

of his predeceffor Barneveldt, who lo/t; his

head for ferving his country, thinking that

a/'uffcient caution to one who was known

to he.re the fame fentimeots in refpe_f} to go-

vernment that Barneveldt had i. "John de

Hzitt l_a'rd patiently all they had to (.:ay, and

then delivered hi., own rcfolution, m there

Words: " You all agree, that an hon¢_ and

" upright man may render great fervice to

" his country in this office; but you fay,

" that this will be attended with much trouble

" and danger to himfelE I know t_ot how

" we can pals through this world without

" expofing ourfelves to mueh trouble and

" danger, and fince the thing is fo, what

" caufe fo honourable as that of our country ?

" I am refolved ,hen to accept the office,

" and to ferve the republie, whatever return

" I may meet with: thi_ depends upon o-

" thers, and that on mylelfalone k ,,

The pe'lfionary de l¢/itt had not been tong

in his office before an occ;)fion offered which

fuHiciently demonftrated how jufta choice

they had made in bringing him into that em-

ployment. King Charles II. who was then

c 4 in

i Le C)erc, vo]. I]'. p. 330 Memoirs de C. and .1.de Witr.

k Memoire_ de Moatbas, p. 59"

xl Memoirs of C o _ _ _.LI tr s

in exile at Paris, prevailed upon M. Bored,

the Dutch minitter there, to inclofe a letter

from him to the ftates-general, in which he

informed them, that he had reafon to believe

that many of the officersin the Englifl_ navy

were well inclined to his fcrv_ce; and there-

fore he offered to £erve on board the fleet of

the republic as a volunteer, till fuch a number

of Engli[h flfipstlaould come over to him, as

might enable him to affitt them as an ally.

When this letter was read in the affembly of

the ttates-general, the friends of the boule of

Orange warmly efpoufed his majetty's propo-

fal, as a thing of the greatett confequence to

the ttate, and molt likely to weaken the Eng.- 1

l/[h, who by this time had thewn themfelves

vifibly an over-match for the Dutch at tea. i

M. de l/Fitt oppofed it, and, after having

made a very handfome panegyrick on the cou-

rage and generofity of the king, he advanced

two rea£ons againft accepting his propofal,

which to him, he laid, appeared conclufive.

The firft of there was, that his near relation

to the houfe of Orange mutt render his pre-

fence on board the fleet fatal to the peace of

the republic, by reviving thole difputes which

had already been fo detrimental to the intereft

of the ttare. His fecond, that by em-

bracing this offer they would perpetuate the

war, fince, in return for fuch a fervice, it

mutt be naturtlly expec2ed that they thould

unite their interett with his, and make the

deftruc"tion of the commonwealth of England

a common caufe. There reflections gave the

affem-

and Jo_N vz W_TT. xli

affembly fuch a notion of the confequences

that muff, or at leat_, might attend this ftep,

as induced them civilly to excufe themfelves

from accepting the king's offer; and from

/aence we may eafily judge, not only of de

14qtt's maxims in government, but of his

gr.eat, capacity in bringing over others to his

OplfllOn I.

The continuance of the war was fo vifibly

def_ruc_tive not only to the commerce but to

the very being of the republic, that the pen-

fionary de Witt and his friends employed all

their/kill to let on foot a negotiation, at the

fame time that they omitted nothing that

could be thought requifite for putting their

naval force on a good footing, that they might

be able to fuftain the reputation of the com-

monwealth, fo long as, in fpight of all their

endeavours, this war ihould laR. With re-

fpedt to the firfL they found a way to get a

letter from the l_ates of Holland put into the

hands of Lentball, then fpeaker of the par-

liament ; and this had in rome meafure the

defired effe&, fince it brought about a nego-

tiation, though not immediately a peace %

On the other hand, finding the people and thd

nobility equally inclined to declare the prince

of Orange admiral, as if, under the aufpice of

a child of three years old, the arms of the re-

public were like to be more fuccet_ful than

when directed by the moR experienced gene-

rals,

: Clarendon's hif_ory of_e rebellion, book'l 3, /._ Clerc_

v0].II. p. 33i.

= HiRoirede{2.andJ. deWitt,vol.I. p.8o.

xlJi Memoirs of" C o It N E I. I rrs

rals, they determined to fatisfy the nobility,

and to reftrain the people. With this view

they refolved to raife a nobleman to the port

of lieutenant-admiral, then vacant by the

death of the great /"an Urornt_, though none

of the nobility were leamen enough to form

any pretenfions to it. But the jE_zglijh had

let them an example, by conferring the higheft

commands in their fleet on Monk and Blake,

who never were leamen, but on the contrary

bad always ferved in the army. This refolu-

tion once taken, the Seur de l/Pitt was ap-

pointed, with rome deputies of the ftates of

ttolland, to offer this command to baron Op-

dam, whom theyperfuaded with much to do to

accept it, which proved of infinite confequei_ce

to the peace of the republic, and which could

not well have been maintained without it n

"Yet there temporary expedier_ts could only.

have ferved to delay the ruin of the f_ate,

without affording means to prcferve it, if the [

penfionary and his friends, amongft whom we

wn_horeckon the ambaffador lent to Cromwell,

by this time had turned out tiJe Rump _.

and let up a new parliament, not only aucho-

rized to fit by him and his officers, but afro

ehofen by them. The Dutd!J fiainifters were

dire&ed to apply to them, but they quickly

found them a fort of people by then:felves.

with whom no rational creatures could deal ;

"-a for they entertained the ambaffadors with long,

I_rayers, and di{'covered fuch a total ignorance

of bufinefs, and withal fuch a fl_iiit of pride

II1

" Aitvana, tlb. 35- Ix 837- Le Cleft, dela Neuville, &c.

and JoH_ DE WXXT. xliii

in their difcourfes, that the Dutchmen phinly

told the general, that it was impoffible for

them to deal with fuch folks, but that if he

would affume the fupreme authority, they

might loon come to a right underl_anding.

This was precifily what Cromwell wanted,

and though he rejected their advice in words,

declaring him(elf an humble creature of the

parliament's, yet he loon after found means to

be rid of them, and took upon him the go.

.vernment under the title of Protedor; and

then made a peace with the Dutch, the moll

remarkable thing in which utas, the adding

a/ecret article for the exclufion of the houfc

of Orange, to which the _ates of Holland,

after great debates, and not wi_hitanding fe-

veral towns proteiLed againOcit, confented by

a fole_nn acCto

The friends of the houfe of Orange to in,.

flame the minds of the people, infinuated,

that this article of the exclufion did not flow

naturally from Cromwell, but was privately

fuggelted to him by the Sieur de 14/itt, by the

aft]fiance of M. Beverning; but of this th,

pen/_onary cleared himfelf, firlt by explaining

the reafons why Cromwell had as much caufc

to be apprehenfive of the power of the princes

of Orange, as either himfelf or any of his

friends; and next by the tettimony of M.

Beverning, who gave as full fati_fa&ion as

could be defired in this particular. Thus

much

o There particulars are chiefly colleeqed from the fecret re-

folutions of the ltates-general during the adminifLration of de

giG:t, which have been hkewifc confulted by .4itzma, whom

moil. of the other hil_orians ccnfiantly copy.

xliv Memoirs of C o R N_ TI v s

much however is certain, that Cromwell, by

his natural fagacity, or by his converfations"

with the Dutch m_nifier, came to have a

clear knowledge of the _rie"t connec"tionthere

was between their interefi ; which made it

as reafonable for them to fecure him, as far

as they were able, againft the attempts of

CharlesII. as for him to prote& them, as by

this article it was ftipulated he fhould, again_

the pretenfions of the prince of Orange. This

lets us into the true reafonwhy king CharlesII.

always confidered the de IVitt adminiftration

as oppofite to his intereft in Holland, and

why, on the other hand, the de Witts and

their friends confidered king Charlesasan im-

placable enemy; and chore rather to repofe a

confidence in France than to enter, after the

breach of the triple alliance, into any of hi,

views _.

The article of the exclufion had railed fuch i

a clamour in Holland, that the de H/'itts and [

their friends had much ado to carry points

that were abfolutely neceffary for the fervice

of the people, fuch asthe difbanding foreign

troops, now they were no longer of ufe, that

they might be thereby able to remit rome of

the heavieft taxes ; and this for no better rea-

fon than that, as the oppofite party gave out,

the principal motive thereto was the being rid

of fuch as were fufpe&ed to be in the interef_

' of the houfe of Orange. The clergy too be-

t gall

r The_ fae'tsmay he foundin the memoirs of the de Witts,

fo oftencited, together with the declaration of Va_ Be_erning,

which is sery curious.

and Joan Dv Wx'rT. xlv

gan tomeddlewiththeaffairsofLateintheir

pulpits, and, inttead of inftru&ing the peo-

ple how to ferve GoD, were for dire&ing

their fuperiors how to govern their fubje&s ;

but the firmnefs of the penfionary got the

better of all there difficulties, which railed his

reputation to fuch a height, that he was

chofen arbitrator of the differences that had

arifen among the nobility of Fritfland, and

having happily compofed there, he was called

to the like good office in Overi_el q.

Many untoward affairs, which fell out in

the fpace of a few years after this, ferved only

to heighten the chara&er of the penfionary,

and to flqew that he wanted not the courage

of the hero, with all the abilities ofa confum-

mate politician. He advifed the ftates of

Holland to make, independent of the other

provinces, reprifals on the French king ; and

as he entered on this arduous affair with great

fpirit, fo, notwithftanding the haughtinefs of

the French court, he brought his country out

of it with honour r. In the great conteft in

the north between the crowns of Sweden and

.Denmark, he managed all things with fuch

wifdom and dexterity, that, notwithttanding

the eagernefs and obltinacy of both parties,

and the intrigues of the prote&or Cronewe11,

who, from certain fecret views of his own,

encouraged the Swedes to continue the war,

all

q Akzma, lib. 3_' and in the hilt0ry of the dt Wire. Cut

author himfelfhas touched upon it, p. zz 5.

r tliltoir¢ de C. and J. de Witt, vol. 1.(p. x4x.

xlvi Memoirs of C o RN _ r. I V s

all things were happily adjuf_ed c. On the

reftoration of king Charles II. he was com-

plimented by the penfionary de 141itt in terms

equally rcfpe&full to the king, and honoura-

ble for the republic, which made fuch an im-

pr:lEon, at that time, on this prince, that

loon after he gave all the aflqftance in his

power to tile conclufion of a treaty between

tile Dz,'/ch and the _Portuguze, extremely ad-

vantagious to the ftates, which had been in a

manner folcly negotiated by the penfionary '

Things continued for rome time in this ami-

cable fituation, and king C,barles II. thought

himfelf fo much obliged to the ftates-general,

to the _ates of Holland, and to the penfionary

2De14/itt, for the refpeCt fhewn him in feizing !

at the requeft of Sir George Downing , Corbet,

Okey, and Barkflead, three of his father's judges,

that he found himfelf obliged to thank the

.Dutch embaffadors in very (trong terms, and

added, at the clofe of his difcourfe, there

words. " I muff at_o, upon this occafion,

" inform your excellencies, that I have a

'. very particular account of the t'hare Mr.

" De II/itthad in this affair, with which I

" am extremely well fatisfied, and fl_all al-

" ways preferve a grateful remembrance of

" it, and with this I dcfirc you would ac-

" quaint him". This fcemed to be fo much

the intention ok" that mo_,arch at this time,

that/'oon after he concluded a treaty with the

ftates-

' Aitzma, lib. 36, F" IzS*, feq.

t Hiltoire de C. & J. de Witr, Vol. I. p. x85. where we

laave t]:e Fenfio;_ary's [peech at lez:gtll.

......... _ ......................... "7'...

and JoH__ Dr WITa'. xlvii

flates--general u. The affairs of,he prince of

Orange ttill gave the ttates of Holland a good

deal of difquiet, in which however the pen-

£mnary a&ed with fuch prudence, that while

he l_eadily purfucd the interett of his mailer,

he preferved, in a great meafure the good.

will of the wif¢fl_ perfons about that prince,

and fo Elr overcame all the l_rong prejudices

that the Orange party had formerly againf'c

him, that when his fecond five years were

exfpired, he was unanimoufly continued in

his high office, by a refolution of the itates

dated September x5, 1663 '*

Our ftatesman was now in the height of

profperity, and feem'd to have vanquifhed

even envy her£elf. In all diflqcult cafes his

m!niPciy was made ufe of, and when the

prince of Eaft-Friefland quarrelled with his

fubjec'ts he was put at the head of that depu-

tation which was tent by the _ates to termi-

nate there difputes _. When their differences

with England were rifen to fuch a height

that a war could not be avoided, and the grates

of Guelder and Ovcriffi'l, abfolutely refu£ed to

contribute their proportions towards the ex-

pence of it, the £tates of Holland found it ne-

ceffary to fend a deputation con_t_&lg of

Meff. De I¢/itt, Crommo.,zand K,m, to ex-

plain to them the nature of the war, and the

danger of their continuing in their former re-

folution, which tl_cy did with fu,:h cffc&,

that

Thisis to Mrfound in the fame book, p. 249.

*' Aitzma, lib. 43'

x HiltoiFe deC. & J. de With vol. I. p. 273 , 28z,

xlv'fii Memoirs of C ort NEL I trs

that thole flates not onlyagreed to furnilla their

quota, but did it immediately, and even bor-

rowed money for that purpofe; this was fo

remarkable a proof both of his zeal and his

capacity, that the flaresgeneral thought fit to

name him one of their commiffioners for the

dire&ion of the navy, in which capacity he

went to 24_mflerdamand other places, where

he made fuch vigorous difpofitions, that the

fleet was loon in much better condition and

more fit to go to fea than it was judged poffi-

ble by the admirals themfelves, and by rome

of the ableft feamen in Holland, who ex-

preffed the greateft aftonifhment at the ad-

drefs with which the penfionary managed all

things relating to naval affairs, though 'till

called to the infpe&ion of them on this im-

portant occafion, he had never concerned

himfelfabout them, as defiring all the fer-

vants of the fiate/hould a& in their proper I

fpheres Y.

The French, who were the only gainers by

a war betwen the maritime powers, preten-

ded to manage a negociation for peace at

London, which however went on very flowly,

and this gave the Orange party great advail-

tage in the flates. Mr. De Witt faw clearly

what was intended, and therefore advifed thdt

pofitive orders /hould be lent baron Opdam

to fight; for, as the penfionary obferved, a

battle could not but be advantagious to the

fiate. If they were vi&orsit would probably

put an end to the war, a-,d if they were van-

quifl_ed

y Aiummlib. xli_r,and d'Et_radesLetter. ia the year z664.

If i _..

and JoHN _E WITr. xlix

quithed it would oblige the French to join them

immediately. This determined the Rates to

fend fuch orders to Opdam, who as he was

well affe&ed to the boule of Na_au obeyed

them very unwillingly. On the 3d of o_une,

I665, he attacked the EngliSh fleet, but had

the misfortune to lofe the greatefl: battle that

had hitherto been fought between the two nati-

ons, himfelfand his thip being blown upjuff as

he was upon the point of boarding that of the

Duke of Y'ork. This ftruck a great terror

into the Dutch feamen, and before the ftates

could fit out another fleet they found them-

/'elvesunder a neceffity of appointing rome of

their own deputies to command it, which

was a new thing, and had therefore the greater

effect z.

This commiffion was given to Me//'. Huy-

gens, __)eWitt and Bored, and among other

marks of their high authority, the fiate af-

figned them guards. The friends and rela-

tions of the penfionary de Witt advifed him

to decline this new pot_ as a command invi-

dious in itfelf, and which muff be attended

with bad confequences. He anfwered that

the fafety of a prwate man ought not to

enter into competition with that of the repub-

lic, and that he never confidered his perfonal

hazard or advantage, but only in what man-

ner and how far he might be able to ferve

his country'. When he came on board the

fleet he found it thut up in the 7exel, fo that

d though

s Aitzma, lib. xlv.

a Le C1¢r¢,col.iii. p. 8z. col. =.

I Memoirs of Co R N EL I US

though it was abfolutely neceffary for it to

put to tea, in order to fecure the fare paffage

of the outward bound Eajq-hzdia fleet, yet

the feamen unanimeufly agreed that the thing

wasimpoli] ble, asthe wind then ttood. The pen-

fionary de lP'itt was alone of another opinion,

and he made no difi]culty of declaring it,

though i,a this he oppos'd his own fentiment

to the common judgment of thole who ought to

have been belt/killed in their own profefl]ons.

As this has been always et}eemed one of the

molt remarkable actions of his life, and has

in rome meafure contributed to render his me-

mory immortal, I think myfelf obliged to

give a particular account of it.

There are at the mouth of the _rexel three "

paffages between the lands, by wqaich veffels

may go out to lea, and there are the Lands-

diep, the Slenk, and the Sloaniards-gat. It

was the received doctrine of the feamen, that

there were but ten points of the compafs from

which, if the wind blew, fhips could go out,

and that twenty-two were againf_ them ; but

the penfionary de kUitt, as he was a great ma-

thematician, loon dit_ovcred the falfity of this

notion, and that there were in,reality no lefs

than twenty eight points in their favour, and

but four that could hinder them from going

out, viz. I/IC.NtU. by kU. NPV. N/C". byN. The

pilots however perceiving that he reckoned

upon all the paffagcs, declared pofitively that

in the St_aniards-gat there was not above ten

or twelve feet water, and that therefore it was

ida,-

b De la Neuviile, lib. xii, c. ,o.

and Joan D_ WITT. 1i

impoffib!e to carry out large /hips by that

paffage. Their affertion did not fitisfy the

penfionary, he went through it in a lor_g-

boat in perfon at low water, and without

truftingthc lead out of his hand, found it at

leatt twenty foot deep every where, and free

from thole incumbrances which the pilots had

hitherto talked o£ The penfionary therefore

engaged that himfflf and M. van Haaren

would c_rry out the two greatc_ thips in the

fleet throug_ the Spaniards-gut with the wind

at SSW, which he performed on the :6th of

Augu_ I66q, and the greateft part of the

fleet followed him without th_ leaft accident,

fince which that paffage has been called, and

very defervedly, 141itts-diep_.

Vcry loon after, he came with the other

deputies on board the fleet, the differences

which had arifen between de Ru)'ter and

_Tromp were adjured, and of open enemies

they became in appearancefincere friends. The

feamen however were frill not a little difcon-

tented at this novelty of being commanded

by the ttates deputies; However, after they

had been fome time at tea, and meeting with

a dreadful ttorm on the coaft of Norway,

which lafted two days, M. de l/Kitt brought

them wholly over to his party, for he re-

mained upon deck all the time, never changed

his cloaths, or took any refrefhment, but in

common with the men, gave his orders with

the greatet_ calmne_ and prefence of mind,

d a and

¢ H:f_oire de C. & J. de Witt. p. 374. This is alfo taken

notice ofia th©fccoadVolumeof the lives of the Admirals.

fii Memoirs of C oa t__ LIv s

and when he law there wanted hands, obliged

hisofficers to work by his own example. This

made him the darling ofthe failors,andthence-

forward they paid him more refpe6t of their

own accord than the fevereft orders of the

t_ates could ever have extorted, and indeed

they had good reafon, for he was continually

fuggefting regulations in their favour, and

/hewed as tender a concern, both for their

fafety and their intereft, as if they had been his

children ; and yet he did all this without giving

the leaft offence to the admirals, by caufing

thole alterationsto be publifhed in theirnames d.

Such was the happy temper of this great man,

that he was always zealous in doing good,

without affecting to be popular, and had fuch

high notionsofhisduty asquiteexcluded vanity.

All the care and pains the penfionary took

on board the fleet could not hinder his ene-

mies from fpreading ftories among the people,

which irritated them extremely againft him.

Sometimes it was pretended that the misfor-

tunes which had happened to the navy were

owing to the deputies intermeddling with

things they did not underftand. To obvi-

ate his calum ny de Ruyter wrote a letter to

the ftates, in which he not only vindicated

the deputies in general, but M. de lCPitt in

particular, whole affifiance he acknowledged

in the cleare_ and molt honourable terms _.

M. de YTitthimfelf wrote a plain and accurate

relation of all that had happened during his

continuance

d Hit_olrede C. & J.de Witt, p.383.

c Aitzma lib. :div, d'Eth'ad¢'s lettersin the year t665.

and JorI_ D_ WITT. /ill

continuance on board the fleet, and at his ro-

turn, he verified every article of this account

fo fully to the ftates-general, that they not

only gave him folemn thanks for his good let'-

vice, but intended likewife to have made him

a confiderable prefent, which he waved by

declaring that he fought the fervicc of his

country only, and not a gratification for his

fervices f. Then his enemies gave out, that

he had continually thwarted de Ruyter, and

that their quarrels had occafionedno fmaUde-

triment to the ftate. But this ffory, tho'

drefs'd out with very great art, was entirely

ruined by an unforefeen accident. Admiral.

d# Ruyter had ocafion to come to the Hague,

and during his fray there lodged in the

houfe of M. de Witt, which abfolutely unde-

ceived the very mob, who would not be

brought to believe that a man of de Ruyter's

temper could be induced to diffemble on any

account whatever s.

King CharlesII. having found means, by

the help efpecially of very large fubfidics, to

engage the bifhop of Munfler in his interefr,

and that to fuch a degree as to engage him

to declare war againf_ Holland, the ftates

found themfelves under a neceffity of raifing

frefh troops in order to the maintenance of a

land war, which gave them no lefs trouble

than that in which they had been engaged

fo long by fea. Prince _ohn Maurice of

Naffau was general of the forces employed

d 3 againff

f Hi_oire de C. &J. de Witt, p. 419,

Ibid. p. 4zz.

liv N£emolrs of "C o R N _._ xv s

againt_ the biflaop of JlCunj_er; but tho' the

ftates placed very great confidence in him,

who was an old veldt marfhal of their ar-

mies, yet they thought proFer to fend their

deputies with him into the field, and amongft

there they named Cornelius de t_itt, who

had already given high teftimonies both of

his courage and capacity b. He di£charged

his duty on this occafion in fuch a manner,

as not only merited the applaufe of thole who

had given him this commiffion, but acquired

him alfo the efteem of prince _Maurice, which

he terrified upon all occafions; yet the peo-

ple clamoured againft this deputation as they

had done againft that which.had been lent

on board the fleet. But whil_ Cornelius de

14@t was thus employed in the army, his

brother the penfionary was fecretly negotia-

ting a peace with the biflaop, which when it

was leaft expe6ted tezk effe6t, and proved fo

manifeftly advantageous to the republic, that

for a moment the enemies of the de lgitts

were filenced, and the great fervices of the

two brothers were univerfally confefs'd i.

A little after the penfionary de ICitt was

again appointed one of the deputies for the

management of the fleet, and in fitting it to

lea he ufed fuch expedition, that on his re-

turn to the Hague, he received the thanks

of the flatesL On the _ of _une I666,

hzppened the famous battle between the

Dutch,

A_ to this alliance, the reader may eonfult Sir lVilliam

_'emple's letters, and LeClerc, vol. 3. P. lol.

i De la Neuviile, lib. I z. c. I t.

X HiRoire de (2. & J, de Witt, yd, I. p. 459"

and JOHN DE WITT, _V

Dutch, under the command of de Ruyter

and Tr_mp, and the Eng//_, under prince

Rupert and the duke of ttlbemar/e; and on

this occafion the pcnfionary was lent by the

ftate to take a full account of the whole

affair, that they might be tha. better enabled

to do jufiice to every one according to his

merit. In the execution of this commiffion,

M. delIzitt drew up, from the bett authorities

he could obtain, an exa& account of thole

three days fight, which isjuftly ePceemeda

m. ,-er-piece in its kind, and will ever remain

a proof of his being as capable of recording

great exploits, as of atchieving them _. He

was fcarce returned to the Hague after

making this enquiry, before he was called

again on board the fleet on a lefs pleating oc-

cation. Another battle had been fought

'"'"" in which the .Z)utcb had fuffered fe-

t_ll i. '

verely ; and which was worfe, their admi-

rals threw the blame upon each other.

_romp accufed de Rurter ; de Ru)'ter threw

all the blame upon 'h'6mp; as if the ltates

could fee with no eves but thole of M. de

lkTtt, he was immediately difpatched, with

other comm'!fioners, to look into this un-

lucky bufinetS, and to report the thing as it

appeared to them, which was done accord-

ingly ; and upon this admiral Tromp wi_slaid

afidc _

d 4 I

I This entire rehtlon is placed at the head of the fecond

volume of the hil_ory of the de Witts.

m See count D'Eflrade's letter to the French king, dated

A_g, _z, z666. aua the penfionary de/f/,tt's letters on that

fubje¢-t.

Iv1 Memoirsof Co R_ _L_v s

I/'hall not enter here into the profecution

of M. t3uat, who was beheaded for be-

traying the councils of ftate, though this af-

fair was difcovered by M. de I_itt, becaufe

it is pretty generally known; and though

many refleCtions have been cart upon the

nfionary, yet as the evidence againlt him

s perfe6tly clear, and indeed in a great

meafure under his own hand, one cannot

but be fatisfied that this clamour was purely

the effectsof party". That it had very little

effect on thofe who were the belt judges,

appears from his being lent immediately af-

terwards role deputy to the fleet, where he

commanded in chief for rome time, and then

returned to the Hague, where very loon af-

terwards he concluded the quadruple alli-

ance between the republic on one fide, the

king of Denmark, the eleCtor of Branden-

burgb, and the duke of Lunenburgb on the

other, whereby all the differences between

thole princes were abfolutely adjulted, and

the penfionary received thereupon, not only

the thanks of the Rates general, but alfo

the complements of all the foreign mi-

nilters °

The war with England began now to be

confidered by all the provinces, except that of

ttolland, as an intolerable burden; and the

penfionary finding that the ftorm bore heavy

upon him, and that he was generally pointed

out

n Aitzma, lib. 46. p. 839. Yet his death was l_eadily

vppofed by the province ofZtaland.

Hiltoire de C. & J. deWitt, vol. z. p. 7x.

and JoHN D_ WrT'r. lvii

out as the great enemy of peace, fhewed art

inclination to embrace it on reafonable terms _

But when King Charlespropofed treating of

the peace at the Hague, it alarmed the pen-

fionary not a little, from an apprehenfion,

that if the Englijh minifters were there, they

might enter into intrigues with the deputies

to the ftates general, which might have been

of dangerous confequence, and therefore it

was reje&ed, and the town of Breda propo-

ted_ to which the ambaffadors both of the

king and of the ftates reforted q. But as they

found it by experience no fate thing to rely

either upon king Charlesor upon king Lewis,

they thought fit to equip early a Itout fleet,

on board which the Ruard I/an Putten, with

other deputies, was to command in chief r.

But as the provinces did not think fit to name

their deputies, the Ruard took his port on

board the fleet, and commanded it alone *.

All the world knows that it was at this time,

and by the contrivance of Corneliusde l/Pitt.

that they executed the famous defign of en-

tering the river of Thames, and burnin_ our

/hips at Chatham, which it is certain ruined

the reputation of king CharlesII. and raifed

that of the ftates general to a very great

height '. We need not wonder therefore

that

r Bafnage, Le Clerc, De la Ncuvl/le.

q Ken_tt's hil_ory of England, Burner, l_afnage, &e.

r Hiitoire de Corneille & Jean de Witt, vol. 1I. p. 81.

' lie embarked on ffrune 6, 1667, and as he reprefemed

the foverelgnty of the ltates, extraordinary honours were paid

him, which ferve;l to heighten the envy of the enemies of the

de [¢/itts.

t B_fnage, Lc Clerc, De la Neuvi/le.

lviii Memoirs of C o R N _._ I v s

that Cornelius de Witt received compliments

from all quarters, that the ftates general

fhould pais a vote of thanks, as they did on

the i3th of Sept. i667 ; or that the ftates of

Holland fhould mak_ him, in conjundtion

with M. de Ruyter, each a prefent of a gold

cup ; or that the town of Dart (hould re-

ceive him at his return thither with extraor-

dinary, and perhaps extravagant marks of'

joy and fatisfa&ion, which however did him

little fervice in fucceeding times u.

In the meantime the peace was negoclating

at t_reda, where it was refolved to conclude

it, in order to draw the fleet of the ftates

from the E#gli_ coafts, i"o that this looked

like forcing England into a peace ; and there-

upon the fpirits of the ftates were full as

much railed as thole of the De Witts, for

they pretended thenceforward to give laws

to Europe, and to prefcribe bounds tq the

French king's ambition ". This was indeed a

very delicate enterprife, and required all the

penetration and addrefs of our great ttatef-

man, who finding the court of England at

that time well inclined, and-perfectly ap-

prized of the danger of the French king's

over-running the Spani# Netherlands, de-

viled, in conjun_ion with Sir William _'em-

ple, the means of covering there provinces

before the French king flaould fo much as

fufpe&

u Hiaoire de Corneille & Jean de Witt, where all there

particulars arelargely infifled upon ; and we have a parti-

cular account of the poems and panegyrics compared on thi_

occafi_nin Vol. II. p. I85.

De la Neuville, Lib. xii.

and JOHN _)_ WITT. IL_

fufpe& there was any negociation let on foot

for that purpofe; in which, by his prodi-

gious dexterity and abfolute command of his

temper, he happily fucceeded _. While there

£chemes were carrying on the penfionary

thought there could tkarce happen a fitter

conjun&ure for his carrying into execution

the great defign of the warm republicans,

and therefore now he brought on the eftab-

lifhing of that which was called the perpetual

edit, whereby the office of ftadtholder was

/'or ever extinguifhed, and, as it was fup-

poled, the liberty of Holland fixed on a eter.-

nal bails y. This edi_ is dated the 5th of

./IugujT, _667, but it was not abfolutely con--

firmed until the December following _.

The French king continuing his refolution

of attacking the low countries, Sir William

Temple was lent over in the beginning of the

year i668 to finifh the negociations that had

been fecretly carried on _. He prefented his

letter of credence on the 8th of_anuary, and

he figned the triple alliance on the x3th b.

This alliance between England, Sweden and

Holland had the defired effect, and ff it had

never been diffolved Europe had remained

/'ale, in £pite of all the pernicious £chemes of

Lewis the fourteeenth e. Though we are

D'Eflrade's and _'emple's Letters, 2?afnage, Le Clerc.

&¢.

)' Hit_oire de Corneille & Jean de Wit't, Vol. II. p. zoz.

z Bafnage, Le Clerc, &c.

* See 5temple"_.memoirs, Burner, and the Examtn.

t LeClerc. Vol. III. p. zzx.

e _remffe's letters, Kennet, Burner, &c.

Ix Memoirs of C o R _ _.L I v s

fo much ttreightened for room in there me-

moirs, yet it feems abfolutely neceffary to

take notice of a grand entertainment given by

the penfionary de Witt on the conclufion of

this treaty'. It fell out on the third of

February I668, and amongtt.the other gueits,

there were invited the prince of Orange,

princ_ Maurice of Naffau, and Sir I¢/illiam

5temple" Tiaere was a ball in the evening

which was opened by the prince of Orange,

but two things particularly furprized all who

were prefent; the firfl:, that the penfionary

de Witt danced the belt of any man there f;

the fecond, that fo many tokens of friendthip

and efteem paffed between him and the

prince of Orange, infomuch that when the

company broke up, the penfionary attended

his highnefs to his coach, where he converfed

with him near a quarter of an hour, and jut_

before he drove away, the prince was heard

to exprefs himfelf in there words: " Sir, I

" am thoroughly per£uaded of your affection

" towards me, and I promife you that I

_' fhall never be wanting in fuitable returns

" of gratitude to you and to your family,

" upon all occafions fo long as I live g."

In the midft of there fatigues the xsth

year of M. de Witt's miniftry expired, and

he thereupon tettified a defire of refigning,

but the ttates preffed him fo warmly to exe-

cute

d Of which, with great reafon,he took the honourto himfelf,

ar.d by thi9 ttep cxpofed himfelfto the hatted of the French.

To lhew that this alliance had made a coalitionof parties.

f A prooIthat it was his temper to excel in every thing.

s Hi/_oke de Cora¢iLle& Jean de Witt. Vol. I I. p. z56.

a,d JoH_ I) I_ WITT. lxi

cute the office of grand penfionary for five

years longer, that he could not refift their

£ollicitations, though he abfolutely refufed a

pre£ent of a large rum of money that was in-

tended him h. On the i7th of_uly i668, ;

he entered on the laf_ five years of his admi-

niftration, his appointment being increafed

from three to revert thoufand guilders per

annum; and withal he had a prefent made

him of fifteen thoufand by the nobles of

Holland in confideration of the long and faith-

ful fervices he had rendered to the Rate i.

In the beginning of 1669 the French renewed

their intrigues in Hollandin order to procure

the breach of the triple alliance, at fir_ in-

deed without fuccefs, but afterwards, when

it was known that the £yftem of affairs was

changed in England, the French l'chemes

were more fucce£sful, but this was fo far

from being agreeable to the penfionary, that

he went into it with g_at relu_ancy, and

not 'till many of his old friends were abfolutely

drawn over to the intereft of the houfe of

Orange k. As a full proof of this, we need

only confider the extraordinary confidence re-

poled in Sir William Temple, with refpec't to

a difference which had arifen between the

crown

h This prefent was no lefs a faro than too,ooo guilders,

and the method taken by the penfionary todecline it wasvery

fingular; he engaged the deputiesof his own town of Dort to

oppofe it, and thus he .avoided the envy which mult have at-

tended fucha prefent, and the vanity that would have appeared

in a perfona!refufal ofit.

i Hiftoirede Corneille& Jean de Witt, Vol. II. p. 27o.

k Pufgendorf.Return Brand. Lib. XI. Bafnage, Le Clere,

_c. See alfo Temffe'sLetters_ and the firffVolume ofBurne/s

Hillory of his own Times.

I_ Memoirs of Co _ N 1,L Z v s

crown of Portugal and the republic about a

debt due from the former to the latter of

2,500,000 cruzado's, the method of pay-

Lag which was referred to Sir William,

who decided it fo as to receive the thanks of

the Portugueze ambaffador, as well as of M.

de l_itt in the name of the ftates'.

It is to be obferved, that the penfior)ary de

_e'itt went no farther with the French mi-

niftry than to credit the profeffions which

they made in the name of their mafter, and

to endeavour to adjut_, by way of negotiation,

the difputes which that crown had artfully

aq.arted with the fiates. But in the mean

time, the French had carried their point in

England, and Charles the fecond made £uch

alterations in his miniftry as put public af-

fairs entirely into the hands of men who were

equally his fubjec2s enemies and his own =.

This miniftry will be infamous to all pofter!ty

by the name of the CABAL, and was

compofed of papifts, re,aries, and atheifts,

penfioners to France while at the head of

the Briti.[h government, and confpirators

againt_ their king whilft they fat in his privy-

council. There were the men who brought

about that monftrous conjun6"tion between

England and France, to the ruin of Holland,

"_ contrary to the intereft of the EngllJh nation,

in direc°cviolation of treaties, and accompa-

nied with fuch bale ar.,d black circumf_ances,

that even thole who had the wickcdn,.fs to

contrive

I Hifloire de Corneille & Jean de Witt, Vol. IL p. 309.

_"See Temple'sMemoirs, Burner) Xennet) &c.

and JOHN DE WITT. 1XiU

contrive it had not the impudence to avow

it, but endeavoured to conceal their dcfigns

as long as po_ble by the vile/_ prol_itution of

their own and their country's honour, giving

the t_rongeft affurances to France of their re-

£olution to deftroy the ftate, and at the fame

time, protefiing in Holland the fincerity of

their affe&ion for the republic ".

The penfionary de Witt, though he was

not entirely blinded by the delufive reprefen-

tations of France and England, yet it is cer-

tain that it was a long time before he per-

ceived in how great danger the republic ftood.

The regard he had for Sir William Uemple;

and his confidence in the declarations made by

him, kept this fiatefman long in fufpence,

and the great confideration he had for the

French embaffador contributed not a little to

the keeping him fixed in there fentiments,

notwithttafiding the ftrong appearance there

was of foul dealing Betides the prince of

Orange being introduced into the eouncil of

t_ate, his party gained ground daily, and

there were likewife fo many who were grown

jealous of the penfionary's authority, that he

found himfelf fcarce at liberty to a&, when

he difcerned the danger ; but however he ap-

plied himfelf diligently to the putting both

the lea and land Ibrces of the republic into

the belt condition poffible, in which he met

not with more difficulties fi'orn the avowed

oppotition

n q'em_le's Letters, Reresky's Memoirs, and the Exaraen by

Roger North Efq;

if'tin,It's Letters, Bafnage_ Le Clerc, &¢.

lxiv Memoirs of C o RNs T.z u s

oppofition of his enemies than from the dif-

ferences and intrigues which broke out among

his friends, who could not help difputing

about poRs and preferment, when the very

being of the ftate was in danger, and thereby

facrificed not only the i/_tereflcof the repub-

lic to their private views, but alfo their own

intereflt, asfriends, to the efltablifhment then

fubfifldng, and the exclufion of the power of

a tingle perfon, in the dire&ion of the com..

monwealth P.

The fiatc was at this time torn by three

different fad'tions. The firi_ were for re-

_oring the old government, and placing thc

prince of Orange at the head of the republic

adorn'd with the time title, and invefled with

the fame power that his ance_ors had en-

joyed. The fecond, which were at that time

£tiled the fa&ion of the De tCitts, were for

keeping clofe to the perpetual edi(t, and ex-

'_ tingui_ing the fiadtholder/hip, which they

looked on as an officeincompatible with the

freedom of the _ate. There were generally

held dire& enemies to the prince of Orange,

whereas they certainly meant him well, only

they thought they were oblig'd to mean their

country better; the two great offices of cap-

tain-general and admiral they were content

his highnets fhould poffe£s, provided he took

., the ufual oath for abjuring the ftadtholderflaip,

and this they judged was as much power as

the commonwealth could lodge in the hand_

of tingle perfon £afely. Tl_e third party

_vere

Hi_oire d¢ Corneille & Jean de With Vol. II, p. 339,

and JoHN DE Wla'T. Ixv

were a kind of trimmers, who from principle ¢

favour'd the De lCZitts, but to gratify private

refentments, or for the fake of prefent conve-

niences, could fometimes go along with the

other party. There laft were by far the leak

powerful, and yet by a well or rather ill timed

flaifting, they confiantly tum'd the fcale q.

When the war appear'd to be inevitable,

the ftates of Holland firth, and afterwards the

/_ates-general elec"ted the prince of Orange

captain and admiral-general, in the latter end

of February 1672 , andin that quality he loon

after took his feat in the affembly of the fiate_,

and at the fame time the oath for abjuring

the ftadtholder/hip, which within a few

months after he accepted. This was certainly

againft the penfionary's judgment, fince he

would rather have given his highnefs that

command in a time of peace. To attain this

great offers were made to the king of England.

He was promis'd fatisfartion as to the flag,

the redrefs of all the grievances complained of

by his fubje&s in the Earl and Weft Indies,

and as a proof of their fincerity in this refpe_,

the Prates ordered all the gilding on the Royal

Charles to be taken off, and as far as in them

lay, to extinguifla all memory of what had

paffed at Chatham, they offer'd to recall the

medals ftruck on that occafion, and to melt

down the two golden cups given to admiral

Ruyter, and the Ruardllan Putten. But all

e this

q This account of the parties in Holland h drawn from a

¢omparifon of the feveral general hit_orie.,, particular me-

moirsand collec2ions of ltate papers relating to thofe times_

crucially that printedat Deornickin t674.

Ixvi Memoirs of C oR N_ r xu s

this came too late, the French king had made

thc Engli_ mmii'_ry fenfible of his bounty,

to tbejull extent, and they repaid him by in-

volving their maffer firt[ in an attempt on

the Smyrna fleet, and then in an open war,

which was declared in the latter end ofMarch,

in conjunction with France _

The ihtes in this dit_refs appointed deputies

to go to the army, and at the _ame time

named Corndius de Witt role deputy on board

the fleet, to which he went immediately, ant

was attended there with a guard, and all other

marks of fovereignty, as reprefenting the

thtes general. He behaved bravely in the

battle of Southwold-Bay, fitting on the deck

of the admiral and giving orders, under his

canopy furroanded by halberdeers. But this

pomp did him hurt, for the people at Dort

were fo provoked at the fight of thefe unufual

honour% that they not only abus'd him,

when he retired thither from the fleet, on

account of a fit of ficknefL but alfo broke into

the town-boule, where they cut to pieces a

fine piCture of the expedition at Chatham,

and having fever'd the head of the figure of

M. De Witt from the body, they carried it

out and n_ileditto the gallows L On the _xth

of June the fame year, the penfionary De Witt

was

r SeeVol. IIr. of the compleat hittory of E_gland, by bi-

fl_opKennet; biflaopParker'/memoirs of his own times, Bur-

net, Echard, but above all Temple'smemoirsand letters.

'It is reported, that king Charleswasrepmfented at the feet

©fde Witt, iffo, it was undoubtedly a glaring ialtanee of folly,

bat of wlzoiefolly ? Why of thole who now pull'd it down,

and who, at the time theyerec"tedit, werejult as mad as when

they tore it to pieces.

an_ JOHN DE WITT. L_v_

was affaffinated at the Hague, by four per-

fons, one of whom was an advocate, his name

_acob Vandergraef, who was taken and loft:

hishead for it on the 29th of the fame month.

He laid at the place of execution, " that he

" made a folemn prayer to God before he at-

" tacked the penfionary, that if he was fuch

" a one as he thought him, he might fuc-

" ceed, and if otherwife, that he might lore

" his own life." The other three affaffins

fled to the prince of Orange's army, where

they were fate. After this attempt, in which

the penf_onary was dangeroufly wounded, the

ftates, at his requeft, gave him a coadju-

tor '.

Soon after this a& of violence there hap-

pen'd a tumult at D'ort, in wl_ich the peo-

ple declared they would have the prince of

Orange for ftadtholder, and obliged two of

their magiftrates to go and invite his highnefs

thither. The prince of Orange was then at

the head ofthe army, where his prefence was

abfolutely neceffary, yet he had the goo6nefs

to accept of this invitation ; and on his arri-

val the people role again and obliged the coun-

cil to declare him Radtholder, tho' he had

£worn never to accept that office. It hap-

pened that Cornelius de Witt was kill at Dort,

tick of the diftemper on account of which he

had left the fleet. To make the thing yet

ftronger they would needs have,him fign the act

e 2 for

t There was one Bornelagb another-of the affaifins, who was

not only allowed tokeep his phce of pofLraafler at the Haguej,

but had the reverlioa of it given to his fon. LeClerG, Vol. ILL

p. z8 9.

Ixviii Memoirs of Co Rt__ r.Iv s

for declaring the prince ftadtholder, and

obliged the magiftrates to carry it to him for

chat purpofe, but he reje,Sted the propofal

with a generous difdain, and when they en.

deavour'd to frighten him into it, by obf¢rv-

ing to how great danger his refufal mut_ ex-

pole him, he anfwer'd, " In the lat_ lea-

" fight I heard fo many balls vchiftle about

" my ears that I am no longer afraid of them,

•' and I had rather receive my death's wound

" than play in fuch a manner with the oath

"' I have taken, by letting my hand to fuch

" a writing". Yet at laft, moved by the

prayers and entreaties of his wife and chil-

dren, he fubfcribed ; adding after his name,

the letters V. C. i. e. _" coa_us ; conftrain'd

by force ; but this being perceived by one of

the minifters who came with them, he was

forc'd to put there letters out again "

The example of Dart, was very loon fol-

low'd by molt of the other towns in the pro-

vince, and every fedition arofe from thefepre-

tences, that the De H,'itts plundered the Rate,

and the prince of Orange was not reade-

holder. On the 2d of ffuly, the flares of

Zealand removed the latter of thefe caufes,

and the very next day the ffates of Holland

repealed the perpetual edi& and declared the

prince their ftadtholder alfo, which dignity he

very readily received w The cries of the

people again_ the de Witts became louder and

louder, and that they might not fcem to cla-

mour

• Hil_o_redeCorn_ille &JohndcWit t, Vol. II. P'449"

w LeClerc, Tom. IH. p. 29t.

and JoHr¢ D£ WITT. Ixix

mour without caufe, they gave out that the

penfionary had diverted the l_cret £ervice mo-

ney to his own ufe, and had thereby defrauded

the fl:ate of above 8o,ooo guilders a year.

The penfionary upon this applied himfelf to

the prince, and befought him, fince allpower

was now in his hands, to £upprefs there info-

lencies, and to do him juffice to the people.

His highnefs anfwer'd with his u£ual cold-

hers, that as to libels the penfionary muPc

learn to bear them as he had done ; and as to

doing him juftice, it was not in his power,

fince he knew nothing of the matte:. This

anfwer had, as might have been expe_ed, a

bad effe_, as it feemed to give rome degree

ofc_'edit to the charge _. The penfionary how-

ever loon manifefied his innocence by pre-

renting a memorial to the Pcates-general,

wherein he fuggefted, that tho' the difpofa}

of the fecret-fervice money had heretofore al-

ways belong'd to his otEce, yet he had never"

meddled with it, from aforefight ofwhat might

happen, and for the truth of this, he appeal'd

to their noble mightineffes the fl:atesof Hol-

land, who having verified this affertion, he

was declared innocent of this charge.

The prince of Orange, when rais'd to the

fo long fought for honour of _adtholder,

would willingly have gain'd the penfionary

de I¢/itt to his party, and to that end, he em-

ployed rome of his belt fi'iendsto break the

e 3 matter

This is the judgment of all impartial hifforians, who una-

n;moufly agree, that this/_ep was taken on purpofe to counte-

nance the out cry ofthe people, and at the fame time to mor-

tff)' the Dt I4r_tts.

lxx Memoirs of C o w NELZUs

matter to the penfionary, who an£wer'd,

" that his highne£s did him a great deal of

" honour, but that he was £enfibleit was not

" in his power to do the prince any (ervice.

" The people, laid he, hate me, and their ha-

"-.a " tred muit be the more violent as it isabfo-

" lutely without a caufe. They will therefore

" diflike every thing that pafles through my

" hands, and inltead ofyielding any affittance

" to his highnefs, I thall be a conttant dead

" weight on his interePc. As to the compli-

"' ment he is pleafed to make me, that my,

" authority under a thdtholder fhall be as

" great as it was before, it is what I leaflcde-

" fire. I never (ought power, but as it

" might enable me to £erve my country,

" and I fincereiy wifla that his highnets

" may be able to render the republic

" greater and more £uecefsful fervices, and

" that fiom a heart asfaithful, and as warm

" with zeal." To thew however how eafily

he could acquie£ce in whatever _ppeared to

be the will of his (overeigns, he went on the

£rfi of _4zlgt_, which was the day after his

firfLgoing abroad fince his being affai'finated,

to wait upon the prince of Orange, m order

to felicitate him on his being rait_d in the

_atholderiChip. His highness received him

very dryly, and though he conver(ed with him

an hour, yet the penfionary law plainly, that

it was impotfible to gain his friendfhip, but

at the expence of being hiscreature y.

tEiloire de Corneille & Jean de Witt, Vol. II. p. 47 z.

and JoHN D_ WITT. Ixxi

On the 4th of HuZu/t Mr. _o/_ de l/Fitt

addreffed himfelf to the itates of Holland, in

order to procure his difinit_on from the port

of penfiol)ary, which they granted, after

tl_ey had thanked him for his faithful £ervices

for the ;pace of 29 years. After this he em-

ployed his time in drawing up a Rate of the

finances, for he was not fatisfied with hav-

ing clean hand.% he ,hought that one who

had exercifed fo long the office of firft mi-

nifler to fo powerfid a republic, ought not

only to be guiltlefs, but exempt from all fuf-

picion. This was the great thing he had in

view, and this he lived to accomplifh, for he

fo little affec2ed public bufinefs, when he law

it was no longer in his power to benefit the

public, that tho' he was frill a memb=r of the

great council, yet be very feldom went thi-

ther, but deplored in fecret the misfortunes

of his country, which from the higher pro-

fperity, fell as it were, all at once, to the

very brink of ruin '

.It is not kri&ly my bufine£, and if it were

I flmuld not find ir very eafy to atfign the

caufes of thole milkhiefs'which befell Holland

in 1672. It is clear that the perfidioufnefs

of the French court, and the venality of king

C_'arl,.'s's miniflers, ere among the chief of

them, but it is no iefs true, that the itat_

might have made much greater refittance

than lhe did, if it had not been for her in-

teRinc divifions. This it was that fpread

e 4 that

" See Bafnage, 1,e Ckre, De la Nctaville, Brand', life el"

de Ruytcr, &c.

lx_ Memoirs of CoxN_nxvs

that terror and confufion, which every where

-_ appear'd on the invafion of the French, and

occafion'd in a few days the 1ot_of places

that might have withftood an enemy for

many months ; but the reader muff not fup-

pole that this at all weakens what our au-

thor fuggefts in the enfuing work*. Since he

there takes it for granted, that men would

be fenfible of the bleiiings they poffefs'd, and

join unanimoufly and heartily in fupporting

the government to which they owed them,

and it is upon this hypothefis he affirms what

would have been found true, that Holland might

have defended herfelf even againf_ France.

I cannot but obferve upon this occafion that

the prince of Orange's party heightened there

confufions in order to ruin the de Witts. The

-_ mob were encouraged to pull down a houfe

in which the penfionary was fuppos'd to lie

tick, and an attempt was made to affaffinate

Cornelius de Witt in his houfe at Doff, on the

very _ame day his brother had been attacked

in the ft:reet. Peter Grotius, the fon of the

great Hugo, lately returned from his embaffy

in France, fav'd his life by flight, but his

boule was plunder'd, and the prince of Orange

himfelf caufed the count deMontbas, who had

married the filler of the deWitts to be arretted

in his camp, and if he had not efcap'd, would

have condemned him as a traytor, tho' he

had behav'd himfelf as bravely as any man

could

Seexl andxll rhap. ofpartII, and compare them witk

=iii. xiv. and xr. Chapters.

-...d__ __-.3.1.

and JOHN DE W*TT. Ixxiii

could do, which increafed the (form, that

was but already toogreat d

While the common cwywas ftrong againf_

the deWitts, a barber whofe name was Tich-

laer, came to the prince's camp, and in-

inform'd the lord Zuyleflein, natural uncle to

the prince, that Corneliusde I¢/'itt, the antient

burgoma_er of Dort, had given him money,

and promis'd him a great reward to poifon

the prince, becaufe, as he (aid, they could

not otherwife preferve their liberty, the

prince being now made _adtho!der, contrary

to the perpetual edi& ; and that they might

come to fall under a foreign power by a

match betwixt lbme foreign potentate and a

daughter of the prince, if he /hould have

any'. The barber having given this upon

oath, the prince communicated the fame to

the court of Holland, who thereupon commit.-

ted de Witt to prifon, and after having exa-

mined both parties, confronted them, and

enquired into the matter by torture and

otherwife d,confidering all circumftances, with

the

Hil_oire de Corneille & Jean de Witt. See alfo the me-

moirs of the count de Mountbal, publi/hed at Colagne.

• This William q'tchlaer, a barber-furgeon, was _very _n-

famous fellow. Some time before this, he had turned away

Cornelia Pleuneu his maid-(errant, and int_ead of her wages

aVe her a bill for bleeding, tooth-drawing, _.9'c. which he

ore to, and (o got off. The wench, in her paaion, laid

he was a perjur'd villain, and had cheated her of her wages.

Upon this, _'ichlaer brought his a&ion before the Ruard _au

avutten, for his lofs of reputation. But the jury or Leen-ma=nen

as the Dutch call them, found for the defendant, being con-

vinced, they (aid, /he/'poke nothing more than truth.

Upon the oath of this tingle and molt worthy withers,

Corntlius dt _17lt, who made fo great ati_ure in the flare, and

had

lxxiv Memoirs of C o a _ z z I v s

the t_eadfaft adherence, when confi'onted, of

the barber to his accufation, and the an-

£wersof the defendant and his dcfence, they

condemned the latter tolofe all his offices and

employments, banifh'd him for ever out of

Holland and Wefl-Friefland, and order'd him

to depart as loon as poffible, without ever

returning, on pain of feverer punifhmenq

condemned him in cofl.s of fuit, and let his

accufers at liberty _

The wife, brother and friends of Cornelius

de lFitt prefented £everal petitions and infor-

mations to the court to vindicate the defen-

dant; infifting upon the £ervices he had done

to the ftate for a great many years, and that

he was but juft returned home from the fleet,

where his very enemies would bear witne_ to

his courage and condu6t. They alledg'd alfo

the whole tenor of his converfation, as a fuf-

ficient defence againft this calumny, and re-

ferr'd to the records of feveral courts, where

the barber had been condemn'd for p_.rjui'y,

and fcandalizing feveral perfons of note, that

he was under fentence at the fame time f_3r

_.rape, for which he was anfwerablc to a court

of the defendant's jurifdiCtion, who was

thereby entitled to his forfeiture, for which

Jiadjar gained a vie-tory over the French and Engl_ fleets, was

put to the torture ; and while the hangman did his office, the

Ruard repeated the third ode of the third book of Horace, which

fo furpriz'd his judges, that they went away, and left him with

the fifcal and executioners, not able to endure the fight of a

man they were about to injure Rill farther.

c This is the fentence tranfcrib'd, and it is very remarkable,

that thole who ptmi/h him do not declare him guilty, even in

,.laeirown opinions.

a_d JOHN DE WITT. IXXV

he.ow'd the defendant a grudge ; that the de-

fendant never law him but once, which was

loon after his return from lea, when the bar-

ber, after feveral applications, was admltted

to his bed-chamber, oa pretence of having

fomething of importance to difcover to him,

without any body's being by; that Mrs. de

l_itt difirufting the fellow becaufe of his ill

looks, and becaufe of the univerfal clamour

that was rais'd again_ her hufband and his

brother, who had narrowly efcaped being

murdered by affaffins a very little before, fhe

ordered the chamber-door to be kept opert,

and her fon and fervant to i_ay in the next

room, in view of the bed upon which her

huiband lay, becaufe of his indifpofition;

that they heard all that pafs'd betwixt her

huiband and the barber; that the latter, after

rome difcourfe about the calamities of their

country, and the prefent pofiure of affairs,

laid, he had fomething to propofe to him, if

he would keep it fecret and givehim affiftance.

To which her huiband anfwered, that if what

he had to propofe was good, he would do

what he defired; but if otherwife he might

get him gone. To which the barber replied,

Since you will not hear me, Sh', I'll be gone.

And to bidding him farewel, he was let out

of the houfe by her fervant, after he had

flaid about a quarter of an hour. That de

I¢Titt, refie&ing upon what had paffed, lent

for tile town clerk, gave him an account of

what the fellow had laid, and defired him,

fince he was not able to go himfelf, that he

would

Ixxvi Memoirs oJ Co_ N _ L z u s

would go to the prefent burgo-mafter, and

get a warrant to take up and examine the

barber. A warrant was accordingly taken,

but the witnefs could not be found 'till after

he had given in his accufation upon oath, to

which he was encourag'd by the clamours of

the peopleagainR her hu/band f.

It happen'd unfortunately that the barber

being at liberty, and publifhing it loudly at

the Hague, that the Ruard Van Putten had

been convi&ed on his evidence, the people

grew tumultuous, efpecially after they heard

zhe fentence, which they laid was cruel if he

was innocent, and contrary to juftice if he

was guilty.When the,barber faw them in this

difpofition he trump d up another tale, that

if they did not prevent it, Corneliusde Witt

would be quicklyrefcued out ofprifon. Upon

this the people inftantly arm'd, and furrounded

the place where he was confined. It fell out

very unfortunately that the penfionary, who

had been fent for by his brother, went to him,

contrary to the advice of his friends ; and as

he was bringing him out of prifon, in order

to depart, according to his fentence, a wo-

man cried out to the guard of burghers, who

hood beforethe prifon door, W/.,at the :Devil !

_ men, there's the tra)'tors going off, drive them

up again, orflrike them dead. Upon which,

the guard order'd them both to go up again,

or they would fire uFon them; and tho'

the

r All that 9"i_laeroffer'd on the otherfide was, that he had

been injured, that the court which eondernn'd him waspartial,

the jury perjured and himfelf, notwithRanding what all the

world l_id, an honer man.

and J o n s Dz WIr r. Ixxvii

the penfionary fpoke to them with authority

to forbear, they forc'd them both in again,

and oblig'd theircoach to drive off, in which

their father fat, in order to have carried them

to dinner s. In mean time the the tumult

increas'd, and the report being fpread, that

Corneliushad efcap'd, the people would not

he pacified 'till two of the burgo-maflers and

four burghers went up and fatisfiedthem to

the contrary. The penfionary prevail'd with

the magiftrates to dine with him and his bro-

ther. But in the mean time all the compa-

nies ofburghers came in arms about the prilbn,

drew up in good order, and would fuffer no

man to go in, for fear of an uproar. Three

troops of horfe which then lay in the Hague

alfo mounted : one of them went to the

ufual place of rendezvous, and the other two

endeavoured to get into the outer court of the

prifon, but the people kept them off with

their pikes and mu/kets, and the armed rabble

got up to the tops of the neighbouring houfes,

to fee that neither of the de l¢/itts fhould

efcape, and perceiving that the officers ftaid

long in the prifon, and apprehending them

to be murdered, they began to throw t_ones

and to fire their pieces at the doors and win-

dows_

f We are told in the Dutch relations of this tragedy, that a

perfon of too great quality for the keeper to difpat¢ with, came

in the morning, and after a lhort interview with Corndiut #e

Witt, ordered the jaylor, as if it w_re at the prifoner's requeft,

to go and bring, by all means, his father and brother to fee

him. As foon a_ M. Cornelius de I¢/itt law his brother, he

cried out, why came you here ? and the penfionary, under-

ftanding he had not feat for him, forefaw his own and his

brothet'_ fate_ who lay onthe brd cripFlcd by the torture.

Ixxvlii Memoirs of C o R N r z I v s

dows, 'till the officers fpoke to them out

the windows, and told them, all was well h.

A groundlefs report was in the mean time

@read, that the mob of the neighbouring

villagesand towns had taken arms, and were

coming to plunder the Hague. This in-

creal_d the tumult, and rome of the burghers

cried out, /¢"eflay here to guard a coupleo/"

rogues.,who _rill certainly be re]cuedbefore to-

morrow, byjb,-ce orfraud; and ij they efcape,

town will be next day all in bloodand con-

juflon, andour bot_splunder'd. Upon which

many requefted, that the de tVitts might be

carried to the town-houfe, where they would

be kept fecurely, without anytrouble. Others

cried out, let us tie them to thegibbet andfl:oot

them. Upon which one of the mob bid them

follow him, and he would he their leader ;

and then with their mutkets and tmith's

hammers they broke up the doors, and came

_, to the chamber, where they found the pen-

fionary fitting upon the foot of the bed, read-

ing his bible, and his brother laiddown in his

night gown. The penfionary atk'd them

what they would have, and why _ll that vio-

lence ? one of them anfwer'd, 2"oumz_ walk

down, for we will have your lives j. Come-

]ills

h The magif_rates applied early enough for afl_ance, to the

pr_nce of Orange, bef¢eching him to come to their aid, or at

lear to fend thelll tloops. The anfwer the), received was, that

his prefence was neeeffary in the camp, and that for troops they

could not be fpared. .All this, and the authoritie_ on which

the [ac% are reported, the reader may find in Le Cierc, Tom.

I1/.p. 3o0_3o8.

it is eafy to difcern this was a tumult under direction, for ,.

The guard _as chang'd, z. The mob were headed by Fan Bau

¢hen_

and Jou_ Dz WITT. lxxix

/a'us rifing from the bed, fpoke roughly

to the fellow, and bid him go down ; but

the pentionary feeing that no reafon would

do, he took his brother by the hand to go

down Pmirs, where he was wounded by a pike

over the eye ; upon which he held up his hands

and eyes to heaven, recommending his foul

to God ; and as he went out, was forc'd by

the mob to the very place where he had been

affaflinated two months before, and barba-

roufly murder'd, covering his face with his

cloak, as Ccfar did ; and his laCtwords were,

well, men.; well, citizens, t and loon after

his brother underwent the fame fate. Upon

this, the companies retired under their refpe&ive

colours in good order, while the barbarous

mob carried their dead bodies to the gallows,

where they hung the penfionary a foot higher

than his brother, and afterwards mangling

their corps, cut their cloaths in a thoufand

pieces, and lent them about the country, as

if they had been trophies of a conquer ; and

rome of them cut out large pieces of their

flefh, which they broil'd and eat k. Thus

fell there two great men by popular fury ;

Cornelius de l/P'itt in the 49th, -and the penfi-

onary in the 47th year of his age, both equally

zealous for the glory and liberty of their na-

tive

them, then a magiRrate. 3.Tho' the ringleaderswerefo well

known, they werenever punithed.

g The circumftances of this inhuman butchery have been

very particularly recorded. It has been d'pecially obl_rved,

lhat one Henry I"erboof a gold-fmith cut open their badies

like a butcher, took out both their hearts, carriedthem to a

publicboule to fear the enemies ofthe de Witt_ with the fight,

and afterwardskept them a long timeby him.

lx_x NIemoirs of C o RN_L I v s

tire country, and formerly as much belov'd,

as now they were hated by the people, who

look'd upon them to be the caufes of all the

calamities with which their country was at

that time overwhelm'd i

The Ruard van Putten left behind him a

daughter who was afterwards married to her

coufin Mr. _ohn de Witt, fon of the penfio-

nary, who gave fignal proofs of his extraor-

dinary abilities, tho' to the forrow of his rela-

tions, and indeed of all who knew him, he

died in the flower of his age, leaving behind

him two fonsand a daughter. The names of

the fons were Cornelius and _ohn, and they

refembled in every refpe& their grandfather

fo nearly, that all the true friends of their

country hw with delight there worthy repre-

fentatives of a family, which had done and

fuffered fo much for the fafety and liberty of

their country".

As very unufual pains had been taken firit

to excite, and then to augment that fpirit of

rageand fury which brought theregreat mento

fo undeferved an end, and asafter their deaths

it had been given out that a full difcovery had

_, been made of rome traiterous correfpondence

carried on by the penfionary; the f_atesof

Holland thought fit to appointa folemn depu-

tation, who were dire&ed to feize and real

up all the papers cf the late minifier, and to

bring them to the chancery of the Hague,

where they were examin'd by M. de tVitt's

fUC-

I Bafnage, Le Clerc, dela Neuville, &c.

z3.I-Iiltoire de C. & J'.dc Witt, Vol. II. p. 54 z.

and JoI-IN DE WIT'/'.

fucceffor in the officeof keeper of the reals,

who declared, that he found nothing crimi-

nal in any of the penfionary's papers, but on

the contrary many fre;h marks _f his fidelity,

and one extraordinary inftance of his care,

torte&hers and affiduity, fince in the whole

of his tranfa_ions for nineteen years there was

not a tingle paper but what was in its proper

place, foas that it might be immediately re-

ferred to ".

The truth is, the virtues of there great men

were fo refplendent, and the fervices they

had rendered their country fo many, and of

fuch high confequence, that when death had

exempted them from the purfuits of envy,

even thole who had perfecuted them living,

did juf_ice to their memory. When king

CharlesII. heard of the death of the de I4qtts,

he enter'd into adifcourfe of the hazard aman

run in accepting the office of penfionary.

" I am heartily forty, laid he, for the fate of

" _ohn de Witt, but he was cloath'd with the

" mot_ dangerous chara&er in his country.

" That chara&er of which Barnevelt felt the

" pain _ Paa"w experienc'd the clamours and

" calt_mnies, which are ufually rais'd againt_

" him who enjoysit, and of which Catsalone

" enjoy'd the pleafure. This laff when he

" threw himfelf on his knees before the

" fiates, to procure his difmi_on, could not

" forbear on their granting it, breaking outinto

" tears of j_y that flow'd from a juft f_nfe

f " of

Ibld. p. 547-

IrJcx'd Memoirs of Co RNz LIus

" of his happinefsin efcaping fafe and found

" from fueh a poft o,,.

The prince of Orange, who had only a po-

litical averfion for the deWitts, when he heard

of their barbarous murder, inftead of lhewing

the leaft approbation of it, or even attributing

their fate to their own fault, reproved fuch

as fpoke difrefpeCtfu]lyof CorneliusdeWitt, and

then applyinghimfelfto a perfon of diffin6tion

who was near him ; "We have loft, faidhe, in

" the penfionary a great miniver and a great

" man. His genius was equal to his employ-

" ments, and the virtues of his private life

" added luRre to his talents for public buff-

" nefsp". His highnefs had reafon indeed to

fay this, for the penfionary de 14/itt was much

more careful of hiseducation than any of his

own family. " I know, faidthat great ffatef-

" man, that the prince will be one day fet at

" the head of affairs, and therefore, outofre-

" gard for my country, I would willingly

" contribute, as far as in me lies, to his at-

" raining every quality which may render

" him equal to thole employments, to which

'" he may be hereafter called _."

Mr. Saturn, who wrote the life of king

William, has therein drawn the following

chara6ter of the penfio_aary " He was, lays

o Ibid p. 547.

Hil_oirede Gaillaume III Tom. II. p. 4zt.

q Bttvnet°sHi_ory ofhis owntimes, Vol. I. p. 364, where

the author lays, that he had this fromthe mouth of the prince

of Oraggz, who acknowledged, that he owed his perfe_

knowledge of the atFairsof HolLandto the dhrcourffsaud in.

tqrtu_ioasof a_obxit Witt.

_d JOHN DE WITT, {X'Ik'XIii

ke, " a perfon of univerfal abilities, and the

', greateft genius of his age, the ableft politi-

" cian in war, as well aspeace, the Atlas of

" the commonwealth, of which, even his

+' enemies look'd upon him asthegreat oracle.

" He was induftrious, vigihnt and indefw-

" tigable in bufinei_, fober, mode_, always

" ferious, but withal courteous, eafy, affa-

" hie and agreeable in every thing he did.

" As difinteret_ed as a man could pofiiblybe,

" finee all he propos'd was the profperity of

" his country, and the maintainanee of its

" liberty. Tho' he was very eafy ofaccefs,

" and extremely civil to every body, yet he

•' was far from courting popularity by any

" mean or bale fubmiffions to the people.

" Always equal to himfelf, and tTever/hakea

+' even amidft the greateft misfortunes : his

" mindretain'd itsufual eompofure, and even

+' to his hft breath he manife_ed that heroic

" firmnefs as fuch men are only capable of,

" whole confciences are void of offence. To

•' rum up his charac"terin few words, I/hall

" fay, that in whatever could demoni_rate

•' either abilitiesof foul, or addrefs of body,

" he excell'd. He was a great mathema-

" ticlan, a good philofopher, and aixuniver-

" fal fcholar. In a word, he had an exqui-

" rite judgment and an admirable memory,

" at the fame time that he poffeffed, in the

" higheft perfec"tion, thole qualities which

" books and i_udy never can beftow, and

" which are however ahfolutely neceffary _

" a minh%r of Rate, who is at the head cff

f 2 " affairs,

lxx'xiv Memoirs of CoR _rr LXVS

" affairs, and who adminiRers ashe did, in a

" manner alone, the government of a great

" republic'."

Bi(hop But'net has given us a very large

character of the penfionary, but it is not very

exact. He lays, that he was rais'd to that

officeby that time he was 06, whereas he was

s_earer 28. He obferves he was defeCtivein the

knowledge of modern hiRory, but the reader

will perceive, by the enfuing pages, how much

the prelate erred in that point ; and he erred

Rill farther in affirming him to have hated

the houfe of Orange, which it ismoR certain

he never did, but lov'd, as became him, his

country's fafety better than the interefi or

grandeur of any princely family ; and to prove

this, one need do no more than cite the bi-

/hop's character of him at large, which in-

deed is fo particular, and contains fo many

curious circumlLances, that notwithtLanding

there little/lips, I (hall recommend it to the

reader's perufal.

After having mentioned his family, he

proceeds to tell us, " that his breeding was

" to the civil law, which he underwood very

" well. He wasa gl'eat mathematician; and

" as his Elementa Curvarum /hew what a

" man he was that way; fo perhaps no man

" ever applied algebra to all matters of trade

" fo nicely as he did. He made himfelf fo

" entirely mat_er ofthe Rate of Holland, that

c, he under/h_d exactly all the concerns of

" their revenue, and what rums, and in what

" manner

r I-/iRoire& GailhnmeIII. Tom.II. p. 413.

and JoHs WITT. Lxxv

" manner could be railed upon any emer-

" gency of flare. For this he had a pocket-

" book full of tables, and was ever ready to

" flaew how they could be £urnifhed with

" money. He was a frank, fincere man,

'* without fraud, or any other artifice but

" filence; to which he had fo accuftomed

" the world, that it was not eafy to know,

" whether he was filent on defign or cut, ore.

" He had a great clearnefs of apprehenfion :

" and when any thing was propo£ed to him,

" how new foever, he heard all patiently,

" and then aflced fuch queffiozJs as occurred

" to him : and by the time he had done all

" this, he was as much maffer of the propo-

,' fition, as the perfon was that had made it.

,' He knew nothing of modern hil_ory, nor

" of the l_ate of courts, and was eminently

" defe_ive in all points of form. But he had

" laid down this for a maxim, that all princes

,' and ftates followed their o_'n interefts : fo,

,' by ob£erving what their true intereft were,

" he thought he could, without great intelli-

" gence, calculate what they were about.

" He did not enough confider how far pal.,

" fions, amours, humours and opinionswrought:

" on the world, chiefly on princes. He had

" the notions of a commonwealth from the

" Greeks, and Romans. And from them he

" came to fancy, that an army commanded

" by officers of their own country, was both

" more in their power, and would ferve

" them with the more zeal, fince they them-

" felves had fuch an intereft in the fuccefs.

f 3 " And

Ixxxvi Memoirs of C o g _ z LI v s

" And fo he was againft their hiring fordg-

"ners unlefs it was to becommon foldiersto

" lave their own people. But he did not

" enough confider the phlegm and covetouf-

" nefsof his countrymen; of which he felt the

_ " ill effe_s afterwards. This was his greatett

" error, and it turned totally upon him.

" But for the adminiftration of juftice at

" home, and for the management of their

" trade and their forces by lea, he was the

" ablet_ miniver they everhad. He had an

" hereditary hatred to the houfe of Orange.

" He thought it was impoffible to maintain

" their liberty, if they were frill ftadtholders.

" Therefore he did all that was poffible to

" put an invincible bar in their way, by the

" perpetual edicq:. But at the fame time, he

" took great care of preferring the young

" prince'sfortune, and look'd well to hisedu-

" cation, and gave him, as the prince him-

" felf told me, very jut_ notions of every

" thing relating to the ftate. For he did not

" know, but that at fome time or other he

" would be let over them. Therefore he

"' intended to render him J_t togovern well."

The famous Sir William Temple, than

whom no man was better acquainted, either

with the perfonal chara6ter of the penfiona.ry

de Witt, or with the Du.'ch government m

general, fpeaks of him on various occafions,

with the utmoft el'teem, and with the highefl:

teftimonies of praife and admiration. He ob-

terves, that when he was at the head of the

government, he differed nothing in his man-

tier

and J o H_ D _ W I T T. lxxxv_

ner of living, from an ordinary citizen. When

he made vifits he was attended only by a tingle

footman, and on common occafions he was

frequently feen in the flreets without any fer-

rant at all :. This moderation indeed was

very agreeable to the nature of that govern-

ment which he laboured to fiapport ; for jn an

equal commonwealth there ought to be little

or no diftin_ion amongPt citizens, and the

ports in the adminit_ration flaould rather be

accounted honourable burthens than employ-

ments to be fought for profit. Thefe were

abfolutely the fentiments of the grand pen-

fionary, whole office for the fir/_ ten years,

brought him in little more than 30o L and in

the latter part of his life not above 7oo L

Pfrerann. When he refufed a gift of 1o,ooo L

om the ftates general, it was becaufe he

thought it a bad precedent in the government,

and when he accepted from the nobles of

I-Iolland 15oo l. it was with a view to the

public fervice, which he would have been

the lefs able to attend, but for that convenient

fupply, his fortune being much inferior to

what, in our times, we fee commonly rais'd

by an under clerk in a great office. With

great reafon therefore, Sir William Temple

fpeaking of his death obferves ',

" He wasaperfon that defervedanother fate,

" and a better return from hi8 country after

" eighteen years fpent in their minilh'y,

" without any care of hi_ ente tainments or

f 4 r. " eafe,

f$ee SirWilliam Ttraple'slettersand memoirs.

t _ his Obffrvations uponthe United Province,, p. 16o

_i .Memoirs of C o R _ _ L I _ s

" care, and little of his fortune. A man of

,c unwearied induf_ry, inflexible conff,ancy,

" found, clear and deep underflanding, and

.' untainted integrity, fothat whenever he was

*' blinded, it was by the paffion he had for

*' that which he efleemed the good and in,.

" tereft of his ffate. This tef_imony is jufily

" dueto him from all tbat were well acquainted

" with him, and is the more willingly paid,

" fince there can be aslittle interef_ to flatter,

" as honour to reproach the dead."

But why do I trouble the reader with au-

thorities in fupport of his character, who in

the following flaeetshas ere&eda never-fading

monument to his own immortal memory.

"_ This book contains thole maxims of govern-

ment upon which he a6ted; it fhews us the

true and genuine principles of policy, on which

alone it is poffible to ere6t an adminit_ration,

profitable athome, and which muf_ command

refpeeq: abroad. Here on the one hand are

pointed out the mifchiefs of tyranny, arbitrary

power, authority derived from fa6tion, mo-

nopolies, and every other fpecies of corrup-

tion. On the other hand, here is explain'd

the true method of acquiring and fecuring

power, riches and peace, and of managing and

extending trade ; offupporting liberty without

running into licentioufnefs, and of admi-

" nif_ring the commonwealth in fuch a manner,

as that the poffeffors of power/hall not be ei-

ther envied or fear'd. Such is the work, and

fuch was it_ author_ a great good man,

who

and Jo_t_ D_ WITa'.

who after overcoming fuch domeftick diffi-

culties as were thotjght infup.erable_ and tri-

umphing over foreign enemies, perifla'd at

laft by popular fury, who coming to the go-

vernment in dif_refs'dand perilous times, by

his/kill, hisprobity and indefatigable indulh'yj

firfl: rendered his country fate, then happy ;

who owed hi_deftruc-tion to the wantonnel_

of that profperity he had procured, and was

buried in the ruins of that fabrick which

none but his own incomparable genius could

ere&. Would you fee the model of this

fuperb edifice, behold it in his book, and know

that the author of there memoirs confiders it

as his _eateft felicity, that he has lived to pay

this tribute to the memory of there martyrs,

the common friends to liberty and to man-

kind, whole virtues have been fo imperfe6t.ly

known to Britons, that manylook upon them

as juft victims to their own ambition, whereas

they were abfo!utely facrifices of/_ate, which

ought to teach every free people to reflefl:,

when they are Rirred up againtt fuch as

have been long efteem'd patriots, finee

it is eafy to commit fuch an a6tion as

was that of the murder of the d_ Witts,

while the Rain of it is fcarce ever to be

wiped out.

xO Memoirs, &e.

To the Memory of the Grand

Penfionary.

n 0 W high, andyet howjujq, de Witt thy

fame .t

Who _oouldnot die like theefor fuch a name ?

Yet ev'n that death couldno_ch honourgive,

tte whowouldreachthyfame muff like theelive.

THE

C ONTEN TS2

PART I.

Chap. I. "_'T "T"t-IEREIN are laid down the

general po6tical maxim."which

tend to the profperity of all

countries: and fome reafonsto make it evident,

that the fame do aptly agree to i'-lolland and

Weft-Friefland, Page r.

Chap. 2. That the true interefl and political max-

ims of Holland maybe well underflood,it muU

not be con/ideredas infpeculation it fbould be,

but as it flands at prefent, 13.

Chap. 3. Of Holland:s natural burdens and hin-

drances, 17.

Chap. 4- Of the naturalprodu¢7and advantagesof

Holland, 20.

Chap. 5. That the inbabitants of Holland cannot

befed by its own product, 2I.

Chap. 6. That Holland lies very commodieuflyto

fetch its provi./ionout of theJea, and to provide

it felf by otherarts and trades : and howgreat a

meansoffubfiflencetbeflfloerietmayproveto us,2_.

Chap. 7. ffhat no country in Europe is fitter for

traffck than Holland ; and bow great a means

offubfll_encecommerceis to it, 25.

Chap. 8. Holland byflfbing andtraffck has acquir'd

r_anufagturies and navigation: bow great a

means offubfiflencemanufaOury, and Jhips let

out tofreight prove to them, 29.

Chap.

The C 0 N" T E N T S.

Chap. 9. That the inhabitants of Holland, being

in a jqate of freedom, are bya commoninterefl,

wonderfully linked together _ which i_ alfofhew'd

by a rough calculatio_._of the number of inhabi-

tants, and by what mean_tbeyfubfiJt, 3x.

Chap. Io. Why the heavy taxes occaJionedby war,

have not driven flfhing, trading, manufacTury,

andfhtpping out (Holland, 38.

Chap. 1I. The antientflare of manufaguries, ft./he-

ries, and navigat:on in Europe, 39.

Chap. Iz. It is particularly fbewn, that fifbing

and tra.fick muff entirely fettle in Holland, and

manufaeTuriesfor the moilpart, andconfequently

navigation, orfai#ng uponfreight, 43.

Chap. /3. That Amftcrdam is provided _mth

better meansof fubfiflence, and is a greater city

of traffick, and Holland a richer mercbandizmg

country, than ever was in the world, 46.

Chap. 14. That freedom or toleration in and about

the fervice and wor[hipof God, is a great means

to preferve many inhabitants in Holland, and

to allureforeigners to dwell amongflus, 49;

Chap. IS. tl_cond meansto keepHolland populous,

is a plenary freedom for all that will cohabit

with Us, tofollow anyoccupationfor a hvelihood,

56.

Chap. 16. That monopolizingcompaniesandguilds,

excluding all other per/'onsfrom their focieties,

arevery prejudicial to Holland, 60.

Chap. 17. _bat fifhers, manufat'turers, merchants,

and ownersoffreight/hips, oughtnot as fucb to

becharged, by payingany impafitionto the coun-

try, under anypretext wbatfoever, 65.

Chap. I _. 5thatfreedom of religion is, contrary to

all reafon, obflru_edin Holland, 68.

Chap. i9. if'batthe freedom _f fl_ery and traffck

• I ImJ

The CONTENTS.

in Holland is inforue raeafureunjuflly reflrain'd,

7° •

Chap. 20. _rhatraanufat'tures and other mechanic

works, are imprudentlyreltrain'd, 73.

Chap. 2x. That the heavy and manifold impofls

will at length deflraythe profperity of this court.

try, 75.

Chap. 22. The grounds and reafons upon which the

greatefl caution is to be us'd in laying the tax

of convw-money,or ¢u]toms, 78.

Chap. 23. That in lwaying cwavoy-money,we itt

Holland deviate in manyparticulars from thefe

maxims, and in meraythings have obferv'd them

well, 83.

Chap. 24. What profiflions of the inhabitants of

Holland ought to be more or lefs burden'd with

taxes, or favour'd by the politick magiflrate.

89•

Chap. 25. The antient flare of juflice in Holland

and Weft-Friefland being related, it is likewife

Jhewn, that the laws and order of juflice ought

to befram'dfor thegreatefl advantage of trajfick,

I15.

Chap. 26. _rhatthe fettling of Dutch colonies in

foreign countries, would be very advantageous

for tbe rulers and people of Holland, and for

tra_ck andcommerce,aswell as navigation, x17.

PART

The C 0 N T E N T 8.

PART II.

Of the interet_ of Holland in relation to fo-

reign princes and t_ates.

Chap. x. P']I_HAT" a free navigation ougbt to

It be carefully kept, and defended,

againfl all pirates and enemies. How this may

be put in praCTice; and after what manner it

has been heretofore done or omitted, 132.

Chap. 2. Above all things war, and chiefly byfea;

is moil prejudicial, and peace beneficial to Hol-

land, x95.

Chap. 3. if'hat Holland has antiently recei'o'd there

maxims of peace, i I'9

Chap. 4. Some cafes laid down, in which it feems

advi]eable for Holland to engage in a war ; and

yet thefe being well weighed, it is concluded,

that Holland neverthdeJ's ought tofeek for peace,

203.

Chap. 5. Inquiry made whether and how the wel-

fare of any country may be ?referv'd by treaties

of peace, a16.

Chap. 6. Some conflderations particularly rgating

to alliances between Holland and inferior Tow-

ers, 223.

Chap. 7. Some con_fiderationstouching the alliances

*which Holland might enter into, with mightier

potentates than tbemfdves, and firfl with France,

228.

Chap. 8. Confiderations concerning Holland's en-

tering into alliances wilh Spain, 233.

Chap. 9" Confiderations touching Holland's entering

inte alliance wOh England, 235.

I'' .... A.

The C 0 N T E NTS.

Chap. xo. Some general and particular inferenee_

drawn from the foregoing confiderations touching

all our allies, 245.

Chap. zr. That Holland heretofare under the go.

vernment of aflngleLperfon was in continual tu-

mults and broi slU.:::and that under a free govern-

ment it can defend it.[elf again.# allforeign power

better than formerly, 25 z.

Chap. tz. That Holland, during its freegovern-

men& cannot be ruin'd by any interline power_

z66.

Chap. 13" 7"bat Holland, during its free govern-

ment, is very well able to refifi all foreign power,

_o.

Chap. ,4-. That Holland, tho' floe does not fortify

her cities, if/he keeps united with Utrecht only,

is able to defend herfelf againfl all the potentates

of the world, 290.

Chap. IS. That every great city in Holland, whe-

ther well or ill fortified, is able to defend it .[elf

againfl all force from without, 296.

_ ii I I i • ill I

P A R T IIL

Chap. L l N which enquiry is made in what the

interefl of the free rulers of Holland

as to all the particulars by which the people may

live happily, confifls, 3zo.

Chap. 2. Wherein is conflder'd the interefl of the

monarchical government in Holland as to all the

foregoing matters, by which the commonalty may

thrive or pt ofper, 336.

Chap. 3. Wherein is examined whether the reafons

alledged in the two preceding chapters_ receive

any con_rmat ion from experience, 335.

Chap.

TheCON TENTS.

Chap. 4. Reafons. w_ the inhabitants of Holland

were no moredamni._d under the government of

the captainsgeneral orfladtholders, 37°.

Chap. 5. _Tbereafonwhy thegeneral liberty in Hol-

land hath caufedno morebeneftfmce the death of

the prince of Orange, the left fladtholder of

Holland, and captain-general during life, 380.

Chap. 6. Wloatgoodfruits the beginningsof a free

government have alreadyprodu_'d,from the death

ofthefladtholder, to theyear x66_L_z 394.

Chap. 7. _'hethird and left part concludedwith this,

ffhat allgood inhabitants ought to defend thefree

governmentof Holland and Wefc-Friefland with

their lives and eflates, 41_o.

Chap. 8. _'heconelufionof the whole book, with a

declaration of the author's de,/ign,and a caution

both to theill and well affe_ed readers, 487.

The

.C/_e TRUE 1NTEREST_ at/d

POLITICAL MAXIMS of

the Repul,lick of Holland

and Wett-Friefland.

-- Ik

PART I.

i i ii J i . i i _

CHAP. I.

ICiherein are laid down the general political

maxims which tend to the profperity oJ all

countries : and rome reafons to make it evi-

dent, that the flamedo aptly agree to Holland

and Weft-Frieiland.

HAT we may not abruptly fpeak of the

true intereft:and political maxims ofHol-

land and IlZefl.Friefland, nor yet furprize

the reader with unknown matters, I judge it ne-

ceffary to begin with a general difcourfeof the uni-

verfal and true political maxims of all countries:

that the reader being enlighmed by fuch reafoning,

may the better comprehend the true political

maxims of Holland and Ve'efl-Friefland. And fee-

ing that almoft all the people in Europe, as the

Spaniaras, Italians, French, &c. do exprefs the

£_meby the word interefi, I thall often have occa-

fion to ufe the fame likewife here for brevity fake,

in the fame fenfethat they do i viz. feeing the true

intereft of all countries confifis in the joint welfare

of the governors and governed ; and the fame is

known to depend on a good government, that be-

ing

General Maxims. Part I.

"/7,elr_e ing the true foundation whereon all the profperity

/_te,-_ of of any country is built ; we are therefore to know,

a//COI./H -

tries con- that a good government is not that where the well

flfl, i_t_,, or ?_.oeing of the fubje&s depends on the virtues

profp,,,t_ er vices of the rulers ; but (which is worthy of ob-

•fallt& fervation) where the well or ill-being of the rulers

Inhabi-

tants, neceffarily follows or depends on the well or ill-

being of the fubje&s. For feeir,g we mutt believe

that in all focieties or affemblies of men, felf is al-

ways preferred; fo all fovereigns or fupreme

powers will in the firft:place reek their own advan-

tage in all things, tho' to the prejudice of the fub-

je&. But feeing on the other hand true interefl:

cannot be compaffzd by a government, unlel_ the

generality of the people partake thereof; therefore

the publick welfare will ever be aimed at by good

rulers. All which very aptly agrees with our La-

tin and Dutch proverb, that, :Tantum de publicis

malls /'entimus, quantum ad privatas res pertinet

i. e. We are only fenfible of publick ami&ions, in

fo far as they touch our private affairs; for no body

halts of another man's fore.

Whereby it clearly follows, that all wife men,

whether monarchs, princes, fovereign lords, or

rulers of republicks, are always inclined fo to

ftrengthen their country, kipgdom, or city, that

they may defend themfelves againlt the power of

any fcronger neighbour. The rulers welfare there-

tbre does fo far neceffarily depend on the welfare of

the fubje& ; elfe they would loon be conquer'd by

t_ronger neighbouring princes, and be turn'd out

of their government. Thole monarchs and fupreme

powers, who by bad education, and great profpe-

rity, follow their pleafures, fuffer their government

to fall into the hands of favourites and courtiers, and

do commonly negle& this firft duty _ the raid fa-

vourites in the mean time finding themfelves vef_ed

with fuch fovereign powerj do for the molt part

rule

Chap. i. General Maxims. 3

rule to the benefit of themfelves, and to the pre-

judice, not only of fuch voluptuous and unwary

chief magiftrates, but alfo of their fubje&s ; and

by confequence tO the weakning of the political

_ate; fo°that we have often feen revolutions of

fuch monart:hies by the illgovernment of favourites.

But fuch princes as are wife, and do not entruft

their power in other mens hands, will not omit to

t_rengthen their dominions againft their neighbours

as much as poffible. But when monarchies, or re-

publicks are able enough to do this, and have no-

thing to fear from their neighbouring ftates or po-

tentates, then they do ufually, according to the op-

portunity put into their hands by the form of their

government, take courfes quite contrary to the

welfare of the fubje&.

For then it follows as truly from the faid gene- r_7_e,,ce

ral maxims of all rulers, that the next duty of too- "tisthein.

narchs, and fupreme magiftrates, is to take l]_ecialtereflof

_o?larc_$

care that their fubjec"ts may not be like generous to_,,,k,,,

and metalfome horfes, which, when they cannot be ,,,t i_po-

.ocrifbthe

commanded by the rider, but are too headfl:rong.

• . "/i,_jedt,

wanton, and r,owerful for tlaexrmafter, they reduce-.. .

r" J toat t/Jgl

and keep fo tame and manageable, as not to refufe m,y af-

the bit and bridle, I mean taxes and obedience._e,,

For which end it is highly neceffary to prevent the themfd_,

.zohat

greatnefs and power of their cities, that they may -_,r tb

not out of their own wealth be able to raife and _z_ q

• . . --_--*

maintain an army m the field, not only to repel all Arift.

foreign power, but alfo to make head againft their Polit. L 5-

own lord, or expel him. And as little, yea much c. tt.

lefs may prudent fovereign lords or monarchs per-

mit that their cities, by their ftrong fortifications,

and training their inhabitants to arms, fllould have

an opportunity eafily, if they pleas'd, to difcharge

and turn off their fovereign. Bot if herein a love-

reign had negle&ed his duty, there's no way left for

him, but to wait an opportunity to command fuch

B _z populous

General Maxims. Part I.

populous ekles and Rrongholds by citadels, and to

£-7. e.,,. rer_;ter them weak and defencelel_. And tho'/Iri-

ibid. flotle lays, that it very well fuits anoligarchical Rate

to have their cities under command of a caede, yet

this is only true of a great and populous city, that

hath a prince over it, and not of a city that go-

verns itfelf, or hath a/hare in the fupreme govern-

ment ; for in fuch a republick, the governor of

that citadel would certainly be able to make him-

felf roaRer of that city, and to fubjugate or over-

top his rulers. And we fee that this reafon is fo

/'crong and clear, and confirm'd by experience,

that the hit%ory of all former ages, as well as the

age we live in, teach us, that the rulers of repub-

licks, whatever they are, have wifely forborn

ere&ing citadels, and do Rill continue to do fo.

So that it appears that the laid maxim tending to

the overthrow of great and populous cities, may

be attributed to monarchs and princes at all times,

but never to republicks, unlefs when they have in..

confiderately fubdued great cities ; and tho' not

willing to demoli/h them, yet are willing to keep

them diRin& from the lbvereign government.

But if the inconfiderate reader be fo far prepoffel_'d

in favour of monarchy and againR common free-

dom, that he neither can nor will fubmit himfelf

to this way of reafoning, nor to the venerable and

antient leffons of old and renowned philofophers,

then let him know, that the chriRian and invinci-

Js t/,, ble monarch _uflinian has for ever eRabli/hed the

.Empe_r

Juftinia- laid monarchical maxim by form of law in the

=usi, hiJ corpusjuris, now become the common law-book

_.rl_ ju-of all civiliz'd people, and efpecially of ChriI'cians.

r,s,,_,-_ • For the laid emperor having by his captain gene-

o/'a pe_i_e-

tual la,w, red

has efla- o Bellfarlo magiflro militura _ orleuttm, _ c. Interea mt_

_li_'d it. Jq ali_uas ci_itateJ fen Caflella per liraitu conflituta pro_idcrit

tua magnltudo uimi_e tff't magnitud.;nis, _q p opter hoc nee po_

l_,ne cuflodiri ad talon modum ea conflrui difponat, *t _o_Jtt _lr

paecos btnefer_ari_ {.¢c. C_l. L *. Tit. z 7. Far. '4.

Chap. z. General Maxims. 5

ral of the earl', Belifarius, reeonquetad from the

Gotbs that part of Africa which he had formerly

lo_, and brought it under his fubjec"tion,gave him

no order that the inhabitants of great cities fhould

be better difciplin'd and provided with arms, or

fl:rengthned by good walls, that they might jointly

with eafe defend themfelves, and their great and

populous cities, againft the affaultsof thole barba-

rous people: but on the contrary, he commands

the laidcaptain generalBelifarius (andconfequent]y,

according to the Roman laws, all his other gover-

nors of provinces) to make fuch provifion, that no

city or _roog hold lying on the frontiers be fo

great as it could not be well kept ; but in fuch ca-

fes fo to order them to be built, that they may be

well defended with few foldiers, and "particularly

fuch as were in pay, and depended only on the

emperor of Rome.

And tho'weak, voluptuous, dull and fluggi/h

monarchs negle& all there things, yet will not the

courtiers who govern in their Read, neglect to leek

themfelves, and to fill their cofferswhether in war

or in peace: and thus the fubje&s crates being ex-

h_ut_edby rapine, thole great and flouriflaingcities

become poor and weak. And to the end that the

fubjecq:thould not be able to hinder or prevent

fuch rapine, or revenge themfelves, thole favourites

omit noopportunities to divet_thole populouscities

of all fortifications, provifion, ammunition of war,

and to hinder the exercifing of t_ commonalty in_e i,,t_.

the ufe of arms. Since itappears from the laid max. re/_of,t.

ires, that the publick is not regarded but for the_ublica,,

fake of privata intereR ; and confequently, that isrul,rs, it

to procure

the belt government, where the chief rulers may ,.i,h..,_

obtain their own welfare by that of the people :I_1o_

It follows thort tobe the duty of the governours ofcities.

republicks to leek for great cities, andto makethem Ari_.

aspopulousandRrongaspof/ible_thatfoallrulersPol.I.7.

¢.zt. 1.$.

B _ and_.a.

6 General Maxim_. Part I.

and magiftrates, and likewife all others that terve

the publick either in country or city, may thereby

gain the more power, honour and benefit, and more

rarely poffefsit, whether in peace or war: and this

is the reafon why commonly we tee that all repub-

licks thrive and flourifh far more in arts, manufac-

ture, traffick, populoufnefs and ftrength, than the

dominions and cities of monarchs: * for where

.Holland'sthere is liberty, there will be richesand people.

tru,i,ae- To bring all this home, and make it fui: with

reflco_s our Rate, we ought to confider that Holland may

i,_p,'omo-eafily be defended againft her neighbours; and that

ti,gA_- the fiourifhingof manufactures, fifhing, navigation,

ing, manu-

faa,,re, and traFfick, whereby that province fubfifts, and

tro_,k, (itsnaturalneceffitiesor wants being wellconfidered)

,s:c. depends perpetually on them, elfe would be un-

inhabited: I fay., the flourifbing of thole thi,gs

will infallibly producegreat, Rrong, populous and

wealthy cities, which by reafonof their convenient

fituation, may be impregnabl)_fortified: aHwhicra

to a monarch, or one fupreme head, is altogether

intolerable. And therefore I conclude, that the

inhabitants of Holland, whether rulers or fubje&s,

can receive no greater mifchief in their polity,

than to be governed by a.monarch, or fupreme

lord : and that on the other fide, God can give no

greater temporal blefftng to a country in our cot,-

dition, than to introduce and preferve a free com-

monwealth government.

But feeing this conclufion oppofeth the general

and long-continued prejudices of all ignorant per-

forts, and confequently of moil:of the inhabitants

of there United Pr_inces_ and that rome of my

readers might difl:aRe this treatife upon what I

have already laid, unJe/_fomewhat were Ooken to

obviate their miRakes_ I lhalrtherefone offer them

thefe reafons.

A,ltho'

• _._?e u_i lit_trtas, i_ & populus & di_itiw.

Chap. r. General Maxims. 7

Altho' by what hath been already faid, it ap-

ears, That the inhabitants of a republick are in-

nitely more happy than fubjeEts of a land gover-

ned by one fupreme head_ yet the contrary is al-

ways thought in a country where a prince is already

reigning, or in republicks, where one fupreme

head is ready to be accepted.

For not only officers, courtiers, idle gentry, and _e i_te-

foldiery, but alfo all thole that would be fuch, rq/of

courtiers

knowing, that under the worft government they and#l-

ufe to t_re belt, becaufe they hope that with ira- diets is

punity they may plunder and rifle the citizens and direa$

country people, and fo by the corruption of the ,,gainfl

them.

government enrich themfelves, or attain to gran-

deur, they cry up monarchical government for

their private interefl: to the very heavens: altho, Sam.,.

God did at firf't mercifully inft'itute no other but a 8, iz.

commonwealth government, and afterwards in his Whichh

wrath appointed one fovereign over them. Yet notb,tie-

for all this, thole blood-fuckers of the ftate, and, wedby

indeed of mankind, dare to fpeak of republicks f°me*

with the utmofl: contempt, make a mountain of eve-

ry molehill, difcourfe of the defeCts ofthem at large_

and conceal all that is good in them, becaufe they

know none will punifh them for what they fay_

wherefore all the rabble (according to the old Beca_f_

Latin v erfe) being void of knowledg_ and judg- ,,_og .

ment, and therefore inclining to the weather or_tbo)

rarer fide, and mightily valuing the vain and empt.yjudging

pomp of kings and princes, fay amen to it ; elpecl- amongall

ally when kept in ignorance, and irritated againfl: common

the lawful government by preachers, who aim atf"bJe'q',

tends tot

dominion, Or wo_ild introduce an independent and t& ,,d-

arbitrary power of church-government ; and fuch oaantage

(God amend it) are found in Holland, and the other o#monar.

B 4 Unitedd_"

q. _ • 8edquieb?

_Turb_Reml feguitur fortunatu_ ut femptr, & odit danmatos,

J_¥cll.

General Maxims. Part I.

United Prwoinces, infomuch, that all vertuous and

intelligent people have been necef/itated to keep

filence, and to beware of difclofing the vicesof their

princes, or of fuch as would willing*,y be their

governors, or of courtiers and rude military men,

and fuch ambitious and ungovernable preachersas

defpifeGod. and their native country.

_..' h,_ Nay there are few inhabitants of a perle& free

J...g..o._ fi:ateto be found, that are inclinable to inf'cru6tand

it isfor teach others, how much better a republick is than

. . a monarchy, or one fuvreme head, becaufethey

JOrt to a¢- . . _ .... *....

¢lartthem- Know no Docly Willrewaro them for _t; and that on

fil_.to the other tide, * kings, princes, and great men are

the.w_,- fo dangerous to be converfed with, that even their

dietofgo- friends can fcarcelytalk with them of the wind and

dgttrnmottj.

/y_g/, weather, but at the hazard of their lives; and kings

l_rfo_,, with their long arms can give heavy blows, And

_iobyet altho' all intelligent and ingenuous fubje&sof mo-

,_,flo_, narchs, who have not, with lying fycophantical

m ,,a- courtiers, cart off all llaame, are generally by there

ti_o,,oun-reafons, and daily experience, fully convinced of

try,Ibaoethe excellency of a republick above a monarchical

I.re per-

_.,.d, government ; yet neverthelefs, many vertuous per-

andtn, fons_ lovers of monarchy, do plaufibly maintain,

_*/,',a, that feveral nationsare of that temper and difpofi-

w/,.;e, tion, that they cannot be happily governed but by

any_tople a tingle perfon, and quote for this the examples of

_-_d6 all the people in .4fro and Africa, as well as Eu-

are to be

jro,,,,r,,edrope, that liefoutherly. They do alfo alledge, that

/y ,,u all the people who lie more northerly, are more tit

pt_f_,, to be governed by a tingle peffon, and with more

freedom ; as from France to the northward, all

abfolute monarchical government ceafeth; and

therefore maintain or affert, with fuch ignorant

perfons as I mentioned before, that the Hollanders

in particular are fo turbulent, fa&ious, and difin-

genuotu,

• _ Seal_uid _iokntiut am'e syrmral,

Cu_ _to deplu'oiit aut a_ibus nut nitul_fo

Jrtrskc_t,rifat, mt_da_atamid? Juc_no

Chap. x. General Maxims. 9

genuous, that they cannot be kept in awe, and hap-

pily governed, but by a tingle perfon ; and that

the hif[ories of the former reigns or government by

earls, will fufficiently confirm it.

But on the other tide, the patriots, and lovers ofwhaber

a free-_ate will fay, that the foregoing government theHol-

by earls is well know to have been very wretched landers

arefo _ee-

and horrid, their reigns filling hiftory with con-,v_, tha

tinual wars, tumults, and deteffable a&ions, occa- thq cannot

fioned by that tingle perfon. And that on the con- beg_er,-

trary, the Hollanders, fubfifiing by manufac"tures, edbxt

afl_g&

fifhing, navigation, and commerce, are naturally tt_,,/,

very peaceable, if by fuch a fupreme head they

were not excited to tumults. Whether this be fo or De,c,,a.

not, may be learned and confirmed too in part from Part z.

thofe hiftories, oh. 3, o

But here it may be laid, that things are much 7, t3.

altered within there Ioo years laft ; for Hollandwbabe,.

then fubfiff;ed moPdy by agriculture, and there t_O,,_dd

were then no foldiery, treafure, or tbrtified places &happier

tO be at the earl's difoofal. But when he had _,,i_r a

• • s • jlaat-

wars, xt was wxth the help of his homagers and holder.

tenants, only fubtidies or money being given him thanfo_-

at his requeff; by the _ates of the country : And me_#,,,,-

moreover, the cities of Holland, and caffles of the tierta,_._

nobility were (according to the then method of

war) fo firong, that they could not be taken by

the laid earls, without great forces imployed a-

gainff; them ; fo that the ffates of Holiand in their

affemblies, have boldly contended for their rights

again_ the earl's encroachments. Therefore there

earls, on the other fide, by rea/bn of their dignity,

had many adherents that depended on them, which

muff; needs make that government by earls every

way unf_eady, weak and tumultuous.

To this an approver of monarchical government

may further add, that Holland now wholly fubfiff;s

by traflick, and that one fuprem¢ head, captain-ge-

neraL_

To General Maxims, Part I.

neral, or t_adtholder, would have his own life-guards

at the Hague, the place of affembly, and likewife

the affiftance of a great and well-paid army, and of

all the preachers, and by them the love of the whole

populace; and that at his plcafure he may di(pofe

of all the impregt'able frontier towns of r':_ofepro-

vinces that have. no fuffragcs or voices m the ftate,

tho' he fl-:o.*ldnot inereat- his P_rength by any fo-

reign alliances, or by collufion and flattery with the

deputies of the other provinces of the generality

in£omuch that the ftates of Ho/!and would not dare,

no not in their affemblies, to open their mouths

againl_ the interel_ of fuch a fupreme head, or if

they did, he would order his fouldiers to take them

by the collar, and might eafily overpower mof't of

the cities of Hal/and, the people being unaccufiomed

to arms, and moreover divided, fortifications but

flight and mean in comparifon of the prcfent way

of fortifying : fo that one may truly fay, that the

Hollanders by letting up one fupreme head over

themfelves, may now with eafe, and without tumult,

be govern'd like theep, by an irrefiftible fovereign,

againft whom they durfl: not fpeak one word,when

he thoulJ think fit to fheer, fl_.a, or devour them.

Now what there is in this, and whether the

Hollanders would be h_ppy in fuch a condition,

I thall at large hereaft.-r give you my judgment.

_l.'&t&,- But as to the _upidity of the Hollanders, whe-

gbey arg

too ,pid ther that be fo great, as that they have not wit

,,at,_,dO enough to form a free commonwealth ; a.nd ha-

to&go- ring found that precious jewel o[ freedom,

-o,r,_,¢ would, with Efop's cocks, prefer a .grain of

as a _om- corn before it : This is what hath not been judged

.',?/'0n°

_._ealth. fo hitherto, but on the contrary. Which that it

may be evident to the reader, he may be pleas'd

to obferve the prudent condu& of the ftates of

Hol.lana, at their great affembly in the years

165o e.n_l I65_ , as alfo ferioufly to ponder and

weigh

Chap. I. General Maxims. r x

weigh the manifold reafons and examples pro-9"_e snn=

duced to this end in their dedu_ion of the year of Hol-

1654. All this is yet further confirmed by that la,,ncl,fl, ct

• , g gOg ._Vl_lr

magnammous refolunon of the z3d of _fanuary x6_o, $=-

x657 , wherein the ltates of Holland unanimoufly _i,g ran-

declared, after con£ulting the general affembliesin_fl ettt_c

or common-halls of the refoe_ive cities in that t°nt_._,l'_

prov!nce, to hold for a fundamental and certain aas, as

maxlm, " That to place a perpetual head, a/_

" chieftain, or general over the army, is not

" only needlel_, but likewife exceeding prejudicial,

" and that accordingly in this province all thing,s

•' l'hall be thus dire&ed ; that whenever in a

" time ot: war, and preffing neceIfity, the t"tates

" of Holland, with the other provinces, /halt

" think fit to proceed to elecq: a general for the

,_ army, or that upon any other occafion a cap-

" tain-general J]aould be chofen, then not to churl:

•' fuch a chieftain as ihall have a perpetual corn, '"

•' miflion, but for fuch an expedition, campaign,

" or occafion only as may happen, &c." And

moreover, you may there fee, that thefe, and

other vigorous refolutions of the like nature, were

taken with this fpecial provitb, " that the laid

" refolution /hall not be difpenfed with, but by

_' the unanimous confent of all the members of

" the faid affembly."

By this you may perceive, that the fuppofition

of the Hollanders being phlegmatick and dull, and

of a flavifh nature, is altogether groundlefi ; for

feeing they became not free but by the death of

the lat'r t_adtholder and captain general, and that

it was unfeafonable and imprudent before that time,

for them to thew their commendable zeal for

their freedom, and their fkill in point of govern-

ment: and feeing it is evidefit, that a generation

of men that are in freedom, mul_ be overcome,

l_fore we can pail a right judgment thereof, and

t_op

,z General Maxims. Part I.

ftop the mouths of oppofers; we muff:therefore,

leave it to God and time : and if fuch as like mo-

narchical government, _nd thofe bale and flavilh

oppofers of liberty furvive thole times, they will

then be able to difcern which of the two govern-

ments is founded on bet_ reafon.

It thall not fatisfy me to have laid thus much in

general ; for feeing the l_atesof Holland in their

dedu&ion, Chap. 6. Art. z9. declare, that they

_ecaufe •

•Jbe jtate," .wdl,,not...l°fe. their ..freed°re'.but with their.. lives-,

_fHol- I llaallmeretore prelume to gwe my opm_onof the

land, in political maxims of Holland, hoping that my fin-

that de- cere zeal and uprighmefs to exprefs the fame for

du_ion,

a_'r,,, thethe benefit of the publick, will be fo acceptable to

to,tra,7, our lawful rulers, that tho'I may have failed in

Z_e,tuait.rome things, and by t'tating the true interet2 of my

Par.z. country, have been necel_itatedto retie& on er-

_P_9 6.fc_'_s,who leek their advantage to the prejudicPeof

" " Holland, as it is now governed ; the laid rulers,

and true lovers of their native country, will fo fa-

vour this work, and its author, againfl: the faid

malevolent peffons, that it ¢hall never repent him

to have beer, the rift: generous and bold under-

taker of fo commendable • work. But howfoever

things happen, or times oppofe it, re_e feciffe

mtrces eft, (..4ipfafui pretium virtus ; (i. e. to do

good is a reward of it fell, and virtue carries its

own recompence a]onffwith it) I tiaallthen, ha-

ving done my duty as anhoneft:man, good citizen,

and upright chriffian, that may not bury histalent,

be able to take comfort in my fincere endeavours :

and pofterity, intowhofe hands thefe writings may

fall, will, in fpite of all the prefent powers that

oppofe it, be able to judge impartially, and that

with a foundjudgment _ becaufe by that time they

will have learned, by joyful or fad experience,

whether Holland's interet_ can be fettled upon any

other foundation or maxims than thofe herein ex,.

prct_:

Chap. 2. HoUand's true Maxims. r3

prefl ; and whether there reafons of mine will not

be confirmed by the experience of%llowing ages.

CHAP. II.

_r'hat the true interefl, and political maxims

of Holland and We_-Friefland may be well

underflood ; Holland muff not be confidered

fo, as in j]_eculation it fhould be, but as it

hOWl.andsat preJbnt.

EING now about to enquire into, and lay

down rome maxims for Holland's continual

profperity _ it feems at firOcview to be neceffary,

that we confider the nature of the country, foraf-

much as it is in it felf perpetual ; and what means

may be found to improve it to its bd_ advantage,

and what good fruits and effeCts are to be expec"teci

from fuch improvement. In order whereunto_ we.. .

T7 * I..,08'tt_/T_

are firt_ to confider the foil, rivers, racers ol _ot- allombicho

land, and its fituation upon the lea, with the corn- e.W._'e,,u

munication it may have with other nations. And ,,_y&

next we are filrther to confider, what peopte Hol-f°*.t*a'.

.... -- • . . . . _avbtrelr 3

land ought to be mhat_tt_ wlt_, vsz. wnemerHollan d

with few, or many, in order to earn their bread :,,.,ybt/._-

as alfo how the rulers ought to deport themfelves_,m,d

towards foreign princes and governments" and lardy, the ,,_#

• ptr/_,'trt-

by what form of government, and how the people/_l_.

ought to be _overned. But beeaufe fuch fi ecula-

riots ufe to b_ld rempublicam Platonis, /lr_otelis, wT,t_,_

eutopi'-amraori, a philofog_hic_a_ck in the air, J_,h./kec*-

or fuch a one as was never yet found, the thoughts latio_

..... _ouldpr_

of It will afford httle benefit : nor Is this fl:range, _,,,¢¢littl¢

confidering that fo mar:y people cannot be fad-bo_#.

denly brought to an uninhabited country, to ere&

a political t_ate, according to the laid fpeculation,

and keep it on foot when it is efltablifla'd. And

fince in all populous countries there is rome form

14 Holland's trzte Maxims. Part I.

of government ; therefore I fay again, thol_ fpe-

culations are for the molt part ufelefs. For if in-

quiry be made into the polity of all eftablifhed

governments, we /hall always find, that there are

ever an incredible number of ignorant and malevo-

lent people, enemies to all fpeculation, and re-

medies, how good foever, which they conceive or

really forefee will be prejudicial in any wife to

themfelves; and rather than admit them, they

will pret_ hard to embroil the ftate more than it was

bctbre. Betides, there is an endlefs number of po-

litical maxims which have fo deep a root, that it

is great folly to think any man thould be able, or

indeed that it thould be thought fit to root them

out all at once: anti confequently it would be yet

[ a greater piece of imprudence, if in Holland, tan-

_uam in ta_ula rafa, as on a fmooth, and in a

very clean and good piece of ground, we thould go

about to tbw the belt: feeds, in order to make it

an angelical or philolbphical republick : fo true

B,eaufi ;, !s that good and ancient political maxim, _ that

_ffairsof m polity many bad things are indulged with le£

tolity _oe inconveniency than removed ; and that we ought

7huffe_er never in polity (as in playing at tennis) tO let the

Itrike the t_ 11c •

"_all_ it uan ialr, but mu_ ftrike it as it lies_ it being alfo

isa6,o,a_ true, that on every occurrence a good politician is

bi,g. bound to /hew his art and love to his native

country, that by fuch conftancy the common-

wealth may by degrees be brought to a better con-

dition. I do therefore conceive myfelf oblig'd to

confider Holland in the Rate as it now is, and

hope that thole thoughts will produce the more

and better fruits, fince thole that duly confider the

prefent ffate of it, will find that they agree for the

mo_

• Multafclrepauca txequl, Cor. Taelt.

d]/lultafacere non oportet quwfaeTa tenent.

Curandi fleri queedam majora qaldernus

l"ulntra, _uw meliu, non tetigiffe fu it

Chap. 2. Holland's true Maxims. 15

moff part with the climate, foil, rivers, meets, l]-

tuation, and correfpondence which fuch a country

ought to have with other dominions, and efpeci-

ally with a free commonwealth government, which

we have now at prefent in being: and I hope I

/hall not digrefs from it. By the maxims of ttol- _¢_,,eCr

land's interett, I underftand the confervation and _,,,t,,flod

increafcof the inhabitarts as they now are, 'confiflc./'yHol-

ing of rulers and fubjc&s. I /hall likewife dill- la,_a',i,.-

gently enquire by what means this interefl:may bere,'#.

moil: convenientlyattained. And tho' in the firfl:

placethe intereffof the rulersought to be confider'd,

becaufediffinc"tlyand at large it always feemsto oc-

cation the fubjeets welfare and prot_,erity; and a

good form of government is proFezly the founda- NamdS,

tion whereon all the profoeritv of the inhabitantsant.eJpf-

• . -- -- -- . ciallv t_¢

Is bruit" I flaall neverthelefs confider m the firft- _,rit

" . . projts r.FJ

place the prefereatlon, and mcreafe of the number a,,din

offub'e&s, not only becaufeit isevident in all Ko-c,-,,_#of

vernments, and efoeciallvin all reDublicks, that the theJb-

. _ J. . r "e_.

number or paucity offubje6-tsIsthe caufeof an ableJ

or weak government ; but alfo becaufe ambitious

fpirits can feldom find a multitude of people living

out of civil focietyand government, that willfubjedt

themfelves to them: and on the contrary, where

many inhabitants are, there will never want rulers,

becaufethe weaknefs and wickednefs of mankind

is fo great, that they cannot fubfift without govern*

ment ; infomuch that in careof a vacancy of rulers,

every one would Rand candidatesfor it themfelves,

or elecq"others. And above all, I find my fclf

obliged more fully toconfider and promote the wel-Seeing tht

fare of the fubjec"tsin Holland above that of thcPrqkY''iO'

a t c • _" t" t _ _ t_¢ rllto

.,_ rumrs; oecame inthis tree commonwealth govern /ers of the

ment, it is evident that the durable and certain re_ublick

profperity of the rulersdoesgenerallydepend onthe i. Hol-

welfare of the Jubje6ts,ash_reafter/hall be particu landde-

lOends o_

larly thewa. And togiv= the unexp_riene'd reader the fi,b-

fomejea_.

76 Holland's true Maxims. Part I°

_ec,_uj_ rome infight at firft, it is convenient to premife that

Holland Holland was not of old one republick, but confifted

efoldo,t of many, which in procefs of time chofe a head or

•-ou,tq, gover,lor over them by the name of Earl or 8tadt-

_,t con- bolder ; but feeing he had of old no armed men or

]ifltt of foldiery of his own as dukes had, but was to be con.-

a_anyrt-

_//c_, ; tent with his own revenues, and to rule the land, or

a,,d,_/_ rather adminit_er jufiice to each counzry according

i_ec,,,,j_ to their particular cuftoms, and laws, they neverthe-

•ftbtdl, lefs continued fo many feveral republicks. And

• tions of. tho' in procefs of time they were jointly brought to

thecitie,, a fovereign republic, yet is it alfo true that the mem-

/t,..,,_t bees of this Dutch republic are of different nature,

_._'b0 and manners. For ,4mflerdam, Rotterdam, Horn,

and)be Enchuyfen, Medenblick, Edam, Monnikendam, Dort,

fo._ein- 8cbiedam, Briel, &c. lying on the tea, or on ri-

urn. vers where fhips of great burden may conven,iently

arrive; ttaerlem, Delf, Leyden, Grude, Gorcum,

8choonhov,n, Alkmaer. Purmereynde, &e. lying

within land. are not to be come at but with veffels

that draw little water: betides which, the gentry

who live in the plain or open countries of Holland,

having great eftates, and being not under any go-

vernment, fcem to have a quite particular intereff.

Wherefore every intelligent perfon may eafily judge

that a diverfity of rules, thbje&s, countrys, and fitua-

tions, muff needs caufe a diverfity of iaterefts,

fo that ] cannot write of Holland's profperity as of

A',_sa a dil_in& country : neverthelefs I incline, and do in-

Jorafm*chtend to bring it under one title, as far as all its cities

as they all

_nt,-,_d or lands can be comprehended in one intereff, to

,gr, ein the befl:of my knowledge and/kill. Which to do

•,t. tht methodically, I fhaU iv, the firfi part inquire into,

iutere/tof and thow the maxims tending to the welfare or

]Holland

is ,,_de damage of Holland within its own confines. In

•.ident. the fecond part I/hall propofe how Holland muff:

.procureits own welfare as to foreign princes. And

,n the third part I fhall enquire, and lhew by what

form

Chap. 3. Holland's Burdens. x7

form of government fuch a country and inhabitants

ought to be governed according to their true in-

tereff:,feeing this is the generalfoundation whereon

all the profperity or adverfity aforefaid is founded.

CH AP. III.

Of Holland's natural burdens and hinderances.

OLLAND lying in the latitude of 5x to 53 Holland's

degrees, north latitude upon the fea; hay- Situation,

ing many inland rivers, and being betides a very

low and plain country, is thereby fub.je&to many

inconveniences.

Firft, There are lharp and very long winters, fo A.al.con.

that there is need of more light, firing, cloathing, _e.ie_._s

and food, than in warmer countries: betides which, thence_ro-

cetding, e-

all the cattleof our paffure-landmuffbe thenhoufed, even in a

tho' thereby we beffow more coffand pains, andyet time of

reap lefs profit of milk-meats thanin fummer, or in m_a

other adjacent lands, where the ca'.tieremain lon-_eace.

ger, or perhaps all the winter in the field.

Secondly,The feafonsare here fo thort, that they Bsthef,a.

muff:be very pun&ually obferved, to return us any_ "_"

profit by our plough'd lands ; for the feed in this

moiff: country being rotted and confumed in the

earth, cannot befowed againconveniently.

_'hirdl_, By the vicinity of the lea, and plainnei_B_,t_t,-,-

of the land, it is fubjecq:in fpring,.and autumn, not ,_!,,q_ityof

• . . the .lea.

only to unwholefome weather for the rahab,rants,

but in the fpring the fharp cold windsblafl:moff:of

the bloffoms of the fruit-trees; and in and about

autumn much unripe fruit is blown down by our

ufual _orms of wind.

Fourthly, It is to be confidered above all, that 2,,_'/o,w.

there lands lying for the moil:part lower than the '_./_¥ t/,t

floods of the fea, and rivers, muff: withff:and the ,o,nt_.

terriblefl;ormsof the ocean, and i'hoatsof ice, againff: ]

C which

x8 Holland's Burdens. Part I.

which it mu_ be defended with great expence : for

the making ofone rod long ofa feadyke coils rome-

times 6oo guilders. On the rivers alfo, the charge

of maintaining the banks is very great; and the

moft chargeable of all is, that notwithttanding fo

great an expence, the water of our dykes and low=

landsfometimesbreaksthro',and overflowsthe coun-

try ; fo that above all this extraorditaary charge,

and damage, they cannot drain the country by mills

in rome years. And touching the ordinary charges

in maintaing dykes and fluces, &c. how great an

expence this mutt be, we may well imagineby the

yearly charges of Rynland, which is about 8oooo

* .,¢,nor-acres or * morgens in compa/_, which hath not

gen i, much communication with the fea, nor with run-

about t_oo

Englilh ning, but only with ftanding waters: andyet asto

acru. acredg-money and inland charges, every acre muff:

pay at leaft two guilders ; betides, for draining out

of the rain.water by mills to turn it out by trenches,

each acre 30 ftivers ; ]ikewife towards foot-paths,

highways, and maintaining the ditches, at leaff 20

_vers more. And laffly, they are liable to many

fines, and troubles, when they chufe their Bailiffs,

Dyk.graves, and Heemradenfor life, who are wholly

ind pendent on the landed-men; tho' they may e-

le&theirjudges yearly,or continue their Heemraden.

.41j'opoor- F_fth.'y,It is evident that Holland affordsno mi-

,,eftof nerals, or the leaft produCt of mines; fo that out

land. of the earth them is nothing to be had but clay and

turf, nor even that, but with the fpoiling or disfi-

guring of the ground.

Hollandthus contendingand wrefllingwith thet_a,

rivers, and drained meets, can hardly make 4o0000

profitable acres, or morgens of land, down and

heath not included. For according to the calculation

taken intheyear 1554,there werefoundabout3ooooo

8mallnefs morgens, and tbme hundreds more. Likewife the

_ft,,.i Ratesof HollandandZealand, in aremonltrancefir.ce

:._r_,. made

Chap. 3" Holland's Burdens. I9

made to the earlof Leicefler, fay, that there two pro-

vinces, with all their heath, down, an_ greunds del-

ved out, could make in allbut five hundred thoufand

morgens. So that I conjec'-tureHolland may now

make in all fourhundred thoufand morgens, or acres

of land. Seeing thechronicle of Zea!and (according

to the account given in by the furveyor Everfdyke)

teffifies, that in 1643. all the iflands of Zealand

contributed to the yearly poundage, no more than

for one hundred eighty three thoufand three hundred

and fifty gemeeten, andf,xtythree rods of land: the

gemeetens of the down-lands being reckoned after

the rate of three for two So that Jf two gcmeetens

are reckoned againff one Hdland acre, then all the

above-mentioned gemeetens would make out no

morethat 9x675 morgens, and 63 rods.

.And feeing the ground in ttolland is for the mol_/"_",-_J;

part every whereeither land, moor, or fenn, it muff thefoil.

neceffarily be inriched ; and becaufe_lch improve-

ment of it, by reafon of the Ioofnefs of the land,

finks down, it requires itthe ofmer.

This is the condition of Hollandin a time of per- sot*,,tthe

re& peace; what will it be then when we confider, ,,if_hi_

that the Hdlanders muff:notonly fcour, or clearthe ,.,,,j_d/,y

fea from enemys, and defend their towns and intolerablt.

country againff all foreign force, but that they have

alfo charged themfelves with much more than the

union of Utrecht obliged them to, with the keep-

ingof many conqueredcities,and circumjacent pro-

vinces, which bring in no profit to Holland, but

are a certain charge, being fupply'd by that pro-

vince with fortifications, ammunition-boules, vic-

tuals, arms, cannon, pay fi_rthe foldiers,yea, and

which is a flaamefulthing to mention, with guard-

houfes,and money for quarteriJ;gof foldiers?

And how heavy the faid burdens muR needs be

to the Dutch, may be ea,fily imagined, if it be

confidcred, that betides the cuRoms and other re-

C 2 vellklCS

_o Holland's Burdens. Part I.

For_ thevenuesot:the earlsor t_atesof Holland, in the year

_rdinary I66*. by the ordinary charge which was levied

t_es the of the inhabitants, one year with another, was

iuhabi-

tants pa3to paid

tbeflate Guilders.

_boutt, To the ftatesof Holland , Ioooooo

=illion,of To the admiraltyof the Maefe 4-72898

guilders

warb" To the admiraky of./lmflerdam uoooooo

To the admiralty of the 1

200000

Northern quarter

In all--_ 3,672 89_

.4,ti, And if it be confidered that fince that time, by'

titt_ of t" ¢"

. reaxonor the wars, there were new ordinary taxes

quar toCy .

payfor the impofed ; and that the extraordinary, namely, the

2ooth two hundredth penny brings in 2400000, and the

/'e,,o'. half verpondinge, or poundage, i2ooooo_ and

g_oOooo,

andfor laftly, the chimney-moneyfix hundred and feventy'

/,../f thoufand Holland guilders ; and that all thole bur-

l_*_,ge densareborn bythe inhabitants, befid_ the manyex-

•zooooo,cifesandgreat rums of money which they muff pay

a,dfor in their cities for their maintenance: therethings I

hearth or

,_hi,,,,o- fayconfidered, we maywell conclude, that the inha-

_,,o' bitants of Holland are exceeding heavily burdened

600000, and charged.

guilderl.

CHAP. IV.

Of the natural produ_ and advantages of

Holland.

_t,,a- r-_ O ballancetheft heavy burdensbeforementi-

rural I. on_:d, the inland waters yield nothing but

groauth o/

Holland fifl_' water-fowl and their eggs, the downs only

and _whatconies : four hundred thoufandacres, or morgens of

ityields. /and, nothing butbrick-earth, turf, corn, herbs and

roots, fruit of trees, flax, hemp, reeds, grafs, mad-

der, cattle, fheep, horfes. But the downs may be

alfo

Ch p.5. It cannot#bfl 2

alfo faid to yield lime and find. And how unful_-

cient all thefe products from fo fmall and inconfide-

table a bottom are in themfelvesfor the fubfiftence

of fo many inhabitants, every one may eafily ima-

gine.

CHAP. V.

_bat the inhabitants of Holland cannot beJed

by its own produFt.

B U T if wefhouldfuppofe thatallthelandinHol- rV_e,.e_y;t

land could be, and were fowed with the molt a_ears

neceffiry grain, viz. wheat ; and that every mor- thatHol-

land,

gen in Hollandproduced fifteenficks of wheat, yet _&t&,

would not four hundred thoUfand acres of land i_peace,_

yield for two millions of people, each a pound of._..r, ,,,-

bread per day. And poffibly there are now more hotrod,or

people imployed about the manuring of land, thanf_fl.5init"

- __ jeq.

can be fed on it. So that if we fhould make a ca.t-

culation of all the fruits which the earth yieldeth,

with what elfe is neceffary for the ufe of man, and

continually imported, it would evidently appear

that the boors, or hufbandmen and their dependents

would fall very much thort of food, drink, apparel,

houfing and firing. Therefore if the ttollanders

did not by their induftry make many manufa&ures,

or by their labour and diligence reap much profit

by the leasand rivers, the country, or land of Hal-

land, were not worthy to be inhabited by men,

and cultivated, no not tho' the people were very

few in number, and no fubfidi_, impofts, or excifes

railed on them, for their common defence againft a

foreignenemy. On the other fide,Hollandbeing now

inhabited by innumerable people, who bear incre-

dible heavy taxes, impofts and excites,and muff ne-

ceffarily be fo inhabzted, the eafier to bear fo great

a burden, and to defend themfelves againff all their

neighbouring potentates: we may fafi:ly fay, that

C 3 ttollar.d

_z Holland's Conveniency Part I.

Holland cannot in any wife fubfift:of itfelf, but that

ofneceffity it murl fetch its food elfewhere, and con-

tinually invite new inhabitants from foreign parts.

I therefore find myfelf obliged to fearch into, and

more p,qrticularly demonrlrate the ways and means

by which the fame may be procured.

CHAP. VI.

if'hat Holland lies very commodioufly to fetch

its proviflon out of the./?a, and to provide it-

Jelf by other arts and trades : and bow great

a means _'fubJiflence thea_'beries may prove

to us.

OLLAND is very well fituated to procure its

Sot]mtt]_t food out of tlm lea, which is a common

i,,babi- element ; it lies not only on a rlrand rich of fifh,

rantsmuffnear the Dogger-Sand, where haddock, cod, and

feek their

breadout ling may in great abundance be taken, and cured ;

¢" tbefea but a|fo near the herring-fifhery, which is only to

ty_i,g, be found on the coarl of Great-Britain, viz.

•_ a_ore from St. 7obn'sto St. _fames's, about Schet-Land,

[J_ ma_tt-

faaurea, Pharil, and Boeknefi ; from St. _amegs to the

and arts. elevation of the crofs about Boekdfon or Seveniot,

from the elevation of the crofs to St..Katberines in

the deep waters earl:ward of 2"armoutb. And this

herrir_g fit°ning, which it is now 250 year ago fince

William Beakelfon of Biervliet firrl learned to gill,

lklt, and pack them up in barrels, together with the

cod-fifhery, is become fo effe&ual a means of fub-

fiftence for there lands, and efpecially fince /'o

many neighbouring nations, by reafoa of their re-

ligion, are obliged upon certain days and weeks

of the year, wholly to refrain from eating of fle/h

that the Hollanders alone do fifh in a time of peace

+ with more than a thoufand buffes, from 24 to 30

lairs burden each, and with above one hundred and

fcveaty fmaller veffels that filh for herrings at the

mouth

6. fir z3

mouth of the ?'exel; fo that thole thoufand buffcs

being let to lea for a year, wherein they make three

voyages, do colt above ten millions of guilders, ac-

counting only the burs with its tackle, at 4550

guilders, and the letting forth to lea 55oo guilders,

there remaining nothing of all its viCtuals and fur-

niture the fecond year, but the bare veffel, and that

much worn and :tatter'd, needing great reparation.

So that ifthefe Iooo buffes do take yearly forty

thoufand laft of herrings, counting them at leafl:

worth 2oo guilders per laft, they would yield in

Holland more than eight millions of guilders.

And feeing that of late men have begun to make

very much ufe of whale-oil, and whale-fins, which

are taken to the northward not far from us, in.

fomuch that with foutherly winds, which are com-

mon in this country, we can fail thither within fix

or 8 days : the trade of fiflaing, and falt, may eafily

be fixed and fettled with us_ for to fix thole fiflaeries,

and feveral manufactures, and confequently the

trade and returns thereof depending on navigation _'& great

and [hips let out to freight, we ought duly to con- ,,,,,_&rof

inhabi-

rider, that the greatet_ difficulty for fo innumerable tantt it a

a people to fubfifl: on their own produ&, proves thepo_.crf_l

mot_ powerful means to attra& all foreign wares ,,,c,_,,,to

into Holland, not only to ftore them up there, and-/;x tra_ct

. in Hol-

afterwards to carry them up the country by me land.

Marl, IFaal, '2"fld,and the Rhine (making together

one river) to very many ci.ties, towns, and people,

lying on the tides of them (the moil: confiderable in

the world for confumption of merchandife) but

alfo to confume the laid imported goods, or to have

them manufa&ur'd : it being well known, that no

country under heaven, offo Imall a compat_, has fo v

many people and artificers as we have ; to which

may be added, that no country in the world is fo

wonderfully divided with riven and canals, whereby

mercbandize may be carried up and down with folit-

tle charge. C 4 Emaimei

_4 Holland's Conveniency Part I.

Emanuel van Meteren lays, that in the fpace of

three days, in the year 16ol, there failed out of

Hollandto the eaffward, betweeneight and ninehun-

dred /hips, and I5oo buffes a herring filhing ;

which is eafy to believe, if we may credit what the

H_w co,-Englifl:authors mention, viz. Gerard Malines in

fid_,-o_lehis Lex Mercatoria, and Sir Waiter Rawleigh, and

t_ .flEe- which Lievin van Aitzma, anno 1653. pag. 863.

ties of

Hollana doth in rome meafure confirm, viz. That there are

ar_,is yearly taken and fpent by the Hollandersmore than

mentioned 300,000 lafl:of herrings, and other fair filh : and

_y certalu that the whale fi/hing to the northward, takes up

EngliSh

,writers, above _a,ooo men, which failout of thefecountries.

For fince the.Greenlandcompany, or (to expret_my-

fell better) the monopolizing grant thereof wasan-

nulled, and the whale-fi_hingfeeopen in common,

that fifhery is increafedfrom one to ten : fo that

when we reckon that all there tithing veffels are

built here at home, and the ropes, fails, nets, and

ca/ks madehere,and that fak isfurnith'dfrom hence,

we may eafily imagine that there muff be an incre-

dible number of peoplethat liveby this means, efpe-

cially when we add, that all thole people muff:

have meat, drink, clothes, and houfing ; and that

the fith, when caught, is tranfported by the Hollan-

ders in their veffelsthrough the whole world. And

_o out indeed if that be true, which Sir Walter Rawleigh

ofo_y (who made diligent inquiry thereinto, in the year

ne_oerthe-

l_s_o_er- 16,8, to inform king James of it) affirms, r.hat

ratet_is .the Hollanders fil_ed on the coarcof Great Britain

r_ean,of !with no lefs than 3ooo thips, and 5oooo men, and

t,_,'f_- _thatthey empJoyed and let to lea, to tranfport and

&¢,ce. fell the fi_hfo taken, and to make returnsthereof,

nine thoufand /hips more, and one hundred and

fifty thoufand men,betides : and if we hereunto add

what he faith further, viz. that twenty buffes do

maintain eight thoufand people, and that the Holo

landers had in all no lefs than 2oooo thips at lea

Chap. 6. #r Fifhing. _5

as alfo that their filhing, navigation, and tra/_iek

by lea, with its dependencies finee that time, to

the year t667, is encreafedto _ more : I fay, if

that be fo, we may then eafily conclude, that the

fenis a fpecial means of Holland'sfubfifience; fec-

ing Holland by this means alone, yields by itsown

indut_ry above three hundred thoufand lalts of faIt

fifh. So that if we add to this, the whale-fin, and

whale-oil, and our Holland manufa6tures, with

that which our own rivers afford us, it muir be

confeffed, that no country in the world can make

£omany lhips-lading of merchandize by their own

indul_ry, asthe province of Hollandalone.

C H A P. VII.

That in Europe there is no country fitter for

tra_ck than Holland ; and hew great a

means of Jkbfiflence commerce is to it.

Aving thus confidered Halland's conveniency

for the fifhing trade, and it coming into

my thoughts, that all the traf_ck of Hollandfeemsofth,

chiefly to have rifen out of it, and f'dll to depend t_,_,_ of

upon it ; I/hall now give my opinion whereinthat Holland.

aptnet_ or conveniency moffly confi/'cs.

But firAlet me fay, that by the word tra2_ck, I

mean the buying of any thing to fell again, whe-

ther forconfumption at home, or to be fold abroad,

without altering its property, as buying in foreign

countries cheap to fell dearer abroad ; the moil:

confiderable part of which is what I underttandby

the word traffiek.

Secondly, I fay that Holland is very convenient.-Holland',

ly feated for that end, lying in the middle of Eu- eo,,-oo_i,,t

. -- .fltuatiwt

rope, accounting from St. 2Vlicbaelthe .qrco-._nget'for tradt.

in Mufcovia, and Revel, to Spain. And as to our

lying further off from Italy .and the Levant, and

more to the eaffward, it is a thing very neceffar3_

inafmuch

o6 Holland's convenien* Situation Part I.

inafmuch as moil: of the bulky and coarfe goods,

as pitch, tar, afhes, corn, hemp, and timber for

thips, and other ufes ; as alfo Pamerania and Pruf-

fla wool muf_ be fetch'd from thence, and brought

hither_ becaufe the better half of thole goods is

confumed or wrought up in this country : and be-

¢aufe very many wares may be lent up and down

the rivers of the Rhine and Maefe, whereby it ap-

pears, that the Hollanders fail with as many more

fhips to the eattward, as they do to the weftward.

_ro,which Thirdly, The conquer'd lands, and ftrong holds

theco_- of the Earl-India company are now become very

gu_ of

theEa_- confiderable, in order to fccure to Holland the trade

India of all fpices and Indian commodities, which is al-

,o=,am ready pretty well fixed to it. And this improve-

contribute,merit of trade might be made much more confide-

table, if the laid conquerors would not, by virtue

of their grant or patent, hinder all the o_2_erinha-

bitants of there lands from trading to thole con-

quers, and to innumerable rich countries, where

the laid conquerors, for reafons of ftate may not, or

for other reafons cannot, or perhaps will not trade.

Yea, tho' the laid free trade of our inhabitants (to

the greater benefit of the participants) were in rome

meafure limited, and circumfcribed to thole lands

and fea-poris lying in their diRri&, to which they

never yet traded, I fflould then expe& to fie much

more fruit of that trade., and monopoly together,

than of their monopoly alone : for if our F.aft-India

company could find rome expedient, either as to

freight of goods, to permit all the irlhabi.'ants of

there lands freely to lade their goods on board the

company's own fhips, or to import and export all

manner of goods to the places of their conquers,

and back to this country, or in proc_-fsof time,

by laying impoRs on the confumpdon of the inha-

biting planters, who would refort thuher in great

numbers by reafon of a flee trade, or by any other

imaginable

Chap. 7. for the Staple o/ _rrade. o7

imaginable means tending to give it an open trade,

they would thereby reap much more profit than the

poor participants now commonly and with much

uncertainty do enjoy; and then, if afteravards the

laid participants would be peffuaded to deny them-

felves fo much of their privilege, or authorized mo-

nopoly, as to fet open that trade in rome good

meafure to the inhabitants of thefe United Prwoin-

ees, it would queaionlefs produce to our induRri-

ous and inquifitive nation, fo many new and un-

heard ofconfumptions of all our manufa&ures, cr-

ucially of wool, and fo great a trade, navigation,

and commerce with that vaR land of Africa, and

the incredible great and rich Aria, which lies fo_=fft_

convenient for trade, that n'uany hundred thil_Hoa_la_t_i_c

would yearly make voyages thither, and bri_ubatb.

their returns hither, efpecially from and to .4mfle_-_o,,,ld &

dam ; and by means of which alone, we Ihould incrtdib(_

certainly, and x_eryeafily, work all other roreLners"._, _,vme,st-_,

. _. ca, t.ltoe

out of thole lndian leas. Whereas on me omer trade to

hand, to the end we may preferve our Earl.India theIndies

trade, confilting yearly of no more than xo or 16 _eref_,,

tb.ips going and coming, we find ourfelves ¢onti forallt/_¢

" inbabi.

nually drawn int_ many quarrels and contentions tamn.

with thole foreign nations, with eminent danger of

lofing by fuch diffenfions and wars, not only our

European trade,-but alfo thofe conquered Indian

countries, and confequently that trade alfo for want

of planters, and by the excefl_ve great expences

which they muff be at more and more yearly, by

reafon of fuch great numbers of foldiers as lie in

their garifons, and which will and mut_ increafe

with their conquet"ts, as (God amend it) hath but

too plainly appeared by the tP'efl..rndia company of

this country.

This advantage which Holland hath for com-

merce and traffick, would be yet more improved,

if the IF'_.lndia company, in all places of their

di_tric"t_

o8 Holland'src0nvenient Situation Part.I.

_¢,,opt,, diltri&, would alfo let that trade open : And in

tradet°thtcafe things are fo conltituted, that the Earl and

Wea-In- l¢1eft.lndia trade cannot bepreferred but by mightydies ,would

i,cre_fe companies, as rome indeed affirm, who underfiand

t,'a.O_ta_the India trade, and have the credit of affirming

•_oiga- what they fay, with good/hew of reafon; yet this

tion. however mult be confefs'd,-that the/'aid companies,

as now conltituted, do attrac"tand preferve to Hol-

land all the trade which depends on their raft equi-

pages, ladings, and returns.

_e/_-.oi,. Fourthly, itis a great advantage for the traffick

u,-# of of Holland, that money may be taken up by mer-

,_o,,eyhdp.chants at 3 Hpfor a year, without pawn or

ful herr-

unto. pledge ._whereas in other countries there is much

more given, and yet realeltates bound for the fame:

So that it appears, that the Hollanders may buy

and lay out their ready money a whole feafon, be-

fore the goods they purchafe are in being, and ma-

nufac2ur'd, and fell them again on trult (which

cannot bedone by any other trading nation, confi-

.tieringtheir high interelt of money) and therefore

is one of the greatelt means whereby the Hollanders

have gotten molt of the trade from other nations.

_e Fifthly, There being many duties and fubfidies

¢bargea_k tO be paid in Holland, and little got by lands,

_.,_ingi, houfes, or money let out at intereft_ and wehaving

Holland

,o,fl_,i,, alfo no cloilters, and but few lands in fief, or held

theiuhabi-by homage ; and the women moreover being very

rant, t, fruitful of children, and men making equal divi-

•_e_cha_-dends of their eltatesamong them, which cartthere-

_'ff"g' fore be but fmall, and fo not fit to be put out to

intereft: all this, I fay, is another great caufe of

the advancing of our tra/_ck.

CHAP.

Chap. 8. for ManuJa_ory. 29

C H A P. VIII.

_rToatHolland, byfifbing and trq_ck, hath ac-

quired mannfa_uries and navigation ; and

how great a means of .fuboEflencemanuf acTor),,

andjbips let out to'freightprove to them.

HO' it is evident by our hif_ories, that inmany cities in Holland great quzntities of

manufa&ures were made, when all the European

tra_ck and navigation was moff:ly driven by the

Eaflerlings and Hans-_'owns, and before fifhing,

traffick, and freighting of/hips were fettled in there

provinces; and that confequently we might fay

• _ - - Traff,kie

with __ood .eafon, that fi/hing and trafl'icK, toge- • -

_. ...... pends on

ther with /h_ps fadmz for freight, took thezr rife _ .

.... -- * r Jyt_tng and

rather from the manufa_ures, man me manurac-"manufac-

tures took their rife from them : yet generally i_ is ture.

certain, that in a country where there is tithing Ma_,u/'ae-

and traffick, manufa&uries and freight /hips ture d_-

may eafily be introduced. For from them there pc,d, o,

muff: of neeeffity rife an opportunity, of bringing_.P_'j_cg"ut

commodities to be wrought up out or torei_,n parts ;

and the goods fo manufa&ured may be lent by the

fame conveniency beyond leas, or up the rivers

into other countries.

Thus we fee that in Holland for the fame reafon,

all forts of manufa&ures of filk, flax, wool, hemp,

twyne, ropes, cables, and nets, are more conveni-

ently made, and yield better profit than in any

other country, and the Jike; coar:e falt boiled ;

and many/hips are built by that means with out-

landi/h timber. For it is evident, that /hip-

wright's work in Holland, muff: not be confidered

as a mere confumption, bu_ as a very confidera-

b]e manufa&ure and merchandize, :eeing almoft

all great /hips for fl:ra_ger_ are built by the Hol-

landers-

3 ° Holland's convenient Situation, &c. Part I.

landers. Betides which manufactures, there are

others of neceffary ufe, as well as for pleafure or

ornament ; which are of fuch a nature, that moil:

of them require water, whether it be to work

them, or fbr cheapnet_ of carriage: and when by

the fhallownefs of the waters there would be other-

wif_ a dd_&, that wa_atis fupply'd by the conftant

winds that blow upon our low and plain land,

which joining to the fen are thereby replenifhed.

,\;,,_(_a- And as to the owning of parts of lhips let out to

t,,,, o,- freight, it appears that a /hip lying for freight

/_.,,.es i,, in a country where filhing, manufa&ury, and tr_.-

._itp_,ga¢-

?e,_do,_ ding flourifh, will be able to get its lading in a

ma,_,f.,¢- very fhort time : and that in countrys where they

tu_es,./;f_-don't flourifla, fuch thips muff: fail from one port

eries a,d to another, and lore much time in getting freight :

,omrnerce.fo that fuch as are owners of thips muff: neceffarily

fix in fuch a country where flaipping may foonefl:

find their full lading.

if'he di- Betides all which, Holland lies in fo cold a cli-

m,te of mate, that the people are not hindred from work-

Holland

,ve,y_r.,te;ing, by reafon of the heat of the country, as elfe-

_, ,nan,,-wlaere: and feeing for the moff: part we have but a

f,,,_'_,-e, grofs air, eat coarfe diet, and drink fmall beer,

the people are much fitter for conff:ant work _ and

by reafon of the great impofitions, they are neceflio

toted to ufe all the faid means of fubfiff:ance, eaiz.

to make manufac"tures by land, to fith by lea, to

navigate lhips for trade at home and abroad, and to

let out their great and fmall veffels to freight.

.4_ee re. And feeing the inhabitants under this free go-

t"d'li'' vernment, hope by 1,twfulmeans to acquire eft:ate.s,

g,_.,e,-_,- may fit down peaceably, and ufe their wealth as

_nent in

di,e_#to the)' pleafe, without dreadieg that any indigent or

get eflat.s, waff:eful prince, or his courtiers and gentry, who

are generally as prodigal, neceffitous, and covetous

as himfdf, flaould on any pretence whatever feize

oil the wealth of the fubj-& ; our inhabitants are

therefore

Chap. 9. _7:eflourifl:ing of Commerce, &c. 3 x

therefore much inclined to fubfift by the forenamed

and other like ways or means, and gzin riches for

their pofl:erity by frugality and good hu/bandry.

CHAP. IX.

if'hat the inhabitants of Holland, being in a

ate of Jreedom, are by a interefl

fl . . common

wonder/ully linked together ; which is alfo

Jhew'd by a rough calculation of the number

of inhabitants, and by what means they fubfifl.

E are moreover well to confider, that ill'n- el'bat the

ing is not the role caufe of traffick, norforemc,_ti_-

fifhing and traffick the caufe of manufac"fury ; as__'ef_:'_'"

• oj juo-

alfo that there three together do not always g,ve oc- #he,, -

*,, .- t _- • _ - I ,-, . • J_/t c#_a,'l'a_

cauon ror me mlppmg tlaat Is to let out to rre_glat, alfothei,t-

which is meant by navigation: but that fiflainghabta,,,

flourithes much more in thole parts, becaufetraffick, are linkeaI

navigation and manufa£tures are fettled among us, together.

whereby the filh and oil taken may be tranlported

and confumed. Likewife that more than the one

half of our trading would decay, in care the trade of

fifh were deftroyed, as well as all other forts of

commodities about which people are imployed i,,

Holland; betides that, by conli:quence the inland

confumption of all foreign goods being more than

one half diminithed, the traffack in thole parts

would tall proportionably.

It is alfo certain, that of neceffity all forts NaraelytLt

of manufa&ures would be leffe_ed more than agre_t_

moiety, if not annihilated, as loon as this cotmtry tr_ter,/,_

, ,. ,. .fi'j_' _,"ta"

thould come to be bereft of fifhing, ana ot tractmg maker_of

in thole commodities which are fpent abroad. And m_,uf.c-

concerning owners of drips let out to freight, it is t,,_t.

evident that they wholly depend on the profperity

or t'ucce/_of fi/hir_g, manufa&ury, and traffick :

for _cing our country yields almoR nothing out of

its

30 '&:ouriling ofCommerce PartI.

its own bowels ; therefore the /hips that lie for

freight, can lade nothing but what the merchants

.4tndthe or traders put onboard them offifh, manufa&ury,

o_o_,ersofor merchandize. And as little would foreign/hips

_i,g, °-/'carry_zoodsto Holland, in careno fi/hermen, mer-

together, i:hants, or traders deahng m manufa6'tury dwelt

there. And contrariwife it iscertain, that our fifh-

ers, manufacturers and traders, find a mightycon-

veniencyand benefitin our great number offreight-

/hips, which continually lie for freight inall parts of

the world, and areready to carrythe fame at aneafy

rate to any place defired. So that the Engli/h and

Flemifh merchants, _:c. do oft-times know taobet-

ter way to tranfport their goods to fuch foreign

parts as they defign, than to carry them firft to

Amflerdam, and from thence to other places, efpe-

cially when our admiralties, according to their

duty, take careto convoy and defend our merchant

/hips, with men of war, againff all pirates, or

me hu/: lea-robbers whatfoever. It isalfoevident, that the

b,,,,¢,,,_,,hu/handmen, or boors of Holland, can very well

a,d artl- fell all the produc"t or profit of their land, cattle,

d_CtrJ _ot -- .

¢ontern'iinlarmg, &c. tothe inhabitantsthat are fifhers, ma-

,,,,,,,_,_c-fafturers, traders, navigators, and thole that de-

turfs, are penal on them ; which is a great advantagebeyond

du a necef-what all other boors have, who for the moff part

a cott _....

have their commodlt es fpent abroad, and confe-

_uwtce ol

aI:ot&_ quently muff: bear the charges of freight, and the

in_a_i duties outwardsand inwards, and muff:alfo allowa

rants, double gain to the merchants and buyers. So that

this great number ofpeople, that are not hutband-

men, are I think the only caufe that thofe country

boors, tho' heavily taxed, are able to fubfifl:. And

feeing all _l_efaid inhabitants have need of meat,

drink, cloathing, houfing, and of the gain gotten

by foreign confumption that is needful to fupport

it ; it isevident, that all the other i_habitants de-

pend

Chap. 9. occaflons the flourifl_ing oJ a People. 33

pend and live upon the aforefiid filhers, traders and

navigators.

.And how remarkable it is, that all rulers and

others, who for any felvice depend on them, have

a benefit by their great numbers, is fo clear, that

there needs no more to be faid for proof: for when Our _.a-

there were but few inhabitants in this counrry, giflrate,s

• ,_ " ,_" _proJpemty

within le£ than xoo years, the molt eminent omce. depend, ou

.of burgomafl:er, andfcbepens or fheriffs,, were even the f_c,_A

m the principal cities fogreat a burden as not to be C,,llth,ir

born without much charge ; whereas it is now be-f_/eas.

come profitable to be but a city meffcnger, or un-

dertaker to freight /hips, feeing men are there'._y

enabled to maintain their Families.

Furthermore, having a mind to convince the

reader, not only by my reafoning, but by his own

experience, that the profperity of Holland is built

upon the forefaid means of fubfiftence, and on no

other ; I find myfelf obliged to make a calculation

of the number of people in Holland that are fixed _,lll_.Z.i,b

inhabitants, or depend upon them ; and at the fame i,At#,-tf,

time, as far as I am able, to reckon in what pro. $ya rough

calcula.

portion thole people are maintain'd by the means rio,,,ho7

of £ubfiffence before-mentioned. In order to this thepeoplein

I fhall on the one hand confider, that Sir Walter HoIland

Raleigh, endeavouring to move kingTames ofEng- ,,_i,,t_;,,

land to advance the fifhing trade, manufa_ures, themfdves.

and tra_ck by tea, hath pottibly exceeded in his

account of the profits arifing from it, and aug-

mented the number of the people that live upon it

fomewhat above the truth.

And on the other hand I fhall confider what And/;_e-

Gerard Malines faith, in his Lex Mercatoria, .4nn _if_ i_;o,,

. "ttatreaBo_o

x6z2. that in Flanders there were men counted one,any in-

hundred and forty thoufand families ; which being/,a_itantt

reckoned, one with another, at five perfons each, t]3treart

they would amount to (even hundred thouG_d peo. i, Holhnd.

pie. I fhall likewife confider that in Ho/land that

D fame

34 _'beflourijT_ing of Commerce Part. I.

time year, the ftates laid a poll-tax upon all inha-

bitants, none excepted fare t_rangers, prifoners,

and vagrants, and thole that were on the other fide

the line _ yet were there found in all South-Holland

that fame wife no more than four huodred eighty

one thoufand nine hundred thirty and four : altho'

the commiffioners infcru&ions for that end were

very ftri& and revere, to prevent all fraud and de-

ceit. However that we may make the better guet_

whether this was a faithful account, I lhall give you

the particulars of it as regiftred in the chamber of

Accounts.

Dart with its villages, 4o5_3

Haerlem with its villages, 69648

De/ft with its villages, 41744

Leyden and Rynland, 94z85

./tmflerdam and its villages, _1502 z

Goude and its villages, 2466z

Rotterdam with its villages, 28339

Gornicbem with its villages, 7585

Scbiedam with its villages, 10393

Schoonboven with its villages, 1o7o 3

Briel with its villages, 2ox 56

The Hague, x7430

tteufden. 14 ¢4

481934

,/_.ndfuppofing that W._fl.Friefland might yield the

fourth part of the inhabitants of South Holland, it

would amount to _20483

In all 6oz4i 7

But becaufe pofi'ibly none but intelligent readers,

and fuch as have travelled, will believe, what we

fee is cuftomary in all places, that the number of

people in all populous countries is exceffJvely mag-

nified, and that the common readers will think,

that tinct many would be willing to evade the

poll-

Chap. 9- occaflons the flourifhing o[ a People. 35

poll-tax, there was an extraordinary fraud in the

number given in : I/hall therefore tollow the com-

mon opinion, and conclude, that the number of

people was indeed much greater, and that thefe

countries are fivce that time much improved in the .4nd _itb

number of inhabitants ; and accordingly I /hall what pro-

give a guel_ as by vulgar report, that _he whole P°rti°ntb_

.... l#oe by tht

number, without excluding any inhabitants what- fa:d

• . J*t

.foever, may amount to two mdhons and four hun- means.

dred thoufand people, and that they maintain them-

felves as followeth, viz.

By the fifheries at lea, and letting them out with

/hips, rigging, ca/k, falt, and other materials, or inl_ru-

ments,and the traffick thatdependsthereon, 450000. 45oooo.

By agriculture, inland-filhing, herding, hay-

making, turf-making, and by furni/hing thofe

people with all forts of materials as they are boors,

or hu/bandmen, 200000. zooooo.

By making all manner ofmanufa&ures, thipping,

works of art, mechanick or handicraft works,which

are confumed abroad ; as likewife by trade relating

to the laid manufa&ures, 650000. 6foooo.

By navigation or failing for freight and trade

jointly, by which I mean carriage into foreign

parts for felling and buying ; as alfo carrying to

and from Holiand all fuch wards and merchandife

as relate not to our filhing and manufa&ury, nor

depend thereon : and laffly, I include herein alfo all

inhabitants that are any ways ferviceable to fuch

traders, and/hips let out to freight, amounting in

all to. 25oooo. zSoooo.

By all thefeinhabitants, asbeing men, women, and

children,that muff be provided, and by working about

what is fpent in this country, asfood, drink, cloath-

ing, houfing, and by making or felling houfhould

fluff, and all other things for art, eafe, pleafure,

or ornament. 650000. 65oooo"

D 2 By

36 _rbeJl_ur;jT:ing of Commerce Part. I.

By the labour and care of all the above-men-

tioned perfons, being gentry without employment

or calling, civil magiftrates and officers, thole that

live upon their eftates or money, foldiers, the

poor in hofpitals, beggars, &c. 2o0o00.

200000. In all 2400o00.

•4ooooo. And tho' this ca|culation, whether confidered as

to the number of the inhabitants, or their propor-

tionab]e means of fubfiRence, is very rough and

uncertain ; yet I fuppofe it to be evident, that the

eighth part of the inhabitants of Holland could not

be fupplied with neceffaries out of its own produc"t,

if their gain otherwife did not afford them all other

"_'il the necetTaries : fo that homo homini deus in flatu poli-

happinefs tico, one man being a god to another under a good

ofHollaadgovernment, it is an unfpeakable bleffing for this

to have

f_chasare land, thatthere are fo many people in it, who ac-

linktdtoge- cording to the nature of the country are honeRly

ther in in. maintain'd by fuch fuitable or proportionable means,

ttrefl, and efpecially that the welfare of all the inhabitants

(theidle gentry, and foreign foldiers in pay excepted)

from the lear to the greateR, does fo neceff,trily"

depend on one another : and above all, it is chiefly

confiderable, that there are none more really in-

terefted in the profperity of this country than the

rulers of this ariftocratical government, and the

perfons that live on their eftates.

For fifhers, boors, or country people, owners

of/hips let to freight, merchants and manuf_/&urers,

in a general deRru&ion of a country, could eafily

tranfport themfelves into foreign parts, and there

let up their fifhing, agriculture, or hufbmdry,

thipping, merchandize and manufa&ures: But fuch

as have lands, or immovable efiates cannot do this ;

and thppofing they could, and fhould fell their

'eftates and remove into other countries, yet would

they

Chap. 9. occ'afionstbeflourifhhzg oJa People. 37

they there have no calling to fubfi_ by, much le/_

can they expe& to be made ufe of in the govern-

ment, or procure any office or advantage depending

upon it.

However, this excellent and laudable harmony .4_d tat

and union may be violated, even to the ruin of all greatefl,n-

the inhabitants, none excepted but courtiers and ba_i_#,

that the

foldiers, and that by one iole mi_ake in govern- l_rofperi_

ment, which is the ele&ing one fupremehead over of al! the

all there inhabitants, or over their armies. For inhabitan_

feeing fuch a tingle perfon for the increafe of his may&_u-

grandeur, may curb and obf[ru& Holland's great-/.ed/,y one

• - jmgtetrror

nefs and power, by the depunes of the leffcr pro- otaatt

vinces of the generahty, who a fo may in their

courfe check the great and flourithing cities in their

own provincial affemblies, by the fuffrages or votes

of the envious gentry. And the leffer cities, and

the great perfons, courtiers and foldiers being all

of his party, and depending on him, mu?t needs

prey upon the induftrious or working inhabitants, ._m@/y

and fo will make u£e of all their power for their at_a_d,g

own benefit, and to the detriment of the com-,,fi,,glt_,r-

monalty. And to the end they may receive nor°." °'Y.L".

g-1 I ,l " the ¢leOll

let from the great and ftrong cities of .,ohan,, it ,n_gifl,af_

follows that they would either weaken or leffen ,_,_dJ_l-

all fuch cities, and impoveri/h the inhabitans, to dieo'.

make them obedient without contrc:ul. Which if

fo, we have juft caufe continually to pray, ,4 fu-

rore monarcharum hbera nos Domine ; God preferve

Holland from the fury of a monarch, prince, or

one fupreme head: But what there is of reality in

this, /hall be handled hereafter in a chapter apart.

D3 CHAP.

38 /_y Holland has not loft 7"ra_ck. Part I.

CHAP. X.

77:at qu_ion confider'd, why the heavy taxes,

occa_ficned by _'ar, have not dri_'en ]q_ing,

trading, manufa_ury, and fl:ipping out of

Holland ?

w"oytr..f- I"T is not enough to know how happy in general

_ckbas,ot I. this country is, in finding imployment for fo

f_'d i,_ many hands, and affording them fuftenance, fee-

other court- •

tries, mg there have been many caufes which would have

hindred the fuccel_ of our fiflaing, navigation and

traffick, had there been but one country among

the many that are near u_, well fituated for fiflaing,

manufac_ury, traffick and navigation, which du-

ring our wars and troubles had feen and followed

their own true intereft ; molt of our neighbouring

nations, all that time being in a profound peace,

feemed to have lefs hinderance for promoting ma-

nufa&ures, traffick, employing of fhips for freight

and filhing, than our nation. So that to purfue

the true intereft and maxims of Holland, we ought

particularly to know the reafon, why the great in-

conveniencies of taxes and wars that we have la-

boured under, have not occafioned the filhing,

manufa&ury, traffick and navigation, to fettle and

_, fix in other countries ; as for example in England,

where if all be well confidered :hey have had far

greater advantages of fituation, harbours, a clean

and bold coaft, favourable winds, and an oppor-

tunity of tranfporting many unwrought commodi-

ties, a laffing peace, and a greater freedom from

taxes than we have.

CHAP.

Chap. I z. How Traffck came, &c. 39

CHAP. XI.

Before we answer the ./hid queflion, we fl:all

relate the ancient flare of mamfa_urtes,

.fl./heries, and navigation in Europe.

T H A T I may from hence derive rome light,

/hall premife a brief relation how there

affairs ftood in antient times.

It is well known, that 6 or 700 years ago, .4_ovt

there were no merchants in all Europe, except a 7ooyears

few in the republicks of Italy, who lived on the ,gothere

Mediterranean, and traded with the Indian cara- ,werefew

mo'cb_ntt

vans in the Levant; or poflibly there might be inEurope.

found rome merchants, tho' but in few places,

that drove an inland trade: fo that each nation

was neceffirated to low, build and weave for them-

felves to the northward and eafiward, where there

were then no outland nor inland merchants ; and

therefore in care of fuperfluity of people, they Ho_wgreat

were compelled by force of arms for want of pro- ,,,co,,_,,,,i-

vifion, and to prevent ill t_afons, and hunger, to eneestheuce

conquer more land. And this caufed the irruptions a,-o_.

of the Cel:w, Cimbri, 80'thians , Gotbs, _/ades,

Vandals, Hun_s, Franks, Burgundians, Normans,

&c. who till about the year 1ooo after Chri.Ot's

birth, were in their greatefl: l_rength; all which

people, and in a word, all that fpakeDutcb or Ger-

mon, exchanged their fuperfluities, not for money,

but, as it is reported, tkus : two hens for a goofe, Em.Suiero

two geefe for a fwine, three lambs for a theep, three ...n_.,Je

calves for acow _ bartering of corn was then alfo Flandcs.

in practice, by which they knew how much oat_

was to be given for barley, how much barley for

rye, and rye for wheat, when they wanted

them ; fo that except for eatable wares there was

neitLer barter nor traffick.

D 4 The

4 ° How Traffck came Part. _I.

_-/_,Fie- The Flemings lying neareft to France were the

mings firft: that began to earn their livings by weaving,

,w,,-e hereand fold the fame in that fruitful land, where the

tb_ f,fl

traders in inhabitants were not only able to feed themfelves,

zna,_c- but alfo by the fuperfluous growth of their country

;:_,.e_. could put themfe]ves into good apparel ; which

young Boudewyn of Flanders, about the year 960,

confiderably improved, by letting up yearly fares

or markets in feveral places, paying no duty or

toll for any goods either exported or imported.

By which means that way of merchandize improved

300 years fucceffively, altho' thole commodities

were only confumed in France and Germany, 'till

the many prejudicial or hurtful Jaws of the Halls,

which at firft were fram'd on the pretence of pre-

venting deceit, and the debating of commodities,

but were in truth intetaded to fix thole manufactures

to the cities : but at lafl: having by force, which is

ever prejudicial to trafl:ick, driven much of this

weaving trade out of the cities into the villages ; the

Next the_ wars between France and F/anders drove it back

tl,e Bra- from the villages to Tienen and Lovain in Brabant;

banders, notwkhftanding which the Brabanders being no-

thing more prudent, did by the fame occafion, viz.

the laws of the halls, and imports on manufactury

during the war againfi: France, occafion many tu-

mults and uproars among the weavers about xoo

years after i. Fianders, where at Gent in the year

_3o_, in a tumult occafion'd by rome coercive

laws and orders about their occupation, there were

flain two magiftrates, and eleven other inhabitants.

And at Bruges the next year after, for the fame

caufe, there were flain above i5oo in a tumult.

Likewit_ at Ypres, upon the tame occafion, there

bei_g a mutiny, the Vohgt, or chief magiftrate,

with the ten fcbeepens (being all the magi,q:rates of

the city) were killed. And fuch hke accidents

happened afterwards in Brabant, amongtt others at

Lovain,

Chap. I I. _flrfl into Holland. 4 t

Lovain, where, in a great tumult of the cloth-

weavers with their adherence,divers magiffrates

were flain in the council-houfe, and feveral of the

offendersfled into _ngland, whither they firff car-

ried the art of drapery: but many other cloth-

weavers, with their followers, as well Brabanders

as Flemings, difperfed themfelves into the countries

beyond the Mafe, and into Holland; and amongff Laflb',th,

other places, many of them fixed at Leyden. Mean Hollan-

dersand

while, the German knights of the crofs, after the the Eng-

year x2oo, under pretence of reducing the Hea- lilh.

thens to the Chrifl:ian faith, made themfelves ma-

fl:ers not only of barren Pomerania, and theriver

Oder, which they fufferedthe converted princes

to enjoy, but of rich Pru.ffiaand L)fland, and the

rivers Wei_el, Pregol, and Duina, and confe-

quently of all thole which fall into the lea, out of

fruitful Poland, Lithuania, or Ruffia. By which

conveniency the eafl:ern cities that lay nearefl: to

the tea, began to fetch away their bulky and

unwrought goods, and to carry them to the Ne- " w/_i_h

tberlands, England, Spain, and France, and like-,_er_

wife from thence to and fro to exoort andimport tra,fporUd

beyondthe

all the goods :hat were fuperfluousor wanting. .kas, and

And fi:eingby the warsabout the year , 36o, be- dealt in _y

tween Denmark and Sweden, they fuffcred great theEat_-

]offes by fca, and among_ others were plundered _o_"to'Peo-

by the famousICisbu3, fixty.fix of their ckiescove-fie"

nanted together, to t_:ouror cIeanfe the leas from H%en,a_td

- , ho_ theaf-

fuch piracies, and to fecuretheir _ooas : and thUS_ . _

t_ . Joctatton o1"

they became and continued, by that eattern traoe, theHans[.

the only traffickers and carriers by lea, beating by to_,,s,_..,

that means all other nations out of the ocean, till treaed.

after the the year x4oo, that the art of faking and

curing of herrings being found out in Flanders, the

fitheries in thele NetherlandJ being added to our

manu£tc"tures,proved to be of more importance

than the trade and navigation of the Eafler/ings,

and

42 _Flow %'a._ck came Part I.

and therefore encreafed more and more with the

traffick by lea to Bruges, which ]afted to the year

J482, when Flanders had wars with the arch-duke

Maximilian, about the guardianfhip of his fon and

.,4,a'/,o_ his dominions, which farted ten years. Mean while

th_ trade S_uys, the lea-port of Bruges, being for the moil: part

ftllto them i ,fefted., thole of Hntwerp and Hmflerdam, to draw

fBruges, the trade to their cities, affirmedthe duke in his un-

Antwerp,

a,,t Am bridled tyranny, and barbarous deitru&ic_n of the

flerdam, country, thereby regained his favor:r, and attain'd

their own ends. And feeing the Italians by their

levant trade, /lad gotten rome feed of filk-worms

from China and Perfia, and railed fuch abundance of

thole worms, and mulberry trees,that they wove

many filk ftuffs, and in procefs of time had difpers'd

their filks every where, and began to vent many of

them at Antwerp: and moreover, when the paflhges

to the Weft and Eafl-fndies by tea were difcovered,

and the Spaniards and Portuguefe fold their goods

and fpices at/Inlwerp ; as alfo that the Netherlandi/h

drapery was much of it removed into Evgland ; and

altawgreattheEngli/h altb fettling their ftaple atHntwerp, there

,_:"._'_.'" thin_s produc'd many new effec2s.

._tn_ cttF _ ,4... - "

- J. J no" .4ntwerp was, in refpec°t of its good

Antwerp

fi_mc@ foundation, and far extended traffick, the molt re-

eaas. nowned merchandizing city that ever was in the

world, fending many fhips to and again from

France, England, Spain, Italy, and making many

filk m.inufac'tures _ yet Brabant anti F/a;_ders were

too remote, and ill fituated for eree-ting at .4ntwerp,

or near it, the fifhery of haddock, cot], and her-

_rhet_n.Cering, anti for making that trade as profitable there,

of .._,h,'ch, - • - -

_,,.,o_nofas Ittnlgnt oe in lid/and.

o_,-_Ae_ie_ 2. Tho' the Eaflerlings built their ea_ern houfes,

=,t man.,-and let up their ftaple at /lntwerp, yet had they

faEtures, not the conveniency at once of tranfporting their

_w thdreev

into Hol- corn l"o far from the eafcward, in purfuance of

land. their new corr:fpondencc with :he Spaniards and

Italians,

Chap. I2. ,flrfl into Holland. 43

- Italians, but were neceffitated to have it laid up

anew in Antwerp, to prevent its fpoiling; efpe-

! ciallywhen we add this confideration, that thofere-

mote lands had not occafion to take off wimlefhips

ladings of finewares which Antwerp afforded, as

the ,4ntmerpers could take off whole fllips ladings

of herring and faked filh, betides the rough and

manufa&ur'd eat_ern and many other commodities,

which are manufa&ur'd and fpent in this country.

3. The Hollandersfilhery of haddock, cod, and

herring, and the great conveniency they have of

felling them all at home, and tranfporting them

abroad, was the reafonthat tile Eaflern countries

took off very much of our herrings and fat. The

trade to that country, fince the breaking in of the

inlet or paffage into the _,xe/, about the year 14on,

when the river 2"ebegan to be navigated with great

/hips, fettled it fdf by degreesmoRly at dmflerdam,

and part of it in England.

C H A P. XII.

For anfwer to the Jormer queflion, it is here

particularly/7.,ewn, that.flfloit,g and traffck

muff entirely fettle in Holland, and manu-

facTuries muff do the like Jbr the moil part,

and conJequently navigatiolz, or/ailing i_pon

freight.

T H IS wasthe fiateof trade till the year 1585,when Anlmerp was taken by the prince

of Parma. For that city being thus wholly l'hut

up from the lea, and the Icing of Spain very im-

prudently negle&ing to open the Scbeld, being de-

firous, according to the maxims of monarchs, to/-/o_ t_c

weaken that fl:rongcity, which he thought toobow- tr,,tefell

• _' _ • from Ant-

erful for him, and to dffperfe the tral_ck over hls weepto

many other cities; he bent all his ftrength againfl:._mfler-

the frontiers of Gelderland, £,Jg/a:M, and France, dam.

whereby

44 T/rat Trafffck muff needs Part I.

whereby the merchants of Antwerp were neceflitated

to forfake their city, and confequently to chufe

ztn_erdam to fettle in, which before the troubles

was, next to .4_twerp, the greateft mercantile city

of the Netherlands. For when we rightly confider

the innumerable inconveniences found in all iflands,

and efpecially northwar?_, by reafon of ftorms and

long winters, in the conthmption of goods bought,

and the necelFary communication with many inland

neighbours; every one may eatily imagine why

the ./_lntwerpers fat not down in the adjacent iflands

tt77 notto°f Zealand ; and betides, neither in France nor

the Zea- England was there any liberty of religion, but a

lar.d monarchical government in both, with high duties

i/l.,nd:, on goods imported and exported. And tho' the

._'o,-to protefl:ant merchants, by reafon of the great peace

.Francenor and good fituation of England, would have moil:

]England. inclined to fettle there ; yet were they difcouraged

from coming into a country where there were no

cit)/-excifes or import on lands, or any other taxes

equally charging all, whether inhabitants or ftran-

gers; but heavy taxes and cuftoms laid on all goods

imported and exported, by wifich foreigners and

their children and grandchildren, accordiJ;g to the

Jaws of the land, mult: pay double as much as the

natural Eng/ifh ; yea in the fubfidies of parliament,

which extend to perpetuity on foreigners and their

children, they muft Fay double affeffment : betides

which all ftrangers are excluded from their guilds

and halls of trade and manufa&ures ; fo that none

have the freedom there to work, either as journey-

man ormafter-workman, fare in that whereof the

;ca,.to anyinhabitants are ignorant. And all there difcou-

Eaitern ¢i- tagements were alfo for the moil: part in the Eaflern

tics. cit,es ; yea in England as well as in the Eaflern

cities, a foreigner, tho' an inhabitant, was not fur..

Ibred to fc]l to any other but citizens ; nor to fell

wares by retail, or tbr confumption, or to buy

any

]

! Chap. 12. tome into Holland. 49

! any fort of goodsofftrangers, or of inhabitants that

are flrangers, neither by wholefale nor retail: all

which made them think England no fit place for

them to fettle in.

It happened alfo at the fame time, that the

king of Spain allowing no where a toleration of

religion, but making continual war, and utterly

neglec2ing the fcouring :/.nd cleanfir,g of the leas,

the fifhing, and remaining traffick of the Fl:mi/b

cities, which they drove into foreign parts, did

wholly ceafe; fo far were they from recovering

the tott:trade of Antwerp. So that the Flemifbfifh- _'_ya,:'

•- _ the manu.

rag" alfo fell into"Holland: but the manutactures ,.,,_,,.,,,

1. • • ,,]¢ "

were thus ciivided; one tMrd of the dealers and didnota-

weaversof lays, damafk, and fl:ockings, &c. went $,_,,do,,

cafually into England &c. becaufe that trade wasFlanders

then new to the Enchf,.', and therefore under no andBra-

. o , ,- . Pant, toils..

hal/s nor guilds. Anotl_er great part or tlaemwent_wit,5 the

tOLo'den ; and the traders in linnen fettled molt traffct_,a¢

at Itaer,'em. But there were t_ill a great hum- ,,_igati_,:

ber of traders in manufa&ures that remained in o/Holland.

Flanders and Brabant: for feting thole goods

were continually font to France and Germany by

land.carriage, it was impoffible for us to pre-

vent it by our flfips of war, or any other means

imaginable.

On the other fide, feeing that in Flanders and Na,nel_

Brabant, efpecially in the villages where the ma-/9' reafa

nufacCturesare moftly made, there are but fmailim- q th_h,_-

pof_spaid, and in Hol!andthe taxes were very great, ,_ytaxes¢m

• Hollana.

they might therefore have borne the charge of car-

rying thole goods by land into rome Frencb har-

bours, from whence they might l_avebeen tranf-

ported to any part ofthe world : and therefore upon

good advice we thought it our intereft to permit

ti_oli_FicmiflJ manufa&ures, tho' wrought by our

er.emies,to bebrought into our country of Holland,

charging them with fome_l_at lcfs duty than they

muff:

46 That Traffck muffneedscomethere. Part I.

muft: have been at by going the furthelt way

about. And thus did thole manufa&ures of fo-

reign countries, by means of immunities from

impolts and halls, greatly improve and flourilh

in thole villages, becaufe they could be made as

cheap or cheaper than ours, which from time

to time were more and more charged with du-

ties on the confumption. "Yea, and which is worthy

of admiration, they were charged with convoy-

money and other taxes upon exportation, till about

the year 1634. when by the French and Dutch wars,

and winter-quarters, all the molt flourithing villa-

ges of Flanders, Brabant, and the lands beyond

the Meufe were plundered, and the richelt mer-

chandizing cities obftru6ted from fending away

their goods. So that the cities of Holland were

hereby' filled with inhabitants and their manufac-

tures fold there ; which was the greatefl: caufe of

the increafe of trade in this country, and the fubfe-

quent riches of the inhabitants.

C H A P. XlII.

ffhat Amfterdam isprovided with better means

qtl]kb/iflence, and is a greater city o/traf-

tick, and Holland a richer merchandizing

country, than ever was in the world.

t¢/-o,Am-G UT above all _Irnflerdam hath thriven moil:

flerdam ._ in all tbrts of merchandizes, and means of

is becomefubfif_ence and enlargement. For tho' it feems not

t&greatefl tO be fo well fituated as many other towns in South

¢i_"of traf-

fl_k inEu-and North-Holland, for receiving goods that come

ror_. from lea, and tranfporting others beyond lea, as

atfo becaufe of the fhallownefs of the Pampus, for

which thips mult lade, or unlade mott of their

goods, and wait fbr winds in that unfafe road of

the

Chap. 13. 7"fade mt_j_ttle at Amfterdam. 47

the ff'exel _ yet in this-particular of the greateft con-

fideration, .4mflerdara lies better than any town in Namelyby

1-1alland, and pot'fibly better than any city in 7"f.°" of

• ttsJ;,Ituat ol

Europe, to receive the fi/h manufacture, and other.- - _.J.

commodtttes which are taken and made by others,

and efpecially to receive from the /hipping into

their warehoufes ftore-goods to be fpent at home.

And it iswell known to all perfons whether owners

of/hips failing fbr freight, or merchants, that this

is a very great conveniency for readily equipping

and full lading of/hips, and felling their goods

fpeedily, and at the highefl: price, which is ten

times more confiderable than a conveniency of im-

porti,g or exporting goods fpeedily, or than the

damages fulTered by tile l_orms, which may happen

(tho' but feldom) in the ff'exel. For men having

an eye to their ordinary and certain profit accord-

ing to true information of the prefent opportunity

of gain from abroad, whether remote or near at

hand, by export and import, they are ever moved

more by fuch an opportunity, than deterred by fuch

misfortunes, efpecially if they have kept or referred

fuch an ei_ate or credit as to be t2ill able to conti-

nue their traffick. .At leat_ it is certain that mif-

fortunes depending on fuch unknown and uncertain

caulks, and happening fo feldom, are ever little

zpprehended, and eafily forgotten by thole that

have not had any lofs by that means. And if any

one/hould doubt whether zlmflerdam be fituate as

well and better than any other city of Holland for _i_b

traffick, and /hips let out to freight, let him but ¢_p5 a

qui ck/'aleof

pleafe to confider in how few hours (when the a11 i_,.

wind is lavourable) one may fail from ./lmflerdam tedgoodt.

to all the towns of Friefland, Over)_l, Guelderland,

and )Vortb-Ha:'/and, & vice verfa, feeing there

is no alteration of courfe or tides needful : and in

how/hort a time, and how cheap and eafily one

may travel from any of the towns of South-Holland,

48 That Trade muff needs Part L

or other adjacent inland cities to Amflerdara, every

one knows. And it hath evidently appeared how

much the convenient firuation ofAmflerdara was

efreemed by the Antwerp merchants, fince the trade

of Antwerp fixed nowhere but at Amflerdam. And

after that the Antwerp trade was added to their

eafl:ern trade and tilhing, the Amflerdammersthen

got by their fword the whole Earl-India trade,

atleafl:the monopoly of all the richefcfpices, and a

great trade to the We/_-Indies; and upon that fol-

lowed the whale-tithing: as alfo by the German

wars, they acquired the confumption of the Italian

filk fluffs, which ufed to be carried by land, and

fold there. And betides, the raw filks have given

them a fairopportunity of making many filk fluffs,

as did the halls of Leyden, and an ill maxim of not

early laying outthe ground of a city, or not fuffer-

ing any out-buildings beyond the place allowed for

building, which was the only occafion that the

weaving of wool was .pracq:ifed,not only in many

other provinces and cities, but alfo throughout

Holland, and efpecially at Amflerdam. And at

laft thereupon followed the troubles in England,

and our deffru&ive tho' fhort war with them, and

theirsagainfr the king of Spain ; asalfo the wars of

the Northern kings among themfelves, which were

fo prejudicial to us. By thofe eight years troubles

the inlaabitantsof Holland probably loft:more than

they had gain'd in 2o years before.

q'_eHol- It is neverthelefs evident, that the Hollanders

|andersare having well-n:gh beaten all nations by traffick out

lmo,netheof the great ocean, the Mediterranean, Indian, and

o,,lycar- Baltick Seas; they are the great, and indeed only

Hers and

,,a._,ig,,tor_carriers of goods throughout the world _ catching

ofth_fi,,_,of herring, haddock, cod and whale, making many

•_,t_i,his,_forts of manufacqures and merchandize for foreign

g,eat bier-parts. Which is fo great a blelting for the inhabi-

fl,,g#,. all

aur inhabi, rants, and efpecially for the rulers of the land, and

ta,,ts, thofe

Chap. _3- fettle in Amfterdam. 49

thole that are benefited by them, that a greater

cannot be conceived. .And feeing I may prefume

to fay that I have clearly fhewn, in the foregoing

chapter, that Holland's welfare and profperity

wholly depends on the flouri/hing of manufa&uries,

fifhery, navigation of/hips on freight, and traffick

it feems that the order of nature obliges me to give

my thoughts in particular of all matters whereby

the Holland manufac2uries, fi/heries, /hips let out

to freight, and traftick, may be improved or im-

paired. But feeing that would afford us endle_

matter of fpeculation, exceeds my/kill, and is in-

confiffentwith my intended brevity ; I/hall fatisfy

myfelf in laying down the principal heads thereof,

and that in/hort.

C H A P. XIV.

_hat freedom or toleration in, and about the

_rvice or wor_ip of God, is a po_z,erflul

means to pre_krve many inhabitants in Hol-

land, and allure foreigners to dwell amon_

115,

N the firfl:place it iscertain, that not only thole _s Ziteny

that deal in manufa&ures,filhing, trafl_ck,/hip- of_oof.i-

ping, and thofe that depend on them. but alfo all e.,e'_'v

people may

civilized people muff:be fuppofed to pitch upon &d,-a_n

rome outward fervice of God as the belt:, and to be outofot&r

averfefrom all other forms ; ar:d that fuch perfonscountries

0 t 0 a to inhabit

do abhor to travel, and much m re o g nd ,

dwell in a country, wherethey are not permittedH°llana"

to ferve and wor/hip God outwardly, after fucha

manneras they think fit. And alfothat asto free-

dom about the outwardfervice of God, during the

troubles, and/hortly after ; wh_ the manufa&u-

ries, trading, and navigation forfreight began to

fettle in Holland, the magiftrate wasfo tenderand

E indulgent

50 Toleration of Religion, Part L

indulgent, that there were very few ufeful inhabi-

tants driven thence byany rigour or hardfhip, much

lefs any foreigners: fo that it brings that maxim

into my mind, that " the furefl: way to keep any

thing, is to make ufe of the fame means whereby

it was at firft acquired.

And araong thole means, comes firft into con-

fideration the freedom of all forts of religion differ-

s,,i,,g t_, ing from the Reformed. For in re_rd all our

,lergyi_ neighbours (except Great Britain and the United

,,11,,eigb-Provinces) and tbr the moft part all far remote

bouring lands, are not of the reformed religion ; and that

nation, ge- the clergy under the papacy have their own jurif-

7/.erG]_

_erfec_te di&ion : and feeing, if not all thole that are called

th_ t/at fpiritual, yet the clergy at leaft that differ from

dJerfrom us, have in all countries a fettled livelihood, which

the publith depends not on the political welfare of the land : we

fentiments, fee that through human frailty, they do in all daefe

countries think fit to teach and preach up all that

can have a tendency to their own credit, profit, and

eafe, yea, tho' it be to the ruin of the whole coun-

try; and moreover, when the do&fine, counfel,

and admonition of thefe men is not received hy any

of their auditors, thel_ clergymen do then very un-

mercifully ufe to profecute them odio theologico.

Whereas neverthelet_ all chril_ian clergymen ought

to reft fatisfied, according to their mafter's doc-

trine, to enlighten the minds of men with the

truth, and to fl_ew them the way to eternal life,

and afterwards to endeavour to perfwade, and turn

l¢/hich)'et fuch enlighmed perfons in all humility and meek-

oppug,,,t,_enel_ into the path that leads to falvation. It is evi-

do_'ls_ne o

_dent that all people, efpecially Chrifiians, and more

cbeg_tl, particularly their publick teachers, ought to be far

from compelling, either by fpiritual or bodily pu-

nifhment, thole that for want of light and perfua-

/3on

" Res facile iifdemartibasretiaentur qu_businitio partz

funt.

Chap. z4. the true Z_tereft of Holland. 5r

t fion are not inclined to go to the publick church,

to do any outward a&, or to fpeak any words con-

trary to their judgment ; for poteflascoercendi, the

i coercive power is given only to the civil magit_rate

. all the power and right which the ecclefial_icks

J have, if they haveany, muff:bederived fi'om them,

as the fame is excellently and unanfwerablyfhewn

by Lucius Antiflius Conflans, in his book ae 7ure

IEcchfiaflicorumlately printed.

Indeed the effential and only difference between

the civil and ecclefiafticalpower is this, that the

civil doth not teach and advife asthe other dozh,

but commands and compels the inhabitants to per-

form or omit fuch outward a&ions, or to fuffrr

rome certain punifhment for their difobedience;

fo that they have dominion over the fubje&, five

volentes, five nolentes, whether they will or no. r_o_ a_..

Whereas on the other fide, the duty of chrifdan tborityis

on# to

teachers is to infcm& and advife men to all chri- t=,_h,,,,a'

t_ian virtues, as trutting in God our Saviour, the e,.::,

hope of poffeffing a future eternal bleffedlife, a,_d_¢or.'3.

the love of God and our neighbour. Which vir-

tues confifl:ingonly in the inward thoughts of our

minds, cannot be put into us by any outward vio-

lence or compullion, but .only by the inlightning

and convincing reafonsof minifrers, who to effezl:

this, muff on all occafions comply with the/_a'e

and condition of their hearers, and be the lea£c

among_ them: and thus making themfelves the

leaf{:,and thereby converting mo_, and bringing

forth mo_ good fruits, they thall be the fi_fcin the

kingdom of heaven. _P'hofov'verwill be chief amongMatt.zo

you, let him be your fervant. And betides, it is zv.

well known that our Lord Chri_ pretended to no

other kingdom ar dominion on earth (bis kingdomJohn zS.

not being of this world) than that every one being 36.

convinced of this his true do&fine, and wholefome

advice, and of his holy fufferings for us, /houtd

E z freely"

52 _roleration of Religion, Part. I.

freely be fubjeEtto him, not with the outward man

only, to do or omit any a&ion, to fpeak or befilent,

John4. but with the inward man infpirit and truth, to

love God, himfelf, and his neighbour; to truft in

that God and Saviour in all the occurrencesof our

lives, and by his infinitewifdom, mercyand power,

to hope for a bleffed and everlafting flare for our

fouls. So that it became not his difciples, or fol-

lowers, and apoftles, much lefsour prefent publick

preachers, to let themfelves above their fpiritual

lord and molter, to lord it over others. The kings

Lukezz. of the Gentiles exercife lord_ip over them ; but ye

zs, z6. fhallnot befo. The gofpelalfou_achethus, that they

/hould not lord it over the people, but ought to be

their fervants, and minifters of the word of God.

But notwithftanding all this, we fee, that by thefe

evil ambitious maxims of the clergy, almoft in all

countries, die-_-/l_nters, or fuchasown not the opi-

nion of the publick preachers, are turned out of the

civil t_ateand perfecuted ; for they are not onlyex-

cluded from all government, magiftracies, offices

and benefices(which isin rome meafure tolerablefor

the fecluded inhabitants, and agrees very well with

the maxims of polity, in regard it is wellknown by

experience in all countriesto beneceffary,astending

to the common peace, that one religion fhould pre-

vail and be fupported above all others, and accord-

ingly isby all meansauthorized, favoured, and pro-

te&ed by the ftate, yet not fo, but that the exercife

of other religions at the fame time be in rome mea-

_o that lure publickly tolerated, at leat_not perfecured)but

ma,,/,to are fo perfecuted, that many honeftand ufefuIinha-

efca_Oethat bitartts,to efcapethole fines, banifhments, or corpo-

tio,,for- ral punilhments, to which by adhering to the prohi-

fat, tbtir bited ferviceof God they are rubieS, abandon1their

_rati.ve own fweet native country, and, to obtain their l_-

,-,u,,try, bert5,, chufe to come and fit down in our barren

and come

intoHol- and heavy tax'd country.

and. Yea,

Chap. 14. the true Imtere.fl oJ Holland. 53

"Yea, and which is more, in rome countries

there churchmen will go fo far, as by an inquifi-

tion to inquire who they are that differ from the

opinion of the authorized preachers ; and firrl by

admonition and excommunication, bereave them

of their credit, and afterwards of their liberty, el- ....

- , Vl/blcbper.

tate or life. And as heretofore the Romifh cJergy acutio,r_

were not fatisfied with obRru&ing the divine fer-_-.,_{ 'r

vice of thole that diffented from them, but laboured pi,g of

to bring the inquifition into all places; fo would God, .',

it be a great wonder if the ecclefiafticks ill Holland verydetri-

mental to

tlaou!d not follow the fame worldly courfe, to the tbe flate.

ruin of the country, if they conceiv'd it tended to

the increafe of their own profit, honour, power

and grandeur. At /earl: we fee it in almoPc all

countries, where the belt: and moil: moderate, yea

even where the reformed clergy bear fway, that

diffenting affemblies are prohibited. .And feeing

that the publick divine wortlaip is fo neceffary for

mankind, that without it they would fall into

great ignorance about the fervice of God, and

confequently into a very bad life; and fince

man's life is fubjecq: to many tuileries, therefore

every one is inclined in this wretched rlate to nou-

ritla or comfort his foul with the hope of a better :

and as men hope very eafily to obtain the fame by

a free and willing attention to a do&fine they think

to be built on a good foundation; fo every one

may eafily perceive how impoftible it is to make -4,n_'_./n-

. _ alrJ tDe

any man by compulfion to hope for luch aclvan-_onw_o,,

tage, in that which he cannot apprehend to be(ta, e_-

well grounded; and accordingly the diffenting r0ne0_s.

party clearly difcover the vanity of all manner of

force in ma_ters of religion.

Moreover, feeing all matters of fa&, and like-

wife of faith, murl in rome meafure be proved by

teftimony of good credit, fuch as is irreproachable,

or beyond exception; and that all that are thus

E 3 perfecuted,

_4 _roleration o3"Religion, Part I.

perfecuted, whether by excommunication, fines,

baniflamentor corporal punifhments, reproach and

hate their perfecutors, to wit, the.publick autho-

riled preachers, as their enemies; it isevident that

thole perfecutors lore all their weight to perfuade

people in matters of faith by means of their pub-

lick authority, which otherwife would be great

among the common people. And betides, we fee,

that all perfecuted people continually exercife their"

thoughts upon any thing that feems to confirm

their own judgment, and oft-times out of mere

t_omachfidnefsand animofity will not ponder and

fedately confider their enemies reafons: fo that the

perfecuted people being wholly turn'd afide from

the-truth of God's'worfhip by fuch violence and

., compulfion, become hardned in their error. By

this means manifold wars, tuileries and removals

of habitations have been occafioned fince the re-

formation : and the like a6tionswill l_ill have the

like effec'-ts. How prejudicial fuch coercive prac-

:g,ghurt, rices are, efpecially in rich trafficking cities, Lu-

f,,t tot/_ebeck, Collen, and .4ix la Chapellemay inftru61:us,

¢i*ai/flate. where both the rulers and fubje&s of thole lately

fo famous cities have fince the reformation loft:

moft of their wealth, and chiefly by fuch compul-

fion in religion; many of the inhabitants being

thereby driven out of their refpe_ive cities, and

t_rangers difcouraged from coming to refide in

them. And tho' according to clear reafon, and

holy writ, the true glory and fame of all rulers

confifts in the multitude of their fubjec"ts,yet do

there churchmen (forgetting their credit, their

country, and their God, which is a threefold im-

piety) continue to teach, that it is better'to have a

city of an orthodox or found faith, ill frocked

with people, than a very populous, and godly

city, but tainted with herefy. Thus it is evident

that to allow all men the exercife of their religion

with

Chap. I4. the true IntereJt of Holland. 55

with more freedom than in other nations, wbuld sothat el.

be a very effe&ualr means for Itolland to allure P'dallY in

• Holland

people out of other counmes, and to fix them, that toleration

are there already ; provided fuch freedom be not of'Religion

prejudicial to our civil ftate an'd free government, is ,,eeaf_l.

For, as on the one fide thole of the Romi_ religion Pol.d_._f

have their fpiritual heads, and the K. of Spain D. c. lib.

(heretofore Earl of Holland) for their neighbour, 4.Difc-6.

who may help the Romanifls in the time of intef- P"3zo.

tine divifion ; fo on the other fide it is manifett,

that our own government by length of time is en-

larged, and the Spanijh Netherlands become weak ;

and that notwithi_tanding the renunciation of the

laid fuperiority over Holland we are in peace with

them, it is alfo certain that by perfecuting the

2_ornanifls we lhould drive moil: of the ttrangers Like.wiJ_

out of out' country ; and the greatefl: number of_,-the ,-o-

the diffenting old inhabitants, viz. the gentry, =_nc_th,.

monied-men and boors, who continue to dwell &_s"

amongl_ us, would become fo averfe to the go-

vernment, that in time it would be eit|ler a means

to bring this country into the hands of our enemy,

or elfe drive thole people out of the country:

which cruelty would not only be pernicious, but

altogether unreafonable in the rulers and reformed

fubje&s, who always us'd to boaf_ that they fought

for their liberty, and conftantly maintain'd, that

feveral publiek religions may be peaceably role-Becauf_

v O:gr _Or$

rated and pra&ifed in one and the fame countr_ ; " .

• . . , ,_g_,_fl

that true rehglon hath advantage enough when _ts. •

• . . ;_pRIm ar_'

allowed to tpeak, errantts ?a'na docert, and that g,.o,,n&d

there is no greater fign of a fxlfe religion (or at o,,tD_like

leaft of one to the truth of which men dare not reafon and

trufi) than to perfecute the diffenters from it. So eeui_-"

that it appears that toleration and freedom of re-

ligion is not only exceeding beneficial for our coun-

try in general, but particularly for the reformed

E 4 religion,

56 _-eedom _ Habitation, &c. Part I.

religion, which may and ought to depend upon

its own evidence and veracity.

CHAP. XV.

_/lJ_cond means to keep Holland populous, is a

plenary freedom for all people that will co-

habit with us, to follow any occupation for

a livelihood.

Yreetomto"_TEXT to a liberty of ferving God, follows

begi,_nto_ the liberty of gaining a livelihood without

all inha-

bitant_** any dear-bought, city-freedom,, but only by virtue

fu_p. a,t/of a fixed habltatlen to have the common right

llve by Of other inhabitants: which is here very neceffary

their for keeping the people we have, and inviting

trag.; ftrangers to come among us. For it is felt--

evident that landed-men, or others that are wealthy,

being forced by any accident to leavetheir country

or habitation, will never chufe Holland to dwell

in, beiog fo chargeable a place, and where they

have fo little -interel_for their mony. And for

thole who are let_ wealthy, it is well known, that

no man from abroad will come to dwell or con-

tinue in a country where he/hall not be permitted

to get an honef'c maintenance. And it may be

eafily confidered how great an inconveniency it

would be in thiscountry, for the inhabitants, efpe-

cially ftrangers, if they fhould have no freedom of"

chufing and pra&ifing fuch honeft means of live-

lihood as they think bet_ for their fubfiftence; or

if, when they had chofen a trade, and could not

live by it, they might not chufe another. This

then being evident, that t*crangerswithout freedom

of earning their bread, and te=king a livelihood,

cannot live amongft us: and as it is certain, that

our manufac"turies,fiflaeries, traffick and naviga-

tio;_, with thole that depend upon them, cannot

without

Chap. _5. the Interefl of Holland. 37

without continual fupplies of foreign inhabitants

be preferred here, and much let_ augmented or

improved ; it is likewife certain, that among the

efidlefs advantages which accrue to Holland by

ftrangers, and which might accrue more, our

boors may be likewife profited. For we fee that

for want of flcrangers in the country, the boors

muff: give fuch great yearly and day-wages to

their fervants, that they can fcarceiy live but with

great toil themfelves, and their fervants live rather

in too great plenty. The fame inconveniencies

we are likewife fenfible of in cities amongff: tradef-

men and fervants, who are here more chargeable

and burdenfome, and yet lefs ferviceable than in

any other countries.

It is certain, that in all cities, tho' they invite

ftrangers to cohabit with them, the ancient inha-

bitants have advantage enough by the government

and its dependencies. And it is evident, that the

old inhabitants, who live by their occupations, have

a great advantage over the new comers, by their

many relations, cuftomers and acquaintance, moil:

of th.- old manufa&ures, and great inland con-

fumption : all which particulars yield the old in-

habitants certain gain. But new comers leaving

their own country upon any accident, and betides. .

" • • • i t _ 25ttlorebt-

their moveable goods, bringing wltn them ttteneflclali_

knowledge of what is abounding, or wanting in Holland

their native country, and of all forts of manufac- thani_

tures ; they cannot live in Halland upon the irltereft '_Mot_er

of their money, nor on their real eftares: fo that ¢au*ttriet.

they are compelled to lay out all their/kill and efo

tare in devifing and forming of new fifheries, ma-

na[a&ures, traffick and navigation, with the dan-

ger oflofing all they have. For he that fits id]e

in Holland, muf'c expe& to get nothing but certain

and fpeedy poverty; but he that vet2rures may

gain, and fometi:ncs find out and meet with a

good

58 Freedom of Habitation, &c. Part I.

good fiflaery, manufa&ure, merchandize or traf-

tick : and then the other inhabitants may come in

for a fhare in that new occupation, which is alfo

very needful, becaufe the old handicraft works

being beaten down lower and lower in price, yield

lefs profit. And therefore is is neceffary that all

ttrangers that are mafters, journey-men, confump-

tioners, merchants, traders, &c. fhould live peace-

ably amongfl: us, without any diRurbance, let, or

molet_ation whatever, and ufe their own eftates

and trades as they fha/l judge belt.

% ,7t_w And tho' this will be ever detrimental to rome

tfainba, old inhabitants, who would have all the profit,

t_itants it and bereave others of it, and under one pretext or

il detri-

mental other exclude them from their trade ; and there-

fore will alledge, that a citizen ought to have more

privilege than a Rranger ; yet all inhabitants

who have here a certain place of abode, or defire

to have it as they are then no Rrangers, but in-

habitants, fo ought they to be permitted, as well

as the burghers, to earn their neceffary food, feeing

theyare in greater want than their oppol_rs. And

it is notorious, that all people, who to the preju-

dice of the common good would exclude others,

that are likewife inhabitants of this land, from the

common means of fubfif_ence, or out of the re-

pe,ftive cities, and for that end would have rome

fpeculhr t_ivour from the rulers beyond the reI_,

are very pernicious and mifchievous i_habitants : it

is alfo certain, that a Rate which cannot fubfiff of

itfelf, ought not to deny that ttrangers _ould live

anaongft them with equal freedom with theml_lves,

und.-r pretence of privilege and right of cities

nor thould tlaey exclude ally Rrangcrs, but endea-

vour conti_ually to allure in nc_,.,inhabitants ; elt_

fuch a Rate will fall to ruin. For the great dan-

gers of carrying on new dcfigns, of being robb'd

at fen, of felling their goods by fa&ors to unknown

pzo;_le,

Chap. x5. the Interefl of Holland. 59

people, on twelve months credit, and at the fame

time running the hazard of all revolutions by wars

and monarchical governments againfr this .fcate,

and of loffesamong one another, are fo important

_i (yet all to be expe&ed) that many inhabitants con-

cerned in the fifheries, traflick, manufa&ury, and

confequenfly in Pnips let out to freight, will give

over their trade, and depart the country when they

have been fo fortunate as to have Dined any con-

fiderable efcate, to _ek a fecurer way of living

_elfewhere. On the other hand, "#eare to confioer,

that there will ever be many bankrupts and forfaken

trades, both by reafon of the dangers of foreign

trade, and intolerable domef6ck taxes, which can-

not be denied by any that knows that in /troffer-

dam alone there are yearly about three hundred

abandoned or infuflicient eftates regiftred in the

chamber of accompts of that city ; and therefore

there are continually many inhabitants, who find-

ing the gain uncertain, and the charge great, are

apr to relinquilh it. So that it is ever neceffa'ry

'that we leave all ways open for people to fubfi_

by, and a full liberty, as aforefaid, to allure fo-

reigners to dwell among us. Moreover, tho' it

"i Teatblt

be not convenient in general for ffrangers k" g'freedora ia

fuch who, tho' they dwell in Holland, and haVetrofta$le

continued there rome confiderable time, are not totbego-

natives) to partake of the government, yet is it "_-''_

very neceffary, in order to fix them here, that we o./'tb,/e,_'.

do not exclude them by laws.

CHAP.

6o Monopolies and Guilds Part I.

C H A P. XVI.

That monopoliziJlg companies and guilds, ex-

cluding all other pertons fi'om their focieties,

are very tpnjudicial to Holland.

.r/o.w,_,o-t-]_ml 'UCH le/_ ought we to curbor reftrain our

fdfelea .l.V.][. citizens and natives, any more than ftran-

co,npa,es gets, from their natural liberty of l_eking their

andguildt livelihoods in their native country, by fele& and

a,e, authoriz'd companiesand guilds: for when we con-

fider, that all the trade of our common inhabitants

is circumfcribed or bounded well nigh within aEu-

rope, and that in very many parts of the fame, as

France, England, Sweden, $_c. our greatcft trade

and navigation thither is crampt by the high duties,

or by patent companies, like thole of ot_rIndian

focieties; asalfo how fmall a part of the world Eu-

rope is, and how many merchantsdwell in Holland,

and muff dwell there to fupport it ; we fllall have

no reafon to wonder, if alJ the beneficialtraflqckin

there fmalladjacent countries beeither worn out, or

in a fhort time be glutted with an over-trade. But

we may much rather wonder, why the greatefl:

part of"the world fhould feem unfit for our com-

Toalltbofemen inhabitants to trade in, and that they thould

_,,c,,,.of contbme to be debarred from it, to the end that

fubjqjtt.ce,fome fewperfons only may have the fole benefit of

waheretrjto

depi_'e it. It iscertainly known that this country cannot

t+e_ a,t profper, but by means of thole that are moil: in-

1_,, tb,i,-duftrious and ingenious, and that fuch patents or

,,mber. grants do not produce the ableft merchants. But

on the other hand, becaufe the grantees, whether

by burgherlhip, felec"tcompanies, or guilds, think

they need not fear that others, who are much more

ingenious and induftrious than themfelves, and are

not of the burgher/hip, companies and guilds,/hall

leffen

Chap. 16. prejudicial to Holland. 6 I

leffen their profits ; therefore the certain gains they

reap make them dull, flow, una&ive, and let_ in-

quifitive. Whereas on the other fide, we fay that

: necel'fity makes the old wife trot, hunger makes

a raw beans fweet, and poverty begets ingenuity.

And betides, it is well known, now efpeciatly when t/_0 o,,eof

Holland is fo heavily taxed, that other lefs burdened tbei_ab._

, da;tcebe-

people, who have no fifheries, manuL, c"tures, traf- come_..a#-

tick and freight fhips, cannot long fubfifl: but bYrd!, dz,ll

their induffry, fubtilty, courage, and frugality._,,dfla_-

In a word, the£e patent companies and _uilds dof uL

i certainly exclude many ufeful inhabitants from that

i trade and traffick. But thofethat poffefs thole pri-

: vileges with fu/ficient knowledge and fimefs, need

: not fear that others that are more induffrious and

ingenious than themfelves, flaall prevent them of

their profit by theexercife of the like abilities and

parts ; neither can it be fo fully carried on and ira- so thatthe

proved for the common benefit of the country, by inbabi-

a fmall number of people, as by many: fo that in t_,ts of o-

the mean time other people that we cannot exclude tber coun-

trie_ma_

from that tra_ck ox manufa6ture by means of our .. ,-

• - . - foe ea]_er

grants and guilds, have a great opportumty of ,,,,.cjoo,_,-

profitably improving that which fo foolifhly, and d:a._ o_

with fo much churliflanefs is prohibited to our corn- ,,,ea,_of

.... ul z,?e.ce

mort inhabitants. Whereas otherwffe, the provl-fi _ _"

• " " - 0l_ I:0 toe_l-

dent and mduftnous H landers would eafily draw_lve,.

to them all foreign trade, and the making of incre-

dibly more manufa&ures than we now work on./_,,q,u:,y

• . mane,

That which is obje&ed againft thts is, that the Hol- ooohetberif

landers are a people of fuch a nature, that if the all _ou,-

tra.te were open into Aria, .4frica, and _4merica, me,/,_e

they would overf_ock all thole countries with goods, tbefreedom

ofan open

and fo deftroy that tradetotheprejudice ofHolland,t_ie, it

which is fo far from the truth, and all appearance_o_td di-

thereof, that it is hardly worth anfwering. For,_i,a_ ou_

fir_, fo great and mighty a trade by the Hollanders, traffiekin

..... _ *. • ** t generat_ _r

In thole "calf and tra_cKing ¢ountrles_ woula De quite de

thefl_oyit. "

6a Monopolies and Guilds Part. I.

the greateft bleffing to them that could be withed

for upon earth ; would to God any of us could ever

t_e Holland to happy. And next it cannot be

denied, that even in this fmall Europe, the over..

frocking of countries with goods may indeedleffen

the gah_s of lb:ne particular merchants; but yet

after fincha manner thatthe laid overRocking with

.4,J :_,e the fad goods reallyis, and can be no other than an

."_t__i- etFc&or fruit of a pret_'ntovergrown trade of this,

i. t \ .

'."_ta_7°fcountry, in proportion to the fmallnel_ of thole

15 7Pl,_ ,_e

_,,,,,;,:j/. countries with which we are permitted to traflick.

And thirdly, it is evident, that the Hollanders

by fuch overftocking have never yet loft any

trad:, in any country or place of Europe, nor can

they loft it fo long as that trade remains open,

becaufethat fuperfluity of goods tranfported is i"_'ta

fpent, and that time trade is by the fame or rome

other of our merchants immediately reaffumed and

taken up, fo loon as by a following fcarcity in thole

countries there is any appearance of making more

profit by thole, or other commodities.

But luppofing it to be true, that the Dutch mer-

chants by overttocking thole trading countries

thould run a rifque of lofing that trade in rome

parts ; yet confidering the fmallnefsof thole lands,

it would then be doubly neceffary to prevent the

time by fetting open the trade to Aria, Africa and

_4sal_ tlmeriea, for all the merchants of Holland. But

th,,t t_a- on the other fide, it is certain that the licenfed mo-

din_ com-

_a_i, by nopolizing companies, by the unfaithfulnefs, neg-

cbarter ligence, and chargeablenefi of their fervants, and

have e_er by their vail:, and confequently unmanageable de-

le._ro,ea fig_, who are not willingto drive any trade longer

t,.a,_e,,,,/than it yields exceffive profit, muff: needs gain

tion, and confiderably in all their trade, or otherwiferelin-

ofte,,timesquifh and tbrfake all countries that yield it not,

e,,ite ,.u- whichneverthelel_would by ourcommoninhabitants

ined_otb,be very plentifuily carried on.

Chap. 16. prejudicial to Holland. 63

In this refpe& it is worthy obfer'vation, that the

authorized Greenland company made heretofore

little profit by their tithing, becaufe of the great , ,

charge of fettin_ out their/hios, and that the train- _t_i,o,,,p-

• _. _ - pears oy

o11, blubber and whale-fins were not well made, ,:_cati,,g

handled, or cured ; and being brought hither and of. the

• put into warehoufes, were not fold foon enough, Greenland

nor to the company's befr advanrage. Whereas co,,,_j;_

now that every one equips their veffcls at the charter.

cheapeft rate, follow their tithing diligently, and

manage all carefully, the blubber, train-oil, and

whale-fins are imployed for fo many ufcs in feveral

countries, that they can fell them x_ith that conve-

niency, that tho' there are now fifteen/hips for one

which formerly failed out of Holland on that ac-

count, and confequently each of them could not

take fo many whales as l_eretofore ; and notwith-

ftanding the new prohibition of France, and other

countries, to import thole commo3ities ; and tho"

there is greater plenty of it imported by our fifhers,

yet thole commodities are fo much raked in the va-

lue above what they were whilft there was a com-

pany, that the common inhabitants do exerdtb that

fifhery with profit to the much greater bencfi: of

our country, than when it was (under the manage-

ment of a company) carried on but by a few. It

is belides very confiderable, that tbr the molt part

all trades and manufa&ures managed by gilt& in

ltolland, do fell all their goods within this couratry

to other inhabitants who live immediately by the

filherics, manufa&uries, freight flaips, and traffick:

lb that no members of thole guilds, under what pre-

text tbevcr, can be countenanced or indulged in

their monopoly, or charter, but by the excluding

of all other inhabitants, and conftquently to the

hindrance of their country's profpe:ity. For how

much ibever thole members t_.-lltheir pains or com-

m'aditics dearer than if that trade or occupation

'was

64 .Monopolies and Guilds, &e. Part I.

was open or free, all the other better inhabitants

that gain their fubtif'canceimmediately, or by

confequenee by a foreign confumption, muff. bear

that loll And indeed our fifhermen, dealers in

manufa&ures, owners of freight-fhips, and traders,

being fo burdened with all manner of impofts, to

opprefs them yet more in their necelfity by there

monopolies of guilds, and yet to believe that it

redounds to the good of the land, becaufe it tends

to the benefit of fuch companies, is to me incom-

prehenfible. There guilds are laid indeed to be a

ufeful fort of people_ but next to thole we call idle

drones, they are the moil: unprofitable inhabitants

of the country, becaufe they bring in no profit from

foreign lands tbr the welfareof the inhabitants of

Holland. Efop hath well illuftrated this folly by ii

cat, who firfl: lick'd off the oil from an oiled file,

and continued licking, not obferving that fine had

by little and littlelick'd her tongue thorough which

was given her to fuftain herlife, and carry nourilh-

ment into her body, nor that fine fed not on a file

which did not confume, but on her own blood

before her tongue was totally confumed.

On the contrary, I can fee no good, nor ap-

pearance of good, which the guilds in Holland do

produce, but only that foreign mafcersandjourney-

men artificers, having made their works abroad,

and endeavouring to fell them to our inhabitants,

thereby to carry the profit out of our country into

their own, are herein check'd and oppofed by our

mafl:ersof guilds or corporations. But betidesthat

this is more to the prejudice than advantage of the

country, finer by confequenceour tithers, manufac.

turers, traders, and owners of fhips let to freight,

are thereby bereft of the freedom of buying their

neceffariesat the che_ff rate they can; it is alfo

evident, that this feeding of tbreigners upon the

Hollanderwould be more ftrenuou.qyand profitably

oppoftd

Chap. 17. Fi/hers, ManufaCTurers, &c. 6 S

oppofed and prevented, in cafe all handicra_ work

and occupations were permitted to be made, fold

and pra_ifed by all, and no other people, excep:

fu.chas have their fettled habitations in this country.

1 C H A P. XVII.

7"hat flfhers, dealers in manufadtures, mer-

chants, and owners of freight-fiqps as fuch,

ought not at all to be charged by paying any

impofltion to the country, under what pretext

; Jbg_)er.

F it be granted that the forementioned meamof fubfiffence, namely, fifhing, manufa_ury,

traffick, and freight-fhips, are foneceffary in, and

for Holland, as hath been above demonftrated ;

and if the Hollanders, who have no native commo-

dities, muff yet hold markets equally with other

nations, who may deal in their own wares, or ma-

nufa&ures made of their own materials ; then it

follows, that our rulers ought nor, under any pre-

tence whatfoever, to ch0rge or tax their own inha-

bitants, rifflers, dealers in manu--_ures, owner, of

freight-fhips, or merchants as fuch. And I fuppofe

every one will eafily grant me this conclufion in the

general, becaufe of its own perfpecuity : for indeed,

how fully and fixedly foever fifhing, manufa6tury,

navigation, and commerce feem to have fettled

themfelves in Itolland ; yet it is evident, that one

_iver of profit or lofs, more or lefs, makes a

commodity which is in wquilibrio, and that happens

very often (namely when it is hardly difcerned

whether the profit be fufficient to continue the El#dally

making of that commodity) whollyto preponderate, ab,a_.ttr,,.fi

or be at a l_and; even as a pair of fcales wherein_lnrt°"

_en thoufand pounds or lefs is weighed, being "

F ballanced,

66 Fi_ers, ]Vl"anufaa-turers, &c. Part I.

batlanced, one of them is as eafily weighed down

with a pound weight, as if there were but a hundred

pounds in each t_:ale. And by confequence it is

evident, that our own filheries, and manufactures.

with their dependencies, as alfo the traffick in

thole wares, whether imported or exported, ought

nat at all to pay for tonnage, convoy, or other

duties, nor any thing when t_rought to the fcale,

unlefs they are fott|. I'know that all thch impofitions,

through the ignorance of thole that are unacquainted

with trade, are counted very light and infignificant;

but thole that are more intelligent and concerned

therein, do know * that you may pull a large

fowl bare, by plucMng away tingle feathers, ef-pe-

cially in Holland, where with light gains, we muf'c

I,'lu/Tratedmake a heavy purfe. The antients have compared

t,yfable, there inconfiderate people to mice, who being to

_ive on the fruit of an orchard, found that the roots

of the trees, relifh'{! well, and were of good nouriOa-

ment, fo that they made bold to eat of them ;

whereby the trees, for want of fufficient root, being

depriv'd of their ufual nourilhment, bore lefs fruit:

and the wifeft of them told the others the reafon of

it, but were not believed by the foolifh and greedy

mice that continued gnaw.ing and devouring of the

root. And when in the tollowing year, befide._

this unfruitfulnefs, thole trees that had loR many

of their roots and fibres, were either blown down

by the ftorms, or kill'd by the froft; the wife mice

did thereupon once again warn their imprudent

brethren againft it, who anfwered, that it was not

their undermining and eating the roots, but the

fierce ftorms and/harp winter that Was the caufe of

it. So that they continued feeding on the roots,

'till tile trees were fo dzminithed, that both the

wife

• Guttacavat]apidemnonvi, fedf_p_cadendo:

Addeparumparvo, tandemfitmagnusacen,us.

Chap. _7. aughtnot to betaxed. 67

wife andfoolifh mice muff either die of hunger, or

leeka better habitation.

Betides this, antient hifiory teacheth us, that

Antigonus king of Macedonia being imprudently

covetous, was not content with the health of his

ruble&s, and the profit which he and they receiv'd

i from the-impoffs paid by ffrangers, who came to

drink his mineralwaters, but he would needs tax

i the very fountain it felf, by laying a duty upon

every meafure of Water: which wasfo unacceptable

to God and nature, that the fountain dried up,

infomuch that he thereby loft: not only the health

of his fubjecq:s,but the impofl:on the confumption

and for this fuper-impoff on the well, he wascuffed

and Aerided by his fubje&sand fl:rangers.

And ir_deedif we confider, that all duties levied/'tom 1be

,_ fl_eries,

on confumption mut_ at the long run be born oy ma._c-

the fifhermen,manufa&urers,traffickers and owners fur., _,_

of fhips, .who for the moil: part employ all the tr_ff,*, it

° people here dire&ly or indire&ly, wemuf_acknow- dr_-

ledge, that they alone are above meafure burdenedfr°m _ll

partt,

thereby,anddifcouraged by impotts aboveall others; _.&t t_

which will evidently appear, if you confider it in othc_i,,&_

an example or two, and inquire.how muchw.ages_jt;;:_,

ishere paid for building and fetung to lea a mq_ot i" "

2oo loft.s, or rather how many carpenters, fmiths, g_7_'_y"

rope-makers, fail-makers, &c. muff be employed .4, th,

about fuch a veffel, and how much in the mean [_uildi_g of"

• o .. /hi_i._.

while they muff altogether pay to the ttate, wnemet -

i'br impoits, or for poundage ofhoufe-hire. .For I

doubt not but it will charge a fhip with rome hun-

dreds of gu/.Idersmore than if we had no impoffs,

and confi-quentlyitmuf_be fold fo much the dearer.

And if moreover we confider, that the owners who

l_t to i_a fuch a fbip to feek a freight, muft after-

wards vi&ual her with our provifion and drink for

the feamen, upon which our impoffs charge very

much, you will the eafierdifcernit. And this

F 2 would

_8 Fi./hers and ManufaCturers, &c. Part I.

And ,Ira.would likewife appear manifeftly, if we confider,

pe'rydoma-that the price of weaving half a piece of ordinary

n_fl. home-made broad cloth, amounts to feventy guil-

ders, and that this money is prefently/'pent, (for

filch workmen, tho' they can, will not lay up any

thing) then we thould fee, that of this 7o, more than

twenty guilders is paid for imports, and poundage

upon boule-hire ; |br a half piece ofcloth requires

the labour of twenty.eight people for fourteen days,

or at leaftfo many may thereby be fed by the heads

of families (reckoning f_ve to a Family) and then

we fee shat a half piece of cloth is thereby charged

with twenty guilders.

And tho' lthe fitlaeries and traffick are not

opprefl: near/b much with fuch i_mpolts,3ret it

certainly is, and continues an intolerable error,

and thwarts the welfare of the whole ftate, to bur-

den any dealers in manufa&ures, fifhers, or mer-

chants, as fuch; for we do not take care for the

profperity' of the country, unlet_ by all waysand

means we lighten their burdens, and remove what

makes them uneafy.

C H A P. XVIII.

_hat freedom of religion is againfl all reafon

obflru_ed in Holland.

Aving hitherto fpoken of four confiderable

ways of preferring the profperity of Holland,

I think it not fit to go over any more tending to

the fame end, "till I firfl: briefly hint how Holland

hath governed itfelfas to the laid expedients. And

_'oleratlon firt'_asto freedom of religion, it iscertain that hay-

of rel gion

_.va,sS,-- ing 'till this time been greater in Holland than any

me_Orno_ewhere elfe, it hath brought in many inhabitants,

obflrueTed,and driven out but few ; yet it is alfo certain, that

fince the year x618. we have begun to depart from

that laudable maxim more and more.

Firfl:

Chap. z_. Freedom of Religion, &c. 6 9

Firff: with the Remonflrants, perfecuting them_a,ne_ /,5

by placaets, fines, and banithments, and drivin_placaetsa"

.... c_gain# the

them intoother lands: afterwards with mez_oraant]ts, Re,non-

by difturbing them more and more in their alrem-flrants and

blies with fevere placaets, and more rigorous exe- Roman

cution, notwithff:anding that by the profperity of catb°lickt"

our own government, the great increafe of the pro-

teRants, the peace, and the king of Spain's renun-

ciation ofanypretence, right, or tide for himfelf,

or his heirs after him, to thefe United Provinces

the movirig reafons of our firff:placaets againft the .41tbo'the

Romanifls, feemed to have been taken away. So r_i_g

that now, in order to enjoy their liberty, they t_'_#;;;f

muff: pay a heavy tax annually, to the profit ofplacaJe_s_Z

the bailiff_and fchouts, which feemsto be impofed ,,-.o.w_.ql/.v

for them, and for no other caufe ; for the govern, ceafe.

ment reaps no benefit byit. This is no lefsunrea-

fonable, than detrimental to the land: for if we

cannot fpare the benefit which accrues to .us by'

their abode and traffick, why fl'.ould we prohibil:

that which is not hurtful to the ttate, and whereof

the Romi[binhabitants make fo great account, and

without which they cannot dwell amongfc us? If

we permit none but fmall affemblies in cities,

in the boules of known citizens, with fuch

priers as are beft approved of by the rulers, that

inconvenience would have an end, and peace and

friendfhip increafe more and more among the good

inhabitants, yea and the true religion too. And

moreover, our if:ate would ovoid that vexation

which now by difturbing thofe prohibited meet-

ings may happen : and on the contrary, the Rate

could incur no danger by thole well known affem-

blies, where every one rfiight have freeaccefs, and

no matter of fecrecy could be confulred of, but the

ublick fafety would every way be better fecured.

ut what fhall we fay? not only the politicians, but

alfo the clergy are men _ and commonly the fweet

F 3 temper

7o Of Compulflon iTztraffck. _art I.

temper offuch as have fuffer_dunder perfecution _s

changed into fbrce and violence, fo loon as they

become mafters of others: then they forget the

evangelical leffon, and the law of nature to do no-

thing to others but what they would have doneto

tbemfelves; and on the contrary, they remember

and pra6til_:that old tyrannical and accurfed maxim,

its be hath doneto me, fo will I do to him ; and be

that hath tbe power, let him ufe i:. And to fpeak

P.ral. It9. all in a word, what the pfalmifl:lays, It isg6od for

7_. me that I ba.vebeenaffi_qed, that I might learn thy

flatutes, is not truer in adverfity, than in profpe-

Pfal.73" rity. Tl,ey are not in trouble, neither are they

_,6. p!agtte_ih('e other men; therefore pride compaffetb

thema_outas a chain, and violencecoveretb them as

a garment.

C H A P. XIX'.

"That the .freedom of fiJtoery ahd trq_ck i,._

Holland, i's likewij_ in jome meafitre ,m-

jtgtly reflrain'd.

HE freedom of fifhery and traffick, is

greater in this country than eI/'ewhere, and

yet heretofore there were many placaets publithed

concerning the herring, and other fiflaeries, which

tend altogether to the benefit of foreign tithers,

who are not bound to obey them. We formerly

manag'd the whale-fi/hing by a monopolizing

company, exclufive of all others_ and how mif-

chievous that proved to Holland, appears now,

that that fifhing is open to all men, whereby it is

advanced from one to ten, yea to fifteen, as was

betbre/hewn more at large. But erecting an Earl,

and a lI/'efl-India company, was a quite different

thing; for it appeared to be a neceffary evil, be-

caufe our people would be trading in and about

Jhcb.

Chap. 19. Of Compuon in g'rawffck. 7

fuch countries where our enemies were too ftrong

/br particular adventures: fo that this i_emed to Somttlmej

,7,,,o,,o,0o_

have been neceffary in all refpe&s, to lay the fbun- c_arteris

dation of that trade by a powerful arm'd fociety. ,,./;#lto

And feeing this country, engaged in war againtt;fettle ,,

the Icing of Spain, had need of ufing :ellits ftrength, trade.

]t WaSvery prudently done to erect thole two £oc.i-

eties. But that trade being now fo well fettled,

we may juftly make it a doubt, whether the taid

companie-, ought any longer to continue on the

fame foot. Some wife fl:atefmen do with probable

reafons maintain, that the politic rule of * prefer-

ving a thing beR, by the fame means whereby it

was acquired, cannot agree with _hefe companies-:

.for it is certain, that the firfl: moving reafon of

_hofe grants to t.hem, which was the war with the

king of Spain, now ceafe'th, and d._at in cafe of

any new war againft: that people, they would no

longer be Ibrmldable to us, but we to them. And :/, _p.

(econdly, as it is well known that it was neceffary Oe,,_e,¢_

at firfl: to make rome conquers upon the tpice t/:eEaft-

iflands of the laid enemy, bccaufe the more lands India

they conquered, the more right and ability they Co,,p_.

.would acquire to the trade which might happen in B,_tthat

thole parts: fo it cannot be denied, that when trade

thole good and neceffary conquefts are made, the ,_.:.,e,,.kt-

tied, iT

grounds and maxims of the profperity of the laid

manag 'd

companies begin to juPtle and oppugn the general $: a .Meet

good of this country, which is manifeftly known _o,_pany,

to confifl: in a continual increafe of our manu-_""*c°"""

ter to the

fl&ures, traffick and &eight llaips: whereas never-genera/

thelefs the true intereft: of ftJch companies, confifts gooe.

in reeking the benefit of all the members, even

with foreign, as well as our own manut_a&ures,

and (to the great prejudice of all other our inhabi-

tants) by importing manufactures and other mecha-

laick works into this country, and vending them

F 4 throughout

Pats_ci/¢iifdcmartibusrctingntutquibusini_ioparta:funt.

70 OfCompuoninTraffck. Partr.

throughout Europe ; and in thort, by making the

greater profit with the leaf traffick and naviga-

tion. As it is acknowledged, that if the Earl-

India company can gain more by importing_Capau

garments, Indian quilts and carpets, &c. than

raw filk ; or if the company, by caufing a £car-

city of nutmegs, mace, cloves, cinamon, &c.

could fo raife the price of them, that they might

gain as much by one hundred la_s as by a thou-

land: we ought not then to expe& that thole raw

filks, and unneceffary and great di/burfmen_

which they are at, thould caufe a greater trade

and navigation than t.hofehundred lafis would jufl:

require, but that they would rather, to fhun

greater traffick and navigation, deftroy all the

fuperfluity they have in the Indies.

And it can be as little denied of lhch companiest

that the more lands they conquer, the more of their

Rock they muff neceffarily fpend for the preferva-

tion and defence of fuch lands ; and the more

dominion they have, the let_ are they ahle to

mind and augment their traffick : whereas on the

contrary, our particular inhabitants by thole ma-

nifold conquered ftrong holds and lands, would

have fo much the more conveniency and fecurity

to trade in the Indies. We have now, to fay no

more, quite 1o_ our open trade of Guino', and

that of talt in the IP'efl-Indies, which were hereto-

fore fo confiderable by the ere&ing of the /#'eft-

India company ; and the mifchief which was

done to the king of Spain in the We/_-Indies, is re-

8ot;,at coil_dback, and fallen upon us : fo that we cannot

that ,,,o,.o-cryup that company, who have bound the hands

_olyo,,g_,tof particular men, and made,war inRead of traf-

thento tick, unlefs at leaft they would.in the mean time

baoaebwt

taken fufferall our inhabitants fi'eely to trade in all their

,,_,_.. conquetts..On the contrary, that company hath

impov'crifh'd many ot( our good inhabitants.

Wha'eas

Chap. 19. Of Computfianzn Tra_c& 73

Whereas by an open trade, and confequently well

fettled colonies, we thould not only, with fmall zr/_ _t

charge have eafilydefended thofevaft lands ofBrazil, _bolb kfr

Guine5, tlngola, St. _t'boraas,&c. againlt all foreign tbattrade.

power, but (which is more confiderable) have J_rlan/"

c_quefl:

been able to carry on a very great trade with our carried

own nation, without fear that any foreign potentate/_ ,,m--

thould fcize our flaips, goods or debts, to which thole ,,_nua,e

Hollanders that trade only in Europe are continu- 7_tat.,th"

ally expofed. And how profitable and fecure that tenab&

trade would have been, may eafily be apprehended, agai,ltdt

if it be well confider'd, that the laid lands yield sntJnies,

the belt fort of commodities that are in requelt

over all Europe, and are not to be had fo good

_. elfewhere, viz. fugar, brazil-wood elephants-

teeth, gold, &c. and that which thole inhabitants

have need of in return, Holland could for the moil:

part have fupplied them with, as viCtuals, drink

and apparel, yea even with molt materials for

building of boules, fhips, &c. whereas now we

are deprived of all theft advantages. This is the

ordinary fruit and punilhment of monopolies and

conquel_s, which for want of colonies their mull:

keep up at a continual great charge. May our

2Ea#-Hndia company confider this effeCtually, before

it be too late.

C HAP. XX.

5?'bat manufaCTures, and other mechanlc_

Works, are no leJi imprudently reflrained.

B_:oh2 freedom allow'd men to gain a liveli-_e_u-by fuch things as are liable to confump- ,_,, of,n_-

tmn, or by handicrafts, it's certain that we have uxfaa.._,

ts _ort a_,_

kept an infinite number of people in the country, "

• • .1 _ort oh-

and have betides drawn m many foreigners to It- _ _.

• "jrructea.,

for in molt cities of Holland there has been fufficmnt

liberty

74 Con_ulfionin ManufaCtures. Part 1".

liberty given. But afterwards people withdrew

from many cities, through the mifchievous nature

of rome men, who rather chufe a fudden profit,

tho' to the general damage of their native country,

than that wifich comes in by degrees with conti-

nued gain to the republick: for private or peculiar

profit is the chief foandation (tho' it always goes

under the notion of a general advantage)of alt

thole refl:ri&ionsand burdens impofed on the citi-

zens by corporations or guilds, which t_rve to no

other end but to keep good people out of their

_:ities, and in the mean while to give the members

of fuch corporations a lafl:ingopportunity of being

enrich'd by their fellow inhabitants, and of felling

their goods and manufa&tares the dearer to their

neighbours, and fo of levying as it were an im,-

pott upon them.

At leaff:it cannot be demed, bt_tthat halls rela-

ting to manufa&ures, or any other fort of handi-

craft ware, with overfeers or infpe&ors appointed

by common confent; or the chief men of the

guilds to circumfcribe or l_,mit the fame ; or by

publick a&s of ftate to appoint how thole wares

muff:be made which we fell into tbreign lands, are

as ridiculous as pr_udicial. For it fuppol_rh two

very impertinent things: firff:, that the foreign

buyers muff:needs purchati: of us fuch manufa&ures

and mechanick works as we fhall pleafe to make,

be they what they will: and, fecondly, that in

other countries they muff: not mak_ thole forts of

manut;_&ures, and handicraft ware.s',whichwe pro-

h]bit. Whereas on the contrary it may be laid,

that the makers of them have h!t the right mark,

when they can belt:pleafe the buyer, and the buyer'

can gain moft by them. And it is certain that

all our manufa&ures and other mechanick works,

may be made and fpent not only in the country

villages and towns of Ha/land, but alfo in very

many

Chap. z r. Great Impofls, &c. 75

many neighbouring countries ; and that they may

be there made with far lefs impotts on the con-

fumption than with us: by which it appears that

it would have been much better for Holland

never to have laid on thofe reRri&ions and

Prohibitions.

C H A P. XXI.

:TZ,at tl,e hear:' and mmdfold impofls will at

lafl deflro)' ihe ?roJperity of tlais cou,etr)'.

S to impoRs upon imported or exported _r,,,e,,,

goods, and taxes upon confumption, and co,/_,,_p-

• _*/d ?_er-

real or mamoveable eftates ; I fuppofe fbrmer ,a,,,,ciz_

ages levied none fuch in time of peace. For when i,, Hol-

the earls of Holland liappot_d they theuld have land t0_

occafion for an extraordinary fupply in time of/'_'ra'-

war over and above their revenues, they came in jan*t"

perfon, and according to their privilege defired it

of the affembly of Rates ; who fometimes granted it

for a thort time, and fometimes refufed it, and

were ever very cautious of granting any ftanding

fupply of money, ,as knowing their liberty could

not thbfil't: but under fuch an earl as had neither

forces nor money beforehand. And cur hiftorians

count it a great offence in our earls, that they en-

deavoured to make there lands tributary: for

which reafon the emperor Charles the fifth defiring

a ftiver to be impofed upon each acre or morgen

of land, could not obtain it; and his fon Pailip,

not without great trouble, got an import _or nine

years to help to defray the charge of the war againft

France, but on this condition, that all thins lb

levied, lhould be received and difpofed by fuch

as the t_ate impowered to do it. And on the fame

ground the Rates oY Ftanders and Brabant have

to this day preferred their liberty of granting the

king fuch requeffs, or (as it moR commonly hap-

pens)

7 6 Great Impofls and Taxes, Part I.

pens) of denying them. It makes nothing againfl:

what I have now laid, that the earls of Holland

have heretofore received cuff:ores upon goods im-

ported and exported, feeing according to their

privilege the citizens of the trading cities of Hol-

land, viz. Dort, Haerlem, Delf, Leyden, .4miter-

dam, &c. are cuRom-free ; fo that fuch duties do

only concern t_rangers, and even for them they

are very eafy. But in the time of the Radt-

holders government in the United Provinces, lays

Grotius, " By * endeavouring not to give the

" duke of Alva the tenth penny, we afterwards

" gave all". After which being in banilhment, lae

wrote to his friends here in this manner : " We "I"

•' bore all manner of taxes and impofts, without

" preferring the leaft thadow of our common

" freedom." For the fame taxes are by the long

_robeablecontinuance of the wars now fcrew'd up fo high,

to toxtlnue that the like was never feen in any republick, much

4o,g, and let_ in a trafficking country : fo that it will be the

the tount_7

to thrive, greatelt wonder in nature for us to fut_ain thole

intolerable burdens long, and, driving no trade

with our own native commodities, to be able to

traffick as other nations do. Neverthelefs I wil-

lingly acknowledge, that if we muff needs raife no

let_ than fifteen millions of guilders yearly in this

country, we have hit upon the moil: convenient

courfe for it, viz. to charge the oldeft inhabitants

molt, as being tool}fixed to the country by the

advantage of the government, and their immove-

able eftates : for land is moft liable to pay poun-

dage, the 4oth penny upon fale, and the 2oth

penny of inheritances, by thole of the collateral

afcending line, as alfo the tax of the 2oothpenny

molt l_ri6tly levied. But thole manifold, yea in-

numerable impol_s upon confumption, concern

merchandize

o Omniadabant, nedecimamdarent. Grot.Hi//.

Omniadatis, &ne cluidemliberatisumbramrctiactLs.

Chap. 2 r. prejudicial to Holland. 77

merchandize and manufa_ure only fo far as thofe

who are maintain'd by them are men, and muff:

: live by them. Betides it is well known, not only

that in confumptions there may be great variety,

but alfo that people do manifeftly fpend molt: of

•; their income upon pomp and ornament, fuperfluity,

: wantonnefs, pleafure and recreation. So that fifher-

men, manufa&urers, feamen and watermen, who

are moffly poor, pay but little tothis tax ; whereas

the richer inhabitants pay very much : and it can-

not be denied but that they feem voluntarily to pay

thole impol_s on confumptions.

But in real burdens and taxations, the favour

and hatred of the firf_ alTeffors has not only an

influence, but thole that are opprefs'd by them,

cannot free themfelves from them by prudential

forethought and frugality. Moreover it is apparent o,/_-

that he who increafes his el_ate by induf'trious and lage a,d

frugal living, is mof't burdened : and he that by t& e(¢bt_

lazinefs and prodigality diminifheth his ell:ate will be pen,_.,

Je_ taxed. Sothat vixtue is unjuffly opprefi, and vice

favoured. Whereas on the contrary, the impol_s on

confumption fall heavyupon the riotous, and indulge

and incourage the virtuous. But tho' in all events

the forementioned fums of money yearly demanded

for defence of the country, be railed after the eafiefl:

way poltible _ yet the immenfenefs of the rum will

not fuffer us to imagine that our people continuing

to be thus burdened, lhall always be able to fell _at t_e

their merchandize at as low, or lower rates than inbabl-

other foreigners, who are charged lefs, and work tarts o_g_

t. as foon as

up their' own growth and manufa&ures ready rori_#-bkte

the merchant. So that it is abfolutely neceffary b, tapa'.

thatour inhabitantsbecafedoffuch burdensasloon

aspotliblymay be.

CHAP.

78 Great CauLion to be us'd Part l

C H A P. XXII.

7"hegrounds and reaJons upon which the greateJt

caution is to be us d in laying the tax of con-

roy-money, or cz_oms.

gome ex- "]_UT the import on goods imported and ex-

torted ,_,d l_ ported, and that on/hipping, is a quite dif-

imported ferent th;n,_ ; for rome may poflibly be laid for the

Eoods, antt, ,.,. ",-'_ ,a ,-. " -_ - a" •

";_i0s" Denent or me ttate, ,ome wlmout prejualce to it,

_0o_.7] y and rome cannot be laid without great and certain

,hargtt todetriment to Holland. I/hall therefore expre/_ my

the benefit fcntiments particularly upon this fubje&, and do

(Hol-

land. premife, that fo long as our polity about fea-affairs

is built upon the fame foundation as it was in the

year 1597, that prohibition of any/hips or mer-

chandize whatever, whether imported or exported,

muff always be of great concernment to Holland.

Holland The like may be laid of laying any new or higher

aughttobeduty of tonnage, or convoy-money for clearing the

,very_,ary leas; feeing we daily find that rome provinces,

as topro.admiralties, and cities, intending to tolerate the

bibit.ed . fame amon_ themfelves, do privately connive and

taxingof lUl-rermere to De lnaUggl-O_ or Drouglat In cuttom-

me,'c+'a,_'-free, in order to gain tfiat trade of navigation and

tiz, or commerce to themfelves ; and yet will be lure to

_;p_oi,_g. be the moflczealous in caufing fuch prohibitions, and

the laying in of higher convoy-money and taxes lbr

clearing the leas, to be imi_ofed by the fl:ates-

gee the general. So that commonly the fairefl: dealing

griew,,tes provinces, admiralties and cities of the United Pro-

afthe ma-vinces, and the moil: upright merchants fuffer b_¢

eiflrate'#the faict placaets, while the moil: fraudulent a_a_t

Zierick-

zee di/honef'c merchants do generally fo contrive matters,

in t&,ea, as tO get friends at court, by whole favour they

,668. in find :xaeansto benefit themfelves to the prejudice of

lqovemb, honeft men.

Chap. 22 in levying Uonvoy-mbney. 79

In the firft place it is worthy obfervation, that

in this affair, nothing can be more detrimental

than to charge all fhips, or goods coming in or

going out with tonrmge-duty, without diRin&ion :

for tho_it be pretended to be taken of the /'nipping

only, yet it is evident that all the goods they carry

muff: pay for it. And to pay for clearing the leas,

and thereby charging all goods, according to their

value, with one per cent. or the like, is flill more

prejudicial. To make this more evident, I fhalI

infifl: the longer upon it. Seeing Holland of it felf

E'4 yields almofl: nothing, and the greater p_irt of otw

rraffick confiRs in f_lheries, manufacq:ures, mecha-

nic works, and their dependencies, fo that we

tour take thole fitb, and fetch the unwrought ma-

terials for manufa&ures, and all that is neceffary

thereunto from foreign parrs ; and tikewife moil: of

our fith, and wroughtgoods tour afterwards be tranf- Lafl-,,,,,-

" ported to foreign parts. And feeing ir is evident ,,_r,,,s,,o,_,

diat the filheries, manufa&ures, and other mechanick laid, is

very detri-

_ wares, may be pra&ifed and made in other coun- mental,be-

! tries, it is an inexcufable weak.nefs to burden thofe _a,,_ it

neceffary means of livelihood, and all other mer- _ba,'geral7."

chandize without diffin&ion, and thereby indanger _,..itho_t

the driving them into other nations where they d///i''9'°n"

are lefs charged. How much this thwarts all good

maxims of polity, I fhall fhew by an example or

two. It was antiently very wifely confidered, how _'* i, i,,-

much we were concerned in the mantffa&ury offl_"csd.&

...... parttcular

woollen-cloth, and therefore a hall-roland made exa,nfles;.

cloth was charged with no more than 4 Rivers for viz. ofi,,-

exportation ; whereas if it had paid I pcr Cent. for la,,a'

Rivets. broad-

clearing the fdas, it would have paid ._o and dot&

So that every one may perceive the difparity,

into what danger we run by kmh errors, of lofing

this trade, and driving out of our cour_try a very

great number of people, as walhers of wool, pickers,

fcourers, carders, fpinners, weavers, dreffcrs, thl-

lel's,

80 Great Caution to be us'd Part I.

lets, dyers, nappers, preffers, @'c. with the ma-

kers of the inftruments neceffaryto thole imploy-

ments. And lardy, it is the way to caufethe trade

of unwrought goods, thereunto fubfervient, and

mad, ufe of likewife in the manufac2ures, to with-

draw very readily into other countries, efpeciall)-

if befides all this, we do in the fame impolitick

manner tax the unwrought goods ferving to the

fame end, which is againft all good polity, and

Of_or. the great prudence of our anceftors, who having

./_t_'y,,,, well confidered how much weaving concerns us,

for .,,,e_- very wifely ordered all wooll imported to be free,

/"g" and all yarn woven here to pay but 15 ftivers the

xoo l. and but oneper Cent. to be paid for clearing

the /_as_ the wool for an inland half-cloth ten

Rivers, and the yarn for a home-made camlet 45

ftivers the piece: which yet by the ordinary convoy

or cuf_oms (counting 15 frivers for Ioo pounds) is

charged but with one half River the piece ; at leafl:

according to the firft intent of the confederateRates,

it ought to be charged with no more. So that it

is an inexcufablefolly, and would be a very preju-

dicial exa&ion to charge the importer with more

than 15 flivers convoy-money for xoo pounds of

_urkey.yarn brought into thiscountry to be woven.

Of racy And it is no lels imprudent fo greatly to burden

Elk. raw filk imported, as if it were of no concern to

us, which by winding, throwing, and weaving, is

fo profitable to this country. From all which I

fuppofe every onewill eafilyperceive how prejudicial

this great difference is.

Butin all events, whether for payment of convoy-

money, dire&ion, or tonnage-money, or for clearing

the leas, it would be needful for the greater im-

provement of the navigation of Holland, that all

foreign imported goods thould be lefs charged than

thole that come in by land: whereason the contrary

we fee daily that very many Levant, llalian,

&c.

Chap. 22. in levying Cor_oy-rnono,. 8x

&c. fine wares are brought in by the land-carriage.

And how much it concernsour inhabitants we may %incrtafe

eafily imazine, when we confider that the thiDs?a._ig..ti_,

• -- _" . _ It clmgre

built here, are let to lea vlc"tual'dand mann'd, but ..._.t ,.

triecarriers and their waggons are foreign, and Of chargefucb

no concern to us: and betides, our merchandize ongoodsas

is board/hips is always in our power, or at leaft we comeby

land-car-

may convoy and defend them with our men of war riage.

as they go and come, whereas thole that go by

land-carriage are in the lands and power-of other

princes, fo that they may at all times make feizure

of them.

2. All fhips znd wares, coming out of countries _¢sa/_

where our inhabitants lade not at all, or at leaft not.# me fo-

..... reign fbip.

without Davln_ duties, ought m Drooort_on to oe

charged here with as much lmpoft as our advanta- °

gious fimation, and great confumption can bear:

.And where ours pay more impoff than is taken in

the country where the foreign mafters of thips do

live, we ought likewife to take as much of them

here as was taken of ours. And thus having the

navigation to ourfelves, we may preferve the fame,

as alfo the paffage on the rivers.

3..All wrought goods which we can make in ,¢,,d_-

this country, mould be charged when imported ''ign''ads

*?d_'arg$.

with fo much, and no more than the tramck may

bear. And all foreign made goods ought to be

charged with more than thole made at home, being

fold for confumption or wearing ; and alfo the

fame goods in pafling upon rivers into other

countries, ought to be charged again fo much,

as they may not be carried with lefs charge thro'

other dominions to thofe rivers. We are moreover Ra_, ira-

duly to obferve, that we ought not to charge anypo,tet

foreign goods that are to be tranfported again, gxd_°*#t

to he liult

whether manufa&ured or not, fo as that our mer- charged.

chants flaould findit their advantage to pafs by our

havens, and chufe rather to carry thole goods from

G one

82 Great Caution to be us'd Part. I.

one foreign country to another,which mightperhaps

be effec"t.ed,efpecial]yin very coarfegoods, whole

ladingand unlading colt more than ordinary. But

the wares imported or exported by the rivers, we

may charge much more, efpecially all coarfe or

_rhofethatbulky goods, which cannot be brought hither by.

comeby orland : i'br the rivers we have under our command.

uponri_er_And again, by charging the goods brought in by"

_nore. rivers, our navigation andtraffick is favoured ; and

the cities that lie upward have for many years pail:

bereft the Netherlandifh veffelsof their freight on

thole rivers by their ftaple duty. Of which great:

hard/hip wecannot complain witl_anyreafon,while

any cities in Holland pra&ife the like.

tee o_#t 4-. All imported rough goods, which our inha-

toeafeallbitants areto work up, ought not at allto becharged:

imported but rough goods, asaforefaid, exported, we ought:

unv.erought

good,, tocharge tb much as they can bear.

•w&r,of 5. Goods manufac"tured in this country, and

our manu-exported, ought not at all to be charged. But on

faaures the contrary, we flaould charge all foreign made

4re made.

.dndtoeafe goods, either imported or exported, as much as

our o_,, may be, without hazarding the lofsofthat traffick.

andcharge ASfor charging foreign goods, and manufa6tur'd

_utla,,d_ wares, fhips, and mafters of fhips, tho' it be a

_,,,,,,ufac-matter of great weight, yet I know not of any thing

ture. that hath been done in it. But the Englifla, anno

lCZhlch

raaxims 1660, fettled their rates of cuftoms and convoy-

theEnglifla money to well, according to there maxims, to fa-

ba,oemuchYourtheir inhabitants as much as they could, and

better fol-tO burden all foreign maffers of/hips, and mer-

/oWdih,,,,chants; that if wecontinue charged inthis countryfo

r/Me, _tt

theirbookunreafonab]yas atprefent, and there too,and the Eng-

o/ rates_flifl_ on the other hand continue to be tb favourably

t_nage ufed, both here and at home, they will bereave us of

andpoutt- much of our trade, unlefs the merchants there under

dage. that government, be for other occafionsoppreffed

with many and heavy taxes, whereunto traflqck,

under

Chap. 2z. in lev)'hlg Convoy-rnoney. 83

under monarchs and princes, is always wont to be

much expofed.

C H A P. XXIII.

if'hat in levying Convoy-money, we in Holland

deviate in man),particulars from theJkmax-

ims, and in many things have obferved them

well.

IRST it is well.worthy obfervation, that theFi_fl,it

inhabitants of Hollandcan trade in nocountriesb,_tbbeen

but by carrying goods thither, which having " " _,e,.ydari.

IOIO, mental to

and turned into money, they convert it into other Holland,

! goods which they find there, or failing that, return that they

their money into Holland by exchange : but If fuch_e ._ro-

" • " - "o"ted ttJe

forexgnlandshave httle or no occafionfor our goods, ....

• e._orratlolt

but afford rich commoditie%,then is it evident,thato._fgoldand

we cannot trade with them to any purpole, unletsfil.ver.

we carry thither gold and filver in coin, or bttlliom

And fince by confequence every one knows that

Norway, the Earl-Country, Smyrna, Perfia, India,

China, &c. do afford us infinitely more merchan-

dize than they take of us, we cannot trade with

them but by gold and filver ; and that moreover,

there provinces, at feat1 that of Ho#and, cannot

£ubfifl:without the laid traffick. Therefore we

cannot enough wonder at the ignorance, or ill con-

du& of the ttates-general, who by many repeated

placaets in the years z6o6, i61o, i6_i, 16iz,

1613, 162x, &c. prohibited the exportation of

coined or uncoined gold and filver. .And tho' it

may belaid, that the laid placaets being wellknown

to be detrimental, had no long duration, yet it is

certain thztthe fcouts, and advocat fifca!, did for

a long time, nay and fometimes frill make ufe

G 2 of

84 Convoy-monej has been Part I.

of them to moleft and difquiet our trading in.

habitants.

J_utthenot But as to what concerns tbefreedom and advan-

chargi,goftagesof fifhery, and the Eaflland trade, as alfo

f#eries, other unwrought goods imported, they are indif-

and the

Eattern ferently well o_dered, feeing they pay little or

trade,is nothing of duty, either on import or export, except

reafonabb that the herring-buffes to fecure themfelvesagainfl:

_ell or- lea-robbers, or pyrates, do yearly at their own

,',red. charge, let out revert thips of war: which, for a

See the fifhery of fo much importance to the country, is

rates of the tOO heavy a burden, or at leafl:a very great charge.

con_,oy- But foreign falt imported or exported, is not at all

monO,, charged. Fifh of our own taking, herring, wood,

afhes, pitch, tar, hemp, piay nothing inward, and

/_,,t_tt*e but very little outward. But corn, againft all rea-

corn-trade,fort, pays duty inward, rome more, and fome lel_

and likewife when exported is too much charged.

If we confider how much muff nece/t'arily be

gained in this country, by owners of flaips, ma_ers,

mariners, corn-porters, hirers out of granaries to

ftow the fame, and corn-thifters, before it is lent

.dndhoaxby our merchantsinto other countries: we ought in

,_u_hHol-all refpec°tsto care, and be more favourableto our

land iscox-fforesorftaple ofcorn, mer:hand_e, and fiflaery,and

cerned in

ha.ing thetOkeep the ftaple ofcorn wi._hinourcountry; that fo

.#,,pieof during bid feafons,and the fcarcitythereof in other

corn. nations, we may have it always cheaper with us

than in any other countries; and betides that, we

might enjoy many other publick advantages,which

out of fo redundant a treafure as is the /'coreand

t_apleof corn, migl',t in very many cafesand acci-

dents be improved by wife magiffrates. Whereas

on the contrary, if by an imprudent burdening of

that commodity we lorethat ftaple ; this indigent

and populous ccuntry would in many cafes, as bad

harveffs, and crofs accidents of this world, fall

into many extraordinary and unforefetn inconve-

nieucies,

Chap. _3. unequally levied. 85

niencies. But above all it isto be lamented, that

Jgut manu

our own manufa&ures are fo unreafonablychar_ed

. _" fa_ures

w:th convoy-money, or cuftoms, and much more

are toomuch

with the duty of clearing the leas; but they ,hargtd.

are chiefly opprefl: by the impofition laid on the

confumption ; fo that the intereft of the manufac-

tures and meehanick works is very ill look'd after.

For tho' undreft wool pays but : per Cent. of its

worth at importation, yet certain it is that it pays

too little at exportation. Flax, filk, and yarn are

alfo too much charged upon importation, and no

more (againfl:all reafon) at exportation. And as Seethe

to weaving, or to fpeak plainer, all woven goods ; r_t,s of

it is wonderful why we/hould charge woven goods, "°"_ev"_-

whether imported or exported by fen, or rivers, fo "_" _rhe

treaty of

high as we foolifhly do, or (in refpe& of their th,Englilk

great value) much more than foreign commodities ; ,o_,rtin

yea (which is a thameful thing) the undreft Englifh Holland,

cloths are atimportation not charged at all, and the andL.V.

Aitzma's

Englifbtradersenjoyevery way morefreedom,andex- H,._oft_t

eruption from taxes in Holland, than even our ownyearz656.

inhabitants. _g. 6._5-

The intereft of our hulbandmen, or boors, is.4_,,# o,,,.

alfo much negle&ed ; for what folid reafon can be _.,,¢-

given, that the Holland butter exported is double mr,,.

as much charged as that of Fr#fland ? Likewife,

that all foreign butter and cheefemay be imported

duty free ; but all foreign cheefe exported, ischar-

ged with no more than that of Holland.

Butefpecially we may wonder, that the rulers of

Hallandcould ever find it good to charge all mer-

chandize, without dil_in&ion, at importation with

t per Cent. and at exportation with 2 per Cent. of

its value: as if it were not enough to fubje& the

merchant by the rated convoy-money, to the

charges, pains, lofs of time, and feizures, whicll

muff and willlawfully oftimes happen, and fome-

tir.aes alfo to the unjufi vexation and trouble of

G :3 many2

86 Convoy-money has been Part I.

A_d ell,e- many, and delays of the cuffom-houfe officers,

¢ial#the fearchers, colic&ors, and fifcal, whereby many

intereflof times fit opportunities of fending away or felling of

*nerchants

_.,,ace,, their goods are loft : fo that by the laid one and

,_,,h ,eg- two per Cent. of the value, all merchandize, even

lead, b.y thot_ which ought by all means to be favoured, are

,asi,g o_ fo heavily charged, as in the foregoing chapter is

and tgavo

per Cent. flaew'd. And betides, power is given to the laid

upo,goodsfifcal and head cuftomer or colic&or, to feize all

ira,Odrted goods for their own ufe, paying one fixth part

and ex-

ported, more than the importer values them : which is a

mifchievous thing to the merchant ; for in far more

l¢.'h.'d,at- remote countries (for example, atSmyrna, or Mef-

pears byfi_a, grogram yarn or filk) goods being barteredplainefl

rawfilk, or bought, and not knowing whether thole goods

and gro- may be damaged in the voyage or not, and much

gr_m)'arnlefswhether the fame are fo bartered or bought in,

asto yield profit or lofs, yet are they bound blindly

to rate there goods. Whereas on the other fide,

the fi!cal or colleaor may'take or leavethem at

their p!eafure. Betides, this one and two per Cent.

is for the merchant fo great a charge, and deprives

them of fo much profit, that bythis alone very

many goods that come from abroad, and will not

fell off here, pals by our country, and are carried

to other ports.

The truth is, when we confider all there heavy

burdens upon the merchandize and manufa&ures of

Holland; and then on the other hand, that we can

in no wife fubfiI'clong without them, 1cannot fuf-

ficiently wonder at tiaatfolly ; for it is too nice and

ticklith a careto lay any refl:raintsupon the mouth,

through which all nourifhment muf_pals into the

body. We ought to fufFe& and bejealous of all

things which have any tendency, either to bereave

or ttraiten us of life ; efpecially fering we can fail

but once, and thole that guefs at things are apt to

rnit_ake. Perhaps it may be faid, that neceffity

jultifies

Chap. 2 3. unequally levied. _7

juftifiesall things, and thatthe wars brought a fear lf'L,ichmay

upon us of luting both country and trade ar ep.ce. _ee:ce,_fid

Indeed he that is ftraitened by water or i:_e:, will cc.#-5

leap through the fire, or catch hold of a na1*.,:db,cc*;-

fword to preferve his life : but they muf'c be h_oiq ;**zt..

when there is no fuch necellity, that will fuffer their _.,:.:':_.z-

bodies to be harm'd by fword or fire. That late raa',trea(F

puiffant neighbouring enemy, in refpec°t of whom of_eace.

merchandize was fo heavily charged, is (God be B,,t it is

praifed for his mercy) fo weakned by making war i,_t,.ude,,t

againft us, that for eighteen years together he was to ¢o,,ti,,,e

, ,'I r 1c t_at tax

n¢ce_tated to ofer us a peace that was lnamelui rot _- .. .

• ,]orcteartllg

him, and glorious for us, bt fore we would grant ithim. t_e_, of

And there provinces, that may be accounted to enemies

have been formerly unarmed, in refpec°r of their _&,,tb_,'e

prefent condition, as GroeninKen, FrietTand, Over- i_no,,u,t.

yffel, Guelderland, &c. have always been able to

defend themfelves againfl: foreign force, and were

very hardly by diffcnfion among themfelves brought

to ffoop to that mighty emperor Charles the fifth.

So that now there is no fhadow of reafim ro believe

that being provided for the molt part by the money

of HollanA with fortification, cannon, arms, and

ammunition, they are not now able in a profoun_

peace to defend themfclves with thc'ir own tbrce

againfl the attempts of a weaker neighbour. On 2¢ndeve;_

the other hand it is true, that tbme of them being pe,#a

fenfible of their own power, are not concern'd for ?_,_ce

the uneafinefs of the Hollanders by fda, nor will ,a,_.

they contribute a penny to eafe them, but contrary

to the terms of the union of Utrecht, as if that

union were only made againf'c the king of Spain's

attempts by land, pretending that all wars and

robberies by lea, ought and may be fufficiently

maintained, prevented and defended by convoy-

money, and confequently fufficiendy provided for

by the merchants of Holland. Whereas neverthe-

i_fs th_ laid IIolland merchants, bcfi.--lestheir par-

G 4 ticular

88 Convoy-money unequally levied. Part I,

ticular burdens as men and inhabitants, bear all

impofitions, whereby Holland is not only defended

by land againft all men, but likewife all the other

united inland provinces: which in truth hath con-

tinued to this day, at the charge of much more

contribution for Holland, and much lefs for the

other provinces, than by virtue of the union of

Ast.5.6. Utrecbt they are obliged to. So that it is high

time for Holland to mind her own advantage, and

difcharge her felf of all needlers txpences for there

provinces, and bel"cowthem on her own defence,

whereof lhe hath every way, and evermore occafion

_rh,,tt/,e by land, and efpecially by lea. For if in truth

lea rn_.# that maxim ufed by the other provinces be true,

,/ripor That the lea muff maintain it fell, and that conle-

maintaiu

it fdf, is quently all means'to clear the teas, and to regain

a _y de-the merchants lot_ after fuch plunderings by fO-

trimentat reigners, and damage fuftained by lea, mu[t: caufe

_axi,nfor the rates of convoy-money to be rais'd higher in

Holland.

proportion to that neceffity; all which muff be

t_tch'd from the merchant. If fo, I fly, Holland

muf_ neceffarily decay and fall to ruin, confidering

that by the confl:itution of the trade at tea, and the

many countries about us, not only in the Sound and

.gtc_._ Channel, but alfo by the fundamental government

theTurk

,will e_aerof Tunis, Tripoli, and Algier, they muff: be for

continue ever pirated on by lea. For by this rule it would

,_i_,%0re- follow, that Holland fhould always bear its own

datiens at burdens, and thole of the other provinces too by

ocd,a.

_r%._g,to lea, and fo in a time of peace, as well as war,

:b_Levant,/hould alfo bear moil of the charge by land : and

par le Sirthat the others on their parts thould wallow in idle-

desH_ye. nefs and gluttony with the wealth of ttolland.

CHAP.

Chap, 24. /¢"h0 ought to be tax'd. 89

C H A P. XXIV'.

l¢/'hat profeffons of the inhabitants of Holland,

ought to be more or left burdened with taxes,

orJavoured by the poh'tick magiflrate.

UT rome will perhaps objr& againfl: what ButlfFiol-

I have affirmed, that during the time of the land /y o

late monarchical government m thefe prownces, gowern-

and the remainders of it, as alfo when we waged m_t. tnua

an offenfive war, and feemed to leave our navlga- eburdened

tion as a prey to the Dunkirkers, Holland was _,it_ a

yearty pay-

burdened by money taken up at intere_, and other . .

* merit oar!9

taxesto the fum of fifteen millionsyearly; there- millions of

fore to rid ourfelves of fo great a burden under a guilder_;

freegovernment, it was neceffary to levy money of

the inhabitants by feveral ways and means, find

fecondly it may be obje&ed, that when eafy _'he.

indifferent levies will not raife money enough torfome$.rt-

fecuring the country, and navigation againf_ anyf_,l_ay_

fudden attempt, then we muft find out other waysof,.a_.g

monq ha#u¢

and methods which at prefent would be hurtful, bu,,,,_d,

but if continued any confiderable time, would be andflilll_e

mifchievous to the _ate, yea ruin it. And there- ¢ratinued.

fore wein Itolland have very prudentially pra&ifed

all thole and no other means and waysof raifing

money, but fuchas arenow ufedby the flate.

But tho' the firft obje&ion be true, yet we may It .willk,

.... 3t to l_y

doubt whether the fecond be fo. Theretore I find _'_n_.ne

it good to examine here what ways or expedients methodiu

are fit to be ufed to procure money in fuch an exi-_ch,,,._,

gence, that fo the reader himfe]fmay more exa_'tlyoftaxingt,

judge whether,and when the magiftrates of Holland)

have in this particular taken care of the welfare or"

the land ingeneral, or have been ne..gle&iveof it:

and having expreffed the fame in as few words as

may be, I/hall afterwards, becauf¢of the general

conccrll-

9 ° 14Vhatfort of Inhabitants Part I.

concernment of the thing, confider more fully

whether all e{tates of the inhabitants of this coun-

try can be equally favoured ; and in care they can-

not, which of them ought more or lefs to be che-

ri/hed and conniv'd at.

Under this Namely, feeing all people do naturally endea-

he,t _,e Your to difcharge and free themf_Ives of burdens,

oughtflrfl tho' even by burdening of others, or when that

fo railee

cannot be fully obtained, then will they fcek to

_o.e_by

,woo[ira. eafe themfelves of that burden by procuring par_-

toil. ners to bear it: every one will then immediately

judge that we lhould charge thofe of foreign na-

tions that frequent Holland, who are no m_mbers

of our political body, which we call the Rate, with

all imaginable taxes, and by all means to eafe our

own inhabitants, as being true members of our

own body. But feeing we have/hewn you before,

that Holland cannot fubfift without commerce and

merchandize with foreigners, we might by fo do-

ing take fuch methods as would prevent them

from coming into Holland, to our great prejudice ;

and therefore we ought to be very wary and cau-

tious about it, efpecially confidering, that an ex-

traordinary charge upon thole ftrangers would not

much eafe us: fo that confequently there is no

other way, but to bear fo great a burden with as

_ll,wares many helpers as we can procure. And it cannot

t_at are be denied but we/hall procure more fupporters, if

eonf_met we charge all goods with fome import that are

at borae, ufually worn or confumed by the people as they

are men and women.

And feeing thole imports which are molt freely

and fpontaneoufly paid, are leaft offenfive and irk=

fore ; we fhould therefore obferve this order, viz.

firtt', and mob, to charge fuch goods as tend to

eafe, pleafure and ornament: and then fuch as no

man can be without, as meat, drink, houfing, fi-

ring and light, feeing Rrangers hereby will pay

alike

Chap. 24 . ought moil to be taxed. 9 I

alike with the inhabitants, and none will be fa-

voured or exempted.

And feeing by all thefe means the laid rum of,4nda/._

fifteen millions cannot be levied, we lhould thenalllnhabi-

afterwards in taxing the people, fo charge them, tantsof

Hollaud.

as that all may bear their parts equally, none ex-

cepted. But fince this is not pra_icable, but by

taxing all peoples effatesto make men pay alike

without diPtin&ion, or by a blindfold poll ; both

which means of raifing money being fo unequal,

and full of hardfhip, do ever caufe great difl:aft:e

among the people : we ought therefore to proceed

to the charging of fome particular fort of inhabi-

tants, who bring in no profit to the country, but

on the c6ntrary live upon the other inhabitants.

And among them are firt_ a]l inhabitants, who Butefpe-

from or on behalf of the l_ate, or cities, open cialb f, ch

countries, drainers of water, makers of dykes, have ',Jhave

any benefit of power, honour or reward, more °Jypubli&

implqy-

than other inhabitants. For feeing they may re-_no,tsan,/

fufe fuch offices, dignities and employments, to hufinefi,f

efcape thole taxes, and that we need not give them profitin

but to fuch inhabitants as are qualified for, and -- Holland.

pc- excluding

tition to have them ; no inhabitant therefore to others.

evade fuch taxes, will need to abandon the coun-

try, nor have any reafon to complain of a burden

which i_e annually loadeth himf_lf with : and yet

by this expedient much money may be railed for

the common good, without burdening any of the

other inhabitants the more.

Next to them fhould follow fuch inhabitants as _4ndafter

are teachers, artifts, and their inftruments, for fot&_a/l

much as they are imployed about matters of eafe, intabi-

pleafure, ornament, __qc.that are made ufe of in ta'tsthat

this country. And after thefe former, all maffersli_,e_po,,

other :nha-

and journeymen of fuch trades who live by our bitautJ.

own inhabitantJ only; fuch as bakers, brewers,

fellers of wine and fi/h, butchers, taylors, /hoe-

makers,

9 z l/Fbat fort of Inhabitants Part I.

makers, carpenters, mafons, fmiths, and glafiers,

f._c. But in fuch a cafe it were needful, for the

keeping of our provifion, and to fuffer Rrangers

to live upon us as little as is poflible, to charge all

their goods or manufa&ures imported into Haliand

for c.onfumption, fiJ high, that our own may go

better off than thole that are foreign.

A?ndntxt Next would follow rome charge or tax to be

th_ t_,_ laid upon fuch inhabitants as live upon our own

that live

_o_ ,_r ]ands ; fuch as are our hutbandmen, grafters and

/andsor irfland-fifhers, for :hey will hardly forfake us be-

fund. caufe of our taxing them, feeing they may always

be eafed in better times.

And fince all there means of raifing money will

burden none but fuch as are inhabitants in this

country, and while they find their maintenance

among_ us ; it is evident that all the faid ways

for raifing of money will excite the commonalty

to ingenuity, diligence and frugality, and then

they will be eafily borne.

_Isa#all But in care all there expedients will not raife

im_e- money fu_cient, we may then charge either or_i-

_leHol- narily or extraordinarily all immoveable goods,

latadgocds,lands and houfes, with yearly taxes, or by impofi- "

tions upon alienations and inheritances of then ;

wherein neverthelet_ there be thole difficulties, that

thole taxes will not be paid with any freedom, but

wholly by compulfion : and that tile faid immove-

able goods being for that end to be valued, that

valuation cannot be made without partiality, and

thel_ burdens will be then very unequally born.

Betides, that by the accidental unfruitfulnefs of the

lands, and flanding empty of their boules, the

owners and tenants of them wanting a great part

of their yearly rent on which they depend for the

maintenance of their families, they muff neceffarily

fuffer there two unavoidable inconveniencies. But

_b.eingall owners of immoveable efl:ates who dwell

Otlr_

Chap. 24. ought moil to betaxed. 93

out of the land mu_ alfo help to bear there bur-

dens, without any prejudice to the ef_ates of our

common inhabitants ; and the owners of land that

dwell in the country, are fo tied to Holland by

their immoveable eftates, that they cannot but

with great difficulty remove their habitation to

other countries: this means therefore of raifing

| money, may be ufed without hurting the ftate.

Finally, in an extreme neceffity of money, there ..

may be impos'd a general tax on all me .moveat_le o,__ll _-

and immoveable eff:atesof the inhabitants, whereby ¢;e,_ble_,d

they may pay the thoufandth, two hundredth, and one t,,,_t-

hundredth penny: I fay, in an unufual great he- ._l_,g°°'6

ceffity, becaufe by there taxes there would tall aJa'u_"

greater hard/hip upon the common inhabitants,

and damage to the ftate, than could fall by any

other expedient of this nature _ for" foreigners

would bear nothing of this, but our inhabitants

only. .And fceing the affeffors are wholly ignorant

of mens perfonal eftates, and what the inhabitants

do owe, or is owing to them ; and if they did

kno_v the value of them, yet could they not tax

them fo equally as may be done in the care of

immoveable goods: we may therefore eafily fee,

what by favour and hatred, and by ignorance of

the affetrors, efpecially in the tradirg province of

Holland, where riches are very tranfitory and ur4-

certain ; that there muff: be an intolerable inequ_ tt_icb,ut.

lity in bearing this tax. Thole that would ho-_itl_g,,,-

d ng i_ a

neffly declare their eRates might lighten the tax _,ve,y_,,_a

but the fraudulent will unavoidably make it hea-a,d _n-

vier. B_-fides, many inhabitants poffcffing neither e_ualtaxo

immoveable eff:ates nor merchanclize, but living

here on the intereft of their mop.ey, to elude there

heavy burdens, may remove to fo,ne ncighbot, ring

country, to the greater prejudice of this gate tbaa

if any other of the torem-ntioned inhabitants

thould /brfake us; for ftach people fiequently

drawing

94 What _rt of Inhabitants Part I.

drawing their revenues from other parts, and

fpending them here, they gain not by our inhabi-

tams, but they gain by them. Neverthele_, fee-

ing fuch perfons as live on their rents, are in refo

pec"t of the other inhabitants but few in number,

and do not let many people at work for a liveli-

hood, thereforethe laid tax may and can be railed

without anyremarkableprejudice to the gate.

weougl,t .Andit is more efpeciallyto be obferved, thatif

to be cau-

,sousof by reafonof all theretaxes manyinhabitantsfhould

_eakni,g forfake Holland, and fettle in othercountries, yet

tbef_r they, or other fuch perfons, whenthe tax aftera

pillarsof while fhould be releafed, migl_ eafily be drawnto

o_._,, return to Holland, or otherswould £ucceedthem

/aa,,_es, out of our own country, fo long as ourmanufa&u-

J/be,_ts, _ties, fitheries, traflick, and ffeight-fhips remafn

traJ;,k, and flourifh amongft us: feeing they are the four

._ and

_eigbt. main pillarsby which the welfare of the commo-

._i_s. nalty is fupported, and on which the profperityof

all others depends, tho' they cam not their living

immediately by them. This will not be denied,

if we rightly apprehend, that many people are

brought into our country that are ftrangers, or

were formerly inhabitants, teachers, artifts, con-

fumptioners, tradefmen, and fuch as live on their

rents, becaufe therearemany peoplehere that live,

or have lived by manufactures,fifheries, traffick,

and ffeight-fhips, and do all of themaffordwork,

or a livelihood for the other inhabitants before-

mentioned. But that on the other fide the manuo

fa&urers, merchants, tithers, and owners of thips

let to freight, will not returnfrom foreign landsto

thefe parts; or be invited hither becaufe there are,

or have been in Holland many teachers, attics,

confumptioners, tradefmen, and menthat live on

their rents, feeing theredo let to work or employ

the forefaid people, and have their greater profit

from

Chap. 24. ought marl to be taxed. 95

from foreign parts, at leaf[ not from there loft:

mentioned people thatare natives.

But fuppofing the general necefli:y of levying But,,_,.,,.

money to be fo great, that we could not raife t/,de/i

enough by all the fore-mentioned taxes, or could _'/_"an

urgent ue.

not find out any expedient to raife the fame but _9

what were prejudicial ; fo that to defend the corn- th_,,_,,tt,

monwealth, or preferve our body politick againf[pr,.$,g,

rome formidable enemy, we fhould be fo put to it, ._e_oul,t

as to tax the above-mentioned pillars of the land, cb.arge

, , . . tlJe_

and be pinch d in our chxefef[ means of hvehhood lta/t

for a flaort time, in hope that fuch urgent and -"

preffing neceffities will loon have an end, and that

then thole taxes will be taken off ; and doing thus,

we may both fecure our country and our eftates:

let us then fee what order we are to take in purfuit

of this method. And in the firft place to exprefs

myfelf clearly, by the words manufat-lurers and

flfbers, I underf[and all fuch as live by any trade

in or about tithing, making, tranfporting, and

felling of our Holland manufa&uries and fitheries.

And by the word tra&rs, I mean all fuch mer-

chants that fell nothing by retail ; but fuch as trade

folely, whether at home or abroad, in all or any

commodities, except Holland manufac"turies and

fifheries, and fuch as depend on them. And by

the word owners'of fbip_, I underf[and no o_'her

owners than fuch as let thips to lea, either for our

own ftrvice, or for other merchants upon freight.

And now to come to the matter in hand, we

ought well to confider, that we muf[ lay the leafl:

tax upon that means of tubfif[ance which molt:

concerns us, aod which we are apt fooneft to lofe,

and being lof[ is not eafily retrieved, and which

might betides draw away with it other trades or

means of fubfif[ance. So that feeing in Holland_rbr,Ba_-

there are fix hundred and fifty thoufand inhabitantsf aa*ru'

who are maintained by manufac2ures, and fuch as

dtpcnd

9 6 14that rift of Inhabitants Part I.

depend on them, and thole manufac"tures are not

certainly fixed to us, fince we cannot furnilh our-

felves with the unwrought materials of them from

our own country, but from other parts ; yea the

greater part of them being eafily carried by land,

may be made, carried, and fold in foreign upland

countries. And if this thould happen, our mer-

chants and owners of freight-fhips would be oblig'd

to remove and betake themfelves, either to them,

or to the countries and lea-harbours next to them

and if we fhould once lore thole manufa6tures, and

that our merchants and owners of flaips fhould go

over to another country which affords thole mate-

rials for the making of them, they would probably

never return to us. Wherefore it appears that we

muff: charge them little or nothing, and the rather,

feeing our manufa&ures are already charged with

impofts on the confumption, much more than our

filheries, traffick, and freight-thips.

_t And feeing our fiflneries, by the propinquity of

fl_erie, the coafts, where haddock, cod, herring, and whale

mort. are taken, are more fixed to us, and always will

be,ib than to moil: other countries ; and that by

our over-taxing them, we have negleCted and dif-

regarded them, they may poffibly return to us

again if we eafe their charge, confidering our con-

venient fituation ; whereby it appears that we

ought to tax them fooner, and more than our ma-

nufa&ures: neverthelefi feeing there are four hun-

dred and fifty thoufand people employed in the

fifheries ; and the lofs of the laid fiflaeries to our

merchants and owners of thips, would give them

occafion to remove into thole countries where the

fad iltheries might be el_ablifh'd: It appears

therefore that we ought not inconfiderately to

charge our filheries too much.

'1"r.a_¢k But forafinuch as it cannot be apprehended, that

jet _o,.e. while Holland preferves her manufac"tures and fifhe-

ries,

Chap. 24. ought moil to be taxed. 97

ries, the/hould lore all her traffick in foreign ma-

nufa&ures, fifheries, and other merchandize ; and

that this traffick does not aumofcmaintain above

one hundred and fifty thoufand people in Holland:

it therefore again appears, that we ought fooner,

and more to charge thole trafficks than our manu-

fa&uries and fifheries. Yet feeing thofe trafficks

being removed into other countries, our owners of

/hips might firfi fend their l'hipsthither, and many

of themfelvesfollow after : it likewife appears, that

we ought to charge that traffick lefsthan the owners

of/hips.

And feeingthe owners offreight-thips inhabiting

there provinces do receive incomparably more ad-

vantage from our inland manufactures, and our

own filheries and trade, than any foreign owners of

/hips can do; yea, for as much as there be no

fupporters of the countries profperity, but what

are fervants to our manufa&uries, fifheries, and

traders : it is not therefore imaginable that we can

lore them fo long as we can preferve our manufac-

tures, fifheries, and traffack; fo that the laid thips

may be charged fooner, and more than manufac-

tures, fi/heries, and trafficks. "Yet fince thole 1nit&

/hips lie for freight in foreign countries, and therePart-°_"-

raife money from ffrangers, they may in fome !,gof_il_

yzng rao_

meafure be efteemed a fupport of our profperity ; Cat/.

and fince there may poflibly be fifty thoufand peo-

ple maintained that way, and that by their being

charged too much our own manufac"tures,fifheries,

and traffick, for which we are molt concerned,

might in rome meafure come to fufferat long run :

we ought not therefore to proceed inconfiderately

to the charging of them. Tho' we thould lore our

freight-thips, yet we lhould not therefgre lore our

manufa6tures, fi/heries, and traffick ; but on the

contrary, by their means, and by leffening the

taxes at any time_ the freight-/hips would eafily

H be

9 8 What fot;t of Inhabitants Part L

.Is appe*r,be induced to return to Holland. We know that

bymany heretofore in Flanders, Brabant. and Hol/and,

many inhabitants were maintained by manufa&ures,

fifheries, and traffick, when the Eaflerlings were

the only carriers and mariners by i_a : as aJfo that

the laid owners of freight lhips were for the moll:

part gradually compelled by our manufac"tures,

fi/heries, and traffick, to fort_ke thole Eaflerlings,

and to fettle in Ho/land. And we frill find every

day, not only that our owners of freight-fhips are

ferviceable to the manufa&urers, fifhcrs, and tra-

ders of other countries ; and to that end fend their

/hips from ore harbour to another, to tranfporr

their goods at a price agreed on ; but alfo that

there are always flrangers here, who for the fake

of our matmfacl.ures, fi/heries, and traffick, by rea-

tbn of rome freedom and privileges they have above

us, either in ,'heir own countries, or in their voyage,

do come and enter their/hips for freight amongfl:

ours;

.d,,d at So that it bei_g now/hewn at large what et_ates

the[efour of our common inhabitants ought moil: or leaft to

Fllars of be charged with impofts, in order to levy fifteen

the coun-

trs'sp-of- millions of guilders yearly, we may from the fame

_eritymayreafons in rome meafure calculate upon all occa-

_emoreorfiOnS which of the inhabitants ought to be moff or

left ]eaft favoured by the magiffracy, and confequently

cha,ged; I lhould finifh this chapter: but feeing the welfare

of the inhabitants moil: certainly depends on the

good maxims of the rulers in that matter, I lhall

enlarge fomewhat more upon it.

So i,, _ll Altho' civil rulers are very well termed tithers,

t_e,tst& and the fubje&s their children, yet herein is the

rulers

oug*tto difference, that parents do indulge and take equal

favour care of their children to their utmof_ power, or at

t*e,-,,_o- -leafl: ought not to favour one to the prejudice of

_,tio,:a- another, and in no care to ruin one child to pro-

_/Y" vide for others, tho' better children : and that con-

trariwife

Chap. 24. ought.moil to be taxed. 99

trariwife the politick governors making up with

the generality one body politick, which we call

the State, muff /hew more or lefs favour, yea :J

hurt and ruin, to rome who are more or lels profi-

table, or pernicious to the fl:ate. As for inftance,

thole that commit theft and murder, Co_c.who are

punifhed with death or orherwife, for the good of

the reil, and to deter them from committing the

like evils.

From which it follows ; firfl, that all inhabi-Namely,

tams, none excepted, ought to be favaured morefl# the

than ffrangers, as much as is proper. Yet fo, that thing,

tbem fel*ves

none be favoured, who, by any imployment can befo,.etheir

earn their living by others their fellow-fubje&s, to d_ende_-

the prejudice of thole by whom they procure their tie,.

bread : becaufe in fuch a care it would be foolifh,

that thole who depend upon any thing fhould be

favoured to the prejudice and ruin of that very

thing whereon they depend. And betides, it" is

neceffary, that we always remember to favour

moil, and confequently prt:ferve in Holland fuch "v

inhabitants, who can with more eafe than others

get their livings in other countries, and tranfport

themfelves thither.

Secondly, it follows by the laid maxims, that all 21y. _r'ht

inhabitants who leek their profit and livelihoodforelgn be.

from other countries, ought more to be favouredf °r*thein-

•, • r ,, landtra.

than thoie who in this country live on tlaelr iellOW° tier,.

inhabitants.

Whirdl,, it follows from hence, that fuch inha- sly. %e

bitants, who by their gains acquired by foreign mafleri

countries contribute moil: to the fubfiftence of the _erb, e-

. . jort the

mhabttants, and confequently, of the. ftate,, ought fir_ants.

moil to be favoured ; but with this cauuon, that

the mailer lhould be more favoured than the fer-

rant ; and our merchants who traffick in our own

manufa&ures, and fifheries in foreign countries,

above all others who are employed about the ma-

ll 2 kin_

I oo ?,t/goalfort of Inhabitants Part I.

king or taking of the fame. .All which being

well confidered, it unanfwerably appears, that the

politick rulers of Holland ought lear of all to fa-

vour ftrangers with any power or privilege, and

confequently more and more to favour the inhabi-

ting mechanicks, mafters, journey-men, teachers,

artifis, confumers of any goods in the land,

hu/handmen, grafters, inland-fifhers, fuch as live

on their eRates, owners of/hips, merchants, filher-

men, and finally almoft all f_h inhabitants who

are employed about manufactures fpent in foreign

parts.

.And altho' fi_memay obje&, that the laid ad-

vantages and difadvantages cannot be procur'd or

avoided, unle/_, as abovefaid, the high and fub-

.Efpeciallyordinate government confiftsof fo many rulers and

toereCTcol-magit_rates, that none of them could benefit him-

lege_ofper-fell to the prejudiceof the community:yet it isvery

j_,_ac- well known, that any violent change in the wel-

cording to

thepropor- fare of the common inhabitants of Holland, would

rio,, t_atat lear much fooner ruin the bet: and moil: ufeiul

are inte- ftlbje_l_s, than improve them. And confequently,

,._flesfo, it ought to fatisfy the lovers of their country, if

them-

fdve, the rulers and magi_rates take fo much care that

the fubordinate colleges of polity, treafury and juf-

tice, about the manufa&uries, fifheries, trade and

owning of/hips, be fo formed, that fuch perfons

as are employed therein, be moil:interelled in the

profperity of manufactures, filheries, traffick and

freight-/hips, and confequently leafc in any other

way of fubfiPcence; becaufe otherwife every one

will, to the prejudice of others, tho' they ought

more to be tendered as more profitable, draw the

water to his own mill, and lay his burden on ano-

ther man's /houlders. So that there ought to be

among the directors that are the fuperintendents,

_l_outma-or have the overfight of manufa&ures, at leaR, as

,,_¢- I conceive, four for foreign cQnfumFtion, two to

tures, overfee

Chap. 24. ought marl to be taxed. Ioi

overfee the making of fuch manufa&ures, one over

the inland-confumption, and one over the fervice

depending on thole manufa&ures. _Asfor exam-

ple, among the dire&ors for the woolen cloth-.

trade, there ought to be four merchants dealing in

cloth, two clothiers, one draper, one dyer or

cloth-worker, _c. Likewife among the dire&ors

concerning our foreign fifheries, there ought to be F_eries.

in proportion at leaft four merchants that trade in

thole commodkies, two over the fetting out of the

veffels and caufing the fifh to be taken, one over

the inland-confumption thereof, and one over the Efpeci_lly

fillaing itfelf. And if the rulers ofthefe lands, oraedl,geor

any cities thereof in particular, were inclined for ,,,,,-,b,,,_t-

prefervation and increafe of traffick in general, to trade._°_'t_r

ere& a common council with authority to make

ftatutes and laws relating thereunto ; then fuch a

council ought to be form'd after this proportion,

viz. of twenty four merchants dealing in Holland

manufa&uries, fixteen merchants in Holland tithe-

ties, fix merchants in other commodities which

belong not to our manufa&uries and illheries, and

at moil: but two owners of flaips, becaufe fuch

owners and the molters of flaips in that quality are

for the moil: part fervants to the others, and de-

pend on them, and without them are of fmall

confideration. And if among the judges or corn- Ela_r;

miffioners let over the making of manufa&ures, .vate inte-

fiflaeries, affurances, maritime affairs, _c. there_#_i?Ibe

flaould be fome interefted perfons, it is evident,._"-c_5-

that in all fuch colleges the fame .proportion ought g¢_'_"_0_/_'

to be obferv'd, that m cafe partiality lhould takee00d.

place among the judges, the lofer lhould at leafl: "

have this comfort in his misfortune, that his lois

would tend to the benefit of the community, in

advancing manufa&uries, fifheries, traffick and

freight-fhips : whereasotherwife the trouble of fee-

ing himfelf diverted of his livelihood and goods,

H 3 b_,

I oz lFhat j_rt of Inhabitants Part L

by undue, orders, and unjuft fentences, and all to

the Io1_and detriment of the commonwealth, would

be intolerable.

_4_abp._ars And that this may appear not to be fpoken at

_,,t_,/i- random, let us pteafe to remember that Roelof

,.mo,.saf I¢Iartinfan Fygeboom of Horne, a/hip-mafter, or the

/heLevant

t,'ai,,_'.6_ owr_er of the/hip called the Emperor O_avianus

,,,._gc._e-having in the year 1663, fuffcred his veffcl laden by

r.eral/rro,z-the Turkifb emperor's fubjeCts, to be taken for a

Ikioscem?dletmtoprey. by fome /hips of war belonging to Malta,

"f,Jigl,t. _eg&,rn and Venice, for which they paid him a

very great freight ; the laid emperor of g'urky re-

See theju, auired of Livinus Warnerus our refident at Con.

dicial and* • , • - •

pditical flantmople fatlsfad't,on for the fame: he by h,s

,o,fl._,_a- Efinth'eartedn_:fs, treachery or covetoulhefs, made a

tions_ftJ._opromife within three months and fifteen days, to

'Furkifn pay the ffurks feventy eight thoufan_ four hundred

a-Jer.ie,

pr,,,t_d and forty-five lyon dollars for fatisra&ion ; and

J663. that the laid rum might the .fooner be obtain'd,

the laid refident commanded, and thereupon the

conful ordered, that nor only all Holland ./hips let

out to freight /hould be feized in all the havens

of the Levant, which ha:h rome glimpfe of equity

in it, but alfo all the goods of the innocent Holland

merchants, who were conftrained to pay that mo-

ney for their redemption. It is eafily imagined

that this happened, becaufe the refident and conful

knew that .the dire&ors of the Levant trade living

l_'_ ha.re!n Holland, were moftlv concerned in the /hips

fa.vo,_d Jet out to freight that ufethe Levant, that it would

tz'.,e_ have been very ill taken by them, and that they

freigkt might have fat on the tkirts of the refident and

/hip_mo,'econlul, if their /hips had been feized for that rea-

thantbe

Holland fort. We afterwards law the ft:rength of this par-

•n,,,,Cac- ticular interefl: clearer in Holland: for there mer-

t,,_,,,_,,,¢chants who were unju_ly forced to lay down this

_'_'_'_; money, and being to be dit_:harged, the laid di-

rec2ors, who give their advice to the fl:ates-gener.M

Chap. 24. o@t moil to he taxed. Io 3

in many cafes, laid down in this particular no e_-

pedient, nor any think like it, whereby to procure

this money to the lear lofs of the land, or charg-

ing themfelves or other owners or maRers of the

Levant fhips ; no, nor to charge themfelves toge-

ther with the merchants ; but on the contrary,

have totally freed the laid owners and ma_ers of

the fame, and to the greater prejudice of the

country, yea, and the fpoil of our manufactures,

charged one per cent. upon all goods outward and

inward, not excepting Holland cloth, raw filks,

and yarn, making together two per cent. So that

the Rates following their advice, traffick and ma-

nufacture will be for fo much imprudently charged

to perpetuity, fince the laid oppreffive tax will

hardly ever be releas'd. And if we add hereunto, Bring;rig

that all other traffick of the common inhabitants of the charge

the provinces, that is not under the tuition or °ftbe re-

. fldent and

care of fuch dire&ors, being driven into countries conf,lsa-

where our confuls refide, the mafters and owners _,enies,

of each lhip going or coming in, mul_ pay to the &c.onall

conful a certain fee for his confulage. But that the o.r,_,,,u-

far'lures

laid directors of the Levant trade, for as much as ,_,dt,'af-

they are owners of/hips, have car that burden h'ct.

from off"their own/houlders, and laid it upon our

own merchants, yea on our manufactures and all

manner of Levant wares, without diftin&ion of

clothes, grogram yarn, raw filk, &c. going or

coming to or from the Levant, to the benefit of

the refident at Conflantinople, and the confuls that

refide in thole havens on the behalf of this l_ate,

charging them with Iper cent. b:ing together An,tthat

going and coming three per cent. which upon fo bycutting

rich a trade makes up a princely revenue, and toolarge

, -- .-- ,._ tbongl OUt

royal maintenance And altho the tald renoents --

• oj otoers

and confuls take their reward of the Holland Le- leather

rant merchants, and having no other bufinefs to

difpatch but the concerns of their traffick and na-

il 4 vigation,

04 Vfhag._rt of Inhab;tanfs Part L

vigation, ought to have remembred, that they be-

_ereby ing only clothed with a charac°cerof the tLate, the

the refi- better jo effe& the time, and for no other end_

dents and

co.fuls unlefs for order and decency, are really and indeed

ear_y it as but miniffers of the Levant merchants, and fo

ifth_y muPccontinue, feeing they have at the port of

qoerelo.d,Conflantinoplein effc& not any the leaff bufinefsof

_-oerthe ftate to negotiate, as peace, war, alliances, a_if-

Lev ,nt

raerchants,tance, _c. between the refpe&ive _ates. Never-

thelet_this lhadow of their monarchical admini_ra-

lghicb

_/fm,,- tion, and affuming an authority, and taking ex-

uagementample by the minivers of monarchs, who like-

moyfoo, wife refide there: adding hereunto, that this too

ruin the great income for citizens of a flee commonwealth,

Levant hath all aloz_graifed in them .a monarchical pride,

trade.

and betides occations o/k-times other heavy taxeg

and continual quarrels againt°t the laid Holland

merchants, who are not willing nor able to endure

fo chargeable and oppreffive a power, which will

deftroy our important Levant trade ina fhort time.

Let none obje&, that all that money is not ex-

a&ed to the rigour, nor comes into the refidents

and confuls purfe; for they enjoy mof'c of it, and

the factors charge the their principals with it, in-

fomuch that this confiderable Levant trade, and

our manufa&ures depending upon it, by this pre-

judicial management of thofe chargeable refidents

and confuls, and by five per Cent. unneceff,,rily

charged, and without any reafon to favour and

clear the owners and matters of/hips, tho' they

caufe more troubles in thofe parts than themerchants

themfelves, and atfo in other refpe&s are fubje&

to them, and confequently have more occafion of

our refidents and confuls advice than our traders,

and are the caufe of their much greater charge.

So that you may fee by what I have faid, that if

the courts ofjuftice relating to the fitheries, manu-

fic'turrs,traffick,infurances,andmaritimeaffairs,

al-_

Chap. 2 4. ought mofl to be taxed, io 5

are no better ordered according to the maxims O_8othat,uae

Holland's profperity, whereof I know none as vet- may,_

Then certainly our manufa&ures, fiflaeries," ]tbeli_e ino

aria ton_enl.

traffick in this country, being too little favoured, e,cesfrom

and too much opprefc; and that all concerned allotberilg

therein having any difference with their labourers, r_rmeg

.. n ¢ol1.g¢*.

fervants, mefi_ngers, letter-carriers, mip-ma,ters,

or owners of fhips, they have great reafon ever to

comply with them, or to fear a mifchievous verdic"t:

or fentence, tho' their caufe be good. For fince

we cannot bereave judges of their human nature,

we ought in fuch cafes to expecq: that they will take

more care for themfelves, or their friends, than for

the publick good.

And thus by degrees I am come aown to matters

ofju_ice about trafl]ck, whereof I purpofe to fpeak

more at large.

C H A P. XXV.

ff'he antient flate of juflicein Holland andWef_-

Friefland being here related, it is likewife

at the fame time./hewn, that the laws and

order o/ juflice ought to be framed for the

m_ advantage oj traffck.

T is well known that the German emperors droveout of ti_efe lands the Normans, and according

to their cu_om divided the provinces among twelve

or thirteen lords their favourites, making one of

them the earl, who, as the * empcroff.n ftadtholder,

was to govern this country with the alfift_anceof the

fa'd nobility, without foldiery. And in care of

war, if he and thefe noblemen, and common in-

habitants, were not able to defend themfelves againfl:

_aforeign power, he was to be affifted by the duke of

the next adjacent mark-lands, who was always arm'd

and had xz earls under him, and at his difpofal.

Purfuant

• TanquamCzfarispr_fidemejusprovinci_e..dnnal.Douf_

106 _he antient State Part L

J_elation Purfuant to this our earls, with confent of the

,,_deoft& f_ates of the land, framed and appointed all the laws

_::_J_ ororders over the whole province; av.d their re-

tbetime_offpe&ive dykegraves, bailiffs and fchouts, with

theearlsof their counfellors, homa_rs, judges, and fheriffs,

Holland. made all peculiar laws and ordinances for the re-

_,_o werefpec"tive waters in the country, open ]ands, villages,

f_vereign

/o,'dJ. and cities, and omitted not in their laws to exprefs

the punilhment and fines which the offender was to

fuffer or pay. And moreover, our earl had power,

with all other earls, as being chief judge himfelt,

or by bailiffs and judges depending on him, and in

his name, to give fentence and judgment between

the inhabitants. It is obfervable, that all criminals,

who had forfeited their lives, were to forfeit their

elevatesalfo, and that all confifcations and fines came

to the earls, or to the bailiffs and t_houts, who for

that end held their offices by farm. And to the

end that thofe miferable fubjecq:s might undergo

trial before the judges that were parties ; we are

to take notice, that our earls following the ungodly

maxims of monarchical government il_adminiltring

juftice, ftood much upon the enlarging of their

power and profit, and but very little on the welfare

of the common people : for they empowered there

bailiffs and fchouts, according to their will ana

"Tisfhe-.cnpleafure, to take cognizance of all crimes and of-

h_o &t_c t_nces, whether really committed or not, to favour

ti_e and

t_vrannica/or profecute all the inhabitants, without appeal to

it t&,, any but the patron, viz. the earl. And tho it was

_:m. very neceffary for the gentry, common people, and

citizens, the better to obtain juft fentences, to ap-

point upon all occafions a very great number of

iudges, and to give them a liberty, without refpecq:

of perfons, to vote with balls or otherwife privately:

or if few judges were appointed in thot_ courts and

places of juftice, with command to vote publickly,

t'hat then at leal_ thole bailiffs, fchouts and judges

Chap. _5- offfuflice in Holland. xo 7

at certain times being complained of, were obliged

to give an account of their actions before a very

great number of them. Yet our faid earls uoon

all, yea the moff weighty occafions, would place By reafo,

no more but here and there an /lzing, or five or Cthe _a=-

feven judges in the open country, and about 17o."/_.of

• . juages.

many fheriffs or aldermen in the cities ; obhgmg

them, whether in criminal or civil caufes, ever to

deliberate or vote openly in prefence of the earl,

his bailiffs or fchouts, and to give no account or

reafon to any but himfelf for what they a6ted.

By which form of juftice, the earls and their

bailiffs and fchouts might favour or oppret_ all the

inhhbitants, under pretext of admi'niftrh_g that £a-

cred juffice to which they were fwom. For they

could give what fentence they pleafed by reafon of.4_/ thdr

the paucity of judges, which they were fain to com-pa2_,gf_n-

ply with, if they would hold their annual employ- te,cea, th'_

earls and

ments, and efcape the refenrment of their .laidlords, their bal-

A'nd when at heft the laid earls, bailiffs, and fchouts liftsa,d

did not concern themfetves with the matter inf _h°utt

queftion, if one of the parties, whether plaintiff or ldeafd.

defendant, were favour'd or hated by the judges,

and the other not, then in fuch care, * an upright

fentence was feldom paffed.

And tho' fince that time, by the abjuration of what lit.

the government of earls, and efpecially.fince the thame_t-

death of the late ftadtholder of Holland, the greateff menthath

occafion of favour or hatred in refoecCtofiud_es and betn,,f°Tthe

........ = ,._ J _ rpubttc£

lhert_s, and contequently tlae greatelt occanon ot_oodtqnc e

• . . _g J,,

unrighteous fcntenccs, evther m. grea_er or leffer thefetimes,

affairs, was taken away ; yet. neverthelefs the bai- aboutmat-

lifts and fchouts in regard of the common people, te_, rdat-

ingto juf-

and efpecially in criminal affairs, hold their former tier.

power and refpe&. By which remainder of that

tyrannical government by earls, the inhabitants may

• Q_iafavorautodiumin judiceplttsvalctqtmmoptimalex

in codicc.

Io8 _be antient State Part. I,

be very much oppreffed upon this account, becaufe

the judges and Scbeepensbeing continued in their

former fmall number may be miffed, unlefs we

thould fuppofe them to be divet_ed of their human

nature, and not to be mov'd by their familiarity

with, or hatred of the faid bailiff_and fchours, or

by the bribes, and love or hatred of the plaintiff"or

defendant ; and becaufe no further appeals, or ac-

count isto be given to higher powers at appointed

times and places, upon the complaint of any per-

fons thereunto impowered, and likewife becaufe

they are not obliged to fuffer any punifhment in

care oferrror.

• ',,t_ But becaufe I purpofe more efpeciallyto confider

aim beingour adminiftration of juftice, as it tends to the be-

,hieftyat nefit and increafe of our filhery, manufa6tures,

t_'ade, I

_all_t_.', traffick and freight-thips, I/hall pal_over all there

common defec"tsand faul_ in other matters ofju_ice,

and purfue my aim and purpofe in this only.

Next to the perfecq:freedom of the people, and

the more or let_taxing and favouring the feveral

trades or eftates of the people of Holland, it is ne-

ceffary that juftice be equally adminiared againPt

all open violence which may be ae"tedin the land :

tto_ode- which feeing it would be hurtful, not only to the

trimentalmerchants of our manut_a&gres,and fifheries, and

eflgning

antru_n traders in tbreign commodities, together with the

_.t, owners of freight-fhips, but alfo to other inhabi.

tants, both fubje&sand l_alers; fo that noaffembly,

or body of men whatever, without fecuring them-

t'elvesagainft it, can poffibly fubfift; there is of

antient times an order of jultice appointed, thot

very defe&ive. But tho' fraud (whereby we may

wrong a man of his due as well as by force) ought

not to be le_punillaed, and that merchandizing de-

pending efpecially on the probity of men, yet by

falfe deceit may be perfe&ly ruined ; it is therefore

to be wondered at, that Holland hath been able to

Frcferve

Chap. 2 5. of_z_ice in Holland. Io 9

preferve its tra/_ck, as it muff: here be carried on

with fo many laws, or by the help of laws derived

from the maxims of the warlike Roman republick,

which give the merchants here an opportunity t'o

gain more by fraud than by honefl: dealing. _And

on the other hand, here is fo little care taken' by And ho_

c a t little pro.

_ood orders and laws to defend thehoneff mer h n .. .

• _on zs

againfl: the fraud and deceit of thofe who bear the ,hate

name of merchants, and to help them to recover againfl

their own ; that we may well aft<the reafon, why them.

all the bad people of foreign countries come not

into Hvlland, that under pretext of merchandizing

they may openly learn to cheat in the beneficial way

now fo much pracCtifed, and that with impunity ?

For, * 'tis the rod makes the children good. Now m_at o,,-

to eftablifh rome better order in this, it would feem de,-,,,igl,t

be taken t_

needful, that none/hould be fuffered to drive al_y_,'e._e_tit.

traffick in Holland, 'till firff: he hath entered me

place of his abode in a publick regifier, which _hieh

would have this effe&. Firft, that the parents and here.

kindred of the laid merchant, if they have not made

a contrary entry in the fame regifter within a

year, fhall not be allowed by any lafl: will and

tet_ament, to leave to the laid merchant a lefs le-

gacy than without a will they might, to the pre-

judice of his creditors. Moreover, it thall not be

lawful for any merchant, efpecially a bankrupt,

in any care to refufe any profitable bequeft or legacy.

For this he cannot be fuppofed to do but in order

to defraud his creditors ; and for that reafon he

ought to be prohibited legally to alienate any

eft:ate, fare for a gainful title, and that he hath

receiv'd the value of it beforehand. I underftand

hereby, that if he happen to be a bankrupt after-

wards, all his donations, conveyances and portions

given for marriage, or eftates bequeathed or con-

figned

•' Oderuntpectatemali (qualesomne_naturafumus)form'-

dinep_n_

no ofaa..,,.i/m,,g<'fuXi<<pa,t:.

figned to his children, ought to be applied to the

benefit of his creditors. For we fee here too often

, the truth of this Englijh proverb, Happy is thatfon

wholefather goes to the devil.

Andfeule- And as it ought to be umawful for a merchant

_"&" to endow his wit_ with a marriage jointure to the

_ire mar- l_rejudice of his creditors, tb ought the wife to be

riage, prohibited to covenant to have her option of part

in profit or Io_ : tbr there is nothing more rational

_, than that he _ who will have the profit, tour bear

the lot_, Yea, the parents, and nearer kindred of

£uch a v, ife, ought to demean themfelves in all

things in refpe& of inheritance, as the relations of

the hufband himfelf: and excluding community of

crate, or the bringing in of engaged crates, they

ought to be entred in the publick regiRer.

The ordinary regiRer or books of accounts of

£uch merchants who are in reputation for honeRy,

and corroborated by oath, ought in all refpe&s to

be equivalent to any notars a&s, and nothing

ought to be preferred to it except fpecial mort-

gage ; feeing the cuftom of the country is fuch,

that to prefer orphans, rent, or jointure, &c. to

be firfl: paid, is prejudicial to traffick, and confe-

quently to the whole republick. But if at any

time it be found that a merchant hath falfified his

books or regiRer, and confirmed them by perjury,

-3

he ought then in all refpec2s to lore his life as a

falfe coiner, that all men may be terrified by fo

£evere a punifhment, not ro enrich themfdves fairly

and treacheroufly with other mens eftates, to the-

prejudice of the commonwealth.

_¢debt- Yea, it feems to me that traffick, and the ac-

hookundercounts of a credible merchant, is of fo much con-

nard ought

robe., cernment, feeing the conftitution of the fame is

fu._tient fuch here, that it neither allows or permits of any

g_ou,df_r other evidence : that therer%re upon the laid regiRer

an imrae- alone

diate exe-

cution. • Q_erncommoda,cureir.commodafcqu_ntur.

Chap. 2 5. in relution to Bankrupts. 11 I

alone confirmed by oath, there ought immediate

execution to be taken as for money due to the fl:ate.

For if traffick is with usfalus ?opuli, the country's

£afety, what reafon can there be of not ufing the

like means (pari paff,,.) as the rlate doth ?

It is alfo very prejudicial, that a fale flaould be Vind_ca-

counted for ready money, when after delivery of ti°nsand

the goods the money is Rot immediately paid. e'_'iai°_"

For when the feller gives up his right of the goods

by trufling of the buyer, he gives fuch knavilh

buyers great opportunities of making great bank-

rupts: and he who on the other fide by his impru-

dence is in the greaterl fault, does afterwards, by

his unjaft: vindication or profecution foe his goods,

take away the erlate of the other creditors.

There ought in each city to be at ]earl: one par- P,.d'e,t

ticular court of jurlice to decide matters between Jugiceb'a

buyer and J_ller, that fo fuch fuits may not only be co.rt-,ne_'-

chant i_

fpeedily ended, but tlaat the judges apprehending oooy,,ecC

the way of trading the better, may give or admi-fa,y.

hitler the better jultice and found judgment for the

land: whereas the merchants now find, that their

fuits caufed by difference in accounts, are almoft:

never ended but by agreement ofthe parties when

they grow weary of the law, and that moffiy to the

benefit of the unrighteous caviller, according to the

proverb, The cavillers are gainers.

It is very unreafonabJe and prejudicial to the But t_,

merchant, that the eftate of one deceafed thould be benefici-

rum inve_a-

fuffered to have beneflcium inventarii, the right O_tari;i, ie-

making an inventory of the erlate, when the corn- trimentalo

mort creditors will become his heirs; * feeing the as arc

creditors muff bear the 1o1_if the eftate falls/hort

of their debts, they ought to reap the profit when

there is more : whereas otherwife thofe unmerciful

greedy heirs by that courfe of jurlice, in the firfl:

care

•_ Secundumnaturame_ eommodacujufqaercicam feq.ui,

qu_m,fecluenturincommoda.

II2 Of adminiflring yu/Jfce Part I.

eafe they caft off the burden from their own backs,

and in the fecond care they carry away the profit.

Lettersof And no leJ_hurtful are letters of ceflion, or at-

t_._'o,,,o,- termination, renouncing the eft:ate, and gaining of

atterml- time. And fince no perlbns are profecuted by the

r.atku.

publick for particular debts, it is reafonably to be

prefumed, that the credit.ors will not prejudice

themfelves by taking over-rigorous courfes with.

any peffon that cannot really pay, but is willing to

do it ; nor to bereave them of their good name,

and drive them into extremities. But on the con.

trary, a dilhoneft man having concealed and made

over his eftate, will enrich himfelf, and feek

eatS, by delivering up his whole eft:ateupon a falfe

oath.

On the contrary, it would be profitable for the

commonwealth, if upon the leaft complaint of a

debtor's non-payment, they fhould forthwith make

him give in fecurity ; or in care of refufal, to keep

him and his books of account in clofe ward. For

in carehe flaouldthen thew himfelf able to pay, he

might-loon be releafed upon fecurity ; and being

rch,,t_- unable, we thould be able to prevent his running

,_ret,_- away, and his giving in a fall_ account of h_s

n_=e,, debts, and his thievifh making over and abtkond-

arenuef- ing his books and eft:ate. In all fuch events, it

de/;gnd ought to be lawful to imprifon knavifla debtors,

b_,_&,¢ts,with their wives and adult children, by publick

viz.toae- authority, and to keep them in a publick work,

p,-i_,etberahoufe, to make them earn their own bread, ac-

of their

li&_tv, cording to the law of Moils, and the Roman laws

_1. zz. of the twelve tables. Yea; and in carethe wickcd-

ne_ of eminent and great debtors be aggravated by

foul and knavith circumftances, we ought, ac-

cording to the proclamation of the emperor Charles

m the year x540, to ufe them as we do thieves for

burglary, hang them on a gallows, without fur-

feting in any wife, as now it often happens, thal;

fuch

Chap. 2 5. in relation to Bankrupts. I _g

fuch bankrupts remain dwelling among us, and

continue driving their traffick under another's

name _ according to the proverb, * Let him pay

with his perfon, that cannot pay with his purfe.

But in care the bankrupt be fled with his books

and eftate_ without the jurifdiftion and reach of

Holland, and is prote&ed by the civil authority of

that place; I lhould think it convenient for the

benefit of Holland to proceed thus. Firft, by vir-

tue of a general law, all £uch perfons ought to be

profecuted as publick betrayers of their country,

amounting to as much as "]-being guilty of high-

treafon ; the rather, feeing fuch a villainous bank-

rupt hath no lel_ need of help to carry on his wick-

ed defign, than to betray his country : at leafc he

cannot fo have concealed matters, but that the ac-

comptants and caflaiers, his men-fervants and maid-

fervants mul_ have rome knowledge of it ; and

therefore they ought all of them to be apprehended,

and if upon examination it were found that they

had aflifted in conveying away fuch thievifh bank-

rupth it were good to examine them upon the

rack more ftri&ly if there were caufe of fufpicion

of the thing ; or elfe upon their oaths according to

the occafion. For if the rack be of any good ufe,

it muft be in cafes whereon the profp_rity of the

country depends_ and where it's known there muff;

be aiders and affifiers in fuch grofs knaveries.

We might alfo at the fame inftant publickly pro- .4ndall

claim throughout the whole land, that whofoever creditors

hath any et_ate of, or owes any thing to the perfon andteb-

etorsought

lb fled, flaould immediately difcover it, on pain or tob,obli.

being 9unilhed as betrayers of their country, andge,'q/_,_s

concealers of that villany : and all perfons lhould an/pub-

forthwith be examined upon oath who are fafpe6ted litatlont,

tO know any thing of it; daelaring by promife,

I that

• Q_alnon habetin _re, luatin _Ue.

t"/.a:f_"majcOatisrcos.

IJae Of admlniflringffuflice Part I.

that all thole who fhall uprightly purge themfelves,

flaould be accounted men of probity, altho' they"

had formerly aflifted in that wickednel_; and if

otherwife, they rnall at all times be proceeded

againft and punilhed as perjured betrayers of their

country, when by a third perfon it thall come to be

known.

%_,i_si* And all fuch as claim, and pretend _oany thing

' ¢tlltbeir of the fugitive's eftate, ought alfo to be obliged

,Iaim,, immediately to lay claim to it upon great penal-

nubetherto .

t& be,,t./;tnes, whereby two very great evils would be pre-

or tharge vented ; for feeing* no man becomes wicked to

of the the higheft degree all of a fudden, therefore all

#,f_itnt

_ate. fuch who were lately poffeffed of the eft:ate of fuch

bankrupts, and confequently had not ufed or em-

ployed it as'their own, lhould immediately bring

in the fame: the rather, that wh_ the act was

frefh, they could not arrive at fo exac°c a know-

ledge of their eftates and books as they might af-

terwards, by the feizing and examination of the

off'enders and their affociates. And,

zdly, All thole that pretend to any thing of the

bankrupts crate, being alfo ignorant of what

might come to be known of his condition, and

whether there were any appearance at any time of

compounding with him, thould be neceflitated to

give in their real debts : whereas we fee now, that

all fuch eftates are grafp'd by difhoneR perfons in

fuch a manner, that there is feldom any thing left

for the honefl: credi:,_rs, becaufe people may con-

ceal all debts with impuni_, and on the other fide,

may enlarge their pretences after they fee the mat-

ter brought to an iffue.

This being done, the bankrupt ought to be

fummohed on a certain prefix'd day and hour,

in which time the creditors ought to have leave

abfolutely to compound with him, and to Rop their

pro.

_*N{_morcpcnt_fitpc/rtmu_,mat/,it tzn-pi/r_m.

Chap. 25. in relation to Bankrupts. xx5

proceedings at law. But if the bankrupt r_ither

appears nor agrees, he ought to be hanged in

e#gie on a gallows, and all his children old and

young declared infamous.

If all thefe particulars could take effe& imme- Byall

diately upon the freih a&, and before peoplecould ,whi,l,

have laid afide the lhame of fuch a new piece of n,ea,_s

knavery, I judge it would be of great influenceto j_,_.O,,_

C C • "J

make men honeftcr: whereas now th v learn by deEgned

degrees, that it is better to have other mens efiatesba,_ts

than none at all _ and * that we can fpend another _o,/a be

anan's crate with much more pleafure than our _rvvented"

own. Having overcome all fl_ame, men can live

eafier and quieter in an infamous condition than to

trouble themfelves about points of honour, and pay

fo dear for them too. But feeing in all therepro-

fecutions the benefit of the creditors ought to be _4ndti_e-

ovvifebetto.

aimed at, fince it is purely an endeavour to make agreemruts

the mofc of it for them, therefore they ought to be made oaaitb

enabled after that time to agree with their credl-f_giti_c

tots, and to annul the fentenee; forfiat juflitia & bankr_ts.

pereat raundus, becomes a judge's mouth very

well ; for they not being fovereigns, are for the

fake of their honour, oath, and office, bound to

judge by the laws, and not contrary to them:

"wherein if they fail, they are in all well-ordered

republicks to be complained of, and punithed.

But the proverb does not at all become wife poli-

ticians, where falus loopuli,and not the peoples

ruin, muff.be the fuprerneor highePclaw.

And feeing we o,_ght on the one fide to com-

pare there fugitives, and bale and unworthy cheats,

to thole vagrant and thievi/h di'ones among the _r/_o-e

bees, which by all means ought to be kept out of o,ghttobe

gt_oenroan

the land, or to be purfued and det_royed: fo on h0_.,fl,t/,o'

the contrary we ought to look on all honer mer- i,fl_e,t

chants, who througl_want of forefight, by the in- _,e,-_a,,t.

" n. _ rea/eoFl_.

I 2 Jumc_le _i_.

"_O_'iln'¥a chore,9u¢degeusal'arricre, a,zu,

x6 Of adminiflrin_ _uflice Part-I.

jufl'ice or breaking of others_ by f'corms, misfor-

tunes, robberiesat fra, or war, have loft thelr own

e_ateh and part of others, and fo cannot pay their

debts. I fay, we ought to regard them as profita-

ble bees with compal]ion, declaring and promifing

them, that all fuch perfons, making their lores

appear, and not withdrawing themfelves from ju-

ffice, thall referve, and hold to their own ufe the

tenth part of what they had to begin to trade with

at fi_, and not betroubled at all by their former

creditors, and may remain in good nameand fame

with their children, tho' they had enjoyed great

portions or other gifts, as being a righteous fruit of

their uprighmet_, and a comfortin their adverfity.

But teeing betweentheft mifchievous thieves, and

theirchildrea, and there unfortunate Iofcrswho are

much to be lamented, there is no difference either

in punithment or infamy, it caufeth many who

otherwife would be honet_, through necegity to

f'cepout of the honeff way, and to take ill courf¢s.

For if opportunity makes a thief, r_eceffitydoes it

much more.

But fuppofing all ufdul laws were made for the

benefit of trafl:ickand navigation, and the inferior

jud_es were well inclined to caufe them to be put

in execution, neverthelefs asthings now go in Hol.

Our courts

ofjuflite lards they may .for the moil:part be made of none

ou#t to effec't by appea}ingto a higher court. For as otar

co,tiffg courts of judicature confifl: not of above ten or

,,,,,_cou,.twelvejudges, fo they cannot hear and give iudg-

_llors.

ment at more than one bench, and much lets have

their underetandings eaercifed to comprehend all

differences that occur, whereby the f_ts, becaufe

of the great number and trouble of them, remain

depending there almof'c to perpetuity, and at l_,Pc

are all of a very.uncertain ifl'ue. To redrefswhich

it wereneceffary, that the number ofjndges thould

be fo encreafed, :hat for tome particular cafes there

may

Chap. 2 5. in relation to Bankrupts. I z7

may be rome appointed out of that number, who

according to the weightinefs of the eaufes may

: bring in-and report the fame in full court, to have

fentence pronounced upon them. By thefe means qT,atmigbt

: quicker and better juftice would be adminiffred, not givemore

difl_atch,

Only among the commoqalty, and efpecially the andpafi

merchants ; but likewife among all other the more j_fltrfen_

eminent inhabitants, whether fccular or ecclellaffic, tences.

who might be minded to promote treafon or fedi-

tion, would be deterred by fo confiderable a courts _,ndmight

• . .- oe a terror

that ts accountable to none but their tawml fore- t " k

• . o art j_-

relgns, that Is, the affembly of the ftates of Hol- ditio._and

land aod H,r@-Friefland, and would carefully watch tr..iterous

ag-ainfl:fuch villanous pra&ices as abovementioned, ,_t_,u.

which now, impunitatisfpe, by the length,offuits_

and flow ju_ice, are but too frequen_

C H A P. XXVI.

_hat it _vould be very advantageeus for eke

rulers and people of Holland, andJbr traJ-

tick and commerce, as _.ell as navigation, to

ere_7 Dutch colonies in foreign countries.

UT fuppofing all the expedients before-men-tionedt to attra& or allure foreigners to be-

come inhabitants of Holland, were pra&ifed, and I,d!

thofe inhabitants made to fubfiff by due adminit_ra. _ou,mu

tion of juttice, yet would there be found in Hol- t&,e_oil1

land many old and new inhabitants, who for want _e,-,b,

-- . jroMlxa _-

of efface and credit, live very uneafily, and mere- ,,vaifl,_

fore would defire to remove thence. It is evident, fidioer-

firfl:, as to perfons and effates, that the inhabitants#n_

here are not only expofed to the ordinary misfor-

tunes of mankind, of not forefeeingfuture events,

weaknefs, and want ; but betides, they make very

tmcortain profit by manufa&ures, tithing, trading,

and lhipping. ,And on the other fide, by ficknefs,

I 3 wars,

18 _'be erecting of CoIoMes Part L

wars, piracies, rocks, lands, ftorms and bankrupts,

or by the unfaithfulne£sof their own mal_ers of

q'bro' t,'..e fhips, they may lore the greatefl: parr of their

untertattt

10,oflt.",,,,deftates, while in the interim -they continue charg:d

cereal, with the natural burdens of Holland, as great

t,_xeJ_ornhoufe_rent' imports and taxes: nor have they any

byth,i,,- reformed cloiffersto provide creditable oppormnt-

.habitants: .

tzes for difcharging themfelves by fuch loffes of

maintaining their children, or according to the

proverb, to '_turn foldier or monk ; fo that by

l'uch accidents falling into extreme poverty, they

confequently ]ofe their credit and refpe& among

men: for to a-have been rich is a double poverty,

and nothing lq lel_ regarded than a poor man'sB

wifdom ; in fuch cafes he would find himfelf in

the moil: lamemablecondition that can befal a man

in this world.

¢,,,/._by .And, 2dly, as to reputation: it is well known

theoligar- that in this republick, the government confifts of

thital

gov,,,,, very few 'menin proportion to the number of in-

meat habitants, and that the faid government is not by

law annexed or reltrained to any certain family,

but is open to all the inhabitants: fothat they who

have bee'n eight or ten years burghers, may be

chofen to the government in moR cities; and have

the moil:eminent employments offibe_en or bur..

gomal_er. Whence we may infer, that many that

are tile offspring o_ thofe that were heretofore

made ufe of in the government, and alfo many.

others, .who by reafon of their antient f'cock, and

great/kill in polity, and extraordinary riches, tl_o'

natural fell-love and. ambition, conceive them-

felves wronged, when other ne_ ones-of lefs fimel_

and e_ate, are chofen to the government before

them _ and therefore thinking themfelves underva-

lued, feek a change, and would be induced to

tranfpor_

De/'peratiofacit militem aut monach.m.

•_ Divitem fuiffeduplexpau_rtas.

Chap. 26. beneftcial to Holland. z 19

tranfport themfelves to other countries, where their

qualifications, great ef_ate and ambition, might

produce very good effe&s. Whereas on the other

fide, whilR they continue to dwell in there lands,

they fpeak ill of the government and rulers in par-

ticulars. And if by this, or any other accident, wl,_,h

male-ton-

tumults/hould be occafioned againR the rulers in tentedin-

particular, or the government itfelf, they being habitants

perfons of quality, might become the leaders Of might oc-

the feditious, who to obtain their end, and to have _a_,, .,

• . . great e_o**

fuch mfurre&,ons tend to the,r advantage, would tothe

not reR till they had difplaced and turned out the/a,a'.

lawful rulers, and put themfelves in their places,

which is one of the faddefl:calamities that can be-

fal the republick, or cities: feeing * rulers, who

became fuch by mutiny, are always the cau/e of

horrible enormities before they attain the govern-

merit, and muff commit many cruelties e'er they

can fix themfelves on the bench of magiRracy.

And teeing we have already made many con-

quers of countries in India, and finding hove

hardly (and that with great charge offoldiers) they

mu_etbe kept ; and that the politicians of old have

taught us, that there is no better means, efpecially

for a Rate which depends on merchandize and na-

vigation, to preferve foreign conquers, than by

fettling colonies in them : we may eafily conclude

that the fame method would !_ very ufeful and

expedient for our Rate.

Thirdly, it is well known, that the poorer peo- _J/e_ial_v

pie of all the countries round about us, come to been,I,

dwell in Holland in hopeof earning their livino by tbt._or_

• . . t_ _eopu

manufa&ury,fitherxes,nawganon, and other trades;corsei_ro

or failing that, they lhall have the benefit &alms- Holland

boulesand hofpitals, wherethey will be better pro-_ 0_ t_

ndjac_t

videdfor thanin tl_ir owncountry. ._nd altho'la.d4.

in this manner very many poor people have been

I 4 maintain'd,

t Resdt_a,&regnia0vitum©_ to_t, t¢r. lZirg.

I2o _7_e erec-t;ng of Colonies PartI.

maintain'd, yet in bad timesit could not lat_long ;

butthence might eafilyafire a general uproar, with

the plunder, and fubverfion of the whole Rate: to

8othat.weprevent ,which, and other tie like milchiefs, and

o_ghtto to give difcontented perfonsand men in Rraits an

gi_ethole open way, the republicksof _21re,Sidon, Carlhage,

_IGIc-cOtl -

u_tsa,d Greece and Rome, &c. in antient times, having

_r.taxedfpecial regard to the true intere_ of republicks,

te°Pl_, which were perfe&ly founded on traffick, or con-

.l_rne _tt

_._olo,i_,.queRs of lands, did not neglec"tto ere& manyco-

lonies : yea eventhe kings ofSpain, Portugal, and

England, &e. have lately very profitably ere_ed

divers colonies, and continue fo doing in remote

and uncultivatedcountries; which formerly added

an incredible flrength to thole antient republieks,

and do Rill to Spain, Portugal, andEngland, &c.

producing betides their ffrength, the greater teal-

tick andnavigation. So that it isa wonderful thing

that Holland having there old and new example_

before their eyes; and betides by its naturalgreat

wants, and very great rums of money given yeaH7

14rhereunto for charity to poor inhabitants, and being yearly

l-/ol and Drefs'd by fo many broken eftates, and want of

,_th h_a,,_reater tra'/_ek and navigation, hath not hitherto

fate op_or .......

tunity; made any free colomes for the inhabitants of Hol_.

land; tho' we by our thipping have difcovered

and navigated many fruitfu/uni/lhabited, and un-

manured countries, where, if colonieswere ereeq:ed,

they might be free, and yet fubje& to the lord,

the flaresof Holland, as all the open countries, and

cities that have no votes amongfl:us are: and it

might caufean incredible great and certain tra/_ck

and navigation with the inhabitants of Holland.

It is well worthy obfervation, that there colonies

would no lefs t_rengthenthe treafure and power of

the Ratesin peace and war, than they do thole of

8pain, Portugal, and England, which during the

manifold intcRine diffcnfions and revolutions of

ftate

Chap. 26. beneficial to Holland. xix

flate have always adhered to their antient native

country againfl:their enemies. .And by this means

alfomany ambitious and difcontented inttabitantsof

Holland might conveniently, fubfpecie honoris, be .4,,dyet

gratified, by having rome authority in and about _.,o,/d

ha_e, lit

the government of the laidcolonies. But rome may ,,,a tit

object, that heretofore the rulers of Holland in the Eal_an*/

re/pc_ive grants or chartersgiven to the Earl and Welt-In-

Weft.India, companies, have given them alone the din eom_a-

hie*

power of navigating their difl:ric"Ls,with exclulion ,,,akt.,.#¢

0f all other inhabitants, which extend fo far, that the;

outof them the whole workt hath now no fruitful

uninhabited lands, where we might ere& new co-

lonies; and that thofediftri&s are fo far fpread,

becaufeour rulerstruffed that the laid companies

could andwould propagateand advancefuch colo-

nies : tho' fuppofing thofe colonies muPcindeed in

fpeculation I_eacknowledged finglllarlyprofitable

forthis ftate, yet neverthele/_ thole refpe_ive di-

ffrie"tsand limits, bounds of the faidcompanies,

were purpofelyextended fo farby the States Gene-

ral, and efpecially by the States of Holland, effec-

tually to hinderthe making of thole colonies, fince

our nation is naturally averfe to husbandry, and

utterly unfit to plant colonies, and ever inclined

to merchandizing.

To which I anfwer,that it'slikely the firEgrants

or charters, both of the Earl andg/eft, and their _o,,,,.

copious di_ri&s, were probablymade upon ma- t/,w o.,,ill

ture deliberation; but that the rulers _rceivin_ ,,orca.-t

•- o tradt iu

afterwards how veryfew countries the laid compa- a//the

hies do trafl:ickwith, and what a vafcmany coun- co.,,tr/a

tries and lea-ports in their dith'i&s remain without unterd,dr

traffick or navigation, they cannot be excufed of diflria.

too great imprudence in that they have, notwith-

fcanding the continuance of fuch d_ric']:s to this

day, kept their common trading inhabitants con-

firing of fo great numbersfrom thofe uninhabite_t

countrizs

_uz _'he eree-ting of Colonies Part L

countries by our companies: fo that by reafon of

the want of trafficking countries, or new colonies

in little Europe, and its confines,the Hollandersare

neceflitated to over/cock all trade and navigation,

and to fpoil and ruin them both, to the great pre-

judice of fuch merchants and owners of /hips on

WZlteeh, whom it fails, altho' Holland during that time of

]tolla-,d their trades being overft:ock'd, .hada greater com-

a,,.,-chat, merce, and deterred the traders of other countries

&i_g:oo

,_,-o-.,,$ from that traffick which the Hollanders with the

,_f_'ti, firffappearance of gain do, and mu_ reaffume, if

£-ro_, they will continue to live in Holland ; where all

-.;_c_o_amanner of foreign trade, finee the ere&ing of tim

_,,._cl/_ faid companies, was neceffitatedto be driven, not-

_,,ntrles witht_candingthe uncertainty of gain, and fear of

,r cdo,iu,over-trading our felves.

_',atho.# .And that the faid companies neither have, nor

,o,nm,tlu do endeavo:lr to make new colonies for the benefit

/_¢_',e,0tofthe lands, atgl the inhabitants thereof, hath hg.

_c,et_. therto abundantly appeared, and wemuff notlight/y

oecaujc toe . . .

di,_ao,,ofbeheve that they w,ll do otherwffe for the future ;

a,o,, _ which, I fuppofe, willalfoappear, if we confider,

kt'Wdv that the dire_ors, from whom this flaould proceed_

"e'_n°tr°" r- advanc'd, and privately fworn to promote the

fit" _}e_efitof"the fubfcribers o_the reOe&ive compa-

nies : fo that if the colonies fhould ngt tend to the

benefit of the fubfcribers in general, we cannot ex-

pc& the companies fhould promote them; yea

lhppofing fuch colonies flaouldtend to the greatefl:

profit of the laid fubfcribersin general, yet fuch is

the common)corruptio:_of man, that thofe planta-

tions fhould not be ere&ed unlel_ fuch dire&orsor

governors can make their own advantage by

them.

,x'_,s_tt_e And feeingall new colonies in unmanured coun-

_artici- tries, muft for rome yearstogether have neceffaries

.,a_ts. carried to them "till fuch plantations can maintain

themfdves oat oftheir own produ&, begin to trade

and

Chap. z6. beneficial to Holland. za 3

and go to fen, and then there is rome fmall dutF

impofed on the planters and their traflick or navi-

gafion, whereby the undertakers may be reim-

buffed : yet the_partnershaving expended fo much,

are not allured that their grant or leafe of years

flaall be prolonged and continued to them on tim

fame terms. Moreover, inregard ofthere new co-

lonies, the dire&ors ought therefore to have lel_

falary, feeing by this free trade of the planters and

inhabitants, they may be eafed of the great pains

: they take about their general traffick and equipage

of thips, which concerns them much in particu-

_: Jar, for many confiderablereafons, not here to be

mentioned.

And as concerning our people in the Earl.and

/¢Tefl,they being hitherto of fo loofe a life, are fo

wafteful, expenfive, and lazy, that it may thence

feem to be concluded, that the nation of Holland

is naturally and wholly unfit for new colonies _ yet

I dareventure to fay it is not fo: but certain it is,

that the dire&ors of the laid companies, their ma-

riners and foldiers, and likewife their other let-

rants, are hired onfuch Rrait.lac'd and revere terms,

and they require of them fuch multitudes ofoaths,

importing the penalty of the lofs of alltheir wages

and elate,, that very few inhabitants of Hofiand,

unlefsout of mere _eceflity, or rome poor ignorant

llavilh-minded and debauched foreigners, will offer

themfelves to that hard fervitude. It is alfo true,

t_t all fuch as are in the Indies, efpecially the

Earl.Indies, do find, that not only whilethey ferve_

but after they have fer_edtheir time for which they _ u,fl.

are bound, they areunderan intderablecomlmlfiver]_,t *-/'-_

• , - ¢tS'tu'rs

.flavery_ mfomuch that none can thrive there but that1M¢

their great offacers, who being placed over them, t,t&.'ha,-I

to exa& the oaths of the mercenaries or hirelings,.//a'uuyo"

and to put in execution the ¢ompat_ commands, tLfSd "

and being without controul, to accufe or check _'r_"_;

them _fortdeuie#.

Zz4 _'be _reEling of Colonies Part I.

them, they _mmonly favour oneanother_ and af-

terwards coming home with great treafures, are in

fear that they will be feized and confifcated by the

dire&ors. He that will be further convinced

hereof, let him but read the following placaet or

proclamation, which was, and is yearly to be pub.

lllhed at Batavia.

the _ HE governorgeneral, and councilof India,

),_rOpla-][ to all that/hall fee, hear, or read therepro-

,eatln_li-fents, greeting. Know ye, that whereas the di-

a'd.°tBa'regtors of the general Netherlandilh EaR-India

urea, it is

_,,_, companyfittled bypatent, at the affemblyof feven.

teen, for divers good conflderations, have found it

ufeful and neceflarythat the orders and proclama-

tion, which we do yearly publifh, and ajax to the

ufual place againfl the time of the fleet's return to

our native country, after having fir.It explained the

points therein contained, and enlarged others, by

time needful additions ccntragledall into one pla-

:act, and fo to publifh it to the people, to the end

that every one, whether in or out of the company's

firvice, travelling to the Netherl:mds, may thereby

tbefooner and better underfland by what rules he is

to govern himfelf beforehe leaves this country. HZe

therefore, in purfuance of that order, ba_ing con-

tra_qedall the forefaid orders and placaets (after

previous elucidationand amph'Jication,as aforefaid)

into one, bare found it requifite, now afre.{h to

ordain _na appoint, and bf the/'eprefents we do

ordain and appoint, that all fuch perfons as intend

to fail to the Netherlands, of what flate, quality

_k,*tall

l_rttenfiont or condition foever they be, and purpofe- to have

o,,t_,_s, any claim or pretence upon the ./'aid company, pro-

t_rt m_fl ceedingfrom what caufe or thing foever, fhall be

b,_.fl ag-obliged to make the fame known, none excepted, o_

j.fledbytbe rel-e_r,oed,before their departure hence, unto us or

companies -- _ --

for. ourcomr_ittees; that fo having heard and examine3

_,m. the

Cha F. 26. beneficial to Holland, *_5

the fame, they may takefucb orderabout it as]hall

be found jto_ and reafonable, upon pain that all

thofethat )'ballha_t nvglegtedor omitted the fame,

./hall be taken and held to ba$'ehad no at'lion or

pretence at all, and ]hall for ever be and remain

void and of noneeffe,_. As likewife nonearriving

in the Netherlands unto thefeventeen lords or their

particular chambers,]hall be heard concerningthe

fame, unlefs they fl3ewour fpecial a_7of reference,

which ]hall be granted if the matter be found af

fucb a nature as is notproper to bedecidedand de-

: termined in this country. LikewiJe thole that have

any defegt or error in their accounts, or may hwae

loft the fame, are to addrefs themfelve_to the ./'aid

lords commi_oners; who after they have taken cog-

nizauce thereof, may provide therein as becometb.

Likewife all fuch company's fervants or freemeu

that de/ireto receiveanyfalary here as due to them,

are like.wife to addrefs to the lords commi.fioners,

and declareit to them, that fo it maybeflgnified to

the lords ourprincipals, that we may clefwe and

receive authority for payment thereof.

No.perfons being in or out of the company'sfer- 07,w

vice, of what flate, quality or conditionfoever he,,_yt_o.r

be, that either here in India, or on their vayagef_ll"_ _

homewards, buy, or fell any accountsproceedingofgt_ _

falaries, or monthly wages, either for bimfelf or _a,_.

others, oras a pawn or/_ledgeoffriendfhip or debt,

to accept or engage, and makeit over, on pain that

the boers rid fellers, transferrers and transferrees,

that renounce their accounts,/hall both of them,

not onlyloretheir right and title to the fame, but

alfo the buyersand transferrees]hal4 befined tbrite

as much as the ballanceof the accountfo bouoobtor

pawn'd [hallamount unto.

Likewife no perfon in or out of the company's

fit'vice, departing out ( India, ]hall either fw

bimfelf, or others, take with him any filver or

go!J,

126 _rbeereHing of Colomes Part I.

gold, coined or uncoined, into his native country,

_7,atnoneor keepit by him; much lefs may be conceal it, by

may carry delivering it tofeamen, foldiers or others, whether

t,nuay

thence any here on]bore, or upon the voyage, or lend it out, or

_on_yto put it to interefl, upon forfeiture of all fucb money

the Ne- to the benefit of the company, where_ and with

therlands, whomfoeverthe fame]ball be found. But fuch as

6ut delicaer

it tothe have moneyto fpare, may difcbargetbemfelvesof it

'_.mpan3toat the chamberof accounts, that in conformityto

_.ecei.oeit the letter of articles, they may recetve bills of ex-

Iv tx- changefor thefame.

change in

Holland. Every one is therefore herebyforewarned, that

thofi that will make over moneyto the Netherlands_

vJhether be remains in India, or travels thither,

]ball beware of taking other ways or courfis, than

by the faid chamber of accounts, to the end they

may as aforefaid receiveit byexchange; that is to

fay, by meansor affflance of any European nation :

and that noneremit moneyover to England, or elfe-

where, either dire_'l!yo_ indirectly, on what pre-

tencefoever, "underthe penalty, that fucb whofhall

be found doingthe fame, ]ball betidesthe loft of his

implbymentandfervice, and lofsof thefalary wbidi

then]ball be due, viz. if be remains in the compa-

ny'sfervice, be]ballfurther forfeitfucb fum as ]hal

be proved he paid, or privately made over to amy

other European nation.

_t ,one Moreover it ]ball not be allowed for anyperfon,

rn_departbeing in the company'sfervice, to depart to the

thence,un- Netherlands, unlefs he]ball have at the #aft twelve

1_ tb0 full monthsfalary due to him, a,_dthat by original

l_aeOg

t,wel_e account,unlefshe/hall have paid thecontentsthereof

_onths in ready moneyinto the chamber of acccontshere,

•,o_ge,lueupon exchange, to be repaid him by the compaiO,ipi

to them. the Netherlands.

ff'hofethat Purpofeto depart to the Netherlandsi

.[hallbeforefuch departurefrom hence, fell all their

moveable and immoveable eflate._,as boules, gar-

dcns,

Chap. o6. beneficialto Holland. I2 7

dens, lands and pedakkens, none excepted ; whether _rb# rlu_

they were fold publickly, or privately ; and pay the go borne.

areto/eli

proceed thereof into the chamber of accounts afore- tl,eiri_-

laid, to be made good in the Netherlands ; upon taro,aid,

pi_in that the offender fhall immediately forfeit all eflatu.

7Jis right to the faid goods to the company's ufe.

Likewife thole that are entrufled with the admio

niflration and difpofal of any immoveable Mates,

whereof the proprietors are departed hence, fhall be

bound to fell the ./'aid goods, and turn them into

money before the departure of the next returning

]hips, and to bring the proceed thereof into the

chamber of accounts, to receive the fame by exchange

as aforefaid, upon pain as aforefaid.

The people that are free, and not in the compa- Anet#_

ny's fervice, and difpofed to return to the Nether-_," the

.lands, whether /inzle, or with their families, /hallf.r_g ht ¢"

• _ o . -- -- . tOeir "_er_

before thetr departure from Batavia, oay for thetr r

..... J- _ , J" ..tons _o_

Jretgtot and tranJportation mono., at toe general guilater_.

chamber of accounts as followeth, viz. For all

men and women, being twelve years of age and up For tT_tlr

_'ards, three hundred guilders ; and thole under diet i_t t[ot

that agG one hundred and fiJtv guilders : and be great ca-

tides for their diet, for men that are accomodated bi_. 3o

in the great cabin, thirty flivers ; thole in the fli_e_*pc,

round houfe, eigbteen flivers ; and thole before the- diem.F_rdiet i_t

marl, nine flivers per diem. The women that are the _ou,d-

above twelve years of age, and eat in tl_e cabin, bo_fe_8

twenty flivers ; it,. the round-boule, twelve flivers ;fli_ers,

and before the mar, n[nerlivers per diem : fo that andbefore

no perfon, whether man or woman, being either themarl%

above or under twelve years of age, children in.

duded, #all pay any lefs than nine flivers a day.

if'helaid payments#all be made for the time ofJix

months, and accordingly they have receipts

thereof. But yet under t_'s condition and promife,

that if any fi_ch perfon ]hould happen to die in the

voyage, tkere ,[ball be _eflored at the Eaft-India

cbamber

,_8 O_beere_ing of Colonirs Part L

chamber in the Netherlands, whereunto that ./hip

goes conflgned,to the right heir or executor, &c.

of the deceafed,fo muchof that rum as/ball be in

proportion to the moneypaid, to be accountedfrom

their departure henceto their death.

And tieing that notwitbftanding our repeated

prohibition, not only the laid free people, but even

the company'sfirvant_, with their wives, widows,

and.others that are of their family, do carry over

_'hat_t muchbouf/oold-fluff,and other bulkygoodsfor their

_a3 cart3

•ffa,O own provifion and otherales, in the company'_]hips,

,e_chan- and do therebygreatly pefler them. .4ll fuchgoods

,¢i_ ; buttherefore that are nomerchandize(tieing theyought

dr°rfreigbtoftheir in no wife to be carried with them, and that they

ho_Jl,ola. ought to befeized bythe companyfor their ufi with-

fluff, muffout anyfavourJ/oewn, whether they befound out in

_ay2ooo the road, or on the voyage, or difcovered in the

guil*rers Netherlands) fhall bedeclaredand mentionedby in-

1_ loft. _entory beforetheir departure, and goingon board

that after they have been vi/ited and valued by our

¢ommiffionersthereunto appointed, they maypayfor

freight at the rate of two thoufand guilders for

each lafl, being eflimated or rated by bulk or

weight ; which accordingly is to be paid at the

chamberof accounts. HTioichinventory beingfigned

by our commiffioners,with the receipt of having

paid the freight, and beingfhewed to the lords our

principals in the Netherlands, rich goods being no

tnercbandize as abovefaid,/hall be delivered unto

loire; but uponpain that all rich goods not menti-

oned in the inventory fo taken with him,/hall be,

and remain conflfcateto thelaid company'sufe. _1ll

this being intendedand fpoken of the company'sfir-

_ants for fo much as pertains to the merchandizeof

_ch exceedingthree months wages, Which they are

allowed to carry _vitb them by the letter of a_ticles

which tbey carry along with them.

.4nd

Chap, o-6. beneficial to Hollaacl. r2 9

.4nd for as much as it hath ever keett probiblted 3to_em_

to carry hence into the Netherlands any black ha- _ar_a,y

- -- . Indians

tire Indians, _vhetherfree or bonel_men ana wo-_oith

men, its the lords flatts general have likewife by tbe_.

their proclamation prohibited to bring the fame

into their dominqons: we have hereby onceagain

thoughtfit to interdi_, and prohibit all perfons to

tranfport any fuch native blacks, whether men or

women, from this place, or to co_eal them on

boav'd.[hips, and that (for as much as it may

concernthefervants of the company)uponforfeiture

of all the wages wbichfhall be due to them on their

x_oyagehomeward; and for fre8 people, upo_ pain

offorfeiting one thoufand guilders : and this, ovo

and above the tranfportation and diet-moneyoffuch

blacksfor thefum btfore-mentioned,which at their

arrival in the Netherlands ]ball by the mailer of

)°uch natives be made good to the companyin the

)"aidNetherlands ; with.condition alfo, that he,des

the former fums, the laid blacks being,willing to

return to the Indies, ./hall pay in the Netherlands

t-helike fum for tran/'portation and diet.emoney,aJ

befor_ is fpecified. Provided nevert_elefs, that in

cnfe any one for good reafons fhould de/ire to take

•oitb them a Mack nurfe for his cbf[d or children,

and it beinggranted, fucb perfon fhall be boundto

pay into the chamberof accountsher diet-money at

3o flivers per diem/or the time offix months, al-

lowing herfor the fame to have her paffage back

dgain gratis out of the Netherlands.

_nd to the end that nonemaypretend ignorance

of any the premifes herein mentioned, we have

publi/hed this our ordinance after the ringing of the

bell at the publick and ufual place. ?¢/e therefore

charge and commandthe advocateflfcal of India,

the bailiff of tbis city, and all other o_cers of juf-

tice, to take careflriOly to obferve the faro.', and

to proceed againfl all offenders and tranfgr_ors

K without

I3o Theerectingof Colonies Part I.

_oitbout favour, connivance, did?imulationor for-

bearance; for we have found the fame to tend to

the ferviee of the laid company. Given at the

eaflle of Batavia upon the iJland of Java Major,

the_&c.

Bytbls So that it is no wonder that fo few good, and

ac_o,,,t,,o fo many ignorant, lazy, prodigal and vicious peo-

colonies

ca,,/,e ple take fervice of the Earl-India company. But

_ it is doubly to be admired that any intelligent, fru-

tbtr¢, gal, diligent and virtuous people, efpecially Hol-

landers, unle_ driven by extreme neceltity, thould

give up themfelves to that fla./ilh fervitude.

¢beHol- All which being true, let none think it l_range,

laadezs that the fcum of Holland and of moil:other nations,

are.nat,,-having by their fervice become freemen there, and

,allyi,fli. vet not oermitted to d,ive any trade by lea, or

Ilga attd_t _ ..! r _ " *

t, e,.es .wire. rorei,gn people, are very unfit, and. have no

,,,_ e0/o.mdmauon at all to thole forced colomes, and do

•,its. always thirf_ after their own fweet and free native

countries of Holland: whereas notwiththnding on

the contrary, the ingenious, frugal, induftrious

Hollanders, by thofe virtues which are almofl:

peculiar to them, are more fit than any nation in

the world to erect colonies and to live on them,

when they have the liberty given them to manure

them for their own l_velihoods. And thofe that

doubt hereof, let them pleafe to obferve, that the

ttallanders, before and fince there two licenfed

companies, even under foreignprinces, have made

very many new colonies, namely in Lyfland,

Pruffia, Brandenburgb, Pomerania, Denmark,

8lefwick, France, England, F'anders, &c. And

moreover, have not only manured uvfruitful un-

planted lands, but alfo undertaken the chargeable

and hazardous talk of draining of fenlands. And

it is obfervable, that in all the laid places, their

butter, cheefe, fruits and produ& of the earth, are

more defired, and cftecmed than thofe of their

neighbours.

Chap. 26. bene_al to Holland. I3 I

neighbours. .And if we farther obt_rve, that no Fittcrtha_

countries in the world, whether the land be for a,y nation

• fi _*bc

breeding or feeding, are fo well orderedas moe _,-l_

of our plain lands in Holland ; and that no other "

boors or hufbandmen do travel fo many countries

as ours do ; we/hall be convinced, that no nation

under heaven is fo fit for felting up new colonies,

and manuring of ground as our people are. And

if in our nation there is alfo to be found (which

however is unjuftly and unwifely denied by the

oppofers of there new Holland colonies) a very great

aptnet_ and inclination to merchandifing and navi-

gation, then we may in all refpe&s believe, that

we under our own free government might ere&

very excellent colonies, when it fhall pleafe the

fhte to begin and encourage the fame on good

foundations, and to indulge them for a/hort time

with their favour and defence. Having fpoken

thus far of the true political maxims to be obferved

concerning the inhabitants, I /hall here conclude

the firR part of my treatife.

T_e End o[ the Firfl Part.

K 2 The

(z32)

The TRuE INTEREST, and

POLITICAL MAXIMS of

the Republick of Holland

and Wet_-Friefland.

PART II.

Of the Interefl of Holland, in rela-

tion toforeign Princes and States.

CHAP. I.

7"hat an open and free navigation ought care-

fully to be kept and deJended, againfl all

pirates and enemies. How this may be put

in pra_ice j and after what manner hereto-

fore it has been done or omitted.

AVING in the firfl:part of this treatife

ferioufly confidered and reprefented the

true intereft and maxims of the republick

of Holland and Ff_.Frie./land, relating to their

affairs at home, I fhall now enquire how the wel-

fare of their inhabitants may be t_cur'd with refe-

rence to foreign powers. And tho' very many

particulars do here again prefent themfelves to my

thoughts, which are of weight, and deferve men-

tion ; yet I fhall lay down but few, and thole the

moil:important.

And whereas in the preceding book I have

fhewn, that the far greater part of things neceffary

Chap. r. The 2_eceffity of clearing, &c. 13 3

to our manufa&urers, fi/hers and traders, are im- _leofl,herr

ported from foreign parts, either upon carts, and cbandize

• being ira-

rivers, or elfe by fed in flaips let out to freight, and portedand

that they muff again tranfport moil: of them, ma- extorted

nufa&ur'd or unmanufa&ur'd, by the fame meansfro_ Hol-

beyond the leas: it neceffarily follows, that the landtorn.

reig,

highways, rivers, and leas, muff by all means be par,

kept free and open, for the confl:ant ufe and con-

w-,iency of the inhabitants. Yet becaufe the high-

ways and rivers in this refpe& are of leaft concern-

m_nt, and fo much in the power of other princes,

that the fecuring and clearing the fame cannot be

expe&ed from the governors of Holland, I fhall

therefore fay nothing more of them. But feeing

the leas are of fo great importance to this end, that

the council of ftate in their requefl: for a fupply in

the year t643, did reprefent, that the whole l_ate A_tzma',

of the United Provinces depends on the guarding H_. b.

and clearing of the leas ; that other things without 2z. p.

this, would be but as a body without a foul, and 465.

a land without inhabitants, _._c. And'that the Hol-

landers alone do navigate the leas more, and have

more to lore on them, than all their allies and

other p_ople of Europe put together. And more-

over, feeing the leas are fo common fo: all m.*n l%ntivo-

to navigate, that they are always infet2ed by pi-glio relat.

rates and enemies, and may be and are_alfo cleared lib. i. cap.

by our governors, and free paffage given for lhips

and fiflaers, and fo kept and maintained; I pur-

pole therefore to treat largely and clofely of this

matter. _Indour

'Tis well known

that our fitOfler$ of hadd°ck'Jqfl_'rJ.'ra,ding.he,.e

doggers, railers of buffcs, and Greenland men, a_io_r"

fi/hin_, at certain times and places, do always meet ,,i_ -- -

• _ . . 1 jo 'ps toot

w,th fea.robbers, and enem,es fhlps of war ; and._il nort_

th*t they, and the Northern and Ea/]land lhips, eaflerly

yea, and our fair and wine-thips, bringing bulky, _ _ee_"

cheap, and Iow-priz'd goods,, are not able"to bear, ,j_,y q'_r_g"

3 me d,f,_ce;

I34. _TbeNeceffity of clearing Part II.

the expenee of well manning and arming their

/hips to repel fuch robbers and enemies. And

tho' it cannot be denied, that our Spanifh, Italian,

and Levant /hips, are often freighted with fuch

rich and profitable goods, that they may well be

fo mann'd and arm'd as to defend themfelves

againft the fmaller fort of pirates ; yet the riches

which they carry, invite whole fleetsof fuch men

.Rndthe of war to lie in wait for fuch/hips ; and this falls

T,rltitl_ out the rather, and will alwaysfo happen, becaufe

pirates the bail'asof _'ripoli, _'unis, and .4lgier, mu_ pay

,.veri,f_- the _'urki[bjanifariesunder them out of their own

/,,gt_e purfes ; or if they failed, would certainly be ftran-

_l_"al.k'S l ° *

Mou_ g ed by the mutinous fold,cry. So that to procure

and Medgthat neceffarypay, they always collecq:by force of

tcrrauean;arms, the fifth part of the growth of the country,

and permit them to go to lea as free-booters, with

condition to allowthem the moiety of all the/hips,

and the eighth part of all the goods they take in

the fame.

_er¢o,-t This being certain, it follows naturally, thatthe

•_e re,J1 .North Belt, and North lea, as alfo the channel

""_rlb being continually fi/hed and navigated by vail:

fcour the

northf_a numbers of our unarm'd and u_.'*.fenfible/hips,

fro,_pi- ought of nece_ty to be wholly treed from fuch

1"ateJ, robbers and enemies by our governors. And be-

caufe the great 8panifb and Mediterranean leasare

likewife navigated by few rich/hips of force, it is

by all meansadvifableto convoy our laid merchant

/hips with/hips of war to defend them from thole

_Turki[hpirates ; but it would by no means becon-

venient to free the Mediterranean of them, for we

_ould thereby reap no more profit than the Earl-

landers, Englifh, 8panifh, and Italians do, who

by that means, and other advantages, might eafily

deprive us of our traflick and freight /hips, and

poffibly drive us out of our whole navigation ; be-

caufe the greatet_ Ea_ern traffick depends on the

COil-

Chap. 7. the Seas from Pirates. x35

confumption of the Easqern commodities in the A,,d_,._

/41eflernparts : all which nationsneverthelefs thro' the Medi-

tel'raneltn

want of ordinary convoy.fhips, do not traffick Coc,'e,,r/_

much in thole parts aswe do, and would trade lefsco,,_,o_..

if it were ordered that none of the captains"of our

convoy-/hips/hould take money to prote& and de-

fend any foreign merchant-/hips under their con-

voy, or fuffer them to fail in their company: fo

that if we thould leave this thorn of th_ g'urkifh

pirates in their tides, they will be fufficiently di-

flrefs'd both in that and all their other trade, whilfl:

we by thole ordinary convoy/hips of war, may

wholly engrol_ all the European traffick and navi-

gation to Holland.

Having thus reprefented how neceffary it is to

keep the feas open and free for the inhabitants of

Holland, and endeavouring now to find out the

means whereby it may certainly be effe&ed, this

infallible political maxim offers itfelf to my

thoughts, viz. When men would procure or hinder w/,Jd,

quillht el-

the doing of a thing, the matter muff be fo or- #acdor

dered, that fuch people who are fo refolved, may not,as the

have fufficient authority, power, and ffrength to rulers em-

effe& or obffrucq:the fame. Whence it unanfwer- 8.te'a ,',',

ably follows, that feeing our inhabitants, who live i_di,edt,

it.

by manufactures, fifheries, traffick, and /hipping

let to freight, and which are or may be taken at

lea by enemies, are certainly willing to defend

themfelves from fuch loffes, they ought therefore

to have fuch authority and _rength as may enable

them to clearthe laid leas. But becaufe every one

knows, that fuch abffra_ed fpec_ations, and ge-

neral reafonings in well-grounded political govern-

ments, neither may nor can be pra&ifed, let the

reader therefore pleafe to take notice, that I ul_-

this infallible political maxim, only to build a fe-

cond upon it, namely, that fuch cities and coun-

tries whof¢ rulers ought to be prefumed to be lefs

K 4 or

36 5the Nece_ty off clearing Part II.

or more inclined to clear the leas, ought alfo to

have more or let_ authority and power in the po-

lity, treafure, jufcice, and militia relating to the

leas. And feeing kings, princes, courtiers, and

foldiers are frequently gainers, but never lofers by

goods pirated at lea, and reap the leafc advantages

by an open and free navigation : and on the con-

trary, mot_ of the inhabitants of the free republick

of Holland, whether rulers or fubje6t:s, may fuffer

great loffes by robberies at tea, and fubfift by the

flourifhing of manufacq:ures, fitheries, trade, and

freight thips ; we may well conclude, that luck

governors muff be prefumed to be well inclined to

keep the leas clear, and confequently ought to be

entrufied with all that power and authority which

is neceffary to effec2 it, either by themfelves or

their commiffioners.

.And tho' in purfuance of this pofition it feems

requifite to flaew in what manner this ought to be

done in every city of Holland, and jointly in a

way fuited to the t_ates affembly ; I thall neverthe-

lefs (partly becaufe it requires more knowledge than

_Iam ma_er of, and partly becaufe I would avoid

the great labour and odium which might enfue)

only touch on the feveral ways by which men for-

merly endeavoured in Holland to clear the leas, and

whether the inhabitants, by building on the faid

foundations, or by departing from them, have

_'his.. .nax-gained more or let_.

$1tl t$ CO_"

f_'me,/,not Whereas before the year of our Lord z300, the

_dytyrta- cities of Holland were few and fmall, the govern-

fo,,, b,,t/y ment, and confequently the clearing of the leas,

txi_ri .

,nee: for depending chiefly on the earl and gentry, who

_e_re were little concern'd in things of this nature, and if

soo, o,,rthey had attempted it, mu_ have done it at their

¢,rh a,,a own coil: and charges, we find little thereof in

gentry ne-

gt,a,d,tatheir antient recoi'ds i and therefore may fafel},

_igation. believe,

Chap. _. theSeus from Pirates. r37

believe, that the Hollandersat that time never un-

dertook the guarding or clearing of the leas.

But the cities of Holland loon after, by the But_Ot,

removal of the Flemi{hand Braband manufa&ures,thecities

increafingdaily both in greatne_ and number, and _tr_ ,_-

cern"d itt

the inhabitants by that means growing to be much it, th_

concerned in the freeufe of the lea, and perceiving tookitto

that the earl and gentry negle&ed to defend or heart,,,z-

prate& them from piracy, they agreed with duke aerthe

mad tarl

Albert of Bavaria, as t_adtholderfor William earl (_ call-

of Hollana, for leave to fcour the fensthemfelves, ed.)

andto lay that chargeon the country. And in the

year I4o8, when the fens were infe_ed by certain

Eafl-Fri_and pirates, thole of dmflerdam, and M. Voltl.

us in an-

rome of the cities of North-Holland, with the af- nalibus,

fiftanceof the Lubeckers, Hamburgers, and Cam-lib. xs.

peners, fuppreffedthole robbers, pag.,z6.

Soon after this the Hollanders being greatly an-

noyed by the Flemi[hrovers, complained to count

William ; yet we read not that he did any thing

to prevent it, but lent them awaywith this anfwer,

Go you to fent;oo,and let others complain ofyou. _e olcl

The Hollanders accordingly went to fea, and did owritteu

more hurt to the Flemingsthan they had fufferedby chronicle.

them ; whereupon thefe fen-robberies foon teared.

We read alfo that about thirty years after, in the

time of Philip of Burgundy, earl of Holland, the Phillpof

Hollanders lo_ to the value of fifty thoufand gull- Burgu,-

tiers by the Eaflerlings upon the leas, and could dy.

obtain no fatisfad'tionor compenfatiou ; which

caufed the cities of Dart, Haerlem, Amjgerdam,J"F.le

Petit's

Gouda, Rotterdam, Horne, Enchuyfen, Middle-chronicle

burgh, Veer, Flufhin_, and Armuiden, to let out desPais

many fhips to leai with which having beaten the Bus.

Ea/terling_ twice, and taken great riches, they

obtained of them in the year I44x, a very advan-

tageous peace, and alfo of their allies the Spa.

.niards, Yenetiaus, and Pru.ffiam_ the other Ne-

therland

I 3 8 _he Nece_ty of clearing Part II.

tberland provinces, who were alfo under the fub-

jecq:ion of Philip of Burgundy, not concerning

themfelves in there matters. And it is alfo true,

that the Hollanders and Zealanders in the year I,,64,

Phil. dc endeavoured without Philip's confent, to furprize

Comla_: the famous pirate Rubempre, who infelied their

coal[ with his robberies. And it is obfervable that

no convoy-money was in thofe times ever required

of the merchant for clearing the leas, but the ex-

pence was borne by the country, or by the earls

themfelves, and was conftantly dedu&ed from the

fubfidies granted to him ; nor were there any other

except the ordinary judges to determine of matters

concerning prizes and goods taken.

All which, except the far'c, remained conftantly

in ufe in the times of the earls, who were of the

houfe ofAuflria ; for the Eaflern cities in the year

J. F. Ic 151o, making war againff the king of Denmark,

petit cro- prohibited the Hollanders, Zealanders, and Frief-

nique, lander,, to trade in thole countries ; who not com-

plying, and the Eafllanders thereupon taking eight

Holland fhips, the province of Hol/and alone fell

into an open war witht--Fh-_; which the other Ne-

tbertand provinces took fo little notice of, that the

Eaflerlings having at feveral times during the war

taken fifty Holland fhips, went to fell rome of their

prizes even in Zealandand Flanders. And tho' they

were fued there by the owners, and the goods re-

flora] by the admiralties as unlawful prizes, yet 'tis

evident that this was obtained rather on the account

of favour than juftice.

E,,q. The emperor Charles V. in the year s53I ,

Charles I having recommended queen Mary of Hungary his

v. Bone, rifler to the government of the Netherlands, and

lib. 2t. p. chofen a good council of ffate for her, caufed there

words to be inferred in their int_ru&ions : "That

" they thould continue to the cities their former cu-

•' /[oms, that in time of need, and when matters

" can

Chap. I. the Seas Jrom Pirates. 139

,, can fuffer no delay, they may let out/h_ps of

c, war at the charge of the country, that fo they

" may refift all pirates and fuch like enemies of the

" commonwealth, and take and make prize of

them, provided that the puniflament be left to

•' the judgment of the admiralty." Whereupon, in

the year a532, it happened, that the Hollanders,

by order of the laid emperor, as earl of Holland,

put certain /hips into the hands of his brother-in-

law, Chri#iernus of Denmark, i,norder to recover J. F. le

his kingdom, from which he had been expelled, petit ibid.

Upon this the Eaflerlings forbidding all Holland

/hips to pat_ the 8ound, caufed great poverty in

llmflerdam, and the northern qu_.rter, without re-

dre/_ from the emperor, or any other province, till

the Lubeckers, in the following year, taking a/hip

ofF..dam upon the coat_ of Zealand, the .4mflerdam=

_;ers, to whom the lading belonged, complained

at the court of Bruffels, and obtained a general fei-

zure of all the/hips and goods belonging to the Lu-

beckers ar.d Hambur_bers, that were to be found in

the Netherlands. For feeing, notwithftanding the

wars with Holland, they continually kept their

traffick going in Brabant and Flanders, they by

this feizure fuffered fo gr:at a lol_, that immediately

peace was clapped up, yet with this condition, that

the Hollanders /hould not a/fiR king Cbrifliernus,

nor during the war ufe his havens of Norway.

By all this we may eafily perceive how flenderly

the free navigation was then defended or fecured ;

and things will never be better in Holland whill_

courtiers have any command there. On the other

fide, we may alfo fee what fingutar care the l_ates

of Holland took on the 26th of.4ugufl J547, and

would always take for a free navigation whenfoever

that matter/hould be intrufied to them ; for tho'

their condition was then low, and the times peace-

able, yet they fitted out eight lhiFs of war for the

defence

14 ° The NeceaCity of clearing Part IL

&mein's defence of our herring fi/hery, and for their pay-

h,,-ri,g ment et_abli_ed that tax which is called the great

_l_,y. impS. And even in the time of that tyrant kin_

Ki,,g Phi. Philip II. it is evident by the advice of thepr---ovih°-

lip 2d. cla_u_ to thole of the fecret council, relating to

the admiralty, "That purfuant to the privileges,

" judgments, and antient cuftoms, the ftadtholders

" of Holland ufed to take cognizance of all matters

•' pertaining to the admiralty, and are fubje& to

" no other admiral ; and that the placaet trnnfmit-

" ted by tldolph of Burgundy ought not to take

" place, till the fladtholders and l_ates of Holland

-' were firR heard concerning it _ and that all tile

" power given by the fame placaet ought to be at-

c, tributed to the ftadtholder ; and that count Horn

" being appointed admiral-general of the Nether-

" lands by the king of Spain, anfwered thereupon

" in the year 156z. That he defired firft to fee

" the forenamed privileges, and then would give

" his further anfwer thereunto."

Pr.Wil- But during the troubles which loon after follow-

]iam took ed, this affair took quite another courfe. For count

c_r_ to Hr,rn the admiral general being beheaded, and

flour the

j_a_, Se-_'prince William of Orange as ftadtholder of H_I-

,aua he I land, Zealand and Utrecht, being in the year z568,

coullnot banifhed the country ; and knowing no expedient

j_bfiflSut to raife men and money in order to his return, made

_"t"_tr_r"ufe of his own authority, anno 1569, and as admi-

peri O'of

•u_i,_._a,ral-general gave out commi_ons to take all Spani/h

kitants. Po and other/hips that lhiled without his commiffion:

C.Hoofd. and afterwards in 7uly I572, obtained liberty of

H_fl.p. the ftates of Holla_d to appoint a lieutenant-admiral,

197. P.

Borre, who, by the advice and approbation of the maritime

$_ 6.ill. towns, [hould make choice of the captains of the

_zs.,. /hips of war : and moreover obtained leave to con-

t_itute commilfioners to take cognizance of maritime

atl'kirs, who were to receive the tenth part of all

the

Chap. I. the Seas frora Pirates. Iff_

the prizes for the commonwealth, and the fifth of

that tenth part for, the admiral-general.

Whereupon in O_ober that fame.year, the firfc E. V.

duties of cut%ms were introduced in Zealand; the Reyd.

government thereprohibiting, upon pain of confif- hil_.rag.

cation, all tranfporting of goods to and from the iS. i,,

enemy'_ country, unlefs they paid for each fpecies q_a,to.

as much duty as they could in any meaftare bear

widaout the 1ot_ of their trade. In the next year

and month of April, this was imitated, and pra&ifed

by thole oYHolland. .And being thus begun, in

order to diftrefs the enemy and weaken the ,4nt-

_oerpers, as well as to increafe the trade and navi-

gation of Holland and Zealand, it yielded in cuftom

the ifiti'tyear eight hundred and fifty thoufand guil-

ders. and this pleafed them fo in that great necef-

fity of money for their common and neceffary de-

fence, that loon after they found it expedient to

char_,e all goods exported or imported m and from

neut_'al places, failing out or colnit_g into thefg

countries, with convop_m_ppey. A_d tho' this _/

tended to the extreme prejudice of the trade and

navi__arJon of Holland, yet there was no remedy,

partly bCeaufe all Holland would otherwife have

been borrqnered by the _panifb forces_ and partly

beeaute By the pacification of Ghent, anr.o x576.

cultoms or licence-money was to ceafe, whereby

the .4_twerpers were moft of all burdened witla

cotrvoy-monev.

lla die mean time prince 14,ritliamhad on _uly I 1. P. llurre.

1375, procured a power of the Rates of Holland b'O'P'ltP"

during the war with Spain, either in the king'_

name, or his own, to command or prohibit any

thing as he thought good, both in polity, contri-

bution or war, by water or land : and on the zsth

of April I576, by the union of Holland with Zea- Boo_9" t.

land, he there ob:ained the like authority. On t38"

the o_zd of September, in the year I576 , tl:e college

,4 a 'TheNece_ty of clearing PartIl.

of admiralty of Zealand was ere_ed, where one

Holland and fix Zealand counfellors were to deter-

mine by the plurality of voices all matters that

might occur ; yet fo, that the lieutenant-admiral

of Zealand fhould be obliged to obey the laid prince,

or his lieutenant.governor count Hobenlo, in all

B. *9.P- things. Which orders were continued both in Hol-

,64. land and Zealand to the year t584, without any

great prejudice to the inhabitants. For tho' the

profperity of the country, and clearing of the leas

from enemies, depended merely on the care and

will of one perfon only, and that there was no tea-

fort to expe& they lhould be employed to the ad-

vantage of the people, but fo long (and no longer)

than it agreed with that perfon's own benefit, and

tended to the augmentation of his power: yet the

people of Holland and Zealand ¢vere then very for-

tunate herein, all the Netberlandi[h havens revolting

from the king, we being Rill permitted to drive

our trade with 8pain, and very few .piracies being

committed: and betides, the laid pnnce could not:

attend, fupport and augment his own private inte-

repcs and grandeur againpc that great and formidable

power of Spain, but in conjund:ion with the pro-

fperity of thole defpifed fmall countries, and their

poor inhabitants ; which on that account he endea..

voured to promote.

_t ,kar- Notwithftanding which, after the death of the

i,& ofthe laid prince William, the fcates of Holland and Zea-

fau _,. land thought not fit that :he profperity of the land,

t/',fled tp

u,,,tMa--and clearing of the leas, /hould be wholly in the

rice_,,t hands of one tingle perfon. For tho' they did on

tt,,/_._ the ,Pc of Noveraber, anno ,585, make his fort

Leiceaer Maurice ftadtholder of Holland and Zealand, and

jointly, confequently alfo admiral of the hid countries ; yet

P. Borre,

so. _. 8S',they limited him by his commiflion and inpcru&ions,

s6. commanding him to execute all.affairs relating to

war and polity with advice and confent of the gen-

try

Chap. I. tke Seasfrom Pirates. z45

try and council of the faid countries, who were to

affift his excellency, and alfo to confent to fuch fur-

ther inRru&ionsas/hould be given him. And be-

tides, on the lit of February x586, they placed Ro-

bert Dudly earl of Leiceflerabovehim, asgovernor,/_oo_zo.

captain, and admiral-general ; to whom they added folio7-

the council of lhte, with inftru&ions importing

among other things, attic. 12I. and s3. That

', The money proceeding from convoys thall be

" every where equally levied, and the charges of

,' fuch convoys firft paid, with the cot_ of equip-

,' ing the /hips of war, and all that belongs to

,' them, as they were defigned and originally

•' appointed ; and that the laidconvoy-money/hall

,' not be employed to any other ufe than for pay-

"ment of the laid charge, and letting out the laid

,, /hips of war; for which end alfo/hall be added

,, whatever rums /hall proceed from prizes, and

- cuftoms, in care his excellency/hall at any time

,' think ill:, puffuant to the aeq:of confent agreed

', on by the Ftates-general,in relationto thematter

" of contribution.

" Neverthele/_, the citieshave, andthall continue

" to haCe, the liberty (as often as/hall be found

" neceffary) and when the matter can bear no

,, delay, to arm themfelves for the lea, and let

" out/hips of war at the colt and charge of the

•' country, againrt pirates aml other enemies of the

,, commonwealth, to withftand, take and feize

,, them, provided the cognizance and puni/hment

" of fuch crimes, with the /hips and goods fo

,, taken, be left to the decifion and difpofal of

" the admiralty, which his excellency thall chufe

" and commiflionate out of the provinces that rub- Placmt

,, fi_ by maritime traffick." goo_p.

Moreover the flid governor and captain-general 53o.

declared, on the 3oth ofdpril of the fame year, by"

placaet,

I44 _e Nece_t.y of clearing Part II.

plaeaet, touching the payment of convoy and

cuftom ;

,' That the ttatesgeneral of the United Provinces

" of the Netherlands, to fupport the charge of

" letting out fuch thips of waras are neceffaryfor

" the defence and feeufity of the forefaid United

"" Provinces, have confented, given and put into

•' his hands, the produce of certain impofitions,

" and publick revenues, which they have confented

" to be given, and received for convoy, upon

" goods imported into and exported out of there

" faid countries, according to the book of rates

" already made, or to be made ; as alfo the pro-

_ " fitsand fums which we may levy upon merchan-

" dize, that under the title of licence, or fare

" condu&, may be permitted to be carried re the

,' havens and places of the _:nemiesjurifdi&ion."

_,t t_ But the earl of Leicefler wasnot fo irreconcileable

earlof tO 8pain as the prince of Orange, and relying on

Leice_er the power of the Englifh, defigned to defend theXe

negleaed

it, and countriesagainPcSpain, and thento divide and lhare

greatly the whole feventeen provinces with the prince of

1wohibited Parma, whom he had tempted to comply ; welt

ourhanoi- knowing, that if the worft/hould happen, lie could

&orion. return _.oEngland and live upon hiseft:ate: fo that

the defePr2sof this order loon appeared, and that

too-great an authority in maritime affairs was

intrut_ed to a perforlwho was not fufficiently con-

cerned for the prof_erity of Holland's navigation,

and who, to el'rablilh his tyrannical power _th

the E_gli/h of his fa&ion about him, favoured

P. Borrefirangers and foreigners, more than the natives of

hirt._ Holland. For about two months after, he prohi-

z t.,0.4:7,bited, by publick proclamation, not only our

navigation to Spain, and all the enemies countries,

but even to carry to neutral places all provifions,

and ammunition of war, whatever is neceffary for

/hipping : he alfof'cri&lyprohibited the fending of

any

Chap. I. the Seas from Pirates. J45

any kind of merchandize out of there countries by

the Maefe, Rhine, &c. or by lea, on this fide of

Rouen and Bremen; notwithftanding the flares of

Holland and Zealand earneftly reprefented to him

how much this would tend to the ber,efit of all

adjacent foreign countries, and in particular of

England, and to the great detriment of our own

inhabitants. So that if this earl of Leicefler had

not the next year afzer been neceftitated to depart out

of there countries to England, by the courage and

refolution of the ffates of Holland, and there, by

command of queen Elizabeth, to deliver up his

commiffion of governour, captain, and admiral-

general, thefe countries had been ut:erly ruineJ.

Prince Maurice had almofl: the Gme powers con- .,/fie,-hi,

ferred on him nominally, but the whole manage- ,'q,_,-t,,,-e,

that care,

ment was really in the flares of the fevera! pro- i,,r,_,'d

vinces, and governors of the maritime cities du-oft,,-.

ring his youth• In which ti_e the affairs of th:/via.rice's

tea were fo well look'd after, that in our hitl:ories ,,,i,,o,i,y,

e'_t,'a$ dd-

we read of very few, or no lea-robberies, 'till the -od.v'don

month of June in the year x595, when rome Hol-tbeflates

land fhips of war that were l_¢ing on the watch and cities

before Dunkirk, and about the Maefe, were corn-co_ce_n'd

therein.

manded away to France by the prince (who was

then at the age of 28 years) to bring over the old P. Borre,

princel_ of Orange. The Dunkirkers raking that bo,0_3z.

opportunity, took many of our herring-buffes, and't]nl',3.;'3,

merchantmen,for the moff part before ourown ports. ,we_ax,

And altho' the admiralties, efpecially thole of#r t$e

• . . • s_

tlmflerdam and Horn, complained of thts fll court-P r'nc_

. _ pleafure,

government at the Hague to thecommtttee or coun- tont le'?

cil and deputies at their general affcmbly, and t,_["

above all others had the greatefl: reafon to complainf...,,,g i,,-

of prince Maurice, at whole pleafure our good habitants.

people that live by trade and fifhery, were left

for a prey ; yet: durft they not blame him for

it, but only defired to have better orders kept

L f_r

I46 The Neceffity of clearing P_rt II.

for the future. But the dread of this prince, in-

creating with his years, was already become fo

great, that in lieu of better orders, his favourites

under that pretext obtain'd an order whereby the

authOrity and power of thole Holland _s that

had fuffered moff, and muff Rill fuffer in time to

come, were curb'd and broken ; and on the other

fide, the authority and power of the generality, and

efpecially of the prince, who are little or not at all

Tiaffcn's affc&cd by loffes at faa, was greatly increafed. For

' lea-polity,in the year x597, prince Maurice, the ftates-general,

In 1597. and the five admiralties agreed on an order, which

Holland for the mo_ part is frill in being, pretending it

was ber_ would be an expedient for the better management

ofmuch

i:,fl,eng,h a_d executing the affairs of the admiralty and its

/,yEa,and dependances. But becaufe kings and princes, and

•/_o,v_. inland provinces, never ufe to confider the guard

of the lea, but always to negle& it, unlel_ they fear

that for want of a free navigation they cannot rub-

fift: on the land, the mifchief of this order was loon

difcovered ; for by it prince Maurice (being now

as the age of 3o, and conceiving that thefe countries

were brought into fuch a condition, that they could

.very well fubfiff againfl: the power of Spain) had

power to do all things, fince no perfons" without

his commiffion could let out any /hips of war

againft pirates or other enemies, and that he could

make choice of all captains and fuperior officers to

_& princecommand the fhips of the ftates, out of a double lift:

ofOmt_ge,laid before him, and indeed without it; and betides,

and t/,¢ might fit as admiral-general, and his lieutenant-

i_lant admiral,of Holland and Zealand, or Friezland,

p_-oin_ts,-in all or any of thole admiralties, and vote at the

:bo" littk

•r nothingupper end of the board to dire& all affairs relating

¢o_cer_'d,to the treafury, juftice and war, as well as the lea.

•w,re.o_- And moreover, the inla__._provinces, whom the

¢d_ith a navigation concerned not at_- all, obtain'd neverthe.

l_o_er in

._,, of- lefs Joy _hat order a right of ele&ing from among

fai_. themf_lves ;

Chap. 7. the Seasfrom Pirates. I47

themfelves ; _iz. Guelderland three, Utrecht two,

Over?/ffel likewife two commiflioners for the affairs

of the admiralty: and Holland, which alone fre-

quents the lea ten times more than Zealand, Frier-

land, and Groningen, mu_ by that rule permit in

all their three admiralties, that to their fotir com-

miffioners, three out of the other provinces be

added ; Holland in lieu thereof only having the pri-

vilege of chufing one commiflioner to the admiralty

of Friefland; which admiralty for want of ordinary

revenue doth not ufe to let out any lhips for clearing

the leas, even in time of the greateft general necef-

fity, and confequently could avail them nothing.

For tho' the province of Zealand fiequent the lea

more than Friefland, and therefore by its revenue

can let out flaips of war; and fuppofing Holland

might fend two commiffioners of admiralty thither,

yet would it not tend to the benefit of Holland,

feeing the t_ates of Zealand, with whom prince

Maurice could do what he pleafed, when he thould

in earneff advife them to it, cannot now be moved

by the t_ates of Holland, and of the other pro-

vinces, to range themfelves in that order with

Holland. But the Zealanders will continually go-

vern all affairs at land a_d lea by their feven com-

miflioners, affuming the name of Commiffoners of

the admiralty, when two commiflioners outof Hol- .4ndtho

land, one for Utrecht, and one for Groningen are Zealand

joined with them. So that there feven commif-_odd not

fioners of Zealand, with the additional power Ofcatethofe

the ftates of Zealand, as allb by their former fepa- maritlmt

rate affembly and deliberation, do often exclude affairsto

theother commiflionersfrom all matters; and thereby the other

. _roq, JZ_lC¢$

lalways fo eafily overvote them, that they can do that con-

!no fervice for the common good and for Holland, ,er_'d

ibut when it pleafeth the Zealanders. And before the,n-

they may ferve, or take the charge of their officesf.dYt'; ,

• AltTdna $

m the refpe&ive admiraltie-q as commiff, oners, thole h/ft.b®t

L 2 that 32.t.72 ¢.

I48 _he Nece_ty oje clearing PartlI.

that are fo elec'ted mull: receive their commiffions

of the Rates-general, and there make oath, as well

as the receivers general of the refpe&ive quarters,

fifcals, fecretaries, head-commi_oners, colle&ors

and }:omptrollers; who neverthelefs being nomi-

nated by the refpec"tive admiralties, are chofen by

the t_ates-general out of a double number. But the

refpecRive admiralties do each in their quarters ab-

£olutely difpofe of the offices of the equipage-

mafter, and vendu-ma_er, door-keepers, meffen-

gets and feard_ers, &c.

And moreover by there new orders, comptoirs

or offices were ereC"ted, as well in the inland

provinces, as in the other, and on the rivers

and inlets of the fea, in all thole ccultries' that

have no vote to receive money for convoy and

cuftom of all goods going to and from Holland, r

and other United Provinces fituate on the lea, and

that by officers and licence-maffers depending on

the laid fl:ates-genera], or the refpec'tive admiralties.

So that tho' the inhabitants of Holland paid feven

parts of eight of all cuftoms and convoy-money,

which ufed to be'employed for the fervice of Hol-

land, or at leatt: at the pleafure of that province

alone ; yet fince that order they are all neverthelet_

made fubje_ to the admiralties, or to the fl:ates-

general, where Holland hath bur one vote; or to

the other provinces, where Holland. hath no vote.

of all which revenues, and ofextraordinary fubfidies,

the admiralties are not bound to give account to the

ftates of the provinces wherein they refide, but to

the ftates-general, among whom there are fo many

perfons unconcern'd; and betides, confideringthe

deficiency of thole from whom they have their com-

miffions, in bringing in their quota's or flaares of

money, it mull: be prefumed that they will always

keep none of the bei_ accounts againR themfelves,

and confequently are unfit to keep other colleges fo

under

Chap. I. the SeasJrom Pirates. I49

under the bridle ; and efpecially confirming ofl/'etba,at

fo few as revert perfons, they may enrich them-throb-

rained a

felves with the publick money , and be able tOgreatpoo.o.

Flay at the game of hodie raihi rras tibi. er o/'di-

On the other fide, Zealand holding all its ad- real,,, ,,.

miniftrative power of markime affairs within itfelf, _o_tthe

maritirae

£ent neverthelefs into all admiralties one commtf-,_,,i_s of

fioner, who was to continue there during life, Holland.

with the triennial commiflioners of Hofland, by that

long continuance or perpetuity, fubtilly to encou-

rage the Hollanders to affift them in managing all

maritime affairs according to their particular inte-

refl:. Therefore that this new order might not be

too offenfive to Holland, it w3s propofed by the

t_ates general, and prince Meurice of Orange,

that it thould take place but for a year, without

any intention of prejudicing the provinces in gene-

ral, or any of the provinces, cities, or members

in particular, or creating to themfelves any new

power ; tho' all men might eafily imagine, that

the power of the States General, and prince of

Orange, being fufficient to introduce this order for

a year, would be a!lb fufficient to continue the

fame fo long as it tended to their profit.

And indeed we have found by the continuation

of this order, that the Rates general, or the other

provinces, together with the admiralties that were

out of Holland, have done very little towards the

guard of the teas ; but on the contrary have, to

the prejudice of Holland, and for the benefit oftlll whirl,

their own inhabitants, fo managed their courts and is _e,yde-

admiralties, i'_ order to draw the trade to them-trimental

felves, or at leaft the paffage of the merchandizes _aH°l"

of Ho.lana, that they have fuffered goods coming "

in, or going out, to pay either none fometimes, or

at other times much le6 duty of convoy and cu-

ftoms, than is expreffed in tile book of rates ; and

yet have given inland pall'ports and difcharges as if

L 3 the

15o _he Necea_ty of clearing Part II.

the duty had been fully paid, that fo they may by

the way of Bergen, and Sas van Gent, 81uys, &c.

and Zealand, without further queftion, carry them

into XHolland. Nay, we have often feen that when

the ftates general, with the united fuffrages of our

common allies, have prohibited fome certain com-

modities to be imported into, or exporred out of

the United Provinces ; yet hath the admiralty of

L.V. Zealand by their own authority, fuffered fuch goods

Ai,*m. to be imported and exported, to the great benefit

b0okt6. t_.of their inhabitants, and the intolerable burden of

3oz. ours. And in like manner when the ffates gene-

ral have thought fit to diftrefs the common enemy,

by tolerating privateers, or freebooting fhiI_s; we

have then always heard complaints of thejudicature

.4,'e,na,_-of the admiralty of Zealand, viz. that not only the

abltexam, goods of It:rangers in amity with us, but even the

fie ofthe

lm.Mio,,./:goods of llolland, under pretence of having fared

n,]i of thethe duty, are too flightly and unjuffiy feized, and

Zealand confifcated ; partly in favour of their privateering

cape,-,, inhabitants, and partly by fuch vexation and trott-

pAtzma,

boo_4:. ?. ble, to draw tlaetrade from Holland into Zealand.

7z3. And as to what relates to all the colleges of the

generality, as well as the admiralties refiding in

Holland, it is well known that the other provinces,

in order to obtain more power and authority to their

$._uially refpe&ive principals, tho' to the prejudice of the

•u,h_ the common freedom, and of tlolland in particular,

Zeaha- * do fend and continue all their commiflioners for

dersor the mol_ part during their lives, or at lear for

otbt_/t_a,t-many years : whereby they b_ing ftrangers in Hol-

_¢rJ at'# . , • _ _.

_¢rmitttd land, do ott.n carry things againf'c our triennial

"tobethe committioners of Hoaa-nd,even in the difpofid of

Gecom- our own affairs, cont_rring moil; of the offices and

mitteerdebeneficgs depending on colleges upon their f,tvo-

Raeden

ad vitam, rites, and often alfo upon ftrangers.

o_-_,_,ery And

many * L_.-rtatisenimin_rc_ ncmagnaimper_adluturnafiat.

Chap. r. the Seasfrom Pirates. x51

And this is found to be mol_ of all prejudicial

to Holland, when the fifcals, fecretaries, receivers,

chief cuf_omers, commi_oners of the navy and

prizes, &c. belonging to the laid colleges of the

admiralty, who ferve in thole offices for the moil:

part during life, and betides are ftrangers in Hol-

land, through a natural love to themfelves, their sui,,g

own country, or their own college, or by an in- th_ are

nate envy to the welfare of Holland, ufe their au- toohard

thority and power to the utmof[ againf'c the Hol-_ rout

land merchants, to the prejudice of our trade, but RHa°_nnd

very.faintly againft the inhabitants of their own _hich,,,-e

province. Yea, tho' the advocate, fifcal, or chieffettledbut

cuftomer be a Hollander, yet if his habitation lie._r three

on the Maefi, or in the Northern quarter ; by the.years"

fame evil inclination and envy he can fo plague

the merchants of the rich city of .4mflerdara, by"

feizing their goods, and fo greatly favour thole of"

the Maefe, or the Northern quarter, in the entries

of their imported and exported goods, that they

are compelled forthwith to tranfport their trade,

and paffage of their goods from the places where

they are opprelt, to tholi."parts or colleges of ad-

miralty where they may be juftly dealt with.

And tho' Holland at the beginning of there new Holland

orders of the year , 597, was fo happy, that our ,,,,_/ts

enemies had only two havens on the north lea, titieJ ham

ing fo little

Stuys (lying betweenO[_endand the ifland14Falcbe-authori_

ten) and Dunkirk, at that time without theScheurt. forfc,_-o

jen, having fo narrow and/hallow a haven, that ingt&

our laden flyboats and buffes which they took, or-kas,

their very gallies, could not lie in fafetv ; fo that

both there fi:a ports could do us but little damage,

when we would take care to lie before them, or

pick up thofe petty capers in there narrow feas.

And tho' we happen'd to lofeOflcnd, yet in re-

compence we took from the enemy the city of

8lu.ys, and its mifchievous gallies. Notwithffand-

L 4 ing

x5_ _he Necej'flty of clearing Part II.

_'beDun- ing all this, I fay, the Dunkh'kers did us continu-

kirkers ally much greater damage after thefe admiralties

began to

i_feflthe were ere&ed, than ever before. So that the mer-

fca. char_ts in the year 1599 complain'd, " That they

E. Reyd. " could not at all weaken the enemy by fo many

/,/.TLp. "thips of war, and fo much convoy-money paid

636. " and railed for that end. That the lea captains

" were chofen more for favour than fimefs; and

" that in the admiralties men were placed who

" underftoofl nothing of maritime affairs, nor va-

" ]ued them, as having nothing to lore that way."

And tho' all there accut_tions might have been

more juffly laid to the charge of the ffatesgeneral,

and the prince of Orange, than on there new com-

miffioners of the admiralty ; yet neither the mer-

chants, nor our fi/hers, durft make the leaft com-

plaint of his exceffive power, nor of their own

E a"ee loffes i tho' in the year 16oo, many of their tlaips

/1'1 N/t -

teren,bookand buries were burnt and funk ; and their three

=r. convoys were by fourteen Dunkirk /hips of war

d,,tfome taken, or forced to fly. After which the riates

_.,,_re,,or general, in lieu of better defending the trading

,willit:g to inhabitants of there countries, took upon them in

_akcuJ_of -

tbeflate, me year 16o9- to prohibit them to traffick beyond

/,_.o,r to me Cape de Buana Efperanca, in any of thole

d_,_d onrincredibly great and rich A,Tatick countries, by

traders, granting that commerce wliolly to an Earl-India

•zobopro- company for the term of one and twenty years then

bib/ted

tra_ch be- next enthing.

w,,a the And as the ftates general, in the year ,603,

capeof feemed publickly to acknowledge the infufficiency

Good- of there new admiralties, partly by making the

Hope. firf_ ordinances for the arming and manning out of

all thips failing upon account of'merch0ndize or

$eethe fifhing, together with the admiralties ; and partly

t_lac°et feeing the inhabitants of there countries were by

bookof there new ordinances unmeafurably taxed, and yet

that year.no better defended than formerly againR piracy,

and

Chap. I. the Seasfrom Pirates. 153

and enemies at tea, they were neceffitatedto give

fuch inhabitants as defired it, commiflions to let

out/hips of war to weaken the enemy. In which .4,,di,.

,. , ,veiged

it was obferved, that the laid privateers lOUglatthem to

rather for the enemy's merchant-/hips, where/,hey failon

might meet with great prize, and few blows, than_,,4o_t-

their /hips of war and pirates, where there was ing•

fmall prize and many blows to be expecq:ed. And

accordingly our own merchant-fhips and fi/hers

were little or nothing relieved thereby; and like-

wife our own privateers moleffed and damaged, as

well as the good inhabitants of the United Pro-

vinces, as the fubje&s of kings, princes, and re-

publicks in amity with us, both in their perfons

and eftates Upon which the States General in..

• . O£g ti')_

the year 16o6, (ound it neceffary to revoke and#,,=t

call in all fuch commiffions, and to raife fourb0oks.

hundred thoufand guilders by an extraordinary

fubfidy, to let to lea more /hips of war againfl:

the enemy; which notwitht_anding did not per-

form the defigned work aimed at of fcouring or

clearing the leas.

'Tis a matter very worthy obfervation, that

before the year z597, when the lea was render'd

fare and navigable by thole governors who were

moil concerned, there was very little damage

fuffered ; and the great overplus of the convoy and

cu_om money, was imployed in getting things

neceffary for the war by land : and that fince the

ere&ing of there new admiralties, we have not

only continually fuffer'd great loffes by tea ; but

betides the convoy and cuffom money, very many

extraordinary fubfidies have been levied upon the _ Hol.

people for the guard of the tea. landers a-

And thus the ftate of there maritime affairs con- hourthe

tinued till the truce was made ; at which time the Mediter-

ranean

Rates fuppofing that all robbing at tea would ceafe, ,n,,ch

greatly leffened the duties upon imported and ex-.fla,uedk_

ported ph.atej.

J54 _be Neceffi O, of clearing Part II.

ported goods, in favour of trade and navigation.

And on the other fide, by our fe urity ancl want

of/hips of war, the Moors of/llgier, Tunis, and

Sally, who had been expelled from Spain about

See the that¢ime, as well as our difch_/rged feamen, who

Nether- then ferved under 8iraon den Danfer, Capt. Ward,

landilh Nicholas Campane, and others, had great oppor-

war,, by tunities of taking our richeft fhips, in and about

D. II.D.

in 16tz, the M_diterranean lea, both during and after the

_rlntedat truce. And beeaufe this happen'd fo very fre-

-airnhem, quently, I /hall not detain the reader with the

P- :99. relation of thofe accidents, but leave hiqa to calcu-

late how great and prejudicial thofe piracies were,

]Sa_dart, fince the Algerints in the years 16zo, and x6zx,

/u,g.t x6. within the fpace of thirteen months took of Holland

/hips alone i43 fail; /lm[terdam alone efteemed

their lofs at 124 tuns of gold, and the whole was

computed at 3o0 tuns of gold.

o,, And whereas during the truce with Spain, our

_,,b,,te. whale-fi/hing increafed much, it ufually happened

f_r, that the Engli[h, when they were firongeft: to the

•,,,oh,ta- northward, drove away our fi/hers, and took fome

maged

th, F.ng- of their/hips and fi/h ; and king _ames refiKed to

iith. Bau-give fatisfa&ion for the fame, infixing that his

dart. b_. fubje&s had the role right of fifhing in thole leas.

And on the contrary, when the Hollanders were

ttronger, tho' fir_ attacked, yet the Englifh/hips

taken by us, and brought into there countries, were

by order of the flares general reftored again to the

F.nglifh; which diforder, and taking our whale-

fiflaers, continued frill after the truce, and was

much increafed by the king of Denmark, who pre-

tending to the right of thole Northern leas, did

great damage to that fiflaery.

So that I/hall think it worth while to tb_ewthe

means which the t_ates general, the prince of

Orange, and the admiralties ufed to free our inha-

bitants, who fubfiited by the lea, from thofe rail-

chiefs

Chap. I. the Seasfrom Pirates. I55

chiefs and moleftations. And fir as to our trade

and navigation in the Mediterranean : after Simon % redr_

Danfer, Nicholas Carapane, and others had taken this, the

defperate

and plunder'd great numbers of our _ips, and0olits_,

were grown weary of pirating, it was fctund con-,,_,_of

venient to fare the expences of taking and pu-pardoning

nifhing them ; and on the contrary, to grant them criminat

pardons, and to permit them to return to their pi'ate'"

own country, where all the good people that had

£ut_ained loffes by them, have feen thofe pirates waft'e-

with aking hearts, and not without fear, that by nar'shiflo.

fuch impunity other debauched perfons might be ricalrt-

encouraged to the like villainous attempts. And lation.

as to the _urkifh pirates, who could not be invited

to come in, and leave their piracies, it was found Se_e,d

expedient, anno x6xz, to fend Haga ambaffadorOthers°f

- . that gang

to Conflantinople ; and in the year 16z2, to lend,,e,, e par-

Pynaker to Algier and Tunis. Which ambaffadors d_,,.a_j,-

arriving with great prefeats, and fleets of thips of ring this

war, eafily obtained cap!tulations and azreements ne._v,fea-

•_', _. polio.

of free commerce i upon which our mnat_tants'aid, taa0,

relying too much, the pirates fell again to their ,6-37.._.

ufual trade, as loon as our/hips of war were failed 63o.

away ; and we fuff'ered more loffes from time to Baudart,

time, than if there never had been any peace or t,&. p.

accord made. Upon this the ftates general en- tSz. of

• *6tz. and

deav.oured by our ambaffadors in France, Spare, _ .

,. _._, ,. p. tt_.o I

and England, to move thor= kings to mpprels tnole t6z3"

pirates with fome lhips of force. But feeing thole

monarchs valued nor their fubje6ts fo much as to

be at that charge for them, and that the fr edom As a/_

of the leas from piracy was not fo much their con- o,r ab_,/

cern as ours _ or that the Turks being not able, by polityof

reafon of their inconfiderable navigation, to depre- _,/_gur_ut

date fo much on their fubj _s as they could on kith pi-

ours, and would much rather make peace with r_t,.

France and En¢land, and keep it better too than

with us _ the Rates general caufed the admiralties

fuccfffivcly

156 7be Nece_t)' of clearing Part II.

fucceflively to let to fen/hips of war to deftroy the

pirates, in the years 1614, i6, i7, I8, 2o, 22, &c.

But taking few pirate fhips, becaufe molt of

them, while our men of war cruis'd in the Mediter-

ranean, came not out of their harbours ; this an-

fwered not our ends, till finally after the year 165o,

during the free government of Holland, it was

obferved that we could neither make any firm and

durable peace with thole pirates, nor root them

out; and that if we fupprefs'd them at our own

charge, yet our traffick and navigation would not,

according to our aim and defire, be at a.llencreafed

but rather diminilh. Upon which the admiralty

of/lmflerdam, and afterwards other admiralties,

purfuing clofely the true intereft of Holland, lent our

yearly a number of /hips of war to convoy our

merchant /hips (which according to certain rules

agreed on, were to be well mann'd and arm'd)

through the flreigbts of Gibraltar, and out and

home from the Levant. So that the Hollanders

fince that time have fu_ained very little lofs, and

have very much increafed their navigation and

trade into thofe parts.

In the 2J. place concerning the difturbing of

eInd to

tray and OHrwhale-fifhery, 'tis plain that the ftates general

_treat have done nothing ,note, than by their anabaffa-

tl.eEng- dots to pray the refpe&ive kings, that fuch a&ions

lith. might ceate in time to come. .And after.wards

obferving'fuch addreffes to prove ineffc&ual, they

See the thought fit in the year 16zz, to grant a patent to

_l,_c,,a a Greenland company, excluding all others from

l,ook, a'td taking of whale, that fo the faid company by

T,att_r', their own power and ftrength might defend them-

feapolity, t_Ives againfl: the moleflations and robberies of

ftrangers. Which grant continued till the year

x643, when the Engli_ by reafon of their intettine

wars, and the Danes, e'ither by reafon of the

growing.power of the Swedes, h.._ more need of

our

Chap. r. the Seas fi'om Pirates. r57

our favour than formerly, or fearing our arms,

and confequently being let_ dreaded by our whale-

ill'hers, all the inhabitants of there countries were

permitted to filb. on the laid north coatt:; and the

laid fifhing by that freedom improved fo incredibly,

that the flates general in the fecond war againtt:

England, being not able to defend them there,

prohibited them to fith, principally for the ufe

they had of mariners to man out our/hips of war,

for the defence of our country and free navigation.

But thirdly, of the many robberies committed

by the Dunkirkers, and the mcans ufed again[k

them, it is neceffary .to fpeak more largely.

In Fianders upon the expiration of the truce,

the Spaniard had built at the enterance into Dun-

kirk upon the arm of the lea, the fort of MardJke,

and alfo that which is called the Houte I¢Tambais,

or Wooden-doublet, tb that great/hips might at all ,4fi.t,-pt.

times fail out and bring their prizes in thither. The Maurice

ki._g of Spain caufed likewife twelve flnips of war _o,td_t-

to be built in [_Tanders, and encouraged the Fle-"_o_o_"*

mivgs to privateering againft: us by fea. And egatio_of

betides this, till the year ,625, he fenr fuch pow- the tr*tce,

erful armirs into the field, that Gulick and Breda ,,,dthe

, Scans of

were taken from us, to the eternal fhame of the Mardike

ttes g*_r_eral,or to fay better, of the new and rio- _oa__ilt,

lently intruded deputies of the generality, and of the Dan-

Ma_rice prince of Orange, who, fince they would kirkers

endama_"_

admit of no prolongation of the truce at the defire u_g,_at0

of the Spaniard, or the arch-duke, ought not to &fla.

have rejccRed their offer fo fuddenly, but have

hearkned to it, or at leaft feign'd to have done f), Aitzrna's

that by this means they might hzve exci_ed the b/ft. bo_

kings of France and England, who were then very ,.pag.81l.

jealous of the power of Spain, ai,d feared that by 89.

continuation of the truce the Spaniard would fall

upon them, to afiik us with a yearly number of

men a,_d a fiim of money, in cafe we had reing,i.

x58 _'heNeee_ty of clearing Part II.

ged in a war againR 8pain. Or laRly, thole

deputies of the generality, and the laid prince

/hould have made ufe of that delay to put our

frontiers into a better fl.ateof defence, and to fall

upon the enemy when they would grant him no

further ceffation: and no let_ prudence had been

neeeffdry to increafe our traffick, freedom of navi-

gation and filheries. Whereas on the other fide,

A_dtho" they prohibited all our inhabitants to trade in Arae-

theflatts rico and Africa, by ere&ing a Weft.India corn-

general pany anno ,621, under colour of diRrefling the

oughtto enemy more in thole parts. And in tl_efaid year

h_, pro-they likewife prohibited our inhabitants to fail to

reded our

i,h_bi- the Mediterranean, or to Cabo del Rey in the

teru.ts,theyWe,q-Indies for falt, unlefs in confort/hip, promi-

_ob,b.te_"iing them/hips of war to convoy and defend them

trading back again. But this promife was without effe& :

#a,ithin the

tro_ick to for tOfree the admiralties of thole charges, and to

th,_,ah favour the laid company with that falt-trade, the

a,d north,Rates general, .princeMaurice, and the admiralties

or:of, tch

falt_o_ very eafily found it convenient to deprive the inha=

thence, bitants of there countriesof that ,."norconfiderable

•_eethe trade of falt, in favour of the Wej/-!ndia company,

_laeaet where it continued only to the year, t_:_., when

_t. war. the K. of 8pain, fearing that the laid company, by

_¢3"_.T')j

)/ft. fortifying themfelves, and by their own power,

would engrofs thofe falt-pans, caufeda fort to be

raifed there himfelf. So that our inhabitants by

the placaet of the Ratesgeneral, and our Weft.India

company, and by means of that fort, were utterly

deprived of that fair-trade.

And thread of _)rote&ing and defending our

navigation from p:racy, with better order and

more Rrength, they again drew in the inhabitants

to fit our privateers, redu.cingthe wonted duty out

See the

l_lac_,t of the prize goods, to the admiralties and admiral

h,k. general, from 30 per cent, to :8 per cent. viz. x_

to thr t_ate, and fix for the admiral-general. Or-

ders

Chap. I. the Seas from Pirates. i59

ders were alfo publithed, that none/hould fail to

the eal_ country, and Norway, but in fleets of 40

or more fhips with two convoyers, or elfe with

thips of defence without convoy. Yea, the l_ates

A_ndt_.e

and the prince of Orange thought it convenient tOfeleaEa__

continue thatomifchievous grant or charter to the India

Earl-India company for z I years to come. So ,-o_a_

that the ftates general and the admiralties difchar- ,_adt_,,;,.

charter

ged themfels, es of fcouring the leas, as far as con-polo,ge.."

cern'd Aria, Africa and America, and the traffick

of thole parts, together with the northern whale

fifhing, upon fuppofition that all thole refpe&ive

companies were fufficient to drive on their trade

without convoys from the ftate, and to take care

of their own affairs. But on the contrary, thry

found that the trade of there focieties was carried

on with fo great prejudice to the ret_ of the peo- 7_tze

ple, who were excluded, that if our governors great d_-

had then or lhould now deal in the fame manner trimtnt oF

all the "u,.

with the trade of Europe, by ere6ting companies i_h,bi-

exclulive of all others ; for example, one company t,,,,n

for the dealers in the Mediterranean, a fecond of ofHolland

the French and Span_ merchants, a third for they °ex-

Eaflern and Northern merchants, a fourth for the lu&Z

Britifo and/r/_ traders, a fifth for the haddock,

cod and herring filheries, _.4c. I fay, if they had

done this, one tenth part of our inhabitants would

not have been able to live, and earn their bread.

So that Holland would loon have been ruill'd, even

tho' the trade of thole companies had been carried

on with fo great induftry, that notwithftanding

any refo]utions taken by France, England, Sweden,

an,t the _ates of ltaly, to dil_urb, prohibit and

prevent foreign manufac2ures, and confequentl_r

thole of Holland to be brought into their countries,

yet each of thole companies in the fmall compafs

of our Europe had driven a greater trade than the

whole Ea/t India company now drives to the in-

comparably greater, mightier and richer Alia,

both

I6o _be Nece_'ty of clearing Part II.

both in goods and mon_. For it cannot be

denied, that the free Eaflern trade alone, the

herring-fifhing alone, and the French trade alone,

produce ten times more profit to the ftate, and the

commonalty of Holland, than twelve or fixteen/hips

which yearly fail from [lolland to t_e Earl-Indies

do now yield to the Rate, and the inhabitants.

And as to the adminiftration and care of our ad-

miralties with refpec"t to the lea, after the expiration

SeeAitz- of the truce, and during the life of prince Maurice,

ITIR'$

b_. a million of florins was railed for the'year x6z3,

and 60o000 for I624, by extraordinary fubfidies,

_¢.dyet with admiralty and convoy-money, and produ& of

loadedt& cuftoms, which were again levied as in the year

,;a:_of 1603. With there aids they fitted out/hips of war,

Holland ordering rome to lie before the Flemifb havens, and

morethan others to convoy our merchantmen to the eal_ward

e_er with and weftward : yet fuch was the management, that

¢xtraordi-

,_..,vfid,- our/hips of war came often fo late before thole

tidies for havens, that the enemy's/hips were put out to lea

:ouri.g before their arrival ; or e}feto avoid the ufual f_rms

*hcfca*, of autumn, or to be revi&ualled, left the Flemifh

a, much coa_ fo early, that commonly before, or at leaft in

infe_ed as

before, the winter, the enemy with many of their /hips

of war, would go out fometimes by night, or even

SeeWar- by day-light in fight of our/hips, and confidence

fenar's

h/ft. of their better failing, or of our captain's negligence

or cowardice; and not only got ten times more

booty from our merchant/hips, than our captors and

/hips of war could take fi'om the enemy, but alfo

I fometimes would take, or put to flight, our /hips

that were appointed for guards and convoys.

All which loffes were not attributedto the deputies

of the generality, and the admiral-general, who,

after the death ofthe HeerOpdam, lieutenant-admiral

of Holland, which happened September I623, till

_une 1625, when young T_illiam of Naffau was'

chofcn, had put all the naval power of Holland

under

Chap. x. the Seasfrom Pirates. t61

under the command bf the Zealand lieutenant-

admiral Hautain ; nor was it imputed to the pro-

vinees who weredeficient, or backward in bringing

in the money they had confented to give, by which

means the lhips deligned for the fervice were either Aitzma,

delayed, or not fitted out at all ; but the blame was0. 7So.

wholly laidat the door of the admiralry's diforderly

management and negligence. So that thereupon a

regulation was made in the year I624, bu[ with _'hi,_,_s

little fuccefi_ for prince Maurice dying in April'_o': e_:

1623, andprince Henrybeing haftilychofen captain- ,_e_t_,_h_,,

pr. Henry

admiral_eneral, and t_adtholder of Itol:and, Zea- hat the

land, &c. we loon law that he concerned himfelfaa'_;n/_

little in hutbanding the treafure, or providing for trationof

a free and open navigation, in which the welfareof th_ta*t"

Holland confif_s.

And now that the reader may fee what ground

there was for that affertion, which rome of our

writers have deliveredas a known truth, viz. that

the laid lsrinceHenry durin_ the whole time of his 8tathol-

government, as mucn as in nlm lay, enaeavourec_......._...,

tOexhaufcthe treafure of Holland, and by the bur-p', s""8".'""

den of her debts to break her back : it will not be

amirs to reprefent in thort from authors of credit

what was done and fuffered in this matter to the

year :63z, and fo forward to thetime of our peace

with 8pain, and the deceafeof the laid prince Henry.

The treafure and power of 8pain was, by the stetht

chargeable fieges of Bergen op Zoom and Breda, petition0./"

and efpecially by our vigorous carrying on the war _e .'¢¢e1_.

againt_himbyourWe_-Indiacompany,whogreatly *_n_ao_m"

• . j0 _ ,S

annoyed himin thole parts, fobroken andexhaufl:ed,1668.

that fince that time he has not been able to carry on

an offenfivewar againf_us i andtherefore year after

year feriouflyand really made offersto there United

Netherlands of a peace, very honourable for this

f'tate, and neceffary for our trading inhabitants, as

well as defircd by all the retc. Butthole offerswere

M as

162 7he Nece_ty of clearing PartlI,

aitzma's as often reje&ed by the deputies of the generality at

ma_ of the infiigation of the prince of Orange, and in their

peactAitz-

ma's hifl. room our taxes were continually inereafed with

t. 637. prince Henry's government, both by the addition

/'r. Henryof foldiery, andotherwife by his ill hu/bandry, from

obfli.ate_ 12 millions 543840 guilders, to I5 millions 433800

continued

the nuar guilders, according to a petition of the council of

_qond ffate inthe year, 626, andwere fucceffivelygranted

Holland'syear after year, rather more than lefs.

abil#y. And tho' Holland alone bore of this charge 58

Aitzma, per too, and by there heavy burdens, and ill

pag.59. hugmndry, our treafury from the expiration of the

truce to the year x632, wasfound to bef5 millions

8othat .

Holland Inarrear: yet nothing at all wasdone fo the benefit

._min of the inhabitants of that province thus needlefsly

tht7years and purpofely oppreffed beyond their abilities by

afterhis their unneceffaryoffenfive field-armies: unle/_they

adminif- could believe that it was very advantageous to them

tration,$x

millionsinthat Oldenfeel was taken th__tfame year, Grol in

arrtan. X627, and in the year t628 many chargeable for-

tifications were made about Bergen op Zoom, and

$teenbergen: and that thereupon, in t 629, Boifleduc

was taken for the t_ate, and H_eefelfor the ele&or

of Brandenburg; for which our country fmarted

feverely,by the Spaniards falling in, and plundering

in and about the Velu_oe_ add to this, that notwith-

i_anding the continued high demands for money to

carry on the war in the year 163o, our foldiery

ftirred not out of their garrifons; and that in the

year I63 I, we got nothing by a chargeable attempt

upon Flanders but difgrace, which neverthelefswas

fomewhat leffermdby theunfucceisful/hallop.defign

of theSpaniard upon Zealand. And laffly, thai in

the year 1632,Rtremond , P'enloand MaeJ_richtwere

taken from the enemy, more by count Henry Van-

den Bergl_'smeans, than the condu_ of the prince

of Orange.

Chap. I. theSeasfrom Piratet. I63

In the mean time moff: of the provinces except Ait'zma,

Holland were fo backward in confenting to contri-/,/ft. _o,,g.

bute money, and the charges were fo enlarged 323.

above what was confented to be given, that the

council of etate in their petition complained yearly

on behalf of their honeff: creditors, who had trufted

them for three or four years, that they became fo

troublefom and importunate, that thofe counfeJlors

were hardly fare in their own houfes _ and t.hat all

things neceffary for the publick fervice, might be

bought or made for the _ or _ part cheaper, if

ready money were paid ; and that alfo for want of

pay, the captains, who had really _3, yea _ lef_

number of foldiers in fervice than v,ere paid for,

muff: be connived at.

During all which confufions by lan,d, the mari-

time affairs were carried or_after the following man-

mer. Firfl:, concerning the treafury ; the admiralties Seet,_ofe

did in the year z625, petition for 6ooo9o g0iiders ;p_,'t.!f_lar

for ..... pettttona_y

the year x626, 8ooooo gudders ; tor the year demands

1627, IOOOOOOguilders; and for the years 1628, in Aitz-

I629, 1630, 1631, I632 , yearly and fueceftively, ma', h/fl-

two millions of guilders extraordinary fui_diea for

guarding the leas. And moreover, the t_tes ge- _,,dtht

inhabi-

neral deviated fo far in the years i625 and a63 i, ta_t,p_id

from the true grounds and maxims of maintaining theirfub-

trade and navigation, that they did not only COn-fldieh $,e

liderably raife the duties of convoy and cu_oms, t_ta_t_

ordering the fourth part of them to i_efarmed out cularpla-

caets in

to thole that bid moff:, and confequent.ly, as much t& b_ of

as in them lay, made all traffick and navigation theflare,

fubjec"t to thole innumerable and unimaginable vexa-general.

tions of farmers. But betides, in the front of their

placaet they roundly declared, thatef all the publick

revenues, the convoy and cuff:ores were the molt:

tolerable and leaft hurtful, that are laid on goods

imported and exported ; whereas the rates then im-

pofed, and yet in force, are known to be the moft

M 2 intolerable,

16¢ _be Nece_ity _ clearing Part II.

intolerable, and for the country the moR prejudicial

of all the revenuesof Holland, as has been already

lhew-. ;n e_:r23d chapter of part I.

Ah w!i. xconvoys and cfi_orns fo augmented,

producedy_arly, as by example in the yeart628,

guilders.

To ,_- admiralty ofRotterdam, --. 330737

.dm.flerdam,.... 803659

The northern quarter, . L.. . 125ooo

1259396

Zealand,. 3z9367

All charges incident to thofe collegesand

their officesdedu&ed - x588763

But the admiralty of Frie/land, bearing the yearly

charges of the college, and watching, fell lhort,

with all itsrevenue, twelve thouf,tnd guilders, which

were to be made good out of the extraordinary

fubfidies: and therefore they not li:nding thips to

t'ea, thole provinces of Friefland and Groeningeu,

with the inland provinces, became very unwilling

to confentto the fubfidies, very backward in bring-

ing them in, andalways very flowly.

Moreover in the year x625, on the 24th of

_une, all thips failing to the Mediteranean,

f, tt/,t were by phcaet commanded to pay fixteen

_/_,,rt [Rivers per laR every voyage to the benefit

t_o.// of the agents in the Levant, which in the year z630

._tar,. was raved to twenty Rivers; and fucce/t]velyin the

years x625, x6z7, 1628, 1629, t63o, t632,

the arming and manning of thips failing for mer-

ehandize or fifhing wasfrom time to time charged

upon theinhabitantsof there countries by placaers.

.d,/_,a But to look further, and enquire what hath been

the.//_ done with great fubfidiesand taxes(which oppreffcd

,_trtl, e all the inhabitants of Holland, and efpeciaily the

_'* merchants) for the benefit of free navigation : fo

cleared.

loon

Chap. I. the SeasJrom Pirates. I6 5

foot as prince Henry was made admiral-general, he

placed and appointed young IC/illiam of Naffau

Heer wande Lek his lieutenant-admiralof Holland

who waslikewife obliged to ferve as colonel in the

war by land, and went very little to lea, till ia

/lugufl z627, when he was killed by a/hot before

GroL And infl:eadof defending our merchantmen

and fifhers, the lieutenant admiral of Zealand, Hau.

tain, was lent with twenty-two fail of /hips anno

s6z 5, to reduce our proteftant brethren of Rocbel watreaar

unde: the obedience of the king of France;Pag•sT.

and at the fame two/hips of waronly were allowed

to fecure one thoufand buffes in their fifhing. Be- lb. t. 86.

tides as to trade, the feas were more inferred than

ever: for fix Dunkirk thips of warmeeting our

fleet which came from the northward in_une, anno

x6z5, without convoy, drove them hack to Nor-

tray; and having taken two Eaflland, and three

other fhips, came all fix to an anchor before the

_exel, and lay there a long time, as our/hips ufed

to lie before Dunkirk, taking all veffels that came

in, or failedout ; which caufed fuch a con_ernation

among car people, that none dur_ venture to fen.

And loon after the departure of there Dunkirkers,

arrived happily eight northern and eaflland mer-

chant/hips, with one convoy only.

Again, in the fame year 16z5. after our/hips

of war were withdrawn from the Flon@ coafc, and

come into harbour, the Dunkirk/hips fceereddi-

re&ly away to our fithers, as knowing they were

provided but with two convoyers ; and fcattered

our buries, taking and flaking many of them : by

which accident thole of EnchuyJenalone lof'cat the

lea_ Ioo, and other places in proportion ; and at

leaf'cxSo mappersand mates of thole bufI'eswere

made prifoners, and carried to Flanders. So that

the dire&ors of that great filhery obferving from

time to time how little the fecuring of their liveli-

M 3 hood

166 _rhe Nece_ty of clearing Part II.

_e airee- hood was regarded, foon after refolved at their

totsoft& own charge, to let out feven great and well-arm'd

great ft./h.

¢,yneceJi-/hips of war, and to put them all under their own

tatedto commander of the buttes _ of which feventhofe of

pr_ite Encbuyfen were to let out and pay 4, and the but_-.

conoaqysat owners about the Maefe three, that they might fith

their o,rvn -

_har,_s. m more fafety under their guard, feeing the chief

trade of the land, viz. fifhing, was negle&ed.

And to the end the deputies of the generality and

Prince Henry might not always'feem to negle&

the tea, it was refolved that they would let forth

for the year x626, thirty well appointed /hips of

war, and let a reward for the taking and deftroying

Aitzma's ofany thip of war b_longing to the enemy, being

b/#.p. of ,oo or more laft, the rum of guilders -- 30000

_o¢. From 7° to ,oo 20000

50 to 7°. 15000

5o to 3c zoooo

_o to 20 8000

Mounted with four guns of ao luffs or } 4000

under_

Ibid._i 'Twas alfo refolved to put the law in e_cution,

96. t_e that commands the men of Dunkirk to be thrown

flamge- over-board. But thole provinces that were leafl:

•_oiththe concerned in fecuring the leas, remaining back-

tri,,eo[ ward in bringing in the money neceffary for

Orange. the laid equipage and rewards, and the fcates

r_l-,,',t togeneral havingdeprived the admiralties of a great

earl off)_r-

_oartall part of their revenues, by prohibiting the impor-

ou_e_e- ration of rome goods, and yet on the other fido

=it_at requiring to let forth a greater f'trength to lea than

,t _e. ordinary, with the profufenefi of prince Henry as

captain and admiral general, there arofe in all the

colleges of the generality, and efpecially in the

admiralties, an arrear of two millions five hundred

and eight thoufand and fifteen guilders running on

at intereft, betides three millions nine hundred

twenty

Chap. z. the _eas from Pirates. 167

twenty and three thoufand two hundred ninety and

five guilders in debts ; which caufed the feamen,

who not getting their wages, were neceflitated to

fell their debentures at very low rates, with many

of our mariners who were not able to live for want

of pay, and therefore not willing to ferve here

any longer, to go over to the Dunkirkers and fitil

with them upon free-booting. And our fleetunder

the admiral of Zealand, _onker Philips van Dorp,

came not before the 8chuurtjen of Dunkirl_ upon

the watch tilt about the month of)_uly, when moft

of their men of war were gone out to fea, and ac-

cording to their old cufiom, had taken many of

our merchant/hips, and very many buffes, which

they funk and burnt ; infomuch that all that could

efcape, fled for fafetyto to the Engli/h harbours.

And our doggers of the Maefe hgaring that the _ich

Dunkirk capers threw over-board all the men of pried

the merchant /hips and fifhing veffclswhich they dangerou:

took, in revenge of what we had done by their toourArh.

¢rs and

men, durt_ not go to fen to follow their occupa-merchant.

tions, too:.

And notwitht_anding Van Dorp lay with the

fleet beforeDunkirk, many fmall ffigats and thai-

lops failedout forprize ; fo that at laft in O_ober

thatyear, young W.rilliamof Naffau, as lieutenant-

admiralof Holland, was chargedtokeep that poR:

which he performed till December following, but

no better thanVanDorp haddone. And-as to our

cruifers and other convoyers, it is obfervable that

we do not know that they ever took any one of

the twelve new built king's lhips of Dunkirk, pre-

tending they werebetter railers_ whichisaltogether

incredible, for our /hips _:rom time to time could

take/hips of leesforce, andbetter railers,and throw

their men over.board : whereason the other fide

the Dunkirkers, as well before as fince, fighting

fcveral of our /hips of war, forced our captains,

M 4 after

I68 _"laeNecefftty of clearing Part II.

_r_,_._fl-after quarter promis'd, tofurrender rhemfelves, So

i_al'the that it is rather to be believed, that our admirals

.//a/_ro and lea-captains, fearing much more the Dunkirk.

ceeded

_om _u," /hips of war, and their requital of throwing them

fdvu. over-board, rather than our remifs juftice for the

negle& of their duties, fought not out thole Dun-

kir_.:ersbut where they were not to be found.

However it is true, that they did commonly, as

well heretofore as afterwards, and particularly in

this year 1626, come tOthe attiftance of the mer-

chantmen and fifhers,v_hen'twastoolate. Where-

fore _¢obnVande 8ande in his hifkory lays, that the

lea-captains kept themfelves ufually on the rivers

where no enemy came, and fledfrom thole they

met: fo that th_ council of ltate, in _heir petitio-

nary demand of fupply for the following year,

declared, ,' that the poorpeople are hence forward

•' afraid to go to lea to follow their callings, the

'_ throwing them over-board making a great cry

•' andalreration among thole that earn theirbread

" fo hardly at lea."

Aud tho' it be true, that the greatef_ part of all

_e enemythefe hard/hips of our inhabitants was caufed

onth, by the ill government of the deputies of the

otherhandgenerality, and the prince of Orange, who

refol_oedto

,-,,#our _ufedthe power of there countries to make new

fl._e_,a,,dkonquel_s, not to defend trade and navigation

,_d,,_,,t- and yet as if we had been the only maftersatlea.

_oa,.d,andandhadnounarmed/hips abroad, nor theDunkirkers

gi_equar- any/hips of defence, we followed thole incredibly

t_,too,,. fqoli/h councils,of refolving to throw over-board all

#i#, of Dunkirkers taken at leain/hips of war: whereason

•oar. the contrary, the Fleraingsufed very prudent max-

ims about thismatter, :_am.elyto throw the men

of und,fenfible veffcls over-board, and to give

quarter toour armed /hips of war. Neverthelefs

none dared to complain of thisevil government of

, the flaresgeneral, and the prince of Orange, no

not

Chap. T. the Seasfrom Pirates. x69

not oven of young William of Naffau. • But the ,%,the/_-

pigs were fain to pay for the fow's offence; and tition of

therefore upon the ill conduc"tof the admiralties, ,it, _6z9.

and efpecially of the college of Rotterdam, the

Heeren Berk, lander Marl, SeKwaars, Verheuel,% _,ia

the commo-

Nicolai, Vroefen, and Duifbuyfen, who had done _at_,

no more than what was in mode during princefomtofthc

Htttry's wailful adminifl:ration in all the colleges, _m/,-a/_

efpecially that of the generality, were neverthelefs_e.ep_-

declared infamousbyjudges delegated for that end, ,,/_'d,_,,--a'd

and condemned ingreat fines to allaythe difcontent des gt_

of the multitude. The f_atesgeneral alfo declared, out.

that the following year they would let out more

/hips of war in order to clear the fens ; and would

make the people to believe, that a competent num- Ai__* of

her of/hips/hoald lie on the watch before Dunkirk, _atytaro

• • • J_ o.p

to prevent the coming out of thole /h,ps, whde "_ "

another number /hould lie between Dover and97"

Calais, and another at the Schager Rif, to watch

and prevent all lea-robbers failing to the Spani/h

fca, or to the northward. And betides all theft,

another number of our/hips of war/hould cruif_in

the narrowpart ofthe north fen; fo that the enemy

/hould not be able by any means to interrupt or

diflurb oar navigation.

But becaufe no better order was fettled about the

affairs of juffice, nor any thing determined about

thefinances,fromwhencethepaymentofthenew

appointed rewards for taking of enemy's /hips

/hould proceed, nor any of our maritime affairs

better managed than formerly ; the hopes of the _ .

• , . IJutw_itit-

too credulous commonalty.. loon vam/hed,,tripectally ......._..,,a_,

when the Dunktrkers xn the year t6z7, rarefied us &[._

again before our fea-porttowns, and took as many tho _ula

prizes as formerly, feizing feveral buffr.s, and two notl_e

tbe'r ill

of the buffes convoyers, whilt_ young T/I/illiarAprinciple,

admiral of Hollaud was killed before Grol, and i,_a..f.

youker_i,,.

• DatvcaiamCorvlsv._..at¢e_f_aCohmbis.

I7o _be _Arece_tyof clearing Part II.

_onker Philip van Dorp lieutenant admiral of Zea-

land cruifed at lea, and none of our/hips before

Dunkirk to keep in their capers ; who coming to

lie on our coat_ about the We_cel,the A4ae_, and

Zealand, fwept away all, together with the lhip

of captain Bagyn,who heretoforeon many occafions

had behaved himfelf bravely and valiantly, and

from a cloth-worker was by degrees preferred to

the honour of having the command of one of our

bell; thips of war : but now finding himfelf alone in

the midft of fourteen of the enemies/hips of war,

he yielded his newand well appointed/hip without

making one/hot.

Wa_enar, The politicians of thole tamesjudged, " That

_h"3_-on ,, the trade of there countrieswas never fince the

at ytar.

_l,_erel_ _ trllce in fo ill a condition: for Spaincould do no

t&k coun- good; Portugal was without trade; France by

tries " the king's edicq:swas/hut up; England detained

,were " all/hips that palled the channel, and feizedfixty

reduc" d

lowtrt_an" or eighty tuns of gold belonging to the free

_oe_fl,ce " Netherlanderr: the rivers of 14/eferor Elve,

the trdct. "_ _'rave, Oder, and /-'F'/_l, were fo infefl:edand

*' block'd by the Dani.[b and Swedifh /hips of

" war, that little or no trade could bedriven with

" Bremen, Ilamburgb, Lubeck, Stetin, and Pant-

"' zick ; and the north lea wasrender'd imprad'ti-

" cable by the Dunkirkers. By.which means the

commonalty were asmuch diffatis'fiedasever, when

our/hips of war came in and had done nothing ;

infomuch that thofe ofFlufaing fell into a mutiny,

and at Terveer threw ftones ax lieutenant admiral

Fan Dorp. So to pacify the people, they were

I neceffi'tatedto fine the pigs Once again ; and rome

lea-captains were difmifs'd, and poor captainBagyn

having no friends at court, fummo jure, lolt his

head.

In the year 1628, for the greater fafety of our

navigation, three vice.admirals were createdin Hol-

land ;

Chap. I. the Seas from Pirates. 17 t

_Uedlle_h°a_.Vaed_hrne_eaflS_e;e ta_an_.d" C°_um_h_edubnY._:t_:of

• Zealan4

kirkers, according to their old cufcom, felzed many _...

• . epojta

Strait/h_ps, with other merchant-men, and at two th,lr ad-

feveral times took 34 buffes, tho' lieutenant admiral miral.

Fan Dorp with a fquadron often/hips had lain ten Aimna's

weeks upon the coal_ of England without hearing h_. B. 9-

of an enemy, and our coaft/hips and cruifers were p" 75o.

likewife at fen. Which the t_ates of Holland took

fo ill, that they difmiffed Philips van Dorp at his Lib. 8. p.

return without a hearing. The council of fcate 627.

had alfo fent a letter in/lprilofthe fame year to the

provinces, complaining of the confufions in the

" publick revenues, which was the caufe of the _,dt_e

'¢ arrears due to the military forces both by lea and co,,eilof

" land ; and that the revenues and charges of the_,art c°_*,2

latTt_ •

'* country were not duly confidered and weighed tP_i,co._.

" one againfl: the other: that diforders increafedfio,, olaf-

" more and more ; that the credit of the country fairs.

" was daily finking; that the foldiery was muti-

" nous and difobedient, and that all military

" difcipline and juf6ce were trodden under foot,

Thefe proceedings were taken very ill by theBotb

deputies of the generality and the prince : and Heer _.hid,

Fan Dorp was flill continued in the land t_rvice, t_g;

Stri& enquiry was alfo made among the counfellors'Henry

of i_ate, to know who they were that durt_ be the t_,_q,,_

chief promoters of the complaining letter before ill.

mentioned : and all this was done to deter others

from complaining againtt the government of the

deputies of the generality, and efpecially of the

cabinet lords, who together with the prince look'd !

after nothing more in this confufion, than their i

own profitand grandeur.

But upon the continual complaints of the mer-

chants of A_flerdam to their _urgo-maffers, of

the unexpreflible damages which they fuftained in

their

x7z 7he Ncce_ty of clearing Part II.

_heru. their bodies and goods by continual piracies, and

ler,of the little care taken of their redret_; and the laid

Amfter-

darn burgoma_ers, and council, made offers to the

•,,,ould Pcatesgeneral and prince of Orange to fet to fen

I,a-,,e ten or twelve men of war well mann'd and fur-

fco.r'dthenifhed, to fecure their flaipping, which fhould

leaswoith

te,,_:/_- receive in_ru&ions from the ftates general, and a

(-,,_-, commiffion from the prince ; provided the money

_,t/t .,vatdi/burbed upon this defign might be defalked from

it,iei the contribution of that city ; and that no other

them.

them. "See per/on might have any power, or be any way

•_itzma's concerned about that equipage and money but

/,/ft.B.8. themfelves. And tho' formerly, under the inL'p-

P" 679" portable government of the earls of Ho//and, a!l

the cities of that province ufed by their own au-

thority to do the fame ; yet neverthele_ this good

and ufeful offer was reje&ed under the pr,:fent

ftadtholder's government, as if that city would by

this meansobtain too great a power at i':a. Wiaere..

as on the contrary it appeared that the :_a became

more and more unnavigated, bevaufe the country

and cities which were moft.concerned to keep the

lea uninfdted, had no authority put into their

hands, as they had under the government of their

earls.

Aitzma's And to the end that the deputies of the genera.

_6q.B.9. ]ity, and prince of Orange, might lhew their ufuaI

p. 7o9. zeal in this affair, the articles for the war at fen

_utt_,t were a_noz6z9, infpe&ed and made more fevere.

._,.¢ A proje&alfoof an infurancecompany wasbrought

or'ange,_in; according to which a!l lhips outward and in-

,ridthe

..... ward bound, /hould pay for infurance, from one

aeputtesq

tbegent- tOthirteen per cent. in proportion to the conveni-

,,li9 _. eneyof the fea ports to or from which our lhipswere

-._fled to fail ; and the laid company was to be bound to

their

,_,,uA' make good all loffesfulhined. After whichPeter

_al. Hein was chofen lieutenant admira} of Holland,

who for the redrefs of maritime aIi_airsdefired

rbid.?.

;3o. many

Chap. t. the Seasfrora Pirates. i7j

many new powers relating to the militia, jufilce,

and expences on board /hips; and did not only

obtain thole, but alfo more authority than had ever

been given to any lieutenant admiral of Holland.

But he being killed by a thor two months after,

whilt_ with eight lhips he was in purfuit of three

Dunkirkers _ there can be no account given of the

fruits of this new order, fare that the charges were

increafed, and yet the feas remained as much in-

fefied as before. 'Tis uneafy to me to enumerate g,a _;t_-

the loffes fut_ained by our poor inhabitants, which ou:,,_

were fo exceeding great, that the ftates of Holland, goodi.fl',e.

on the 18th of "._anuary J63o , remonftrated to

the Rates general, " That the ffrength, vigour, Aitzm_,

" and reputation of this Peat_*by lea was wholly B. ,o. p.

" decayed, and the navigation fignally diminifhed'. 171.

" that many mariners, for want of care and due

'" defence, were gone over to the enemy, and

" many more taken and kept in clofe imprifon-

,, menr, or cruelly thrown into the lea : and that

*' the laid fl:ates of Holland, to prevent fuch mif- so that

tbe flates

"' chiefs for the future, had refolved, and now ofHolland

'_ lignified to the other provinces, that they would m_ei

*' from this time take as little care for the pay-that thq

,' ment of the land forces that were garifon'd in _oulipa_.

..... pane pay-

"' the frontmr cities out of their prownce, as they in theu,

" obferved was taken about the condu6t and affairs nue._ary

" of the lea." la,_t-

But the l_ates of Holland were under that awe_ _c', the

better te

and dread of the prince of Orange, and the depu- &epthe

ties of the generality, that they durf_ not deny Orfiadear.

detain their part of the publick contributions to be

I imployed in fecuring the leas _ and fo nothing was

done but a little duff thrown into the eyes of the

poor innocent inhabitants of Holland: for the ftates

and the prince lent letters with their decrees about

that affair to the other provinces. But our want

of payment, and the diforders about the mariners,

and

_74 7"beNeceffty of clearing Part II.

/Xit.zma,and neglee"tingthe guard of the leas l_illcontinued_

/_. t _.p.and increafed in the year x63x. For though the

354- t_ates general had granted, that the burgomafters

and magi_rates of the cities of Am/terdara, Horrid

much/hip-Encbuyfen, Edam, Medenblick, Harlingen, 8re.

ti.g as thould chufe certain dire6tors, who might collecq:

f_it,,t of all flfips and goods failing to the eaftward ornorth-

,ward a.a lVorway, one half per cent.and returning from the

eafl_ard, fame, one per cent. to enable them to let out rome

hadcon- extraordinary convoys to fecure the trade of the

,vqy,paid laid countries. Yet this impofition produc'd only

_/_oes.b,,ta part of the expe&ed fruit, chiefly becaufe the

.notowith, directors were in all weighty matters of the militia,

outhard juftice, and prizes taken, to be wholly fubjec°cto

conditions, the prince of Orange, and the refpe&ive admiral-

Ibid._o. ties, depending on their ordersand judgments.

3_;o. And the deputies of the generality continuing to

_4nd the a " " •

...... dvance the pr.mces_=ygtute_ and their own,

aeputtes of

tbegene, more than the welfare,of Holland, refoh'ed in the

rdity de- name of the _ates general, to equip_ over and

.ool_'dtheabove the ufual number, 35/hips of war, and xo

autbori_

ofdeari,gyachts to lie upon the Flemi,/hhavens, and to cruife

thef_ o, and keep the north lea clear of Dunkirk robbers.

pr.Heary. And that they might with more certainty perform

this (as they pretended) they brought all the faid

/hips under one head, and put them under the di-

re6tion and orders of the prince of Orange, with-

out obliging them to obey the commands of any

other : they ordered them to be paid by him, and

that all money neceffary for wages, rewards, and

provifions, flaould be brought to the Hague in

fpecie. And to the end that during the fummer-

feafonthefe thips might be kept incontinual a6tion,

the refpec°civecollegesof the admiralties of Holland,

Zealand and FrieJland, fhould by turns keep one

of their commiffioners at Helvoetfluys, in order to

hold acont_antcorrefpondencewith the prince, and

the prince's commander on the coati, as occalion

thould

Chap, 7. the Seas from Pirates. z75

/hould require, touching the vi&ualling and re-

pairing of the faid fi,ip_i; and the commiflioners of

the admiralty were not to intermeddle in the leaft:

with the difpof_d of the laid fhil_.

And this went fo far, that vice-admiral Liefheb- Ibid.

her, inftead of going to cruife, having convoy'd:. 360.

fame merchant /hips out of the channel, tho' by

order of the admiraky of Rotterdqm, was threat- Ibid.p.

ned to be feverdy punilhed if for the filmre he tbl- *44.

lowed any other orders fare thofe of the t_ates

general and, the prince. By this means our coun-

trymen were oppreffed, and the Dunk.i_ers fo en- But_eiR-

couraged, that they ventured to take a merchant k`bit''a"

Hgcocr

/hip even fi'om under the cannon of Flufhing, and _,wecx-

in the north fez two of our/hips of war ; and at- ,_0f_to

terwards falling in among our doggers, took two the Dun-

convoyers, betides the doggers. So that the infu- kirkers

rances from Rocke; and Bourdeaux rising to 8 and tba, ,/m).

i o per cent. the lea became ufelef5 to the inhabi-

tants of there countries.

Bernard Lamp, having obferved in his hiftory, tt;./t,_if,,t

" That formerly a fmall number of our/hios keot ,_rr_'w,

. - - of to3a.

" the lea fo clear agamff all the naval power of_ -6

" the king of Spain, that till the year i6:z thefe-" _ "

"* countries had very few loffes, wonders that

" all the t_ates fhips of war, being little lefs than

" an hundred fail, either could not, or would not

" keep the leas clear of the Dunkirkers only, for sotbato,ar

" the king's fhips were not emp.loyed there in/,/do,-/**

" thofe days, but fome particular owners let out doubtm._¢.

" for the mot_ part fmall /hips for booty: and :her tb#

adds farther, that a few years after that time,. _il_ng to

" many rich laden met'chant fhips were taken byfeour t_,

" the Dunkirkers, that the 1ot_ was valued atJ_a:,for

" more than one hundred tuns of gold. the prlutt

the difference is, - - .

But if we confider how great " • ,u,a_,m_

whether the care of .fcouring the leas be entrul_ed Jp°kt*_"

to thole who are much concerned in having them

kept

176 7"beNecety ofclearing PartII.

kept clear, and who on that account will ufe the

bel'c of" their endeavours, or be devolved on fuch

as are not at all concerned in navigation ; we/hall

ceafe to wonder, when fo much power was put into

the hands of fuch as were not interefted at fea, and

were not a little fufpe&ed to fear and envy the

profperity and power of Holland, that they did not

guard the feas againfl: a few pirates, who for their

own profit fought their booty where it was to be

found.

_,,t at l,,_ In the mean time, to deceive the poor innocent

#me pr/- commonalty once more, the dire&ors appointed to

•oateers _e-

i,g pc,- take care of the/hipping defigned to the ea_ward

f_aded l_ and Norway, were by placaet continued, and pri-

great re. rate/hips" of war by great rewards perfuaded to

•oard,,it take and def_roy the enemies/hips. Upon which

a_eared

how eafll_divers good patriots fitted out/hips for that end

:be nat- and this fmall fcrength being in the hands of thole

ra_,ftas who really intended to deftroy the enemies/hips,

rouldbe it was obferved, efpecially of two fhips of Flu/hing,

.¢_ur"d.

See the the one called the Samfon mounted with 24 guns,

_lataet I00 feamen, and 3o foldiers, and the other called

_ook:l ofthe FluJhing, mounted with 2a guns, 1oo feamen,

March and 3o foldiers, that they took fo many of the

J63z.

Aims, enemies /hips, and prifoners, that by their means

F. _4_;- a general releafe was thrice made on both tides,

the Dunkirkers fo difcouraged and weakned, and

,¢,dled-the /_as fo well cleared, that the infurances from

ill _ayment n . .

..... t_ocoet and Bourdeaux fell to three in the hundred.

oJ jo jma, ..

a rum it BUt becaufe there worthy patriots, among whom

_a, fu. /Idrian and Corndis Larafins were the chief, for

:bat the want of Dunkirk privateers, could fight for no more

Sr. of Odbooty ' but chiefly by reafon of the too flow, or

range an

t/,eda.- refufed payments of the promifed rewards, they

tm_uldfitted out no more /hips, and the clearing of the

matit, leas coming again to depend on the deputies of the

the .]eas

tni,#fld, generality and the prince of Orange, the Dun-

Aitama p kirkera returned again to lea as f'crong in the fol-

z¢6. lowh_g

Chap. I. the Seasfrom Pirates. _77

lowing years as before, and made it equally dan- Ibid.p.

gerous ; the rates of infurance tiring as high as 5TM

formerly. And it was very obfervable, that tho'

for the payment of this fo neceffary and wel!-deferred

reward only two hundred thoufand guilders were

demanded yearly by the council of ftate, yet the

fame council, and the ftates of Holland and Zealand

jointly, for the year z643, before prince Henry's

doating old age, could not obtain that fi_m of the

the generality to pay the promifed reward to the

new cruizers, whilft, for the following years, until

our peace with Spain, the fame, or greater petitions

for money by land and fea, were granted to the

council of ftate, and confented to, and borne by

the Hollanders. So that Holland, from the year

z632, to the year i647, was neceffitated to take

up fixty.nine millions, making, with the foremen-

tioned fifty and one, one hundred and twenty mil-

lions of guilders at intereft, betides thirteen m_llions

that were to be paid for current debts, that the

prince and the deputies oft.he generality might pro-

ceed in their offenfive wars by land.

And as if it were not enough that the good peo- .4,,t their

pie ofthefe countries, and the ftate of Holland itfelf ill i,.flu-

were every way oppreft by land with fo many ,_e, Cmi-

impofts, taxes, and immenfe fums of monevtaken up ,,lbyp,-

• a _¢ar 6 a-

at intereft, as well as by continual and unexpreflibly _outthe

great loffes by lea, the deputies of the generality, Weit-Ia-

and the prince of Orange likewife defired, and from dia corn-

time to time very fubtilly, and with promifes of i°a'y"

gratuities to the dire&ors of the [47eft-India company, See the re-

that they would defift from their trade which was monfl,'ance

driven for the common benefit of the fubCcribers, a'dre-

and which according to their oath mizht not ceafe, euefl.fw.

,o. . .... conttnutng

and would employ that money for the mdltpentible theirchar-

fervice of the country, by carrying on a more vl- t_,, x668.

gorous war againft the king of Spain. And byP. 3. ¢,

fueh powerful tblicitations, and artificial promifes, e_e.

N they

178 7he Neceffity of clearing Part II.

they were induced to make not a merchant-like,

but a prince-like war, and to make thole royal

conquefts of Brazil, Angola, St. _'laoraas,&c. for

the benefit of the ftates general, and of the prince,

as indeed was* at firft defigned.

By this means the greateft part of their capital

frock wasconfumedand embezzeled, and the honefl:

fi,bfcribers, with other inhabitants concerned in that

_ey ,nadeC°mpany" loft above one hundred and eighteen

the parti- millions of guilders: and when the laid company

ti_a,,:, afterwards were grown fo weak, that they could

_0or,a,,r' no longer keep thofe vail.conquelts by their own

then de-

.//,-ted power, the deputies of the generality, and the

t&,,,. J. fuccefliveprincesof Orange, for whofe benefit thole

deLaae, lands were conquered, meanly abandoning their

._ortrda- own intereft, fuffered thefeexcellent and raft coun-

rio,,,p. tries to fall into and continue in the hands of the

z s. Ai_-_

map.198.falfe and treacherous Portuguefe ; whereby our in-

habitants loft (betides the forefaid vail: rums) in

goods, chattels, boules, debts, (..qc. fifty millions

of guilders more, and Were alfo utterly excluded

from that advantageoustrade and navigation. But

to return to the government and conduc"tof publick

affairsin our Netherlands, I fay, that tho' Holland

was thus intolerably opprefc, and borne down, yet

chu/q,g in the year i633, Rynberg was taken ; and in the

ratherto year t634, Breda and Maflricht were befieged in

keepup the vain, and our chargeable army lay a long time in

.w,,_/,y the Langeflraat. And in the year x635, with a

land, to

run the very great army, and more charge, we did nothing

treafury of ill the field, only ff'ienenwas plundered, and Schen-

]-IoIland kenfihans loft. Likewife in the year 1636, our

• zo mi]li-

_i,_ army with many thips lay about the Schans of

de&. Voorn, and afterwards in the Langeflraat to no

8eeAitz- purpofe. And in the year 1637, Breda was taken

ma_on with very great charges: and on the other fide,

:herqjoee-VenloandRuremondewereloft. As alfo in the follow-

ti,ve A'ears. Jl',g

• Tibi Roma fiabegerit orbem.

Chap. I. the Seas from Pirates. I79

ing year, after great expence, we loft much repu-

tation before Calloo, where the enemy killed 2o00

of our foldiers, and took x20o prifoners, with all

our cannon, eigh_l_____, and much baggage. And

tho' our army that lay before Gelder was much

t_ronger than the enemy, yet we quitted the fiege,

with the lofs of fix demi-cannoo, and two l_anda.rds.

In the year I639, our army with fifteen hundred

veffels in Flanders effee'ted nothing, and were again

compelled to retreat from before Gelder, and march

to Rynberg. The fame army did afterwards no

better atHulfl ; nor in the following year x64o, at

which time count Henry of Friefland was there

killed ; and our army, tho' intrenched, drew offa

third time in a flying pofl:ure from Gelder, without

daring to encounter a much weaker enemy, the

prince of Orange having then the conduct and

command in perfon, who, notwith_anding many

eXpenfive and fruitlefs expeditions into Flanders,

Brabant and Gelderland, had, by his exceffive

power in there countries, gained the name of a very

wife and valiant general. But in Flanders and

Burgundy he was derided, even in their comedies,

for a coward ; in one of which he was anatomized, J.v. Veen

and upon fearch his heart found in his heels, the R.Tmes.

rabble having nothing more frequently in their

mouths than the following rhyme,

* Prince Henry has no courage,

_akes neither town nor village.

However in the year x64I, with exceffiveexpences

he took Genniper-houfe, after a bloody fiege of

feven weeks. And in the year J64 z, as alfo in

1643, our army was in the field about fix months

without el_e&ing any thing; but in the year ,644,

after fix weeks fiege, and much blood fpilt, the

N 2 8as

* Le princeHenryellfanscourage,

I1neprendviiieni village.

I8o The Neceffty of clearing Part II.

8as van Gent was taken. And finally, in the year

1645, after a long campaign, and fix weeks fiege,

Hulfl wasyielded. And tho' our army lay in the

year x646 about Antwerp, and afterwards before

VenIo, yet we got nothing but difhonour in thole

attempts.

/lll qvbich And it is obfervable, that all our chargeable

f_m, merecampaigns, and taxesfor the army, tended chiefly

m0flbetn-to increafe the power of the French, (who in the

_loy'd to

aggran- mean time took many cities from the Spaniard)

dize but not at all to the benefit of our own people,

France, either by lea or land. For tho' the province of

,whilethe Holland contributed in extraordinary fubfidies two

_a -,oar millions yearly for fcouring of the feas, and conti-

neglet?ed.

nued fo to do to the end of the war; yet the other

United Provinces were not fo forward. And tho'

for rome years pat't, the governments of Spain and

/,itzma. Flanders let not out any fhips for booty againft us,

but left that work to be carriedon by private capers,

yet the lea remained/'till inferred in fuch a manner,

that the Dunkirkers in the year x635 took all the

bufs-convoys, and many buffes, while moil:of our

/hips of war for want of payment lay by the walls.

And tho' the council of ftate, and the ftates of

Holland complained of this neglect at fea, and

prayed that fome better order might be fettled for

prompt payment of the premiums promifed t-othe

particular privateers, by whom we had reaped

great advantage ; yet the deputies of the generality,

Ibidp. or rather thole of the prince's cabinet, according to

their old way, found it convenient once more to

34-4-. ' delude the well-meaning people ; and to appeafe

Polftyof thefi_, anno 1636, they accuf_dand difmiffedfour-

the cabinet

lords_ teen lea captains, with rome further punilhment,

o,_bto_ making a new regulation concerning the guardi.ng

_ggra,_-, of the Flemi/bcoaft', and keeping the narrow leas

dime the

pri,_e,a,duninfefted by twenty-two /hips and ten yatchts,

tol,_n which were to be under the infpe&ion of the prince

I-Iolland. of

Chap. I. the Seas from Pirates. 18 x

of Orange, and fuch deputies of the generality ashe

fhould pleafe to choofe. There depending on the

prince's favour, and making that their aim and in-

tereft more than the fervice of their native count_,

labouring by all meansto augment the prince's au-

thority, and leffenthat of the ffates, by this means

had the name of the cabinetlordsgiven them by the

lovers of their country's freedom: and foyou willfind

them named fometimes in the following difcourfe.

And this was really * what Tacitus faid of.4uguflus

Cwfar: " This prince railed himfelf by degrees,

" grafping into his own hands the bufinefsof the

,' fenate, of the magiftrates, and of the laws ;

•' while no body dared to oppofe him: for the

" ftoutefl:were cut off, either by being lent to the

,, army, or by profcription. The reft:of the no-

" bility, by how much the more they were flavifh

" in temper, by fo much the more were they ad-

,' vanced to wealth and honours, chofe rather to

" fit down contented with their prefent ffate of re-

,' curity, than to venture the recovering of their

" ancientliberty with running any hazard." The

ufual way of all crafty and arbitrary ufurpers.

So that to enlarge the authority of the prince of

Orange over the navigation of Holland, and to put

it effeCtuallyunder his power, eleven hundred and

eight thoufand eight hundred and feventy guilders

were yearly levied, and fuperintendants appointed

for that fervice, with purveyors or vi£tuallers, who

were to be accountable to the chamber of accounts

of the generality. Alfo all commanders andcap-

tains were chofen by the laid prince, who were to

N 3 be

• Princeps infurgere paalatim, maniafenatus, magil_ratuum,

1egumin fe trahere, nullo adverfante: cure ferociflimiperacies,

aut profcriptione cecidiffent. C_eteri nobilium quanto quisfer-

vitio promptibr, opibus & honoribus extollerenttar• ac novis ex

rebusaue'ti, tuta &prefentia, quam vetcra & pericdofa mallent.

_;acit.tlnnaL 1. I, ¢, x.

18z _rheNece_ty of clearing Part II.

be punillaed by a council of war of his nomination,

and a narrow fcrutiny to be made into theircondu&.

And to encourage them to do their duties, their

wages were railed. So that according to this new

order, the refptc'*tiveadmiralties had nothing to

tranfac"t, but to be judges of the prizes taken, to

colle& the convoy and cuftom-revenues, with

which, and with two millions of fubfidies, they

were to feeout/hips of war, to be convoys to the

weRward.

8o that But it foon appeared that this new authority,

Joaker which was put into the hands of thole who had no-

philips

rataDorpthing to lore at fen, produced worfe effe&s than

laiddo,onever: for, before the year 1637, there wasfo little

bit co** care taken, that _onker Philips van Dorp, lieute-

m/-_ *-/"nant-admiral of Holland, going to fen with this

admir41.

ibid.B. 7" princely fleet very late, and his provifions being

p. 6,9. fpent in a very flaorttime, was compelled to return

home ; and finding that the commonalty aecufed

Ibid. p. him, and not the victuallers, nor the prince of

6z,. Orange, who really were in the fault, and would

poflibly have puniPaed him rather than the guilty,

he laid down his commiffion.

8eld_', Inthe mean the Englifh challengedthefovereignty

mar¢clau-of the narrow leas, alledging, that the filhery be-

f*m. longed folely to them. But their inteftinedivifions,

Aitzma and not our lea forces, put a t_op to that work,

//. t6. p.

z66. and their herriog-fifl,.ing, then newly begun, ceafed.

Ibid.p. It is obfervable, that when they had taken their

z77. Mr. herring at one and the fame time and place with

Semeins the Hollanders, and lent them to Dantzick in the

Hariak

¥ilI_ry. years 1637 and 1638, and found that the herring

taken and cured by the Hollanders was approved

and good, and that the Englifh herring to the very

laft t_arrelwereefteemednaught ; theythen changed

their claim upon the whole fi/hery, into that of

having the tenth her6ng, which the dil;gent and

frugal inhabitants of Holland reputed no lefs than

Chap. T. the Seas from Pirates. i83

to fi/h for, and pay tribute to a flothful and prodlg_l .,tndt_e

people, for a paffage by the coal_of England, which K. of

England

yet muft have been paid, had not the free govenl-. .....,_,_

• _1 ¢ ,r !.q_vtJ

ment of the ftates of Holland, m the year 1667, tot_#_-

brought thole maritime affairs into another t_ate,,_i_.z,_,,(

and condition, t;__,,,e-

In the fame year '¢waspublickly/hewn, " That "_ J;_:

" the inhabitants of there countriescould not poffi- Aitzma,

"' bly keep the tea any longer after this manner, BooirXT.i,.

" and among_ others, they brought the example 6zz"

" of Maefland-gluice, whence there ufedevery har-

" v_f_featbnabout fifty refills for haddock to go

" to f-a, which number was in the latt; harvefl:

"' 1636, diminithed to ten, out of which alfo two

" were taken. That their dogger-fifhing, which ,¢,_d-,o_m

ourruined

" was not to. be parallel'd in Europe, was now i_ubi-

" become fo inconfiderable, that it wasdoubted l_com-

" whether in the year ,637. fomuch asone doodger#lai,,tlof

,, would go to feafor fak cod, feeinq fincethe firft/,_." 1o_

• oyjea_ _rI4

" of_fanuary _63z, there had been takenofthe -/a •

zmlDr _On-

" Maefland Sluice veffels by theDunkirkers alone, n_;ntof

,. above two hundLred/hips, each of them, one th,i,-p_-

" with the other, worth above 5000 guilders :forts,

" there having the likelofs happened inother havens,

" or veffelslet out for filhing ; fo that the general

" cry of the people of thole places afcended to the

" heavens, an3 was fufficient to melt a heart of

And feeing the merchants who fut_ainedthe Iot_,

and the wives, children, parents, and relations of

the imprifon'd lea men, and fifhers continually

upbraided the admiral, vice admiral, and captains It _,Jas

of fhips, with their ill condu&; prince Henry liUle,'e-

feemed to lament their care, more than that of theg"_'a O

miferable commonalty, flying, that there is pr. Hen-

no ry.

condiri,'mmore wretched than that of the admiral, Aitzmap.

antt f:a captains, fi-eing that the meaneft fifher-343.

wife having 1o_ her hulband, exclaimed, that the °'_the .

N 4 admiralsSea,-,o3o.

18 4 7"be Nece_it)' of clearing Part 1,1".

admirals and lea captains did not their duty, &c.

and yet to pacify the people, who foolifhly con-

pae/_, ceiv'd that the gentlemen Opdam, Hautain, Na_au

tholei,no- and Dorp, were tiacceffi'edy the fole caufe of their

teneper- pail: calamities, the prince of Orange chore two

fins he

placerlt,,r-tarpaulins (as fome call them) Martin Harperfon

paulins for C_romp, and lC/'itte Corneliffen de I¢/'itte, for admiral

atml,.ah, and vice admiral. But it loon appeared, that thole

b_eag of mentioned loffes were but forrily provided againfl:

yonkers or

xentlemen, by the continual ill management of publick affairs

at land, and the negle& of fecuring the feas. For

tho' the king of Spain and the government of

Flanders, had for a long time forborn to let out

fl_ips of war to prey upon us in the narrow leas, yet

did not the owners of privateers at Dunkirk negle&

Aitzma, tO fet out the capers ; but in the year i638, by

_'ook,8. reafon of theirdiforders about our coat-/hips, and

_0.9*. an,/clearing of the leas according to theold ora&ice, they

Book*9. did not only go to tea, and take many merchant-

y. *7z.

men, but alfo about the end ofO_ober difpers'd all

the buttes, which fled home very much difabled,

_t_enj,et and rome wirhout their nets ; while admiral Tromp

tl.etoy'. coming on/horehimfdfto be revi&ualled, accufed

t,),f ,aco,,-v"

-. -.. Ice admiral Berkbem, who came in likewife with-

tmuect, tt_e

flat. of out the ieaft neceffity, and for which he was dif-

Holland mi_e.] by the new couacil of war, tho' unheard,

co,:p,'ainedandthe poor fuffering commonalty were with this

.+hatthe punithment once again appealed iq rome meafure:

money_o! but not fo the ftates of Holland, who knowing thatletted to

clearthe the prince of Orange, and deputies of the generafity

_as _s had now, as often before, made ufe of the produ&

implqy'd of the convoys, cuftoms and fubfidies, which were

.I'o,"l,,nd

A,'_,ice. _only to be applied to maritime affairs, for carrying

Ion the war by land, (by which means the guarding

"and clearing"o-f_he feas came to be negle&ed)

earneR]y defired that all rums of money which had

formerly been appropriated to the fervice of the lea,

might be effec2ually applied that way.

.And

Chap. t. the Seasfrom Pirates. 185

.And feveral cities in Holland, together with the

province of Utrecht, taking notice of the diforder

and ill management of the prince, and his affumed

cabinet council, in our maritime affairs, ]hew'd

their unwillingnefs to bring in their portion of the

1io887o guilders, which were yearly demanded

by the prince for that end ; yet on account of his It ;, ,,o

great nower. Holland and divers other provinces __n(e,-

r . - th,,t the

were obhged to bear the burden, to the year 1647, _,....

S al , ._unKu--

and our peace with p "n. And tho at thekerst,_

beginning of the year I639, in a lea-fight about_ipsheforc

Dunkirk, we got the vic"tory, in which the Dun-ourparth

kirkers loft two ]hips of war ; yet did _'romp

then with the ]hips under his command, very im- Aitzma,

prudently leave the tea; fo that the Dunkirkers _ I4.

came and brav'd us before our harbours, where, by P"_68.

reafon of our defec"tive management in refitting and

vi&ualling, they lay 'till mid-_une, and took

13 of our ]hips in a ]hort time.

And whilft _Tromp afterwards wai:ed for the

great SpaniJb fleet, anno 1639, between the two

piers of Dover and Calais and before Dunkirk, our

merchant-men and fifhers were abandoned, thirty"

or forty privateers of Dunkirk 'ying at the mouth of

our harbours, fo that none of our merchant ]hips lag. zz9.

or buffes durft go to lea. And upon this followed

in O_lober the engagement about the Downs, where

the Spaniard having loft by finking, burning,

ftranding and taking, 4° thips, moft of ours

came home ; and having left the fea, the Dun-E_e_ af.

kirkers came again before our harbours, and in few re,our

days took twenty feven prizes, of which I I in one wiaoryi,

the

day. And thus by continual diforders and loffes at Downs,

lea, the trade of there countries was fo dimLi/hed,

that the revenues of the admiralties, in the year x628,

having yielded about fixteen hundred thoufand Ibld.,_.

guilders, thole very duties, to the 24th ofO_ober z3o. See

this year, notwithftandi._g the nee¢ impofitions, theplacaet

produced bo0_.

186 _be Nece_ty of clearing Part IL

produced to the ftate only twelve hundred thoufand

guilders. And therefore it was thought neceffary

to erec"ta new tax of tonnage, which thould amount

to five hundred and ninety eight thoufand five

hundred and feventy five guilders; and alfo another

new tax to clear the leas, which might produce

five hundred eighty-one thoufand and feventeen

guilders.

However the deputies of Itolland, in the affembly

Altzma, of the l_ates general, and prefen_e of the prince of

p. z_o. Orange, declared, " That it was the intention of

" their principals, that the crullers or privateers,

" by whom the country had been fo fignally ferved,

" and who had only declared that fervice becaufe

" they were not paid their promifed rewards, fhould

"' be invited to return to lea, and that a certain fund

" flaould be appointed for their immediate pay-

" ment. ButthlsjuRand u/_ful motion wasneglec2ed.

Matters Randing thus, prince Hen_. and the

deputies of the generality, endeavoured to perfuade

the Rates of Holland, and privately the cities in an

Whichthe

• . .unwarrantable manner, that the colleges and orders

eleput,es o.? ,.

ubegene- or the admiralties were not fufficient to clear the

ral#y, andfeas from enemies _ and therefore moved the taid

p.. I/eao, cities to confent, that the equipage of thips might

Pr°P°fi"gt°be continued at Helvoetfluys, and for that end,

Jt_./'ur_

i,b ma- trtat a new college of admirah_ m!ght be erected to

ny_e_oex-refide at the Hague; and thatan infuranee company

t,iie,aJ; might be ef[ablifhed, as before mentioned, and

Aitzma, fettled by patent. And moreover, that the revenues

._ook*9. oftheadmiralties might be farmed to fuch as fhould

._.,3o. bid moil:. And laftly, that all perfons being under

oath to the generality, fhould be tried for their

faults and crimes by the council of f'cate, or the re-

fpe&ive admiralties.

In oppofition to which the f'cates of Holland

/hewed how prtjudicial thofe equipments, or fetting

out fhips to fea, had been by means of the fuwrin-

tendants

Chap. :. the Seas from Pirates. I8 7

tendants and purveyors, or vi&uallers at Helvoetfluys; _rhtflares

and alfo that the admiralties of Zealand and Friefland of _ol- .

• • lallap t_la

refpe&tvely had never confented to have any equip- _fpeci_lb

ments made there: that mof_ of the provinces, ex- the mag_

cept Holland, in the payment of their proportion of trateso_

XI08870 guilders defigned thereunto, were always Amtter-

flow and retails, as to the whole, or elfe deficient clam,let

tbemfil_ts

in patti and that the admiralties would and could_outb a-

better equip or let forth fhips to fen than others ;g,,i,_' o.

and that an infurance company would fo burden

and clog our trade, that our inhabitants would not

be able to fell fo cheap as our neighbours : and that

the farmers would not haveanyregard to the durable

profperity of commerce, but to their prefent profit,

and poffibly might value themfelves upon the feizure

of goods, whereby they might fo plague the mer-

chants, that they would rather ceafe trading, or

leave the country. And concerning the point of

jurifdi&ion to be granted to the generality, and to

the refpe&ive admiralties, that 'tis a matter of fo

great importance, that the whole fovereignty of the

provinces would neceffarily be thereby transferred

to them.

But the prince of Orange and the deputies of the Aitzm.B.

generality were not well pleafed with the reprefen- :9.P.t76.

tation made by the fl:atesof Holland and lF'efl.Frief- so that

land, and fl:ill refolved to carry on their defign, and theypro-

by their greamefs to overpower them, fending no cee_',./,,o

table addreffes, however illegal, for that end, tofurther;the]eain

the particular cities, and efpecially to the burgo- thei,,te-

mailers and council of/lmflerdam ; by whole good rim hei_

management and firm oppofition, as alfo by prince as ,nuA,

i_fefled as

Henry's .fmooth and eafy maxims which hitherto he be_re,t/,o'

had followed; that he might be thought unlike his the 3qates

hated brother, together with a fear of being reputed of Hol-

as arbitrary as Maurice had been, this defign riffled, lanere-

and went no further. _r,_,td

ho_oeafilv

And a migbtbt

_eptclear.

188 7be Necea_O, of clearing Part II.

.And tho' Holland was thus fared from fudden

ruin, yet the uneafinet_and loffes of the trading

and maritime inhabitants Rill continued: fo that

the councilof Rate, and the/lares of Holland, once

more remonftrated, that the private capeJs of Dun-

kirk had done usmore mifchief than ever the king's

flaips haddone ; and that we on our fide had feeh

that our cruifersfitted out by private men, in hopes

of the rewardpromifed fortaking the enemies fhips,

had in a/hort time purged the leas from deprecia-

tions ; and that thole robbers were again abroad,

perceiving our capers, for want of fuch payment,

went out no more againRthe Dunkirk robbers, but

only againR merchant/hips; and therefore the laid

fl:atesmolt inftantly defired to have the placaet re-

newed, whereby the laid rewards may certainly

and immediatelybepaid. But this wasnotgranted.

By meansof all which diforders it wasno wonder

that little lefs than nineteen millions was granted

according to the petitionary requeR of the council

of Rate for this year, and yet nothing done. On

the contrary, lieutenant admiral Tromp, on the

x4th of March of the enfuing year I64o, gave

advice, that the Dunkirkers had then 4o fail of

thips at lea, taking rich prizes, and tkimming the

leasby fquadrons : fo that the very convoys of this

.,,Ill_31chl_ate were unfecure, and often taken ; and tha_ on

lo._sa,,i our fide vice admiral de Witte was at lea with 6

t,,xe,oc_a-or 7 fail only : fo that the great loff_ of the mer-

.l_,,eda

,vail chants, which had continued fo many years, pro-

•,umber,ofduced in the years 1639, and z640, in the province

banAr_ts,of Holland, and chiefly at Amflerdam, more bank-

ruptsof the richefl:and worthier traders than ever

had beenknown or heard inthere countries. And

for this reafon thol_ of Holland propot_d to the

affembly of tile ttates general, in prefence of the

prince ofOrange, and concluded, that the refpec-

tire admiralties /hould, as formerly, let out /hips

for

Chap. r. the Seas from Pirates. x89

for guard of the coati:, and cruifers ; and that four

rece'ivers fllould be appointed to receive the money

required to that end, that fo it might not be mixed

with other monies,, or employed to pay the debts Aitem,

of the admiralties. _. 2,. t'.

And in regard every one could perceive that this ,9o.

c[lJeftatet

order was not effe&ual enough to clear the leas, x59 of Hol-

of the prir_cipal merchants of tlmfterdam, in the/and a-

beginning of the year 164I, joined with the fl:atesga.._

of Holland, and befought the t_ates general, that t_reatneal

• k" to defer

better care mightbe taken to keen m the Dun wkers

r _ _aying the

than formerly; adding, that in cai_ it were not ,,,,,d_-,/:

done, they would detain their money given for /,,,y /,z,,a'

payment of 50 companit_s offoldiers, lev,ed in the force,, t_t

year ,628, and clear the leas theml_Ives. But at betttr to

.... , . . cle.,r lbe

that ume the prince of Orange, and me aepuucs//= _.,

of the generality,, who. were fupporred and encou- _o__'_,,'_"

raged by him, were thll fo much dreaded, that the omittedit.

t_ates of Holland durfl: not undertake to intermeddle Aimma

with a matter. £o much for the advantage of ouc Boo_zz.

trade and filhery. Wherefore the Dunkirkers con- P. _6o.

tinued going to lea, and not only fo, but took

prizes at the mouth of our harbours : particularly

in ACpril, ,642 , with 22 frigates they feized all 8othatthe

they met with, and among others, eighteen fhips Dunkir-

belonging to Zierickzee. And on the 5th of No- kersgodn'd

ground

vem_er,oDun_irk frigates were fo bold, that they u_,_us.

fell upon the whole Ruff/a fleet ; and having taken J. v.

of them eighteen merchant fhips, and a man of Saad./,/.#.

war, the other convoy with eight A_uff/a men more,

hardly efcaped.

And altho' the deputies of the great fifhery had

complained in _une to the deputies of the gene-

rality of their }offes, and drfired better protection ;

yet we may eafily perceive how little the prince of

Orange, and the deputies regarded the lofs, and

complaints of the fcamen, and trading inhabitants,

fince inRead of redreli3ng m_tters, they had not

only

I9o _e Nece_ty of clearlng Part II.

,d,,,/tbat only in the foregoing year employed the money

redre.ff_ng granted for that end, in letting out a fleet of twenty

o,,,-m,-- thips for the a_fhnce of Portugal; but alfo, tho"

•ha,a, a,,t that fleet had effe&ed nothing-for the benefit ofthefe

.h'J,e,-s countries, nor could do it, yet neverthelefs for the

tompl_i_s,t&i__- fame end, the generality made a new demand of

"3 _-, 6ooooo guilders. Sothat we may jufdy fay, that

di_,e,udt, the prince of Orange, with the deputies of the ge-

ar.// Por- nerality, and the inland provinces, made it their

ragal, principal bufinefs to pay their land army, and in

_tzma, care of any deficiency, to connive at falfe muf'cers;

•'. z_. a*.taking all poflible care fo to order matters, tlaat the

t95. B.

zz.p. taxes for the army might be well paid, or elfe

374. Holland was put to find money or credit for that

purpofe. Yet for all this, when the t_ates of

tlndthe Holland had freely and readily levied many and•._,rs ¢

thea,.',_ great taxes to clear the feas, they were forced

paidto to let them fall into the hands of thofe who em-

tbt/'u/1_ ployed them to other ends: the Pcates of Hol-

mud libe-

T,Ib ,_- land continuing in fuch an awful reverence for the

"warded prince ; and rome others who laboured more to

_t_s. advance his intereft, and get his favour, than to

procure the profperity of the country, that they

durft not make ufe of their own money to clear

the lea. Only thofe of Holland and Zealand

confulted together to fcour the teas at their own

New ta*-charge diRinCq: from the other provinces ; but

esp_ftd

toi_,d would not execute their proje& for fear of of-

theWelt. fending the prince. Yet thole of Zealand took

ernuwvi- a vigorous refolution to erec"ta ¢ne//ern fociety, to

gatiou,uu- let OUt24 thips of war, out of the produce of a

d,,-/i- duty of one per Cent. upon all goods inward, and

rt_iOvt Of

l_articularone half per Cent. upon all goods outward

/_,-_,,. bound, to maintain convoys for all thips to the

toeflward, forwards and backwards.

By all which i_ appears how much the trade and

navigation of our people was at that time aban-

doned by the government : for the £afl and Weft-

India

Chap. I. the Seas from Pirates. 19 t

lndia companies, together with the Greenland .4sifall

company, prohibited them failing into thofe leas. ot&rt_x,s

The great fifhery northward and eaftward, were_o__aid

forced to pay their own convoys. The S./raits thing anal

/hips were to defend themfelves again_ the Turks alltb, i,-

by their chargeable manning and arming, accord- bahtabu

the new regulation. .And yet they delit_e- _e_ d

ing

rated to put the charge of convoying wef_ward .w,re---

upon the merchants, as if all duties railed for con-_a# ..w_.-

voys, cu_oms, and fubfidies, as well as all other h,_io,ed

of the

imports, were paid for nothing, _and ought to be flau.

wrefted from the trading inhabitants, and otEer

people of Holland, to the er_d that province might

not increafe, but decay in power and riches.

But the weftern fociety not going on, thole of

Holland and Zealand jointly remon_rated fo ear-

neftly the necdtity of better clearing of the feas, Butat laJ_

and the ufefulnefs of private thips of war, if care t&flat,s

were taken that the rewards fo often promifed of Holland

and Zea°

might be readily paid, that at laft in the year landpro-

Z643, OUtof certain new imports a fund was railed cure,/a

of 2ooooo guilders to pay the reward promifed certai,,

for all the enemies /hips of war that had beenf'"_ "

taken. So that by renewing the placaer, the in- the p,'emi-

lt81.

habitants and magi_rates o,' the cities of Hol/and Aitzma,

were encourged to tetoutflaips ofwarfor that fervice. ,0. 578-

And tho' the commonalty during this long and

ill government of publick affairs, were made to

believe that the fea was fo wide and raft, that it

could not be cleared from the Dunkirkers ; yet by

there new crullers which were let out by the ma-

gil_rates of Amflerdam and Rotterdam, the cities of

.lVorth-[lolland, and rome particular petrols of Zea-

land, it foon appeared that not only the narrow

leas, but the ocean alfo could very well be freed of

them : for fo loon as the cle,'rring of the leas was

effe&ually undertaken, and men encouraged by the

reward, there were fo many S?anifb men of war

taken

192 7"he Neceffity of clearing Part IL

taken, and beaten out of the leas, that in lieu of

givi0g 8 or io per cent. for infurance to Rocbel or

Bourdeaux, it fell to two or three only.

And tho' by their free and open navigation thus

procured, and the increafe of commerce both in

Holland and Zealand which followed thereupon,

thole provinces were likely to grow fo l_rong, as

to be too high to crouch to the captain and admi-

ral general ; yet prince Henry, weakened with age,

could not remedy that growing inconveniency, as

Seethe he had formerly done. Which was fo well known

l_lacaet to the ftates, and particularly to thole of Holland,

b_k oft hethat in the year I645, the new cruifers were en-

flatesgene-couraged to continue their care of the leas, by

raL

more advantageous conditions than before: till in

the end a peace with Spain was concluded in the

year 1648, which put an end to the war, and Fle-

mifh privateering.

But whil_ the prince of Orange, and his cabi-

net council, the deputies of the generality, tranf-

ported with ambition and jealoufy of Hollana's

greamefs and power, help'd to break the ballance

between France and Spain to the prejudice of all

.Europe, and of us in particular, making the crown

of France vifibly to preponderate the other, and

too long favouring their arms with fo great im-

prudence, that admiral _rromp with his princely

fleet of coafc-thips, holding in the years I644,

geeAitz- 1645, and x646 fuccetlively, Graveling, Mardike,

maon the 8cbuurtien, and Dunkirk itfelf block'd up by

t_oferef- lea, caufed them to fall into the hands of the

pe_i_e

jear_. French. In recompence of which they burdened

our countrymen refiding in France with higher du-

ties than any other nat;on paid. Betides which

they fhew'd their thievifla nature, by feizing in the

Mediterranean leas as many as they could of our

merchant flfips, efpecially the richef_; and mani-

felled their unfaithtZalnet_ againft their even too

faithful

Chap. I. t_e Seasfrom Pirates. i93

faithful allies. So that whereasin times paf_ we At l_fl

had traded in rome parts of ltaly belonging to the .wehad

king of Spain with freedom, and without fearch,Ps]aff'_'!t_

• . pRIIl, Oltg

the French caufed all our/hlps to f'cnke ; and ha- France ke-

Ying by letters or bills of lading found any ene-g,n to_r7

roy's goods on board, they did not only confifcate ,o,, ,,_vy

them, but alfo all the Holland goods with them :fla.

whereby the merchants of .,'lrnflerdamalone, as

they have owned, loft: more than ten millions of

guilders. Which added to the revolt of the trea-

cherous Portuguefe in Brazil, Angola, and St. Tho-

mas, lay fo heavy upon them, that in the years t¢_i,_

x646, and 1647, bankrupts werebecome frequent c,,ufi,¢a

and great _ our traflick and exchange banks being ._,qt,,,m.

at a ffand for fome time, no man knowing whom _"_

to trult. And indeed how great thole loffes muft

have been that were able to ruin fo many rich and

worthy merchants, may appear, if we confider that

the Engli/b, during the war of the years 165_-and

t653, having taken in the Channel and No-rth-

Sea an incredible number of our merchants /hips,

neverthelefs very few bankrupts were feen amongt_

our merchants, and almolt none except among the

infurers.

But how there French depredations teared after

the death of the laf'ccaptain-general, /hall be ex-

plained hereafter among the good fruits of the free

and eafy government of Holland. And now for

conclufion, I/hall defire the reader, if he doubtofA, deh#

the truth here related concerning our affairsof ftat¢ he,,,,t,,,,-

and war by fea and land, to examine the fame b/ttb._a

more amply and fully by the books of Lewis van l,ff:_;_l

..'litzrna(by the confeffionof all an authentick hi- _,h of

fmrian) from whence there particulars are for the/_. Wil.

molt part extra&ed, and to confider at the fame liam.

time whether the increafeof the riches of the inha-

bitants of Holland in general, during the govern-

ment of thole cabinet lords, and fucceltire princes,

O be

194 _rheNeceffity of clearing Part IL

be not very impertinently attributed to that govern-

ment, feeing that increafe, next to the bleffmg of

God, was caufedby our good fituation on the fen,

and rivers, and, as is ufual, by the * de_ru&ive

qT,t obju. wars which laRed very long in other parts, and

tion an- efpecially in the neighbouring countries: for in the

f_eret, time of old prince William, the ruin of Brabant

that theft

p,_oi_ce_and Flanders, and afterwards in the times of the

,weread- princes Maurice and Henry, thole lafting wars, and

wanted terrible deva_ations of Germany, and many other

ado-tbt adjacent countries, fupported and fupplied our ci-

g_vern- tieswith ma_ufa&ures, merchants and mechanicks;

the laid who finding here the ftates"manner of government

princet, not quite overthrown, have under thole remains of

publick freedom, ereCtedmany new manufa&ures

and trades, and have been able _okeep up the old

imployments and traffick of Holland, efpecially

through the diligence, vigilance, valour, and fru-

O.r tlrA. gality, which are not only natural :o the Hollan-

•vi_gtro- der_, but by the nature of our country is commu-

_ud,f_o,. nicated toall foreigners that inhabit among us, ac-

the ,wan cording to theold laying, * if'hereis a certainfecret

o.fo.r

.,igh- virtue natural to tioecountryof Holland. So that

/,o.,-s,on,-our inhabitants by the laid qualifications for the

jqtuatlo, promoting of trafllck and navigation, having ex-

_"/_"- celled all other neighbouring people, 'tis a wonder

Io_ ofl;- that by our before-mentioned ill government in

btr_, &c.maritime affairs, we were not utterly ruined.

'Tis al£oto be well conficlered, whether the in-

habitants of Holland in fuch cafes, and induedwith

/uch qualifications, would not have been much

more happy under a free government by l_ates,

than under the conduCt of the three fucceilive

princes before mentioned, and fuch deputies of the

generality as continually fought to promote the

prince's

• Crefclt interea Roma Alb_eminis. Lieu.

"t"Oeculm el_Batame qu_edamvis infita terrm.

Chap. I. the Seasfrom Pirates. _9S

prince's grandeur, and confequently their own,

more than the welfare of the country.

And whether our own fad experience hath not

abundantly taught us the truth of the maxim pro-

poled at the beginning of this chapter, viz. That

fuch cities and countries, whofe rulers ought to be

prefumed to be more or let_concerned to keep the

leas clear of enemies, ought alfo to have more or

|eB authority and power about maritime affairs, %atHell.

treafure, and militia, by which the feas are to be landought

kept free and open: and confequently that the ,or to i_.

magifl:rates of the cities, who are any ways con- tr,,flt*e

cerned in the flourithing of the manufaEtures, filhe-J,o,,_i,gC

• the .l_at ta

r_es, traffick, thipping, and guard of the feas,"v sut

ought to be intrufted with them, and no other per- t&,n

fons in the world. /a,,e,.

CHAP. IL

Above all things war, and cbie/ty by.fi,a, is

moil prqudicial, and peace very beneficial

j'br Holland.

UT if the fcouring of the £easagainft lea rob-

bers or enemies is fo neceffary for Holland

during peace, then much more peace itfelf. For Peace is

betides that all lea robbing is more frequent in-oery,,ecd'-

• -- • /a_ ._r

war, n deprives our inhabitants at once of all thear Holla_a.

trade to the enemies country, and carries it to the

inhabitants of neutral nations; betides which, all

/hip_, goods and debts of the Hollanders tkmtare

in the enemies country are confifcated, which may

give this people an incredible great blow : for the

Hollanders do not wait as other people till men

come to buy their goods in their own country, and

give ready money for them, but they tranfport

their goods through the world, and keep them

there in warehoufes waiting for chapmen_ and

O z that

I9 5 ffbe Interefl of Holland Part II.

that which is molt grievous, when they fell, in

Europe they ufually give a year's time for pay-

/l,d _oar ment. And moreover, when in any foreign coun-

detrimen-try the growth and manufae"tures of that place are

taL very plentiful and cheap, fuch commodities are

prefently bought up by our merchants, paid with

Beca,_ ready money, and kept in their magazines there,

our&bu till the feafon of exportation and lhipping prefents

art CO_j_f" ¢" -- -

.. • mr other olaces ; fo that the enemy may eafily

¢a01¢ IF, a_ .

t,eml, make felzure of many of our goods, which we can

co,,,tty, by no means retaliate.

And then it alfo commonly happens, that our

enemies either by whole flee_s do intirely obR'rucq=

.4,_ our our trade by tea, or by privateers may make in-

na_oigatlon credible depredations upon us. For by real'on that

obflrulted

a,,dall./: our fi/hery and foreign trade.are fo greatly difper-

turbid, fed, Holland is not able to defend them in all pla-

ces, and be matters at fea at one and the fame

time; tho' we had nothing elfe in charge but only

to clear the leas. Whereas we on the contrary

can find little or no booty at lea, becaufe we are

the only great traders there.

And for war by land, tho' it be not fo prejudi-

cial to Holland as by lea, yet 'tis manife_ly difad-

vantagious to the merchant, and greatly mifchie-

vous to all the inhabitants in general, but efpecially

to thole that drive a foreign trade. And whofo-

ever doubts of this, let him only confult the regi-

Rers of the admiralties of Amflerdam, with thofe of

other places, and he will fee that fince our peace

with 8pain our navigation and commerce is increa-

fed one half. The reader may alfo remember,

that during the war, the convoy and cuttoms to-

gether did at molt: amount to but i588763\guil.

Ai=ma, ders, yet when we had peace, our convoy-money

Chap. 3" alone of all the admiralties, did in the year I664,

produce 3x72898 guilders, when by calculation

it was concluded that the admiralty of Zealand had

yearly

Chap. 4. in relation to War and Peace. ,97

yearly 400000 guilders of revenue. And that is q'&rd_,

not ffrange, for the war with Spain being carried aiti,g

on both by fea and land, our merchants were put 400000

guilders

to great troubles and t_raits: and'tis a great burden_,, the

to our inhabitants to bring into the field fo great r_ve,ueof

and chargeable an army as to gain fortified cities t,_eaam/-

from our neighbours by long fieges: but it i.:,-_.I_of

• Z,:',dand,

doubly ridiculous to endeavour to make men of ,=t-_t,i,h

underl_anding believe that it tended to the benefitoaalueit is

of Holland, when an honourable oeace, or a longyea,,bel-

- • ttemd

truce wasevery year offered to us, as often to re,e&.

¢ a o OCt

and refufe =r,and yet Holland was forced to take

up a raft rum of money at interet_, and then to

take up another rum to pay thole interel'cs, and all 13eca,ft

this to carry on an offenfive war to _ain conauef_standton-

and viEtories ; which are not only ufe_leE,but=mul__=oufl_,h,_j¢

needs be very burdenfome to a country whole fron- ten Hol]_

tiers, by means of the lea and rivers, are for the land's

molt part every where fo eafy to be fortified and_,in.

kepl:, that by purely l_andingon its own defence,

it would certainly be able to confound all foreign

power that Ihould _.rtackit. Whereas on theother

fide it is certain, thatgenerally all republicks, efpe-

cially thole that fubfift by commer_ze,have been

ruined by offenfive wars and conquefts.

And that this was wellknown to thofe that tided

with the prince againfl:thole of Barnaveh's party

in this t_ate, the prefident _eannin terrified on the

29th of./lugufl 16o8, in a letter to monfieur l/il-

leroy, fecretary of ftate in France, as follows: It

is certain that the flates, how weak foever they

are, do not loft their courage, but rather churlto

return to war, than accept a peace or truce for

many years upon other conditions than tbofe for-

_erly mentioned. They (I conceive he means fuch

as by all means defired a war, and thole were, as

is well known, of the prince's party)fay among

tbet_lves, if France abandons us, we muff ruin,

0 3 demolifb,

198 The Interefl of Holland Part II.

14rhichf or"demolifh, and abandonromecities, and parts of the

_e,z_ remoteflprovinces, which, by reafon of the great

thofi that charge of keeping them, will more weaken than

_¢r_ of

thel_ritt-flrengt/oen us; and we muff alfo difmantle fome

W, pa_, placesof leafl importance. And moreovertheyfay,

asa_ that all this beingdone,theyfhouldhave wherewith

to continue in firvice 40000 foot and 95oo borfe,

betides the naTy, thirty years longer: and that

tloerewitb tbeyfhould beflrong enoughfo to tire the

king of Spain, and after fucb a manner to exha_fl

his treafury, that he will beneceffitatedtogrant the

conditionswhich now he rejeoqs.

Prince And that prince Maurice himfelf knew veT

Ma_vice well that there countries might be better and with

._ne_,_eR let_ expence defended again_ the enemy with few

e_.o_gh, frontier places thartmany, appearsby a letter writ-

ten about two months after, to the laid prince by

the king of France: in which, among other parti-

culars, is this paffage, if'hegreat charge that the

war requiresyou have experimented,andfound that

theflates alonewere not able to bear it, nay hardly

with the help of friend_, whofoymerly contributed

of their own tobear thofi expences. And if it/hould

happen that you by weaknefs, or want of moneybe

neceffitatedto quit and leavefome part of the coun-

try to the enemy, wherebyto defend the refl the bet-

ter, as the laid Lambert (the prince's en'_oy)hath

declaredto me onyour behalf, that you are refolved

to doff rather than enter into tbefaid treaty, unlefs

it bef, rfl exprefs'd in plain terms, That thefore.

reignty/hall ever beand remainin theflates, &c.

_,,d.j'e¢ All which particulars above-mentioned being

,_aaycitiesin thofe days agreed by _atefmen and experienced

ha,re been

takenEnce. foldiers, 'ds as certain that fince that time by the

condu& of prince Henry, very many rem'oteplaces

about the Scheld, Maefe and Rhine, have been

taken it,.and fortified, and that the generality out

of all the lands and cities fituate out of the voting

provinces

Chap. 3" in relation to War and Peace. i99

provinces (for rome of them are not allowed to rchi,h ,d-

• ct n] together

have their fuff'ra_es)about the year x664, had o y

- . yield a

one million of guilders annual revenue, ana yet the million

keeping of them coRmore than four millionsyear-yea,-b,a,,,/

ly ; fo that thole tha.tare of the prince's party tour refui,'e

in all refpe&s acknowledge, that the Rates of Hol-f °_ milli-

land did, in the year _64o, very wellreprefent the o,,,.

matter to prince Henry, by telling him, that it de-

ferred confideration, whether it were not better to

make no more conquefts, or even to lore rome

that are already acquired, than by long fieges, and

confequentlygreat charge to the Rate, to fufferthem Sothatall

£uddenly to rink and fall in like an undermined hill. o._e,,5_,e

¢/g)ar$ arc

Upon which there wasnothing replied by the prince, tobefit-

but only that he could not be well pleafedto feethe bo,-_.

conquers which had coRthe country fomuch blood Aitzma

and treafure, fo little eReemed. From all which, b/ft.p.

it is certain, that Holland's intereft is to leek after ,o_,.

peace, and not war.

CHAP. HI.

That Holland hath antiently received there

maxims of peace.

N D that the trading provinces of the Netber-

lands have always followed thefe maxims, _'hemax-

manifeRly appears in antient hiftory : for the fore- ims_r

peace have

reigns of the country were never fuffered by their ancientb

own authority to make war, or lay any impofition been,well

for maintenanceof military forces, nay not to do _,,o_,nin

it in the meetingsof the Rates, bypluralityofvoices. Holland.

For in there exceffively prejudicial al_hirs, they

would not hazard their being over-voted. Where-

of we h,ve had very many exam'ples, not only in

th:tt rich trading province ofFlanders, I-ut alfo in

Itolland, efpecially with relation to England; with

_vhichcountry the Netherlands could tbrmerly deal

O 4 well

200 7_beInterefl of Holland Part II.

well enough. For before the halls and tumults had

removed the weaving trade thither, the Englifb

were ihepherds and woolmerchants ; andtheir king

received few other imports than from wool export-

ed, no left depending on the Netherlands (the only

wool weaversof Europe) thanthe weaverson them.

And amongR others we read in the year ,389,

that duke Albert of Bavaria, as earl of Holland

and Zealand, flee. having brought thefe provinces,

without the confcrrtof Dort and Zierickzee, into a

war with England, the Engli/h took many /hip,s

with wine coming from Rochel; and not only re-

leafedall tholethat belongedto Dort and Zierickzee,

but came to thole places to fell their prizes_ becaufe

they had not confented to the war.

_i,h it And on this foundation is built the great inter-

_T,".#_aLcourfe (calledintercurfu_magnus) between England

Incttrf_ anO tidelvet_ertantts, c0ntammgexprelly, ff'l_atthe

Magaus,fame covenant is not onlymadebetweenthefovereigu

lords of both/ides, but betweenthe vaffals, citiesand

fubjc_s alfo; fo that thole who bad donethe injury,

and not others, fhould bepunifhed, the peaceand co-

venant remaining infull force, for the benefitof all

others, who had not confentedto the _oar, or injury

done. 80 that if a ]hip had failed out without the

prince's commi_on, or the commiffionof any city,

tbat city was to makegood the damage doneby that

fhip. And this treaty (which is very obfervable)

was not only tigned by plenipotentiaries, on the

behalfof theking of England, and the arch-duke

as prince of therelands, but alfo fealedandfigned

by the burgo-mafters of the cities of Ghent,

•.that_,a_Bruges, .rpres, Dunkirk, 2Vewport,Atntwer.o,Ber-

flg,e,tty gen, Dort, Delft, Lqden, ,4mflerdam, Middle-

all the burgh, Zierickzee, Feer, Me?helen, Bruffels, and

trafftcking Brill, anno I495. All which thole on both tides

eqtiet.

affirm to have been tranfa&ed tbr she greater

f.c,.trity of amity and trade.

For

Chap. 3: in relation to Peace. I/or

For the council of the cities did not ut_ to be

under oath to the lord or prince who ufurped, and

acquired the nomination of their magiftrates only

by means of differences arifing among the cities;

but the cities might of antient times, without ap-

probation of the earls, entertain foldiers in their

own fervice. On the other fide, the earls ufed in

dines of peace to have no garrifons, foldiers, ma-

gazines, or treafure, which, with the divifions of

the cities of_/ImiensandSt. _9.uintinformerly mort- .4,Wita_.

gaged, werethe caufethat they fell from the houfepearedalfi

of Burgundy into the handsof the king of France,bjtht

.... tarl_¢

their arltientlord, in x47o, ofwhlchPhdipdeCo- d

Hollan

mines thus fpeaks: Charles Duke of Burgundy,ha.t,i,,g,,

holding an affemblyof theflates in his country,(viz.fla,wi,,g

there.. provinces) reOre/'ented__ to. them the _reat. -_re'f°rtt"'¢'taat_i,

judtce he hadfuffered, by havtng nofoldiery tn pay_. _

peat :

on his frontiers, as the king had, andthat thefron-

tiers couldbar, beenwell keptwith 500 menat arms, _.d.J_,_

. . . rmnp

and might have continued tn peace. He farther Comir_s.

acquainted them with the great dangerswhich hung

over their heads, and preffed hard fcr a fupply to

maintain 800 lanceers. In the end, theflates agreed

to allow him ,2oooo crowns annually, ever and

above what he received of his ordinary revenues,

not including Burgundy. But his fubjeeTsfcrupled

muchto take that burden uponthem, tho"to diflrefs

France with this body o/"horfe (]'or Lewis XI. D.Charlet

king of France, was tbefirfl in Europe, who in a oFBur-

time of peacekept armed forces onfoot). /Ind in- gun# th,

deed the flutes of the Netherlands fcrupled it not/_ _ho

hept flu,W-

to#bout reafon: [or hardly had the duke raifed 5 i,gf,,cu.

or 600 of Ms horfe, but his defireof emrearingtheir

number, and ofinvading all his neigbbours,grew

to that height, that in flaort time be brought them

to the payment o[ five hundred thoufand crowns,

keepingin pay great numbers of horfi, fo that his

[ubjet"ts

_02 7he Interefl 0fHolland Part II.

fubje_s were thereby greatly opFreft. Thus far

Comines.

But at the death of the d,'Jte thole t_anding horfe,

in time of peace, were difl)anded till the year 1547,

when that formidable emperor Charles V. erected

a certain number of ftanding troops, confifting of

400o horfe, commanded by colonels and captains,

to be ready at all times, upon any attempr, on the

frontiers, wid_ their horfes and arms. But Philip II.

of 8p,L., being jealous of there armed inhabitants,

n_led'ted to pay and mutter them: fo that thefe

regiments of the militia coming to nothing, and he

purpofing in lieu of them, to maintain a R-anding

army of Spaniards in thefe countries, was oppofed

in that attempt by the Rates of the Netherlands,

which was one of the principal occafions of our

commotions and wars that enfued.

.g,,dZaflO, And with the union ofCTtrecbt, Hollandneglec-

/,y the u- ted not altogether its intereft in this particular : for

,,/o,,yu- according to the ninth article, no plurality of votes

trecht it

ak_ars takes place in affairs of a new war, contributign,

_._ care-and peace. Which freedom the particular mem-

f_lth_ ben of Holland have conftantly kept, as w_ll as in

Nether- the affembly of the ftates ; and not without reafon :

land_

,_ere to for feeing it is contrary to the law of nature, for

a.,,o/#-. men to give another the power of taking away their

a#ar.lives, on condition and promife that he will ufe it

wholly fbr their benefit ; but yet that if he makes

an ill ufe of that power, and will take away their

lives, they may not in l_][:defence ufe their natural

ftrength _gainft him : it follows, that all obligations

which do lb powerfully oppofe and prejudice the

weHare of our country, muff be null and void, fo

t long as we arc roarers of our own government.

CHAP.

Chap. 3. in relation to War and Peace. zo 3

CHAP. IV.

Some cafes laid down, in which it feems ackoi/'-

able for Holland to engage in a war; and

tha,et thole being well weighed, it is concluded_

t Holland neverthelefs ought to leek for

peace.

AV I N G in the two lal_ chapters clearly_',,m¢ry

/hewed what Holland's maxims ought to I_, made,be.

and have been of old, viz. peace for her inhabi- t_t,.a be

tants, to puffue the fame by all convenient means,at_ble,

and decline war: yet in feveral cafesWherebyour

people might be incumbered, or vexed, or in dan-

ger to be fo, and when it may be prefumed that

our free-t'cateby revolution of time andaffairs,may

run the hazard of being ruined ; it may be doubt-

ed, whether it would not be advifable for Holland

to begin an offenfive war.

I /hall therefore give you my thoughts about

rome of them, and do fay, that we ought never to % mate

undertake a war by reafonof any foreign impofition no,,,,,,r,

or toll whatfoever upon goods ; for thole remedies tho"toffee

our feller

will always be worfe for Holland than the difeafe._omfo-

And the fame feems to be with much more conve-'relgnta_

niency removed, by charging their commodities ase,e

much here, as our wares, merchants and mariners

are charged in thole parts. In all fuch cafes we

generally find, that either the high impofitions are

prohibitions of them/_lves, or that the traffick in

thole over-burdened commodities thrives as well as

before: for if by thole toils the commodities bur-

dened are prevented from being imported, he then

that focharged them, immediately finds thereby fo

great a 1ot_,that of his own accord he ufually takes

off this impofition.

find

zo¢ _r_e Inter# of Holland Part II.

And'of this we have innumerable examples ; for

hli'cories arefilled with wars'which ha_,e been in vain

carried on, by reafon of the fairing fuch tolls, as

the ere&ors themfelves have at laPc been glad to

leffen, or take wholly away : as lately in September

,662, the republick of Fenice perceiving how much

their traftick by fea was diminithed, of their own

motion difcharged two tolls, the one named 6 per

cent. and the other on goods that came wel'cward

from lea.

_,'ot_ b,d. On the other fide, there occurs to my thoughts

/a,,ctthe another great piece of folly, viz. that the merchants

flare,of of Holland, and the _ate itfelf being founded upon

/_.arot,¢? traffick, fl_ould yet make ufe of it for a perpetual

maxim, and continue in their prefent unfortified

condition, in which often, for fear of a future and

tharper war, "they will be contriving to balance the

/4_ _up flares of Europe. For when we have impregnably

,'-dtm,oxr fortified all our cities and frontiers, as we ought, we

:r_ to

,r,_, m;ly then, according to the intereft of our Pcatefay

flr,,,g ad to all people, l_ive peace in our days, 0 Lord. And

,althfd. if the.w"orff ha_ppen-s, by" fitting fldll we lhall fo

t_rengthen and improve our land, fea.forces, and

treafure, that no power will be eafily brought to

attack us, but rather rome weaker fcate. Whereas

now on th.e contrary, we exhaufl: our treafure, and

weaken ourfelves every way, not knowing whether

we fhall ever overcome thefe inconveniences, which,

either by want of fortifications, or our obffinacy,

we pull down upon our own heads: and being weaker

by our own negligence or wantonnefs, we may, after

having wret'tled with thoti: difficulties, more eafily'

fall from one weaknefs into another, and fo be at

lafl: over-powered.

As all tkilful phyficians hold it for a good ma-

xim, '_ that one means of preferring health, is to re-

fra!n from health-drinking: fo they always diffuade

from

UnafalusranisnuZlampotarefalutem.

Chap. 4. in relation to War and Peace, _o $

from taking phyfick in time of health, for fear of

future ficknet_, becaufe thereby we frequently bring

ficknefs and death upon ourfelves ; whereas by good

fortifications, and temporizing, we may efcape, cbi

ba tempo ha vita. And in all cafes phyfick weakens

the body, and the continual ufe of it flaortens a man's

life. And therefore we may well make ufe of that

wholefom counfel, as molt agreeable to our pro-

vinces, viz. of ufing no phyfician: for if Holland

takes care to provide every thing neceffary, and

then fcands in its own defence; it is not to be over-

quench every fire, for fear the war/hould pals over

others, and kindle in our own buildings, we /hall

certainly confume ourfelves by degrees, and by our

own a6tions be ruined.

In flaort, Holland taking due care of things, is

fo powerful as not to be conquered by any, except Holland'J

perhaps by England, if that nation/hall be willing int,r,]t,

to ruin itfelf: fo that we may truly fay, that ifHol-fl *= the

land, for fear of a war, /hall begin a war, it muff __tSk_-/i

• 0 tbt_ -

for fear of the fmoak leap into the fire. And this niard, i,

folly cannot be excufed in any meafure by that max-/_t_a6

im which we ufed here, in the beginning of our =,othe,

troubles, * ¢oar is better than uncertain peace : for thing.

feeing we then made war for our freedom, or at

leat°cthe thadow of it, againt'c our own prince, it is

certain that all peace, of what nature foever, would

have difarmed the fkatesof there provinces, and de-

prived them of their Parength. And on the other

fide, the king of Spain remaining prince of there

countries, and able to keep on foot fome l_anding

forces in all his other territories, might have made

himfelf, at any time, abfolute lord of there parts,

without regard either to promifes, oaths or reals ;

and then have punithed all thofe at his will and

pleafure, who at any time had oppofcd him.

But

• Pacedubiabdluml_tias.

2o6 _FheIntere/t of Holland Part II.

But no'w, God be praifed, the flares of Holland

living in a time of peace, are alone in poffeffionof

all the ftrength of the country, and are able to go-

vern it better than in war, w_thout the controul of

any, according to their own pleafares: fo that the

1Vhether contrary isnow true in Holland, _ war ismuch worfe

an uncer-than an uncertain peace, and among all pernicious

rain

_tacebt things, except the intollerable flaveryof"being go-

•_orfe verned bythewillof atingle perfon, nothing is more

:h,,,,a mifchievous than a war:for if war be the very wort_

,war. thing that can befalanation, then anuncertain peace

muff be bad, becaufea war is liklelyto enfue.

But rome may further ask, feeing peace is fo he.

ceffaryfor Holland, whether out of a Rrong defire

of a firmand laffing peace, we ought not, when

once engaged, to continue in war, till we have

compelled the enemy to a well-grounded peace?

/_'ofucb To this I anfwer; if we confider the uncertainty

tbi,,_asa of this world, efpeeiatlyin Europe, and that we by

ctr_i,s traffick and na¢igation have occafion to deal with

trace, all nations, we ought to hold for a firm and general

maxim, that an affuredpeace is, in relationto Hol-

land, a merechimera, a dream, a fi&ion, ufed on..

ly by thofe, who, like fyrens or mermaids, endea-

vour, by their melodious tinging of a pleafant and

firm peace, to deludethe credulous Hollanders, till

they fplit upon the rocks.

Therefore it is, and will remain a truth, that

next to the freedom of the rulers and inhabitants at

home, nothing is more neceffaryto us than peace

with all men, and in fuch atime of peace to make

effe&ual provifion for go.od fortifications on the

frontiers of our provinces ; to keep a competent

number of men of war at fea; to hu/bandour trea-

lure at home, and, as loon as poffibly we may, to

take off thofe impo_s that are moflcburdenfom,

efpecially that of convoys ; holding ouffelves al-

lured,

•1"li.-ll-m pace dubia pejus, & malolum omnium yefllmum.

Chap. 4. in relation to 14rat and Peace. 2o 7

lured, that without there means, whereby to pro-

cure a firm peace, and to preferve our country in

profperity, as far as the wickednet_ of this world

will admit, all other expedients will be found pre-

judicial to Holland; and that we on the contrary,

relying on there maxims and means, ought always

to wait till others make war upon us, direc"tlyand

indeed ; becaufe by our diligent and continual pre-

paration, they would foon underftand, that there is

more to begotten by us in atime of peaceand good

trading, than by war, and the ruin of trade.

But becaufethere conclufionsconcerning the pro- _rbat'+;_

fperity of Holland, feem to oppofe the known rules u,ad_ifa-

of polity ; _fl, That a defenfive war is a confump- bl_tofl_nd

tire war ; and 2dly, "Ihat no rulers canfubfilt, un- o,_ o_

]efsthey put on the tkin of a lion, aswell as that of_e_c_aea],/:

the fox ; I/hall give you my thoughts upon there_oer'd.

two maxims. And truly if we may fay of fubjec'ts,

as the Italians,

One half the year theylive byfraud and art,

By art and fraud they live the other part :

we may with as good reafon fay of thole that go-.

vern_

of One half the year they live byforce and art,

By art andforce they live the otherpart.

But he who looks further into matters thall find, It is t,_

that in ufing there maxims there is great diftin&ion _fmo-

• - . a narchs and

to be made. For tho' ,t be true of monarcns ano. .

• - jo_oere,g_

princes, who will fufferno fortifications, that a de- lords,ao¢

fenliveofpee re-

• Conarteeconingano, ?ublirka,.

Sirivemezzol'anno.

Con ingano e con arte,

$i rive l'altra parte.

"l"Conforzae coningano,

Sirivemezzol'anno.

Conforzae conarte,

Sirivel'altraparte.

_o8 _7oeInterefl 0/'Holland Part IL

fenlive is a confumptive war ; yet in republicks

which live by traffick, and have fortified them-

felves well, all offenfive war is prejudicial and con-

fuming: fo that fuch countries can never fublifl:

without good fortificationsin this world, where the

lovers of peace cannot always obtain their wilh.

_,.ea,_ The truth is, great monarchsarc juRly compar'd

th_ are tO the lion, who is king of bears, never contented

a._'g_",la_.with the produce of their own country, but living

_';e),-:" upon the fleflaof their enemies, I wiflaI could not

ibtirful_ fay fubje_s, conquering and plundering their

j,as. neighbours, and burdening their own people with

taxes and contributions. Yet tho' they appropri-

ate to themfelves all the advantagesof the country,

they would trill be deficient in f'crength, if by

means of the fox's tkin they could not fometimes

anfwer their enemies, and even their own fubjec_s,

and efcap¢ the fnares laid for them by others.

W/m**r Whereas republicks governing with more gentle-

,htrub,', nefs, wifdom, and moderation, have naturally a

o/'#,.q,b- more powerfuland numberlefs train of inhabitants

lic_ art

.adhering to them than monarchs, and therefore

_'_' a_t'cand not in need of fuch maxims, efpeciaUythofe

gwoer.

too,ego,- that fubliff by trade, who ought in this matter to

t_. follow the commendableexample of a cat : for/he

never converfes with ltrange beatts, but either

keeps at home, or accompanies thole of her own

fpecies, meddling with none, but in orderto de-

fend her own ; very vigilant to provide for food,

_o' *"_ and preferve her young ones: /he neither barks

,,at,ra@ nor fnarls at thole that provoke or abufe her _ fo

_ta_.y_a flayand fearful, that being purfued, the immedi-

,war. ately takes her flight intofome hole or place of na-

tural ttrength, where Jhe remains quiet till the

noife be over. But if it happens that finecan by

no meansavoid the combat, fhe is more fiercethan

a lion, defends heffelf with tooth and nail, and

better than any other bealt, making ufe of all her

well-

Chap. 4. zn relation to War and Peace. _zo9

well-hutbanded ftrength, without the leaf_ negle&

or fainting in her extremity. So that by there arts

that fpecies enjoy more quiet every where, live

longer, are more acceptable, and in greater num-

ber than lions, tygers, wolves, foxes, bears, or

any other bea_s of prey, which often perilh by

their own t_rength, and are taken where they lie

in wait for others.

A cat indeed is outwardly like a lion, yet i'heis, Holland,

and will remain but a cat ftill ; and fo we who aretho'/_e

naturally merchants, cannot be turned into fol-flout(rte.

diets. But becaufethe cat of Holland hath a great._,,/ea h,,-

r J_/f"-

round head, fiery eyes, a dreadful beard, tha p ..i,,_

teeth, fierce claws, a long tail, and a thick hairy _Da[t, ,-a

coat, by means of our merchants; our ftadtholder tZ,r to b't

and captain-general from time to time, and after ,o_par'd

him rome of our alliesor rulers, who had reap:d to,,,,t

profit by war, have made ufe of all the laid lea- t_ana

/t'0._'.

rares, and the ftout defence which this cat made

when/he was ftraimed and pinch'd by the Spanifh

lion, as Comany reafonsto prove that /he was be-

come a lion ; and have made her fo far to believe

it, againf_ mof'cmanifef[ truth, that they have pre-

vailed with her for fifty years fucceflavelyto fall

upon other beat's, and fight with them. But the

fad experience of what is part:, the decay of all in-

ward fcrength, the death of the laf[ captain-gene-

ral, and the free government of the flare, which

by God's unfpeakable goodneE enfued, ought cer-

tainly to take off the fcales from the eyes of the

t[upid Hollander, and fo make him feeand know,

that Holland by fo doing was no lion, but a bur- 9"._o'/,y

den-bearing afs. For the conquet_s obtained b}'b.ta,'i,l

her labour and blood, have not ferved to feed her, _,,,p,fltio,t

-- ,- Joe _ ot

but to break her back, and to make our formerco,_-_,d

captain-general, andth: f[adtholders, fo to mcreafe,o a, ,,_.

in power, that they became formidable to their.

. . lrl tlmts o

mafters, the ftates of the refpec"tlV¢prownces, and ourfl,dt_

P efpecially_old,r,.

zo 7"he Interefi of Holland Part II.

efpecially to the Rates of Holland ; and Rill ferve

to make rome of the crafty allies of our union, and

rome few flavi/h rulers to live voluptuoufly, know-

ing how to procure many military employments

and profits for their children and friends, and are

therefore continually advifing Holland to profecute

the war.

And tho' Holland, fince the laR fixteen years,

feems very well to have apprehended the mifchief

Jlndthere-received by the lion's /kin, yet /he feems not to

fore muff have difcerned the fraudulent damage of the fox's,

bydegreeswhich will be found well nigh as mifchievous : for

lea_oe that

ill c_flom.Holland hath very imprudently made ufe of the

fox's /kin in Poland and Denmark. Upon the

whole matter, 'tis certainly beR for Holland to

Rrengthen her frontiers and inland cities fo loon as

may be ; and when they are impregnably fortified,

let her not engage herfelfwith any but her next and

older allies, of the other United Provinces, and

leave the reR of the world to take their courfe :

and this done, let us only concern ourfelves with

our own affairs, according to the good proverb,

ffbat which burns you not, cool not. And becaufe

it feems to me that fuch evident truths nxake the

deeper impreffions, and are be,°capprehended by

proverbs and fables, I /hall conclude this chapter

with the following fables.

ff'befirfl fable.

The lion, king of bea_s, having heard many

complaints of his fubje&s concerning the cr.uel per-

fecution and murders committed by the huntfmen,

and fearing that if he /hould any longer bear fuch

unrighteous dealings, he lhould lofe his royal ho-

nour and refpecq: among his filbje&s, went in per-

fon to fight the huntfman, who firft by his/hoot-

ing, afterwards by his lance, and laffiy with his

fword, fo wounded the approaching lion, that he

was

Chap. 4. in relation to War and Peace. 9 r I

was neceffitated to fly ; and having loft: much of his wai_a is

ffrength by his wounds, and more of his honour il;,¢rated

_' certain

and etteem by his flight, laid, with a la'.nentableT,_am.

voice, to my forrow I find the truth of this pro-Firfl, of

verb, * The ftrength of Samfon is not fur'ficient for tbe l;o,,

one that is refolved to revenge evil with evil : but a,,ahu,,t./:

he that can wait, and be patient, /hall find his ma,.

enemy defeated to his hand. What need had I to

Rreighten this crooked piece of wood ? It had been

better for me to have left thofe injuries to time,

and perhaps rome tiger, wolf, or bear, having with

• " "cr By gaining

like Imprudence fouc,ht out the huntlman, m__ht .

t L tt % ," t t"' tllne ?nan_

have oeen ttrong ana Iortunate enough to nave evih =ay

killed him in the fight. & over-

CO#he.

_be fecond fame.

A certain f_mng wife man, meeting a _rong _/f,,a,'eof

fool, who had undertaken to force a River from a _ip

every man he met, gave him a River without a man a,,a

blow or a word. Whereupon rome of his acquain- a fool.

tance, young people, blam'd him for it, ufir_g there

words: God hath given you at leafl: as much

Rrength, and more wifdom than to this leud fel-

low, whereby you would undoubtedly have had the

vi&ory, and delivered the world from this rafcal ;

whereas contrarily, * you will be defpifed, if you

do this. But the wife man anfwered, they that

buy their peace do befl:; and betides, I know it is

ill fighting with a t_rong fool ; but you know noc

the value of your own peace, welfare and /ire, and

much let_ the manner of the world. For tho'I For peace-

were not an old merchant, but a prudent foJdier, fate ,_e

._. ought to

2 Y_tyield fom¢-

'_ Die al h¢c quaat met quaat wil wreeken, ,what.

$amfons kragt fal hem ontbreeken,

Maer die can lyden en verdraagen

Vind bier fyn Vyanden verflaagen.

Bonls nocet quifquis peperc,rit malls: & malum quod

quis impedire potuit, nee impedit, feciffevidetur; vetcrem

fereadohajuriamiavitasnovam.

_I_ _r'beInter_ of Holhnd Part IL

yet I thall tell you, that he who will not bePcow

a ftivrrto keep peace, mu_ have hisfwordalways

drawn. And he that will bealways fighting, tho"

with the benefitof ten advantagesagainft onedan-

ger, muft certainly lay out more than ten ftivers

to buy arms: and as where there is hewing of

wood, there will be fplinters flying on every fide ;

fo after a man hath fuffered the fmart, he muff:

give a good reward to the chirurgeon and phyfi-

clan,even when the belt:happens: the bucket will

come broken home at laft; and the belt fighters

at laft find their maPcers; for the ftouteft Hercules

is fometimes foonefl,beaten. Next laid he, time

will inform you that I am not to Pcreightenall the

crooked wood I fhall meet in this world: for !

'a affure you it will happen to this if:tongfool, as it

t_e.f,,, did formerly with the-foolifh frog, who finding a

_a wife crab fwimming in the water, threatened to

_._n,_a kill him if he found him any more there. The

good-natur'dcrab thinking, as thole who willingly

fhun a mad ox which they might kill with a gun,

that he wouldalfo ihun this creature, gave the frog

good words, fwimming immediately backward ac-

cording to its cur[ore, and giving "placeto him.

But becaufe _upidity caufesboldnet_and felf-con-

ceih the frog concluded that he was fcronger than

the crab, and fo fell upon him. The crab de-

/-endedheffelf ftoutly, and at laecpinch'd the frog

immediately dead. And feeing the world is full

of look, I tell you that this coxcomb growing too

confident by a few good fucceffes, will loon find

another fool who will knock him o'the head, and

rid the world of him. It is certainly much better

that a fool, and not a wife man, thould put his

life in the ballance with this fool.Which predi&ion

was loon after verified by experience; forawhile af-

ter this fool fetting upon other people, found at lafl:

as foolilh) cro_ and Rronga fellow as himfclf, that

would

Chap. 4. in relation to "war and _Peace. 2 I3

would rather fight than give him a ftiver, who

knock'd him down and kill'd him. Upon which

the wife man caufed rome fayings to be engraven

over him, among which were there: Tbe nurnbertlndfoma

offools is infinite ; and to cure afool, requires oneoldpro-

and a half; for without blows it cannot be done. ,verbs.

ffloethird fable.

A certain fox conceiting himfelf not able to _rbefable

fubfit, if the wolves and bears lived in mutual _e_x,

amity, ffirred up the one againft:the other; and bear.

afterwards fearing lef_the wolf which favour'dhim

lefs, fhould get the better, and then finding him-

felf without enemy, flaoulddet_royhim, refolved

to fl:rengthenthe bear privately with food, which

he had fparedfor himfelf, and to fee the fight be-

tween them, under pretence of being mediator,

but really to feed upon the blood of theconquer'd;

which when he tailed, he was fo tranfportedwith

the relifll, that rather than forbear the blood, he

lec the bear have fo much of hisother naturalfood,

that he was grown weak. But the two combating

beafts, obferving this ill defign of the pretended

mediator, and his weaknefstogether, deftroyed this

blood thirfty fox, the one premeditately, the other

by the"fortuneof the war ; betides,hefell unpitied.

For fuppofe the wolf and bear had grown fo weak

by the f_x's artifices, that they could not have hurt

him; yet there werelions, tigers, and other beafl:s

of prey, which could as certainlyand eafily have

devoured him, becaufehehadloft hisftrength, and

could no longer in any extremity runto his hole,

and thereby £tve and defendhimfelf.

Thus God and naturepunifheththole that abufe

their ftrength, and takes the crafty in theirown

liabtilty. * As falfe felt-love is the root of all mif-

P 3 chief,

• Semitaeerte

Tranquill_epervirtatempaterunlcavitae._¢u,ven.

I1n'¥aplusgrandelinefl_qued'eltreh0mmede-blen.

I4 The Interefl of Holland Part II.

chief, fo prudence and well-grounded felf-love is

the only caufe of all good and virtuous actions.

Purfuant to which, as we fay, Do well, and look

not backward, is the greateft polity Holland can

ufe. And the richefl:blefl'ingwhich God can pour

down upon a nation, is to unite the intereRs thereof

to peace, and the welfare of mankind: according

to the good rule, * He tbat loves himfelf aright,

is afriend to all the world.

_'befourtb fable.

A certain fell-conceited fox in a deriding man-

of the ner a/king a well-meaning cat, how finecould free

sg,_,t,_t her fell'from all the ill accidents of this world ; the

and huntf-

man. cat anfwered, that/he was not offended when any

thing waslaidof her in aderiding way.

8mallS.- In a word, laid file, I /hew thole that would

:._ ._ithhurt me the greateft kindnefs, by which I avoid

upright- all enmity: for my only art of all arts is, to avoid

neffis

much Set- harm. "Upon this the fox flouted with the cat,

ter, laying, -]"This is indeed a very pretty fcience be-

coming an unarmed roundhead ; but I thatamwitty

andcrafty will lord it over others : and betides that,

I live without want and care, for in an inftant I

can finakeout a bag full of artifices. But while he

wasthus braving it out, and negligent, a huntfman

with hisdogs was come fo near him, that not being

able to efcape, he wastaken in his fubtilty by the

dogs, and killed, whilethe cat with her only flight,

T_an and ever neceffary fortification, fled for her life,

n_ud,dut-running up a lofty tree and fo fared her felf: and

t¢__it._ from thence taw the care of the fox pulled over his

great ears, comforting her felf in the mean time with

c_a.O, this long,

_oca

'_Q.uifibivereamicuseR,huncomnibusfcitoamicum.

][LepidumcaputfedccrcbJ:umnonhabcs.

Chap. 4. ipzrela#ionto Fear and Peace. 21S

Poca Brigata,

I"ita Beata.

Cafa mia cafa mia

Pur Piccda the turin

_'u mi pari un abadia.

This therefore is the great and neceffary art for it is

Holland, notwithftanding the maxims before ob- ,_ga{,..

jec"ted, viz. to maintain peace, and fortify our fron- t_"_tp,a¢lUata'e

tiers, and never unneceffarily to meddle with part- aboveall

ing of princes that are in war by our ambaffadors t_i,,gsis

and arbitrations: for by thefe means we /hall be_ec_a.?'

• . .for JL-lOl-

certainly drawn into the charge of a war, and b:fides land.

are like to gain the reward of parters,, and bring

the.war or the hatred of both parties upon our felves,

betides the confumption of our treafure in expen-

five embaffies, even when the belt happens. And

tho' the troubles of this world cannot be avoided

always either by force or art, yet .weought to keep

out of them as much as we can with all our ftrength,

prudence and polity. And if notwithltanding all

this, war thould be made upon Holland, tim. will

gain a double reputation, when with the encourage-

ment of her own ftrength, long before provided,

together with the ju_ice and necel'fityof her defence,

/he/hall overcome the danger. Betides, the op-

pofition we flaould be able to make, as well as the

juft: hatred that always attends the aggreffor, and

the confequences that might follow the conqueft of

this country, would alarm other princes, and give

them time to deliver us.

And tho' I know there maxims will always be re-

je&ed by molt of the idle gentry, foldiers of for-

tune, and the fotti/h rabble, as if we relying only

on our impregnable fortifications, and ftanding on

our defence, /hould by that means lore all that

name and reputation we have acquired ; to which

P4 I

216 9"heIntere_ of Holland Part II.

I/hall only fay that all isnot gold that glifters, and

rufiy filver ismore valued by men ofunderilanding

than glittering copper : fo whatever is profitable to

a nation, brings alfoagood reputation to perpetuity.

'Tis likewife certain, that whatever reduceth Hol-

land to weaknefs, tho' it were under the moil:

glorious title of the world, will really caufe it to lie

under an everlailing /hame and reproach. All

which God grant may be rightly apprehended by

the upright, and (now) really free magiilrates of

Holland, while this leaky fhip ofthe commonwealth

may yet by labour be kept above water.

CHAP. V.

_nquiry is made, _vhether, and how the _vel-

fare .of any country may be prefer.oed by

treattes oJpeace.

_o tompre-"DUT feeing it appearsinthepreceding difcourfe,

lbtnd_bat D that treaties of peace importing mutual pro-

a treayOfmifesof not prejudicing one another, and allowance

te,_¢e,or of trade and commerce reciprocally, are very ne-

ceffary for Holland, and that the like articles are by

many intermixt wigh treaties of alliance, or cove-

nants among neighbours, which neverthelefs, as I

conceive, have for the moil: part been pernicious

to Holland, and will be found fo ; I find myfelf

therefore obliged to exprefs my thoughts on this

fubje&, and,to fay, that a treaty of peace is a mu-

tual promife of doing no hurt to each other; to

.4n alli- which likewife nature obligeth us. But on the

.,,,,is. contrary, an alliance or covenant obligeth to do

fomething, which often without fuch alliance men

would not do, or omit fomething, which without

fuchalliance they would not omit.

Since then all things pail are fo much beyond

the power and conduct of man, that human a&ions

Chap. 5. in relation to g'reatles of Peace. _:7

and force, cannot make the leafl:alteration therein ; we aught

to conider,

it appears that all mens thoughts ought to be em- /, _:

. . f at all

ployed about the obtaining of fomething that isat'lions

good, or defending themfelves from future evil, looteitber

which efpecially takes place in our confultations, at thefu-

and tranfa&ions with other people. For even in _g_,r_r

a free and generousgift, where all neceffityor obli;. ? "

jenr ; as

gation of any thing to be done for the futurefeems,a_

to be excluded ; yet is it evident, that it is done :""

either out of hope of gaining fome body's friend-

thip, or ferviceablenefs, or obtaining the name of

being kind and liberal. But aboveall, thole thoughts

mu_ take place for things future in mutual cove- _,,t ca,.e

nants, feeing the effence thereof confirmstherein, i, to& ta-

and hath its eye upon it, as appears by.all the ex- le, i,,

amples of it. I give or promife to glve, becaufe'_'_'"g

enutual oh-

you promife to give; I do or thall do, becaufeyou ligato7

promife to do ; I give or fhall give, that you Pnall,,t,-nas.

not do _ I do or lhall do, that you may not do, _hleb

C4c. And when we are on both tides fubjec"tedto oughtta

one and the fame fovereign power, thole agree-takeplace

ments are freely entered into ; and here the difFi-wit/,par.

culty is not great, tho' we perform the covenantsticda,,,

firft, becaufe the other party may be compelled by ..nd

the judge to perform his engagements, tho' no

body would willingly be the compeller, but every

one would ride on the forehorfe: having is better

than hoping; and what he hath before hand is the

poor-man's riches. And when the refpe&ive co-

venanters are fubjee'k'dtoa different fupreme power,

then diftruft begins to encreafe: but becaufe men

know that he that is unfaithful may be punithed,

they are unwilling to put it to the venture.

But all the difficulty lies here, and then appears, lT'itbfom¢.

when fovereign powersenter into mutual covenants reig,s.

and alliances; teeing the ftronget_ potentate, al-

ways enjoys the fruit of a peace concluded, and

likewife

z8 7"he Interefl of Holland Part II.

likewife the benefit covenanted; which Ovid * very

ingenioufly lhew'd: fo that tho' there be fometimes

peace, yet 'tis always neceffary for the weakeft to

be fo watchful, as if no true peace were ever made

by fuch powers, on which the weaker party might

rely. And if on the other fide, in time of peace

each party flaould fortify and guard his frontiers,

and by intelligencers endeavour to inform himfelf

of his neighbours defigns, in order to behave him-

felf accordingly: it is then evident that all treaties

of peace muff be prefumed by all fovereign powers

(who expe& more advantage by war than peace,

and confequently are not founded upon peace) to

ferve only for a breathing time, and to wait an op-

portunity of attacking their neighbour with more

advantage, and fo to overpower him.

And fo long as thofe opportunities prefent nor,

.,,/,a,,ohmthe peace lafteth among the potentates of the world,

a,,.,tb,_, not by virtue of promifes, oaths or reals which they

longtb_

to_t,-,_as can at all times eafily infringe without fuffering

aretobe any prefent punilhment, but by virtue of their

_,pt, feac_r left tbme future evil fhould befal the peace-

breaker. So that a true and real peace among

fovereign princes, efpecially for the weaker party,

is but a fi&ion or a dream, on which he muff not

rely.

Efpec;al& For in this wicked world (God amend it) 't;.s

•=,ithran- very evident, that molt men naturally are incli_.ed

,,arch,. by all imaginable indu_ry to _tdvance :heir intereft,

without regard to hand, t_al, oath, or even to

eternity it fell; and above all, fuch inclinations

and aims are principally found in monarchs, princes

and great lords : for we are taught that Sallftitas,

pietas, tides, privata bona funt ; ad _uw juvant

regeseant:

/Ibriles y finnores

Los mas ./'ontraydores.

For

Pax liter interdume_, pac_sfidacianunquarn.

Chap. 5. in relation to Treaties of Peace. 2:9

For having never been private perfons, nor educated w,_o_t-

or converfant with men equal to themfelves, they dora

learn nothing" of modeffy or condefcenfion -..neither_,,jt'_t*_/_

does the authority of judges imprint in tlaem a_'t,

reverence to fatted juffice. Which is quite con-

trary in all republicks, where the rulers and ma-

giftral;es being firft educated as common citizens,

muff daily converfe with their equals or fuperiours,

and learn that which is jure, otherwife they would _¢st_

be compelled to their duty by the judge, or other ci,vilru-

virtuous and powerful civil rulers ; which inward ler, do.

motions of modeffy, difcretion and fear leave al-

ways fome remains in them, when they come af-

terwards to be preferred to the government and

magiffracy, for * cuffom is a facred nature, which

is not eafily altered.

Bat in _11events, if in treaties of peace, when In triaties

neither of the covenanters do any thing but only of a/lianct

reffrain each other from all hoffile a&s, there is mr,,are

little certainty that the covenants wilt on both tides apter rodbe

t . _ro_ •

be kept ; it is as certain, that in alliances, whereto thanb_

there are engagements on both titles, for afffftance treaties of

of foldiery, arms, or money, that there is a greater pea,.

uncertainty of obtaining what is covenanted, and

that there can be no truff repofed in the treaties of

fovereigns ; all advantages of alliances confiffing

only in this, that one part may poftibly be drawn

to perform what is covenanted before the other:

and when this happens in matters by which he that Andwhen

performeth is really weakened, and the other rno.//:

ftrengthened, with bare hopes only of advantages

to accrue from him afterwards, he is then a traitor Efpecialb

to himfelt, becaufe he foolifhly gives things and-.obe,_they

realities, for words, hand, and real; which put all are ma,/e

together h01d noproportion to preponderatea_d_itb kings

or jorue-

rcfif_ reigns.

• Adeo a tenerls afruefeere multum efL

0_o femel eft imbuta recens ferrabit odorem

Teltadiu.

2o0 The Inter_fl of Holland Part II.

refit_the ambition andeovetoufne/_, luff, rage and

felf-conceit of great princes. Dat pwnas laudata

l_uauft tides. For beeaufe ambition exceeds all other af-

tb_ba_.e ,fe_ions, and monarchsorder all externals, and efpe-

aJl O"g_- . • ....

te_- _:lallythe oubhck rehmon, whlch Isfl:renr,thened,

_._. rt'li-or weaken'ed accordin_g to the profperityof their

g,o,__-government, it is therefore rightly laid, that the

hip, a,,a flarehas neither blood nor religion ; and that inte-

.valueit

little, grity is always deceived or circumvented. So that

the heft:way isnot totrufl:them, and then we/hall

not be cheated.

All which being mo_ certain, it is flErangethat

any fupreme powers thould imagine that they can

oblige a formidable fovereign prince to gratitude

/'orbenefitsreceivedwithout anypreceding promifes,

impoverifl_ing themfelves by liberalities, in order

to enrich and l_rengthen thole they fear: for we

ought always to prefume, that kings will ever

eReem themfelves obliged to any thing but their

own grandeur and plealhre, which they endeavour

to obtain, without any regard to love, hatred, or

gratitude.

_ot_at u Certainly if we afllrm, that it is a curled religion

ix a ,_d. which teacheth men to £acrifice to the devil, that

,_ to he

_,u_tpri_. may do them no mifchief; we may likewife fay,

,._u,,f_- that nothing lefs than the utmo_ defpair can rea-

rablepre- fonably induce a government to difcover its own

/_,n. weaknefs to a dreaded neighbour, and to make

him Rronger by giving him money to buy offa

fearedevil, which ought to be refified by the befl:

arms, and moil:vigorom efforts ; according to the

Spanifloproverb, " To give to kings, is a kingly,

thatis, a monfl:rousgreat folly: for the holy wood,

the blunt crofs of prayers and remonl_rances, is of

fmall force among men of power ; and the money

fac.ifictd o the idol of gratitude, isyet oflefs value.

But he who in :here horrid diforders, betakes him-

£cJf

_ E_nee¢dadrc_l,dararcyes.

Chap. 5. in relation to Treaties of Peace. oox

fell for refuge to the iron, and llaarp two-edged

crofs, the fword, makes ufe of the true crofs of

miraclesagainft fovereign princes ; and this rightly

applied, is only able to heal the king's evil, or

Rate agues.

But if kings, whilft they follow their own incli- _,t tol'a-

nations andpleal_lres,will fufferfavouritesto govern evourites,.

. • tbofel-

their kingdoms, it isthen clear, that fuch favouritesdo,,,,it

will by all meansendeavour, during their uncertain=,,yh,,,,e-

favour, to enrich them_lves : and therefore by pri- ,v_b/e.

rate bribes to fuch creatures, dangerous refolutions

may be prevented ; and if a dangerous war be at

any time very much feared, may be well and pro-

fitably belt:owed. But yet this is notto be done 'till

the utmoR extremity. For we are taught, that

courtiers may very well be refembled to hungry

biting dogs, who as they will foon obferve, when

their bread is given for fnarling at, or biting

the gi-ter: fo courtiers who are always waftingH_,cbtae

their efiates, and always hungry, will, in hopesfableoftbe

of obtaining new prefents, be always moil: ready a,,,,g,y

to threaten fuch generous givers, nay and bitedog,,,,/,

them too, unlefs fuch open handed perfons take aco'",*'..t'_ers

good refolution to arm themfelves, in order to re-_,,-t re-

fifetheir menaces and attempts by force, and bv_,,,b/,d,

that meansto obtain peace. -l_laiuly

teaches "u¢.

And to exprefs my fell more amply in this par-

ticular, I lhaUfay, that alltreatiesand capitulations

between fupreme governors and ftates, arifc by rea-

t'on of a mutual diffidence of one and the fame_hegene-

neighbour, or of feveral ltronger neighbours, and r..l cau_s

• r, of all

by a mutual defire to be able to defend tnemmives conten-

againft oneor more mighty potentates, tions and

Or, fecondly, through a defire of thef,,me thing,treaties.

appertaining to a third perfon, and to enrich them-a_e peace,

felves by an allianceand conjun&ion with another : Hqean,'

or thirdly, through arrogance, vain-glory, and am- .o,_i,,-

bition, glow..

Yet

2zz ffhe Inter# of Holland Part II.

Yet it mattersnot much upon what reafonthefe

diffentions and alliances arife, but whether the co-

venanters and alliesdo equally fear, or have need

of one another _ and whether they are equally con-

cernedin that which they defireto obtain or defend.

For welearn, that .-sdamage parts friendthip, and

complainershave no friends.

In a word, all confiftsin this, whether they that

enter into aleague, have a common interefl:to avoid

or obtain that which they both have in their eye.

For where that is not, alliances and covenants are

made for the benefit of the ftrongeft, and to the

prejudice of the weakeft : fo that if he cann6t with-

It isnot 1]:andthe ftrongeft, without entering into capitula-

ad_if,,_tetion with him, he will by fuch capitulation be the

to,n,,k, fooner overthrown, if by virtue thereof he makes

alliances

._,#h warupon a neighbour that is Rronger than he. For

g,'eater it isbetter to have manymighty neighbours than one,

th..n according tothe fable, which lays, thata bearmay

them- eafily be taken by one able huntfman, but that his

_l_u. hide or/kin cannot be divided among many before

he be caught, and therefore he is futfered to live.

No aiR- Whence it neceffarily and irrefragably follows,

attce .wltbthat all Ratesand fovereigns ought not to enter into

agreateralliances with thole who are Rronger, but rather

is go_'d,un-

1_/,_fi_ with fuch as are inferior to themfelves in power,

te(o,m by which means they may always covenant, that

hisco,- the weaker flaallfirfl:make good his engagement ;

traa. and in all doubtful cafes, where mention ismade of

enjoining him to do any thing, he may interpret

them to his advanta-_e, at lea_ afterwards, fo as to

do no more than he will: according to the Italian

proverb, * Be _uick to receive, flow to pay; for

an accidentmay bappenwherebyyou may never pay

any

• Idem vel-leidem noffe, ea demurn firma amicitia e/L _'er.

q' AI pigliar pronto, al pagar ta*do; perche puo nafcer in-

conveniente the non fi paghi n:,ente.

Chap. 6. as to Alliances with inferior Powers. o23

any thing. And according to that, '_ It is good

riding on tloe fore-horfe, and being a mailer _ for

you may always transfer, or give away as much of

your right as you will, and make your felf lefs.

Secondly, from hence may be inferred, that

when an inferior power treats with one fuperior to

him, he injures himfelf, if he do notcontrae_, that

the Pcronger /hall firf_ perform that which he pro-

miles. .And if the alliance be grounded upon a

common interefl:, the fuperior hath little reafon to

fear, that when he hath performed his engagements,

he/hall be deceived by the weaker : fo that if he be

not willing to do this, he gives great cau,Ce to the

weakef'c not to trufc him, and fo not to enter into

filch a treaty, which like a rotten houf¢ is like to

fall upon his head.

CHAP. VI.

Some copgfderations particularly relating to

alliances between Holland and inferior

_o_,_er$.

AVI N G premifed in the foregoing chapter, _411all;-

that the interefl: of Holland confif'cs in peace, a,,ce,fo_

con_u_ de-

becaufe our fifheries, trade, navigation, and ma-trimental

nufa&ures will increafe more by peace than war,. toHol-

and that there are the pillars on which our ffate is land,

founded ; it follows, that all covenants and alliances

founded upon conquefl: and gloryare prejudicial to

Holland, fince by t_ch alliances the peace is wil-

fully broken, and wars made to the ruin or decay

of the laid pillars of our country.

2dly. It alfo naturally follows, that no alliances, A o/_

except fuch as are grounded upon mutual fear and -'_rad-

_'anciug

defenceagainfta muchfuperiorpower, 'canbepro- trade,if

fitable, made ,oaith

re_,blickt,

* Pr_ltatprevenire quam preveniri. II fair b0neltre maiftre,

ear on eR tou_joars valet quand on year.

224 _rbe Interefl of Holland Part II.

fitable for Holland, becaufe by this means either

the peace will be more lafiing, or the war that

may happen will havea better and fpeedierend.

3_. If we confider the/_ates of Europe in their

refent condition, "tis true, all republjcks being

unded on peace and trade, hare the fame interelt

with Holland, to preferve and maintain peace on

every fide: but they by continual endeavours to

draw our trade, and its dependencies to themfelves,

always obftrud one principal defign, which is the

encreafe of traffick. And confidering alfo that

they are of fo little power to aflifl:Holland, when

in diftrefs, againfl:a greater force, 'tis wholly un-

advifeable to enter into an alliance with any of

them for common defence. For as to the defence

by land, relating to the United Provinces them-

felves, wehave found how fruitlel_ a thing, and

burdenfome a load the union forour common de-

fence has alwaysbeen (I willnot fay asit wasmade,

but as that union was formerly managed bit our

captains.general and ftadtholders) to the province

of Ilolland.

_'_, ,,,,_ox And tho' during our freecommonwealth govern-

of Utrecht ment, all thole abufesofthe laid union which have

h,, been been fo prejudicial to us, and arofe merely from

_if,fea.tofear of offendinszthe late heads of our republick,

the preju- _ .

niceof ought to haveteared; yet by long continuance they

Holland.have fomuch tended to the advantage of our fepa-

rate allies, and their deputies of the generality, and

taken fo deep a root, that our r:publick ofHo'_land

and We_-Friefland can hardly compafs or obtain

any reformation, or any new and profitable orAers

for their own particular benefit, the' with never fo

much right demanded, without being fubje& to

the undue oppofitions and thwartings of the laid

allies of our union; and their drputies with whom

we are forced to be always contending. And of

this I could give the reader infinite examples, par-

ticularly

Chap. 6. as to./llliances with inferior Powers. 22_

ticularly by means of Zealand and Frie/land, from SeeL.V.

that faithful and excellent hit_ory of L. I/. Ai_zma, ,Ai=ma's

I • orfl 0n

wherein the debates about the fec.ufionof the prince .. :- .

rooje rej-

of Orangein , 654, and about the order made annopenile

1663, concerning the publick prayers for the fupe-ye,,rs:.a.,d

rior and inferior magit_racy, asalfo for the forefaidqm,_t_

.... the co_futt-

allies, and their deputies in the generamy, ann ,-,,t/_ of

council of t_ate, are fully related, thepublick

And if we/hould make allianceswith the remote p,ayr,-,,

Germanic republicks, we thould find them both and Hol-

chargeable and ufelefs; for being weaker than we, land'sae.

du_ion

they are the fooner like to beattacked, and then we _o,cer,l,g

by their means /hould be engaged in a war con- t_ej_,z_-

trary to our own interefl:, rio,,,e,c.

And as for the republicks of Italy, it is well Ot_erre

known, that in our wars by land, they neither could, publicks,

nor would give us the leat_ affifiance, which was _.,_aZ.e,-

German

formerly made evident by our alliance with Venice.o_Italian.

.And except in the Mediterranean, they can give _outtbe

us lefs help by fen,being not at all intere_ed therein. _,c/, left

And for the Hans republicks, it iscertain that they _,.oice-

are not only very weak and unfit to undertake a ,_blrto ,s.

war for our fakes againR thole who are too _rong

for us ; but on the contrary, they'always love to fee

us difmrbed and obt_ru&ed at fen,that in the mean

time they may trade the more: fo that we can be

affil_edby no republicks in a war againft a ftronger

power. .And becaufe by covenanting with them

for mutual affifiance,and common defence, we may

very eafily fall into a war ; we muff:never enter in-

to any other agreement with them, fare of friend-

/hip and traffick; and in the mean while _and

upon our guard, as if we were to be affiftedby no

republicks in the whole world in our neeet/ky. For

tho' indeed thole republican allies and friends are

good, yet woe to us if we f_andin need of them,

and ten times more woe to us if vcewilfully and de-

Q liberately

_26 qhe Inter_ of Holland Part II.

liberately order matters fo, as at all times, and for

ever to i_and in need of our neighbours and allies.

Whatal- As for fuch monarchs and princes, who by alli-

liances ances might have rome communication with us; I

art to be

belt _.itbconceive that their true interefl carriesthem, as well

le_tr ran- astheir favourites and courtiers,to hateall manner of

_rcbs. republicks, efpecially fuchas are lately efiabljlhed,

and are their neighbours, becaufe they are a perpe-

tual reproof to them, and bring the ableft and mof_

difcerning of their fubjec_s to diflike monarchical

government. And therefore, if we will enter into

an alliancewith any of the neighbouring kings and

princes, or are already in league with them. we

muff ftand much more on our guard, than if we

were to make an alliancewith a free republicks or

g'hoha- had done £o: fo that it is hardly advifable "toenter

ti,g re- into any alliance with kings and princes. Yet feeing

?ublicks, things may fohappen, that fome fuchalliancemight

tfpecially for tbme lhort, time be advantageous to us; 'tis

_'1¢r$, clot

ra,,j/al- neceffaryto fpeak offuch kings and princesdiltin&-

_a.y,be ly. And firft, the emperor and king of Poland

,t_o,ou; are not confiderable to us, and the crown of Den-

guard, mark fo weak and unfit for war, that as we have

nothing to fear from thence, fo we cannot hope to

be aflifl:ed by them in our troubles. Sweden and

Brandenburgh are fo deficient, that we fhall never

caufe them to take arms againfl:our enemies, un-

let_ we will ftJrnifh them with great rums by way

of advance : and, as I laid before, all fuch alliances

are unready and wavering, aswe have lately learned

by Brandenburgh', and France by Sweden; who

after they had received the money advanced, 'ap-

plied it purely to their own affairs, without any

regard to their contra&s. B_fides, they are both

of£o final] power, that if they l'hould become our

enemies,, we might ruin them by prolonging the

war, and always give them the law by lea.

Chap. 6. as to Alliances 'with inferior Powers. 227

So that they would loon perceive, that they could _re may

gain nothing by us, that their traffick would be mor_fafe.

1_, make

fpoiled, the war mifchievous to both tides, and ,_/li,_nc.-s

confequently peace and friend/hip would be belt for _#,_

boti_. But in all cafes, having made alliances with _'eate,',

republicks or monarchs that are weaker than our- than _witb

felves, which, by alteration of conjun&ures of time fl'°nger"

and interefls, would certainly tend to ruin the irate,

or our native country ; fufficient reafons may al-

ways be given to thofe weaker allies, why, with a

faring to honour, a nation may depart from them,

and neither may nor will either ruin themfelws or

their fubje&s by fuch/eagues; and thereby make

good the proverb, * An ili o.'th difpleafeth God :

and he that deceives a deceiver, merits a chair in

heaven. And indeed all alliances made and con-

firmed by oath between fovereign powers, ought

to have this tacit condition, to continue fo long as

the intereft of the nation will admit. So that if ne-

verthelefs a prince would pun&ually obferve fuch

alliances to the ruin of his country, he is no more

to be e_eemed than a filly child that knows nothing

of the world, whilfl: he ought to govern the land

as a guardian to his orphans ; for according to the

rule in law, "]"Orphans muff fuffer no loft. On the

other fide, the ally in fuch a care neither may, nor

ought to perform his part, if it be againft his fir_

_ih and duty as a ruler and guardian, and to the

of his fubje&s who are his orphans ; and there-

fore it muff: be underftood, that he will not main-

tain it. A regent or guardian ought not to be ig- It opp_,gn,

norant of this ; but if he be fo, 'tis then evident nott+e_o-

n_ut" allC]

that he ought to be governed himfelf, and be put oath of ..

under ward/hip. Woe be to thofe countries, cities, regent,3ut

Q.. 2 and "g_¢"

,vjell n_'ith

• Q uod male juratar, pejus pr_f_atur, it.

l_rangenti tidem, tides frangatur eidem.

-_Papilluspati poffenonintelligitur. Dig. I, 4o. tit. x7,

Reg. Jur. txo.

228 _he Interefl of Holland Part II.

and orphans that muf'cneverthelel_be governed by

fuch rulers and guardians!

C H A P. VII.

Some Conflderations touching the Jllliances which

Holland might enter into with mightier Po-

tentates than themfelves. .dud firfl qvith

France.

P/batal- "1_ U T touching the three great powers of France,

liances D 8pain and England, is all the difficulty, fince

,with each of them by their own f'crengthcan always be

_i#¢y armed ; and knowing how much we are concerned

_lollar_$

a,, to &for peace, neither of them fear us, but we muf'c

kept, viz. fear them. And therefore it is very neceffary that

,with we behave ourfelvesvery prudently towards them,

France. as to the point of alliances; which to effe& the bet-

ter, I conceive it neceffary, as formerly, particu-

larly to confiderhow much good andevil thofe three

kingdoms may receiveor fufferfrom the Hollanders,

and likewife what good or evil can befal Holland

by each of them.

France As to France, we are to obferve, that formerly

,¢id-.oho/Othat country fubfified wholly by tillage, and there-

f,b./;fltv fore could fuffer little damage by a warat lea. But

agric,t- fince the reign of Henry IV. many heavy impofi-

ture_ not

//now. tions have beenlaid upon all imported and exported

manufactures; and the weaving of filk, wool and

linnen, with many other mechanick works, is fo

confiderably improved there, that the French can

fupply others with more made Ruffs, and other ma-

nufacq:ures,than foreigners take off'. So that a war

againf'cus, would be more prejudicial to them than

tO US.

But becaufe this firft point is of extraordinary

weight, and perhaps not fo well underffood by

others, I find myfdf obliged to draw up a lift of

mallu°

Chap. 7" as to Alliances _ith France. 22 9

manufac"tures and commodities exported out of

France into foreign parts, efpecially into Holland,

according to a fcheme prefented to the king of

France by the fociety of merchants at Paris, when

a new and very high impofition was laid upon all

foreign imported goods, and efpecially manufac-

tures, fearing le_ the like impofition would be laid

by Holland and England upon all French goods :

and alfo from an information exhibited by the lord

ambaffador Boreel in 1658, to the lords _ates general

of the United Provinces.

x. In the flrfl place, great quantities of velvet, tc_icbap

pluthes, fatins, cloth of gold and filver, taffaties, p,a,-,/_

and other filk wares, made at Lyons and c2"ours,tbi't lift or

which amount to above fix millions, att_,t.

8. L.V.

2. In filk ribbands, laces, paffements, buttons, Aitzma_

loops, made about Paris, Roan, and thole parts, th, j_

to the value of two millions. 3car.

3- Bever-hats, caftors, hats of wool and hair,

which are made in and about Paris and Roan, to

the value of one million and a half.

4. Feathers, belts, fans, hoods, marks, gilt and

wrought looking-glaffes, watches, and other fmall

wares, to the value of above two millions.

5. Gloves made at Paris, Roan, l/endome, and

Clermont, to the value of above a million and a

half.

6. Woollen-yarn fpun in all parrs of Piccardy,

worth more than one million and a half.

7. Paper of all forts, made in Auvergne, Poitou,

Limou./in, Champagne and Normandy, for upwards

of two millions.

8. Pins and needles made at Paris and Nor-

mandy, and combs of box, horn and ivory, for a

million and a half.

9. Childrens toys, and fuch as Nuremburg ware,

or, as the French call them, _uincaillerie, made

(2. 3 ia

3o The Interefl of Holland Part II.

in Auvergne, for upwards of fix hundred thoufand

florins.

xo. Linnen fail-cloth made in Brittany and Nor-

r,landy, for upwards of five millions of florins.

xI. Houlhold-goods, beds, matraffes, hangings,

coverlids, quiks, crefpines, fringes and molets of

filk, above five millions of florins.

x2. Wines from Gafcony, Xaintoigne, Nantois,

and other places, for above five millions.

I3. Brandies, vinegars and fyder, for fifteen

hundred thoufand livres.

I4. Saffron, woad, foap,honey, almonds, olives,

capers, prunes, prunellas, for above two millions.

Of tl_efe 15- Salt, yearly the lading of fiveor fix hundred

goods theft {hips, exoorted from Rochel;Moran, Brouage, the

are yearly .- -- -"

t,-a,/: ,llands of Oleronand Ree.

l_rtet a- .And if we add to this the French companies of

b0._,30 train and whale fins, of cod and pickled herrings,

millions, of refining and fining fugars, of all fpices and In-

_,bereof

Holland dian wares, with prohibition to all that are not of

ta/eesoff the company to import any into France ; every one

tbegreat-may then obferve, that by a French war again_ us,

.:,'t?art. the inhabitants of France will be much more pre-

judiced than thole of Hollandin their navigation and

traffick.

Secondly, It is apparent, that the French have

very few of their own/hips and mariners ; fo that

all their tratt_ck is driven (rome few Engli[h fhips

and traffick excepted) by Ha!land/hips to Holland,

or at leaft unlading there. And moreover, when

any goods are to be tranfported from one French

harbour to another, they are put on board Holland

veffels.

Holland _'birdly, It is clear, that the Hollanders do buy

tal_etoff up mot"17of tht_ French wines and fall that are

,#oftbe exported ; and that falt might be had inother coun-

goods tries, and particularly in Portugal, Spain and Punto

omhlch

France del Re)'. .As it is likewife true, that we can better

troduces, forbear

_= :.............. _-. .... , -- _. ___-_._:_._L'_ _ .4

Chup. 7" as to Alliances with France. 2 3 I

forbear thole wines in Holland, than the French no-

bility and ecclefiafl'icks (to whom mol_ of the wines

belong) can forbear our money. And betides, by

reafon of the peace in Germany, in care of war with

France, the greateft part of that trade may be fup-

plied with Rhenifa wines, and poffibly continue fo

alienated, akho' the fame were not fo profitable for

Holland, as the trade by fen in French wines would

be.

Fourthly, 'Tis well known, that-in France very France

many Dutch cloths, lays, linnen, herrings, cod, and._,',ne,'b

other wares, tranfported thither by our fhips, were took

formerly fpent there ; which now by new impofi- manyHol-

land

tions is much leffened, or wholly prohibited, good_,but

Fifthly, It is evident that France cannot at,ack not no.w.

us by land, nor by lea, for want of go_ thipping, Cannot

and on account of the danger of our coafc : fo that, b,rt u_/y

if they feize our goods, debts and lhips, they can In,i, anz

do us no further mifchief, except by fmall capers at by_a is

fea, winch'" we may eafily prevent by keeping con- ,mrablt.conJTde-

voy-thips about Ufbant, and fending rome few crui-

zers to pick up the privateers that ply about the Ga-

ronne, and the Loire, and clear the north lea of

them. But the greatelt: harm that the French can But in ¢b¢

do the Hollanders, would be in the Mediterranean Mediter-

l'a.l_C..all

leas, where, by reafon of our remote fituation, we

cannot without great expence over.power them in

/hipping. But our good orders, according to which

our/hips muff be armed and manned, would pre-

ferve them from many depredations.

Sixthly, It cannot on the other fide be denied, Ourna_aal

that Ha!land with its great ftrength of flaipping, andand

would be able to plunder all tlrat far extended1,°"cy ,nay

• u Rt_

French lea-coati: from the north-lea to Jtao,, ano Francein

take thole weak towns and burn them, unlefs they acontinual

were prevented by an extraordinary force of fol. alarm.

diery by land ; there being in France on the fea-fide

very many weak towns and villages, and no/hips

0..4 of

_.32 The Interefl of Holland Part II.

$o that of war that dare keep the fen againltours. Betides

Hollandi_which, we/hould defcroy all their trade to the Eaff

able to

,o,_pdtheand Weft-Indies, an'd indeed through all Europe ;

Frenchto which isat prefent offo much importance to France,

aiOeace,as hath been formerly declared. .And when we fur-

.ther confider, that inall governments of a tingle per-

fon, the treafure in a time of war is miferably watt-

ed, as/hall be farther demonltrated when we come

to fpeak of England ; we/hall have reafon to be-

lieve, that we/hould be ableeither to ruin the French,

or compel them to a peace.

By all which it clearly appears, that a king of

France may not make war upon us, for fear of re-

ceiving great damage from us, or others in our be-

half, nor in hope of conquering us, nor yet through

_ain glory : but that on the contrary, a war againfc

us would immediately caufe all .Frenchtraffick and

navigation to be at a Rand, and endanger the lofs

of it for the future.

_/,,a, And moreover, if we obferve thatSpain in fome

ehereforemeafure, and England yet more, ufedto be formi-

,wemay dable to France, it will further appear, that wene-

iO.r_ecur

woan inte- ver ought, by any threamings of France to make

,.eft,,- war againR us, to fuffer ourfelves to be drawn in

g_i,fl to make any league with France, which we con- *

France. ceive would be prejudicial to us. And much lel_

ought we, to pleafe France, to fuffer ourfelves to

be brought into any war, by which the ffrength of

8pain or England lhould beimpaired by the French:

for having once done fo, we/hould meet with more

bold and troublefome rencounters from them, and

expec'tat laRamorefcvcre warfrom that kingdom

CHAP.

Chap. 8. as to Alliances with Spain. 233

C H A P. VIII.

Conflderations concerning Holland's entering

into ./llliance with Spain.

S to 8pain, it is very obfervable, that all theSpa;-_t,-

welfare of that kingdom depends on theirfl.//, 6; it,

trade to the Weft.Indies: and that Spain auur_-m--_-withc°'n_rteth,

only wool, fruit and iron _ and in lieu of this, re- wea-

quires fomany Holland manufac'baresand commodi- Indies.

ties, that all the Spanifh and Weft-Indian waresare/Tez¢s

not fu/_cient to make returns for them. ._.ool,a,,d

So that the Holland merchants, who carry too-ta_t,o.#"

ney to moft parts of the world to buy commodities, _-.o_t¢

muft out of this tingle country of all Europe carry ?" _._,a_.

,- fa_ures

home money, which they receive in payment for

their goods, without benefit and by ftealth_ over

that raging and boifterous lea.

2. It is well known that Spain during our wars,//as m

loft moft of their naval forces_ and that we during_ip, _-

otw peace, have for the moft part beat the Eaflern readier,.

merchants and Engli/h out of that trade. So that

it is now certain, that in Spain all the coaft is na-

vigated with few other than Holland/hips ; and

that their/hips and feamenare fo few, that fince the

peace they have publickly begun to hire our/hips

to fail to the Indies, whereas they were formerly

fo careful to exclude all foreigners thence.

3. It is manifeft, that the Weft-Indies, being as n_aoml

the ftomach in the body to Spain, muff be joined u-ionsm,c_

to the 8pani/h head by a lea-force: and that the difpers'a_.

kingdom of Naples, with the Netherlands, being

like two arms, they cannot lay out their ftrength

and vigour for Spain, nor receive any from thence

but by/hipping. All which may be very eafily

done by our naval power in a time of peace, and

may as well be obftru&ed in a time of war.

4.It

2_4 7"beInterefl of Hollar_d Part It.

A,gthere- 4. It is likewife certain, that [-tollandby its na-

Creour val t'crength, is able wonderfully to incumber and

na.oal

po_e,- perplex this whole di£perfed body in time of war,

r,,_,hi,,,/erand accordingly put them to the charge of main-

taeir=u- raining an incredible number of/and-forces in gar-

tual cam- rifons.

_,nit_- But on the other fide it is likewife true, :. T/_at

t/on.

the king of Spain muff: continually maintain a

Spaitx great military ftrength againft tiremighty kingdom

flaud_in

par of of France, and in thole great and jeb.lous Nelber-

Frxne_. landi.[hcities, or elfe lore his countries.

I-Iatbbad 2. It is known, that the laid king has preten-

_tete,flo_sfions to Holland, and a very powerful adheret_ceof

_n/-td- the Roman catholieks ; tho' the f_rength of both

land. there fince our peace, and his laying down all pre-

tertfionsto our country, and efpecially by the expi-

ration of (o many years, and our own confirmed

and improved government, isvery much diminith-

ed, and almoff:a0nihilated.

It gounds 3' It is likewife ev'identthat Spain, by Brabant's

,,/_ Hol- bordering on Holland, and by means of the Flemifh

lane. fea-havens, is able to difturb our fifl'/eriesand traf-

tick, in this fmall north lea.

o._,,/i'_,e 4. It is certain, that this if:ateof free government

_.va,, wiltnot think it advifable, tho' d_ey/hould fat! into

burtfulto a war with Spain, to take any. more Netberlandifh

Holland, cities by exceeding chargeable fieges.

lt'e a_ein 5. It is manifeff:that all the frontierso.fthe United

agoo,t Netherlands are fo well fortified, that we are no_

to,,dition likely to lore any of them un|efs by their great

_r a de-

f_nl3ve number ; and yet if they zre in any wife well de-

..ar. fended, they would hardly pay the damage to Soain.

Moreover, Spain wouldthen have reafontoexpect

that we flaouldexcite France, according to the in-

terefi of the kingdom, to prevent any additional

increafe of Spain by making war on his frontiers,

which would always in fuch cafes be very terrible

to Spain.

Chap. 8. as to Alliances _oith Spain. 23_

So that by all that hath been faid, it is manife_, _r.'_e,d_

that Spain may receive many great advantages bv.we_,_o'

Holland in t,me of peace ; and that a war Is very . .

for both tides: yet Jo, that there Ismuchg,,_,_Jt

prejudicial " . . ,,,,_r_a-

more appearanceforthe king of Spain to gain upon sI_.

us by land, than for us upon him, unlefs we/hould

reckon the plundering and burning of his cities in

8pain, and the luting his galleons at lea to bahnco

it. Becaufe, as we have laid before, our freerulers

having their eye upon trade do always decline art

offenfive war, and will carry on none but what is

neceffary and defenfiveonly.

Whence we may alfo infi:r, that out of fear of a

war we ought never, againfl:the interefl:of this feat,

in itfelf confidered, to make alliances with $pain_

ar,d much lefs flaouldwe fuffer ourfelves to be led

away to make the leaptwar againf'rany of our nei-

bouts who are formidable to,him ; fincethe greateft

quiet of this ffate confif'csin this, that France be

formidable to Spain, and England a friend to us.

CHAP. IX.

Conflderations touching Holland's entering

into Alliance with England.

S for England, we are to know, that hereto- England

fore it wholly fubfified by hufbandry, and :,,¥ifl_d

was wont to be fo naked of any rfaval power, that..

the - o.rou_-

the Hans towns being at war with. England, Yba_,t,y,

compelled king Edward in the year x470, to make ,without

peace upon terms of advantage to them. And fo ,,,,-,,,,t

long as the EngliJhufed to tranfport nothing but a.a_tngt6"

few minerals, and much wool, which they carried See Phil.

to Calais by a fmallnumber of their own fhips, anddeCoral-

fold only to Netberlandifh clothiers, it would havenes.

been fo prejudicial for the king to forbear,his cu-

ltures of wool (which at Calais alone amounted to

5oooo

_3 6 ffhe _terefl of Holland Part II.

5oooo crowns per annum) and likewife to the rub-

le&, in care he had made war upon the Netherlands,

that we read not that there trading provinces ever

broke out into a perfe& open war againft England.

A,,/_ For tho' fometimes war happened between the

._m, rata-princes of the refpeCtive countries, neverthelet_ mo_

_re d,- of the cities concerned in traffick and drapery, con-

ioe,,a'ed,ntinued in amity. In fo much that all the wars of

the dra-

per3 of thethat rich and plentiful country broke out againft

Nether- France, and confequently againft Scotland, or elfe

tat,ds, againt_ Wales and Ireland, and fometimes againft

Spain.

_,t _,-.o But afterwards, when the compulfive laws of the

**tetall; Netherlandifh halls, and the tumultuous rifing a-

,,,,,r..,.4,_v.gainR them which followed, together with our in-

land and foreign wars, had firft driven the cloth-

weaving into our villages, and thence into England,

and, by the cruelty of the duke of Alva, the fay-

weaving went alfo after it ; the Engli./h by degrees

fell to vend their manufa&ures throughout Europe,

became potent at fea, and began no longer to de-

pend on there Netherlands. Then by the difco-

very of that unexpreffible rich cod-bank of New-

foundland, thole of Briflol in particular made ufe

of that advantage ; and ballaf_ing their fhips with

Englifh lead, tin, and other wares, when they had

compleated their fifhing of cod on the laid bank,

they failed with it to Spain, and throughout the

Mediterranean, to vend their Engli.[h wares with

their Baccaleau, or Poor-_John, in all thole parts,

and in return carrted other goods of thole lands to

England.

Finally, we may add the long perfecution I

o[" the puritans in England, which caufing the

planting of many F_ngli./hcolonies in America, hath

given England a very great conveniercy to drive a

mighty foreign trade with the Indies and the laid

colonies.

Chap. 9. as to Alliances _vith Enghnd. 237

So that this mighty ifland, united with the king- I,/,_m,

dora of Ireland under the government of one king,# r'_''_/*

feems not to have need of any _arifons to repel a toallthe

fir _ " . _ . - _rtxc,s of

0 elan enemy, .s fituated m the mldfl: of Europe, Europe,

having a clean deep coati:, furni/hed with gx_odesd.w_.

harbours and bays, in fo narrow a lea, that all fo-

reign/hips that fail to the eaftward or weft:ward,

are neceflkated even in fair weather to /hun the

dangerous Frexch coati:, and fail along that of Eng-

land, and in fiormy weather to mn in and preferve

their lives, /hips, and goods, in its bays. So that

it is eafy to .judge, that the fdid king having ac-

quired a confiderable naval power, and being in-

dependent on all his neighbours as to trade, is very

confiderable to all that are concerned in navigating

the laid narrow leas.

For according to the proverb, * A mailer at lea Fo,-us _.

is a lord at land ; and efpecially a king of England, ceedi_

fceing he is able both by whole fleets of/hips, and co,,-,,eR/,,_

/hi . _tis,.

private/hips of war, at all times to feize ps mat./u,_

fail by that coaK ; the weflerly winds wh;ch blow the a..,/-

for the mot_ part on this fide the tropick, giving ,,io,,oft/.

the Engli/h great opportunities to fail out of theirfi'-

numerous bays and harbours at pleafure, to infefl:

our navigation. And if this commerce to the eaft-

ward and weftward were ftop'd, or prevented, it

would certainly prove the ruin of Holland.

Which formidable power of the kingdom of

England, king Henry the 8th was fo fenfible of,

that he dared to ufe this device, * He whom I

aflifl: /hall be maf'cer: and accordingly made war

as he lifted, fometimes agaififf France, fometimes

againfl: 8pain ; which was then firengthened with

the German empire, and there Netherlands ; ma-

king peace at his own pleafure both with Francis

the

• Imperatormaris, term domiv-u/.

Cuiadha_reoprzeelL

23 g _he _terefl of Holland Part II.

the firth, and Charles the fifth, whom he durt_ fo

horribly defpife, as to repudiate _t.

So that England now, by a conjun_ion with

Scotland, being much increafed in ffrength, as v,ell

as by manufatCtures,and a great navigation, will

in all refpec"tsbe formidable to all Europe, fo loon

as an abfolute king thall make ufe of that power

againf_ his neighbours, without the check and con-

troul of a parliament.

tI_raueb But on the other fide, it isalfo certa;n that Eng-

England land in a time of peace has great advantages by the

_aybe_e-

,,_fluatv Hollanders, who in their paffage are neceftitatedto

,_/,,,,_e frequent their havens. And there are now in Hol-

•with Hol-land many more Engli/h commodities, which we

land. o,- could very well fpare, that are tranfported and

_,,,agd ufed by us, than Holland ha:h wares in England,

bya war.becaufethe Holland and other foreign manufa6tures

have for the moil:part long fince been prohibited.

And fince the prohibition in England of importing

any goods, five thole of the growth and manufac-

ture of the country, by foreign/hips into England,

all our navigation to that kingdom is at attand.

2. It is evident, that the rivers in England are

very fmall, and remote from one another ; fothat

all mutual traffick, and tranfporting of goods

there, being neceffarily done upon the open lea,

the Engli/h may fuffer great loffes by our private

/hips of war. i

3" It is certain that the Englifh traffick by lea l

Byour being fo great, and remote, may be moff preju- [

g_e,,tha- diced in the Mediterranean lea, and the Ea[t-In-

.-,,_,1_._-dies, by the Hollandlhips, which during our free

e,'. government are much augmented, and muff and [

will be increafed more and more.

4. It is clear, that confidering our fmall and ]

dangerous coaft, the Engli_ by land can make no

conqueft upon Hollw'd, unlefs they canget footing

by means of our intettine divifions; nor we on l

them I

Chap. 8. as to _llliances witlwEngland. 239

them, for another reafon. Betides, kings will e_er

be conquering of lands, and prudent republicks

which thrive belt: by peace, will never do fo, but

rather ere& colonies.

5. It is therefore con.requently true, that the .4_,,Tr/,y

•_nglifb cannot make war upon us but by lea. And/;a, to_

fince thole wars muf_ be carried on purely with chargeable

money, becaufenava, power cannot_ubfil1:bYfl:ndE,_;e.

plundering, and. quartering in an enemy s country., ,we/,ave

and that the king of England cannot employ his ag,.eat

revenue for that end, having occafion for that and ,,_.wl

more to maintain his court: It altb follows that hefl'_"gth.

would have need of another ftanding revenue or

fired, to be enabled to carry on the laid war by lea.

6. It will be granted, that the laid king having Beca,k

a new ftanding revenue to maintain thole wars, he that king

would never after call a parliament to defire fubfi- ca, carry

dies from them, and confequently the parliament o, that

c/May t/O

will never fuffer that any perpetual important tax other_ay

be eflablifhed in that kingdom ; becaufe the efta- tha_by

bli/hment of fuch a tax would utterly divefl: them'taxes.

of fo weighty a privilege, as is the affembling of

parliaments, in which all abufes are to be redrefs'd,

and the extortions, briberies, and other oppreffion_

of minifters and courtiers prevented or pur,ifhed,

and right done to the people, before they will en-

gage by an a& of parliament to pay thole heavy

fubfidies.

7- It is evident, that fo long as we et_&ually whirl,

take care of our naval power, and increafe it as _o_lite

opportunities offer, a war with us would require fo i_tott_.,blt

great and chargeable fleets, that they could not be tothe

let to lea, and maintained by fubfidies or taxes only, Englilh.

becaufe the burden would be fo great, fo unex-

petered, and fo uneafily born by the inhabitants,

that the king would be in continual apprehenfion

and fear of an infurre&ion of his fubjec2s, if he

fhould obftinately perfift to make war againft: us.

8, It

:z4o *TheInterefl of Holland Part II.

_d,, g. It is certain, that the courtiersand favourites

•_ar_ who pollers the king's ear, may make great profits

fta is,oery

,a(o,'olce-by this war at lea, by prizes taken, and fubfidies

abletothegranted, as long as they continue on flaoreto ma-

,0art/it,. nage the fame. But if they go to lea themfelves

to command in the fleet, they put themfelves in as

much danger of their lives as the leaft perfon there,

by ftorms, Ihipwracks, firefhips, bullets; and

moreover, run the hazard of having all their en-

deavours during their abfence from court mifcon-

t_rued, and mifreprefented to the king by other

courtiers. In a word, if thole favourites, and

courtiers, remain on Padreduring the waragainfl:

Holland, they will be neeeflitated to fee the admi-

ral carry awayall the honour of good fucceffes,and

they the blame of the bad ; whitfl:inl_ead of care-

fully providing all things neceffary, they fcudy to

enrich themfelves by the fubfidiesand prizes ; and

the nation would gain little honour or profit by

fuch a chargeable naval war. And on the other

fide, if they go to fea'to command the fleets, they

mu_cneceffarily part from the court, and be abfent

from the king, and confequently run a great ha-

zard, left:in the mean time rome malevolent pri-

vate enemy, who hath the kin_s ear, may fo ma-

nage the matter, that tho' they went to fea in the

king's favour, yet they may be called home with

_a., difgrace.

England 9" It is certain, that England, Scotland, and

maybe Ireland, having in all parts a deep and bold coati,

_lalUnderedtheir cities, towns, and villages in the country be-

nd- ing weak, or without walls and fortifications,they

•ward, and

,o,_eltd may in all placesbe attacked, and our men may

tordum be landed under the thelter of our cannon, and fo

their plunder and bum thole places. Whereas th_ Eng-

to_,, li[h cannot do the like in Holland, becaufe our

fromfl- fmall coaf'ccan earl]y be guarded and fecured by

ring, but

Holland our own forces, and is fo foul and lhallow, that

•ot. thn

[

Chap. 9. as to Alliances with England. o41

the enemies thips of war cannot reach our firand

with their cannon ; and in eafe they thould attempt

to land with their boats, they would loon be over°

let by the high furges of the lea, or at leaff have

their powder tpoil'd. So that what we thould fall

thort of in our privateering by lea, we flaould hal-

lance by our plundering by land, and burning of

towns, and thereby be richly recompenfed. Be-

tides, fuch plundering and burning will f_rike a

greater terror and conffernation into the inhabitants

there, than any loffes a;tlea would operate amongf'c

US.

zO. It cannot be denied, but that in all mcnar-

chical governments during a war, efpecially by fea, .rill too-

. . _ narchs, ¢p-

vaff rums of money are tll laid out, and embeze] d ......

?ectal_y toe

by courtiers, lea officers, and foldiers, and the Engliih,

ffores provided for the navy frequently mifemploy'd _re ,very

and walled ; fo that in a little time the money @'_ of

...... . _ their trea-

railed will fall thort _ more elpecmlly m lzngmna,

• jure, aaa

where the fubtidies granted by the parliament, be- _itbal

ing always limited to' a certain rum, are indeed thie_.

fufficient but not fuperfluom ; and an Englifh court,

above all others, is prodigal and thievilh. Whereas

on the other fide, in a free commonwealth, and in

a time of war by lea, fuch exa& accounts are kept,

and regulation ufed, that neither thole ttaat are en-

tru_ed to provide things neceffary_ nor thofe that

make ufe oft_em, can either mifpend or embezzel

the publick money or provifions ; and this may in

a particular manner be expe&ed from the Hollan-

ders, who have always been famous for frugality i_utallre.

public&,,

and parfimony. And it is obfervable, that this "

.... • ecia_

prodJgahty of the one nauon, and the frugahty of _kolla,g'

the other, is not only vifible in the publick trea-artflrugal.

lure, but is alfo difcerned in the private way of li-

ving, both of the Engli/h and Hollanders: fo that

by a war at lea the taxes upon the commonalty of

both tides increafing, and the profits decreafing,

R Holland

24 z ffbe Interefl of Holland Part I1.

Holland, in proportion to the country and purt_ of

the inhabitants, by well hufbanding the publick

treafure, would eafily hold out longer than Eng-

land, as appeared manifeftly in the year 1667.

.4,war All which particulars being true, it naturally

-witbEng-follows, that a war is for both nations very mif-

land _ill chievous ; yet fo, that England will be able to take

l_edetri-

mental many prizes from us by lea, and little by land ;

$ot_tous we on the other fide, few prizes of the EngliJb by

andthem, lea, but great booty by land. But we fhould be

futficiently prejudiced by them, if we had not a

competent number of thips of war to match their

naval ftrength, and by that means/hould be forced

to quit the lea to the Englifh, efpecially if their

kings and parliament would not iavifla the ftrength

of that ifland on their luxury and favourites, but

rather in fhips and mariners.

So that our only fafety is grounded upon the

increafe of our naval ftrength to fuch a degree,

that the Englifl3 fleets may either be over-ballanced

by ours, or not ablz go hurt us, as likewife upon

thole accidents to which a monarchical government

is always fubje&, and that a war with us would be

extremely pernicious to the fubjec'ts of England ;

and likewife that London, by means of greater

traffick and navigation, would be more formida-

ble to the kings of England, than any of his fo-

reign neighbours.

8_ that SO that in order to avoid a war, we mull: in all i

,u,eought our "differences give them good words, and gain

togi_e time, in hopes that in theft: monarchical govern-

the Eng- i

li/hgood rnents the kings will either follow their pleafures,

.,oordJ. or through excefs of luxury, and court-robbery,

wolfe all their revenues, and run themfelves into {

debts, or die, or perhaps fall into a foreign or in- i

teftine war.

But we are to take care, that we do not fuffer i

ouffelves_ for fear of a war with England, to he

inveigled

Chap. 9. as to Jllliances _vith England. :z45

inveigled into an alliance, jointly to carry on an

offenfive war againf_ any nation, which may be

very formidable to that country, and not fo much

to us. For in fo doing we fhould make ourfetves

confiderably weaker, and Englaud f'tronger ; who

having that thorn pulled out of their foot, might

afterwards with lefs fear opprefs and trample upon

us, while we remain deprived of that refuge by

our own folly. The truth is, fince England is

more formidable to us than any country m the 2vot_it_.

whole univerfe, it were an unpardonable fault infla"di"g u

elMar

us, to make them yet more formidable to our-threatned.

felves.

.And above all, we are to obferve, that in order

to /hun or avoid a war with England, we muff:

not fuffer ourfelves to be reduced to alter the com-

monwealth for a monarchical government ; for

The free lion will not be bound again, was ufed

to be Holland's device and fenfe. .And if now un-

der a free government, we/hould be neceffitated

to make rome f'teps that way to pleafe the king of

England ; I would then ark how we/hould be able

to make the leaf'crefif'tance againt_ thch a head, as

would in a manner become lord of the country, .d_0,veall

through our weaknefs and chains, when he /hall ,we ought

not to

by an innate hatred (which all monarchs bear tOple,,j_

republicks) attempt to ruin our formidable naval England

ffrength and trade, and deprive us of our naviga-/e alter-

tion, under colour of favouring a prince related to i,,gou,.

him, and a head of his own making, whilfl: he./"eeg°"

defigns the fupreme power for himfelf: he would, ,vernment

I fay, by this means make us the moil. miferable

nation that ever was governed by any monarch;

for fuch a government would infallibly Rrip us of

all our natural advantages proceeding from the leas

and rivers, and not only leave us charged with in-

tolerable taxes, but opprefs us alfo with an expen-

R _ fivt:

• Leo revlnciri liber pernegat.

244 if'be Interefl of Holland Part II.

five and luxurious way of living, together with

thole other infinite mifchiefs which are found ever

in thole governments. From whence it evidently

follows, that we muff:defend our free government,

tho'-it fhould be by a war _gainff: England : for '_is

better and more commendable to fight for our

ButUp_e-iives, tho' with the utmoff hazard of perifhing,

f_r_e the than to hang ourfelves like _udas, for fear of re-

fame

j_t, ceiving fome fmarting wounds in tt/e ba'ttle, and

,whole, to murder ourfelves by a double death of foul and

a,tdintire,body, without hopes of a refurre&ion ; feeing if

the worfr befal us, and we be weakened by an

Engliflh war, yet if:ill living under a free govern-

ment, we might wait for accidents and alterations,

and hope to have better thccc£ at another time:

whereas on the contrary, by a monarchical go-

vernment we fhould for ever be deprived of our

fiflneries, manufactures, and trade, to the ruin of

ourfelves and our polterity, who mightjuftly curfe

fuch bale and cowardly parents.

.4,,tto In all events it is evident, that England fearing

ha,reno no potentate of Europe, except the king of France,

•alliances can make no alliance with us grounded upon a com-

_ith Eng-mort fear, but that only ; and confequently all other

land. alliances with that kingdom, will be prejudicial to

US.

.Becau_ 'Tis alfo as evident, that we are not to make any

fuch con- alliance with England, out ofa defire of conqueft;

•wouldbe for at the beff:, when we have employ'd our ut-

1_trniciousmoff: ff:rength in purfuit of their game, we fhould

u us. at laff: moil: certainly differ with the E_;glifl_lion

about dividing the prey ;. who taking the whole to

himfelf, might £oon after devour the wretched

Holland afs; or at moff: we fhould onI'y be like

jackals, or ferrets, or drive the game into the Eng-

ltfh net.

It were therefore in truth much better, that Hol- ij

land in her a&ions/hould imitate, no_ tho/_ two i!

filly

Chap. 9. as to alliances with England. z4s

filly and unhappy beaflcs, but rather the flay and

wary cat, that hunts only for her fell.

Since then we can make no advantageous alli- Buta de-

ances with England, neither for common conqueft,f,e_e al-

nor common defence, except againft France only, _ta:xe

• • _ottb

we may rationally conclude, that all alhances w:th thema

that kingdom, unlefs defenfive againfl: France, are gainfl

ufelefs to Holland, even thole which might proceed France

from fear of a war with England: fbr it is evident maybe

.. ,oe(ypro-

that whatever advantageous conditions that Kmgper

acquires from m, we muff immediately make them "

good ; and yet expe& that he will neverthele/_

threaten us with a war, unle£s we will do many

harder things for.him.

And indeed he that will not defend his fubje&s

in their lives and liberties, tho' by troublefome and

dangerous wars, is fo unworthy of government,

liberty and lif_, that in all refpe&s he ought to be

efteemed the off'-fcouring of the world, and his

pofierky never to be named by fucceeding genera-

tions, without curfes and deteftations.

CHAP. X.

Some general and particular inferences drawn

front the foregoing confiderations, touching

all our allies.

UT of all which foregoing particulars, Iconceive we may draw the following co-

rollaries.

Firft, that all alliances which Holland might

make in a time of peace with any neighbouring General

princes of Europe are wholly unl_erviceable to us; _ai_tbe

fince in our neceffity we thall never receive aid from three moil

them, but rather be drawn into a war. But in_ot_t,o.

times of war and trouble we flaould confider, ac- narc's,

cording to wha_ I formerly mendonod, whether

R 3 Holland

_46 Inferences drawn from what Part II.

Holland were able to defend itfelf, and continue to

do againfl: its moil: potent neighbours, France,

Spain, and England, without any aa"fiRancefrom

abroad. .And feeing I fuppofe we can, it then

follows, that if we are attack'd by a weaker power,

we muff: not feek help from thole great potentates

mentioned, becaufe they would thereby become

greater and mightier. And on thecontrary, a good

patriot of Hollandought to wifh, that France and

England may decreafe, and that S2ain may not in-

creafe in ftrength.

And if it fhould fo fall out, that one of the three

abovementioned kingdoms/hould make war upon

us, it isnot at all needful that we therefore thould

leek aid from abroad againfc them by alliances,

unlefs they of their own accord, and decently offer

themfelves ; for otherwife we/hall get nothing but

a number of good words; and if we rely on them,

we /hall be much hindered, as we lately found in

France. our Englifh war, when we wereallied with France,

and have learned from that inferior and ungrateful

D.;nmark. But when thofe alliances fall into our

laps, then, I fay ;

E,_gland. 2. When Holland isfallen into a war with Eng-

land, all alliances with other potentates are good,

in order to efcape, provided our alliesfirfl:perform

their engagements.

_pain. 3" When Spain makes war with us, an offenfive

alliance with France is good, provided the French

comply firft with their engagements ; and if they

will nor, it is betterto Randupon our own bottom,

and to labour that we run not aground : and feeing

we muff run the adventure, it is better to endeavour

with full fail to pat'sover the flats, than in expe&a-

tion of foreig,_pilots, whoall may promife to a/fiR

us with their/kill, to let our veffel drive flowly,

butcertainly on thefands, and pefifn.

Chap. Io. has beenfaid of Alliances, 247

It is always more decent and honourable for _rbatin

men to lhow that courage they have, and effecq:ually_terSr°f"

tO exert their utmoff Pcren_th againff an en*mv, p,.._' "

_ .'f lOllllg to

in order _toprefervetheir rights, than to filrrender an ertemy,

all through cowardice and fear. For tho' they ,,o,,eo,#t

may lore by the war, yet they fell every advantage tobef_int-

fo clear to the enemy, that afterwards neither he °eartea"

nor any other will rathly come on again. But he

who for fear, and want of courage, gives up any

part of his eftate a,d right, invites and pulls down

upon his own head all that a covetous enemy can

defire, and is defpifed by all men.

4. All thefe difturbances and wars, whether

againfl: France (unlefs that kingdom were ffrength-

ned by devouring the Spanifh Netherlands, and fo

become our neighbour) or againft any other po-Co_tra&

tentate_, may more eafily be overcome without'witble.ff er

any alliance ; tho' in fuch a care the lelTer retmb-fl.ate,s _re

• . _ the velt.

hcks and potentates may, m favour of Holland, be

drawn into the war by rome preceding alliance, be-

caufe we having gotten what we aimed at, will

ever interpret the alliance made to our beff advan-

tage.

5. It is c_eteris paribus more ufefu! either for.4ndagood

tto/land, or other potentates, to have alliances with alliance

ki be a r _vitb a re-

a republick, than with a prince or ng, c me.. ....

• pllOilC_ l.r

£uch alliances being grounded upon a common m--&turthar.

teref_, they may affure themfelves that they will with a

always be Counderftood by the governors of a corn- ti,,g.

monwealth, who betides are immortal and perpe-

tual. Whereas on the other fide, tingle perfons

have feldom Comuch underFcandingand knowledge,

as to apprehend their own intere_,'much lefs will

the_take the pains to govern by that rule ; and

befitles, they are very inconttant and mortal, and

naturally hate all republicks.

6. It is, and always will be dangerous for Hal.,

land to make alliances with France, Spain, or

R.4 ng/and

248 Irferencts dra_,n from what PartIf.

But alli- England, becaufe 'tis probable that they who are

anceaq.olthmore effeemed only becaufe they are kings, and

France, ....

..... ooffefs larcrer temtorms than we, will _,lwavsobh_e

opaln) aria r "_1 $ o

England, uS tO per orm our engagements firlt, and expound

ari lunge-all ambiguous points to their own advantage. But

rou,. fo long _ we are in the leaft fear of France, that is,

fo long as Spain can keep the Netherlands, we

may belt enter into alliance with that kingdom for

common defence, againlt thole that m!ght wrong,

or make war againff the one or the other. But

_t that when France is Iike to be malterof the Netherlands,

,u,emay and become our neighbour, it is not only necetTary

_ot halve

France[br for Holland to prevent that potent, and always

ou, neigh-bold and infoler.t neighbour, and to take ga'eat care

_our,at- not to make any league, by which France may in

a_o_a// any meafure increafe in power ; but all the poten-Rianeet

aregod, tate_ and ftates of Europe ought to combine t0ge-

ther to hinder the further growth of that kingd6m,

which hath already overgrown all its neighbours.

Jbo.otall Likewlfe fo long as we muff dread England in

thl.gs .at the highelt degree, it is perfec"tly ufelefs to make

ought to .,

makeno th, leaft alliance with that kingdom, fare fuch as

alliance is grounded upon a common fear of agreater power,

noObEng-as now France is ; feeing all written alliances, with-

land fa_t

agai_fl out common neceffity, are interpreted in favour of

France. the greatelt, as happens in all doubtful cafes: betides

that England will thus find more caufe with ap-

peararc.- of right to make war againt_ us. For _f

that be fou,ld true, which mean perfons conclude,

that all that are in parmerlhip have a mafter ; and

that all fuch artnerfhips bogin In the name of God.

p ° _ . o

but t_feto end in that of the dewl : 'tls much more

true of kings and princes, who have outgrown all

juftice; and confequently as true, that fo long as

__ngland intends to have the quiet or difquiet of

Holland at their own difpofal, /be wouldbe the

worft and molt tyrannical ally for us that were to

be found in the whole world, unlefs the dread of a

mo_e

Chap. Io. has beenfaid of Alliances. =49

more powerfulneighbour lhould curb thatpemicio_

inclination.

To rum up all : fo long as Holland canftand on

its own legs, it is utterly unadvifable to make any

alliancewith thole who are more potent ; and efpe-

cially it is not good _o perform any thing firfl:, or

be before hand with thofeunconRant monarchs and

princes, jn hope that they will perform with us

afterwards, according to the old flying, They that

eat cherries with great men muff pay tbr them

t_hemfelves; and betides, fuffer them to chufe the

fairefl:, and expe& at laft to be pelted with the

Rones, inftead of thanks forthe favourreceived.

7. And confequently it is certain, that all the Ben_of

advantage in articles of an allianceconfiRs in this, ,dl,,,,,,u

that Holland do always covenant that the other ,o_fl*i.

allies fhall fir_ perform their engagements All ,,e_,e,.

, • ._. " erform_

other fort ofalhances areverj" prejudicial to us: tor_ *g

by the proper confiitution, or antient cult:om of"""

our government, the deputies of the provinces

upon all occafionwill, where they can expe& any

private benefit, fuffer themfelvesto be moved by

foreign ambaffadors to draw in Holland to their

party, when they can l_e no detriment to accrue

thereby to their particular provinces.

And the following proverb takes place with l;#tciatlt

thole efpecially (whole commilIionersfor the gene- _,,_J_0_,"

rality are not concerned for the publick, folong asg°fe'at/-

ties col-

their provinces remain unburdened) _rhat it is very l,g,, ,,re

eafy to lie in the a_es mitb anotherman'sgarment, notfettk4l

and be warm. So al£o'tis not difficult co take ge- according

nerous refolutions at the coR of another, to keep u _/_,-

promife, to be liberal and merciful towards our tere_"

neighbours, while all other potentates and Rates

conti,ue to dealopenly andfairlywith us. But fup-

poring the other provinces might be fomewhatcon-

cerned therein, yet is their intereR fo inconfiderable,

that among their deputies we ever find that a ge-

neral

_5o Inferences drawn from what Part. lI.

nerat evil is weighed according to the weigher's

particular intereft and no otherwife, how heavily

foe_er anothermay be oppreffed thereby; efpecially

here, becaufe_hey are feldom called to account by

their fuperiors for their tranfacq:ions.

And if any one doubts of the truth of there in-

trerences, viz. That all fuperior powers, efpecially

the monarchs andprinces of Europe, play with their

/'o_:o- allies aschildren do with nine-pins, which they let

teutates up, and immediately beat down againasthey pleafe;

tri[le and that he that firt"tperforms is ever the lofer,

qwith and fuffers _hame, let him read the hiPcoriesof

o_th:. Fra#cifco Guicciardino, and Philip de Commines.

.And if there two famous politicians, the one an

Italian, the other a Netherlander, writing of mat-

ters in which they had the profoundefl:/kill, and

in which they"were very often employed ; if they,

I fay, do not remove there doubts, much lefs will

it be effe,.q'edby any reafoning from me.

In the mean time, to conclude what hath been

alledged aboi,e (viz. _eking our prefervation by

alliances) I/hall lay beforeyou that which the an-

tients have figured out by the enfuing fable.

_hegene. " A rich but weak countryman, obferving that

_l ,o,du-,, his poor and f_rong neighbour, contrary to pre-

finn illuf- . ceding promifes made of aflifiingeachother, did

teated l_

af_#'of" notwithffanding fl:ealhis apples, and robb'd his

anold ¢ud" orchard ; told him of the injuRice and perfidi.

rich ma_, " o'_fnefsof the thing, defiring that he would be

a,a.. '_ fatisfiedwith what he had. To this the t_rong

.you,,g " boor anfwered, that this fermon very well be-

al/o_. " came a rich unarmed man ; but that he being

" hungry, could not fill hisempty belly with fuch

" food. And as to his former promifes and en-

" gagements for mutual defence, fuch kind of ne-

" ceffity is ever excepted, and that he could not

" comply therewith. Upon this the other weak

" and

Chap. lo. has beenfaid of Alliances. u5

" and old boor having gathered anofegay of fweet

" herbs and beautiful flowers, threw them to the

', plunderer, flying, I prefent you with there

" fruits, that you may not rob myordhard, which

" Iufe to low and plant for the ufe and refrefh-

" ment of friends. The impudent young fellow

" thinking with himfelf, that he muff needs be

" very filly, who being able to take all, will be

•' content with fofmall a matter, robb*dhim more

" and more of all that came to hand ; infomuch

" that the owner became impatient, and in great

" haFcegathered up rome Rones, and threw them

_' at the plunderer ; who being grievoufly hurt,

" was necetT_atedto leap down from the tree and

•' fly. The old boor finding himfelf.alone, broke

•' out into thefe words, Formerly we ufed to fly,

" in words, herbs and leones, there are great vir-

" tues; but now I really find the weaknefs of_

,' words and herbs, i. e. alliances, and gifts toflatesira.

" knavifh men. For all giftsand receiptsare good pr_vi,g

their natu-

•' for the phyfician, and the trueantidote in all po- rat

" /kick diflrempers, is good arms and treafure:flre_gth.

" fo that to make an end, I fay, that no body ao ,o_-

" can defend his goods againft wicked men, but =o,lyde-

" by ffones, that is, good arms, which are the themfel,ve,

" only things left us, whereby we can bravely de- agal,./ta

" fend ourlives and creates, botdag.

But feeing thefe conclufions do affirm, that Hol-gr_"g

land isable to defend itfelf againftall foreign power,"elghb°u_

and yet the fame is not fufficient]y proved; there

fore I/hall do it in the following chapters more

fully, with this refrrve, that Holland notwitht'l:and-

ing ought for its own interefc always to maintain

the union of Utrecht, fo long as the other provinces

forfake not Holland, nor affault it in ahofl:ileman-

lier.

CHAP.

_5 2 Holland mayfuMfl without Part. II.

CHAP. XI.

7"hat Holland heretofore_ under the govern-

ment of a .tingle perfon, was in continual

tumults and broils. .4xd that under a free

government it ought, and can defend it

felf againfl all foreign power better than

/ormerly.

.gt_o,_,eOI) Ecaufe in the foregoing chapters, which treat

to co_atrl._ of Holland'smaking or not making alliances

•whether wzth itsneighbours, itcould be/hewn only in part

Ho_._. and by accident, that Holland eff:&ually minding

agai,fl_t its own intereft, can make a ftate in Europe inde:

tmteutateJ,pendent of any other, and not to be overpowered

by anyforeigaaforce: and that on the other fide,

there are many magit_rates of opinion, or at leaft

have been fo, that Holland ought not only to be

joined by the union of Utrecht, but alfo by a go-

vernor or captain-general, to all the other United

2_rovinces_ becaufe if that province thould hap-

pen to be abandonedby the reff, they fay, it would

by no means defend itfelf in time of war againf_

we . a powerful enemy: to whom we may add the

?/l_/l . . .

notre_a_icoumers, anti omer natterers of the ftadtholder's

nohat flat- court, who have for a long time made the com-

terlng, moil inhabitants of the United Provinces believe,

,ounm., that allthole countries united would not be ableto

_a,ug

_i_,_out;repel the force of Spain with their own ftrength ;

t and that thereforeone permanent illu_rious captain-

general and ftadtholders is very neceffary for us,

that by his intereft and favour we may be able to

obtain fuccours of France, England, or Germany,

againft 8pain. :For there reafons, and on account

ot the weight of the fubjecq:,upon which mot_ of

all that is here treated_ or/hall be laid hereafter,

depends,

Chap. i i. the Government of atingle Per_n. _15

depends, I find myfelf obliged to reprefent the

fame more at large, and that effe&ually.

In thejirfl place it is evident, that there can be .4,de-

nothing more thameful nor prejudicial for a fore- thatgo-

eOgrTl$as if

reign free government, than to hold for a maxim blt_ate

in the publick management of their affairs, that in couldnot

a time of war they are not able to fubfi_ againff befecure,

all their neighbours and ftates, whoever they be : aas like

for fuch governors do ttlereby make the welfare of m°nfler_

their native country dependent upon thole more

powerful t_ates, and content themfelves of rulers to

become tiibie&s : which is the mot_ miferable con-

dition that any country can fall into by unfuccefsful

war.

And indeed if we may juffIy blame a tick per-

fon, who becaufe he thinks he is mortally tick,

will therefore ufe no phyfician; we ought much

more to blame thofe rulers, who by bai_ and de- Becau__c

generate maxims lay afide the ufe of all wifdom, ,m o'_0

..... neHeeTr

care and power, to f_rengthen and detend me]r b_/_

• qe_,

country to the utmofl: extremity : for we might ex- buta/_

cure the folly of a tick perfon, becaufe what he does bi_i,,,,o-

is at his own peril. And becaufe every one is lord ce,,tfuk-

of his own, neither can it be fimply/'aid that he in. j_a_"

creafes his diftemper by negle&ing the ufe of phy-

tick. But a magifl:rate, who is by nature and by

his oath to provide for the welfare of his fubjeeq:s,

and to defend them againfl: all force, ought to be

accounted the moff infamout of men if he negledks

that duty.

If then by fuch ill maxims he ufes the fl:rength of

his own country and fubje6ts ".o give advantages to

another_ and is not only carelefs of his own, but of

the welfare of his innocent people, he tempts his in.

folent neighbours, and perfidious allies, .to attack

and ruin his country in that unarmed condition:

whereas, if he had made fuch provifion for the pub-

lick defence as he ought, they would have been

deterred

254- Holland mayfubflfl without Part II.

deterred from any attempt, and have continued

peaceable and quiet. For as occafion makes the

tMef, and every one will climb over into the gar-

den where the wall is lower ; fo likewife the goods

of unarmed people are ever common: but one

fword keeps another in the fcabbard ; and two curfl:

dogs feldom bite one another.

/X-due- But to come nearer to the matter in hand, I/hall

tion, part premife in the general, from the credit of undoubt-

_.rh. 3-

J_l. 6. ed hiRory, that moR of there Netherland_ pro-

Holland vinces, efpecially Holland, whilft for many ages

Imt_.floodthey were governed by earls and captains-general,

_fitfdf not only lived in continual diffention and divifion,

700 )'ears

together, but were in perpetual war one againR the other, as

well as againR their lords, and thole that depend on

It had them, unchriftianly fhedding one another's blood :

breaches

a,,d t,,- and the reafon of it is very evident ; for tho' the in-

•_dt5 t_. tereft of fuch lords is often different from that of the

ringthe Irate, and contrary to the common good of the peo-

g_vern- ple, yet have they very many perfons that depend

._,zott of

tht earls on them, and are of great power.in the government

andca_t, by which means it infallibly happens, (unlefs fuch

golerals, lords could be diveRed of human nature) that they

will endeavour many times to advance their own

particular intereffs, with the affiftance of their fa-

vourites and dependents: againR which all good

magiRrates, who value the common happinefs above

all things, and effeem the welfare of the people to

be the fupreme law, are neceffimted, in difcharge

of their duty, to exert themfelv_s vigoroufly againft

fuch perforLs, without f_ar of their difpleafu.e ; and

by this means the commu,ity _l!s into great divi-

fions. For on the one fide, the lord will not,

and, according to the rules of the world, may not

bow or comply, becaufe his honour and authority

,_ RaMs engaged. And on the other fide, the honefl:

i magiRrates, relying on their confciences as on a

wall of brat_, will not be drawn flora their necef-

fary

Chap. r r. the Government of atingle Per_n. 255

fary refolution ; and if in fo dangerous a conje&ureBet,,@i*

the lord happen to be of a violent temper, or apt thofid/-,,/-

- " - finns tbq

to be reduced by violent counfels, mat country lS_ught

often brought to great extremities, theirown

And yet we know that notwithftanding theft in-,,d_,a,,-

teftine diforders, fufpicions and animofities, the tagt.

Hollanders preferred and defended themfelves a-

gainft all foreign force. And it appears, by the

negotiations of the prafident _feannin, that prince

Maurice, and his partifans, in the year x6o8, was

of opinion, that Zealand alone, parted from the

other United Provinces, was able to defend iffelf

again_ all the power of Spain; upon which the

other provinces declarednot to agreeto a truce, but

to continue the war.

This being premifed in general, I come now to Holhnd

the matter in particular. In the fir_ p/ace, antient a_.<ient0

hifl.oriesinform us, that Ho;land, before the br_k-m,,eh

ing in of the inlet of the Texel, aboutthe yeari I 'to. ,_e,,*e,

according to GoederdPanta/con, publifh_edby _/:_;_r,_.t

I/o.ffius,or, asothers lhy, about thereat/400, be-

ingdeftitute of the Zuyder-Sea, lay johled to Frier-

land, Overyffeland Guelderland, or a.', moil: was

parted by the Rbine aqd I/lie, as before the year

i42_ ; and before the land near Dort was over-

flown, Holland on that fide lay joined to Brabai_t,

and com_quently had many more frontiers than

now. And moreover it is evident, that theft in-

land provinces had fewer cities, and le,q populous,

and was therefore, in refpe& of their neighbours,

every way weaker and poorer than at prefent.

And yet the ftates of Hollandan_ l/P'eflFriefland,Ya bat9

from the unanimous confent of all our antienthifto- at all

rians, inform us in their remonftrance to the earltimes are-

. . fended it

ofLeicefler in 1587, tbat tbefelands (their tordfhtpsfelf_,elL

fpeakingofHollandwithIFefl-Ftie.flandandZealand) e. Bort_,

have for the moil part been vi#lorious againfl all _o_23.

their enemies) and have fo well defolded their fron -f°L 56.

tiers

u56 Holland mayfubflfl without Part II

tiers againfl their adverfaries, however powerful,

that they have always had a good efleem and reputa-

tion among their neighbours : at leafl we may fay

with truth, ihat the countries of Holland and

Zealand, for the fpace of 8o0 years, have never

been conquered by the fword, or fubdued either by

foreign or interline wars. Which cannot be laid of

any other dominions, unlej'sof the republick of Venice.

Thus far the laid ftates.

Eve,, a- 2. It is notorious, that the provinces of Holland

gai.fl the and 14/'efl-Frieflandnever had more powerful neigh-

la.g of boursthan the kmgs of Spain,who having been earls

Spain,

&retoforeof Holland and Zealand, and frill claiming a right

•ve,-y_r- to that dominion, had an incredible advantage above

_idable. all other ne._ghbours to reduce there countries under

their power, which were very much divided by

many differences about religion and other matters ;

and yet Holland and Zealand alone, after they had

fupported a few fieges with refolution, fo broke the

formidable power of that wife and abfolute monarch

Philip 1I. of Spain, that other provinces afterwards

by their example dared to refil_ him.

So that the other United Provinces have not

brought Holland and Zealand into a condition of

freedom, but Holland and Zealand them. And it

is to be confidered, that the other provinces fUtrecbt

excepted) have added nothing to ftrengthen and

fortify the free government of Holland, or to free

Who_was

_0t o._ that province from any inconvenience to this day.

_ta: off, But, on the contrary, Holland alone ere6ted the

_utother commonwealth-government for the benefit of the

fruited other provinces, and has done fo much for the

provinces other provinces, that every one of them (except

in the

_ta. tlmeUtrecht, which has always run the fame adventure

fort_tly with us, is now provided with well fortified cities,

I-Idland; magazines, ammunition of war, provifion, and

foldiers in garrifon ; or, to fay better, inhabitants,

who daily receive their pay out of Holland. And

moreover, divers cities and forts in Brabant, Flan.

Chap. I r. the Govo'nment of atingle Per_n. 257

ders, .Chve, Ea/t-Friefland, Drente, a,ld Nether-

land, have been conquered, fortified, and provided

with £oldiers, provifions, and ammunition of war

fieceffary for their defence at the expence of Holland.

AgainR this, if any will obje& that Holland in In costa-

the diRribution of taxes pays no more than fifty-r/fo,,

eight guilders fix Rivers 2_ pence in the hundred _hereo/*

for their fhare, and confequently the other United _/_atthe

• other pro-

Provinces have in fome meafure helped to bear the ooi,,,, co,,-

charge of the war : we might truly anfwer, that tributed

Guelderland and Overyffel contributed nothing to the was of

and little _va.

charge of the army to the time of the truce ; lue.

that to the year _607, we were neceffitated at our

own charge to compel Groeningen to bring in its

proportion for the war by means of a curie and

garrifon. And it is certain that afterwards the

yearly demand, or requeft of the council of Rate

for taxes to pay the armies in the time of Frederick

Hendrick prince of Orange, was purpofely raifed

fo high, that half the rum would very near defray

that charge. So that when the laid captain-general

• a " o Altzma's

had once obliged the province of Holl nd to glv,.." .

their confent to the rum required, he ufed not much h,fl.hb.

to trouble himfelf for that of the other provinces. 3z. pag.

774-.

And we have often feen, that in the hotter of the

war againt_ Spain, and in the former war againfl:

England, together with the eaRern and northern

war, as well as in the laft Engli./h war, they have

often refufed to confent to the publick fupplies ;

and more Often have only given their confent for

form-fake, in order to induce the province of

Ho!land to confent to the charge ; and having done

fo, becaufe they dared not to deny their confents for

fear of incurring the prince's difpleafure, the_,

remained in default of payment, without being

compelled to bring in their promifed proportions ;

becau feour captain-general had rather by fuch favours

keep the other provinces at his devotion, and

S efpecialry

_58 Holland mayji_bJifl without Part II.

efpecially their deputies ofxhe generality (amongfl:

whom were feveral who with good reafon were

called the cabinet lards) that by them he might be

able perpetually to over-vote the province of

See in the Holland, and make them dance to his pipe. And

yearI66z, this is the true reafon of the many arrears of taxes

Sept. a6. which thole provinces confented to raife, but have

Refolution

ofthe#_t,s not brought in to thi'_ day. Tho' (if we relapfe

ofHolland not again under a new captain-general) expedients

by L. V. may be found and put in execution (or recovery of

A.itzma, them, and for prevention of the like for the [uture.

2L 4z. p.

4st. 3- It is to be obferved, that Holland during all

thefe broils and hardflaips, was under th_ govern-

Holland merit of earls and fladtholders or captain-generals,

in the in- who have ever fought their own private interefl: to

terira com-

_elledto the prejudice of there countries, and have born ti._e

i,o_ and to time railed and fomented thole end]et_ inteftine

groanun- divifions, in order to make a conquc_ of the eflates

tier the

._'okeof theand rights of the gentry and cities of ttolland and

captai,ge-IVefl-Friefland; fo that it remains abundantly evi-

germs, dent, that all foreign wars have been carried o:, and

finifhed or_ly by a part,or divided power of this pro-

vi.qce.

214o./tofthe 4. It iS likewife obfervable, that almoft all the

proq_incesUnited Provinces have continually lived upon Hol-

inri,+ed land, not only by their deputies in tbme college of

,with the the generality and other offices ofjudicature, polity,

money of

Holland. and the revenues ; but alfo by great numbers of their

gentry, and other inhabitants, who, by favour of

the captain-general have found means to get into the

Seecat° moil: profitable commands in the army, and are to

logueof be paid by the ltates of Holland and [P'e/t-_)'ieJtand ;

the genera-

litiesoff. and for that reafon, even after the peace was con-

,er,, i, cluded, kept thole land-forces long in great pay

Aitzma againR the will of Holland, tho' they had during the

B. 4t. p. war endlefly multi.plied tholi: o_.ces, and profits.

=3z. And 'tis yet more remarkable, that almofl: all the

bSsited Provinces have continually preyed upon

H olia_d,

Chap. I I. the Government of a jingle Perfon. _ 59

Holland, by bringing in very many mere provincial Dedua...

charges to the account of the generality, in the an- part. c. 9.

§. 15.2.

nual petition of the council of if:ate, that, under thispart" c. 6.

pretext they might make Holland pay yearly more §. _7, to

than 58 per cent. of divers rums, of which in truth 26.

Holland owed not one penny.

So that I fhal/finifh all there confiderations with Holland

concluding, that the f_out and powerful lion of Hol- _,,sc,,fl_f

land had tbrmerly ffrength enough to repel all his theyo_, of

foreign enemies, and thot_ of his allies, viz. of the ,dim e,,e-

roles, but

other United Pro='inces: but (God amend it) I that ofher

muff: add, that this Rrong and vi6torious creature, o-_. ,,,i-

to the year 165o, had not the forefight, or fortune ,,/flo-s.

to efcape the fnares which were laid by his own mi-

niRers and fervants. For our hiff:ories tell us, that

the earls of the houfe of Burgundy and .4uflria, did

by degrees more and mo,e bridle and curb the Hol-

land lion ; and it is alfo as evident, that our former

t_adtholders and captain-generals have very well

been acquainted with the politick maxim of lording

it over a country, and bringing it under thbjecq:ion :

that the moil powerful provinces and the ff:rongefl:

cities, together with the b:ff: and moil: venerable

magiitr_ttes, were moff:infulted and brought into the

greatefl: flavery.

So that every one may judge, whether the laid

fl:adtholders, and captain-generals might not with-

out difficulty leffcn and deprefs Holland, with its

anti_nt and confiderable gentry, fl:rong cities, and

venerable magiffrates, and by that means increafe

their own power, fince, in all colleges of the com-

mon union or generality, they .could very eafily

engage the molt voices, to over-vote and compel

the province of Holland, even in fuch matters

wherein plurality of votes fllou!d have no place,

neither by the right of nature, right of juffice, or

the common union.

S 2 And

260 I-Iolland may fubJifl witloout Part It.

And let the reader enquire, weigh and confider,

whether the ffadtholders and captain-generals fol-

lowing the fame maxims, have not in all the pro-

vinces, and efpecially in Holland, very often taken

off the meaneft and mo['c indigent magifl:rates from.

reeking the country's welfare, and drawn them to

their party ; that in conjun(tion with others ]ike

themfelves, they may eithar over-vote thole who

are more able, and more affr&ionate to the lawful

government, or by force of arms turn them out of

their magi_racy, and introduce other need}' per-

fons, and fometimes fuch as fly from juRlce, to

ferve in their places.

Betides which, our f_adtholders and captain-ge-

nerals have left our lion undefended againft the new

invented military arts; or to fpeak clearer, have

left the cities without any more than their old forti-

fications, fo that they are not tenable againff the new

invented art of taking towns. They have alfo fet-

tered and manacled there countries, by means of

_r&flates garrifons and citadels placed in the conquere,l cities ;,

rfHolland

,;_,,,e,-./_ and have fo ordered matters, that moil: of the go-

m,,_bop- vernments and chief military offices in Holland have

/_,-_u,,a'_rbeen put into the hands of fl:rangers, but ever of

the earls _f their relations, or creatures, and very t_ldom in-

Burgundy truRed with the gentry of Itolland, and lovers of

or of Auf-

trio, their country.

So that the power of the captain-generals was

even in the year J618, grown fo far above the for-

mer power of the antient earls _ and on the other

As ,,hole,.fide, the power of our nobility and ekies fo much

tbefl,,gt- diminifhed', that tho' many of them for very fmall

/,dge_d ufurpations and encroachments of their earls, dared

ca_Otain....

eneralsof tO exclude them out of their cafiles and crees, yet

g _J ,, • ,

tbeboufeofthJe was not one city of Holland (tho they knew

Orange. that prince Maurice as captain-general came to.put

out of office all magiffrates that were lovers of their

common freedom, and to remove them from their

benches)

Chap. I r. the Government of a tingle Perfon. 2 6 r

benches) that durft fhut their gates, much lef_make Aitzma b.

head againft, arid drive him from th:ir walls. So 33- pag.

that about the year 1650, it might _till be atked, s°9:

* whether thefe countries, by their fervants of the

boule of Naffatt, or their lords of that of A:_ria,

_vere in greater fervitude. And farther, it is well

known to all, that rome miniftcrs of this unhappy

lion of Holland have endeavoured to break and de-

.ftroy all its inward power, by caufing the, union

made for general defence to be fo ordered, that in

reality it had the fame effe& in the f_ate as a conti-

nual he&ick fever in the body, caufing us to take

up fo much nvoney yearly at intereft, and for pay-

ment of yearly intereft already due, that in very'

few years it would have proved as a canker, and

have confumed all its vital Ftreogth.

And on the other fide, it is remarkable what ad- Holland

vantage time hath fince given us, viz. firfl, That'S, °'_'i_

- • . o¢._lerjut-

Holland is wholly f, rrounded with teas, or mighty rounded by

rivers: in particular to the eaftward by the north thefeaand

lea ; to the fouthward by many iflands, and great rivers.

rivers, as the Maefe, the Rhine, the IJJel, in part

begirtirrg Holland; to the we_ward, and to the

northward, by the mighty inlets of the Texel, and

the l/lie, and likewi£e the Zuyder-Sea, and the

I/'ecbt encompaffing this country in part towards

the weft: tb that Holland is now in all refpe&s in-

acceffible, or would be in time of war, unlet_ to

one that is mafter at lea. At leaft it isevident that

Holland hath no community at all with the fron-

tiers or limits of the land, lave with fome few con-

quered cities in Brabant, with a very fmall part of

GuelderlanJ, as alfo and efpeeially with the pro-

vince of Utrecht.

Secondly, It is clear, that Holland is now more v/,,dt,_ -

than ever furnifhed with many great aad pol_u!ous ooid_a

S 3 Cl[l_,S ,w.tb

great and

Servireauriacisfamulis,dominlfquePhilippis) populou;

_Di¢mihiconditioduri0rutrafuit? cities.

262 Holland ma)'/Tc_/ifl witbout Part IL

See Benti-cities and towns, whole inhabitants, by trading in

voglio all the commodities of the wor)d, have iacre&bly

Relat. b.

enriched themfclves ; while on the other title, Bra-

I.C. 7.

bant and fii'anders are izecome poorer and weaker.

And it muff: be confeffed, that the faid traffick by

t)a hatll improved Hdla;_a'._ ltrengrh of fllipping

to a higher degree than ever it wa: formerly.

Ji,,d _v#b. ff'birdly, It muff: be acknowledge.J, that Holland

fle_ go-is now governed after a flee republican manner ;

_.,',._,,_e,t.and therefore its inhabitants are able to purfue their

own interefl: with an undivided and unbroken pow-

er, and not to be terrified cr conttrained in time to

con:e by ,;:,y one eminent fcrvant of the Rate with

his adherents, or, by any ill-pracq:ifed union or

rail-led al!ies, to be over-voted, emqaared, and de-

preffed to its own ruin.

lt?Sile the Fourthly, It is obfcrvable, that the formidable

Burgun- Burgundian and Auflrim_ power, which formerly

dian and was fo grievous tOus, is now fixed in "Spain, to go-

Spanifh vern from fo great a diitance thole Ne.'berlands that

princes re-..

m_i,,i, join to our frontiers, by deleg:ted governors, anti

!:pain. appointed captain-ge_lerals, officiating in their re-

fpe&ive employment for a very fhort time. Since

therefore they with flow and limited inff:ru&ions,

and tied up hands, cahno: perform'that fervice to

thole extreme jealous kings and councils of Spain to

the prejudice of us, we in that refpe& need not to

fear them.

.&d _l,eir Fifzi_Z)', It is evident that the king of Spain, here-

p,-_,,.'ri, tO_re our old and moil: formidable neighbour by

_,:._,-yway land, is not only weakn d in his dominions, by the

dimi_:i-

/_e,¢. deft&ion of Portugal, but by iris manitbld lores

of territories, .and cities fituate in Brabant, Flan-

ders, .4i-zoi_, &c. is become fo inconfiderable, that

to obtain a peace of us, he in the year I648 found

it his bc_cco:lrC,:to refign up his right to the United

.Praz'inces, ard efpecially to that of Holland, with

what-

Chap. I r. t/he Government of'atingle P,'r/bn. 263

whatever he might any way pretend tb ; fo that we

are now wholly fearlefs from that fide.

All which pall: mifchiefs, and prefent advanta. Sothat

ges of Holland, being thus well weighed, methinks Hollandis

I might generally infer, that Hol and is much abler no._obetter

• ,- ,,-able than

now than ever 'twos formerly to defend lUeJte_,ertorle"

againit all foreign enemies, find itfi/f.

But rome inay obje&, that Itolland for fifty .4gai,_fl

years part having abandoned its own defence, and _._.hichit

reverfed all good maxims, has fo contrived and i, oaje&4

conl°tituted matters, that we cannot be fafe unle/_ that Hol-

land land-

by means of the other provinces ; and that all our _wardi,

great advantages of good fimation, populoufnefs,_o,.fef_r.

and God's unfpeakable bleffings upon the diligence tfed tan,,

and frugality of the Hollanders, have only revvedto e_oor,anal

the other provinces and conqutred cities, theadj..-

fifoengtherend'err nasto them impregnable : infomuch that centvincesPro-,,,d

they now have no more need of us, unlel_ to draw citm are

money from us ; and that on the other fide, we .,,e,y

have left ourfelves naked of all means, both of de-flr°ng"

fence and offence.

They may alfo fay, that at the great affembly Dedue"t.

held in the Hague in the ),ear 165I, Holland grant- Milk. §.

ed to the generality, and the other provinces, the _d hath

right of giving patents or commiffions to all the ,ot _e?t

military officers of the refpe&ive allies : fo that it itsrigf_t

may be affirmed, that this province hath utterly #gi_,i,,g

diverted themfdves of all kind of refpe& or eft:tern commi.ffl,n.¢

to her o_tt

from the fol,tiery, who yet are paid out of our _e_,._

purfe ; tho' they are fi)r tim mof'c part in garrifons _it&,a

out of the 13:oviace of Halla*2d, and that we have t& pro-

not preferred that natural right which we have 'Vi'::e°/"

Holland.

over them. So that if we fimuld want any com-

panies for the fervice of our province, we lhould

be forced as it were to petition to have them of our

laid allies.

To which may be added, that we have been

burdened with fo many impofitions, that it is im-

S 4 poflibWe

06 4 Holland mayfubfifl without Part IL

pof'fible they can be long born by a country thai:

fubfifts not of its own fired, but of manuf,acCtures,

fifnmg, trade and /hipping, whilft we are bur-

den'd with endlefs incankering rums taken up al:

interefi. So that we might hence conclude, that

Holland is net indeed efteemed confiderable by any

of her neighbours, or allies by rand ; and that we

on the contrary muff fland in fear of all our neareft

neighbours that are well armed. And he that doubts

of this, let him but confider that divers provinces

during the firl]: and fecond war, dared roundly to

declare, that they would not bear the charge of any

war by lea whatloever it were. Let them likewife

take notice that the province of Holland to this day

Aitzma, could never find any means to compel the provin-

b/ft.of ces that are in arrear of their quota's, to bring in

'65¢ P their multiplied arrears, to which they gave their

14-¢,357,

358. conf_nt : and therefore Holland in refpecq:of all its

adjacent neighbours by land, feems in all regards

to be weaker than ever it formerly was.

Ho._othis And in truth, if the province of Holland had not

h.,ppe,,_' heretofore been compell'd by a captain-general and

agamfl all

rules of ftadtholder, to fuffer the things before-mentioned,

goodgo. I fhould much wonder that we have continued fo

,'aernmeut.long in fuch an ill t_ate of governm_t : for it has

always been a cuf_om in the world, that the weak,

to _he end they might be aflqfted in their diftrefs

again_ their enemies, /hould enrich the t_rong in a

time of peace by a yearly payment of money ; and

that the ftro_g havin_ received much money and

tribute, whether in times of peace or war, /hould

for all that never affift their weak allies in their

neceffity, farther than might agree with their own

wg.ile ourintereft : and certainly he is a fool in grain, who

.,_,_ers,,,_tcarries water to his neighbour's boule, whilft his

_e_ch,_ts own is burning. Moreover Holland hath been for

are taro, more than fifty years fucceffively either made, or

'_'_" left difarmed, to ftrengthen its ncighbow's, and to

make

Chap. _ I. the Government of atingle Perfon. 2 6 9

make them rather than themfelves confiderable :

fo that in care of a war with them, we might fear

left our fmall un.fortified, and unprovided frontier

cities, and poffibly the other great cities too, be-

caufe of their want of fortifications, and exercife of

arms, tho' they are flronger inwardly, might be

£urprized, and fall into our neighbours hands.

.For, to fpeak, truly, tho' we have been like good

wret_lers and fencers, abJe to defend ourfelves with

our own flrength, y.et we have fuffered ourfelves to

be deluded into a belief, that we/hould be better

defended in cafe we gave up our arms to certain

famous fencers, or to neighbours that boat_ them-

felv¢s to be beater able to wreRle and fence than

we, and confequently to expel an enemy ; whereas

they are vifibly weaker of body than ourfelves. So

that we having for fo long a time delivered up,

and lent out our arms, are, for want of exercife

and ufing the fword, really become totally difarngd

and weak ; infomuch that in care our weak cham-

pions thould come to a battel, not only they but

we alfo [hould fall by the fword: and betides, our

weak neighbouring champions who have borrowed

our fwords, are no left mifchievous than any other

people. And therefore we are to expect, that they

not only defign their own advantage, and negle61:

ours, but alfo will conceive and eReem their own

burdens very_heavy, and ours very light ; for I

would not fay, they will ufe the arms and power

they have borrowed of us to our ruin, whenever

they can effc& it to their advantage. By all which

it appears, thatHolland is now lefs defenfible than

ever.

But he that examines this general pofition on

both tides, mufc acknowledge, that as this weak-

nefs of Holland was caufed by their own ftadtholder

and captain-general: and on the other fide, Hol-

land by the prefent free government is enabled to

make

268 Holland, while free, cannot Part II.

when they make prefents *, and will bring in the

g'rojan horfe. But ye: the arm'd men concealed in

his belly, will never be able, by the confpiracy of

rome magiftrates, to deffroy our province, and to

_7=ther fubdue and burn our cities by uproars againft the

the free rulers ; but poflibly they may by bringing in the

Holland horfe, weaken our lawful governors, and leave our

rultrs are cities without defence, and then the horfe may be

li_4r to

bring in drawn into the inward court, and into the feeble

t_eTrojanand weak affembly of the/_ates. As Ruy Goraaz

l_o_fe, de Silva lays of the Netherlands in general, '¢ That

_' they are more fiery than they thould be for the

" prctbrvation of their liberties, when by force

" they are attempted to be taken from them ; and

" yet never any people have been fo eafy almoft

See F. *' wholly to religa them. And the emperor Charles

Suada. ,t the fifth ufed to fay, that no people were fo

lib. 6. '_ averfe from fervitude as the Netherlanders, and

*' yet in the world no people fuffered the yoke to

" be fo eafily laid on them, when they were gently

"' treated?' Betides which, cardinal Bentivoglio

endeavours to /'hew by many reafons, that the

See Bentl-United Netherland Provinces cannot long preferve

vnglio, their free government ; but feeing the Netherlanders

Telat. lib.have never before been in the quiet poffeffion of a

3. cb. 7, free republick, at leaft not the Hollanders, there

can be no example given of their negle&ing their

own freedom, or of corrupting them with money

for daar end. For when formerly it happened in

Holland by unavoidable £td accidents, that we were

necef/itated to draw the Trojan horfe into the in-

ward court, we law the fire and flame, fnorting,

neighing, and armed men fpring from his body at

pleafure, without regard either to the benefit or

damage of the inhabitants. So we/hall _lways find

it true, in all chargeable and neceffitous countries,

governed by a few ariftocratical rulers, and provi-

ded

TimeoDanaos, & donaferentes.

Chap.,2. anyX t,pi voo-.

ded with but few unrewarded annual magil_rates, Why this

that a great perfon obtaining there any power in hap_,ed

in part iu

the government or militia, will eafily draw to his th_ Ne-

party all rulers and magiftrates by the molt confi- therla..__r_

derable and profitable offices and benefices which

he can confer; or if any dare to ftand it out

againft him, he would keep him out of employ-

ment, or deter him from maintaining the lqublick

}iberty : fo that every one to obtain thole advan-

tages, or to evade thole hardthips, will be tempted

to give up the freedom of his country ; and it is no

wonder that we have feen fuch dealings fo often

pra&ifed in there parts.

But it is alfo true, that when the princes of there Viz./rr.

countries were railed to fuch a degree, that they ca_j_t¢_

- conceiv'd it was no longer needful for them to Carts"

oblige the rulers and magiftrates of the gentry, andfl/_r_h°/,_e.

cities, not doubting to bear them down by their_,,ure tobe

great popularity among the inhabitants, or to fiip-flatto-e,¢,

prefs them by their military authority ; it hath of- _ot,co_t_-

ten appeared, that beyond expec'-tation many good died.

patriots, and lovers of liberty, efpecially many

prudent, ancient, and experienced merchants, have

then evidenced their zeal for the defence of their

privileges, well knowing they fhould be forced to

part with them under a monarchical government;

and therefore joined with fuch rulers and magifirates

as encouraged them to maintain their freedom, as

far as they poffibly could, nay, even the flaadow of

liberty, with their lives and fortunes.

All which ought to perfuade us, that the affem- It is _ot

bly of the t_ates of Holland, and the fubordinate _robableit

magiftrates of this prefent free ftate, having in their _iz/

own power the beftowiag of all honourable and/,a_0_.,_#in Hol

profitable employments; and which is more, not land.

needing now to fear their own military power, and

being able without fcruple to command them, and

by them to reduce other mutinous and feditious in-

habitants

270 Holland wbi!eJ)'ee, camzot Part II.

habitants to obedience, will not now be inclilued to

call in, or let up a head, which they would imme-

diately fear no let_ d_:ti_. idolaters do the idols of

their own makino: ; and not only £o, but they muff:

Becaufe reverence his courtiers n)o, and bel_ech them that

allcoor@ they would pleafi: to lh?,'cr themfelves to be chofen

.,der_m_.vand continued in the yearly magiftracies, and be-

perceive it l'_ow lbme offices ,q.!ld eml)]oymcnts on them and

"would be

their ,'uin. their friends, changi_lg the liberty they now enjoy

as magi_rates ot'a ti-e.cflate, imo a bale and fl_tvifh

dependance. Which thi,qg_ well confidered, we

ought to believe fl,at the l-IoIlanders will rather

chufe to hazard their lives and eftates/'or the pre-

fi:rvation of this fice government.

tI_tt,e Butifany one fl_ould get doubt of this, let him

jtam of hear the ftates of Iiol!and and Wefl-Friefland £peak

Holland ia that famous dedu.{lion now in print, where their

_aVC

pl_i,b ex. lordflfips have publilhed their fentiment in this

preffed it matter: for having been accufed by rome of the

inDedu&,provinces to have done tbmething repuguant to

part. z. c. their dear bought freedom, they very roundly and

*. §. 9" plainly decta_ed " Th:.t they are as fenfible of

&C.

" thol_ all_-gatio_s as a_y ct e:s; and tl_at they

" purpofe, and are re:otved to prt.ferve and tl_air,-

" tain the laid fieedom, as well :n rel_e_ of the

" flare in general, as of their province i,_particular,

"' even as the apple of their eye. And that as they

" were the firft and chief procurers offree_om bo_h

" for themfelves a,;d their allies, fo they will ;'_-

" ver fuffer it to be laid with tru:h, that an7 others

" thould out do them in zeal for prefcrvi,:g ax_.d

" defending the common liberty.

"' §-9" Nay, that it can h:.rdly enter into r'he

" head of any man, accordilg to the judgment of

" all political writers, who have tbund under_and-

"" ing, That ia a rep,Jblick, fuch great offices of

" captain-genera/, and fl:a'itholder, can wkhoat

" fignaldangerofthe common freedom be conferred

Chap. I z. fi_br by any httefline Power, z7_

" upon thole, whole anceRors were clothed with

"' the fame employments.

" §. io. Laying it down as unqueRionable, and

" well known to all thofe that have in any meafure

'" been converfant with fuch authors as treat of the

" rife, conRitution, and alteration of kingdoms,

" tffates and countries, together with the form :_"

" their governments, that all the republicks o(

" the world, without exception, which departed

" from fuchmaxims and cuftoms, more particu-

_ " larly thole who have entrufted the whole ftrength

,' of their arms to a tingle perfon during life, with

" fuch others as continued them too long in their

,, commands, have been by ,,hat means brought

" under fable&ion, and reduced to a monarchical

" Rate. And after very many examples produced

" for confirmation of.what is alledged, their lord-

" /hips further add :

" §. 2 2. And have we not feen with our own %q _.i1!

" eyes, that the lat°t deceafed captain-general ofnoteafily

.forget the

" this Rate endeavoured to furprize the capital ana _violenceof

" moil: powerful city of the |and, with tho_ very t+eiro_'=

" arms which the Rates entrufted to him? Andfladtho'_r

" moreover, that he dared fo uz_]_eakably to wrong a...dcap-

" the Rates of Hd/a;ld and lP'efi-Friefland, whole t'_'"'ze'_e-

" perfon_ iie, as a fworn minif_er and n:,tural rub-raL

" jec't, was bound to revere ? that he feized fix of

" the principal lords, whilfl: they were fitting ia

" their fovereign affembly, and carried them away

" prifoners ?And hath not God Almighty vifibly

" oppofed, broken and frufhated the fecret defigns

" concealed under that pernicious attempt, by t_nd-

" ing out of heaven a thick darknefs, with a greaz

" and fudden t_orm of rain, by which we were

" preferred ?

" §. z 3. And all things well confidered, it might

" be quefiioned, according to thejudgment o_'the

" laid politicians, whether by ',',_,",'_,• at_ ..... l_,= tk_ pre-

_.7z Holland while free, cannot PartIl.

*, fent prince of Orange to that dignity, and thole

"' high offices in which his anceRors were placed,

"' the freedom of this /late would not be remark-

"' ably endangered : for God does not always mi-

" racles, neither are we to flatter our felves that

" there countries thall always efcape that deflruc-

"' tion which has ever attended all thofe nations

"' that have taken the fame courl_ without excep-

" tion.

" And hilly, the Rates of Holland and Weft-

" Frie.fland do thus expret_ their unalterable refo-

"' lution upon the lafl: article. At leafl:their lord-

"' /hips will on their own behalf declare, and do

"' hereby declare, that they are firmly refolved to

"' Rrengthen the forefaid union, viz. of Utrecht,

"' for the confervation of the flare in general, and

"' for maintaining the publick liberty, together

"' with the fupremacy, and rights of the refpe&ive

"' provinces, according to the grounds here ex-

" preffed ; and at all times, and upon all occafions,

"' will contribute their help, even to the utmoR,

c, towards the prefervation and defence of their

"' dear-bought liberty, and the privileges of there

" countries, which are fo dear, and of fuch inefii'-

" mable value to them, that they wil r.ot lurer

" themfelves to be diverted from their refi_lution

_ey will" by any inconveniences or extremities ; nor wi!l

,0t 10_ " lay down their good intentions but with their

their free ,, lives, truf_ing that they fllall be duly feconded

_ent but " herein upon all occafions by ourother allies ; for

_aith the ,c which the laid Rates will fin8 up their fervent

1o_of " prayers to Almighty God. Amen". This done

their

t/,,u, and concluded by the laid Rates of Holland and

I¢/'efl-FrieJland in the Hague, the 25th of yu/y ,6S4;

by command of the laid Rates, was figned.

Ilerbert van Beaumont.

Chap. zz. fuffer by any interline Power. _7_

To whichwe flaall add the perpetual ediCt of

the 5th ofAugufl 1667. containing as follows,

" The feveralftates of Holland and Weft-Frier-

" land, after feveral adjournments, and mature

_' deliberation, and communication with the knights

" and gentlemen, and likewife with the councils

" of the cities, unanimoufly, ard with the general I,,,667,

" concurrenceof all the members, for a perpetual the made

" edict, and everlafting law, illorder to preferve aperpetual

" the publick freedom, together with the union law to

e prefer,re

" and common peace, have ena&ed, as th y do ....

. -- • . roetr Jret

" hereby ena& and decree, the points and arucleSgo,vcrn_

" following, raent.

" I. T_aatthe power of ele&ingandfummoning

'_ in the order of I_heknighthood and nobles, to-

" gether with the nomination and choice ofburgo-

" mafters, common-council, judges, and allother

"' offices of the magiftracy in cities, fhall remain

'* in the power of the fummoned knighthood and

" gentry, together with the citiesrefpe&ivdy, a_

" by antient cuffom, privileges and grants iscon- Probilit-

" firmed or granted to them, or might frill be ing t& _.

"' confirmed or granted, with the free exercife of leai_go_

" the fame, according to the laws and privileges, any=agif-

trate$_

" And that the fore-mentioned nomination, or

" election, or any part thereof, /hall not for ever

" be convey'd or given away.

" 2. That all offices, charges, fervices or be-Or confer.

c, nefices, which are at prefcnt.in the defpofalofringa_

" the ftates of Holland and H/'efl-Friefland,/hall i'm_l_-

ments, or

" be, and continue in them, without any alteration admitting

" or diminution, excepting only the military em- the fame,

" ployments andofficeswhich may become vacant

" in the field, and during any expedition by lea

"' or land, concerning which the ftatesof Holland

"' Will by a further order determine, not only of

T " the

274 Holland wbileJree, cannot PartlI.

- the provifional fettlement', but alfo principally

" of the difpolM thereof, fo as/hall be molt for the

'_ fervice and benefit of the land.

" 3. That the ftates of Holland and Weft-Frier-

"' land, /hall not only deny their fuffrages to the

" contrary, but alfo move the generality with all

c, poffible efficacy, that it may be ena&ed and

,' eftabli/hed with the .unanimous confent and con-

" currence of our allies, and by a refolution of the

,' ltates-general ; that whatever perfon /hall be

- hereafter made captain or admiral-general, or

" have both the laid offices ; or whoever /hall

•' among any other titles have the chief command

" over the forces by lea or land, /hall not be, or

" remain ftadtholder ofanyprovince, or provinces.

" And forafmuch as concerns the province of H01-

" land and PUefl-Friefland, not only fuch perfon

A'ndkc&- " who/hall be entrufted with the ehief command

,¢i,g,dz " over the forces by lea or land, but alfo no other

fl,_dthd- ,, perfon whatever/ha]l be made ftadtholder of that

der_of any

_fthe pro. " province ; 'but the aforefaid office/hall be, and

•oi,,ces [,' remain fuppreffed, mortified, and void in all

from be/n,_- refpe&s. And the lords commiffioners of the

capt.ge- ,, council, in their refpecq:ivequarters, have it re-

neral. '_ commended to them according to their inftruc-

•' tions, to give all neceffary orders, and to ufe

" fuch circumfpec"tion _.ndprudence, as is requifite

" in affairs that may happen in the abfence of the

" Rates of Holland and I4"efl-Frie./land, wherein

•' fpeedyoMers might be abfolutery needful.

.4nd atfo " 4. That for the greater liability of there ref0-

f_earing *' lutions, and, for the mutual eafe and quiet of

_,e_erto " the gentry and cities, all thole who are at prefent

_0_r '_ " elecqed intothe order of knighthood, or that may

thingre- ,, hereafter be elec"ted, together with all fuch as may

_ugnant

&ran. " be hereafter chofen in the great council of the ci-

" ties, lhall by their folemn oath declare that they

" will maintain the forefaid points religioufly and

" uprightly,

Chap. z2. fu_Oerby any interline Power. 075

,, uprightly, and by no means fuller that there be

,c any incroachment or infra&ion made againft the

" fame ; much lefs at any time to make, or caufe

" to be made, any propofition which might in

" any wife be repugnant thereunto. Likewife the

" oath of the lords that /hall appear at the affem-

" bly of the ffatesof Holland and fIlefl-Friefland,

" /hall be enlarged in the fulleft and molt effe&ual

" form. And the counfellor-penfionary for the

*' time being, /hall alfo b_o_61]_-_y oath to pre-

a ferve and maintain as much as in him lies, all

" the laid points, without ever making any pro-

" pofal to the contrary, or putting it to the que-

" ftion, either dire&ly or indire&ly, much lefs

" to form a conclufion.

" 5. That moreover, for the further fl:ability_Indthat

" of the laid third point, the fame/hall be exprefly a/,'c,_p-

a taln gent-

" inferred in the inftru&ions to be given to. r,_ls,_,,_

" captain or admiral-general ; and he that is lOf_ea r ta

" ele&ed, /hall be obliged by oath, not only to maintain

" leek it at any time dire&ly or indirec"tly, much ,all,_b_v_-

" lefs to form a defign to obtain it direcCtlyor in- _ritte,.

'_ dire&ly ; but on the contrary, in care any other &c.

., /hould do it beyond expecq:at_on,that he /hall

', withftand and oppofe it : and if the dignity of

,, ftadtholder /hould at any time be offer'd to him

', by any of the provinces, that he will refufe and

" declinethe fame."

And truly thisfolemn declaration, and perpetual

edi& of our lawful fovereigns, which paffed with

the.unanimous confentof all the members of the

affembly, who were in perle& freedom to form

their own refolutions totlching theeprefer-cationof

their liberties, oughz to be of greater weight with

every one, and tfpecially with us, _hanany other

declaration made by the flares of Hollandand [4"efl-

Friefland_ when they were under th_fervitude of a

T z haughty"

376 Holland, vobilefree, cannot Part.ll.

haughty governor; or than the declaration of that

formidable emperor Cbarhs the 5th made to his

own advantage, even tho' we flaould add the foreign

tefl:imony of Ruy Gomes de Silva, or that of cardi-

_,¢llgood nal Bentivoglio, fince they were not capable ofex-

l_,,triots periencingor feeling how intolerably thole flaoes

ad_ir_l_e pinch'd us ; much let_ could they be fenfible how

a,,,.... well pleafed the underll'anding Netherlanders are,

_' "_"" wheth'er rulers or fubjec'-ts, to find '_ themfelves in

a condition todeclare with freedom their fentiments

concerning the welfare of the nation ; and living

by the laws of the country, need to fear no man,

as before they did. But above all other inhabitants,

our vigilant rulers, who heretofore durft not open

their mouths for the privileges of the land, the law-

ful government, and liberty of the people without in-

curring the danger of being tent prifoners to ._ve-

flein cafl:le, may confider with themfi:lves, that

they can now freely fpeak their minds for the bene-

fit of their country, and themfelves: and let this

be well weighed by every one that has but one drop

of free Netberland blood in his veins.

PP'hether Laftly, it is to be confidered, whether the profpe-

ourfree rity and free government ofllolla;_d would not proba-

cities, if -bly be deftroyed, unlet_they have an illuffrious head

at ,va_i- for life, even by the freedom which the members

a.tl'cel,

¢ould ruin Of Holland do now a&ually ufe, in giving their

eachot&r.voices with the f_ates of Holland, at the pleafure,

and for the benefit of their refpe&ive principals,

and by croG and contrary interefts, diffentions, and

wars of the cities among themfrlves ; which rome

great men fay_ cannot be well prevented or quieted

All repub-without lhch an illuftrious head.

licks that TO which I anfwer ; that indeed all republicks

b,_,vefi,c,_without exception, which have conftituted chief

a b.ea,t, governors for life, vefted with any confiderable

qA_ll COral

to_uln, power in civil, and efpecially in military affairs,

have

* Nuncpedelibero

l'ulfandatellus. //or.

Chap. iz. fu.ffer byanyinterlinePower. _77

hare been fubje& to continual inteft:ine diffenfions

and wars, and have fallen for the moil: part into

monarchical governmeots. This was the fate of

all the Italian republicks, except rome few that by"

thole divifions and tumults had the good fortune

to expel their tyrants, and by that means an oppor-

tunity of introducing a better form of government

without the controul of fuch an infolent maf_er.

This was alfo the the fate of all the republicks in

Germany, and there Netherlands, under their dukes,

earls, t_adtholders, bifhops, and captain-generals. SeeDe-

Which is not ftrange ; fcr divide and reign being dua./'art

,, ,- z.ch.3.§6.

the political maxim of fuch heads, they wiJJ me

all their art and power to raife and foment divifions

in their territories, and fifh fo long in thole troubled

waters, 'till they overcome both parties; as all

ages can wimeiq.

2. I have confidered, but cannot remember fOButrepu$-

much as one example of a republick without fuch a llc_s_itb-

head, which ever fell into any mifchievous inteftine o,,t,, head

ng'_fr

commotions that lafted long ; but-on the contrary, owill;

we ought to take notice, that the free imperial ci-

ties, or republicks in Germany, never make war

againf_ one another ; and that the Cantons of Swit-

zerland b.mo mutually bound to a common de-

fence (even as we are by the union of Utrecht) do

very feldom contend among themfclves, and if they _/,,,p_,_,,

do happen to take arms, very little biood is lhed ; inGerma-

and in a lhort time, without prejudice to theirff. _"a

bWltZ@g'.

free government, they are reconciled by the me-land.

diation of the other cantons: fo that their republicks

have now Rood near 4oo years. Which can be at-

tributed to no other caufe than that the differing

parties, mutually fenfible of the mifchiefs they felt,

were not neceffitated by any fuch chief head or go-

vernor to continue a prejudicial and deftru&ive

War : for thole cantons have been always careful not

to elecq:any commander or general during life overt

T 3 the

278 Holland, while free, cannot Part II

TClboare the confederated forces of the union. Neither have

military diers in the field, but always for the defign in hand

head. only ; tho' after their revolt from their lords of the

houfe ofztuflria, they were neceffitated to fupport

a war, as long and dangerous as that we had againft:

thole of the fame family. And for fo much as con-

cerns there United Provznces, let the reader pleafe

to hear the ftates of Holland and I¢,'efl-Friefland, who

after many ftrong and weighty reafons add, "So

Oe_u&. " that their lordfhips conceive they may firmly

Part z. "_condludc, that in there lands hardly any other

3-§. _4. ,, differences and divifions have ever exiRed, at

while _ur,, karl: not of great importance, but fuch as have

political c, been formed on the zccount of thole heads, or

and miIi-

ta_.bed " by their means."

.z,a_could 3- The cities of Holland by inteftine wars would

,_ellnigb on both tides fuffer infinitely more 1o1_than the

allour di- 8wifs-Cantans, or any other cities far remote fi'om

¢'J_0715 ,

_..,hichcanone another. For all the inlar.d cities of HdlaM,

,,, more hardly one excepted, do as well fubfifl: by trade, as

happen in thole that are nearer to the lea _ and the leapt lea-

cur ,'epub-city would by that means be able to make the

liekt, and

,_._.j. greatef_ b_oty of the ftronget_ : as it is alfo known,

that the leaft city of Holland may in a t]aort time fo

_'elt fortify itfelf, that it could not be, taken by the

greater. So that our cities lying fo clofe together,

the adjacent lands would in care of war be imme-

diately ruined, and all the ways by land or water

that lead towards the cities, would be fo infePted,

that all trading would immediately ceafe. Where-

fore both parnes would forthwith be moved by the

other difinterefted cities to chufe a more profitable

peace, in lieu of fuch an unprofitable and pernicious

war.

Laflly, I obferve, that all the cities in Holland are

governed by few ftandiog magiftrates or cky.coun-

cits,

Chap. z3. fu_br by any interline Power. 279

cils, but rather by annual magiftrates ; and that fo

few perfons as ferve for magiftrates fo little a time,

could not make fogreat and mifchievous a war up-

on their neighbouring cities, and maintain them-

felves in their obRinacy, without being turned out

of the government by their own inhabitants, who

would not fuffer fuch a temper to their prejudice to

continue amongft them ; at leaft they would be kept

out of the magiftracy by their competitors. And I

believe no example can be brought of a few ariRo-

cratical rulers of a city, or republick purely fubfift-

ing by trade, who have ever long maintained an

offenfivewar, without caufing at the fame time their

own fubje&sto mutiny on that account, and to turn

them out of the government.

And accordingly I flaallnot only conclude, that Holland

Holland during its free government fhall never"be _,itho,,ta

more fubje& to any durable, deftru&ive, inteftine heaa,a,_

1 , _/¢v/dd'r b£

diffention, much le_ to inteftine wars, tnan me i,,_,,ra'O

8witzer and German republicks: bm I will add, that ra,vi/b'd.

as theperpetual and true maxim of a government by

a tingle perfon, isdivide & impera, by raifing and

fomenting divifions among the rulers, magiftrates

and inhabitants, to make one party by degrees roa-

Rer of the other, and then to rule both : fo it is alfo

the true and Ready maxim of all republicks, * to

create a good underRanding and mutual affe&ion

between the magifcratesand people, by a mild and

gentle government', becaufethe welfare of all cotra-

monwealths depends upon it, and is deftroyed by

the contrary. And accordingly I flaall finiflathis

chapter by faying, that we fhould have reafon to

wonder, if any wife man ever believedthat it isthe

interel_ of free republicks to chufe an illultrious

head, vefted with authority for life, in order to

compofe the differencesthat may arifeamong them :

T 4 for

btmtur,

_8o Holland, _vbilefree, is able Part lI.

for I think we have already proved, that no lurer

way can be taken to introduce perpetual divifions

into republicks, with foreign and domefiick wars,

and at lafi a monarchical government, than by let-

ting up fuch an eminent comma0ding head.

C H A P. XIII.

_kat Holland during its firee Government is

vet; well able to reflfl all Joreign _Power.

tt_.att,,ufl• Shall now endeavour to fhew that the repttblick

be/,ppo#t| of Holland, while anentire free government, can

#hat i_ol- .L

land may very well defend itf¢If againf any foreign force

repelall whatever. But tiff I muff _.'emife and fuppofe,

./'o,.cefromthat this is a lure effe_ of a free government, viz.

_it-_out. that all thegreat citiesof Hol'an2 muff:fortify them-

felves, and be provided with all things neeeffaryfor

their defimce; asalfothat thefates of Holland muff:

out of the common lock fl:rengthenall the avenues

and frontier citiesof the provinces, which of them-

_lves are too weak effe&ually to repel an enemy.

For otherwil_ we may well be ofopimon, that Hol-

land will not be able to deal with the forceof Spain

by land ; and that it might by furprize be over-

run by the power of rome other of the UnitedPro-

vinces; yea, that it might be eafily plundered by

its own conquered cities. But not to cut out more

work, I/hall, in purfuance of that pofition, look

upon Holland, and all the other provincts, as be-

ingwithout union, league, or alliance with its neigh-

bours: for as other countries may join in making

war upon Holland, fo Holland may make leagues

with foreign powers to make war upon others:

which cafeswould caufeendlefsthoughts and confi-

derations; and therefore I will prefuppofe, that

when Holland /hall have difference, or wars with

any one of its neighbours, all the reR /hall bc

ncutcr,

There-

Chap. x3. to reflfl all foreign Power. _8t

Therefore to come to the point, I fay, that it

feemsneedlersfor me tO/hew that Hollandcan very

well fubfiI_andendureallthe forceof France,Spain,

England, and other leffer remote countries, fince I

think I have done it fufficiently in the foregoing

c:hapters, when I treated of Holland'salliances. SO

it remains only to be confide.red, whether Holland

be ftrong enough to defend it£elfagaint_the power

of the neighbouring United Provinces, and of the

affociatedor conquered lands and cities?

Upon which I/hall premife in the general, that Holland

Holland bein_ fo well furrounded by the leas andLa"_.aflb

rivers, and broken by waters; fo populous, fo fullJt ....

J r -- gatnflzoe

of great, well fortified (for this muff be fuppofed)otherUni.

and impregnable citieslying nearone another,every t_. Pro-

one of which can produce an army ; this being con- vmm.

fidered, I fay no potentate in the world could in-

vade us with an army : or fuppofe he were entered

the country, it is clear that the laid enemy, by the

co_tinual unexpected attacks of the adjacent cities,

and, by the beating of his convoys, or fuch as

bring in forage, would in a /hort time be necefl_-

t_t¢d, by the continualleffeningof his forces,fl_ame-

fully to relinquith the attempt and march away.

.A_llwhich they ought to forefee and expe&, and

much more of the forces and incurfions of our nei-

bouring Netherlands, and conqueredcities. _ecaufl,

Again, I muff fay, that ali the laid provincesdo th.o_fro.

receive incomparably more advantage by Holland, _'_i_e,

g more

thanHolland doesfrom them ; which benefitswould l,speace

all ceafeby a war, namely, by _,irtueof the union, and#_'er

which, as it has been prac'tifed, the rulers and in- more

_ar_ t_a_

habitants of the other provinces draw profits fromHolland.

Holland ; namely by embaffmsordinary and extra- 8u ague.

ordinary, by commiflions and deputations in the ralcata-

collegesof the joint allies; or by officesor he,rices logueof

in andabout the government ; in the courtsofjudi- #':e,.

Ai:zma

Cature, trcafuries, and affairs of war depending on _o0_**.

the?. 23:.

082 Holland, _Jhilefree, is able Part II.

the generality, which are paid by the .joint allies,

by which they accordingly receive above 58 per

cent. of all that they enjoy. To which we may add

the profits they reap by admini_ration, or offices

about regulation of trade, and maritime affairs,

whether at home depending on the admiralties, or

abroad by being refidents and confuls, &c. So that

it is evident enough that all rewards mutt proceed

from Holland alone ; and by the traffick of Hol-

land, and its wonderful populoufnefs and vicinity,

they ¢onfume all the manufac"turesand fuperfluous

roduc%of the inhabitants of the other provinces at

igh rates, and they receive out of Holland all that

they want at ealv rates: whereas Holland on the

other fide, in ca£eof a war with rhisor that pro-

vince, would not be fenfible, or fuffer in itstraffick

or co,:fumption. And betides we fee, that from the

provinces of Guetder!and, Fri_and, Overyffel, &c.

the poor young men and maids that are not able to

live there by their tradesand fervice, fubfifl:in Hol-

land very well. So that all the provinces are fen-

fible, that a good and firm peace is at leafl:as much

l_eceffary for them as for us, to maintain the pro-

£peritvof both. And yet it might happen, that

tbme provinces may be fo ill adviJ_d'asto be drawn

afide to make war againlt Holland ; and therefore I

muir confider, and take a view of all the United

Provinces in particular, viz.

Gronin- Groni_._enand Friefland, with the conquered

_zen,-,a' places of the generality, Bourtagn¢., Bellingwolde,

FrieflandLangakkerfchans and Coeverden_ which they have

$othbyi_-touna meansto bring under their particular power.

:ertfl_ Now, feeing they appoint or chuf, their common.

go,t,._- ders there, remove or change their garrifons, and

=tntand give commiflions to their military officers,whereby

fieuation,

fiparated ir appears they need nothing of ours ; and that they

fromHol-can fufficientlydefend themfelves againft all foreign

land. force. So that if they have a govcrtmr in chief,

which

Chap. 13" to reflff allforeign Power. a8 3

which in time might induce them to take.mifchie-

vous refolutions, we might expe& a deftru&ive war

to both parties mof_ from that quarter, if it had

not pleafedGod to divide us by the Zuyder-Sea,

and the provinces of Utrecht, Guelderland, and

Overyffel. So that from that fide we need expe&

no hurt ; and the rather, feeing by our ftrength of

navigation we may prefentlyR0p all the commerce

and navigation of Groningenand Friefland.

As to Overyffel, it is well known that it is di-Overyf-

vided from Holland by Guelderland, and has no felbeing

communication with us but by the Zuyder-Sea: and _ieho_

• a head _

moreover, the _rength of O.very_elis fo inconfider-,,,_,_,- "

able, andtheir land behind lies fo open, that they _a_e,wa,"

cannot make war againf'cusbut by fed; nor fo ned-,qo,,Hol-

ther, without hazarding their rue]denruin by the land.

lofsand want of all their traffick. So that while Andl_eiug

they have a free government, we are not to expe& noo._a free

it. And if they duly confider the horrid intef'cine_/_"

and foreign wars and difcords, which they fufferedbably_u'_._

in the times of their biPnops,and governors of their _o-ch_

republicks, and likewife the violent ufurpation that ahead.

they fufferedafterwards under their lords and t_adt-

holders, there is not the lea&appearancethat they

will ever confent to the choice of fuch a head or

ruler ; but if it lhould fohappen, and they be prefl:

by a contentious governor to war againfc us, it

would be &range if fuch a war fllould be "long-

lived ; for it is evident they could endamage Hol

land but little, if Holland would ufeits forceagainfl:

them.

As for Guelderland, it is manifefl:it hath much Gueldet-

more communion with Holland than any of the t._nd,_o_

forefaid provinces _ for it .joins to Holland about ,_,_e_av

.4fperenand Gorcum, and towards Boramelaris di- _q0nus,

vided only by the 2Vlaefefrom the land of Heufden

and .4ltena. Moreover it.joins to the Zuyder-Sea,

and hath under its power the mighty rivers of the

284 Holland, while free, is able Part lI.

_'ff'el, Rhine, Waal and Made ; whereby it fhould

£eem thole of GueHerland are able to infer the traf-

i:ick of Holland through the Zuyder-Sea, and by

means of the laid rivers to Rop all traflick from

above: and betides, the men of Guelderland were

of old famous for their foldiery, efpecially for horfe-

men. So that it feems to lie conveniently for gain-

jng of grea_ booty from Holland by fudden incur-

fions, and to make war upon us.

But on the other fide it is as evident, that Hal.

land having all the paffages into the tea from the

laid rivers under their power, would ftraiten

Guelderland more in all its traffick ; for Hol-

land could carry all its fine goods in carts above the

J_wtnot confines of Guelderland towards the Maefe and

_,in_oKt Rhine, and there likewife receive the fine upland

_'¢ater

_age to goods. And confidering Harderwyk and Elburg

ieyf. are the only lea-ports of Guelderlalcd, which not-

withftanding are without havens, their robberies

/at lea would fignify little, and betides be eafily

over-powered by Holland's great maritime Rrength.

.As to their incurfions by land, whether with horfe,

or foot ; it is clearly impra6'ricable by reafon of

Hollana's populoufnel_, and being fo full of canals,

which would eafily put a ftop to the Gue!derlanders.

, Their bold prefumption of plundering the Hagtee,

l_/,icb and carrying away the booty thereof in the year

,a,_oebe _528, does not contradi& what I fay. For tho'

•_f_udly the duke of Guelder gave thole of Utrecht affiftance

the intur- againfl: their biflaop, and for that end lent his ge-

.F_*f n_ral, &iartin _'an Raffem, with armed men into

Martin

van Rof- that town ; and that on the other fide, the emperor

fern, and Charles afti_ed the bifhop again_ Utrecht ; yet was

tbebaa(ybe there no open war between Gue!derland and Hal-

,,odein l_nd: but the duke found it good to bcgm the firfl:

Holland.

hotIility, or be the aggreffor, by Martin van Rof-

fern, antt to cauf¢ 13oo foldiers out of that garrifon

to fall tilddenly into Holland, and having gotten

rich

Chap. I2. to reflfl all forelgn Power. o.g$

rich booty declared war againft it, So that the

Guelderlanders were then to be accounted to have

made an unexpec"ted treacherous incurfion uponHol-

land from that bithopriek, when Holland had but

fe_, inhabitants, and was weakned by the Hoekfcbe

and Cabbeljeaufcbe fac2ions; nay was indeed inde-

fenfible by reafon the emperor Charles employed

only the gentry and foldiery" of Holland in his Ita-

lian, and other foreign wars. Betides it may be

laid, and not without reafori, that Martin van Rof-

J_m did this by the privity of the emperor Charlet

the fifth earl of HollanJ, or the connivance of Mar-

garet, becaufe the ftates would not at that time con-

fent to the money flae would have Holland to raif_ :See Meet

for the faid emperor, or his uovernefs Marzaret, ls_ck_&_

,., . o p. 7_. ,n_

would fend no foldiery to fupprefs the fald Guelder- LaraV.

landers, nor fuffer the Hollanders to purfue them. Horte_

Betides, Martin van Roffem did not the lear pre-,0, t4o.

judice to the minifters of the court, nor to the oFfi-

cers of the earldom.

And on the contrary it is well known, that all GueIder-

Guelderland, except the city of Zutpben, and the.hid ties

diftri& of Nimeguen, lies wholly open-to Holland .,pe,f_al_

opento

fo that from Lw_ein one might plunder the whole HoUatd.

Bommelerzoaad, yea and cut down its banks; and

iz would be the fame with the ff'ielerwaad and Be-

tuwe, and that quartet' of the l"eluwe muff always

expec°cincurfions, and plunderings by our/hipping.

So that this war, which would be more prejudicial

to Guelderland than Holland, would loon be ended by

a firm peace on both tides, while they continue un-

der a free goverment, and while the refpe&ive cities

ofGuelderland, efpecially Nimeguen, the chief of that

province, do now find the fvceetnet_of their own go-

vernment, after having felt the weight of the late yoke

of the fladtholders,or thatofcaptain-generals,and muff:

again fuffer their legally ele&ed magil_rates to berio-

lentil?turned out.Therefore'tiz to be believed that they

will

_86 Holland, _hile free, is aHe Part IT.

will not precipitately ele& a tyrannical head over

them.

_'be pro- AS tOthe province-of Utrecht, it is well known

=in,,of that it lies wholly open, and jetting into Holland,

Utrecht and fubfifts purely by hufb,tndry; and in that it

,_olb, l.n.bounds upon the Lek and Zuyder-3ea, feems in

t1110l¢.

_" £ome meafure to be able to difturb the trade of

Holland, and for a great way to dilturb the cham-

pion country. But he that will take notice of the

great ftrength of Holland's lhipping, may eafily

conceive that the Lek, and Zuyder-Sea, lying be-.

fore the province, might be made ufelefs to them

by our foldiersravaging thole parts by theii"fud-

den incurfiocs and flfipping. And that Holland

being a broken country, by reafon of its many

waters, might not only plunder their open country

much more, but alfo becaufe it runs or jets fo far

into Holland, it may be abfolutely feiz_dand kept

by them, by which meansthole of Utrecht will be

deprived of their belt champion country.

Betides it is very obfervable, that all the cities

of that province are wholly undefenfible, without

any appearance that they lhall ever be fortified:

for ,'lmerafort, Reenen, 14"yk,and Mantfort, are

.4,,el; not only unable to bear the charge of it _ and the

mci//ad- city of Utrecht will not beltow their money to for-

way, c0n-tify cities, which afterwards will have lel_.depen-

tinue.

dance on them; nay poffibly they might injure

that undefentible city the fooner: for we ought to

know that that long fquare inland city being de-

prived of the lea, and all great rivers, will beever

chargeable to fortify and keep. And as if this

were not enough to bridle that great city, their

bitlaops of old fuffered houfes to be built without

the gates ; whence came thole tbur very great

fuburbs upon all their confiderable avenues, by

which their fortificationsare made of no ufe. And

tho' every one may fee that this is the ufualpolity

Chap. 13. to refij7 all fordgn Power. 2_ 7

of the heads of a republick to weaken cities that

are too ftrong for their purpofe; yet afterwards

when men have the good luck of having a corn-

pleat free government, it continues remedile/_. And

accordingly I thall conclude, that ti_e province of it _;//,_.

Utrecbt being wholly undefcnfible, will never make _,,-_

war againff Holland. And feting it is the intereft _t._ru:o_

of Holland ever to t_:ek after peace, and that all Holland

fparks of war fo loon as they afire m ,y be fLlpprcftg,r/,er/,'-

during a free government : and feeing the mighty bettyby

city of Utrecbt of old, in the time of its epifcopalJi, cha&ai

government, and in the time of the lafl: wars

againft the king of Spain, felt more than any

town in the Netherlands, the manifold tumults and

mifchiefs caufed by their bifhops of the houfe of

Burgundy, and other great families, and after-

wards by the ulhrpation of the.captain generals, or

ftadtholders, over their lawful government: it is

therefore moil: unlikely that they will eafily diffolve

their free government by ele&ing fuch a ruler over

them.

As for Zealand, it is known to confif_ in very Tcthtt._u

fruitful populous iflands, feparated by mighty_-'a2r,d

fl:reams of the lea from all its neighbours ; and be- cities in

Zealand

tides it hath acquired by its power, divers cities ,¢e_¢_.a'o,

and ftrong places, lying on the land of the gene- t& :,fl

ralities in Flanders and Bra_ant : fo that the lords Nobl¢Y,e_

of Zealand have the dif'pofal of the commands, and i_H_.Uana

' _oto,,i_ba

changing of the garifons of Lillo, Lielke_lfhoek.#,,_d,, ,

Jlxel, ter Neufe, and Biervliet. Infomuch that butinterefl

Zealand feems to be able to defend itfelf very well al,_ ,¢-

againft all its neighbours with its own ftrength : _it":a_°*

betides which, the two good havens of Wnlcberen, ,.ea n_.

Flufbing and Keer, lie very commodioufly to annoy

the trade of Holland to the weft:ward with their

men of war.

On the other hand it is alfo true, that the inha-

Ntants of Middleburgb and Flu,,qaingdrive a great

trade

_88 Holland, ,while free, is able Part IL

ttowe_ver trride by tea ; and that thole of Zierickzee and Veer

it:could do fubfift moil: by their fifhing _ all which would

notmake

.w,_,-upo,_be immediately ruined by the great naval power of

u, butto Holland, which would be far more confiderable

Or,wn again_ them, than their /hips of war againfl: us.

ruin. .And it is as certain, that the trat_ck of Zealand

will produce them greater and more certain profit

than any privateering at lea can do. Moreover,

Holland hath by Bommenelure footing on Scbou-

wen, whereby they might ruin all the rich hu/ban-

dry of that ifland. Goes would at Ieaft have no

benefit by that war, and is not able to refiff the

naval power of Hollandin cafe they came to plun-

der it, or to burn their harveff. And on the other'

fide, the Zealand iflands have not ftrength of/hip-

ping fufficientto land and plunder Holland: where-

fore I conceive that under their free government,

every one would be ready to cry out, in a cafe of

a war, nulla falus bello, peace is beff for both

parties.

lVhicbl_ But rome may perhaps fay, that the prince of

.ea,, of-,Orange might, by means of the cities of Flufloing

chleflordand Veer, and poflibly hereafter, by being the chief

mighthap=

_e,. lord, and giving his vote firth, in name of all the

gentry in all the affembliesof the ftates, and in all

colleges of the provincial government, having the

tiff[ and the two lat_voices : fo that having three

of the feven, he muff be thought fufticientto over-

rule that whole province ; and therefore the wel-

%¢ c0,nefare or adverfity of the people of that province,

"_hich..oillwhetherin peace or war, will not come fo much

Holland into confideration as the intere_ of rome court

ca,,.t_fa)fycophants, and of fuch a powerful lord, who

r_fl Zea-

land'_rcehaving fo great a ftroke in the government of

Zealand,. would be able to carry on very mifchie-

votls refolutions. I/hall not need anfwer any thing

to this, fare that from what has been faid already

it appears, that Zealand would not really have

morej

Chap. 13. to refl.fl allfore;gn Power, z8 9

more, but much lefs power by fuch a fupreme go-

vernor, than by a free republican government;

and that accordingly it would foon appear, Vana

fine viribus ira, that Zealand could not repel the

power of Holland, but Holland could very well

repel the power of Zealand.

As to the conquered lands in Flanders, and A,dthe

about the Rhine and the Maefe, it is evident, co,,q_,reat

tltat they are fo far dif'c.antfi'om Holland, and fo citiesbeing

on thege-

divided _om. one another, that they cannot hurt ,_eralie't

Holland. But Holland is much concerned in thefand, are

conquered cities of Brabant, which are very lefto_leto

ma_t wooRr

ffrong : and altho' Holland hath born moil of all ,,gai,,fl

the charges to fubdue and fortify them, yet.during Holland.

the former government of the captain-generals or

I_adtholders, they would and could keep Holland

fo low, that this province which bears molt of

the charges of the common union, was not al-

lowed in any one place of the generality any fe-

parate power ; whereasneverthelefs thofe provin-

ces that contribute fo little in refpec"tof Holland,

as Zealand and Frie/land do, have fo many forti-

fied places belonging to the generality, to difpofe

of feparately, _nd whereof the other allies have

no power to take cognizance. But God be praifed

that our frontiers are fo well fortified againlt Bra-

kant, that they cannot be taken by the towns of

the generality any otherwife than b_ treachery:

and betides we are fo well divided and /_parated

from Brabant by the Maefe, Biesbos, and arms of

the lea, that we need fear no enemy that way,

altho' thole cities flaould rebel, yea revolt to the sothat

king of Spain. So that by what has been fa;.dit Holland

is able to

appears, that Holland alone is well able to t_and_k.& a-

againFtall its neighbours, gainflt_.¢rtt

all.

II CHAP.

a9 o Holland, with Utrecht, able Part II.

C H A P. XIV.

That Holland, tho'Jhe don'tJbrtify her cities,

if" _e keep united with Utrecht only, is

able to defend her/elf againfl all the mighty

potentates _" the worM.

Holland "l_ U T now fuppofing the very worff that

,withU- 1__ could happen, viz. that the rulers of the

treeht,ablegreat cities of Holland negle& to put their cities

#ofecu.eit-into a fufficientRate of defence ; anti that the hates

filfagai,fl of Holland do not fortify the other "leffercities of

the _vorfl

thatcan Holland or their avenues. And moreover I will

i,at_e,z, take it for granted, that the rulers of the refpec-

tire provinces of Gutlderland, Zealand, Friefland,

If the.otherOver.Yffel and Groningen, tha}l be fo improvident:

_rO_Jl?lCtg

._o_,l,¢deaand ill-minded, as to chufe one and the time per-

onehe,_a,fort to be ftadtholder, and captain-general of their

,t.b_, republicks ; and that the deputies of the generality

retgnfor- • •

,estojois thall combine with that ruler to make him lord

_ith th¢,_paramount of the laid republicks. And I will

_gaiqt_ alfo fuppofe that his blind ambition lhall be as

great as that of Lewis Sforza ; who to preferve

the ufurped dukedom of Milan againfl: the weak

king of Naples, who pretended a right to it, in-

vited the [mwerful kin_c,,.,of France to make war

againlkNapier ; who, as ftrong auxiliaries ufually

do, _ fwarlowed up the kingdom of Naples,

and afterwardsthe dukedom of Milan. So that I

tlaall now fuppofe as certain, that £uch a rulerof

the other United Provinces, with fome vi&orious

.French and 8wedi_ forces, or any othersjoining

with them, may endeavour on the fuddento bring

into the heart of Hdlanda mighty army to thbdue

it, and divide it among them : fuppofing I fay all

this, yet I fhall endeavour to lhew, that Holland

makLng due provifion beforehand, fhall be able to

fubfiR

Chap. x4. to reflfl all foreign Pewer. _9 r

fubfift againt_ all thofe forces, as loon as the inha-

bitants fhall be brought to a fufficient uniform

fenfe of the matter, and that both rulers and fub-

je&s make ufe of their unanimous care and ftrength

to repel all foreign hofl:ilities ; otherwife it is cer-

tain that no .country in the world being divided

•and rent afunder can long fubfift. --_

But feeing that upon fuch an accident there Yet_t

would follow innumerable alterations among the ro_ldbe

other potentates of Europe_ and thofe changes I ablt:o r,.

/hould be obliged to guefs at, which would be Of_aadt;_u'.

great difficulty, and not fuitable to my purpofe of

making obfervations upon the prefent ftate of

Holland ; I flaall, that I may not mifs my aim,

and to clear myfelf of that trouble, fay briefly_

that the two provinces, viz. Holland and Utrecht,

might in a little time, by making a graft, trench

or channel, from the Zuyder-Sea into the Lek,

order it fo by fluices, that the country may all be

overflowed at pleafure : this might be done with

little charge, and yet be fo ftrong a defence againfc

any force, that humanly fpeaking, it would be

impoitible to fubdue it by any outward power.

This pofition is t_ren_hned by the judgment of

William the elder prince of Oranges who, as I

have either read or heard, was ever of that fenti-

ment, and had fchemes of it made by the belt in-

gineers of that age.

They that are tkill'd in thefe affairs, will find it Vlz. 6'

pra&icable in the tbllowing manner, viz. If a makiv.ga

fummer were fpent to fi,rround Holland with fuch gr#_,

a graft or channel, beginning at the Zuyder-fea, _hi.:a

,'lat_t//d,Vg_ -

between Muyden and Muiderberg, running from deeusin.

thence fouth to the H_'nderdam, from thence to the vi_._ibleb1

earl: fide of the I,'ecbt through the Ov, rmeerfe Pol. lan,t.

der to the Overmeer _ from thence within the earl:

or weft: fide of the l:ecbt, about a hundred or more

rods from the fame, or clofe by"it along to the fit-

U z teft

2_2 Holland, _vith Utrecht, able Part I,t.

tel place ; and in that manner following the Vecht

to the city of Utrecht, and to run eaf_ about the

city, and inclofe it in the line ; from thence along

the new Vaert unto Vreef_ek, digging through-

out a graft, ten rods wide ; and the wails, bul-

works and proper flankings taking up one place

with another the like breadth of ten rods: fuch

walls and grafts would certainly be invincible in fo

populous a country againfc all the potentates of

world. And fuppofing it might be taken by ap-

proaches, yet wound the whole land be entirely

open behind, that in the mean white new intrench-

ments might be made. Yea moreover, fuppofing

that were not done, what army in the world would

dare to force a breach, where a whole army

of the enemy/hould be ready on the infide to re-

ffft the ftormers, as would here be the care ?

&nd if any obje&, that this graft is either not

pra&icable, or too chargeable ; I fhall add, tha_

this line would take up twelve thoufand Rbynlan-

d/fh rods, which would enquire 40o morgens or"

Dutch acres of land _ this being valued at 700

guilders each, it would amount to guilders 280000

The digging of every rod of this graft,_

with the forming Iof the wall and[[.,_ 0,/a flanking, ioo gui ders each, which 12ooooo

A_ _w

co./?but m all would cog no more than .J

_6oooo_ To thole concerned, and for extraor- ?

guildrrs, dinary charges

120000

l , i

Total ...... - 1.6ooooo

But the laid graft might likewife be digged a_er

the following manner, which would be lefs charge-

able, and would belt fuit with the unfortifiable part

of the province of Utrecht ; namely beginning at

the Ztffder-fea along, or within the weft-fide of the

Eem,

Chap. _4. to reflJt all foreign Power. 293

Eem, and to the eaf'cward of the city ofAmersford ; 4f'er an-

paffing there over the Eem, and to the eaffward of °t/'e''_a"-

the city of Amers[ord, to comprehend it in the .zb_e

line ; and thence forward fouth to the fittefl:place ,4ooooo

over M/oudenburg, along unto the Lek, about and guilders.

to the eaftward of Itlyk to Duurfleede, for the ta-

king of that city likewife in ; which line would

be in length eleven thoufand Rbynlandifh rods.

The graft and the walls, taking them of the

fame breadth as before, and they taking up about

three hundred and fi_ty morgens at 5oo guildem

each, amount unto guilders . ,8oooo

The digging of the graft, at xoo

guilders the rod, for eleven thou- {_ i tooooo

land rods, ....

For extraordinary charges, x20000

I4ooo0o

If the firft way be taken, then the gel: between

Vreefwyk and Hondwyk, is to be kept with re-

doubts to the length of about twelve hundred rods.

If the fecond way be taken, the Lek would then

be to be kept between Wyk to Duurflede and ttond-

wyk, the length of about four hundred rods.

Moreover, when it were needful for fecuring

the land of Gorcum, Vianen, and the Alblaffer-'T_,dd

waard, there may be digged another fuch likeyet&tneeefl

graft and wall from the Zek about Hondwyk, tofaryt°lay

eut in hr.

the wall about Lovefleiu, and that over Akkoy along t_a_/_

the borders of Holland: which line would be47oooo

about fix and thirty hundred Rlmnlandi[h rods.g,iMcr,.

and by confequence there would be taken'up one"'d ,_,_,

hundred and twenty morgens of land, each valued

at 50o guilders, is . 600oo

The graft and wall as above - _ 360000

Extraordinary charges .... 5oooo

470000

U 3 From

294 Holland, with Utrecht, able Part II.

._,d,',_Jt0 From Loveflein to the city of Heufden. the

43°°°° Maefe would be ferviceable for the prefervation of

guilders to

_epaid _}leland of.4ltena, which/hould be provided with

o_ceforalLredoubts the lenHh of about 4ooo rods.

From the city of Iteufden along and by the old

Maefe to little IVasCpik,lying at the Biesbos, for

prefervation of the land of _41tena, the making of

a graft and wall as above, and being about three

thoufand rods, it would require about one handred

morgens of land, each reckoned at 5oo guilders

amounts to --------- - 50000

Digging of the g.aft, and forming of)

the wall at Ioo guilders the rod as_ 300o0o

above, is-

Extraordinary charges as above, . • 80000

430000

AJl,wl,lcb This in all would amount to two millions, and

,-o.,ould&five hundred thouland guilders, in care it was be-

but one

J;xt¢,_art gun about the Yecht; and if it were begun about

of theyear- the Eem, two millions three hundred thoufand

lyde,._dsguilders, betides the fortifications which might be

oft&co_,.raifed along the Lek and the old Maefe.

¢ilofflate

_ ,629. And if it be obferved, that _hemo_ey which the

council of t_ate yearly demanded in the time of

prince Henry of Orange, did oft-times amoun_to

more than fixteen millions _ and that the fame _br

the year I62 9, when the Bofcb was taken, came to

twenty-one millions, 2nd feven hundred eighty-two

_.ttben thoufand two hundred fixry-eight guilders, you,

tbe,e will then clearly fee that thofe campaigns and

_oouldbe fieges in that offenfice war, even when they fuc-

1_ to_e

•t,otby ceeded belt, and we made bonfires for joy, coil:

g,,,M,_ the province of Holland _,lone,omitting the other

than Bob United Provinces, four or five times more than

duke,Bet-fuch a graft would anaountunto ; betides that the

gen.BredaandnowBofch or Bvifleduc, with its circumjaccnt forts,

_'efwire. Breda,

Chap. '4. to reflfl allforelgn Power. 295

Breda, Bergen-op-zootu, and Steenbergen, with

their outworks and adjacent forts, do make toge-

ther a far greater line, which either in peace or

war will co_ abundantly more: and it is evident,

that many of the honel_Hollandershave been made

to believe, that fuch conquefcshave been very ad-

vantageous, if not neceffary. So that it feems to

me that fuch a graft and walls, which will laf'c

Holland and the province of Utrecht for ever, and

fufficiently free the country from further charge,

will be found exceeding more profilable for theft

two republicks, when it is effe&ed.

Laftly, it may be obje&ed, that ic is here taken

for granted, that the province, or at leaf'cthe city .Utrecht,.

of Utrecht, ought alw'ays to join with Holland _i_.S_q_ar,_b_

whereas it may happen, that that city may jo[a _l]nd',

with the enemy to ruin Holland. I acknowhaige__,u,.efl

if the skyfall we/hould catchflore oflarks, becaufe3_, b2./;'.

all thole.things are p.ollible, but it ,could bea great __,_-,,l_

wonder ;f all thole things lhould happen : at lea_ _m_,unt.

it is not likely that the city of Utrecht enjoying a,

free government will ever make war againft Hog

land, becaufe the interefls of there two republicks

are perpetually link'd together, and the province of

Utrecbt has of old been, and is at this day, the

molt faithful ally to Holland, aslately appeared by

their readily bringing in their quota agreed on for

carrying on the laPcwar againf'cEngland, as alfo

in mortifying the f_adtholder/hip.

And betides that great city hath of old found .4_

the government of a tingle perfon fo uneafy, that rautualiu-

¢liaation,

it hath always been of HoePs fa&ion, and endea- h,,_,i,,gof

routed more than any other after a free govern- oldrunthe

merit, being neither able nor willing to fubmit#=e,_r-

their necks to the biflaops, lords or fr_dtholders tunequitlJ

yoke. And it is obfervable, that for that very us.

reafon the inhabitants have gotten _e name of

mutineers. For thofe that eat'cherries in common

U 4 witl_

096 Every great City is able Part II.

with great fpiritual or temporal lords or princes,

muff:fuff'erthem to chufe the faireff:,and yet be

peked with the Rones; or if they oppofe it, they

will be forthwith excommunicated for hereticks,

and punifned asfeditiousfellows.

Laftly, the province is in itfelf very weak by

its inland fituation ; and continues Rill unfortified

as well as ttolland, by reafon of the maxims of the

lords ff:adtholders and captai,_-generals: fo that;

there is nothing more to be wi/h'd for by them,

than their maintaining a free government, and

ere&ing fuch fo:tifications. And feeingexperienco

and a well-known political maxim teacheth us,

ct'batthere is no flate in this world fo fecure, that

has nothing left unfecure; I have already given fo

many realbns and inttances to prove that the re-

publick of Holland can fubfifl:of itfelf againff:all

its neighbours, and that it is a hard matter to

name any other ttate in the world of which the like

may be laid with more certainty : but if the reader

hath anydoubt remaining, I/hall endeavour in the

next chapter to clear it.

CHAP. XV.

7hat ever)' great city in Holland, whether it

be well or ill fortified, is able to defend it-

ytf againf all force from without.

I Shall now endeavour to /hew that each great_.oe,y city in Holland is able, no lefs than other re-

great city publicks confifiing of one city, to ttand againfl:all

in Holland

_a,,_,¥]t the potentates In the world. To which end this

ofit_B rule of politiciansand engineers comes into my

mind_ that all great cities that can abide a fiege

of a whole feafon, mutt be counted invincible ;

becaufe, tho' all things fucceed well with the be-

fiegers, they can in no wife compcnfate the char-

ges

Chap. 15. to re/ifl all foreign Power. _'97

ges of the fiege ; and that that power and expene_

might with much more benefit and certainty be

applied againft cities which are not fo _rong nor

£o well fortified.

Betideswhich, for the taking fuch a city a very Beca_felt-

great force of men and money is required, which i, ,_k to

is feldom found among monarchs, becaufe of theirflandout4

living fo magnificently, and that the treafurers of nointer'$

kings and princes confume all their revenues; and-/;eg¢"

we feldom find fuch republicks fo foolith (unlefs

they are ridden by rome tyrant) to make fuch de-

trimental conquefts. For an incredibly great army

is neceffaryto furround fo great a city ; and while

one fide of it is attack*d with a great firength, thole

on the other fide may make fuch terrible rallies,

that the enemy thaU not be able to keep any watch,

in the approaches or redoubts, fo that thereby

whole armies may be ruined.

And laftly, tho' all things fucceed well with the 1,t_ich

befiegers, it is certain that fcaling of walls caufeth timet&

great deftru&ion among the affailants, becaufethe _/-'_r_/a_'t,.u,t

befieged_with the great"military power which they o,.th_'_';_

have in readine_ in the places of arms, or about ra,_a.

the breaches, as a referve, may eafily beat back

the aff,tilants: therefore fuch places are ufually ta-

ken by famine_ and feeing the befiegers cannot

without difficulty cart up lines of circumvallatior_,

or intrench a city, and yet with more difficulty

intrench themfelves well in fo great a compafs of

ground, as to be.able to defend themfelves againft

a great and populous city, and to fupply their

own army with all the neceffariesrequifite for the

familhing of the city: we therefore fee for the

molt part, that thole obftinate befiegers do mek

and confume away_ atad their great armies come

to nothing. And moreover the neighbouring po-

tentates are commonly veryjealous, hodietibi, cras

mibi, of fuch formidable growing conquerors ; fo

that

................... _ ....... 7 ..........................

298 Every great City is able Part IL

that in.time fuecourshappen to come from whence

it is not look'd for, according to the proverb,

_hlchis time gained, much gained ; and in truth, the life

10r_dO of all men depends upon there political maxims,

exarafles,that no man will ruin himfelf to undo another: fo

that the contrary hereof is neithe, to be credited

nor praStifed in the gr_at cities of Holland, fo as

to make them continue in a defencelefspoffure.

For betides all the reafons abovementioned, this

political rule is e_ablifhed by exp,_.rience,that all

great cities that can hokt out th_ fiege of a whole

feafon, ought to be confidered to be able to fubfifl:

for ever, feeing at this day many republicks, con-

tiffing of no more than one city, have maintained

themfelves fome hundreds of years againfl: all their

enemies, altho' manyamongfl:them are but mean-

ly fortified, and others tho l_.rongerare but fmall,

And moreover among the laid republicks, con-

fifl:ingbut of one city, there are fcveral republicks,

wherein there are neither great nor fortified cities,

and yet by their own government, the jealoufy of

their neighbours, and other circumfl:ances, or hu-

man accidents, have ffood very long. We are

indeed ffrong when we dare be our own mailers,

and when the inhabitants begin to know the metal

or f_rength of a people that will fight for their

freedom, and when the people of a republick un-

der_and aright the weaknefs and mutablenefs of

monarchical war, and that the republic.ks do often-

times ruin the great armies of monarchs by good

fortifications and orders ; or can quietly fit down,

and be fpe&ators of the great defolations, and rui-

nous revolutions which monarchs do continually

caufe among themfelves by their field battels.

Moreover, fuppofing the grea_cities of Holland

were fo improvident, as that during their free go.

vernment they /hould negle& the ffrengtheni_g

rhemfelves with good fortifications, gates_ wails,

and

Chap. x_. to reflfl all )CoreignPower. 299

and grafts, but took careonly to furnifh themfelves_o' the

fufficiently wi,h good arms for their inhabitants,gFatatie:

• • * ¢ not.)_r.

and to exercife them thoroughly, thole cines m,gnt J,..

rflea, 3¢t

fubfift very well againft all foreign power ; and .,Zht th-

• .." . . _g

according to the Polmcal maxim which teacheth r,fl.R_-

us, that all populouscities which can raife an army ragnfor.

out of their own inhabitants, cannot be either be-ces.

fieged or conquered; becaufe a difperfed army

without fhelter, muff needsgive way to one within

that is united and fheltered by a city. Vis unita

ffOcrtiora@erfd, an united force is ftronger than a

atte?d one.

All that hath been laid, whether of fortified or Ml,_hid,

unfortified populous cities, that provide their inha-,_e,_-,/_

bitants with arms fufficient, and train them up in ,x_,,_le,o

the ufe of them, is ftrengthened by experience:

and we lball fay, that lately, during that great de-

vafl'ation of countries and cities of the great and

potent eleCtors and princes of the empire, all the

free imperial cities have very well fecur'd them-

felves, as Francfort, Strasburg, Ulm, Nuremburg, Of tbefr#

Breflaw, Lubeck, Hamburg, Bremen, Cologn, &c. i,,p_.;_t

' cities

againfl: the emperor, Spain, France, &c. except Ger.mt-

poor innocent Straelfond, which tho' really impreg- t_y.

nable, yet terrore pannico, dreading the imperial

viCtorious arms, took in a 8wediJhgarifon for its

defence, but in truth leap'd from the fmoak into

the fire, and fo loft her dear liberty. Thus have

thole inconfiderable, or fmall Switzer republicks

and cities, viz. Zurich, Bern, Bazil, Scbaffbuifin, 7heCan-

Friburgh, Lucerne, Solothurn, St. Gal, &c. pre-tons of

ferved themfelves fome hundreds of years fuccef-Switzer.

fively againl_zluflria, Spain, France, Savoy, and lancl.

Burgundy ; yea, even little Geneva hath done the

like.

Thus that fmall city of Ragoufa fubfified very Rago-_

well againl_ the great Turk, .4uflria and Venice,

which is not above 2o0o paces in circumference,

and

3°° Every great City is able Part II.

and in its greateft profperity could not be inhabited

by more than ten thoufand fouls, men, women,

and children. Thus fubfifis litde Lucca, which

hath not above t,venty-four thoufand fouls in it ;

yet by its republican government, and good forti-

fications, keeps its ground againff the Pope and

Genoa, and the duke of Tufcan),, and the king of

Spain as duke of Milan.

It is not ftr_nge to fee fuch incredible fruits of a

free gove:nm_t : hecatlfefor a man to be his own

roarer, and contcquently to feed, clothe, arm and

defend his own body, which he always unfeigned-

ly loves, and will provide for and defend to the

utmol'c, is certainly an incomparable, if not an in-

finite advantage above flavery, where a tingle per-

fon hath the charge_ takes care of or _aegle&sother t

mens lives, healths, and fafeties, according to his

own will and pleafure. _

_'hetitles And if this be true, as it certainly appears to

9rHo11andbe, we ought in my judgment to efteem that not

_an_tter • ,I

.... omv aJ, our great cities of Ho//and which are tim.

.juo_#t_ ,,

tholefore- atea on havens and great rivers, are impregnable, in

_a,_a'. yea not to be befieged or approach'd to, if once

they can put themfelves into a fl:ateof good de-- r

fence, and convince their inhabitants, that their

own Rrength is fufficientto repel all foreign force:

But methinks it is alfo confequently true, that all

, our great inland cities, as Harlem, Delft, Leyden, '.

Alkmaer, 6re. are fufliciently able to defend them-

£elvesagainft all force from without, under a free

Vid. government, in cafe they negle& not to provid_

Strad'l'7- themfelves with all neceffariesaccording to their

tl/hich the

e;campleofpower.

Harlem And tho' it may be obje&ed, that l_ttrlem being

tat_nin formerly befieged a whole winter by the Spaniard,

,_;7;.boywas yet taken at lafl:. I anfwer, that Don Frede-

thespa- rico, who commanded there in chief, repented oft

miards_oth

,or ,_,t_a-that ever he began that fiege; and he himfelf was

_ia. for

Chap., 5. to reflfl all foreign Power. 3o_

for abandoning it, andwould fo have done, had it

not been for that obfiinate and impolitick duke of

Alva's fon, who wrote him contumelious and re-

fle&ing letters aboutit, andtherebycompelledhim

to continue that fiege. And betidesit is notorious,

thatrome fuchimprudentfieges, asthatofAlkmaer,

Leyden andZierickzee, did occafion the breakin_

of the 8pan_ power, and the mutinies of the fol-

diers at that time, as it didafterwards to arch-duke

Albert when hebefieged other cities. And more-

over, Haerleraatthat time hadnot halfthe fl:rength

and numberof menasit has now_ forbeing newly

revolted from its mighty princethe king of 8pain,

and the Romifh religion atonce, it muf[neceffarily,

by reafonof that newgovernment and religion, and

efpeeially by treating the 8pani/h and RomiJhinha-

bitants too hardly and reproachfully, have beenat

that time muchdivided andweakned, and not well

ableto bridletholedifcontentedinhabitants.And yet

with that divided force, and their weak walls, they

were ableto keepoffthe army oftheir old lovereign

a long time. Sothatthis example of HarlemfeemsBeraCe

rather to flrengthen than weaken the faid maxim, ourr,t_,

that all the great Holland cities continuing in a freea_,tgre_l

Rate, that areable to form a well-armedand difci- aa.va_-

• lager a-

plined army out of their own inhabitants, are lm- b_veot&r,.

pregnable. And we lie in fo cold a climate, that th,,-,./_/,

it is impofllble, unlet_ the enemy detign to confume that ,_o._-

a whole army, to hold out a winter's fiege. Be-i,, t&

tides, thole cities lie not above a league and a half'ar_g'r"

from the lea on low andplain lands, which for the

mofc part may be put under water in the winter:

fo that they have naturally and of themfelvesgreat

advantages, and betides might eafily be fortified ;

and men to defend fuch fortificationsare eafy to be

found here from our own inhabitants, and thole of

neighbouring countries. Tl-.efeare natural advan-

tages, which arenot to beacquired by art or money ;

but

3oz _very great City is able Part II.

but all other neceffaries depend on the provident

care of the rulers, who I conceive ought ever to be

employed about that work during their free go-

vernment, without further loEsof time ; for (chi a

tempo, non afpetti tempo) he that has time, and does

not improve it, /hall never be wealthy. If here-

after a fcadtholder or captain-general be obtruded :.

upon them, and they would then poflibly make it

their bufinet_ to fortify themfelves, they might have

caufe to fear his difpleafure for it.

$othatthe For in the firft place, the fuburbs of cities in [

ru/ers times of peace having all the privileges of cities, [

o,ght,or and paying no taxes, are like wens in the body,

tof._r_;.

fuhurbs which attra& much nourifhment, and are very

tobebuilt, troublefome, and yet good for nothing; and on the

other hand, the fame fuburbs in time of war do

not defend the city from the enemy, but are com-

_,.

monly the occafion of their being 1ott, and fo may

be likened to cancers, which cannot be cut or burnt

off but with the hazard of a man's life, a great

charge, 1o/_and pain, to which extremities people

are not commonly willing to come but when 'tis too

late ; fo that one may truly fay, that that maxim

can never be ful_cientty commended, that the ru-

lers of free cities /hould prevent all out-buildings,

or fuburbs, under what pretext foevcr.

A,_ to And confequently the fecond thing to be taken

t,q _a- care of by rulers, is in time to enlarge their refpec-

ca.t #am tire cities according to the increafe of their inhabi- '-

,withintht

,_, rants, or traffick, and continually to have many

void places to let out for buildings within their :

walls, as for all publick known ufzs and accommo-

dations, fo far other unexpe&ed occafions, whe-

ther in peace or war, and efpecially againfi a fiche.,

to fecure and harbour the country people with thetr

cattle, fodder, corn and firing ; which fort of peo-

ple during a fiege, can dig, and undergo rain, wind,

c_ld and heat, and fo may be fingularly ufefut,

while

Chap. 75. to refifl allforelgn Power. 3o J

while they have left the land round about them _hlcbare

naked to the enemy ; who otherwife would, by the ,_ec_ry

affifcanceof themfelves and their provifions, be en- bothi,_

abled to continue the fiege longer, and to Rarvepea,,.

the city. And moreover by this method, if a city

in time of war be well fortified, many inhabitants

of the weaker neighbouring cities may there have

prote&ion, and many of them willafterwards fettle

there in time of peace, when by their loffes they

have learned the great advantages which in times of

war, a:ndthe great conveniences and pleafurewhich

in times of peace the inhabitants of great and fcrong

cities do enjoy, above thole fmall and weak ones.

Rents would likewife be always kept low by re-

ferring of ground in cities, to the exceeding benefit

of them in times of peace, fe_'ing thereby traffick

and trades might be fbltowedat a cheaper rate, and

the inhabitants might dwell i:]healthful, conveni-

ent, and pleafant houfes.

The third care of rulers ought to be to furround %e,,,ag;j'-

their cities with good walls and flankings, and pro- trates

vide great gates, and convenientwatch-hout_s; and o_,gh[eo

alfo that each gate have a fit place to draw up the_:i_iti_

foldiery in: and in the middle or heart of the city, _e_l,

near the town-hall, (whence all the vigour and

fcrength muff:be difperfed over the whole body of

the city) there ought to be placed the great guard,

and place of affembly, wi_h fufficient ground t_

draw up rome thoufands of men in order to lead

them out thence, where they mall be moff:ufef_,

whether againff: infurrc&ions within, or affault_

from without.

The fourth care of rulers ought to be, to build A,,a%p,_-

houfesfor arms, and in time to provide them with _,/dta//

all forts of offenfiveand defenfive weapons. It is,tte._arits

probable that every great city would require "5o _gain_,_

ieces of ordnance, and arms for ten thoufand men : chem.1.

ovel_ fpadcs, waggons_ fpars and deals, are in

fuch

$0 4 Every great CiU is able Part II.

fuch cafesalfo neceffary; as are likewife publick

buildings for Frovifions, corn and fewel. This

being once done, it might be maintained with very

fmall charge. But provifions are perithab!e wares;

corn is preferred with great charge ; turf may al-

ways be had in a flaort time out of the country, fo

that in time of peace barns feem to be fu_cient,

which may be let out to the inhabitants at a fmall

rent, who oft-times would themfelves fill them with

corn, feeing the traf/ick of Holland, and fmall or

low interefl', added to thefree hire of garrets, might

poshly caut_ many that live on their rents, when

the prices of corn are low, to lay out their money _

upon it, in hows of profit by raifing of itsprice.

The fifth care of rulers ought to be, thoroughly

_¢,arcon-to exercife their wealthy inhabitants in arms, for

.#antlyto thofe you have alwaysat hand in time of need ; and _.

_c,c,/_ the rich citizens willferve faithfully without pay to

the rich

,.itiz._,indefend the lawful government and their dear-bought

,,,-ms. liberty, and will fteadfully endeavour the prefer- :

ration of other mens goodsfrom all violence, who- :"

thor domeftick or foreign. The poor inhabitants _

ought in time of war to be taken into pay, tho' it

be but fmall, thereby to prevent their inclination of "

making mutinies or uproars, and they lhould be i_

commanded by none but rich and trufty citizens.

Lafl_to The fixth and laf'ccareof the magiftrates of cities

/,,,._ein ought to be, to have rome money, tho' not much

j/o_ej_ beforehand. And fince rome may wonder, con- ,

tlTo*not

_/,m_. fidering that in the general opinion of men, money

*4." is the finews of war, that I put it in the laf[ place,

and betides that I prefume to advife the keeping

only fome money in carla: I /hall therefore add,

that the maxim, that money is the finewsof war, is

never true, but where all means of defence and of-

fence is provided. For every one knows, that

toothlel_ and unarmed gold cannot be defended bat

by lharp iron: and that great and unarmed trea-

furcs_

Chap. _5. to r_fl all Foreign Power. 3°$

lures, or cherts of money, entice mutineers within,

and all enemies from without, to plunder. At leatt:

that maxim hath feldom any place but to make

field-armies fkand to it in fieges, or to caufe men to

keep their ttation at advantageous paffes, and there-

by to outftand or famith an enemy, and when the Becaufe

enemy gives way, to attack them. But in cities°"rg °"

q-,'t r'n _/cnt

that maxim holds not, unlefs they have already to,tiff,of

provided themfelves with that for which men ga- toof_,to

thered or laid up money. And feeing in govern- & lo,,g

ments where fo few are rulers, as in the cities of6"'.#,°'ed,

ttolland, money is fo oft meafured and ftriked, and )_[_,_eeoa"

fo much of it eticks to the meafure and Ptriker asJitions,and

the rulers pleafe ; fo that good regents and patriots ,,orbeJ_b.

mutt take fpecial care, that the money be imme jea tot_.

diate!y imployed about things neceffary to the du- _,,zts-

rable welfare, eafe and ornament, of the city, before .4ndtbat

_-0no,_.,,y

it be expended through alteration of the govern-otoer_ife

metat by indigent rulers, and haters of the liberty Sei#,_-

of our native country, to our ruin in building ty-pended.

rannical cafiles, or by letting it drop through their

fingers into the blew-bag.

And when men have gotten all there neceffaries, .4ndSeing

it's then time to gather a frock of money. For in provided

times ofadverfity, when things run crofs, and un- _.ith ,,l!

necefl'aries,

expe&ed accidents happen, money is very neceffary the rulers

to procure all that was negle&ed or tfteemed ufelefs o_gbttol_y

in time of peace. But for great treafures, the cities q _flock

of Holland lhould not aim at them, for thefe would ,,g",',d"""

eaufe great imports aqd heavy taxes, which ,. expetted

WOUlClaccidents.

make the rulers of a rich mercantile city, confitting

of a fmall number of people, fo hateful, that by

fuch impofitions, when neceffity requires nor, they

would be lookt on by the fubj..-6t as plunderers of

the commonalty, and run the rifque of being kickt

out of the government. The people woul.J eatily

think, that they had reafon to believe, that if the

rulers fought only the welfare of the fubj.c6t, and

X _ ccording!y

306 _he 8urn and Concluflon Part IL

accordinglydependedon their defence, and to that

end gathered of their own inhabitantsthe money

thereuntoneceffary,thatthey couldthenalfo fubfifl:

with fuch fmall impofts as other republicks do.

And the rulersought to know, that many repub-

licks have fubfifed along time againf[very potent

neighbourswithout any impofs ; and fome with

very few, but none in the world by fuchraft ones

as arc levied in the cities of Holland. So that it

will bea miraclefrom heavenif it be long borneby

cities that cannot live upon their own fund, or

country, or unalterablefituation, but where all the

inhabitantsmufffubfif andliveuponfickle traffick,

and the uncertainconfumptionof manufa_ures and

fifhing.

Littleton- Laffly we may add what hasbeen laid already,

co-,need-that the rulersof the great Holland cities ought to

f, lforgoodprovide themfel_reswith good alliesof rome of the

alliances,neighbouring cities and lands, who are mot_con-

cern'd in their fafety. But when all things are fo

well provided, fuchcitiesareufuallyhelped without

previous alliancesor mutualobligations ; but when

unprovided, there is nothing for all their care and

charge to begotten butgood words under hand and

real, which are all but feeble things, and are con-

Rrued_ccording to the fenfeof the frongeft, or of

him that hath no need of al'f_ance. So that fuch

alliances before neceffityrequires, need not be too

anxioufly fought after, efpecially with the advance

of much money. Moreover it is well kmwn how

Rri&ly and well bound all the United Provincer

are by the union of Utrecht, and all the Holland

cities by the provincial government.

Forjta- And if the worf lhould happen, yet neverthe-

1o.._will lefs all the great Holland inland citiesby their vici-

_af_ofit.nity, andcommunication with the North lea, might

-,. ¢ expe_ fromthence in their extremity fome fuc-

jt_-. cours; and if the boric ed behaved thcmfdvcs any

thing

Chap. 15. of the Second Part. 307

thing well, one or other of the cities of Holland

lying at a fea port, will be inclinedto help them,

were it but for enjoying the benefitof the confump.

tion or tranfportation of their commodities, which

they either fupply them with or receive of them.

But whenall iswell confidered, it ismo[_advifable

'for all rulers to provide themfelves fo well of

all neceffaries, as if none in the world would or

were able to help them but themfelves, which is a

thing feafible enough, as hath appeared by what i

have already laid down.

And therefore I hope by what is before alledg'd, 7z,_c0_.5..

it is evident, that every great city of Holland, no.h'o,¢_rt;_i:

lefsthan other republicks confiffing but of one city, c_aptcr.

that e:_er'a

may very well defend it felf again all the poten-great:it__"

ratesofthe world ; fothat it is at laft made evident _a,_#,_fifl

that this republick, or all the gentry and cities of°fit_/f .

Holland and Wefl-Friefland conjoined, may yery

well beable to defend themfelves againfl:all foreign

power whatfoever: which isthe thing I had under-

taken to prove.

Thus having in the firl'cpart obferved the inte-

reft and maxims of Holland in relation to its inha-

bitaritswithin the country ; and in the fecond pare

duly confidered Holland's interePcasto all foreign

powers, I fhall now end this fecond part, laying q'hatfl._e.

before the reader a thort view of all that has beenriu, ran.

faid at once, and fhew him the inferencesandcon- n_faaum,

tra_ick,

clufionswhich every one ought to make from the &e._hi@._

fame _ viz. That in the _rfc place, and before all o,#t

other matters, fifheries, manufa&ures, traffick and to b, in.

navigation ought to be indulged and favoured, adgd.

And Secondly, That to th_itend, the freedom of q'oleratlon

all religions for all people is very neceffary, viz. i, religion

fuch freedom whereby all the rulers fhould be of q,e_,,.//f,l

the publick reformed religion, who are bound to totbattnd.

defend and favour the fame by all lawful means

yet fo that the other religions may not be perfe-

X 2 cuted

So8 ffhe Sum and Concluflon Part II.

cuted by placaet, but publickly tolerated or fa-

voured, and defendedagainft all the violence of the

rabble.

Liber_for _rhirdly, That neceffary freedom be given to all

ar",,gers,ftrangers to dwell in Holland.

Jl,,dall Fourthly, That it is neceffary that every inha-

ha,,dicraftbitant of Hollandhave the liberty to follow and ex-

tradersto ercife merchandize, theirown occupation, and me-

deal .mithchanick trades, without the controul of any other125.

inhabitants.

r,eedo_ Fifthly, It isabove all things neceffary, that the

%,,, ira- rulers be prudently wary and cautious, how they

po.#$,_:c. lay impof'cs upon confumption, and efpecial!ythat

they be circumfpe& in charging of merchandize,

or levying any convoy-money upon fhips or goods

imported or exported, without diftinc_tion, as alfo

in charging of fhips let to freight.

Impartial Sixthly, That thejuf'ciceof Holland beaccommo-

j,flice, dated or framed, not to the benefit of the officers

ofjuftice, but of the inhabitants, as alfo e merca-

tur.e bono, more to the intereff of the merchant.

8eventhly, Here is alfo thewn that which is ne-

ceff,Lryfor all forts of governments, and efpecially

for republicks, which cannot fubfiff without con-

tinual attracting or alluring in of frefh inhabitants,

and to keep them employed about manufa&ures,

fifheries, traffick and flaipping ; a_ove all, it isab-

Colonies. folutely necelfary inHolland, to make new colonies

in foreign parts, that from time to time they may

difcharge their fupernumerary, poor, f_raitned, and

difcontented inhabitants with honour, convenience

and profit, whereby alfo they may encreafe com-

mer-ee.

Tokeepthe And forafmuch as in the fecond part we have

j_a ,_i,_- handled Holtana's juff aud true maxims relating to

f,fl_afro_,foreign powers ; it is in the firff place clear, that

rover,, the narrow leas ought to be kept intirely free from

pirates, andthat merchants fhips in the 8_oani[hand

midland

Chap. _5- of the Second Part. 309

midland leas be continually defended, and freed

by thips of war from Turkifh piracies. As alfo

that peace thould by all means be fought with all _ropu_c

people : but yet that Holland mut_ not leek its pre- peace.

fervation from alliances ; for this is the fheet-anchor

of the weakeft republicks and potentates, whereas

Holland fubfifts not by thejealoufy of its neighbours, And that

but by its own ftrength. And therefore not only Hollandge

the other provinces and the generality, but efDe'-f°rtifled;

....... -f _ohicb hat

cially all the frontiers of Holland ovgtat _o oe _or-allnot on&

tiffed and provided with all things neceffary again_ app,a;dto

any foreign attack or furprize. And above all, u be_,,c_

thole great and ftrong cities of Holland ought to be-/a'Y a,d

put into a pofture to hold out a year's fiege.; be-true,

caufe then they will be held impregnable, or at

leal_ t_ronger than many republicks of tingle inland-

cities, fituatedin a hilly mountainous country, and

therefore cannot be fo well fortified. As for ex-

ample, all the free imperial cities of Germany, the

Cantons, "Geneva, Ragoufa, Lucca ; yeaeven thofe But keen

cities that are under princes, as Parma, Mantua, raanifefled

Modena, which mui't be fomewhat the weaker by/_ _a,,y

examples (p

reafon of their own princes, for one fword keeps&_.

another in the fcabbard _ and. in this fenfe it is true,

that two curft dogs don't bite ov.e another, but the

good natur'd toothlefs onea are always bitten by

the curft curs.

7"beEnd of the Second Part.

X 3 7"be

3Io

_r_l_eTRUE INTEREST, ariel

POLITICAL MAXIMS of

the Republick of Holland

and Weft-Friefland.

P A R T III.

CHAP. I.

t¢_erein enquiry is made in what the interefl

oJthefree rulers 0fHolland, as to all the

particulars by _ohicb the peoPle may live

happily, cont_fls.

Befo,.t,wt "_" 1]" AV I NG hitherto/hewn, that the welfare

treat ofthe H Of the inhabitants of Holland is grounded

i,,ur_ of ll I upon the prefervation and improvement

rulers in

gt_,d,._e of fifheries, manufa&ures, tra_ck and /hipping,

flmllbrieflyand that the fame cannot be acquired nor kept but

,epeat by liberty, or to fpeak plainer, a toleration of all re-

,_hat hath ligions, tho' differing from the reformed, and by a

_een dif-

tourfido./:,free burgher.right for all f_rangers that will cohabit

with us, with licence to follow all their trades and

occupations Whatever without trouble or moleffation

from their fellow inhabitants, in refpe_ of any fo-

cieties, companies, halls, guilds, or corporations:

and by fuch moderation about convoy-moneys and

tolls, that no /hips or goods coming in, or going

r " -- --

out, may be cha ged with, or eared and freed from

all taxes, otherwife than as it may be fubfervient to

the improvement of fifheries, mafiufa_urcs, traffick

and

Chap. ,. _ke Iuterefl of Rulers. 311

and navigation. Moreover, having/hewn that all

the things before-mentioned are not £ul_cient to

preferve and keep up the laid fitheries, manufac-

tures, trat_a_ckand navigation, unlefs the courts of

jul_ice, and laws be cont_itutedand executed more

than hithe_o in favour of the inhabitants, and of

traffick. And latelythat in foreign countries, co-

lonies of Hollanders ought to be el_ablilhed and

prote_ted.

And in the fecond book having likewife

/hewn how neceffary it is that the fen be cleared

of all free-booters and pirates, and that peace be

fought with all men. And moreover, having

/hewed that Holland is to bewareof entring into

any prejudicial alliances with its neighbours and

potentates, butrather to th'engthen their own fron-

tiers, and inland cities, and exercife their inhabi-

tants well in arms, and to keep the fwordin their

own hands, againlt all domeftick and foreign

power, which would be as great a ffrengthening

and fecurityto them, yea andmore than any other

country. Therefore I judge it now ufeful, deli- _e _-a_o.

beratelyto examine whethera land having fuch in- 0f,-a/fmg

terelts, ought to be governed by a republica, or or ,'_i_

monarchical form of government : for it is certain"_,_l, i,

. i*tthema-

that all publick power to improve, or impair megiflrate,

interelt of a land, and to preferve and enhrge, or/,,,,u/s.

dimini/h and ruin a ttate, mu_ be, and is in the

hands 6f the lawful rulers of a courm'y, whether

they be monarchs, princes, ftatefmen, or the com-

mon burgers.

And tho' I havein many places of the two firfl:

parts of this treatife feemed to have faidenough,

that Holland and its inhabitants ought to be go-

verned by a freerepublican govern,nent; yet feeing

it was done but curforily, and as aliud agendo, and

that on a government that is well or ill _onftituted,

according to the interett of thepeople, depends all

X 4 thtir

31 z _he Interefl of Rulers. Part tli.

their profperity or adverfity: it feems to me that in

the third part of this treatife my belt endeavours

thould be employed to enquire what kind of rulers

would be molt profited by the welfareofthe filheries,

manufa&ures, traffick, and navigation, and all

As a/_ their confequenccs, or be molt injured by the de-

that all

triers feet cay or weakning of them. For feei_g it is true

theiro_n generally fpeaking, that all rulers whether high or

be,,_t low are alike in this, that in reeking their own pro-

=o,e thanfit, they do not aim at the benefit of the people to

another's,their own ]o1_, but on the contrary (as no man

halts of another man's fore) will out of ,the com-

mon misfortune leek their own advantage ; it is

therefore evident, that of the two propofed go,lern-

merits, that will be belt for Holland in which the

well or ill being of the rulers depends upon, or is

join'd with the well or ill being of the fifhing, ma-

nufa&ures, traffick and navigation, and wi:h. all

the neceffary confequences or dependences of the

fame.

jt, dupon And tho' feveral kinds of government might

thatfoun- here come into confideration, yet, I conceive, that

tatio, _oeof the land of our nativity is the fittelt, and agrees

/ball con-

/iitr b:ft with my brief undertaking, to guide my

thoughts upon the government which is now there

in being, and upon that which we lately had, and

I¢"hatare-by. many is defired again. And to that end, I con-

lpuMichandCeiveit needful to exprefs what we ought to under-

,_,,,o,_archyltand by the words republick and republican go-

*'vail, are. vernors, or monarchy and monarchical rulers.

By the word republick and republican ru&rs, I

mean, not only fuch a Rate wherein _ certain fore-

reign affembly hath the right and authority for

comingt6_all refolutions, makirg of orders and

laws, or to break them, as alfo of requiring or

prohibiting obedience to them : But I underftand

thereby fuch a ltate wherein an affembly, tho' pof-

fibly without any right, yet hath the power to

caule

Chap. x. What is properly a Republic. 313

eaufe all their r'efolutions, orders, and laws to be Not_,here

obeyed and nut in execution. And again, by the thenameof

"I 't_ * "_ r £CdOm Or

word monarchyand rnonarcbtcalrulers, not onlyf.' •

jta.oery is,

fuch a _ate wherein one tingle perfon hath all right .or yet

and power for the taking, making, or revoking wherethe

all refolutions, orders, and laws, and to caufe obe_righta_

.e the name

dience to begiven to them, or to hinder the oolerv- aloneis, kut

ing of them: but I mean, thereby fuch a fcatewherethe

wherein one only perfon, tho' without right, yet p0-.oer

hath the power to caufeobedience to be given to a_ there.

all his orders, refolutions, and laws, or to fufpendof is 8sc-

ot hinder all orders, refolutions, and laws of the"/_nt"

true and lawful higheR' affembly, that they be not

executed, and this according to his own pleafure.

For tho' it be true, that the republican form of

government is fo acceptable to the merchants, and

all wife and vertuous men, that many will obje&,

that the bare name, [hadow, and appearance of

freedom hath beenableto encouragethe traffick and

navigation of Holland; yet to me it feemsto be no

left true, that we ought to expe& many more good

fruits from the thing it fell, than from the appea-

rance of it: and betides, it cannot be denied, but

that the name and the flaadow muff, and fhall al-

ways give way to, and vanith before the power, _'ber;ght

effe&, and thing it fell. So that he that will nar- a,,d the

rowly enquire into the good or bad fruits which are _,7_eW"

to be expe_ed of fuch or fuch a kind of govern-g_es,°Yh__e"

ment, would do very ill if he/hould not let his_re t_e

thoughts and obfervations, in this particular, run/_'er a./

more on the power which can operate without _a.

r_ht, than upon right which without power is in-

fignificant, and when violenceor forcecomes, mu_

always ceafe.

And that this may more clearly appear, the

reader may pleafe to confider, that by the word

[lawful government] ismeant, and mull:be meant,

the right of compelling obedience to that govern-

ment

3 I4 141hatisproperly a Republick, Part III.

_'hichis ment ; and that this is grolmded upon ancient

_,t_-a-poffeffion, or upon laws, culloms or oaths, or

teaby,_-

.f,_ing,. upon all together, which are of themfelves weak,

unle_ they be baek'd by perfons authorized, that

are willing and ready at the command of the

lawful rulers to puni/h fuch rebellions or perjured

fubje6ts. Whereas on the other fide, a greater or

i_ronger adherence of people to a governor, or

rome leading men, and without the leaft right,

may have fo great a poweq that they [hall de[troy

all good orders and cuFtoms; and fuch are wont

to ca(t all the ancient and virtuous lawful rulers

out of their right and poffeflion.

Of_wbat Which adherence of the people I/hall confider

Im t"*_'t/c¢

" _ .moreat large, becaufethereby the being and pow-

the/_e of " " _, v

..... er ot all go ernmenr is either made or broken. I

toe _opw _ .. -r--

it, mall fi i_confider and fix upon an unarmed ftate,

wherein the power of governing ufed to refide in

thofe who can force obedience from the greater

number, and efpecially of the meaneft people.

For in fuch a care one man is not only a perfon to

be accounted as good as another, but then betides

the poor, the ignorant, and the worft people will

be alwaysfooner ready to help to opprefs lawful

rulers thau the other few rich, prudent, and vir-

tuous inhabitants to defend them againi'c that

violence.

Or that of And as to an armed ftate, it is held by all men

,t/_t_1- of underffanding for an infallible maxim, that he

_,'0. that is maffer of the foldiery is, is confequently

mafter of all thole places where they lie in garri-

fop ; and he that is mailer of thole places of

ftrength, and of the foldiery, is likewife mafter of

the flare, or may make himfelf fowhen he pleafes.

For the foldiers have always their officers, whole

commands they are daily accuf'comed to receive

and obey, or elfe are feverely puni/hed for their

difobedience. And feeing for their difobedience,

Chap. t. or a Monarchy. 3 I2;

or crimes againfl:the polity of a people, they are

not wont to be punilhed at all, or but very llackly,

even when the illegal and wicked attempts of the

captain generals mifcarry, as alfo becaufe they

have nothing to lore ; and lafcly, feeing they have

thereby alfo much more advantage in tumults and

wars, than they can hope to gain in times of ref't

and peace ; therefore he that can get to be their

chief head and matter, tho' by the greatei_ injuf-

tice of the world, * may fuddenly _t on foot all

manner of undutiful pra&ices and undertakings_r&r.ters,

againft the lawful and unarmed rulers, and fall .., .wellat

upon them in hoftile manner before they have thep_l¢,

-, ,,.bdto b

time fo to fortify their cities, and exercife me. ,..

tt.. j,wayd

burghers and boors in arms, asto drive away ,,z thefil-

£editiousfoldiery from their gates and walls, dioT.

And if the laid maxim, that he that is mafcer

of the places of t'crengthand foldiery, is alfo maf-

ter, or m_y make himfelf fo, of the Rate, be in-

fallibly true ; then it is a more material truth, Ef_..cld.ly

,.. ,. ,.. t_blmtbat

that he who, betides the command or me lOl_alery,has the

pofl_-ffeththe favour of mofc of the inhabitants,fohtlt,y.

or the rude rabble, can make himfelf roarer of,,,,4'at th,

./'a_ tlmt

the ffate, when he aff_mbles the faid foldiery for . ]'..

that end. So that if any one may do this by a _eh_ _

deputed power, we muff confider him, tho' a fer-

vant or mini_er to the t'cate, as having in all re-

fpe&s the power of the republick in his hands ;

and therefore'the thing iffdf being duly confidered, Btcauj;d,e

he is already fovereign monarch of that Rate, and.//mgtb 0/"

is fo to be undert2ood, that the name and the right a go.o,,,.

l.t_ ,r R_,qt ¢_-

of that free republican government will lmewnefiflsoffuc_

loon vanifh, and confequent]y after that, not anypartits.

of the fruits of the freegovernment, or any thing

]ike it ought to be expc&ed. But on the contrary,

all that ufeth to proceed from a monarchical go.

vernment, mul'c be fuppofed to happen; and

therefore

,mNdla fadespietafq;v'trisq_i¢afl.rafeqtmm_r.

3 z6 _Tbe lnter_ of Publick Rulers. Part IIL

therefore fuch a government ought no more to be

called a republick, but a monarchy in pra&ice

and in fact.

SeeAlto- And the more, whil_ the governors of a coun-

Ina, ho.7.o

tbeJtates try, where there is fuch a commander in chief,

_e_e f_in during that colour or appearance of a free govern-

to 4eme_,ment, muff: always have an eye upon him, and in

ther,filve_ all weighty matters, fycophant like, repair to Iris

to_w_rts profound wifdom, and take £pecial care that they

pr'HearY'oppof." it not, u_le/_ that mif_rable and humble

fuppliant means immediately to be _epofed, if not

worfe handled by the rulers in power ; wherein

Wl,i_b_ * Rome may and ought to ferve us for an exam-

"x"Yckar_ple: for if Rome, which was provided with Co

,t/_tr,, by many hundred counf¢llors of Pcate ad vitam, and

thtRoman

re_oublich,fO many hundred thoufand fprightly citizens that

loved their liberty, was not able to pret_rve her

freedom againff: the tyranny of one fuch head, it

is then impoffible for others to do it in the like

care.

/r/high Efpeci_illy when it is confidered, that that high-

to,li not fpirited repub]ick having always had feveral war-

_r.oeits like general officers, who did ever mutually envy

freedom

,ode,-./_- one another, and therefore were too weak to mar-

,viral ter the republick ; yet was it fain at laft to bo_

btadj of the neck under them, and ferve them after a fla-

th,/_l- vifla manner, as loon as one ofthof¢ principal offi-

ditq. ¢ers became ten ftrong fo" all the reff:, or that

three of them confpired together, and divided the

republick amongft them. So th:_t a republick,

where one tingle perfon or head poiT,froth the ge-

neral favour of the rabble and foldiery, according

to the laid maxim of ftate, may be accounted to

have loft its univerfal freedom, or flaaJl certainly

!ofe it.

And

Libertas inquit popdi quem regna coercent.

Libertate petit cujus fervaveris umbram,

Si quicquid j-beare ve_. Lucan.

Chap. r. The Intere_ of Publick Rulers. 317

_And this infallible maxim will of all countries De _o_-

be found truet_ in Holland, when the laid repub- mo,_free-

dorain

lick fhall maintain a comqderable army of foreign Holland

foldiers in conftant pay, that are born and educa- cannotfub-

ted in monarchical countries, fuch as France and.k'flgndcra

England, &c and put them into impre_,nablepe_ et*_l

• • " • _ head

clues, and ftrong-holds, which furround the repub- .v,,-otz/t,

lick of Holland : and on the other fide, HoUand_rce_- -

confifting of cities wholly unfortified, and gover-

ned by a very few arit_ocratical rulers, and moftly

inhabited by a people fo ill informed in the

grounds of their own welfare, and in the lawful

governmerit of the country, that they will expe&

much more profperity under fuch a potent head,

than from a free republick ; and betides, will con-

ceive, that they owe more obedience to the mafter

of the foldiery, and f_rong-holds, than to the

laid ariftocratical rulers; in fuch a condition we

/hall find, that * where force comes, right ceafeth ;

and that a government cannot be fafe without the

poffeffion of the fword.

According to the known truth and maxim ofSeel,tg t_,

politicians, the fword of war in the hand of a mi,,ifl_r,of

captain-general is always /harper, and reacheth g_'rn"merit and

farther than the fword of jut_ice in the hands ofjz,fliceca,_

political or civil rulers and judges. This might ,,cooerpre-

be confirmed by numerous examples which I tlaall fete their

• - - d O¢OJ_/ a-

not mention, becaufe they are pertinently relate ai,_a

• . g _a

m that unanfwerable deduc2:on of the t'tates ofhi_edfol-

Holland, and likewife in the political ballance of di,y.

iV.H. where it is flaewn that all republicks, which

have had a military or political head, have not

long preferv'd their liberty, efpecially when the

fort offuch a head /hall come to be veffed in the

fame office and dignity. And now to the matter

in hand _ the reader is in the firfi place earnefily

defired

• Interarma ffleatleges. Parumtuta eltl'meviribusma-

r.s. Lie,.

3 x8 _:'heInterefl of Public Rulers. Part III,

&ethe#. deilred maturely to confider, whether the author

co,d ,_=rt,oft.he laid political ballance has not abundantly

c.=.§.to. fhewn, that a republican government in all coun-

tries of the world, and efpecially in Holland,

would be much more advantageous to the people

than a government by a fingl_ perfon.

Secondly,It is verywell worth obfervation, that

F;.#en_ts,in republicks the rulers, magilhxtes, and other

mauuj ac-

t, re,, _.c.pubhck minivers, have very little reward and fa-

dq,_d,,Imzlaryfor their ferviee, who while they are i,_ the

h.._,i,g condition of citizens, neither may nor can enrich

frurukrs, themfelves wkh the revenuesof the land, andthere-

fore are neceflitated by others ways than that of"

magiffracy, and publick imployments, to main-

tain themfelvesand _theirfamilies, as by merchan-

dizing, _c. Thus it is fl:ill, or was lately in the

republicks of Venice, Genoa, Ragoufa, Lucca_

Milan, Florence,&:c. At leaf it is well known

that in Holland very many rulers and magiftrate_

maintain themfelves by the filherics, manufac"tures_

tra_ck and navigation.

Or if rome of the rulersand fervants of the re-

publick of Holland do poffefsfuch createsas to be

able to live at eafeon their lands and revenues, yet

it is evident that the reformed religion, permitting

no cloif'cersor fpiritual revenues, and the publick

worfhip being performed by mini_ers for"a very

fmall reward or falary, and by the elders and dea-

consgratis, there is no relief to be had thence for

Bua_ diffreffed, impoverifhed relations and families. So

t/,,g_t,-,,-that many rulers being fenfible, that according to

,u,a a_,='the proverb, raa_ f_ine caufe but thin .wa./h; ei-

=agi.tv,wjther they themfelves, or at leafi their pofferity in

#/d /at/,

_#t hwe.the third or fourth generation, muff in this natu-

rally poor, the' for merchandize well fituated

country, rife again by tra_ck. And hence it is

that all the rulers in He are derived of parents

that have lived by the fifheries, manufa&uries,

trafl_ck

Chap. r. The Interefl of Public Rulers. 3 I9

trafBck or navigation, and fo their children after _z,,l

them ; and that the laid rulers do Rill daily tobrud

their ch,l-

maimain their families find it proper to marry dro,u

their ch_Id,ren to rich merchants, or their children, mercha.-

So that fuch rulers, whether confidered in them-dlrdug, or

felves by their confanguinity or affinity, are in all ,,m_t/,e=

to _r-

refpe&s intereRed in the welfare or il!fare of the chant_chil-

fifheries, manufa&ures, traffick and navigation ofIre,.

this country.

Which is the more credible in the cities of Hol-

land, becaufethe common-council, and the magi-

Rrates confifl:but of a few perfons thereto ele&ed

in fuch a manner, that the government, and thole

particular imployments being fixed to no particu-

lar families, thole who by accidentcome to get the

greater authority or adminif'cration,do ufe, out of

natural love, ambition and jealoufy, to advance

their own friends, and to exclude the friends of

the deceafed rulers and magiRrates, mof'cof them

having ah'eady had their turn in the government

and magiffracy : fo that from time to time new

families come into the government, and the ma-

giRracies of cities, which yield for the moR part

but little profit, and that only during rome yearly'

magiRracy or commilt%n, fall vacant fo feldom,

that all thole new families cannot be provided for,

much let_ maintained by them. Wherefore it is

and will be neceffary, fo long as the government is

not tied or intailed to any particular family, that

many of the relationsof the rulers in the cities of

Holland muf'clive by merchandizing.

And accordingly we muR believe, that the faid

rulers and magiRrates, undera free government,

whether in their own cities, or at the affembliesof

Holland, will, by their counfels and refolutions,

endeavour to preferve and increafethe fame means

of fubfiRence for the country in general ; unlefsit

could be proved, that the republican form of go-

vernment,

32o 770e Interefl of Public Rulers. Part III.

Ilthattmer vernment, and by its neceffary confequences, (viz.

it,ec_ffa,-jliberty of confcience, freedom of burgerfhip, and

forthe_ro-from monopolies, laying afide all trafficking com-

cpe,i_y#

:he cou,- panics, halls and guilds, which defraud other in-

..,y, ,_ill habitants of that way of living ; likewife modera-

Se trodt,,-tin_, or takinu away of convoys and tolls, order-

le ,a ,:,. . -.

b _ the inn and dire&m_ lufhce to the benefit of the com-

mon inhabitants, a_d merchandizing, by colonies,

by their keeping the fens open and free from pri-

vateers ; by peace, fortified cities, and arming the

inhabitants) unlefs I fay it could be proved that

the inhabitants are more endamaged by there, or

put into a better condition by ufing compulfion in

matters of religion, by feeluding from burgher-

right, by monopolies, focieties, or companies of

merchants, by patents, halls and guilds, unreafo-

nable high convoy-money, and tolls, corrupt ju-

nice, fen robberies and wars for want of colonies,

and by weak cities and unarmed inhabitants. So

that I find myfelf bound to enquire a little more

f'cri&ly into all the parts thereof, and yet with all

the brevity I can.

F,.eetomof As to the admini_ration or fervice of the church,

r..ligio_,otby the preacher, elder and deacon in Holldnd ; it

l,urtf_l tomuPcbe confeffed that thole fcrvices there are of fo

freerulert'little profit and credit, that the rulers and magi-

Rrates, or their friends, are very feldom inclined

to perform thofe fun&ions: fo that the freedom

and toleration of the affemblies of different worfhip

in Holland, cannot be expe&ed (from fuch a fu-

preme head) by rulers or magif[rates, becaufe the

diffenters, under pretence of affembling for the

fervice of God, would endeavour to make infur-

rec"tiofis, and thereby depofe the rulers to domineer

over the _ate, and the e_abli/hed religion. A-

gainf_ which it may be fad, that the honeff dif-

renting inhabitants, who fare well in this country,

or poffefs any confiderable eflates, ought not to be

prefumed

Chap. I. The Interefl of Public Rulers. 3 2 r

prefumed to fall into fuch feditious thoughts, fo Seeing it

deftruai,,¢to th.emff.lves and the country, Colong _oJ_ _.ot

T - _ uch

as they are not mab_ttered b) perfecution ; but on

OCCaJt_on a_

the contrary will be obliged by fuch liberty, eafy hi,,ie,-tu-

anc] moderate governmerG to Chew their gratitude m,&.

to fo good a magi_racy Wherdbre the rafcally V.Thuan.

• a .... Hi/t in

people, or thole of mean effates, ncl ambmous ....

a'nd feditious inhabitants, would be deprived of all _rege_a_act

adherents, whom otherwife under the cloak of re-

ligion they might the more eafily gain to carry on

their ill defigns.

And moreover it is well known to all prudent %e /_eaa'_

men, that fuch perfons as leek after fovereignry, oft'_¢f_,ll-

do ufually favour feditious preachers, and zealous tious_nake

devotees, that by the help of thtde tumultuous fpi-@ of the

tan,gucs and

rits they may arrive at that dignity ; and yet nop_,_ of

fooner do they acquire that fovereign power, butp,.:o:&,._,

prefently they are fenfible how unfit thole ftubborn a_to,.,at';

and imprudent devotees and feditious preachrrs are_°'_'

to be made ufe of in mag[i_racy or government ;

infomuch that they then ufe to defert them, and in

lieu of preferring and inriching them, ufe to pu-

nilb. them for their fi:dition.

Hereof we have larely had very remarkable ex-

amples in France, when King Henry IV. had fo

long favoured the preachers and people of the

reformed religion (there called Hugenots) as he

needed them, and then abandoned and curb'd them

as he law fit: fo that now among their offspring

we may fee the miferable Rate of the Hugenots in

that country. And later than that we have feen the

like irt F.ngland, where Oliver Cromwell having

craftily made ufe of, firft of the Presbyterians, and

then of the In&pendant preachers, and thole of

their party to favour him, and by their multitude

to gain the prote&orChip, yet afterwards wholly

forfook them, and often punilhed them feve.rdy.

Y Bnd

322 _TheInlerefl of Public Rulers. Part III.

And that prince William the elder would have

taken the fame courfe, appears clearly by our hi-

ftories, which teftify that the reformed preachers,

who in the beginning of thole tumults were very

kind to him, afterwards, when he was arrived at

his higheft pitch of grandeur,they hated and fpoke

injuriouflyof him, becaufehe wasnot kind enough

to them, and gave more liberty to thole of diffe-

rent perfwaiions in the fervice of God than was

pleating to them ; and things went fofar, that the

principal and moil refinedof the reformedpreachers

did in their pulpits openly exclaim againir him for

an atheiJt,andungodly perfon: and thereforein the

year x58o, he found himfelf conirrained to

move the ltates of Holland and Zealand to

make good and found laws about church-govern-

ment, declaring, that unlel_rome good order were

taken about the fame, the reformed religion, and

the country too, would fall to ruin. And accord-

ingly they proceeded fo far with there fpiritual

laws, that we may truly fay, the only reafon why

they remained imperfc&, was the fudden death of

the laid prince, In the mean time he could very

hardly maintain his power againff thofe eccletia-

fticks, andkept it up only by his numerousadhe-

rents, whom heacquired by his great moderationas

aforefaid towards the other inhabitants that were of

diff'erentjadgments and opinions. And thisaver-

fion of the reformed preachers and zealots towards

prince William went fo far, that for that reafoa

they greatly aff'e&ed the carl of Leicefler, and ha-

ted his fon Maurice whom he left behind him, and

became f'cadtholder of Holland and Zealand, &e.

till he and the moil: refined of the miniflry were

afterwardsreconciledand united, and at lair collu-

ded together about the political government and

church-fervice in thole fad unfettled yearsof I618,

and ,6, 9. Wherefore it is not to be believed

that

Chap. _. _'he Interefl of Public Rulers. 3z3

that the lawful authority of this republick being

now ddivered from a tingle peffon that aimed at

the fovereignty, will give much countenance to the

mot_ politick and chief churchmen, or that a tole-

ration of religions would eafily give occafion of an

uproar here.

But if any fhould conceive that the papil_s, who P,ude,t

are the t'trongeft feCt in number, order, and corn* tderatiou

. • o the Ro-

bination (as having the oooe for their chief head, _ ..

and others their fpiritual 'hza"ds amongft them, and .m,-0'_ ire""

• O' " " * £

being generally mchned to our powerful neighbour Holland,

the king of Spain, who formerly was lord of this _oult not

country) might be able, in care they had more li. & detri.

mental.to

betty to exercife their religion, to fubvert fo mild th, civil

a government, and poffefs it themfelves. In an-g_ern.

fwer hereunto it may truly be/'aid, that the Roman merit.

Catholicks in their religion are governed in a mo-

narchical manner, and confequently where they are

thpreme, fuffer no other fe_tts; fo that in fuch a

care all other diffenting inhabitants of our land

would join with the rulers of our republicks, where-

by more than ,$ parts of the faid inhabitants would

adhere to the lawful civil power, to quell thole fe-

ditious perfons at their firft rifing.

But in care of compt_lfitm there might follow a/_: ,_._.

Concurrence in points of faith amon_ the inhabi- _io,::_._..

rants; it were fit then to be confidered, whether/igi_,.

• " " " t" ] "Or" ¢_OzcZ_-/

when thin dlff'erence m mattezs of .e,,_lon ceafed. .

me ctmrcnmen WhOnave me,r omce c_urmg J_re,._t_;

and not for fume few .years, by their fermons to *

their hearers, who for the mc.,ftpart fuppofe, they

hear nothing but god's word out of the minifler_

mouths, and therefore believe they obey God when

they obey the min;.fiers; and alfo on the other

fide, when the_.obey poli._ical ¢omm_nds and laws,

they obey men only: I fay, it ough_ well to b¢

confidered, whether in a fhon time they might

not acquire a greater number of J._2lowersor adt:e-

Y z ren:s

3 a4 The Interefl ofpublick Rulers. Part III.

rents when they give themfelves out for God's am-

baffadors, and teach men that fcriptural faying,

g'bat we muff rather obey god and his embaffadors

than man ; and this out of a corrupt fell-love, and

natural ambition; and fo find it good corruptly

and impioufly to inftrugt their auditors, thereby to

magnify themfelves as it hath oft happened, and

may again happen; and whether their adherents

might not confequently make fuch ambitious

churchmen fo powerful, as to caufe the civil go-

vernors, who exercife the magiftracy here but for a

/hort time, to truckle under them.

We have examples of the primitive times, that

"/'&ecd,5-the fpiritual perfons of thole days, having firl_con-

aft&ks vetted the Roman emperors to chriRianity, and by

t&rety degrees brought under the heathdn oppofers more

gai,, too by that political power, than by a holy fife, ,and

great a

8ar_ a- flrong reafons, did afterwards make ufe of their

gainfl the fermong to aggrandize their acquired ecclefiaftical

civil power to the detriment of the civil authority, by

_-,ver,. ere&ing an hierarchy, or church-power independent

flora the political, fuch as is now under the papacy.

From this ambition of churchmen the proverb

role, _ that the clergy always fear and hate the fu-

preme authority ; or to vary the phrafe, it hath been

an old game ; my nunkle is ever plucking my lord's

Raft out of his hand, not only to evade being beat

therewith himfelf, but alfo to beat Jothers and make

them fubmit to him.

Lib. 7. This is alfo confirmed by Otto Fri.fingenfis, tho'

Chron. a Romifo bithop, who laid, that the empire, by

reafon of its love to religion, impaired itfelf, yea

was exhauRed ; and that it had fo aggrandized the

church, that it was not only deprived of the fpiri-

_rhefa,n, tual, but alfo of the temporal fword, which evident-

happened ly belongs to the empire; adding thereunto very

in the Ro. ingenioufly : " And altho' it be above our power to

man and

G_rman '¢ trea

empire. * C_fares tlmer¢ & odiffe propriurn effe ec¢lefi_.

Chap. I 'The Intere_ of publick Rulers. 32 5

" treat hereof, fo as to give fentence, yet methinks

" the clergy are very blame-worthy who endeavour

" to injure the ffate,, viz. the German or Romiflo

" empire, with a fword which, they have acquired

" of the rulers, and by the favour of the emperors

" urdefs they will herein imitate David, who, when

" he had felled the Pbilifline by the t_irit of God,

" cut of Goliah's head wir.h his own fword."

But the truth is, if you plea£e to enquire diligent- Wblcb

ly into the reafons of there broils and jealoufies, be- ,_ightnot

tween the fore.reign rulers and magil_rates on the proceed

one fide, and the clergy on the other, we/hall find,f toma,,

that tho' the imprudence and iznorance of the rulers, ec,,/_,f_fll-

and their love to the clergy, m_ght at nr_t nave con-generalhu-

tributed fomewhat towards it, yet that ignorance man frail-

and favour was not fo great for a long feaibn after t_.

their firl_ co_verfion to chriftianity, as to effec"tit.

And as to the clergy's felf-love and ambition, we

thall find that they are not defe&s peculiar to the

clergy only, but common to all mankind.

So that they that will enquire into the caufes why

of late times there have been more diffentions and

enmity between the civil rulers and the publick

teachers of chriftianity than before, during hea-Heathen

pritfl_ and

thenifm and judaifm, tour obferve, that heathenifm Jewsha.oe

and judaifm confifted moffly in facrifices, without not ca_fe_t

publick fermons and common-prayers, and much_ .n.,,_k-

more convocations ; and that thole facrifices, for ditianta-

bu gainfl the"

divers things not happening daily nor weekly, t _,_te,,,

once a-year, or i_ldom, required fo little time, Chriltian

that among the Heathens, the kings, burgo-mat_ers, p.iefls.

and principal field-o/_cers, whether all together or %e bea-

fucceffively, might omciate as eafily as prie_s.t&,, leafl,

Wherefore as no reafon can be given, why one per- &_au/e

fon veiled with thole two offices.',thould be fediti- t,_ty,J_d

.... not to

ous to magnify his fervice in the church, t_y chml-preach.

nilhing that to the t_ate ; fo we cannot fee how thofe

heathen priers, being di_,efted of all f:cular power,

Y 3 could

3z6 The lnterefl of publick Rulers. Pa_t III.

could have caufed infurre&ions, without being im-

mediately fuppreffed by the fupreme power.

_rb,Jew_ We ought likewife Rri&ly to obferve, that the

e¢_¢

p.,cflsmoryewiJh high-prieRs became fuch partly by birth,

l._._a,,,_ and that by virtue of that office in the time of the

y t _,

• _, Ifraeliti[h free government, they might be chofen

i0._t,z.._d

fometimes, the fecond, and in the time of the kings, the fir_

8_e Schi- perfon or prefident of the fupreme court of govern-

l,_rdsJusment and ju_ice calledthe Sanhedrim; and betides,

Reg. Heb.they had all the priers and the whole tribe of Levi

p. _o. to follow them, whereby they had great opportu-

nities to alter the political Rateafter their own plea-

lure, when they could acquire the reputation of be-

ing gifted with the fpirit of prophefy, and be fuf-

feted to prophefy publickly before the people. So

that indeed there were alfo many tumults and

changes that happened in the Rate when fome im-

pious priefts, and falfe prophets abufed the power

of the church _omake themfelvesgreat. Butin re-

gard neverthelefsthat the ordinary _Jewilhworthip

confifl:edin facrifices,and that the high-prieRs were

Ibid.p.8, not always chofen members of the 8anhedrim, or

9, xo. did not get the opportunity of prophefying before

the people, they could not therefore put their pro-

_e c_ri-je&s in execution to the prejudice of the civil

power, and advantage_f the prieftly ftate.

flian_rea"

c&rsmolt But it Is very obfc.rvable on the other fide,that tha

(all, by chriftian worfhip doth moftly col_fift in a verbal

t&irfe,- application to God, by fuch as are no civil' or

•no,_,a,_a armed teachers, and in their fermons apply them-

pra._tr_, feIves to a great affembly of people. Which ad-

miniftration, confidering its weight, and conftant

preparation by ftudy and employment, takes up

the whole man, and the abufe hereof may be very

mifchievous to the civil magiRrate, The higher

powers have therefore appointed particular perfons

to exercife the civil and military offices, and others

to take the charge of the wor/hip of God in manner

aforefaid,

Chap. _r. The Interefl of publick Rulers. 327

aforefaid, and to abflain from all fecular employ-Seethe *z

• • . " f_ title_

ments ; fothat it neceffardyfollowed hence, .hat m

of tbe Go.

all tho£eplaces wherefuch publick teachers and theirdex de

hearers were of the fame mind cr belief, thole Novell.or

preachers have had a great power and influenceto Ju/_inian,

quiet or difquiet the minds of the fubje&, a,,dtat

to.flitu.

,% that rulers (feeing how the preachersinfluenced

tion_ of the

the people) were compelled to favour them in tu-o,,_e,.o,.

mukuous times, if they would be obeyed by theirLeo.

fubje&s, who will in fuch times be more moved by B,i,g al-

t,aeadmonition of the preachers, than by the corn-_,y_ able

mands of the civil magi_rate. For tho' rulers might to irritate

eafily perceive that this increafe of ecclcfiafl:icalor *_ea/_

their trudi-

power will be very prejudicialin futuretimes to their tow,.

fucceffors, yet they chufe to enjoy the prefent be-

nefit, to keep up their own grandeur, and hereby

many times great, civil or military officershaveat-

tempted to obtain the fupreme power.

So that it is not t[ran_ if preachers, being/_n- E/#ddl_v

fible of their own _rength in countries where there i,, cou,,.

are no diffenters from them, have always oppofed trie,_,&re

the crown ; and yet by reafon of their weaknefs in thefuSje,_s

the government, their exclufion fromcivil employ- are of ,,e

re//g_tt_

merit, and their being unarmed, they have hardly_,,d,,_.hicb

attained their ends, but have been able continually i, ,,,0,,,,_-

to raife tumults and diffenfion. And tho' fince thed,icalbgo_

reformation, the clergy in the German and $witzer _emd.

republicks have not by their fermons, and the una-

nimity of the inhabitants in matters of fai.'h, been

able hi herto to over-top or equal the civil power

of the numerous free rulers, great councils, &c. yet

I conceive, that in care of fuchan unanimous f:nti-

mentof the inhabitants in the cities of Holland, our

fmall number of magiftratesor city-councils could

not be able to keep their yearly magil_racywithout

prejudice by thole preachers. For every onewould

clearly difcern that the party who adhere to the

clergy do far exceedthe civil magiftrates adlierents,

Y 4 in

3 2,q _be Interefl ofpubEck Rulers. Part III.

I¢'_yt& in natural fl:rength; fo that fuch preachers would

fa,aea$o.ve nOt always be kept urater by mercenary foldiers:

all repub- • •

_ h

li_ " '" 'herefore they and thofe of t elf church--councds

C $_/')0lgla . . •

Sefeared could never have an opportunity of withdrawing

i,, Hol- themfelves f?om under the civil power.

land. And feeing the preachers and their adherents by

fuch by opportunities, are daily capable of putting

their ill dcllgns in pra&ice when they pleafi: ; we

are therefore to expe& that all preachers will not

keep within their due bounds, but that many of

$ee that them in feditious times will ex:end their legal and

excellent limited employment under pretence of their ecclefi-

book Luc.

AntilL attical power, to the chief or fovereign command

con_. de in the affairs of the church, and to an impudent

Jure Ee- boldnel_ of expounding in the pulpit all political a&s

clefiafdco-

or laws, under the pretext of God's word, and fo

rum, riu-

- - '_- to fay whatever they have a mind to : unlel_ we had

lga I OO S. 1 1 _ . _

reafon to believe, that the reformed preachers pre-

Ps'eacberstending to a revelation and fpecial affifiance of God's

are Sue fpirit, or a fpecial godly call to the miniftry, and

Im£_l 0,$

,wallas accordingly being fu_ciently qualified to that fer-

ot_e., vice, confifting in an extraordinary hofinefs and obe-

dient reverence towards God, and their lawful ma-

gi_racy, are not Cofubjecq:to ambition and cove-

toufnefs as other clergymen are.

But God amend it, lays our proverb, minifters

are no faims, and therefore the fame temptations

that enfnare others, miflead them too, which hath

often appeared in thefe countries formerly, and

fince the reformation, by frequent political correc-

tions and banilbments of preachers from cities for

their off'entire fermons and prayers ; and every one

flill remembers what happened about the tame in

our times at tlmflerdam, Utrecht, Delft, Goude, the

Hague, &c. .And tho' thole that are good preach-

ers /hould not be oppreffed for the 1:aid defects,

weakneffes and ambition, yet it is neceffary that

rulers fo govern the Rate, that feditious and proud

preachers

Chap. I. The [nter_ of publick Rulers. 3z 9

preachers fhall not be able to fubvert the republick,

and ruin the profperity of the land.

And therefore we may prefume, that our wife free

rulers will ever continue qo indulge and permit the

religious affemblies of diffeaters, hereby to invite

over continually more diffenting people into Hol-

land ; and will plant and improve the reformed re-

ligion, not by compulfion but moderation, and

loft means among their good diffenting inhabitants;

and that they will always preferve, and maintain

in like manner our prefent publick worlhip_ "with-

out ever admitting of an epifcopal, or any other

coercive fpiritual authority.

An open or free burgerthip, with a right for all et_eebur-

foreign inhabitant._ to follow their emt_lovments, be- geqebiP

....... r . • • _ J ,. . oamuld do

|nl_ aclcleclto liberty o! coniclence In matters rell_l- -

•I C) T_OF¢ gOOa

ous ; it will certainly caufe very great and populous tb.._harm

cities, and incredible many conveniences and di-tof_u_-

vertifemems for all foreign inhabitants : fo that all kr,, he-

. cau/'e it

civil magit_rates ought for that reafon, were mere ._ould

no other, to endeavour it ; and the more the better, caufet_-

if we obferve that in fuch lands and cities, offices _ulo,sd-

do exceedingly multiply, and are made profitable, ties.

and that then the rulers would have the power to An,/,onE-

prefer many, if not all their friends to make them _uentty

to live in credit and eafe. ma.y,ff_e_

Moreover, in fuch lands and cities there will be g,,,¢b,,,e-

..... 37ces]or

found naturally anaong the inhabitants dlverfittes m their

religion, nations, tongues and occupations: fo thatfrie,_.

there would be no occafions miniftred to the few

arit_ocratical rulers who govern our republick and

cities, of dividing the people by artificial, and often

impious defigns, in order to govern/hem : for by

thefe natural divifions, and the diverfity of the peo- A',,,/tho_

pies occupations, they'may as peaceably and rarely _u./e_s,_i#

• . . J- • _t t/.,crcoy

govern them, as m the open country, roe mtne.

great cities of Holland, and other cities filled with e"ff_e_,a'z

foreig:,ninhabitants, as ..4mflerdam, Leyden, Haerlem, _Jrn_me'nt.

&C.

33 o _be Intere.fl ofpublick Rulers. Part III.

&c. there have been nothing near fo many feditions

againft the rulers, as in other countries, and much

lefs and worfe peopled cities, unlet_ when they have

been 12irred.up to mutiny or fedition by a fovereig_

head. For in fuch a care, I confers that no coun-

tries or cities, grit or fmall, are or can be at reR,

and without uproars of the fubje6ts againft their

rulers and magil_rates, any longer than fuch a head

pleafeth to leave fuch lands anti cities in peace.

_4ndbeb,'t" Finally, it is to be ooterwd, that the rulers of

ter/:ttl 4 fuch populous open countries and cities, are alfo

agai,:#."_"much better able to defend themfelve_ againf_ all

t0_tr, foreioompower, whether by an army formed of their

own inhabitants, or by _rengthening their refpec-

rive cities by good fortifications, and repelling all

enemies from their walls. And feeing on the other

fide the rulers of Holland will not be advantaged

by a burgerfhip that excludes all foreigners, we

may therefore believe that they will eafily approve

of it.

8eleaCor_ As to focieties or companies ereded by patents,

pa,,ies,&¢.halls and guilds, upon manufa&ures, trades, fi/h-

exd,di,g cries, commerce and navigation ; it is certain that

other in-

babit,,nts, the rulers, governors, and mafters of guilds, having

areretry power at their pleafure, or certain times and places,

j_r4udicla!to call affemblies, and by a ger.-ral interegt having

tofret ru- an t:nited number of dependents, members and

1c,. their followers, whether of mariners, foldiers, clo-

.Reca,_ thiers ; and brethren of the guild or workmen may

tz,eyrn_ have fair opportunities by fedition to difplace a few

,auk up- ariftocratical rulers, and put themfelves into their

rgar$,

places, as hath been in all Netberlandifb cities,

where heretofore fuch halls and guilds have been

erec"ted, viz.Gbent, Bruges, 1per, Lovent.4ntwerp,

Dort, Liege, wherein there were many tumults pro-

ceeding from that caufe.

And tho' hitherto there hath arifen no feditious

commotion of note from the patent companies,yet !t

Chap. I. 7"beInterefl of publick Rukrs. 33 t

is certain that they tend only to the advantage of_4,dlaytbt

rome very few perfons, and to the detriment ofallg "°_'nd'ff

other inhabitants of that way of dealing ; and hay- °'=g°"

ing l_id the foundation of one government within i_another°

auother, they may in time expe¢_ from thence, efpe-

cially under a freegovernment, more commotions,

unlefs the civil rulers be fo prudent and happy as

to appoint their deputies in all the laid affemblies,

who will not leek their own welfare in the govern-

ment by fa6tion or combination, but by a praife-

worthy defire after the welfare of their native coun-

try, to leek the common good.

So that if on the other hand we do rightly con-

ceive that the rulers of the Holland cities, by ere&-

ing of companies, halls and guilds, have not the

profpe& of a confiderable benefit to afire thereby to

themfelves _ we may prefume rofay, that hereafter

they will have little inclination to bar the freedom

of their commonalty by new grants, and confe-

quently that the old grants and reRri&ions which

hereafter/hall be prolonged or continued, will be

in fuch a plight, that they cannot, according to the

proverb, without prejudice to the nation, be either

altered or annuled.

Concerning the rates of convoy-money, or cuf. F,eerultm

toms upon goods exported or imported _ let them "oughtto/'et

be laid on with fuch prudence and moderation, that d,eraus

on goods

they may be calculated purely for the benefit of our pasi.gco.-

manufac'tures, fit'heries, tra_ck and navigation. I _vo,,_o,=y

have already thewn how much the rulers of Holland _wlthgreat

are concel'ned in the flourifhing of thole particulars, caution,

Wherefore on the other fide it is evident, that dur-

ing a flee government a very gc-od account of all

monies received ought to be given, and that the

fame ought to be employed for the clearing of ihe B==uj_

leas. It is felf evident, that the rulers cannot en- thO' may

rich themfelves with the money iffuing thence ; and notputthe

money into

therefore the laid rulers of the Holland cities will their o._un

not tu_,.

33a _7oeIntereft of Public Rulers. Part III.

not henceforth be inclin'd to charge goods with

fuch high and prejudicial rates, but rather in

procefs of time to thvour the merchants in that

particular ; and that the leas be cleared by fuch

moneysas arethepublick revenue of the land,raifed

of all the inhabitants as ruth, and to defend the

merchant from oppreffion by lea.

&_t* _ Moreover, from what is laid before it may be

7,.pice fairly inferred, that fuch interefied free rulers

lhwald be

haterre. fhould incline to enacq:good orders and laws, and

_lateett,y fo to frame juRice, that there may be quicker

,.q,,blick difpatch made, and better juftice done, and that

,,,k,-,,be-knavilh bankrupts be punifhed and the honeft

eau/'e th_

t_to merchants'prote&ed in their right: for the civil

tbeiro_= ru*.ewsby encreafing the number of fubordinate

ao3,uantage.]u.tges and counfellors, may be able to bet_owon

their befl: friends more honourable find profitable

employments, and by that means the better fettle

themfelves in the government and magiftracy.

Whereas by the contrary, fuch.judges will rather

be prejudiced than advantaged by bribes, and the

favour or disfavour of the rulers, becaufe poffibly

they would not _ive fo much money on that fcore

as others would.

'/_o_,0,,ld As to colonies, it is evident that the rulers of

,.,-,a,,e_ republicks do not pay out of their own purfes the

coloniesfar expence of ere&ing and protecting them from

,he,me outward violence; but it is paid out of the publick

,e,_u. treafury, and in the mean while they would reap

this benefit for their indigent relations to fend

them to fuch colonies, when they are not able to

prefer them all in Holland: and the like might be

done with many other inhabitants that are ambi-

tious of government, or publick imployment ;

and the laid colonies would in no other re_rd be

hurtful to the republican rulers. So that fince

thofe colonies would be fo generally profitable for

the land, and inhabitants of Holland, as is hereto-

fore

Chap. r. 5theIntere_ of Public Rulers. 333

fore defcribed, we are then rationally to expe&

that they will be erecq:edby our rulers.

As to the clearing of the feasagainf[ enemies .4_dt_e

and piccaroons _ it is certain that during a free re-J_as,ugbt

publican government, the treafure requifite fortob, _qt

cle=r/tom

buildirh_,__and fetting forth of/hips, proceeds not OUtpirate, or

of the rulers purfes ; and that they and their friends o=,,,ie,.

that trade at lea, being asliable as other inhabitants

to lore their goods by fuch enemies, and that

this may be prevented without putting them to

any charge, we may likewife expe& the fame of

them. And that the lea may with honour and

fafety for the ttate be cleared by the free rulers,

cannot be denied. For tho' the admiral of a fleet tFithwat

going to tea without a fufficient ftrength, /houldP rejudi't°

repub litaR

lore the laid fleet to the enemies of the Prate, and ,-,,let-,.

thereby might exceedingly mifchieve our repub-

lick, yet would it not totally bereave us of our

liberty, nor /hould it be diffolved by fuch a

treachery ; but on the contrary, our republick has

ever been able to be recruited, and hasoft-times

been reinforced by our land forces, when they

have been intruft:ed to captain-generals ; and

even when they have thought fit to ufe their

rtrength to conquer the cities of Holland, and to

feize their deputies when they were affembled by

fummons. And therefore fince, the free rulers

will not incline to carry on an offenfive war,

and confequently to fend a chargeable army into

the field to take cities from our neighbours _ it is

not credible that the laid convoy-monies paid for

clearing the teas, will be taken from the admiral-

ties, to make therewith any needlefs and yet

chargeable conquefts by land, and in the mean

while to abandon our inhabitants, or their goods,

to the depredations of the lea-robbers.

Lately, it is certain that the rulers of Holland_

and all their trafficking fubjec_swould fare much

better

334_ _rge Interefl of publick Rulers. Part IIL

'/7,,/;.,,. better in times of peace than in war, becaufe thela

Holland they would be reverenced and obeyed by them with-

TI¢_t'S

oughtif- out any oppofition. And betides, our city magi-

pecla113ta rotates cannot receive any confidefable profit by

airaat war, either .by land or lea, but mu_ bear all new'

t'act- burdens and mx_s thereby arifing, as well as the

other inhabirams, and cannot be freed from the

fame, as the/axe hems of our republick were. It

is evident the foldiery, and their officers, who are

for monarchical government, and an illuffrious

general advitam, would not ufe their due and ftre-

nuous endeavours to perform _he commands and

counfels of the repubtiek, or tho_ that are in au-

thority for the flare: _b that the rulers of the re-

_taufe publick of Holland, irr care of an unfuecefsful war,

:bey_r_t//would loon fee their refpeEt from the fubje& dimi-

th._,o,n-nilhed, and be every way afperf_d by the fottilh

i:,n, mu_flnl-nat_r tl rabble, who always judge of things, by'

b,ar all the fuceefs, and ever hate, and are ready to zm-

tbeturdtmpeach the ari_oeratieat rulers of their republick

,fa _var, with whom fome lavifh,_ ambitious and debauched,

people, whether rulers or fubje_s, might jointhem-

felves to ftir up fedi6on, and under pretence of be-

ing of the prhace's or captain-general's fa&ion, turr_

this republick into a monarchy, in hope of attain-

ing the molt eminent an_ profitable employments

under the mon:n'ch.

And above all, the prefent freegovernours would

be liable to that hazard in cffe they flaould make

_t,_eofa ufe of ft_ch a field general in their wars by land,

captai_g¢- whole anceftors have had the fame truft repofed in

xtral, them _ for then, whether in good or bad fucceffes,

thole few citizens that rule in Holland during life_

and ferve in the magiftracy but a year or two,

would foon find that none amongfc them would

dare to co tie the bell about the cat's neck, to dif-.

charge fuch a captain-general with fo many depen-

dents and adherents, when they have no further

need

Chap. r. if'be Interefl o/'puhlick Rulers. 335

need of fiis fervice, or to punil'h him when he de-

ferred it, whether by difobedience, correfpondency

with the enemy, or any attempt againfc the free

government, even tho' an open endea,'our to gain

the fovereignty ; fo that thereby alone our repub-

lick would be really changed into a monarchy.

And moreover, fuppofe we lhould chufea meaner_.. 3_

perf.onto be our capt. general, and give him the _i'_'do_t

command of the whole troops of this IFate,and that ofe,,floy-

men¢ by

but for a flaorttime, yet it isevident that the rulers_,,,,_o,t

of Holland wouldput themfelvesin great danger offieldo2_ev.

being overrnafl:eredby that captain-general, as by

innumerable examples which happened here and in

other countriesmay be perceived ; unle_ mencould

make the du]IHollanders to believe that God hath

indued them with twomiraculous privi]egesaboyeall

other people in the world: the fir/t:is, that they

_all never chufe anycaptain-general butour of fuch

excellent and bleffed families, that tho they could,

yet differing from all other men, they would no_

rather chufe to be lords than fervants ; and that u,l_ coo

therefore that-ambition that is natural to all men, _o,,l,tco_-

even to their very graves, [hould find no place in ti,,.a.lO.

him during his whole life. And the fecond is, _0r*,,,,-

raclesfor

that the Hollanders having at firft, whether volun- o,,_c_,t_.

tarily or inadvertently, and after that by fucceffion

or confl:raint, placed over themfelves a mot,arch in

f_ri, that then God from heaven will fnatch away

fuch a monaach fuddenly, and by act unexpecq:ed

judgment deliver a people from flavery, who are

fo unworthy of liberty, as indeed hath fometimes

happened.

But it would be cuffed divinity, which infl:ead

of forewarning us, that if we love the danger, and

will not avoid the places where plagues do reign,

we [hall find our certain ruin in thofe places; and

moreover infl:eadof teaching us to be thankful to

God

336 if'be I, terefl ofpublick Rulers. Part III.

God for that great and undeferved mercy, fhould

continue to inffigate us to leek mercy once again,

and provoke him by publick and private prayers,

tending to caufe us to return to Egypt out of that

free land of promit_, and there obftinately to pull

down upon our ,own heads a heavy yoke, under

which our forefflthers were conftrained to groan,

and from which we by the mercy and bleffing of

God werewonderfully delivered.

Rqubli. And concerning alliances with foreign princes

¢a,_*lersand potemates, it is apparent that princes ha_ not

ought to

muzkegoodf0 much interefl: in the welfare of their fubje&sas

dlia,c_s in a republick ; nor is there that wifdom or virtue

_oithfo. in a monarchy, as in a free government: we/haU

reig,ers, here more and more/hun thole prejudicial engage-

ments.

tl,dtofo,- And as touching theinterv_ of the rulers of a free

:_ thed-republiek, or of kings and princes about fortifying

tits fuffci-

ento, and the frontiers and populous cities,as alfoabout exer-

l_o_ite citing the commonalty inarms: I fuppofe it hath a-

the,n_.,/thbundantly been/hewed you in the firlt:chapter of

,rms. this book, that it isonly to beexpe&ed ofrulers of

republicks, but not at all from kings and princes

fo that it is needlefsto fpeak an)-more ofit here.

CHAP. IL

lI1herein is maturely confldered the interefl o)e

the monarchical government in Holland as

to all the foregoing matters, by _vhich the

commonalty may thrive or pro_er.

Monarcbi- T Come now to enquire whether manufa&ures,

_Igo- _ filhery, tra_ck, or/hipping, and all the means

qaernmentbefore-mentioned, that are neceffary or.ufeful for

_oouldbe

0.,,,-1 the profiperity,of the country, would, be well ma-

chargeable naged and laid to h._artby monarchmal rulers ; or

to Holland" -

on the contrary negk&ed and ruined by them.

lOits court. _or

Chap. 2. 51"heInterefl of Monarchs. 3 37

For the folution of this quef'6on, we ought to

confider, that fo fmall a country producing nothing

of its own for which foreigners bring money into

t-Iolland; and on the other rider being charged

with all the natural taxes mentioned in the third

chapter of the fir_ part of this book ; it would be

farther charged by a monarchical government, whole

family expences would yearly confume many mil-

lions. And it is alfocertain that the good inhabi-

tants, out of whofe purfes thofe rums muff be

fqueezed, would moreover at the fame time be fub-

e& to all manner ofuneafineffes, which neceffarily

attends a monarchical government, and are ex-

preffed in a book intitled, _-he Political Ballance

of V. H with many circumt_ances, fo that I fhall

be but fhort in relating them here.

It is acknowledged, that an intelligent prince .4.d_,oJd

will by all means endeavour to bring the great cities bah1_,,,

and qx.eak-

of Holland into fuch a ftate or condition, as to lord e,,gr,at

it over them without any controul ; and at the belt cities.

it would follow, that to weaken the power of the

old rulers and natives, fuch a fovereign would, as

much as in him lay, bring in new upftarts or fo-

reigners into the government; and would more-

\over continually favour the villages and fmaller

'cities, to the prejudice of the great and ftrong ones.

.And feeing neither the rulers nor inhabitants of _/,d _e,,?

fuch great cities could with any patience look .upon t/,,m i,,

a_oe _,ultb

their own ruin : He will therefore fill their garrifons caflle*i

with foreign troops to force them to bear it, at leaft

fo long as thole troops are too t_rong for the citi-

zens. And fince this would not give him fufficient

fatisfa&ion, and would betides be extraordinary

chargeable, he would therefore force fuch populous

cities by ere6ting citadels over them.

Thus the wife and abfolute 8panifh mot_archs, _¢,,_,t

fecond, knew no _ ._Charles the fifth, and Philip the h,,._, ten

better courfe to make thole great d a n oy pa

an tr dtg ctties nith mo-

Z of narchs,

_38 ffbe Interefl of Part III.

of Naples and Milan, Antwerp and Gent fubmit

to their yoke, than by forcing them with citadels.

Moreover we have feen, and may Rill fee in our

own days, that the late king of France going yet

A,dtb, further, and following the maxims of the famous

French. cardinal Richelieu, he intirely difmantled and bereft

of all ftrength that maritime and frontier city of

RocbeL And upon the fame motive Lewis the

fourteenth, inthe year 1667, having taken the two

trading and populous cities of Dornick and Riffel,

gave command immediately to overawe and curb

them with caries.

So that it is no wonder if the city of Amflerdam

in the year i571, being then about the bignefs of

200 morgens oracresof land, tho' the ru)ers thereof

were no lefs faithful to the king than otherzealous

Roman Catholicks were, gave occafion to the/'aid

$ee Vigl. Philip of Spain to intend to build a citadel there,

El,. _s6. becaufe of the flourifhing of their Eaffeln trade,

adHop-

l_ram, their populoufnefs, and formidable greamefs, or

apt fituafion to defend itfelf againR all foreign

power: but the king was movedto leave that earle

unbuilt, not fo much by the Amflerdammersoffering

him two hundred thoufandguilders for the building

of the caftle at Flufoi_g which was then beg_n, as

by reafon of the fudden troubles which loon after

enfued, with the lofs of the Briel and Flufoing,

when he had no more oecafion for the Amflerdam-

raers favour. And therefore 'tis not improbable,

tlko_tall that our lal_ captain general and _adthotder, fol-

p/,,_.Am-lowing there maxims of fovereignty, defigned in

lterdam theyear 16So to forcethe city of Amflerdam, which

,would

hwvekeenwas then enlarg'd to 600 morgens or acresof land

.,,,errt_e in circumference, and inhabited by three hundred

_ero/ thoufand fouls, by building a cafileon the I,'igen..

Ca_#lts. dam, and another on the VooJwyk.

But it very feldom happens that monarchs and

princea do rule by thcmf_lves, and not by o_ers;

there

Chap. o. Jlgonarchical Rulers. 330

there are alfo children, w_ak-brain'd, and old Guardia,s

doting perfons that bear the name of Rulers. fa`o°urite+

and ¢our.

and yet in erie&mutt be ruled by others ; and fuch tiers ,will

mon_chs and princes that are in the flower of their r/fie,_,,d

age, take greateft pleafure in fulfilling their fle/hly dr.,i,,tha

luffs: fothat while they are orphans, and old men, ,_eoph.

thole thax are their favouritesorguardians, whether

women, princes, or nobles, and fometimes cour-

tiers, whores and rogues, who minif_r- fuel for

their lord's or lady's debauches and lug, and fo

gratify their delights and pleafures, ufe to rule all.

And therefore it is reafonable to believe that all

.thereperfons, whether galardiansand favourites, or

minions and courtiers, that for rome time govern

the lznd inftead of_heir fovereign, do not in that .4,/,Jr

time wholly forget to enrich themfelves and their_,-th i,_t_,e

relations by all imv.gi_ablemeans, and many tim--politiek

• _ VVI_eg/lo

by rapine out of theeftates of the richtrading tuna- (tale vat

bitants. .All .whichbeing difcourfed at large in the V. H.

t_olitical Ballanceof V. H. I /hall not hear fpeak

of it in general, but go over in particular, and ex-

amine how much the manufa&ures, fitheries, traf-

tick., and navigation of Holland, and its depen-

dences, are likely to be prejudiced or improved by

a monarchical government.

And in the firfl: place I conceive, that neither

fuch rulers as do a&ually govern, whether men or

women, their guardians, favorites or courtiers,

princeffes or nobles, willregard or concern them-

felves in the leaft for the manufa&ures, fi/heries,

traffick or 0avigation, and whatdepends upon them:

for according to the calculation or number of the

few families of the courtiers, compared with 'all

thole of Holland, there are an incrediblenumber of

both honourable and profitable employments and

beneficesbelonging to the government ofthe popu-

lous countries, and great trading cities ; and there

courtiers would make them much more beneficial

gz for

34o The Interefl of Part III.

for themfelves than they now are, under pretence

that the monarch's revenues would thereby be im-

proved. Whereas indeed, when all the revenues

of the monarch are fumm'd up, the bellowing of

fuch profitable, yea and creditable offices, which

may always be made profitable, are therein in-

eluded. And therefore fuch guardians, favourites

and courtiers, being able ,to inrich themfelves and

their friendsafterthis manner, none will be £o for.

Courtierstifh as to feek their maintenance by an uncertain

_il/dr-,_egain, and with the danger oflofing all in that ever

notra¢_, laborious and anxiousway of merehandizing.

If they But fuppofing that the fovereign, or h_s guar-

- dtans, favourttes, courtz_rs, and their relations

_itt_ufl lhould leek their gain by marmfac2ures_fifheries,

_rei_,ceortraffick, and navigation, or what dependson zhem,

,'tgt,. _' they would then make fuah orders and laws by

their overfwaying power, or would manage ic fo

that it might tend to their own benefit, tho' all the

other tradinginhabitants ofHollandfhouldbethereby

prejudic'd.

Hollau- And betides it is certain,, that the rich, and na.

dersba- turally.ctownifh Hollanders, would not be foapt

•vinga na- tO gain the love and favour of our monarchs,

rural a-

_e_f_nto princes, or nobles, by courtly fervices, as the in-

courtflat- digent younger, and in_nious fonsof the French

teresa, and Englifb gentry, or the adjacent beggarly la-

borious, and flavifh Moffen, or Eafllanders;

who being a¢cuftomed to accof'c their lords and

gentry with great humility, and many flatteries,

and to ferve in their own country, are oft.times

compelled by poverty to forfake it ; and then by

hy introducing thole genteel foreign recreations,and

.4 D_tch debaucheries, as well as their flavi/h manneroffer-

prince,will vie.s, they endeavour to render themfelves accep-

e.ver,n- table to our monarchs : while, on the other fide a

t,rtainfo- monarch or prince of Holland would fooner and

l'tl_ngT$ to

tbtruinof more expe6t, that fuch indigent /trangers (who

Holland. would

Chap. 2. Monarchical Rulers. 3 4 !

would be indebted to him for all they have ofet_ate

and office, and which without his favour they could

not hold, as being an incroachment upon our pri-

vileges) fhould be always inclined to encreafe the

authority of the monarch, or prince, tho' to the

ruin of the commonwealth.

All which can'not be expecq:ed from natives who

are in the government or magiftracy of the land,

and are generally wealthy, and as fuch pretend to

a right to the laid governmest and magiftracy,

efpecially when their parents have ferved in the go-

Vernment. And then Holland will be continually

ruled and f_rved by foreigners, who have neither

by themfelves nor by their relations ever been in

any meafure concerned in the prot_erity ordecay of

the manufa&ures, fifheries, traffick and navigation,

_indtheir dependencies: fo that thole courtiers would,

and muff by all endeavours leek themfclves, tho'

to the negleCt, yea fubverfion of the foundations

of Holland's profperity, and the annihilation of the

commonwealth government; and accordingly we

may conclude, that the fame would certainly nap- Cburtbgao

perl. _aernratnt

As for the liberty of religion, or toleration, it is c_fiflingof

"r ig councils,

clear that under a monarchical government, l.t ._cla2_es and

aaot to be expeCted; for no bij_bop,no king, is aj)nods_ilt

common maxim. As it is certainly and ever very off_ndmo-

dangerous for kings, their minions and courtiers, narchs,as

..'O.1.. w;l/ _ellas the

to have fubjects, that under pretence of ,o-L ,-

• , . fmdomof

not be fubje& to the civil government m oemg, religion.

but affemble to order matters of weight by majo-See A.Coa

rity of votes : fo it is principally hazardous under a _ntes de

monarchical government; in affairs which in the jure ecde-

fial_ico-

highefl: degree concem all men, viz. religion, where rum.

the ecclefiafficks who oft times dare undertake to Beca_fda

demonfi rate that their fpiritual authority is deriv'd, prince

neither from the higher, nor fubordinate magiRracy _ouZd

be fllent at

of the land, would loon under pretext of fuch a_ x,',,,ta,_

Z 3 holy a._,,_b_.

342 if'he Intereft of Part III.

holy league draw in a number of difcontented, ig-

norant, indigent, and confequen'tly moil"feditiotl_r

perfons. So that if they are but refolved to coun-

tenance their difcontents againff:kings, their favou-

rites, &c. in their fermons and publick prayers_

they will foon invite into them a number of confi-

derable tho' poor mutinous people, that are inclined

to them as their hearers, who then term them nur-

ring fathers, and men of God, and fo appoint them

captains and fuperior officers to make head againfl:

their fovereign, his favourites and courtiers.

A_dt,3 But on the other fide, kings gain a great power

ha_,i,.g in matters of religion, and in the affe&ionof their

_i/_pspla-fubje&s, if by th_eirown authority they may place

ted and

"'"t,, ca" or depofe bithops or fuperintendant$ that may be

atjU, c oy

himfelf, chofen by them m all the parith churches in their

_.oyldac-dioceffes, viz. fuch paff:orsand preachers, as will

_,,rca and muff:teach the fubjec'l:that which beff:agrees

great

_o_,.,-_,.rwith the power of the monarch. Moreover, feeing

,_i,f,b- the bithops or parrots are not to have their peculiar

jean. church-councils under a monarch, fach kings and

princes may in care of difobedienceeafily and fud-

denly depoli:them.

Wherefore it is probably the main reafon why

under the Raraanand Grecianemperorsanepifcopal

or monarchicalgovernment wasevery where intro-

duced ; which afterwards by the papacy, and the

bithops, extendedto other freecountries northward.

And thus, in the preceding age, we foundthat king

l_;eh i, Philip II. of 8pain intended to affume a greater

_ani,,dar-monarchical power in there Netherlands by ne_¢

_p,._ed. bilhops of his own elec"tion. And at this day the

.Englifoproteff:antsthat are for regal government,

fee no means of preferring the king's monarchical

power by a prefbyterian church-council, or repub-

lican church government : fothat they did not only'

think fit in England now of late yearsto annul the

fame where it was t_t up in the late troubles, but

cvell

Chap. 2. Monarchical Rulers. 343

even in Scotland, where that government ftoodfirm

fince the beginning of the reformation, even again/t

the inclination of very many Engli/h, and all the

8cotifb nation almofl:, to ere& in lieu of a church-

council, a monarchical or epifcopal church-govern.

ment. And thus likewife in Germany at this day,

we fee that the proteltant pri_nceshave poffcf/ionof

the jura epifcopalia, all the power of the bifhops

whom they have calt out ; and none ofthofe princes

have fuffered or let up any church-councils, chili-

cal or fynodical affemblies independant of them.

And moreover we have in all ages under the pa-

pacy obferved, that epifc@al government Jsvery

dangerous in republicks; fo that the bilhops in

many places, efpecially in Germany, and in thefe

Netherlagds, where, at the time when the chriftian

faith was received, there was for the molt part a

free popular government, have been able, by littleBbt3op,art

and little, by their pretended holy fermons to the intolerable

in repub-

people, to make fo great a party among them, as//c_s,anal

to get the temporal government of cities and coun- ,n,,eh.'t-

tries ; and in other republicks, as Ragufa, IZenice,j;r.di,_

&c. there were manylawsmade againlt fuch biPnopsmonarch;-

- n ,, • calgo_ern-

to prevent the like ufurpation. _'ea amo g airthe

$witzers, German, or Netberlandi_ republicks, _'ts"

that have received the reformed religion, there isto

my knowledge not one of them that have not ex-

pelled their bilhops, and erected in _heir Read a

church-council, or republican ecclefialticalgovern-

ment, whereby the freedomof the republick might

be better preferved,

So that now we may conclude, that if the mo-

narchs of Holland, or their favourites and courtiers,

fhould introduce epifcopal government into the

church; we are to obferve that the bilhops who

are elected, and depofed by lhch monarchs and

princes, muff:needs have friends at court, and con-

tinually make more. And if fuch bilhops become

Z 4 not

344 ffhe Interefl of Part IIL

not the minions of the monarchs, and princes of

Holland, we may then well fuppofe that at leafl:

they will ufe all the intereft of theit"friends at court

to en_.argetheir own power, honour and wealth,

which would chiefly confl_ in this, that all the fub-

je&s fhould acknowledge and repute them for or-

thodox fpiritual fathers. And feeing it might very

well confifl:with the fupreme magiftrates intere_,

that the fubjec"tswho chiefly depend on him, be

revered by the inhabitants as holy and orthodox

perfons ; the bifhops might eafily by this meansob-

tain all that they defire of the fovereign tending to

that end : and then fuch bifhops would never ret_,

_ops are till they had procured a law to have all diffenters

entraiesto

otltote,a-from them in mattersof religion, tobeeither brought

rio,ofdif- over to their opinion and fa&ion, or banifhed the

Enters. country ; as we have had experience in former ages

under the bifhops, and may at this day fee it take

place every where. Infomuch that under them

there will never be any freedom of religion for dif-

renters, but only for the yews who indeed have

liberty for theirs, which they purchafe for money.

Moreover, tho' kings and princes by fuch chri-

ftian bilhops, fuperintendants, and political church-

councils depending oa them, feem to be fecured

againet the danger of chriftian preachers; yet fuch

is their aptnefs to raife/_ditions, that oft-times by

their licentious fermons, and publick prayers,.many

Pop;_ terrible changes might have been occafioned in that

princes government: as appears in the foregoing age at the

_illeaflly time of the holy league, for the Romifbreligion in

changethe • . •

or France, and m our nines m Scotlandand England,

,may _j . .

preaching by the holy covenant for the reformed rehglon. And

fludiedJer- therefore many proteftant kings and princes, efpe-

lrdons tnto

• cially thole whoown themfelvesheadsof the church,

readl,rga.,¢ •fi

at a_ and dl own the pope of Rome, did for theirgreater

je j'_ _, .....

lmm,Yies,fafety fir,d Jt convenJentto prohlb_t all pubhck ex-

ile. temporary fermons and prayers, and in lieu thereof

appointed

Chap. 2. Monarchical Rulers. 345

appointed others by their fovereign power to be read

verbatim.

This the political martyr, Cbarles I. king of"7"hls,was

begun in

England, had in part effecq:ed,by taking awaythe England

fabbath day's afternoon'sfermons, orchanging them _cr_afea

for the reading of the book of common-prayer, in Tran-

And as I have underftood, the proteftant prince offylvania,

ff'ran_ivania,_Ra'g_otzki,went yet further,"and, bYt,_a"at_'ly

advice of four of*his moil:learned, wifeand virtu-praalfd

OUSpreachers, having caufed rome fermons andi_,Mar-

prayers to be compofed fuitable to all occafions,covia.

which being afterwards examined by a fynodical

affembly, and judged by una_aimousconfent very

folid and edifying fermons and prayers; he laid

afide the vizard, and ordered that no other fermons

and publick prayers lhould be ufed, but that they

/hould have them word by word read to the peo-VideThu-

ple in the churches. As of antient times alfo in laity.1.all.

.Mu./'covia, where by command of the czar there 69.p. mihi

were rome old homilies of the G,'eek fathers fuiting 305..at.

all occafions tranflated into the Sclavonian tongue, _asof.7.

_la_v,

and upon occafion of war, famine, or plague, &c. partx.fol.

appointed to be read by his metropolitan ; fo that 7-

all the preachers there were compelled to ufe no

other prayers or ti:rmons, and forced to read them

verbatim.

Which maxim likewife very well fuks all the

monarchs and fupreme rulers in tlfia and llfricaA, da.

that are addi&ed to Mahoraetanifm, and therefore =o,gall

acknowledge neither pope nor any other head fu- Mahome-

perior to themfelves: for tho' that religion by reafontan#ri_,,,.

of the differing expofitors of the Alcoranis divided

into feveral fe_s, infomuch that the Moors, Turks,

Perfmns, &c. in that behalf do very much differ,

and hate and perfecute one another; and that the

Mabometan religion being a mixture or colic&ion

of the heathenifl_,judaic, and chriltian worthip, ac-

knowledge no facrifiees, and in lieu thereof each

re&

34.6 The Interefl of Part Ill.

re& feems to be maintained lay the publi ck fpeeches

or declarations of the priers or teachers ; vet it is

certain, there priers may do nothing in the cl_urches,

but ring rome well-known publick prayers, or read

the fame, or the ./llcoran to the peopie.

_ut never And on the contrary, I cannot remember that

yetinfre, any free republick of the chrifiian religion, fepa-

,hrifliau rated from the pope of Rome, and that by confe_

rqublidu, quence hath acquired the fupreme right and power

about the publick order of ecelefiaftical affairs, ever

prohibited extemporary publick prayers and fer-

mons, and in lieu thereof caufed any £et form of

prayers, or fermons to be read "verbatim.

M,,,areb_ As to liberty for all foreigners to dwell in HoL

ewill e.,ter land, and live by their trades, and alfo to be taken

*_ into all places or employments of the government _,

re;gners in

their I muR acknowledge it would prove an acceflion of

gO" • °

werment, Rrength to a king or fupreme head, and his favou-

rites and courtiers: and therefore we ought to con-

ceive, that under a monarchical government Rrangers

would be every where placed in the government ;

as heretofore thofe of Haynault, Burgundy and

Flanders, under *.he government of the earls, and

_theGerman, French and Englifh, under the captains-

general, or Radtholders of Holland, have had the

greatefl employmentsin thecountry Butthatthistends

/.o. . to the benefit of manufa&ury, fifhery, commerce

toe ruttt _ ,_. .

of trade, ann mtppmg, I cannot imagine ; but on the con-

trary, it is eafier .to believe, that thole Rrangers_

whether favourites or courtiers, having_any employ_

ment in the militia, law, civil government, trea-

fury, as captains of foot and horfe, colonels, go-

vernors of cities and forts, fchouts, bailiffs, &c.

would ufe all their power to rob the richer trading

inhabitants, upon one pretence or other, of their

wealth, and thereby enrich themfelves with the

fweat and blood of other men. For becaufc there

indigent lavifla new upRarts will have need of it

every

Chap. 2. Monarchical Rulers. 347

every where, therefore it is certain they wilt feek

it where it.is to be had, and fo they may eafily

borrow, or take it from unarmed people. And it

is alfo certain, that the laid Rrangers will not refl:

till they have broken down, and deftroyed both _d_e

the fubftance and thadow of the ftate$ manner oft,./t,,,ale_

government, to the end that in time to come they ofthego-

might not be fubje&ed to any punilhment for their ee,,moa

_ /_t,,.

crimes, and deftroying the libelxy of the country,

and turned out of their ill-gotten employments.

As concerning the freedom of all inhabitants to Mo,,arcblu

let up their trades every where in Holland, without t,_,,_,

moleRation from the burgers, fele&companies,and rtwaoP°lie*"

guilds _ this is not at all to be expe&ed under a mo-

narchical government. For every one knows, that

at court all favourh privileges and monopolies, are

to be had by friendlhip, or elfe by gifts and con-

tta&s, for the king's profit, and that of the favou-

rites and courtiers. This isanepidemical evil, and

in continual vogue in all prince_courts, not oneex-

cepted ; fo that there needs no proof of it. But

yet I confersthat no grants by patents of fo great

companies as our Weft-India company have been,

and our Earl-India company t_ill is, would be to-

lerableunder a monarch ; fothat thegrants of both,

for thefe and many other reafons, would he voided

or annulledbeforethe governorsor members thould

arrive to he fo powerful as now they are. And then

thole monarchs would make money of thofe grants

again, by felling them to others to make new and

weaker companiesof, andfo make more money of

the newgrants or charters, than they could do by

continuing the old o_es. . U,_er,,

Moreover, as to the charging of convoy-monles,/;,, t,-o.

and cuf'comsupongoods with fuch moo.erauon a_fininHol-

prudence, that our manufa&ures, fifheries,traffickland,cuJ:

and navigation, may be thereby increa_d'; it is*°_ _,_Z/

& ,utt,j

apparent that this cannot be expe&ed under a too-,_.d,

narchical _g

348 7"be Interefl of Part III.

narehical government: for feeing kings with

their favourites and courtiers, have good reafon to

fear, that the profperity of fuch manufa&ures,

fifheries, commerce and navigation, with the nu-

_'ol_ merous advantages arifing thereby, will caut_ fuch

tbegrtat- mighty and flourifhing cities, as could not eafily

,,cAof be forced by a fovereign and his courtiers, there-

tktircitie_, fore they will endeavour to keep them as low and

mean as poffible.

For monarchs and their courtiers, in lieu of

affe_ing the welfare of manufacq:ures,fiflaeries,

traffick and navigation will envy the moil: fortu-

nate owners of freight-/hips, merchants and tra-

ders, becaufe by their hone_ gain and riches they

obfcure the lul_re and pomp of the court and gen-

try, and becaufeall that they force from the mer-

chant and owners of freight flaips for convoy-mo-

_dintbe hey and cu_oms, can prefently be put into the

_tantime king's or their own purfe, and not _ by a general

l_gt/,_ impofition, equally burdening all the inhabitants

c_omsin-alike: fo that it is not ftrange, if under all mo-

t0t_ir

c_- narchs it be affirmed as a good political maxim,

/'_s. that no impofitions arele_ hurtful than thofe that

are laid upon goods imported and exported, be-

caufe they are for the moil:part borne by ftrangers,

and therefore all goods coming in, or going out,

are unreafonably charged ; as it appears in Spain,

Portugal, France, Sweden, and alfo in there pro-

vinces, there being f_ill a remainder of our rigo-

rous government. It was the like alfo formerly

in England: but fince the lafl: troubles there have

in fome meafure increafed the power of parlia-

ments, and oonfequently of the people, fuch du-

ties are confiderably abated, and were with great

circumfpe&ion impofed on merchandize, anno

,660.

tl, ajufl;ce We are much le_ to expe& under a monarchical

_ould be

eo,,,,pt,d government, that laws and ju_ice will be better

tberel_, framed

Chap. 2. Monarchical Rulers. 349

framed to the benefit of the commuDity, and ef-

pecially of the merchant: for (as was formerly

laid) betides that the rich merchants will be pil-

laged and exhaufced by thofe rulers, or at leafl:

envied and hated by them ; the rulers, fchouts and

bailiffs, have moreover fuch friends at court, that

they publickly fell jufdce, and none that are

wronged dare complain of them. Yea, feeing all

laws and judgments are made and pronounced in

the king's name, and according to his pleafure ;

we cannot therefore expe& under fuch a goverm-

ment, but that all things will be carried for the

ben_r of the fovereign and his courtiers, &s the

fcripture.teaches us, that a prince a/ks not fo loon

what his tuff di&ates, but the .judge as ,'eadily

granteth it, that they may do evil with both hands. Micah7-

So that it is no wontle_, if in all monarchical go-

vernment_ thefe verfes be found true, which were

made oy one Owen.an Engli]hraan :

_ud?cibus plus quarajuri j_uduiffe juvavlt,

Hos tibi _uam leges conciliato prius.

&nd if any one will alledge, that this tends no

more to the prejudice of a monarchy than of a re-

publick, let them pleafe to confider, whether all

the monarchical cities belonging to the Hollanders,

as Culen_rgh, Vyanen, 2ffelflein, &c. do not fo

pra&ife their juffice to the prejudice of the mer-

chants of Holland, as that they might be aptly re-

fembled to _4lgier, g'ripoli, _funis, 8allee, &c. WTurtof

yet with this difference, that thofe pirates being Cule**o

inhabitants there, do take the goods of the Dutch burgh,

by force, and carry them away as good and 1awful Vyanen,

&¢. are

prize. Whereas onthe other fide, our inhabitants, _,s _,_-

o1" t_rangers, having by fraud gotten fome mer-#a ¢_.

chants goods into their power, can fecure them in _mp/u_r

their own monarchical cities, to the prejudice of H°lland.

the

350 _he Inter_q of" Part IlL

the honef_Hollander, they givi0g but rome part of

their treacherousbooty to the fervants of juf_ice.

But in both cafes, whether by force at £ea, or by

deceit, and fuch undue countenance or protection

given to caheatsby land, the Holland merchants

are equally lure to lore their goods. And there-

fore we have no reafon to expe¢_ an amendment in

jufiice und_ the government of a tingle perfou

or monarch, to the benefit of ttg trade of the in-

habitants in general.

F,-u,coco- And tho' colonies would be very ufeful for too-,

,ties made

/_,,__ narchs, thereby to eafe themfeDes of their dif-

,,,_rch,.a,,acontentedpeople, which daily increafe by their

left defen. rigorous government ; yet is it true, that the old

dd. monarchical lands are thereby more depopulated,

and improve not fo much by foreign traffick and

navigation _ republlcks ufe to do. Betides, ge-

nerallykit_gsand princes are too indigent and in-

conftant, and of too fl_ortlive, to be at thole lath-

ing expences often required in ere&ing colonies.

And when fuch colonies are planted, if they be

not ffrong enough to defend themfelv,es agalnfl:

any foreign power, it is not rationally to be ex-

pe&ed that the ir_digent, mutable, and martal

prince will out of his o.wnpurfe prote& fuch fo-

reign colonies by raft expences, and continual care

for the common good of his people, and to the

prejudice of his eourtiers: fo that the fame, for

the mopepart, under fuch a government woukt

fall to ruin, a_d tend to the great lofs of the inha-

bitants.

_'/,i,-_;, Again_ which rcafons it cannot rationally be

_otrd_ted°bje_;ed' that the POrt.uguefe,Span@ and Englifo

/,_tbc"lgor-eotordesin the Indies have had better pro_efs aaxl

tog-A,Spa.fucce/_ than ours ; and confequently, that repub-

niih_ licks are neither fo inclinable, nor fit for file

Englilhco-

to,,ie,, plaming and preferring of colonies, as monarchies

are; feting ttxofemonarchshave borne little or no

cMrggs

Chap. 2. Monarchical Rulers. 3S:

charges towards the planting and defending of Stei_z

them. :h_ too-

But in anf,ver to this, we may with truth affirm, ,,archs

havoc cou.

that the fubje&sof the laid monarchs are governed tributed

with more fevel'ity in their native country, than"oerylit:le

in the Indies. .And moreover, the people .inloth_co-

thole colonies enjoying every where a greater free-/on/**.

dora to plant lands, and exercife traffick, than in

their own cour_try, they are excited alone by that,

and not put into any better capacity to ere& or

improve fuch colonies, by the acCtor favour of

their prince.

It is likewife certain, that the inhabitants ofo.rrn,1;,

Holland enjoy a much fofter or milder govern-co_p_.ie,

merit than they do in the Indies, where our privi- o,,:yh.._e

hindred tb#

leged companies, by their tingle generals aridgo_e_ai.gq"

vernours, do rule over rome particular cities ana ,olo.iu.

lands with a monarchical feverity, and oft-times

defpotically _ not by way of laws, _nd general

commands, but by feparate or different commands

and declarations: and moreover, they have there

the trade to themfelves, with exclul]on of all the

other inhabitant_. So that it appears, that this

letting and incumbring of our colonies in the In-

dies, ought not to be afcribed to the freegovern-

ment of Holland, but to thole privileged compa-

nies, and their monarchical government, as alfo

to the monopolies in thole parts; or etfe to the

prince of Orange, or his deputies of the generality.

by following whofe counfel or command the/4:'e#-

ITtdia company have fo weakned themf_lves, that

they have not been able to maintain that colony

they begun.

All that has been fad being found true under a _'bef_a

monarchy, and well apprehended, I fuppofe none_ou_,,ot

will be fo foolifh as to believe, that kings or their .t aabe

favourites and courtiers, will out of their own./?°*'`/.

purfes let out lhips to clear thet"cas,for the benefit

35 z The Interefi of Part IIL

of the merchant ; I fay, out of their own purfes :

for t_eing all that is by monarchs levied from the

filbjec"t, comes into their own purfe, to manage as

they pleafe ; and thofe rums go not into the pub-

_ecauf, lick rreathry, wherein no perfon has a particular

th_ prin-intereff, but muff be employed only for the fer-

_t,_ula' vice of the country ; the difference between mo-

gi.oeno narchies and republicks is in this refpec"t fo great,

tnoncyout

0/their that none can fhew us any monarch that ever kept

_w=pur- the teas clear, only for the benefit of the mer-

fi,- chant. On the contrary it is certain, that during

See chap.*

part z. our t_adtholders government, when we poffeffed

a thadow of freedom, the monies that were re-

ceived of the merchant, applicable only for clear-

ing the leas, were very often wrefted from tho

admiralties tbr the ufe of unneceffary land armies,

and not to the profit of Holland nor the merchant,

while in the interim the honeft inhabitants lhame-

full] loft their thips at fea.

But Hol- Laffiy, It is evident, that monarchies of them-

land_°uldfelves are more fubje6t to wars than republicks,

bee.oer./ai-

ling into whether by inheritances, or to fecure their rela-

,u,a,_. tions, or to affift them in the conquel_s of foreign

countries. And moreover, there princes and cap-

tains-general are much more inclined to war than

* republicks: infomuch, that they often are the

_ggreffors, or pick a quarrel to make glorious

conquers ; and at the fame time by their forces,

which they have in readinefs, they caufe all their

great cities to be curb'd and made to bow to them

with the greateft humility, or to render themfelves

fo neceffary to their republick or _ate, that they

cannot be difb:mded.

And

* Quod fi regum, atque imperatorura animi vlrtus in pace

ira ut in bello valeret, mquabiliu_ atque conltantius fefe res

human_e haberent, neque aliud alio ferri, mutari, & mifceri

omnia cerneres. $all,fl.

Chap. _. Monarchical Rulers. 3 _3

And as to alliances with foreign nations and Ma_t b,,a

potentates, it is clear, that if Holland were go-alliance,.

yet'ned by a tingle peffon, or his favourites and

courtiers, he might eafily, either by ambition or

foreign coin, be moved to make very hurtful of_

fenfive alliances: tince fuch a tingle governor of

Holland would for his great naval power upon all

occations be fought to by countries and potentates

far and near for that end.

Laffiy, a king, or prince of Holland, would_l,,ieo.tl.

not haffen his own ruin, by fortifying the great ,,.e ..for-

cities of Holland, and exercifing their inhabitants tiflda.d

•undifcipli-

in arms, to repel other forces as well as his own "ned.

whereof, I fuppofe, I have fpoken fufficiently. WV,id,'our

But in care any man thould yet doubt of this, I e..rl,ha_e

/hall affirm, that formerly our earls have demo- taughtus,

by razing

liflaed many of the caffles and ftrong holds of the thecaflle,

gentry, even when the firength of Holland con- of the

fii_ed in them. And further, to break thegent,y,

t_rength of the gentry, in whom only (conjointly

with the earls) the lawful government of this re-

p.ublick firf_ confil'ted, they have from time to

time, and efpecially fince the year xzoo, built

feveral cities in Holland, and given freedom to the And/y

inhabitants of certain places and towns of the ad- raifl,g d-

jacent open countries, or even to foreigners, who tie*_here.

. Sy the in-

Would come and dwell in thofe cities, and nave habitants

freed them when they had dwelt therein a year m;ghtbe

and a day, from the vaffalage they were under to ableto

their lords, or even to our own gentry ; and like- curbthe

wife freed fuch inhabitants from all taxes due to gentq"

the earls, and from the jurifdi_ion of bailiffs

with their afr_ants, and other perfons, and from

the domination of others. And thole earls did,

ef.pe.cially in thole days, indulge the laid cities, by

gtvmg them privileges, viz. that their fchouts,

and fchepens fl_ould be free of thofe cities, and

that they fhould make their own laws and Pcatutes

A a for

_94 7rbe Interefl of Part III.

for all their freemen ; according to which the

fad inhabitants (by their fellow.citizens, fchouts

and fchepens, with thole who were before chofen

by tile earl according to his pleafure, or out of a

great number of men nominated to him by the

people) were ro have juftice done them.

And tho' thole burgers did moreover continue

roarers of their own money, provifion and arms,

and by virtue of that natural equity did, with the

inhabitants, chufe by plurality of voices, rome of

the freemen their own counfellors and burgo-maf-

ters, to order and govern the government, trea-

fury and militia of their own city _ yet the inha-

./t,d not bitants of the cities might not, tho' at their own

tbecttiestocharg e, fet up gates and walls to preferve their

6e.wall'd. cities, but with the fpecial favour and privilege of

the earls, which wa_ obtained commonly againfl:

their own true interelt, by giving money to thofe

lavilh and indigent earls, whofe defign was not

to fl:rengthen thole cities, as the cattle., of the gen-

try had been, but to bring the old powerful gentry

to their bow, by the number of thofe inconfider-

able freemen.

And hence proceeded the difference between

walled and unwalled cities in Holland, asalfo that the

earls of Holland being afterwards jealous of their

walled cities, by reafon of their increafing power,

thro' this freedom, did totally burn and dePcroy

11uee,beatVroonen, Gafpaarn, Luick, &c. and pull'd down

eaw,,tbei,.the gates of Ulrecbt, Delft, Uj]elfleyn, .4lkraaer,

•walls. &C. with fpeeial command to the citizens never

to let them up again. And this is that which

Pontus Heuterus, a friend of thofe earls and

princes, did acknowledge of our earl Charles of

of Burgundy, namely, * that fie as earl of Flan-

d_s had firmly refolved t3 make of that _eat

and

* Decreveratex urbeGandavo oppldu',-mfacer¢.Rerunt

_IujPriac. p 45"

Chap. u. Monarchical Rulers. 35S

and potent city of Gent, a very weak and fmall

town, that it might not oppofe its earl any more.

Wherefore I again conclude*, that Holland by fuch

a monarchical government, according to the tru_

interefl: of fuch a head, will not be more fcrength-

ned, but rather weakned, and bereft of its _rength.

C H A P. III.

Wherein is examined, whether the reafons al-

ledged in the two preceding chapters, receive

any condqrmation J_om experience.

A V I N G thus laid before you the true inte-

refi of the republican and monarchical go-

vernments, relating to manufa&ures, fi/heries, traf-

tick, and/hipping, and their dependencies ; it is ne-

ceffary that we relate hiftorically what hath happened

as to thole maxims of our l_ate, both in republican

and monarchical governmems, that fo the reader

may fee, whether our former reaf_nings can be con-

firmed by experience. In order to this, it is very

neceffary to obferve, that to the belt of my know-

ledge, merchandizing, and the general ftaple of

traffick, and publick exchange-banks were never

found, or continued long under a monarchical or

princely government. Sothat manufactures, fi/h-

cries, traffick and navigation have thriven very

little in thofe monarchical lands of Amer, ca, Aria._ifl_

and/tfrica, and that the great and t_rong cities oithat t,a

_hofe/ands have been enlarged by the refidence of./;:_h_,

great monarchs courts, and confcquently by the ex- tb,i.ocn

hauling, plundering, and fackir,g of all adjacent little in

• t_b- America

countrzes, whether of enemies, or their own u Aria,,nd

jec"ts. Which we may perceive by the citits ofat'rica.

Cufco, 9_jito, and Mexico, &c. in America; as Seeacol_a

alfo in the ,4fiatick great cities of 7apan, China, oft+e_iti_,

.PerJia, India; and laftly, by Morocco, F_z, _e-i,,Am¢.

rica.

A a a rt,f,d,m,

_56 _rade basflouri./hed moil Part III.

• he atlas rufalem, Ninive, Cairo, and other great cities on

ofJ.Blaw,the coat"tsof Europe, or in Aria and Africa.

a_d P.

Martinus Moreover Hiftory tells us, that the flower of

of China. the traffick of thefe mighty countries is no where

An_notatfound but in republicks, as Sydon, 7"yre,Carthage,

all but in Banda, Amboyna, $¢e. and that traffick hath ex-

rq,bticks,ceedingly flouri/hed in thole lands, only fo long

as theyenjoyed their freegovernment. But becaufe

there three fir placesare known to be the firecand

moff antient trafficking citiesof the world, I/hall

therefore fpeak particularly of 8ydonandTyres fup-

poring it will not difpleafe the readerto touch on

them, feeing thole matters are not much known

abroad, and yet are very ufeful to confirm what

we haveadvanced.

Sydonbeing acity in Syria, upon a coaft abound-

ing with ill]a, and good havens, tho' without ri-

vers, built bySydona grandfon of Chain, who was

fon to Noab, was in the earliefttimes that we have

G_- ,o. anynotice of,a merchantile or traffickingcity, which

according to the _Jewi/bcomputation of time, was

-_in the year 2500 after the creation of the world ;

Jolh.t,. and in the rime of _ofhua was fo improved, that

it was termed, thegreat city of Sydon. And it ap-

Judg.,8. pears that 22o yearsafter, viz. in 8ampfon'stime,

it was a very plentiful, lh'ong, and well fortified

city, whole inhabitants lived in profound peace and

fafety in a free republick, having no king or fo-

vereign head over them, which might have weak-

tied them. And about _lo years after 8arapfon,

the Sydonianswere much commended by Homer for

great artifts.

Ira. 23. Aud that Sydonafterwardsin the time of the pro-

Ezek. ,6. phet lfaiab, and Ezekiel (who lived the firft about

z7, zS. 18o years after Homer, and the laf'c about z25

years after Ifaiab) was very famous for her trat:-

tick, we may fee in their prophecies. Now this

city of Sydon havir_gflourilhed above x500 years,

and

Chap. 3. under Repul_lican Governments. 357

and raifed many colonies, k was about the year

3590 after the creation, befieged by Atrtaxerxes

Ocbusking of Perfia, with a mighty land army,

300 galleys, and 500 fhips of burden by fen, till

they were betrayed by the chief head of the repub-

lick Tennis, as alfo by their general Mentor. So Asfl_

that the Sydonians feeing no way to efcape, and a#at si-

bearing a deadly hatred to a general flavery or don,,w&,

monarchy, they let their own city on fire, wherein it was a

40o0o of their inhabitants perifhed; and the kin_frug °-

• -- .... _ q,,'8_tttto

of Per/ia fold the rubbffh of this mcre&blyrich Diod. Sic.

city for many talents. And yet we read in _. 1.t6.

Curtius, that 8ydon about 25 years after, became

very confiderable again ; whenas the head of the Butu_ger

republick Strato, having firRjoined with Darius itshealsof

king of Perfia, was afterwards compelled,by the therepub.

people toyield up theplace to Alexander theGreat, l,,kit f_.

• • ertd much

who m the room of Strato let u_ an mconfiderable_ - •

• r , .[nit. 1. tt

perfon called Abdalonimus,giving him power of

life and death.over thecitizens.

But in regard Alexander loon :ifierdied, and his

monarchy wasforent and divided under his feveral

chief commanders, that moft of all tee republieks

by him conquered, recovered their freedom; we

may therefore fuppofe the Sydoniansdid the fame: Strabolib.

for 8trabo, who lived about 340 years after, fays, *. Geog.

that Sydonwas in all refpe6tscomparable to Tyre in

greamel_, tkill in navigation, and many other fci-

ences and _rts relating to traffick. And in regard

he writes at large ofthere two cities at once, ixmay

be underftood of the Sydonians, who are by him

fpoken of in common, tho' with more regard to

thole of Tyre, viz. That they were not only left to

their freedom in the time of the old kings of Phw. Lib.:6.ib.

nicia, and had their own governmer_t; but that

under the Romans, by giving a fmatl rum of mo-

ney, they preferred their liberr.y.

A a 3 During

358 _l'rade bas f, ourifhed moil PartIlI.

During the reign of the Roman emperors there

was little mention of 8ydon, nor yet in the time of

the Saracens afterwards, or of the ChrifHan kings

of Syria, fare that that city was taken, fometimes

It loftall by one, and fometimes by another, 'till at laft with

its t,.a& their hereditary prince, formerly tributary to the

lyfea, Saracens, and the Marnalukes of Cairo, they were

,,uJbenit

i"}"" uoon thefame conditionsbroughtunder themo-

ll/./r/_Ir_.

a monarchnarchy of the 'Turks, about the year of Chrifl:

J517.

And tho' fince its old flourifhing ihte, viz. about

the year 6oo after ChrifPs birth, the filk-worms in

thole parts, and afterwards the Turkifh yarn came

to be known ; fo that now much filk is found

there, and in the adjacent places of Begbafar and

/lngori, much of the yarn of goats-hair is fpun, and

therefore they are able to fet up a much more con-

fiderable traffick and navigation, by means of the

manufac"turies and fifl_eries : yet on the other fide

it is certain that 8ydon now yields no manufac"tures

of their own, nor fhips, nor traffick, becaufe the

inhabitants under the prefent monarchical govern-

ment could not peaceably poffefs their wealth, and

follow their trades ; infomut:h that mo_ of their

traffick in raw filk is now driven by ftrangers, who

have their own confuls, and are always ready to

depart from thence, when by the government they

find themfelves too much oppreffed : and it is faic[,

that there are continually at leat_ 200 French factors

that refide there to manage that important filk

trade.

_'yre lying within fixteen Englifh miles of 8ydon,

was firt_ built upon the continent ; from whence

the inhabitants fled to an ifland lying within a quar-

ter of a mile of it, to withdraw themfelves from

the attempts of the Ifraelites who were then pof-

feffirg the land of Canaan under the condu& of

_ofhuas where they built _'yre, who by taking of

the

Chap. 3. under Republican Governments. 35 9

the purple fiOawhich wele mof_ly in thole leas, and At Trrus

thereupon dealing in the dying of purple, making t,.aJi.d_.:ct

orgarments otter the manner oI'lyre, ant1 tratncK-/lourT/bed

ing or ufing navigation, became fo famous during_o lo_g_",,,_'t

their free government, as you may fee in the holy l_eptit,frtt

fcriptures, where Tyre is laid to be a crown ofe_o',,-

,,_Ott.

glory, or pearl of cities, and her merchants princes, Jolh. x9.

and her traders the noblegt of thole lands. That

city and the traffick thereof, is likewife mentioned Ira. z3.

by Ezekiel, of whole ruin he likewife prophefied, l_,,ek.,b.

which happened after it had flourifhed 880 years, z6.27,_8.

about 3360 years after the creation ; at which time

the king of Babylon, Nebuchadmzzar, after thirteen

years fiege, took tile laid city and deft:toyed it.

We read alfo, that about this time the men of

ff'yre had in their republick two officers called Su]r-

fetes, or yearly burgomat_era and rulers, who ferved

in the chief magiflEracy: and that this republick

loon after got its head above water again; for

about the year of the world 36,.,a, and when about

255 years were expired,viz.in the timeof,4lexander

the Great, it was accordi_g to _ Curtius, and 0<.CUrt.I.

Diodorus 8iculus, the greatet_ and mo_ renowned 4. Diod.

city of all Syria ; and fo eonfiderable in refpe& of Sic"

its navigation, that the people and council of ff'yre

had the courage to repulfe that vic2orious comman-

der from their city, which in no lel_ than feven

months fiege, and incredible oppofition, was at

]aft overpowered and burnt, and almoft all the in-

habitants were ei'her deftroyed or fold. Neverthe-

l'_fsthe men of Tyre, in a flaort time after the death

of Alexander the Great, t'.y means of their ol.t free

government, diligence and frugality, arrived to

th.-ir former power an:t riches. We likewife ,-eadJult 1.18.

ia Strabo, that this city of Tyre during their rcpub- Strab.

lican government, and in the procefs of 35o years Geogr.

1. s6.

after, arrived at its antient lufLre and riches, by

m,.a is of traffick and navigation.

A a 4- And

3 60 7"rade has flourifhed moil Part III.

And tho' the emperor 8eptimue8e_erus about

x7° years after lacked the city of _'yrus, and de-

molilhed it, yet Ulpianus about thirty years after

this tellsus, namely about 220 years after Chrift,

Dig.1._a." That _yre, his native city, was an ally of the

Tit.,5.1. t +' Roman empire, and was very confiderable and

" mighty for war. And that they of _'yre had

" obtained of the emperor Alexander 8fverus, the

" right of the free citizens of Italy; and according

" as a free ffate had power of chufmg and making

XOert_at " their own lawsand magiftrates. And to this

_loA'dZ day _'yre hath been expofed to all the fame ac-

s,r,,_¢z,cidents by monarchical governments, which thofe

lands were fubje& to in the following times of the

8aracens, Chriflians, and _urks, which we before

mentioned at 8ydon: fo that _yre is now inhabited

by almofl:none but ttrangers and merchants, who

for fome fmalltime refide there; among whom are

many Frenchmenthat deal in filk.

O.Curt.1. .And thus we fee thefe two republicks loft their

4- Strabo.trafiick and navigation, not by wars or earthquakes,

Lz6. by which they were more. than once overthrown

and mined ; but by the lofs of their free govern-

ment, whereas otherwife they as often refettled

themfelves. And in what condition thole two ci-

ties are at this time, we may be inform'd by the

Asisf_e_travels of that worthy Englifh writer Sandys, who

/,?,.Sanayslays, " That the Emer, or hereditary prince of

_. zo9, to oyaonana -ayre, was lprung trom me Oldt'rencu

it+. " that wentthither with theChrifl'ian king Godfrey

" de Bouillonto conquer the holy land; who be-

" tides feveral taxesand impofts he exa&ed of his

" fubje&s¢,takes the fifth part of their revenue."

_nd tho' he takes for cuftom but three per cent.of

foreign merchants for their imported andexported

goods, yet we mayeafilyobferve how little traffick

and navigation can profper there, feeing, as Mr.

$andyslays, " The laid Chril_iantributary prince,

named

Chap. 3. under Republican Governments. 36

•_ named Facardyn, keeps continually in his fer-

,c vice forty thoufand foldiers, and lately, viz. in

" i611, caufed falfe Holland lion dollars to be

" coined, and made them pa/_current in receipts

•' and payments as if they had been made of

" good alloy ; and thatit is ufualwith him to feize

,c the goods of merchants that die there, yea even

" the goods of foreign fa_Lors,fo that the right

•' owners, or inheritorscannot get them out of his

'_ hands, unlefs they agree to pay him half the

" value. And betides, thofe cities are wholly un-

•' fortified, having only a cattle for the prince to

" keep his court in." It is not therefore to be

wondred at what 8andys lays, " That there two

" cities are fo ruined, that they fcarce retain a

•_ fhadow of their antient grandeur and renown

" therefore they deferve to have no more laid of

,' them."

I thould leave off here_ but that I forefeeit will

be objeEted, That 8ydonhad _:ertainlyone fupreme

vifible head of their republick. And betides, the

kings ofTyrus are by facredand profane hiitory re-

prefented as very famous: from whence we may

conclude, thatfuch agovernment very wellcot fires

with the flouri/hing of trade and navigation. I

I anfwer, that the laid hiftories do clearlyinform

us, that the laidfovereign princesof Sydon, namely

Tennis, Mentor and Strato, were in their refpec-

tire times the ruin of Tyrus. And as to the king

whom Diodorus 8iculus, and ,4rrianus report ia

in their hi_ories to have been in Tyrus when Alex-

ander the Great befieged that city, the learned af-

firm, that 'tisa mil_ake, and muff be underftood

of Sydon, and itslai°tgovernment.

And that we may clearly expound what the holy

fcripture fpeaks of the kings of Tyre, without con-

tradi&ing what I affirmof their being a free ttate,

I/hall tranflatea paffageout of the 16th book of

tha_

36_ Trade has jqourilhed moil Part III.

that authentick writer Strabo ; and the rather, fince

I conceive that the fiate of there two republicks are

there well exprefs'd. " Next to Sydon, Tyre, lays

he, " is the greateft and oldefl: city of Phoenicia,

" may be compared with it for largene/_, beauty

" and antiquity, and is famous in many hit_ories.

" And tho' poets extol Sydon more, yea and/'o far,

"' that Homer m_kes no mention of Tyre at all ;

•' yet is Tyre by its colonies extending as far as

•' _frica and Spain, without the t_raits of Gibral-

" ter, become more famous. So that there cities,

•' both now as well as of antient times, are fo emi-

" nent for gallantry, luftre, and antiquity, that at

•' this day it is unqueftioned which of themoughtto

•' be accounted the chief city of Pheenicia. Sydon

•_ lies on a lea-haven, on the continent ; but Tyre

•' is an ifland, and is almot_ as well inhabited as

"_ Aradus ; it is joined to the continent by a bank

"_ .or caufey made by Alexander when he befieged

•_ this city. It has two havens, one of which was

" called the inclofed haven, the other named the

_ Egyptian, or open haven. It is faid, that the

•' houfes here have more l_ories than thole at Rome,

" and therefore that city was fometimes well nigh

" deftroyed by earthquakes, as k was by Alexander.

•' But it overcame all thole difa_ers, and ret_ored

" it fell by means of its navigation, wherein, as

" alfo for its purple dye, thot_ of Pheenicia ex-

" ceeded all other nations. The purple of Tyre

" is accounted the bel_, and that filhery lies very

" near them, as do ail the other neceffaries for

" dying; and tho' the great numberof dyers made

•' the city uneafy to other inhabitants, yet they

" were thereby enriched. They did not only un-

'_ der their kings preferve their own free _ate, and

" power of making what laws they pleaf=d, but

" alfo among the Ramans, who for a fmall tri-

" bute eftabhflaed their council. Hercules isextra-

" vagantly

Chap. 3" under Republican Governments. 363

•' vagantly honoured by them. How powerful

"' they were at lea, appears by their numerous and

6, large colonies." So much of _yrus.

" The 8ydonians are famous for their manifold

" and excellent arts, whereof Homer alfo fpeak-

"¢ eth ; they are moreover renowned for their phi-

" lofophy, aftronomy and arithmetick, having

" begun it upon obfervations and failing by night :

"' for thole two arts are proper for traffick and

" navigation. Igs laid the Egyptians found out

" the meafuring of land, which is needful to fec

"' limits and bounds to every man's ground, when

" the overflowing of the Nile deltroys the land-

" marks. It is believed, that this art came to

"* the Greeks from the Egyptians, as the Grecians

" learned afl:ronomy and arithmetick from the

"' Pbtenicians ; and all the other parts of philo-

*' fophy may be fetch'd out of thole two cities:

(' yea if we may believe Po2_idonius, that ancient

•¢ learned piece (de .4totals) concerning the indi-

" vifible parts of all bodies, was written by Mof-

" thus a Sydonian, who lived before the ¢£rojan

"' war. But I thall let there old things pal_ and

"' fay, that in our time Boethius, with whom we

"' prac2i/_d/lriflotle'J philofophy, and his brother

"' Diodorus, both exceller,t phi!ofophers, were

"' 8ydonians. tlntipater was of _yrus, as alfo

" /lpollonius, a little befole our time, who made

" a catalogue or lift of all the philofophers, and

" of the books of Zeno, and of all them that

"' followed his philofophy." Thus far Strabo.

I lhall now turn to the other republicks of _qa ;

amongt_ which thole fma]l iflands of Banda and

gtrabv),na are very remarkable, becaufe they were

formerly governed in an ariftocratical manner by

the moil. confiderable inhabitants of thole refFe&ive

iflandsl which t_uring that government drove fo

great a trade in their fpices, of cloves, mace, nut-

ITIegs )

.............................. _.-_--.-- _.m_-- _ _..._._-_ m_ N _ .

364 7"rade has flourijhed moil PartlII.

Grot. megs, and the return and dependencies of them,

ft.!.,,S. that tho' the third part of the fpiceswerenot carried

.e ,no_. by lhinping to Calicut, that great ftaple or ftore-

ants .or J _-

Bandaani houfe of lndia; and being fold, were carried to

AmboynaBaffore, and from thence to Cairo, with caravans

greatraer-and laftly from thence tranfported to Europe by

,banesau. lhipping : neverthelefs the fultans of Syria and

ring their

rq,blican E_pt, through whole landsthe famewere brought

g_trn- hither, as alfo the cloves of the Molucca iflands,

,,.,,t. were wont to receive yearly above eighty thoufand

_'ei ducats for cul_om; fothat thefaid iflandsflourilhed

I--IilL1rid.

Grot.l.**.then in riches.

But in 1512, when the Portuguefe firl_navigated

thole leas, and afterwards fought with the people

of Banda, the inhabitantswere fo terrified by there

new people, and their unheard of military art, that,

conceiving themfelves unable to withftand that for-

midable outlandilh power, they rathly agreed to

ele& out of their own people the m9t_ confiderable

peffons for their better defence, and thereby im-

mediately lot_ much of their freedom ; and after-

ward they were, partly by the jealoufy they had 0f

each other, viz. of the free inhabitantsagain_ their

refpe&ive heads, and of fuch fuperiors among

themfelves; and being in part likewife overcome

by the Portuguefe, they were at length forced to

fubmit to that foreign yoke.

And hilly, there wasrome freedom t_illremain-

ing in thole iflands, when the Netherlanders that

were enemies to the Portuguefe began to frequent

them ; and there people of Banda, who greatly af-

re& their liberty,, looked upon the Dutch as angels

fen.tfrom heaven to defend them, and to deliver

the other iflands from the flavery of the Portu-

guefe. For which end the natives entered into al-

liances with us for common defence ; covenanting,

Grot. that we might not only build houfcs and ware-

Hii*..ib. houfesj and dwell there to trade in their fpices,

but

Chap. 3. under Republican Governments. 365

but exprefly agreeing that they of Banda and _/m-

boyna gould fell their fpices to no other people:

whence proceeded all that ufually happens when

weak ftates or potentates call in too powerful alt]-

ftants, viz. that not only the Portuguefe loft their

power over there iflands, but the natives loft: their

free government and trade, and are now under the

dominion of the Dutch Earl-India company. It is

alfo very obfervable, that the fpices of thole iflands, .¢,dare

when brought into Europe by way of Portugal, no_ _der

produced yearly to the king above two hundred _mlJ_r,_b/,

thoufand ducats• But the faid iflaads being ruin'df"q eoqio".

by the forces of the Portuguefe, and thole of the Grot.l., 5-

Dutch Earl-India company, and the laid company

deftroying their fpiees which produced too great a

quantity for them to vent, their plenty by degrees

decay'd, and their commerce is now mightily di-

minifhed, as we may underfiand by the hiftorie_ of

India, and from thole that have been lately there.

Hitherto I have at large infifted upon the caufes _r);eci_ of

of the ruin of traffick, and navigation in the repub- Carthage

kept its ha=

licks before mentioned, becaufe they were .o_..tio,

not common. But feeing the cafes of the followivg a,,.itrade

republicks, together with their navigation and com-.J_-to,,_'a,u

merce, are fufficiently known by molt men, I tha!l _,joy'dit,

- - arree go-

ufe no more words about them than may lerve to

• . q.,)C_*_J'*

the purpofe we aim at. It is well known that the

city of Carthage was built by a colony from _yrus,

about the year of the world 294o ; and that it was

governed by its own free popular government, un-

der two 8uffetes, or yearly burgomafters, and judges,

who jointly for that time were fuprem'e magiftrates,

and had a council confiffing of fome hundreds of

perfons, without any fupreme head; and about

8oo years fucceffively was very famous for naviga-

tion and commerce, and became incredibly weal-

thy and populous.So that after the f,dd republick and

city by manifold wars, and efpecially by its lair

againfl:

366 Trade basflourl./h'dmoil Part III.

Geogr. I. againft the Romans, had loft an infinite number of

7- burghers in feveral unfortunate battels, and was near

its ruin, yet by what Strabo credible teftifieth,

there were remaining in Carthage at leaft revert

hundred thoufand inhabitants, who aifo at the fame

time in a very thort fpace, built and made an ex-

traordinary number offlaips, and arms. And be-

/India " tides, it is well known, that the Carthaginians,

,u,ar,_living in great plenty, were by their two pow-

:l,tflawayerful nobility involv'd in many wars, to make

:here,,p,,, conquet_s, by which at loft they were fo overborne

fdlo_ving, by the Romans, who were more warlike than they,

..lltr_ffdt that Carthage was wholly defiroyed ; and tho it

and na,vi-

gation, were afterwards rebuilt, and again ruined, yet being

diveffed of its free government by the Romans,

and the fucceeding monarchs, it was never after-

wards famous for merchandize or navigation.

Thofe that defire to know more of Carthage, let

them read _uflin, Diodorus, Polybius, Li_, 8lra.

bo, and efpecially/lppianus Alexandrinus.

_'hus_tnt Afterwards, commerce and navigation did in-

=auer, credible flourifh in the Grecian republicks and

..oith:he iflands_ amongft which Athens and Rhodes were

v,#,k of

the very confiderable. And it deferves our notice,

Grecians, that all that country, when under the Romans as

their allys, did frill retain a great part of their go-

vernment, together with their commerce and navi-

gation ; !ut loft all alter they were brought to fub-

mit to the fucceeding monarchs.

_,Inrtthe After this, commerce, navigation and manufac-

Italians. tures, fcttl "d and contir_ued in the Italian repub-

-_ licks, fo long as they enjoyed their liberty. But

Fiz. Mi- we may eafily perceive, that Florence and Milan,

lan, Flo- tho' they became the courts of monarchs or ftadthol.

fence, Pi- ders, did much decreafe in their commerce during

fa &c.J_aqde

lofltbeir the monarchicalgovernment. It is alfo known that

li&,'ty_,d Ptfa under a free go_.ernment was famous for a fo-

:_,,qyck. reign trade, but now tinct its fubjrc"tion has loft all

its

Chap. 3. under Republican Governments. 367

itscommerce ; and foin truth have all the old great Genoa,

Italian citiesfince the lot_of their free government, Lucca,and

Venice,

fo that they are fallen almoff to nothing, unlefsretaintheir

wherethe princes or Radtholdersbytheir train, and/ibe,ty.._

the c_nfumption of their courts or families, have trade.

in fome meafure prevented the fame. Whereas

thofe two-ill fituated towns, Veniceand Genoa, by

their freegovernment, notwithftanding the lofs and

removal of the India trade, have preferred their

greatnefs and traffick, as much as poffible, and lit-

tle Lucca keeps her trade/till.

It's known that afterwardsby the converfion of'_,dth,

Pru_ia and Liefland, much foreign traffick and Hans

navigation fettled in the Hans republicks; and to_,n,.

that all thofethat werenot able to holdand preferve

their freedom in former ages, loft alltheir trafl:ick;

f0 that 8traelfond, Riga, 8tetin, Koningsberg,

and other cities which are under a monarchical go-

vernment, or have loft their liberty, can expecq:

no more trade than what neceffarily depends or,

their own fituation. Whereas on the contrary,

Lubeck and Hamburgb, with a free government,

have had agreater trade and navigation than their

fituation neceffarily required. _Aswe t_e it frill in

Germanythat Bremen, Embden,Munfler, &c. being

continually put to wrefile or contend with their

prince or head, are much obftru&ed in their trade ;

and that the traffick there could not keep its footing

in any monarchical inland cities, but only in the

free imperial towns, as Nuremburg, tlusburg,

Frankfort, &c.

In the Netberland provinces it is manifefl:by I_ the

the manu[:a&ures, fifheries, and foreign traffick, Nether-

landsmet-

that commerce thrives bel_ in free governments, cbandizing

For when the earlsor dukes were fo weak and ill-andnwvi.

armed, that they were forced to fubmit to thole gation

cities that flouriIhed by traffick, and could not op- h,,_,,bee,,

bothad-

pofcthe true interefcof the merchants, merchandiz_ ¢'anc'dand

flourifla_d: ruined.

368 _'rade hasflouri[h'dmofl Part III.

flourifhed : but when the earls or dukes became fo

powerful as to make war againfl: the great trading

cities, cloth-trade, fifhery and traffick, were by

little and little driven out of the land. Thus about

the year t3oo, and after, the cities of Gent, Bruges,

and Ipres lof much of their trade in manufae"tures ;

and about the year I49o, the city of Bruges loft.

roof of her trade by lea, when the arch-duke Max-

imilian brought that town into fubje&ion. And laf-

ly, all the other Flemifh lea-ports loft their fifhery,

when they were forced to fubmit to the king of

8pain; and yet during our wars, they would ra-

ther turn all their force to invade us by land, than

below their money to clear the leas for their own

inhabitants, by which they could have done Holland

and Zealand much more mifchief.

I_ 13ra. Thus thole ofBrabant alfo, particularly in Bruf-

bant raa- fels, _'ienen and L_ain, loft much of their trade in

nufaaures

andtrade manufa&ures about the years i3oo and *400 _ and

did#r-| in the following age under the boule of Burgundy,

=erb_°*" when thole dukes were fopowerful as to force thole

r,._. towns. Thus we law in the following age, that the

duke of Anjou being an illufrious prince, and a

great warrior, was no fooner become duke of

2_rabant, than the mighty mercantile city of Ant-

werp run a great hazard by the French fury of

lofing all its trafl:ick. .And laftly, it a&ually loft:

all its tra/_ck by lea about the year x585, when

Philip II. took the city by the prince of Parma:

and built a cafile with a Spanifh garrifon there, with-

out ever endeavouring to re,ore to the merchants

/.itt_,,_ their trade, by opening the 8cheld.

inHolland Thus were mol_ of the antient cities of Holland

m,,n_..c- oppre_, fo lo',g as they had their particular lords,

tb_t who ufed to curb the cities.and open country, by

.z,l,i/.//tl,e forts and caftles, but would not fuffer them to be

tad_ ..oert walled and fortified for the f¢curity of the inhabi-

alt,g,C'a_o

tams ; as appears by Haerlem, De;ft, Leyden, .4m-

.11erdam, Goude, Gorcum, &re. But thole cities after-

ward_

Chap. 3- under Republican Governments. 369

wards enjoying more freedom under their indigent

unarmed earls, When they made ufe of them to over-

power the at_tient Ho!lan/gentry and nobility, who

likewife oppreffcd their fmall cities ; they did about

the year 1300 begin to gain the Flemi[b and Bra-

bant manut_a&ueies, which forfook their places of

abo:te _ and they loft moft of them again about the

year 145o, or loon after, when our earls and dukes

of Burgundy were able by their forces to fubdue all

thol_ citys. And tho during the laft troubles, and.

compulfion in matters of religion, many Flemifb

and Brabant clothiers and merchants retired and

fettled in Itolland about the year t586, yet were

they prefently in great danger of being driven out

again by the zealous, and feemingly pious a6tivity

of our captain-general, otherwife called the govern-

ment of the earl of l.eicefter, who by the intereft of

the clergy with his courtiers, and Englifhfoldiery,

endeavoared to make himfelf lord of the country :

and for that end having reviled the ftates, and the

merchants for libertizJes, and de£picable interlopers,

iffued very preju_ial placaets againfl: tra_ck and

navigation; and laftly, defign'd by furprizal to

have taken and feized the three greateft trading

citys, viz..4mflerdam, Leyden, and Encbuyfen.

So that if this governour and captain-general .,Itlafltht

had not perceived that our foldiery were incenfed t$efladt-

.. . holders

againft the Englifb forces under him, ana mat me ,wo,4d

government of the land was by this means able to/,a_,, drl-

oppofe him, by fetting up another military head, roe,,,,_,_

whether it were cotmt Hobenlo or count Maurice oft'aft ckout

a .... o ofHollan_l

N, ffau : and again, if this earl of Letcefler had n t b.t _=t

ben a fubie& to queen Elizabeth of England, whofe l,re,_rntd,

favour he much needed to make himfelf fovereign

here ; and betides, if afterwards he had not found

himfelfconftrained to leave there lands by command

of the l_id quecn_ he had certainly b_,this his mo-

B b narchical

370 Why Hollandj_.ff_r'd no more Part lit.

narchical government, driven away our manufac-

turies, fifheries, traffick, and navigation.

The l_me were afterwards in great danger under

the fucceedir,g captain-generals (when we might have

had a peace) by the continual high convoy-monies,

andthe nolefs tbrmidable piracies of the Dunkirkers

upon our merchant-men and fifhers, and alfa by the

neodlef_ and i.ntolerable imports railed in the year

16t8, lxtt efpecially in the year t65o , at which

time the cities wire brought under by our own hired

military forces, as is yet lrefh in memory.

CHAP. IV.

Reafin_ why tlJe inhabitants o/" Holland _vere

no more damnifled under the government of

the captains-general or fladtholders.

obje_. I_UT fome may objc&, that all there reafons

ttu, not ___ and examples cannot weigh down'a contr'_Ly"

Holland eXample taken from ourfelves, ,iz. That Holland

_f/_d having a governour for lit'e, or a continued captain-

_nder the

•_,duaof general, carrying on a conftant war both by fen

captains land, with a great army in pay, obtained the trade

&_tral? which removed from Jlntwerp, a_d keeps it ltill..

Thatduring the laid form of governmentHollandhath

advanced itfelf in all forts ot commerce, manufac-

tures, fifheries, and navigation, incomparably a-

bove all other adjacent countries, and efpeciatly

above Flanders and Brabant, where the trade of

manufa&ures and tra_ck had rome time before

mightily floufifhed: fo that the £1jdform of govern-

ment fi:ems to confift very well with the intereff of

the country. Tho' this obje,Stion is perhaps fuffici-

vntly refuted in the foregoing chapter,s,yet it will not

be amirs to anfwer it diftin6[ly.

Firft, it is to be noted in general, that at the

time when .4ntwerp loft its traflick, as alfo after-

wards, there were m all theadjacentcountries much

greater

Ch,_p.4. trader tZ_eirStadtbolders. 37 t

greater obftru_tions m trade than in Hollan,4, viz, That_o=-

among all the monarchs and princes, whole lavilh rising

a_d fit

cr • ,sit ay

governme),t pr-.y_ upon all bur_ers and peafa,_t., beattribu-

allt| lay_ upon the merchant :he intolerable burdens tedtaothcr

formerly race,tinned, without toleration of religion, caufes,

fare only in Poland. And that in all t_'--herepublicks Namdy to

the mono-

on the Ealtern lea, and land cities, all firangerspolies a.d

were, by the nlonopolics of the burgerfhip, and illgoevern.

gull,Is) excluded from traffick, from being owners merit oftht

of flaip_, and medling in manufa_ures ; and betides borteri_g

they tolerated but one roll.on. So that at the be- countriea.

ginnir.g of the troubles efp_:cially, there being no vIndtbe

£uch app went monarchical government in ttolland, out_oard

but the fhadow of liberty, the prince of Orange %#ea.a.ce

• . . oJ OIIF re*

anti h)s favour,tes, to encreafe his arty, and make .._z,...

them adhere more clofe to him, continually boaft-_o.oe_.-

eel that he hact no other i,ittnt btlt to defend the me_t.

common freedom, and to encreafc it in thefe coun-

tries. And indeed there being at that time in Hol-

land freedom tff religion, burger/hip, and gu)lds,

with;fin,all charge of convoy and cultoms applicable

to the clearing of the feas, which were then very

little infel_ecl; it is no w6nder that traflSck and na-

vigation fettled here.

For it is evident, that at! the forementioned vex-

ations, viz. that violent oppre/:fion of the lawthl

government, aJad all thofe taxes with which the

common inhabitants are now burder?d, were intro.

duced gradu,dly, and from year to year increa_d;

fo th,it they were heavieft in the year 165o, in a

profound pc',cei and l_kely to continue fo tot ever) 8_ the

when the captain general openly f,.t himf.lfagainl_ D.o',_mo,_o

part z.

his lawthl ifovereig,n, and r_)tonly impioufly tramp ¢_,ap.t.

led upon his mailers that paved him his wages, b_t §2z.

alfo upon the fatted rights of the people, and their

reprelentatires; fix of whom from the cities of"

Dort, Haerlem, ;Delft, Home, and Medemblic_,

|egally ap._aring at the affembly of the ftates of

B b z 1"2o!land

z Holland ]'uffer'd no more Part IIr.

Holland and I¢1efl-Friefland, his fovereign,he dared

to imprifon, only for having the courage to re-

fufe to keep on toot fome taxes for maintenance of

the foldiery ; which laid reprcfentatives he releafcd

not till they had renounced all government in Hol-

land:fo that every one might fee what a terrible thing

a tyrannical monarch, prince during life, or ftadt-

holder was in Holland, and how little appearance

there was, ft',atthe inhabitants of the country fhould

ever be eared of their taxes.

tt_'e°ugbt Secondly, as to the captains general, or f[adt-

toco.fi_cr holders in particular; I tb.y, feeing thefe lands un-

,when the

captaim der our firft captain-general, prince 14,'illam of

ge.cral, or Orange, who was a prudent lord, were oblig'd to

.fladthol- make war againR their own puiffant prince, who

tiers ha.oe

gonegood .was irreconcilable to the captain-general, he was

o,-&,r_, tn no condition of faring either his own life or

.d,_'h'_,ueftate, but by promoting the profperity of there

topri.ce finall countries as far as he was able, in order to

William I_ his footing in them. For in care the laid

,'wboplacedKeep

t,i,fafay general had in thofe days not been careful to gain

i.fome the good will and affe&ion of the rulers and inha-

•_e in bitants, by providing for their univerfal welfare

Holland's

l_ro_erity"and prefervation, he had certainly" run the ritk,

which "might have enfued upon the people's mak-

king their peace with their tbvereign; which how

advantageous foever the terms might have been for

the captain-general, yet it would necelTarily have

drawn on his ruin fooner or later.

.4ndafter- Ourfecond captain-general, the earl of Leicefler,

,wa_4_t_t proved fo detrimental to us during his two years

earl of

Leieelter government, that if he had not l_ood in awe of the

n_hodi_t fl:atesof Holland andZealand, who were flill obey'd

mt_. by prince I4Tilliara's lieutenant the count of Hondo,

and had he not been afraid of the army, molt of

whom were not Englifh, and dreaded queen Eli-

zabeth of England, he would certainly, by con-

tinuing fuch maxims_ have driven away our trade

and

Chap. 4- under their Stadholders. 373

and republican government, and ruin'd the whole

country.

As to our third captain-general, prince Maurice, P,i, ce

it is confers'd, that in the 18th year of his age, when _i_uri_

oe ng3o ng

he became Radtho}der of Holland and Zealand, by ,...

• 0 _.JO oo¢.

the condu& chiefly of yolon van Oldenbarnevelt ; client to

and becaufe in his youth he followed that gentle-tht#,,t,,,

man's grave advice, and obey'd hismaRersthe Rates, did .much

he did them great fervice, and help'd to conquer g°°a"

many of the enemies cities in a little time, and with

fmall expence : but it is no lefs true, that the raid

prince, efpecially after the yeari 6oo, being 32years

of age and following no longer the command of the

hates, nor the counfel of the laid Barnevelt, of ho-

nourable memory, but his own maxims, or thole of

count lfZilljarn, he was hardly able, with much

greater expence, to keep what he had gotten.

At leaR, as loon as the laid prince conceiv'd that BuJg,.e.w,

• . • •Rthe

the countries under hlm could fubflR again ....

king of Spare, he not only negle&ed, but oppofed _,dco,_g.

and witht_ood the welfare of the country, thinking.///, did "

thereby to increafe his own. Thus did he fet him- afte_o_ar_ra

felf fo violently againR the truce with Spain, that milcbhar_

in the year x6o8 he wrote to the particular cities

and members of the government of Holland, and to

Henry IV. of France, contrary to the laws and

order ofthegovernment, to perfwade them and him

againR the treaty for _.truce ; yea, and threamed to

continue the war again_ the king of Spain, tho he

fhould have no affiftance but that of Zealand only.

Nor could the laid truce be concluded till arch-duke

/llbert had firR promifed to pay him or his heirs set Neg_

the (urn of three hundred thoufand guilders, to take tiat., de Je-

him off from his unrighteous defigns, or from his anna.

unjuR pretenfions, as the ambaffador _eanin wrote

to Henry IV. and that the Rates of thefeUnited Pro-

winces had moreover engaged to continue him,

durinl_ the fufpenfion of arms, as they did formerly

Bb 3 ia

374 Why Ho11and fuffer'd no more Part ItL

in the war, in all his military offi::e,, and other ad-

vantages, which he rec_iv'_j by the occafion of

the war, and likewife in all his annual erdinary

and exrraordbary falark-s or er.t_-rtainments; and

moreover prefented him with a yearly hereditary

revenue of twenty ffv_ thoufand guilders, which at

twenty years pur_.hafe would be five hundred thou-

fand guilders, (fee the negotiations of _eanin, who

as ambaffadorof France, was mediator in that treaty

of truce.)And which is more,the £1idcaptai,_-ger.eral

prof_-cuting feverely fcveral perfims under p ttext of

effablifhing the true religion, the mot_ zealous lovers

of Hol'and's we fare were forcibly ru'n'A out of the

gov.-rnment, imp: ifoned, and flaughtcrcd, and many

. inhabitants driven out of the country.

eepart.z. -

chap. *. 1'i the tune of the 4th c_ptain general or fladt,.

of t/,is holder, the reader is drfired maturely to confide G

6oo_..&.e.whether for twenty years together the clearing of

U,&,. the fea_, in as much as it concerned the fifhrries,

Henry's

,C_o'n- manufacq:ures, tra_ck and navigafio.n of Hollanv?,

mentall was not defignedy negle&ed:and therefore whilff the

Holland. Dunkirkers were very 0,rong, and did us much da-

r which were neceffarily'

•we,-e_, d:figned for fcouring the feas, and levied for that

¢ontixNalend on goods imported, and exported. And more-

l_y tot& over, we ha_'e feen thole manifold impoffs raifed,

.Dunkirk-all the forces of the land made ufe of, and alfo incre-

crfl.

He fought dible rums of money taken up at interefr, to make

tocontinue conque[ s Is advantageous for the captain gel e_'ala_

• charge-ever they were hurttul and cha_grable fi_r Holland.

,,$/__,_ -- . . little the captain-general, or he who, in

us, "'till_nCl now,

• _0¢_c¢ refpec"tof his great age and u fitnel_, had then the_

•_,,, co,,- adminiffration, and really ruled in his ftead, was in-

d,,teg ot clined to this pr_fent peace with Spain, appears by

Munfler.

Aitzma this, that in the year 1646, the 25tb o¢..4ugufl

,_. z3._. Monfieur Knuyt made a report to the prince, and

affored him, that ia_ had covenanted at MunRer

for

Chap. 4. under their Stadholders. 375

for his own or his lady's particular fatisfae"tion, to

have the value of upwards of five millions of guil-

ders. Which if tree, we may perceive that in the

£1id private treaty of peaceby the prince of Orange,

his pretenfions that were annihilated at the charge jlIakinLt

of the King of Spain, ferved only for a cloke to his da_de.fllr.e

frivolous a&ions, that under pretext of a treaty he co-.,,no,ts

offe,veral

might gain the lordfhips of Montfort, Sevenbergen lo_t_61p_t,

and Turnhout, with the cafUecalled Bank of Scboen-himftlf.

broek', as likewife a yearly increafe of. revenue of

more lorfhips, to a very confiderable rum.

And how much the exchanging of rome meaner

lordfhips belonging to the prince of Orange, has

tended by a fair pretext to gai_, the mighty ftrong

city and marquifate of Bergen op Zoom, may be

gueffed, if it be obferved that the counters of Ho-

benfolern, being unwilling to quit her right to the

marquifate, and he in the m_an while dying, the

executors of the fucceeding, and now reigning

prince of Orange, in O_9ober ,65z, adjufted with

the king of Spain upon that point, ,viz. that the

prince of O,ange fhould continue in poffeflion of

all thole lorfhips which by exchange were covenan-

ted to him, and moreover thould receive in mo_ey

the ftJm of two hundred thouthnd guilders ; and 5

months after the figning of the covef_ant, three hun-

dred thoufand guilders more: and lal'tly_ betides

there five hundred thoufand guilders, a )'early rent

of eighty thoufand guilders for twenty years to come.

So that it feems by this covenanted exchange of

rome lordfhip_ againft the marquifate of Bergen a-

lone, the laid prince fhould receive the value of

twenty one hundred thoufand guilders.

And therefore it is evident, that the king o_'Oftbtklu_

S,oaln has been obligkl to do much m move the ofSPai_xJ-

prince in particular to agree to this prefent peace ;

which for many years has been fo frequently offer-

od to Holland by the king, and was fo neceffa_,_

Bb4 fn_

376 _'by Holland ft!ff'er'd no more Part liT.

for us: as thole centinual and extraordinary rob-

beries of the Dunkirkers, anti the taking of our

fifhermen in great numbers, and our exhaut_ed and

indebted treafury do at this day teftify. But if

neverthelel_ if thould be obie6ted, that it is lawful

and commendable for any man, and confequently

for the prince of Orange, to obftru& a peace which

would be difadvantageous to himfelf, and atier-

wards during the treaty of Munfler privately to co-

venant with the enemy of this t_ate for his particular

profit, to obtain as much as poffibly he could, I

defire it may be obferved, that the _ates of Itolland

and I¢1eflFrieJland give quite another conftru&ion

Part t. Ofthis affair, v:z.

,b. 7- §7. *' That when Monfieur lCnuyt, plenipotentiary

Which tbo"

to.tra,yto '_ of this ftate, at the treaty of Munfler, by com-

t&i.flruc- ,* mand and inftru&ion of the prince of Orange, of

tionsgiveu,¢ Jaudable memory, without the knowledge of the

_aatb an

oath,yet, *_ t_ate, managed and concluded the forementioned

" treaty ; he was neverthelefs bound up to the

_ int_rt_ions agreed on for him, and the other

" plenipotentiaries of this _ate upon the 28tb of

"" O_7ober x6_,6, viz. That no fecret inRru&ion,

•' without the previous knowledge of the fiates of

_' the refpe_ive provinces, flaould either be given,

" or lent to the ambaffadors extraordinary, and

'* p'enipotentiaries. And in care either of the

•' provinces, or any other perfon, /hould beyond

" expe_ation attempt or endeavour fuch a thing

" they t,ae ambaffadors extraordinary, and pleni-

" potentiaries, [hall not receive, but forthwith re-

*' je& it, and give immediate noiice thereof to the

" l_ates ger era]. And that the laid Monfieur

" Knuyt in pu_fJance of the 9Ifl article of the

•' forementioned inftru&ions, had folemnly fworn

•' thereunto." Whereunto the thid l_atesof Holland

and Wefl-Friefland in the 9th chapter do add.

" §. 8 That the f'tates and the refpe¢'tive provin-

•' c_s, were certainly well iztbrmed, what great

CaTl_

Ch_p. 4- under their Stadhdders. _77

" care and vigilancy hath been us'd on behall_ofForthe

magn/_ing

" the f[ate, that in all places, none excepted, corn- ofhi,,,Je_

" prehended in:the treaty of peace to he made with rot*edetri-

" the king of Spain, it/hould l:mcovenante6, that _ento/tht

"' the fovercign difpofal in matters of religion .United

Nether

" fhould remainin the Rates; and by what feriouslands,e_

" and exprcfs ordersthe forefaid intention of thepedal_of

" Rate was recommended to the laid ambaffadors Holland,

"' extraordinary, and plenipotentiaries, and con. it.was

. carried off

*' fequently to Monfieur Knuyt. Neverthelefs me ana_c.

*' Rates, and the refpe&ive provincesdo find inthe ted.

*' forefaid treaty of the 8th of _fanuary J647,

" that the laid MonfieurKnuyt, in the name of his

" laid highntfs, did exprefly grant and agree,

" that in all places which by the laid treaty were

" concededand granted, either to his faidhighoefs,

" or to his lady the princefsofOrange, the Roman

" catholick religion/hould be maintained, as the

" £amewas at the time of concluding of the fore-

*' laid treaty ; and alfo the fpiritua]perfons fhould

" l:e maintain'd in their effates, fun&ions, free

" exercifes, and immunities.

" § 9. So that in regard ofthe city of 8evenber-/l_dun-

_t kno,ttm to-

gen only (over and above theother placesin the tht_te, o

" forefaid treaty mentioned) the Gid city being t,_m_

" within the province of Holland, and lying under_0,-on,/_do.

** tkeprinct'_r

the fovereign command of thole Rates; there was b,hdf _o

*' granted mukh more to the king of Spain, than tb_ingof

"' was made over by the a&of fcclufion to the faid Spain,that

*' lord prote&or, theRomilh

" §. tO. It is unqueffionab|e that the moil va-religion

*' luable effreq:of the fovereignty confiRsin the free"A_'z/be

" difpofalof mattersof religion; Whichby .... :.a_nt_,dd

. the fatd inf,v¢tal

*' trea'ty, as far as it is there fpecified, is quitted, plact_.

"' and yielded up to the king of 8pain.

" §. xI. Betides, the aforefaid refignation is

" made bg, and on behalf of them wh6 have no

*' difpofal thereofat all, So that theforefaid con-

" tea&ors didas much asin them lay cJande_inely,

• tO

378 If/be HolIandj_ff_r'd no mere Part IIL

,' to deprive the ftates of fo fenfible a fnare of their

•' fovereignty.

" §. 13- That tho' the flares being afterwards in-

"" form'd of the contents of the laid particular

" treaty', did exprefly declare, that they would

•" not be fubje& to the laid intolerable t_ipulation,

•' in refpec"t of the pea&ice of the laid religion in

•' 8evenbergen; yet they afterwards fell into many

•' inconveniencies by that means.

And lafdy, the laid Rates of Holland and Weft -

Frier,and do fay :

" §. I 3. That fo notable a port of their fore-

" reignry a,d right as the free difpofal of matters oP

, "' religion within their dominons without their

"' knowledge, by him who had not the lear power

"' or qualification to grant it, was without any ap-

"' parent caufe yielded to the King of Spain.

So that it doth ur.znfwerable appear, that our cap-

tain-general and t_adtholder, his f_cret treaty was

concluded for his private benefit, and to the pre-

jadice of Holland and the peace thereof.

Yea. after the laff capttin-general had in a fi;l!

peace feized and imprifoned fix deputies of Holland

"*Ts_.el! affembled upon fummons at the Hague. becau(e

Ja*tontbataccordinp" to their duty they had dared to refufe

the ruin • _ " • •

_loila_d'f the payment of rome compames of foldrers, and

.wa, d,. to refolve to difbmd them as far as concerned

./rg,,','h the province of Holland, he mifcarried in the de-

_,, l,h' fign of feizing our principal city by furprlze. So

$_'t- that if he had not died about three weeks after,

/_Idtr.

we thould in a few years have feen that Holland, and

/1rotterdam firPt of all, would have loft: all their

traffick, by contending againft their own Govern-

nor and captain-general, or woad have b._en corr-

pelled to fubmit ro his yoke ; as formerly Flandcr.,

Bru_es, Brabant and _lntwerp were bereft of their

traffick by the q,jarrels between them and the

arch-duke Maximilian, and kin_ Philip.

Ea,

Chap. 4. under/heir 8tadthdlders. 379

For tho' our £dd captain-general's attempt onAlm-

flerdam fucceeded not, yet all the flouriflling cities of

Holland that wereunarm'd,and much mote thole ma-

ny cities which had garifons moflly of loreign foldi-

ery at his command, would have been forced eternally

_o have fubmitted to his monarchical yoke, ifhis un-

expeCted death had not delivered them from thac

flavery.

He that doub's of this, let him hear the t_ates of D_u_. ,!

Holland and IP'fft-Friefland, as fpeaking of this _6_4Part

matter to their alhes : " But efpecially let the £tid z. c/,. z.

,, provinces pleafe to remember what happened in §z3. t,¢..

" the year I65o, within our own body. Dkl not

" in the fame year the rulers of the city of/lmlter-

t, dam, to prevent greater evils, grant by capitu-

" lation to his highnefs prince IVtlliam of immor-

'_ tal memory, father of the prefent prince of O-

', range, that the Heeren llndries, and Cornelis

" Bikers, flaould quit their offices of burgerma-

•' lters and counfellors, and become private me,,

" and never be readmitted into the government ?

•' And were not the cities of Dart, Hae,lem, DelFt,

" Horn and Medemblick, becaufe of fame hone_

•' regents, or magiftrates in their cities, compelled

" afterward_ to do the like a Altho _God Almighty rero ,t,,,a-

• Ptt_red _x-

" fo ordered matters by his providence, that fame tremd)'o-

', few days after the fame perfons were reftored to ,,,,, Hal-

" their former dignities. Thole were the true land.

" tokens of an ufurped power; and fo much

•' the more intolerable, becaufe he to whom fuch

,' conditions were granxed, was, by the nature and

" virtue of his commiffion, and hkewife by his

" oath therewith taken, only a fubje& of that bo-

" dy, whole members he thus endeavoured to

" bring under fubje&ion. It was then indeed the

" true time for unfeigned patriots, and true lov.ers

" of liberty to appear upon the Rage, and with

" heart and band tQ make head again_ thch ufur-

pation.

380 IVh)'we have flouriJRdJo little Part IIL

,' pation. But what zeal did the forefaidprovinces

•' then exert._ were not they the men, who on

•' _une 5. of the forefaid year x650, granted that

•' authority to be lawful, at ieaf_ fo far, that un-

" der pretext thereof the faid prince of Orangeun-

•' dertook thofe actions? and were not they alfo

•_ the men who afterwards, when thole ac"tions

" were in part executed, did by fpecial refoluticn

•' or letters miffive declare, that they judged the

•, refolution aforefaid of the 5th of "June 165o to

•' be applicable thereunto: and who in purluance

•' thereof exprefly avowed, approved, and com..

" mended the forefaid aCtions; yea even thanked

"' his highnefs for it, and befought him (tho' 'tis

" fcarcely to be believed) to perfevere in fuch a

" a laudable zeal ?

All which being true, and the rulers of the other

_qnd had

th,th_,ksprovinces, who ought to have offered their helping

ofth¢otlurhand to Holland againft there violent oppreffions,

_ro_i,,_ having on the contrary either of neceffity or wil..

_r it. tingly flattered the prince in this, and f6ught to

bring our province to a greater thraldom : no ra-

tional man could have expe£ted but that traffiek |

and navigation, &c. would have had its over-

throw here, asin other monarcbicolcountries ; and

that confequently all the inhabitants of Holland in

a few years would neceffarily have funk into tmex-

preffible mifery.

CHAP. V.

if'be rea]bn .why the general liberty in Holland

bath caufed no more benefit, fince t/_e death

R,.k., of the prince oJOrange, the loft fladtbolder of

-_,_Hal- Holland and captain-general during life.

land has

,,j_,ab_t "I_ UT it may be obje&ed, that God hath given

little fruit 1._ USpeace with Spain, and fnatched away our

i9,itsfret captain-general and t_adtholder, without leaving

go_o-,,- one of age enough to be his fucceffori which feem

Chap. 5. flnce t& Prince of Orange's Death. 38 z

to be the two molt defirable things that the inhabi-

tants of Holland could wifh for, feeing they are

thereby become a people really free, fubje& to

none of what quality foever, but only to reafon, and

to ,he laws of their own country, that can only be

governed by the ifiteref[ of their own province or

cities : and yet for all this we can fee no alteration, SeeR.

but only in this, that the lives, efiates, and reputa- Seheele

Gemeene

tion of the it_habitants, do not depend upon one Uryheit.

man's will ; and that the cities cannot by their fol-

diery fuddenly be furprized. So that the rulers,

and minit_ers of the republick of Holland and I4/'efl-

Friefland, as well as thole of the particular cities,

are now, inafmuch as concerns every man's perfon

and tranfa&ions, liable only to the laws and confti-

tution of the republick, and the cities thereof; and

being abfolutelytheir own matters, they need fear no

moreby ruling well tooffend atingle head, and confe-

quently to lofe their authority, life, and eaate for fo

doing.

In anf_'er to this I mul'c acknowledge, that the wT_,t_,,.

-- *- / v/A/tlSt/l_ ¢.4o

much wifhed for accident aforefaid ._,g ,/,no

ham not nxmer.....

to produced fuch wholefome fruits as might ratio- ,,_/,_/_.

nally have been expe&ed, efpeciaJly fince hitherto

there hath been no eafe given to the people from

thch heavy taxes and impofitions. But when the

reafon of it is rightly fcanned, we thall find the

caufe is not to be imputed to the prefent free rulers,

but to the former ufurpation of the l_adtholders,

governors and captains-general, together with the

remaining diforddrs that had their rife from thence.

Yea, it is to be admired, that matters in the pre-

lent conjun&ure are already brought to fogood acon-

dition: for when the known and evident caufes of what

is before expreffcd are looked into and enumerated

every one may loon perceive there four good effec"ts.

In the fir/t place, that at the time of the death of

the laft ttadtholder and caprain-gener',d, the pro-

vlnc_

$82 ltasy bawflaureg little PatlIl.

vince of Holland being of fo fmali a compal_, and

fo poor in treafure as is before expreffed, was left

charged with fo dreadful a capital debt upon inte-

refl, and fuch an ex."eflive number of dai}y incident

debts, that it will not be b_lieved by other nations,

nor poflibly by our fi,cceffors in Holland, that fo

fmall a province could fubfif_ under fuch great and

heavy taxes _ and that the inhabiravt_s thereof could

bear, not only the annual interefls of _hch a_, im-

menfe fi_m, but fo many taxes betides for the de-

fence of themfelves and their allies: it being re-

monftrated by the f_ates of that province to prince

I,Vdliam, a little betore his death, and alfo after-

wards for jufiification of their proceedings, anno

_ua,fe z65o ' That the province of Holland was then

Holla_l

,wasi= charged with money taken up at interef_, amount-

debt_4o ing to the rum of one hundred and. forty millions

=i/l_, of guilders, betides other debts amounting to thir-

&c. teen millions.

Secondly, That the good inhabitants of the laid

province, driving their trade to the Levant about

the fame time, and cfpecially in the years 165o and

]651, were by the French Corfairs in the Mediter-

ranean extremely endamaged, even fo far, th,_t a

part only of the forefaid 1o/_, viz. as much as the

merchants of ,4mflerdarn by publick command

brought in, amounted to above one hundred tuns

of gold, or ten millions of guilders.

T,get_tr ff'birdly, That this flare in the year 1657, fell

,w/t/, t/,t into and comin_d in open war with the Engh/b urr.,

Engli/h til 165A:, which occafioned a remarkable decay of

_u-, trade, and many great loffes to the traders of the

laid province.

d_tht Fourthly, The eat_em wars loon after h_pened

a,_fle,-, between the kings of S_veden and D,:_.mark ; and

_'- this ftate became engaged in it as auxiliaries. All

which muff be acknowledged by every one for rea-

fons of what I laid before; but the right grounck

and

Chap. 5. flnce the Prince of Orange's Death. 3 $3

and true caufes are curioufly enquired into but by

very few. and therefore are looked upon by many

as the effects of the prefent government. I have

therefore thought it neceffary to thew, to the beft

of my knowledge, how thole things came about.

And fir_ concerning the one hundred and forty

millions of guilders, with the o_her undil_:harged o,,_,_.

debts above-mentioned ; it is well known, and eafy capt.gen¢-

rah _oltl_

to be comprehended, that that debt was forcibly tbeir de-

occafion_ by the captain-generA and his flatterers; pendant1.

the laid immenfe rums being wafted to promote t/_ co,__

his ambition and glory, by havihg great armies in _f o,,_

dreadf*l

_he field, and undertaking great titres to take fuch ta.vatiotto

cities, as at this day rend to the heavy burdening Forth,

of Holland. And that which is moil to be bewail./,-,,,./_

ed was, that the frontier cities were intrufl:ed to the t,,_,,

• , . , , _oere _tlf-

•Colecommand of the captam-generah WhOp,ace_-,c- _-"

]_ • forrot

therein governors and garritons ; tb that th,y ferv- ¢,,_,,efl

ed only toe fo many ci_dels to hold poor Hollandcitie,.

in fetters. And we have often with grief been .¢,,_t&_

c t__,tc._p

forced to fee, that whilfi fo many millio_ were ]a-Itollaud/,

crificed by land to the ambition of the captain-fla_.7.

general, the neceffary det_nce of navigation and --

commerce, muff depend upon the revenue of the

convoys and cuftoms, which arc received only of

the merchant ; and fometimes a part of the laid

money toowasdiverted to carry on the war by land.

I know very well, rh_itthis way of management .,w"_,_,-_

was not afterwards difcommended, bccaufe manv_ ,..

• . -o7 a_.

of our mhabttants had the good fortune no_ to bClit_t, bo_

damnified by loffes at lea, and the i-ll conduct of,u,_t,t_.

the We#- I, dia company, whereof mention is made _,,t_ _-

-- - • . _ der tbi_

in the firfl:chapter of the fecond part ot this ooolc ;/'re_go-

fo that the_ fared "atlcaft as well or better than at _erw.._t

prefenh and found there was then money to be got _,.e•l,a_,.

Betides, thole m,mitold dcttru&ive wars which hap-Sh*_'''_*"

• " o .tbeflad#-

pened in moll: of the ne,ghbo,rm=, as well as remote _.

_x_ntr,ics, inclined mlmy r,ch/ug.itivcs to fettle ia

l'l:llaud.

384 l_rby we have flouri/7:edJb little Part IlL

_rht.,no- Holland. But I with thole poor people would have

t..k_,up,_ta little forefighr, they would then confider that it

i.ureflto went with the affairs of the commonwealth, as I

¢o.f_,_e once rememb.-r it hapned in a certain family that

..nd_;afle.was bleff¢d with a fair crate. The parents being

dead, the children were put under the care of a

lavit[ guardian, who giving noaccount, fpent the

eftate hand over head ; and when there was no more

money in cat[, immediately took up a good rum

upon interef_, at the charge of the poor orphans ;

£o that not only the forefaid children, but all the

children and fervants of the neighbourhood liv'd

moR bravely, and had and did every thing that

their hearts could wit[ for. But it afterwards hap-

ned, that the wafl:eful guardian died, and the/:aid

B,,t ,,o_ children fell uMer the care and tuition of the cham-

•w,hq: ber of orphans, who kept a continual eye over_and it to

tdeb_o_rthe them, and plac'd them under the daily care of an

tscon- honeff, diligent and fober man, who regulated the

traaeaby houfe after a quite different manner, without any

tAtformer

/_v_ ware. So that whereas, in the time of the forefaid

/,o,,k_eq- guardian, there was yearly more fpent than the

ig. revenue amounted to, and every time money taken

up at intereR, the revenue did afterwards confide-

rably exceed theexpence ; and the furplus was laid

out to pay off a part of the debt which tt_e former

guardian had contra&ed.

But then the children murmured, fayicg, that

_t'k#bdif their condition was much impaired, that they had

pkaf_,,,,a- a plcafant life under the former guardian ; and fo

nyuntbink-

ing and ill- did the neighbours, children avd fervants, they

m_a,_,,g laid they could enjoy themfelves with delight in

inbabi- that family under the former guardian, but that it

ta,n. was now become a barren place. But thole poor

orphans little thought, that in care the former ma-

nagement had latted longer, tt would haveproved

fatal to them in their riper yeats, And we, poor

fimpl¢

Chap. 5. lqnce the prlnce 0fOrange's Death. 3 89

fimple Hollanders, w]ao may with reafon be cal/ed

orphans, how long fhall we remain in our child-

hood and minority ; not obfcrving that the plenty

we then were fenfible of, proceeded from the ill

hul"bandry of a prodigal guardian or Reward,

which hath run us in debt as afcrefaid ? at leafl:

we ought to conceive, [hat we muff now flill be

taxed and fleec'd to pay off the ir,terefis of that

great fum ; which taxes alone under our prefent

governors, would defray the whole charge of the

OVernment. So that all that we muff: now vav Atvdne;°,k'"

r our fubfiflance and defence, and which lies(o _o_,.s_d

- - - , - . otherJtran-

heavy upon us, muir be look d upon as the b]tter _ _r

fruits of that tree of wantonne s, which that lawfh _.,,.#j_t_

guardian hath planted among us, and which we ',_._-.'/0to

h_e at

filly children danc'd about with fo much delight ; ,ale.

and our neighbours children of Guelderland, Utrecht,

Over-Tffel, and others, to wkom plenty was no

burden, and our hired foldiers, with whole regi-

ments of French, Engli_, Scots and [/Ualloons, who

lived in our family, were very well pleafed with

that kind of life, and it makes their hearts to re-

joice when they talk of reviving thole times. It

is good cutting large thongs out of another man's

hide. But that we Hollanders fhould be fo ftupid

as not to perceive that the prefent government is

our fafety, and that the former would infallibly

have procured our ruin, is indeed not to be com-

prehended.

As to the fecond caufe, viz. the depreda_ions_t

committed in the Mediterranean feas, and there-French

abouts : it is firfl:apparent, that feeing all the weal:h "" E,-

.... _lilh de-

of Holland, as well the laid borrowed capital lure, ":_d_t;o,s

as that which is fqueezed out of the fweat and blood _ys_a'h,_,0.

of the good inhabitants of the taid province, wasp_,,'d by

facrificed to the ambition of the captain-general ; _,a,._of

• • t,velate

and by hls ne,,te& of a vigorous defence by lea,

.C) . . . go_de_.r#.

there was a faw and open field g_ven to all nanons ,.e.t.

C c greedy

39 ° _ _oe ha_e flourifhed fg little Part III.

greedy of prey, to let our men of'war againft ot}r

rich laden /'hips. Who knows not that the great

inticement to evil is the hopes of impunity ? He

that will always be a/heep, tour expe_t to be

Sed,_,/_ eaten of the wolf:at laR. To which is to be added,

their en- that under pretext of a peace concluded with $paiu,

dea*_ur, as ifthere were no more ill people in the world, and

our#i?s ofas if all coveting o_one anothers goods would hav¢

•war rwere

#M. thereby ceafod, the captain-general, by his crea-

tures and flatterers, had fo fubtilly contrived mat-

ters, that fcvcral of our/hipsof war were fold, and

thereby we were left naked of our rmceffary defence

by lea. Our honer and moR provident rulers

could the lei_ oppofc it, becaufc there was another

mifchief impending over them by the captain-

general, `viz., That as loon as he (who then pared

his time chiefly in hunting, hawking, tennis-playing,

dancing, comedies, and other marc infamous de-

baucheries) /hould begin to apply hi'mfclfto _f-

fairs of Rate, he would imploy the remaining

naval power of the ]and againR the governmcnt of

England for the advancing the interefis of his own

family, but certainly to the opprcff_on of all the

inhabitants of Holland, efpccially of the trading

part.

Upon which it alfo followed, that rome of our

/hips which were thus fold, became the chief of

the forcfaid Corfairs againff us: which bring_ to

my remembrance, that which was publickly fpoken

in the year 16ill, and probably very true, ,vim.

Vat tha That the aforcfaid depredations, and others were

pi_a:e, to be made by/hipping, that were to fai| out of

mlgktbrln_the 8orlings (or iflands of Stilly) and elfewhere by

Holh.d.-our captain-geoeral's appointment ; and that rome

a.,/_f_e- of the earwig_ of that youtk_ prince had pc:funded

d,d/o,Am- him, that robbing at fen was the lureR,, yea the

/_erdam,to

bt di_,iiedonly expedient to bring the Araj_erdararaers, with

a.d _eak- whom he had been for fom_ time before his death

nld. at

Chap. 5. jqnce the Prince of Orange's Death. 39_

at great variance, to his lure or devotion : It be-

ing accounted a lure maxim among fuch great per-

ions to weaken and ruin all great and i_rong cities

which may oppofe their defigns ; yea, and when

private methods are wanting, to make ufe of open

violence for that end : as a]| hiRories and examples,

both antient and modern, doclearJy teRify. And

that confideration alone ought to be fu/_cient for us

Hollanders (whole welfare entirely confifis in flou-

ri/hing, mercantile, and populous cities) to take a

firm refolu:ion, never to put ourfelves under a per-

petual chief head, by what name or title foever,

and to perfiR therein immmably.

To the 3d caufe, viz. the war againfl: E_gland ; _t war

•with Engo

I may well fay, and that truly, that we have furl land ,wa,

fered that for the fake of the houfe of Orange. For $ro,ght

thole of the parliament of England having cut off Jl_,,*,for

the head of their own good king, and being there- thefakeof

theho,fe

fore exceedingly hated by all the monarchs in the Orange.

world, and likely, in all human appearance, to be

called to account and puni/hed for it by neighbour-

ing princes, leR fuch a crime remaining unre-

venged, their own fubjec"ts might be thereby ex-

eked to a& the fame thing againR them: they

therefore found themfelves under a neceffity to leek

the friend/hip of this Rate ; and for that end, loon Fortbt

after the death of the prince of Orange, they trent a Eng!ilh_

• Jougbtfor

confiderable embaffy hither, without thewmg the o_,.r ,._.

like honour to any other potentate or ftate in the_i,/_.ff.

world.

I/hall not here particularize all that they offered

to fettle a friend_ip between both nations ; it will

be fufflcient to obferve, that they did by commif-

fioners, earnefily infil_ with the l_ates general to

renew that well known treaty ofintercourfe made

between both nations An. *495. Tho' I am of

opinion, and have before amply proved it, that it

is wholly unadvifeable for this Rate to enter into

C c 2 any

39 z Why we have flourifl:ed fo little Part III.

any farther league with England; yetby renewing

Someru- the faid treaty we lhould not only fettle a friend-

lersflill flaip, but alfo at the fame time have el_ablil'hed our

remaining commerce and fithery ; as to which the articles of

fla_,esto the laid treaty (efpecially in regard of the filhcry)

the prince

ofOrangeare expreffed in the molt defirable _erms. Yet

fetthem- thole that conceived themfelves bound as flares to

./'elves a- the houfe of Orange, did not only oppofe the con-

gainfltbe cludi: g of the forcfaid defirable treaty, but alfo lent

alliance

,_ith the away thole ambaffadors with all manner of reproach

Englith. and difhonour: firflr,by oppofing them iLathe pub-

_rbeEn- lick ddl"berations of the ftate agai,_ft the progrel_

liflaaraba/'-of the laid treaty, efpecially by framing delays, al-

fadors

_lr_ring ledging that we firl_ ought to fee the iffue of the

greatco,- defigns of the prefcnt king of Great Britain (then

tempt, declared king in Scotland) and on the other fide

exciting the rabble againft the perfons of the laid

embaffadors to fuch a degree, that the ftates of

14Zhichtbe Holland perceived the averfion, and daily threats

Jat,s of

Hollmd that were uttered againft their perfons, were ne-

•were_,vil-ceffitated, for preventing of greater mifchief, to

li,g b,t appoint a corps de guarde to be'erec"ted before their

not able houfe, to fecure them from the like mifchief which

toprevent,befel Dr. Doriflaus, envoy from the laid parlia-

ment, at the Swan inn in the Hague.

What averfion fuch proceedings might have

caufed in the laid ambaffadors, is eafy to be appre-

On,which hended, as it alfo followed ; who have obferved

tho_am- after they had frayed here a confiderable time, that

_a_Tadors

l_artcddif_ the zeal of the honet_ and upright government,

¢onte_tcd.efpeciaI/y in the province of Holland and Zealand,

O,,e of was notable to ballance the fa&'ion of Orange;

_,_o,__0_e-:hey returned iragreat difcontent to England; one

dicTed,t6at

_e._o_t'd of them, viz. Mr. St. _ohn (upon taking his leave)

_-,,_c,:to told the ftates commiffioners: " My lords, you

ha_e ,'e- '" have your eye upon the the iffue of the affairs of

je,_edtbe ,. the king of Scotland, and therefore have de-

frie'J4hiP " fpifcd tl:e friend/hip We have profered you ; I,

_Eng-

lan_t, will.

Chap. 3'. flnce the Prince of Orange's Death. 393

,, will affure you, that many in the parliament

,, were of opinion, that we ought not to have

,' come hither, or to have lent any ambaffador

,, 'till we had tier overcome our difficulties, and

,, feen an ambaffador from you. I now fee my

,, fault, and perceive very well that thole mere-

,, bets of parliament judged right; you will in a

" little time fee our affairs againft the king of Scot- tls_e

ha_efo_

" land difpatched, and then you will, by your era- bye_eri-

" baffadors, come and defire what we now fo cor- encemoil

" dially come to profer. But affure yourfelves, true.

" you will then repent you have rejected our kind-

" hers." Would to God that experience had not

verified the forefaid difcourl_ to our great lofs:

for the ICing of Scotland's affairs being determined

by a barrel, and a war with this fl:ate following

upon it ; the wounds and loffes occafioned by that

war effec2ually brought to pal's the repentance a-

forefaid; but fronte capillata, pod eft _ccafio

cairo : It is in vain to fhut the well's mouth, when

the calf is drowned.

This is the true reafon of that lamentable war ; .4ntttblsis

to which may be added the intolerable humour of t& ,'eat

that nation, their continualjezloufy of our flourifh -,_fi of

ing traffick, and the innate hatred of Cromwd a- _-_,_fl_

, - _ngzlm

gainft the prince of Orange, as a filter s fon o_that ,,_.ar.

king, whom of all the world he had molt reafon

todread. So that every on_ may eafily imagine,

what pain and care it hath cof'c our honeft rulers to

regain a peace with that nation. _rbert-,

Laflly, As to the fourth point, v/z. that of the maln_cert

Ea/tern war : it is certain in cafe this date had ha-t oft&#r-

the good fortune to have framed its cor_fultatio_s =_rgo.

_derRffl_ff_ l,

according to its true intereft, without having in t]_¢¢a#f¢

their breafts the Gme evil which had occafioned'a/fi 0ftht

the war with England, the growling fl,_mes in all Ealtern

probability might eafily have been ouenched at the T ar*'./b

,'_ • i _ , • -- Jar at r#.

begi_aning, at lealt In all events tia¢ war I_etween Jatedto

C c 3 Sweden Holland.

394- haveJtoured [olittle PartlH.

_:l,tD ¥ $¢oedenand Denmark had certainly been prevented ;

]Braden- but it is to be lamented, that all the deliberations

burg° and.

tbofethat mat hlppened ia the government, were traverfed

_erefla- and thwaraed by the flu&uating and changeable

_v#_v,u- humour and interet_ of the elecq:orof Brandenburg,

¢lin'dta only becaufe that prince was related to the houfe of

the prine¢,

_heedld Orange by marriage, and a&ed a confiderable, but

I--Io;landav¢ry Rrange part in that tragedy.

D0/t. For at the beginning, when the king of"Sweden

was preparing his attempt againft Poland, the

duke of Brandenburg oppofed it with a more than

ordinary animofity; and accordingly reeking to

t_rengthen himfelt by friends and alliances, thole

that were inclined to the houfe of Orange here,

were able to effe& fo much, that the Rates obliged

themfelves firmly by a treaty of the z7th of _'u_)

t65_ , to defend the fa_d eleaor againfl: the fore-

Fi$ eau- laid king of Sweden, having after a few days deli-

fl,g _ to beration ut_dertook the gua anty of the de&oral

_u, i_to Pru_ia ; a point, which ever till then tho' it was

_allia.ne#uncertain whether there would have been any at'..

,with t_#

O.o.tl3raa"tack to be feared about it in a long time) was

tlnab_rg, looked upon to be of fo great weight and impor-

tance, that for that reafon only, the alliance pro.

fered by the laid de&or for diverfe years together

with fuch a claufe of guaranty, never took effe&.

The Rates by this means being vifibly left out of

the neutrality, could be no e_:e"t.ual mediators to

end the war between Poland and Sweden, which

_ by thd- interpofition and dire&ion had ever been

i_ re- formerly accommodated.

oi.o',ta But it loon appeared that we were not a little

gooa/_,,t,./toil'taken ; for after the faid duke began to enjoy

m. goto_,tthe eff_& of the forefaid treaty, efpecially after he

of that al-

liancc.andhad received a good rum of the promifed fubfi-

t0o_,0a,t dies, he fuddehly, and without the privity of this

•withthe Rate, joined with the king of 8*.veden, eaff off the

Swtdc. oath of vaffalage he had fworn to the king of Po.

land,

Chap. 5" agnce the Prinee of Orange's Death. 395

land, exprefly renounced the forefaid alliance with

us; and loon after, joining his forces with thole

of the king of Sweden, gave the Poli[barmy battle

nearl¢"arJ_w.

It is true, this a&ion being in itfelf odious, and tc'hlc;

extremely contrary to the genim of our nation, cau_'dbtre

rais'd in them fo very great an as,erfion to this agreat

e nq,,¢r/qo_ Jo

de&or, that the heft: affe_ed to the houfe orthat elec-

Ora,ge were for a long time alhamed optnly to tot.

patronize the interePcsof his ek_oral highnefs;_Cndca,ftd

by which it happened that the faithful rulers, t:'k tbead,uan.

lag to heart the true interef[ of this flare beyond tageou,

trea:y qF

all others, their wholefome ads,ices took place af- £ibing_r

terwards fo much the better. ,_s.

And accordingly with great prt_nce, and upon ¢,'..eat-

right maxims for a country fubfiRing by trade, that thatqt'ouId

treaty was carried on with 8meden, on the I tth _"

O, ha,u¢ at-

8eptonber ,656, at Iilbing in Pruflia, between the cr_'ih._

ambaffadors of this Pcate,and commi/liohers of thethat treaty

king of $weden; whereby it was firmly agreed, _oe,¢,v,--.toll: no

that feeing the Swedes had for rome years raifedbigho.tha,

the cufcomsexcfffivelyhigh over their whole court-i,: x6_,o.

try, and efpecially had charged the inhabitants of

there Netherlands to pay more than their own fub-

je&s_ therefore for redr_:fs thereof, the cu_oms

and other taxes under the power of the Swede, as

well without as within the kingdom, fhould be

brought to the fame rate they were ax about the

year 164o.

In the fecond place, that in eafe of the raifing _¢,a'n

of cur[ores, and new taxes, the inhabitants of there hlghetthtm

U, ited Provinces fhall be no higher or more char- tht 8wd:

ged than the Swedes themfelves: fo that as to that hi,,,_/(

point, there fhall be kept a perle& equality in all_'_J"

hings between both nations.

"Thirdly,That the inhabitants of there Nether-

lands in all places under the Swe.4escommand, as

well in regard of cuRoms, as to all other advanta-

C c 4 ges,

3 9 6 /¢"hy we baveflourifbedfo little Part III.

.4,;,,_l_`wges, none excepted, flaall be treated as well as any

at a,y o'.her nation thall be treated by the Swede.

flrangers

t_y. i,,- Fourthly, That all thofe on svhofe prefervation

d,_di,g,_,'land peace this l_ate, and the commerce of its in-

otherlandshabitants, is efpecially concerned, as among others

,.oZ,er, ,we principally the king of Denmark and his king-

Qrg co_'-

ctr,_'d, doms, the de&or of Brandenburg and his domi-

r_ereby nions, as alfo the city of Dantzick, and all places

_nucbharm belonging to them, be comprehended in the fore-

•wo,dd laid treaty, with an expre_ covenant, that neither

ba.ue been

$r_ted. the king of Sweden, nor his fubje6ts and inhabi-

tams, direcq:ly nor indire&ly, fla:tll give them any

moleftation, or hindrance in their trat_ck, much

lefs make war againft them.

Would to God, that there affairs fo well com-

menc'd, had been purfued to perfecq:ion! Then

thould the king of Denmark at this day have been

ma,°cer of the province of Scbonen, and other coun-

tries which were taken from him _ and the good

inhabitants of Holland have been in poffcffion of

many millions, which in the lat"cwar were confu-

med on behalf of the publick, and 1otl by private

perfons at lea.

.gndthe But altho' a treaty concluded by thole that are

thtfamt" tmployed and duly authorized, ought to be rati-

tuasnot fled by thole who gave fucl_ full powers under their

ra.t_t6 hands and feals_ yet after the conclufion of the

wz. laid treaty, there was fuch a fluctuation of hu-

Holland't

_tn/.fl/on mours, that it could not be ratified here. I can-

eau.//d/y not with truth affirm that the province of Holland

tbd,. aft was altogether blamelefs in this mat,er _ but what

feaionto authority was made ufe of underhand, the fequel

t/,eE, of plainly difcovered. For when the good king of

Branden-

burg. Denmark, being privately excited to it, had, put

on his ru_ty armour, and drawn the king of Swe-

den that way, then did the ele6tor of Brandenburg

effectually flaew what that occafion was Worth to

him : for as loon as the king of Sweden had turned

his

Chap. 5. fince the Prince 0fOrange's Death. 397

his back upon Poland and Prz_a, he made no

more fcrunle again to break the covenant of vaffa- tJT,oto

r . - obtain the

lage he had made with Sw,den,, than, he tormerly../,veforei'gn.

made confcience of folemnly renouncing the alh- Voft& e-

ance he had made with this ftate ; and accordingly leaor,_l

by that opportunity entered into a new treaty with Pruttia,_ll

the king of Poland, and covenanted to have the ag,_i,,fror,

the Swede

fovereignty of the ducal Pr;_a, which he formerly anajoin'd

held of that king in fee, with other advantages the Po-

that are not neceffary here to enumerate, lander.

But fince by not ratifying the treaty of Elbing,

we he]p'd the king of Denmark to put Qn his ar-

mour to fo little purpofe, and procured thole no-

table advantages to the elector of Brandenburg, the

kingdom of Denmark (God amend it) hath colt us % our

dear enough: but that which molt troubled us, g_a td_-

was, that the laid elector again arming himfelf""_"

againl_ the Swede, and this Rate being in manner

beforementioned drawn into the war between Swe-

den and Denmark, the interet_ of Brandenburg was

fo powerful, that it was impof/ible for us after-

wards either to get out of that war, or to put an

end to it, till not only Bri_ndenburg, but Poland,

and the whole boule of_luflria, to whom the elec-

tor of Brandenburg had obliged himfelf to make

no peace without them, had firfl: concluded their

treaty, and had obtained their ends by the arms

of this ftate. So that for the interefl: of Branden-

burg we were juft at the point of falling into a

war with France, England, and Sweden, all at

once, and confequently of fixing ourfelves to the

party of .4uflria and Spain, which would have wk° to

tended to our utrnoft ruin. From which being at#care

lafl: delivered by the rage direction and manage-.Branden"

ment of the t]fithfhl rulers of Holland, tho' -not have°Urg_;eet*

without their fignal and perfonal danger, we have in the ut.

great caufe to b_ highly thankful to God for it. n,_da,t.

gcr.

CHAP,

398 ff'ht good Ej_eH.t of _ Part III.

CHAP. VI.

What goodfruits the beginnings of a free

goqoernment have already produced, from

the death of the lafl fladtholder and captain°

general, to tke year 1662.

Not_it_ /_ 1N]'D now that I may more fully thew, that

l_,_i,g .[-]k notwithftanding the fad effeCtsof the relick_

thefore- of the former l_adtholders, governors, and captain-

f_id,e, generals i yet that our affairsfince the death of the

mainderJof i

:&fladt- loft, are oy the prudent management and zeal of

kdder_go-our Lithfid rulers, brought very far on towards

oaernmtntthe welfare of there provinces. Ar.d firft, as an

it is,..vi, eminent token of it, it is worthy obfervation, that

dent,

_'hefrult, not only a vigorous oppofition is made againff that

enjoy'dby ruinouscourf_ of taking up excefliverums coqtinu-

thefiee ally upon intereff, but that in the year , 655, by

govern- the zealof our good rulers,an expedient was found

,e,t are, to difcharge the laid province of the one hundred

Jqrfl, the

notta_i_gand forty millions of guilders, viz. by reducing tim

nmO yearly inter.eftof the laid rum from the _oth to the

atinurefl. 2jth penry, or from five to four lotr cent.and em-

ting_'£eof.Eweredu"ployk,g the yearly advance of it towards difchar-

u.#.,-, grog thole rums : which advance increafing yearly1

_/,_.e- that formidable rum of one hundred and forty mil-

_itht, lions, will, in twenty-one years (whereof a fixth

dMhargtpart isnow expired) under God's ble/'fir_g,be iotally

theea_ital

talen,#. difcharged.

_rothe But that which is moil:to be gloried in is, that

k./ie't/,o tho' the greate_ part of the rcgents of that pro-

ralerJ,a_tdvince have lent a confiderable part of their e_ates

the great

bt,:efltof to Holland and I¢:efl-Frifland, neverthelefs the

the met- confi.-'terationof their own profit did not hinder

rhanu,e,¢.them from cutting off a fifth part of their revenue

for the rteceffaryferviceof the publick, and among

others to fo many thoufand merchants, artizans,

and

Chap. 6. free Government in Holland. 399

and others, who have no eflacein the hands ot:the

government at interefl: fo is it alfo to be greatly

lameQte't, that there are/'till inhabitants of Hol/and,

who either cannot or will not be fenfibleof the

benefit and nece_ty of fo doing. They ought ]n/_ isa _t-

truth to confider that this country is an orphan, tytbat/aa.

and that the rulers being guardians, they cannot,_ofour

with a good confcience fuffer money to run at fop'@le_om.

prektndne¢

high an interefl at the charge of that orphafi, when thisb,ne3qi.

the credit of the laid orphan is fo great, that he

...dndundero

can take up money fufl:icientat 4 per cent ann Jt a,,,," -

".. j, a nor

would above all be inexcufable in the guardians to thatthis

keep their own money f_iliat the orphan's charge, cox_t,y',

others .

and require 5 per cent. for the fame, when .:u,iiant

,- - ,_&*-ot

and perhaps the elder brothers and riflers or me ,,o/,/j'_.

orphan, are ready to lend him their money at i,t,,_or

4 per cent. el_ba_

But above all they ought to confider, that the '_.,_t/s**

revenue of Holland in itfclf was of little or no va-#" t_

lue ; and if it be now otherwife, it doth purely M_,

and merely depend on the bldfi_g of God upon it,

commerce and traffick _ and that if any conBd_-

ruble diverlion or diminution of it fhou3dhappen,

'twere impoltible to raife the fe_,enmillions from E#eeially

it, which before the forefaidredu&ion wereyearly.w_,.,the

clcmanded by petition for payment of the forefaid,.,.,o,,,_of

one hundred and forty millions i which by conti Holland

m th_ ....

lauation of fuch an oeconomy as was kept " . bytho_

.. _tgb rote-

time of the fladtholders and captains-general, woma r_s_uo,ld

in time have been Comuch increafcd,that atlength haqsebeeu

it would have excee,*tedallthe revenueand produ&f_ailo_'i

of their trade : and the neat revenue of Holland,u_.

being, by this means, brought to lefs than nothing,

and its credit thereby neceffarilyat a fiand, the faid

province muft have funk and come to nothing of

a fudden.

I can compare thofe peopJe to nothing better

than to a cerLaincra_k'd.brain'd fon of an indufri-

OU$

k "¢'_'_ _ _' _:'_- Wm

4oo _Thegood E_eEts of a Part III.

Ho_wgreat OUShufbandman, who feeing his father once and

thef,_.ult:,again take a great quantity of corn out of his barn,

OF ,¢015 a_- _ ........

-,_ . ann carry It to his land and li:ateer It upon the

t_rge oar

thedebts earth, his crazy underftanding began greatly to

are, is fit murmur, laying, that they had wont to take the

_rt.,/,..ba,.,_corn out of the barn only by the handful, to bake

j#raultuae,bread and cakes, whereof he, his brothers and

Viz. _'..v fi_ers were daily to eat _ but hy this way of taking

./_ed-e0r,,,fo much together, it would fhrink and come to

•which carl

into the nothing; and that his £_ther ought not to have

eartbfiems denied them their former liberty. But that filly

tobelo/L fellow underfiood not that the corn li:attered upon

_ut after-the land was in no wife wafted or dettroyed, but

_ara_rO fowed in the earth in order to a great increafe the

duet, year following; and that his father had taken fur-

abu_clancefieient care to leave fo much in the barn as would

@odoestbatbring the year about without want: whereas if

rtduaiau they had taken corn out of that barn from time to

_ri,g, time for bread and cakes, wi'hout fowi'-.gany, it

trtatb_" might indeed for rome time have caufcd:t mc-ry

ae tot_e

eo**t,y, life, but the event woukt have been fud_lcnmifzry

and f,_mine. Even fo thole weak people perceive

not that that which fcemsto be withheld from them

or their neighbours by the aforefAd reduc"tion, is

by no means fquander'd away, but laid up asgood

feed, to produce more fiuit from year to year, that

it may, by the blelting of God, be truly f,,id to be

only our furplufage ; and in care that be negle&ed,

according to the fancy of fuch fooliflxperfox:sas

aforefaid, and the extremity be taken, we may for

a time live injollity, but at length the burden of it

would have ruin'd us all.

And further, to difcover th, difference between

the prefent fi'ugal and the former laviPn govern-

ment, we may remember that in our tm_c there

was another rcducCtionmade of rents and interefts

from ,6 to _o, and from 6 _ to fiper cent. But

the benefitof it pref, ntly dropt through our fingers,

cvell

Chap. 6. free Government in Holland. 40 z

even to the raifing of more horfe and foot, that were Whichun-

employed contrary to the defire of morl of the ho- tierthe

neff: rulers of Holland, and to the great detrimentfladtb_lder

of that province facrificed to the ambition of the _oereco,z-

captain.general ; fo that the forefaid redu&ion may ,vettedto

t_ele_oyi,,

be truly laid, not to have ferved to the eating of the ofraar_

country, but to a new and heavy taxing of tile needlers

commonalty, foldiers.

A.nd had we then been fo fortunate, that the Ya outof

good rulers at that time had been able to have made it_proflt,

ufe of the advance of the forefaid redu&ion (as they haa'it

do now) for difcharge of the capital rum, and re- .aget,

ducing the yearly charge (w,th the interefl: upon/-lolland

intererl) without running ourfi:lves again into new _od,¢,_o_,,

negotiations to the prejudice of Holland, we fhould ,_,,-_.b_,,,

in lieu of being fo vaftly in debt as at prefent, have o,,tofdd,t.

been free and on even ground. And if therewith A,,dh.._.e

• ./',,bA._ed

we can difcharge ourfelves of feven mzlhons of y.ear- "without

]y impofl:s, and all taxes on confumption, whlch avimp.ofls

lie fo heavy upon the commonaky, ar.d do fo re- onconfu=?.

marletbly hinder the increafe of our trade and corn- tion.

merce, and withal a good part of the poundage

upon lands and houfes, and of the cuf_oms and con-

voys, and yet after that have a better and clearer

revenue than we have at prefent; betides the bene-

fit we/hould enjoy of having all handycrafts-men,

manufaCturers and traders, who would refort to us

from other countries, under the advantages of hav-

ing the forefaid taxcs difcharged: if this were, I

fay, fo ordered, this fl:ate would, humanly fpeak-%tbeun.

ing, have been already, or at lear] in a few years utterable

be the moil: confi'.]erable, puiffant, and molt for-be,,_t of

midable republick of the whole world, a'l trade.,.

And as we thould certainly have poffcffed and

tared that profperity, in care the former govern-

ment had had the freedom of making the berl ufe

of the intereft of Hob'and; fo in all probability we

may yet enjoy and be fenfible of it in our own

perfons,

4os goodZet: of a PartIlL

7_,id, perfons,or at leak ourchildrenafterus, if wedo

tze,_'wt not fhamefullyfut_'_rthatgoldenlibertywhichis

,/'ok.",_t-

/',,...,i,,-o,,rput:into our handsby heaven, to be plucked from

"lib,r__,to us, and don't with the low return to the mire. This

_t_,a:i,tocertainly no generous Hollander can rightly confi-

t°3'tv@•der, without being inflamed with an ardent zeal to

hazard.his ettate and life forthe prefervatlon of the

preferitgovernment, and maintaining our true li.-

bert'y, and thereby to leave our children at lcafl:-

wife that happinefswhich we, in cafeour predecef-

forscould have effected that which in our times,

as aforefaid,is fo commendably f_ttled, fhould now

effectually enjoy.

Let none Imagine that during the war with the

king of 8pain, it would have b:_n impra&icabl¢

to employ the advance of the forefaid rtdu&ion for

difcharging part of the monies taken up at intereff,

and to continue it till the whole were paid off. and

the country out of debt ; feei_.gthe contrary hath

effe&ually appeared, that duTi-.gthe forementioned

eaflern war, where in proportion of time there was

more than twice as much extraordinarily raife;:land

fPaaidby the province of Holland as, fince the fore-

id firftreduction, ever happened in the war with

8pain ; yet the loft reduction from five to four in

the hundred, by the care and vigilance of the pre-

lent rulers, hath continued by the yearly advance

_rhttlir,t thereof, without any intermiflion or diverfion, and

frult,ftbis is employed for the difcharge of the capital debt.

jW,go- In the next place we may obferve, as a fingular.vmm,_t

iJ,agrt.,t effe& of the prefent free government, that by their

_art,.ft/,, prudence and good direction a good part of the fu-

fiq_uo,: pernumerary and ufelefs,land-forces, and efpecially

fi/,/iey&e.

i_a/._,,,_-of the foreign foldiery, isreduced and difcharged,

#t,/,wbo-,.to the eafeof the province of Holland in particular,

/yHolland Of the fum of near five hundred thoufand guilders

/a.u. per annum. Concerni,_g which it is fpeciaily to be

:ear&

jooeco noted, that the fortfaid redu&ion and difcharge

_il#_rt. WaS

Chap. 6. fi'e¢ Go_ernmen¢ in Holland. 403

was effe&ed by the good condu& of Holland, with

the univerfal fatisfa&ionand approbation of all the

other provinces. Whence therefore (by compar-

ing it with what paired in the year 165o) may bc

inferred, that the prefent time is much better than

that, when our own captain-general thruft hisfword

into our bowels, for no other reafon, but becaufe

the upright and faithful rulers, according to jufiice

and duty, did only ditband and reduce fome part

of the laid forces for eafe of the country, and as

preparatory to the neccffary dil'burdening of the

poor commonalty.

It is alfo at prefent firmly refolved for our good, _'bep,_t

that the benefit of the laid redu&ion, as alfo that of_ohicb

• i JrCO,"/'TJrr

of rents and interef_s, fllall be employed for dirt . .-

charging that intolerable burden which the ambi ,_/_-c_t_'_

tion of our captain-general laid upon our backs. _J_¢_':_

By this means the above-levied capital fums willw'b -

be fooner paid by fix years than otherwife they a,e_

could : fo that now in that refpe& about a full fifththat_.

part of the time requifite for the payment of thel_a__ 2o/1i

whole is expired ; betides, that a part of the above-_ the

laid one hundred and forty millions, which were_0,o, a'_

many years fince negotiated upon rents for life,d,argtd..

and likewife grow lefs every day, will infallibly

expire in a few years. So that we do vifibly ap-

proach the land of promife ; and if by reafon of

our unthankfulnefs, and murmuring againft the Al-

mighty, and againfl: our Moles, he does not carl:

us back into the Egyptian flavery, the remainder of_e)_,,_:t,

the journey through the wildernefs will fooa be at.,_.,t.y'a,/s

an end. go,re,.,,.

merit is)

Fourthly, Let us obferve, as another finmalar. __

•_ . t_at all

effe& of the prefent free government, thzt tl_o it contentlans

wasformerly judged and maintained by many, that ¥ cities

it would be impolfible, without Radtholders or go- a_tp_,.

vOrtiCeS ltJ'L

vemors of the t)rovinces, to comoofe and reconcile :_.

• ,._ _ . --.m _ " . , _ ¢tzatd to

Zinctlttterencesanatatlputesot prownceagamtt pro./,,ti,_c.

V_lce) ,Ha_.

404 The good EffeEls of a Part III.

vince, quarters againft quarters, cities againfl: cities,

and rulers in cities with one another, which will in-

fallibly afire from time to time ; and that by this

means the l_ate for want of fuch fl:adtholders and go-

efho,futb vernors, will e'er long fall into great diffentions

d;fferencts and civil wars, and in time come to ruin ; yet ex-

,,remoflOperil,ace hath taught us, that on the contrary, the

,.@d by

fled,asaf- many and great difputes and differences that have

f.-afla.ve- broken out, and were moftly caufed by the inffiga-

9- tion of thole tha: long after flavery, have fince the

death of the lafc prince of Orange been laid down

and appeaf:d with much better order and effe& than

l_rmerly. Yea, and which is wonderful, almofl:

all the forefaid differences and diti_utes were fo well

allied, by the authority and good condu& of the

lawful government, that at one and the fame time

the differit:g parties have found their fatisfa&ion and

contentment in laying them afide.

l'Vhe,'eas Whereas, on the other hand, we have formerly

o,t,;eotherfeen, that the t_adtholder irritated and _rred up

h,,,,dthe fuch differences, at leafl: cheriflled them, when it

fladthol- was 'for his intere_ and advantage _ and at laft made

aersc¢,,fedthe parties who had molt right, fubmit to the fword,

_any dif-

fo.e,¢e_, beeaufe he knew belt: how to arrive at his ends by

andgene, thole who leafl: regarded right, and conf_quently

rally made little confcience, fo they could plgafe him in

•,_rong'd obffru&ing jufiice, and the welfare of the land : it

the injur' d

?arti,s. being the maxim of all great perfons, divide &

impera ; for in troub:ed waters they have belt fifh-

ing.

t/zl.-_,hi,'. If ever any gnverno: or ftadtholder, and his ad-

a?pears by h:rents, had had lack caufe cf o.q'e,Jceas was.givea

_,,.,,,,?l,. to the provivce of Hal!and, an:_o 165o, and i:t care

viz. _y,..:_the fame flradrhol.ter and his aoherents h..d _,..d._:e

,,,,,,,ff._.offame power to revenge t!i_mf_'!:,es as the t_ates of

16it.

Hal had after the death cf th-: ]a_ prince of

Orange ; who c:n doubt but their dcfire of revenge

would have made the whole Kate to tremble, and

that

Chap. 6. free Government]n Holland. 4o$

that much chriftian.blood would have been facrl-

riced to their paffion ? But feeing the common good

is more regarded and purfued by the rulers of a free

republick, than the fatisfying of any violent paf-

fion ; and that by executing that revenge_ or ra-

therjufl: punithment, it would have fuRained a fignal

damage, the laid crime Was wifely"and prudently

buried by a general amneftv or p.-trdon ; and fo that

great breach, made on purpofe to keep the whole

_ate a long time in a troublefome alarm, was pre-

l]:ntly repaired.

The mo_ confiderable diffenfion and rent which _t,,tt_e

in the memory of man hath happened in there U- ,,#_.)i,,g

hired Provinces, was that of the province of Over- the di_,.

. • /ion in O-

yffel into two confiderable parties about the oec,m-_

t:) ver-Yffel.

Ring of the year I654 ; which was of fuch a na-

ture, that both the differing parties behaved them-

(elves as fl:ates, and as the lawful fovereign powers _¢_-'ch_d

broke out

of that province, intbmuch that they made war a- i,,to,,,,o-

gainft one another in that quality, and after fuch pen.¢.,ar.

a manner, that the city of Haa_eldwas, after a for-

mal fiege, taken by one of the parties. In thisdif-

fenf,on (_cording to the fbrementioned maxim of

great men) the Radtholder of Frie./land had con-

cerned himfdf, and was received by one of dae

parties for fl:adtholder, governor, and captain-ge-

neral of Over-yffel, by which the diffention was

brought to that extremity, and lat2ed between three

and tbur years.

But at lafl:thole lords obt_rving, that their dif- .4.,tyet 0

putes were infinitely multiplied, tb that the wound inter_,,./7o.

was almott: incurable, they fubmitted at the media- _he_R.

tion of the penfioner of Holland, to refer all their p¢..fw.arj

it _wat

differences to the decifion and determination of two flqiflott,

perfons appointed by the fl:atesof the fame province,

who were the Heer van Polsbroek bargo-mal'cer of

the city of dmflerdam, and the laid penfioner;

_ho reconciled the contending parties of the t3.id

D d pro.-

4o6 _rhegood l_fe_ts of a Part III.

province in tour of their differing points in an ami-

cable manner : and afterwards all the neceffaryre-

gulations, orders, inl'cru&ionsand affidavits as to

affairsof the government of the £aidprovince, be-

ing let down in writing, a folemn fentenceand de-

cifion was made and pronounced upon the 2oth of

AnaaOer-Augufl *657, of all the laid differences, in the

,_,,rdami-name of the fl:ates of Holland and W_-Frie./laneI,

it#. and all confirmed under the great real of the laid

Rates, inferring therein the forefaidregulations, or-

ders, inRru&ions and oaths, for preventing the

like inconveniencies for the future ; and all with

that prudence and moderation, that both parties re-

ceived entire fatisfa&ion. Hereupon the divided

government wasimmediately confolidatedand heal-

ed up, and the quiet and peaceof the laid province

reRored, and fo continuesto this very day.

l_,,_th_p. In the province of Groningen and Ommelanden,

_,_¢di,, there-arofe likewife a notable diffenfion at the lx-

Gronin- ginning of 1655, and again at the end of I656;

genis infomuch that the body of the forefaidOramelanden,

,worthyob-

./'er_ationoand half of the province being divided, all govern-

ment and adminil'crationof jufiice was at a Rand.

Upon this occafion it manifeRly appeared whether

fuchdiffentions could be beR compo_edand quieted

by.Radtholders, or by the authority and condu& of

N_herethe other rulers. The Ratesgeneral having gotten in-

aadthold_rformationof thole differences at two fcveral times,

notabk todid immediately defire the Radtholder of that pro-

,_lz,,_t,_e vince to be prefent in perfon, and .all_.ythe diffe-

di_Ter_nces

defl;dthe rence if pol_ble. But experience taught us, that it

_te, totowasbut like oil carl:into the fire: fo that the Radt-

it lvtheir holder wasnecell_tatedto return anfwer to the Rates

deputies, general, that he found it impra&icable, and defired

the fcateswould depute fume of their number for

that end. Which having performed, thole depu-

ties compofed and allayed the laid differences, to

the fatisfa&ion and contentment of both parties ;

and

Chap. 6. free Gevernraent in Holland. 407

and the government of the country wasfettled and .WT,'chal_

confirmed, in the name, and underthe feal of the ,,o,,:,,mi-

flaresgeneral, with confentof the laid c.ountry, ted.

It would be too tedious to mention circumf'can-

.dudi,

ces, how prudently and happily, by the wife di-I-hlhnd

rec"tionof the Rates of Holland or thole authorized,,,.._t/_

by thehh all the commotions that happened in the_r,._ccs

cities of the fame province, and all differences, astbaa,o_

well between the laid citiesagainfl:one another, as_a_e.,/,to,

us/F,o trio

between the rulers of one and the fame city, wereid.

every time extinguifhed and allayed. Yea even

old difputes, that fi'om the time of the laR troubles

had been carried on with much heat between fome

members, and which under the Radtholders could

never be allayed, were by the Ratesof Hollandami-

cably decided to the fatisfa6tion of the parties con-

cerned. Which examples in refpec'l:of the commo- AtDort,

tions that have heretofore, and now lately happened Enchuy-

at Dort, Enchuyfen and Medenblick, as likewife t'en,G°r"

nichem,

the appearing of the differences between the gover- Rotter-

nots of Gornichemand8cboonlooven,about the chu- dam,

ring of their magiRrates; andof tholeofRotterdam, Briel,_t;

and the Briel, about the pilotage of the Maefe, and.#,..I_¢,,

the paffage into Goeree; as alfo the old difputes we/_-

about the inveRiture of the collegesof the generali- Friefland,

ty, between the members of Wefl.Friefland and a,d t_,c

North

the north quarter, which were depending beyond fuarUr.

the memory of man, are very notable inRances.

Here might alfo be /hewn, that the beginnings ..., .

..... woer# tbC

of all the laid commottons and dlffennonswerefirR b-i,,.i,,-.

• "g g

defigned or contr,ved by the laRdcceafed Radthol-ofmi[d_itf

der _ and others were excited and fomented by his_ert co,,.

creatures that he left behind him: fo that all that t,-i,_d_

• our #_fl

are lovers of peace and qmet, and would ratheraa_dd. _

have all difcordscompofed by wife and mild con-"

du6t:, than carried on and increafedby pafiion, or

decided by the fword, have need carefully to be-

ware.of cleating a/'_adtholder or new baitmaker.

D d 2 But

4o8 The good E_e_s of a Part II_I.

_rhem_' But the greatefl:and moil:valuable benefit of the

a_f- prefent free government, is, that now, according

uit --

...... to the true mtereft of Holland, all the revenuesof

o] tmslree " r "na

go_,r,,, the land, both ordinary and extrao dl ry, that

meritis, remain over and above the payments of the princi-

tkatlhe pd and interefl: of the publick debts, are applied

the increafinga,d firen_thening our naval pow-

Holland "-"

,,,._,¢,.): er; whereas it w,_sheretofore wafted upon unpro-

_o_Z,'o fitable, nay and ott-fimes pernicious fieges and o.-

.p_en_t_o,ther expeditions, according to the'vain'glory of the

our na-val captain-'genrral. It is particularly obfervable, that

JCOrg¢£,

at prel_nt the ordinary naval power of this ftate is

aboee tlw_e or fotrr times more formidable than

ever it was duri,g the war with the king of 8pain.

.And as a(ter the concl_f_on of the peace with the

laid king, dtJring the life of the prince of Orange,

the firfl:&fig_ was (as 1,formerly mentioned) to

fell the moil: confiderableof o_r fhilSs; fo alter his

death, one of the firl_ cares of the fcateswas,to put

the colleges o; the admiralty in a pofcure ofa&h_g

Co,fide_-offenfively at lea: the Rates having (vchich is a

i,g t_, i, thing incredible) during the chargeable war again_

t_o Fearsp

6o;_,w England, from ,6Sz to 1654, built in the fpaceof

_q, of two years, fixty new capital lhips of war, of fuch

._ar_o-, dimenfions and/:brce, as w_:renever before ufed in

3..ilt. the fervice of this fl:ate. And thus they have pro-

.slnen_ ceeded with.the like provident care to bu.ildother

m_a-_inesfhips, to buy _nnon_ to ere& vaR magazines and

b_ilt._ro-tt:ore-houf_sfor feeuring and preferring navalftores,

,'oided.zvith

allnecef- and making of publick rope a_.lies,and the like,

/_i_s/_r and tbr providing allthings neceffaryfor the equip-

_i,_,0/_g,ping and t_tti_g of fhips to fi:a; andgenerally have

o_,=_&e,done all that's fit for the ft,rengchni-ngof our naval

power, wh.ichhath been continued diligently from

time to time.

This is known to be the only means whereby,

under the bleffing of God, this fl_atemay prog.rtf-

fively incre_,f¢in fi_hing, c_marncrc_and nawga-

tion,

Chap. 6. free Go_ernment b_ Holland. 409

tion, and draw an incredible concourfe of people _h,,d,y

out ofatl cotmtries, as we daily experie_e m ojar,,.,,h,_i-

". "o - - rating lO

great joy. For who can b_ l=norant, mat the _ .;,

• Jca _aattt

awful regard to our forefaM naval power alonehath, Setr_ve,_-

next under God, been the caute of putting a t_optea,

to the afbremen:ioned Intolerable piracies of the

French in the Mediterranean fens, by which the

government is brought into a pof_ureto be able,

yea and did refol_,eto attack, take and deftroy,

not only common pirates, but even the king's

fllips of war which were made ufeof for that end?

fo that two of the king of France's /hips being Ef_ecialb

taken by vice-admiral de Ruyter in the Mediter- i, th,

ranean in *657, his maje_y, who had caufed allMediter.

our/hips and effe&sthroughout his dominions to ranean.

be feized, was thereby readily brought to free us

from that inconveniency.

Withouttheinfluence ofthis navalpower, itwouldA,t the

in atl human probability have been impoffi .le to Ea_ernaf

deliver our felves with any reputation out of the./;,i,, lif-

Eaflern war formerly mentioned, without being__t'_'d"

expos'd to many more dil_:.ulties. In /hott, by d,,to,_,

this meansthe commerce and n_vig._tionof thefe t_a_

provinces have, notwithfl:andingth_ heavyburdens ,_,,,t,_._,i-

_ gation con-

forementioned, been kept ina tolerable good pof-_'d,,._qv

ture andcondition,and do nowconfiderableimprove,'en_e,_.ka'.

So that the folly or malice of rome people is in-

tolerable, who dare complain of our p.refentflare 7"._PVI"

noble effe&s of the prefent flee government, yet i_/._,_,-

-- Cu]aOl¢,

they/hould at l:aff fuffer themfeJves to b.e con.

vineed by the evident profperity of the cities of

Hotlana, What could they anfwer if d_xywere

atked, whether it be not a manife[_token _ pro-

fperity, that the moil: confiderable and _reatel_

mercantile city of the province, viz..4rnJterdam,

D d 3 l_atk

4zo Holland's Inhabitants ought P.art I!I.

hath been enlarged two parts in three _ and that

none can obferve, that either the houfcs or inheri-

. .. tances are thereby leffenedin value_ yea that it is

¢J'tng tot ....

• ,o:_,r,n fo augmented tn bmldings of houfes, that the _m-

_ht_'"i_theforegoingyearsconfiderablyimproved?We

may a/_rmthefameofLeydenandDort,andother

/_:hsi,,Zcitiesin proportion.And thattheriches,and

,utthe plentyofmanycannotbekeptwithinthewailsof

_o,,_,oftheirhoufes_ butthatoverandabovetheircoRly

_/ti_,.and Rarelybuildings,theyarevifiblein their

¢_atl_,,_coaches,horfes,and othertokensof plentyin

,,,#,,,a:everypart.Therearebutveryfewinthecitiesof

t/:c'_,aoftheforefaidprovince,thatdonotyearlyincreafe

tatinoa- -_ " "a" Y a "

.... m_lr capxtJ. e, ff the forefaid ,complainers

ottants, and murmurers look but into their own books, I

#,th,. affure myfelf that moil:of them (unle_ they are

oang. li nt a

--r'o"----"r profufe, neg ge .nddebauched) /hall find thexr

bo,efmtr.Rock, one year w,th another, confidcrably in-

chant,, creafed.

C H A P. VII.

ffhe third and/aft part of this book ¢onzludes

_vith this, That all good inhabitants ought

to defend the Jree government oJ the repub-

lick of Holland and WeR-Fricfland, _vith

eheir lives and eflates.

HEN lince we have already enjoyed fuch

noble fruits of the prefent freegovernment,

notwithftanding the grievous obRruc"tionsbefore-

mentioned, and that we are as yet but in the

winter of this happy change, wherein a great part

of the l_id good and fruitful feed lies Ril| hid in

the

Chap. 7" tofupport their free Government. 4I I

the ground, and the other part is but preparing to

be lowed in the fpring i who is there that may not

eafily apprehend, how noble and happy the ap-

proaching fpring and rammer will be; but efpe-

cially the harveft, when that horrible burden of

one hundred and forty millions will be paid off

and fully difcharged, and when the taxes upon con-

fumption, commerce, and immoveable el_ates,

wilt be leffenedby feven millions, and yet the tma-

lure of the land not one fciver lefs.

And if at prefent, under fo many intolerable

burdens as areexpreffed in the 5th chapter, and

what we have fince the year I66z befaln us (of

which we might give a large account) our cities

an:i inhabitants have under a free government been

vifibly enlarged and increafed _ who will not eafily

apprehend, that by continuing the tame govern-

ment we fhall in time, with god's bleffing, be the

molt happy and mighty country for ftrength that

is to be found upon the face of the e_rth ? And .,4llth, i_

therefore we are obliged to pray fervently to God habltantt

Almighty, that he would be pleafed not only to °fH°l"

landought

keep us in the fame ftate, but alfo upon occafion to tofupport

make us willing to hazard our lives and eftates, tbeirfr,,

and that joyfully, to maintain the fame; that fogo_,'n-

our children may at leaft poffefs that full happt -'ntnt-

nefs, and that comples:t worldly felicity which they

cannot fail of, (without God's extraordinary judg-

ment) unlefs we fhould by our revolt to a ftadt-

holder, governour, or captain-general, pull up

the l_ately foundations which have fo prudently

b.*en laid by the prefent free. government, and

which without fuch defecdion will the more eafily'

by continaunce be kept up, yea and may from

time to time be improved.

With this general conclufion, I might now end

the,third p_rt of this book, were it not that thd

great weight of this affair preffcth me to f,ty fur.,

D d ,1. ther,

412 Holland's h_kabitant_ ought P.art III.

ther, that upon this foregoing argument, illuftrated

by antient and modern hiftories, and alfo by our

own experience of the many mifchiefs of the for-

mer comp_u]five government, and of the many

gQod fruits of the prefent free government, we

might well hold it for an unchangeable maxim,

that a country having fuch intereffs or advantages

as Holland now hath, ought in all refpec"tsto be

governed by a free republick and ftates : and that

all the good rulers of this land, and efpecially all

the inhabitants that are in any meafure cor.c:rnecl

in the profperity of manu_&ury, fifhery, com-

merce and/hipping, ought to maintain the prefent

tree government with all their might, and by no

means to fuffer, and much. lefs to occafion that any

il_hahitant, of what quality foever, do under any

fpecious tide or denomination, acquire fo great a

power, that the gentry and cities of Hollandlhould

t'ubmit unto, or truckle under him, or not dare

by their deputies at their affemblies to fpeak out,

and declare that which tends to the true intereft of

the country, and the refpecq:ive cities of Holland,

when it thwarts the interelt: of a political or military

head _ or when they haicing declared it, dare not

maintain it, without running into imminent dan-

ger.

.E/.pedalb. And above all, we may conclude, that the ec-

a,o/eof clefiat'ticks, who in any wil_ regard the true in-

t& ,e_.- tere_ of the retbrmed religion, that do zot impi-

=_trdi- oufly trample upon the honourofGod, and lhame-

gi_. l_fly fell the reveremce due to themfelves for a mefs

of pottage, ought to fupport this free government,

and with their fpiritual weapons defend it againft

the encroact_ments of fuch a ruler_ confidering that

the reformed religion will be lurer and better pre-

ferred by the prtldent, immortal, and almoft im-

mutable fo_,ereign affembly of the ftates of Holland

_d W'qt-Frieflandj aad other colleges fubordinat_

Chap. 7. tofupport their free Govennment. 4I 5

to them, than by thole voluptuous, lavith, trara-

fitory arid fickle monarchs and princes, or their fa-

vourites, who alter the outward form and pra&ice

of religion as may be mol_ confit_ent with their

pleathres or profits; and betides, when they die,

do often bequeath their lands to inheritors of others,

and efpecially of the Romi/b religion, who by their

high places, politick conduct, and the eminency

of their ecclefiaftical honour and extraordinary'

riches, attra& to themfelves great perfons, and efpe-

_ially the furviving poor daughters and younger

fons, who by them may eafily arrive to great inhe-

ritances, as we h._.veoften feen in this and the fore-

going ages, in France, England, Germany, Orange, Becau/_4

&:e. And feeing the confi_ories, claffes and fy- republica.

nods being in rome meafure inclined to obey thisg _e_-

lawful government as the fovereign power let over me,,t,ea;

- . i._ara_' at-

them by God himfelf, have a plenary and ample.ter, b_,ta

freedom allow'd them in all their ecclefiaf'cical de-flngl_ptr-

terminations, and are likely fo to continue, purfu-An ,,,ay

change the

ant thereunto each minifl:er doing his duty during rdigio_of

life, and preferring or voting among the yearly t&#act

eiders, deacons and members that depend upon heli_ui,to

him, and he himfelfbeing fubje& to none five the

fovereign power, is in effec_ a little bifho[J, and

fo will continue; and moreover the laid minivers

will retain the due freedom of expounding God's

holy word left us in the writings of th: old and new

tefl:ament, in fpirit and truth, and may frame their

oxpofitioris, and publick prayers according to the

occafion, time and place, to the greater advance-

r_-nt of God:s honour, and the edification of the

church, wherein the greatef'c comfort, and higheft

praife of an upright retbrmed minifl:er does confi_.

Whereas on the other fide, a monarchical gover-

rJour, tho' not acknowledging the pope of Rome,

muff: and would neceffarily turn off, and difi:harge

fuch a ckurch-council, to make way for the ruling

4x¢ Holland's Inhabitauts ought Part IIL

of bifhops, o'ra p_litical church-council, to eaufe

them, and all other preachers to depend on him-

felf as headof the church. And moreover, atingle

perfon would for his greater fecurity, and quiet

in hisgovernment, deprive the minif'cryof their free-

dom to expound the word of God according to the

beff:of their trill, and to fuit their publick prayers

to the edificationof the people, and inffead thereof

give them formed or compofid f,rrnons andprayers;

or if the prince found himfelfnot ff:rongenough to

introduce this church-government, and thereby to

curb proud and feditious preachers, he would then

perhaps rather endeavour to make fuch minifiers

and clergy fubmit to the pope of Rome, than fuffer

them to be their own maffers, in hopes that by

length of time, and manifold accidents, and by an

eeelefiaftiealgovernment, in rome meafure regu-

lated by aforeign head, it would be moretolerable

to him than there upff:artfeditious people, whom

no bodyknows how much power they will pretend

to, and of whom, as of a hidden diRemper, and

a fecret enemy, the fovereign is always injealoufy

and fear.

La/tly, we may well conclude, that all the fore-

mentioned evils would certainly befal thole lands,

as loon as any one tingle perfon, under what fpe-

cibuspretence or title foever, lhall have the com-

mand of our forces, either during life, or for a

long time. We muff: confider, that in thereun-

fortified provinces, where foreign hired foldiers

arecontinually entertained in allthe adjacent if:tong

holds, fucha foldiery will not only obey him in

defpite of the civil magiff:rateswho are their di-

re,ors and pay-maff:ers, and in defpite of the ho.

ner minif[ry, and to the ruin of fuch as live on

their rents, trades and huib_ndry ; but likewife all

other ill difpofed inhabitants, as well as the rabble,

will always be ready, tho' not ff:irredup by any

wicked

Chap. 7. tofupport tbdr free Go'oernment. 4I$

wicked and feditious preachers, to join themf'elves

with the party of fuch a courteous, liberal and va-

liant captain.general. So that the mot_ honeff and

virtuous rulers and magiffrates muff:be fotc'd by

conffraint to demit, and others to prevent the

lofing of their lives, honours and effates; or elfe,

to gain more wealth and honour, and authority,

muff concur with him, and dlffolve fuch a go.

Vernment.

The matter being thus, we muff: fay, that all _t,_,,.

erfons, who for their particular intereff do wil-ira,yh_,_.

ally introduce fach a monarchical government*,/''u'°uta

into our native country, will commit a crime _ttrtaf*"

which afterwards can n_ver be remedied, but like B3t_it

Affard, original {m be derived from father t9 fan _ff;tt

to perpetuity, and produce fuch pernicious effe_b taws¥'

that all the good order and laws of there provinces,ih,/a,/'

whether civil or ecclefiafl:ical,muff. at length be "rei, da,.

fubverted. And feeing ¢riram majeflatis is pro.#%'_._u,

perly committed againff the laws of the f'overeignj-u/,_,t_

power, namelyeither to affault the legiO.atorhim--

fell, or to endeavour to alter the fovereign go-

vernment ; we mut_ therefore conclude, that the

laid inhabitants will by fo doing make themfelves

guilty of crimen raajeflatis _ perdudlionis non

fluxurafed permanensin ,eternum, the moil: grie-

vous, moil: durable and endlefs treafon againfl:

their country.

To conclude : We muff grant that this repub-

lick of Holland and I¢:efl-Friefl'andbeing deprived

of their free government by erecting a ftadtholder

or captain-generalfor life, woukl in a few yearslore

both the name and•appearanceof a free republick, _s,wd.

and be changed into a downright monarchicalgo-f,,r t d'all

vernment; which the merchants percei_'ing, they tbtinhabi.

would leave our country as they have done others, rant,

that theymight beunder a free government. But _,uldb,

liter,ire

God forbid and divert it, that b_ing the grea.te.ffo6/,,a,#

worlclly

4;5 _'he Concluflon. Part III.

worldly mlfchief that can befal u_; for this coun.

try. which fubfilts by manufa&urers, fiIhermen,

merchants, owners of thips, and others depending

r_nthem, who by this meansmuff be all bereft of

their livelihood, will become a land defoJateand

uninhabited, a body without a foul, and a lame_-

table fountain of unfpeakable mifcry.

C H A P. VIII.

ffhe conclufion of the "wholebook, "with a decla-

ration of the author's deflgn, and a caution

both to the ill and well qffb_ed readers.

T H ES E my remarks upon the three premi-

fed parts of the true political maxims of the

republick of Holland and lCi'eg-Friefland,happen-

ing to be made publick, tho' very imperfe&, un-

der the title of if'heinterefl of Holland in the year

x66z _and afterwards in the years t667 and x668,

being more carefully perufed, and more maturely

_o_olt deliberated upon, the reader ought to be fore2

,-,,d,dd warned, that fometimes the affairsof thole refpec-

_itb thi, tire years ought to be adverted to in the reading.

afflrma-

t/o#, .And that my intent was, bo:h in general and par-

titular, to llaewbrietty whereinthe interelt of Hol-

land confirms,viz. That as in all countries of the

world, the higheft perle&ion of a political fociety,

and in a land by accident labouring under taxes,

and naturally indigent_ as Holland is; there is at_

abfolute neceffitythat the commonalty be left in as

great a natural liberty for reeking the welfare of

their fouls and bodies, and for the improvement

of their eft:ares, as poflible. For a_t_e inhabitants

of the moil:plentiful country upon earth, by want

only of that natural tiherty, and finding themfelves

every way encumber'd and perplexed, do really in-

habit a bridewel or houfe of correc"tion, fit for

none but miferable condemned flare,, and eonfe-

quentl,¢

Chap. 8. r/he Condufion. 4t 7

quendy a hell upon earth. Whereas a power off'hat Hot"

ufing their natural rights and properties for"their|and',in-

. - -- -- _ e_. tertfl con-

own fa'fety, provided tt tends not to the clettructton_atinthe

• * , s JT"

of the fociety, will be to the commonalty, tho mfr,,So,_of

a barren and indigent country, an earthly paradife:dl ittin-

tbr the liberty of a man's own mind,'efpecially habita'aJ.

about matters wherein all his welfareconfifts, is to

fuch a one as acceptable .asan empire or kingdom.

I have likewife fhewn, that fuch a liberty and"Thattt, ls

profperity of the fubje& does very well confiil in interefla.

Holland with the pref_nt uncontroled power of theg_" ,,d!

_,ith tket

freegovernment, and with none other, ortheru.

So that all good p:ttriotsand true lovers of our I,'r;.

native country, who peruf, this book, are earneil-

iy intreatedto confider deliberatelywhether the two

moil: weighty points before mentioned, are not

t_ronglyand fu_ciently demonilrated.

But whether, when, and how the particulars

here treated of, may all at once, or at feveral

times, be i_t about or perufed, was not my inten-

tion in the leafl:to dire&. For the higher powers, _e a,.

whom it only concerns in a republick to concludetho_';,i_

" ' ' t _uat nPt t_

of there matters, and all pohtmians know that ....

. . . ?rsj,'rloe

fuch things asmay be borne with lefsmconvemenee,,n thin t_

than removed or chan_,ed, ought to continue, and the,.ulers

remain in being. And when fuch wife and good at,._a,=

patriots will make any alteration, they mull go by tern.

degrees, and asfar as they conveniently may ; yet

they mull rather fraud i_ill, or remain as they are,

than run their headsagainfl:a wall.

And indeed reformation in political affairs de.

pends on fo many, and l_aehvarious circumfkmces,/'_"t_,,t

• . ," .. ta qooxldbe

namely ¢uf_oms, times, places, rulers, tuojec_s,.....,,..r

allies, neighbouring and fbreign countries, th_t,,_,'_-_"

fuch a reformation is either proper, or improper to._,,,_.

be undertakeo, according as th,: fever_l circum-,ae,¢.

frances

" Mu/taFaeerenon olmrt_tcilt__'ac'httme.nt_ Maki fclre

_ucz cxcq_i.

4r8 _'heCond_on. PartIIL

i'caneesave well weighed, fuch efpecially in a free

republic which is governed and managed by pru-

_ulall,v dent affemblies of the Rates, venerable city coun-

i, thi_ ells, and reputable colleges _ in which it would be

co_,,try, a great prefumption and felf.conceit, yea, indeed a

.whtrtart crime for a private perfon to dare to conclude any

_ma,O

J'age,,,_a thing, and in fo doing to arrogate it to himfelf, or

/_/ent to put a hand to that work, whichproperly and of

rd, rs. right belongs only to the Rates of Holland, and

thole that are thereunto authorized.

If any man faould obje& by way of reply, that

throughout the whole book I ufe no doubtful pro-

pofaJs, but pofitive reafonings, and a conclulive

cogent way of.argument: I anfwer, that all mat-

ters which not only confif'cin knowing fomething,

but alfo and chiefly in defiring or oppofing any

thing, and which moreover thwarts the prejudices

and interefts of many men, neither can, nor ought

to be otherwife handled. For if an angel from

heaven fhould propofe to mankind fuch matters

doubtfully and faintly, he would have but little

audience upon earth, and gain no credit by people

that have imbibed fuch prejudices beforehand. So

that being defirous of having what I write of fuch

matters to be read with confideration, and ma-

turely weighed, and to make fome imprellion on

the reader, I have been neceltltated to ufe this

manner of writing. And therefore I find myfelf

likewife ,obliged at the end of this book, when I

I prefume all hath been read, and duly weighed,

to declare thus much, and to give this caution,

that the fame may be made ufe of for the good,

and not for the hurt of our native country.

I fhall add, that fuch a circumfpe& cenfure of"

the readers is the more requifite, becaufe I Lhall

have done much, if in propofing matters which

relate to the profperity of Holland my judgment

hath in the general been rightly dire&¢d: for it

would

Chap. 8". 7"be Concluflort. 419

would be incredible, and almofl: above human

power, not to have err'd and miftaken in propo.

ring and relating fo many feveral particular mat-

ters. But fince notwitht_anding my aim hath been

to let nothing before you but truth, which might

tend to the benefit of my native country, I hope I

have not always t_rayed, and run into miftakes.

God _ant that in the judgment of my feveral rea-

ders, and efpecially thole of the lawful magiftracy,

and true fathers of their country, I may have come

fo near the mark in many things, that my errors,

which in fuch'a cafe I renounce, may be fo over-

looked by them, as they may commend my lauda-

ble zeal, and be excited to greater-matters them-

felves, or may employ others that have more abi-

lity and leifure ; that by fuch countenance and fa-

vour they may be encouraged to write fomething

neceffary for the fervice of their native country,

and that more amply, methodically, and folidly

than I have done. If this be effe&ed, I have my

principal end and defign.

Bat in cffe any reader be fo ill minded, though

neither willing nor able to effec"tfuch a commen-

dable work himfelf, as to oppofe and defpife what

I have here laid down ; lethim remember, that I

defire nothing of him but to judgeof mine and

other writings with confideration and circumfpec-

tion ; and that I/hall be far from fuch fooli/h am-

bition as to write an anfwer which would neither

be ferviceable to my country, the reader, nor my-

felf: for I intend to follow this perpetual maxim

during my /hort and tranfitory life, to make no

man matter of my time and repofe but myfelf, and

particularly never to grant or yield fo much to any"

ill-defigning perfon, as for their fakes to fall into

troub!efome, contentious anc_ unprofitable fcrib-

ling. For whether my errors be truly difcovered,

42o _he C.ondu/:on. PartIIL

or peevifhly and falf_lylaid to my charge, the fe-

veral readers muff:be the judges.

Farewel, and remember this faying, * It is the

duty of a good citizen, to preferve and deffnd the

common freedoal of his native country, as far as

in him lies.

Boni civis eft liberum reipublic_ f_tum tueri_ nec earn

mutatum velle.

FINIS.

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