humours of a corrupted Politick Body. Ense residendum est, nè pars
sincera trabatur. The calling in of your Letters of reprisal, gives great
satisfaction here to all in general, and feeds us with hopes of good successe
of our Embassy: before every thing seemed to incline to a posture
of opposition; the spirits of this people being highly provoked for their
losses, who doe never consider whit damage they have done to others.
At Amsterdam and in Zealand are great preparations a making for
ships. I hear Amsterdam offers to the State to set out 100 Sail; the
Zealanders they say have done the like. These people think and brag
that they can outvy you in number of ships, if you two should clash; but
they never consider of the situation of your Countrey, nor of the
strength of your Fleets; they think if they have but ships enough, they
are able to controll all the world.
Your State is so renowned, that all Kings and States begin to seek
to you. The King of Denmark for certain is sending an Ambassador
to you likewise: He faith, if Holland agrees with you, he will enter into
League with you too; and then will not care for all his enemies. He
is afraid of Sweden, but the Hollander must bear him out. I hear there is
a Professor in Sweden, by name Messenius, together with his son, who are
executed for Treason against the State of Sweden. The first was beheaded,
and the second drawn and quartered.
About twelve miles off of the Maes, there have been strange sights
seen in the Air, of Armies and Fleets fighting together, whereof the
particulars are in Print, and published about these Provinces.
Our daily prayer is, that we may agree with you. If not, we are unhappy.
We see now, that wee might have had better Quarter with the
King, then we are like to have with you. We compounded our Eastludy
businesse with him for 50000 l but wish we had made an with you
for 100000 l. or 200000 l. rather then fail.
Letters from Zealand say, there lay five Frigots at Flushing, authorised
by the Magistrates of that place, and ready to set Sail with Letters
of Mart against your English, but the State of Zealand hearing of
it, have arrested, and staid them, in hope of some good news from
you by the next Post, to the great exasperation of the rude multitude,
who would fain be at you, and are in a mutiny there with the Magistrates
about it.
Just in the instant, I have news brought me, that five of the States of
Holland are clapt up here in the Hogue, being confined to their own houses,
as divers are also in other Provinces, for Bribery.
The latest Letters from Middleburgh say, that all the Merchants not
only of that, but of other Towns of Zealand, had subscribed a Petition
to be delivered to the States of Zealand, that they might have liberty to
set forth ships with Letters of Mers, against your English; intimating
withal, that things were come to such a passe, that the States durst not
any longer deny it.
Paris, the 7. of February, 1651/2.
We hear, That the Prince of Condé afore his going from Libourn, hath
arrested several Inhabitants, who kept correspondency with the Count