From Brussels, January 25. stilo novo.
In my last I gave you an account of the Treasons discovered here,
contrived through the pernicious practices of cardinal Mazarin; since
which his Highness the Archduke hath caused a strict Guard to bee
kept in all the Garisons, and hath caused the Earl of Bassigny to be
apprehended at Court, he was Governor of the County of Arthois
and of the Family of the Horns (who was formerly beheaded in
the company of the Earl of Egmont, by order of the Duke of Alva
at Brussels) as soon as he was apprehended, he was sent prisoner to
the Citadel of Antwerp, under a very strong guard, and presently
some Commissioners were sent by the Privie Councel to visit his
Castle, called Over-Ische, two or three leagues from this City, where
they found all his papers and writings, with a good round sum of
money, which they brought away with them, and afterwards laid
up in a secure place till further order, and till such time as he had
been examined; which the Commissioners of the Privie Councel
and of the Parliament of Malines do intend to doe very suddenly in
the said Castle of Antwerp: And becaus that this Lord is allyed to the
chiefest Families of this Country, they will not suffer men to say, His
Imprisonment proceed from Treason; but that he hath opprest the
People of his Government, and hath extorted from them severall
contributions to satisfie his own ambition. His Mayor, Secretary, &
some other of his Domesticks, are also taken after much trouble, and
imprisoned. In the mean time the Marquis of Trasignie is sent to his
Government. As for the affairs of the Countrey of Liege, they still
grow worse and worse, and, they are like to be made the seat of war;
for the French troops are marching thither to quarter there, in opposition
to the rest: for it is said mat the Marquis Faber Governour
of Sedan, doth conduct them, consisting of a hundred Troopes of
Horse, and three thousand Foot, who do give out that at their arrival;
they will drive out the Lorainers, and the Prince of Condes
Forces, and afterwards settle those of Liege in their ancient Liberties,
His Highness the Archduke rides how and then a hunting with
the chief of the Court, the season of the yeer affording no manner of
action, and good order being taken to secure the garrisons round about
him.
Whitehal, January 19.
His Highness, and his Council, having passed two Ordinances,
they were this day orderd to be printed: The one is entituled,
An Ordinance for repealing several Acts, and Reolvs of Parliament,
made for, or touching the subscribing or taking the Engagement. Which
stands repealed from the aforesaid nineteenth day of January.
1653. and is now printed and published.
The other is intituled, An Ordinance declaring the offences herein
mentioned, and no other, shall be adjudged High Treason, within the
Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions