the Lords States of Holland and Westfriezeland, lest he might seem to have neglected
his Duty in anything, hath thoughtiset to Exhibit here in writing, that which be intended
to have spoken in full Assembly of their Lordships, desiring, as it is fit and just,
That the Illustrious and Potent Lords the States, will second his endeavours so far,
as to cause the Premises to be read in Publick, and to direct their counsels to such
an issue that this Assair whereon the safety of so many Nations depends, may be determined
by an Answer upon mature and prudent deliberation: Especially, since it is
without doubt, that this is his sacred Royal Majesties final resolution, and so much
the less alterable, in regard he hath determined upon a more accurate deliberation
and advice of the Senate of his Kingdom, to adhore thereunto. Hague this 17th
of March 1660.
P. J. Coyet.
The Proposition it self.
The Reader is to take notice, that the Preamble of this Proposition is omitted: The
rest is as followeth.
Illustrious and Potent Lords States.
HIs Royal Majesty of Sweden, my most gracious King and Master, as he did
not believe that any would be so unjust as to blame him for that which
most men wont to dos and which all men would have others permit unto
themselves, viz to make use of their own Right without injury to another; so
he thought it was both Humanity and Clemency, whiles he doth defend his own,
not to give others the least occasion of complaint, as if ought had been derogated
by him from their Right: Hence it is, that in the wars wherein he was involved,
assoon as he came to the Crown of Sweden, he was always most carefull of
this; Not to abridge any, and chiefly this Illustrious Commonwealth, of their
advantages.
And when the Polanders had at last wholly broken the Truce, which formerly
they had so many wayes violated, by that most insolent and unsufferable Protestation
against the advancement of my most Serene King to the Kingdome of
Sweden, and would not acknowledge him for such a one as they did them with
whom the Truce was made; and adding to the injury stubbornness, they would
not in due time make amends for their rashness, but perfisted, as if they had done
very well: Nevertheless, he used the Right of his Arms very moderately against
them, to the end that, so far as it lay in his power, he might prevent [unr] of
complaint from the subjects of this Common-wealth, in case a few of their ships
should be constrained to lie still while he should be about to settle the Right of
his Crown Royal. Upon which account, he that might have hindred, not onely
upon the ground of natural Equity, but by vertue of the Leagues made with this
Commonwealth, all Trading with the City of Dantzick, (which, after the
offer of Neutrality by them re[unr]sed, he did then besiege with his Fleet, as a part
of his Enemies Kingdome) did not withstanding permit the Subjects of this Commonwealth
to redeem the liberty of trading thither, for a little money: Nay,
that same Toll, although it was most justly, and by the example of all Princes
and Commonwealths in War, levied, was after a few moneths wholly takes off,
and all the inconveniencies which could arise from the whole Polonian War,
[unr]sre, in the year following, by signal benefits conferred on the Subjects of this