MONDAY, March 31.
Take a further Accompt of the proceedings of our Ambassadors,
from the Hague.
MY last to you was from Rotterdam, where we were feasted
Friday and Saturday at the English house at the
Merchants charges; the Sunday and Monday following at the
Towns. On Monday 27. in the afternoon, we set on our away
for the Hague; and within a mile there of at a place calle[unr] the
Horn-bridg, we were met with 30 coaches by the master of the
ceremonies, and 2 or 3 Lords, who came to congratulate their
Lordships arrival into their country: that night we were had
to a house that the states had made ready to enterta [unr]n us in,
where we have bin feasted for these 3 days at their charges; &
this is the last day being the 30. of this month, on which the
Lords Ambassadors have had audience of the States in their
great Assembly. Two of the States came to fetch their Lordships,
about 40 coaches attending them. For my Lords Gentlemen,
who all were as brave as the sun, the like hath not bin seen
for these many years. The French Ambassador's Retinue is
not to be compared to their Lordships: the Dutch blest themselves
to see so much gallantry, as though they never had seen
the like in their lives. One thing I forgot to mention,
which past when we were at Roeterdam. The Spanish Ambassador
sent his Gentleman to their Lordships to Kiss their
hands, and to congratulate their safe arrivall, and to desire a
fair correspondence and understanding between their Lordships
and himself, and that as soon as they were come to the
Hague, he would wait upon them himself. Their Lordships
invited him to dine with them, and after dinner sent him back
with a complement to the Hague.
I return now to our Audience, which was given with a great
deal of solemnity. My Lord st. John made the Speech, which
was in short to this effect:
That they were sent over to the Mighty States of Holland from the Parliam.
Of the Commonwealth of England, to make a firm League and confedracy
between them and England, if they think fit and please to accept of it, notwithstanding
many injuries that have bin done to the English by the Dutch nation.
Secondly, to confirm and renew those former Agreements and Treaties of
Commerce, made between both Nations.