as one entire body. These are as much against the Prince of
Orange his faction, as we against the Cavaliers.
Severall of the States came every meale, to dine with their
Lordships and to bid them welcom; one or other of them always
begin's to drink a health in continuationem & prosperitatem
Reipublica Anglie, They have entertained my L. Ambassadors
very civilly & gallantly: I doubt not of a good issue
in the businesse they are come about, though much opposition
they will finde in their Proceedings; For, There is a
great Party that is ill affected to the Parliament. Many of
the Cavaliers are gon after the pretended Duke of York,
who is departed to Breda with the Princesses royall, his
Sister.
The Great Assembly here hath been perpetually busy about
the Portugals businsse, which at last they have flung
out of their Assembly, and Ordered the Portugal Ambassadour
to be gone within 15 or 20. days, and in the mean
time not to acknowledge him as such, but as a Private man,
and that hence forward hee shall pay Custome and Excise,
as well as any other Inhabitant. They have also ordered,
that all possible Care for speedy raising of men and shiping
shalbe taken forthwith, for the carrying on of the Warr
which they intend to make against Portugall. This hath much
pleased the Spaniard, and so much dejected the Portugall,
that they looke as men frighted.
The French rant and Domineere to some purpose; who
but they here at the Hague? They would fain carry all before
them, some of the French Ambassadors men have severall
times given Affronts to some of our men, and sometimes
to our selves, calling us Traytors, and Rebells, and making
French Grimmasses at us as we goe along the streets.
The Spanish Ambassador Mr.le Brun hath bin at Brussels, and is newly
come from thence; it seems he was sent for by the Archduke Leop oldus,
touching a Cessation of Arms with the French; the overture was made on the
French side, but nothing would be concluded on by the Spanish, who hath
no minde to let go this hopeful opportunity of next Summers expedition.
Hague March 30. 1651.
I hear Salmasins is not like to live to make any Reply to Millon's book, which
here is very much applauded. It seems he is very ill in Sweden: that air doth
not agree with his body.