TO THE SVPREME AVTHORITY, THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMON-VVEALTH OF ENGLAND.
The Humble REMONSTRANCE OF Sir Balthazar Gerbier Knight.
Touching his sundry Proposals, wherein this Commonwealths Interest is concerned: And particularly on the present necessity of laying a Claim unto considerable Summes of money due by the States of Brabant & Flanders unto this Common-wealth.
TO THE SVPREME AVTHORITY, THE PARLIAMENT Of the Commonwealth of England. The Humble Remonstrance OF Sir BALTHAZAR GERBIER, Kt.
Sheweth,
THat his fidelity and zeal to this State and Nation, which hath bin manifested during his thirty yeares applications to the Publike concernments, hath moved him (in regard of giving an account of sundry particulars) to mention those which he humbly conceived both the Times and Occasions might justly challenge at his hands, unto such Members as are interessed in the managing of this Commonwealths affaires.
[Page 2] And whereas the Parliament hath of late directed a solemn Embassage to the States-Generall of the Vnited-Provinces, possibly with an intent to proceed in the like manner towards such other Kings and States as shall deserve their Amity:
Your humble Remonstrant hath long since prepared and penned several particulars wherein the publike service is concerned, and hath kept them in readinesse against such a time as the State might be pleased to call for them to be considered of, either publikely, or privately: For that some of them are supposed to be of the nature of Arcana Reipublicae, the keeping of them secret proving to be as their life: and therefore (as he humbly conceives) they ought to be considered of in the like manner, and to be resolved on out of hand.
Such are several of his Proposals, which in the year 1623. were discovered by a considerable Party unto those Persons who as then were the prime Ministers in Authority; and the which, should they at present be considered of, would happily not only be judged fit by the Parliaments great wisdome to be kept secret, but to be undertaken out of hand, in consideration of the present conjuncture of affairs, when as neighbour-Nations are hammering on Treaties, and patching up their differences: Which being once allayed, the said parties may in all likelihood proceed to such resolutions, and enter on such Engagements, as that when they shall be once put in practise, would prove too late for to be provided against.
Your humble Remonstrant hath therefore, in [Page 3] conformity of his zeal and fidelity, attended to give a clear account of all those particulars wherein this State may be concerned, and with that reference to the publike good as may be justly expected. The which did lately beget a jealousie in him, on an Information which hath been given in, of the necessity there was to call him to an Account; when as his voluntary and free Attendance could not imply any necessity to such an Information; For that he hath been far more ready to open his Budget, then possibly the multiplicity of Affairs could afford a time to view his Pack.
And whereas he humbly conceives, that Inferiors cannot too much expresse their fidelity, zeale, and readinesse unto Superiors: So lest it should be conceived, that by his having but one Tongue to speak, he should want hands during the time of his attendance, to put himself in a readinesse to be accomptable to the Parliament, remitting to their great wisdomes the sit opportunity of their taking notice of his said Proposals▪ and to order therein according unto their pleasure.
He therefore thought it requisite humbly to dilate himself in this manner on his Proposals; and to demonstrate how that in the first place those particulars which were presented in the year 1623. unto such persons who were then in Authority, are of such a nature, as that in case they be made use of at present, they may stand this Commonwealth in as great a stead, as the golden Mines do unto the King of Spaine.
Secondly, That there are certain Establishments [Page 4] extant in other Countries, which if they were practised here in England under the Parliaments protection, would be very beneficial to the people, and produce a vast stock of ready monies for the States use: Some of the said Establishments being proffered to be erected by such persons, as demand nought save this Commonwealths protection and encouragement in those said Establishments; which will produce a present vast stock of ready monies, together with a constant considerable yearly Revenue to boot for this Commonwealths use; and the gaining of the Peoples love.
Finally, That there is (as he humbly conceives) periculum in mora, in the not present heeding of a claime to be laid on a Debt of Seven millions of pounds, which are due unto this State by those of Brabant and Flanders. Wherefore your humble Remonstrant (to make good his said zeal, as well by his pen, as by his heart and tongue) presents the state thereof unto your Honours in the ensuing lines Viz.
The Annals of Brabant and Flanders mention that. it hapned on the 5. day of March, how that the great Commander of Castile, Governour of the Netherlands, being deceased, a Councel of State was appointed to govern in those Provinces: and the said Councel was authorized by Letters Patents from King Philip the second under his great Seale, in date, March 24. 1576. The said King of Spaine, (by his Letters of April 1576. invited Queen Elizabeth to continue a correspondencie with those of his said Councel of State in the said Provinces: And by that Councel [Page 5] of States appointment so authorized, acknowledged and recommended, The Duke of Arscot was chosen and declared Generall for the King of Spaine in those Provinces. The said Dukes Commission being under that Kings Broad-Seal, dated the 3. of October 1576.
The said States as then standing in need of a considerable stock of moneys, sent to such Neighbours as they conceived to be in a capacity of furnishing them: and as they sent to the Prince Elector of Cullen, to the Duke Casimir, and others for a Loan of moneys, they likewise sent unto Queen Elizabeth.
Their Ambassadours were the Baron Sweueghen and the Marquesse of Haure; and the Queen was pleased to appoint the Lord Burley, and the Earle of Sussex and others, to Treat with them concerning the Loan of money, for which they offered their Bonds, and to second them by the Bonds of the States of Brabant and Flanders, together with those of the Towns of Bruxels, Antwerpe, Gendt, Bridges, Newport, and Dunkirck.
Those Ambassadours and States obliging their Persons, and the Magistrates of the respective Towns themselves, and their Inhabitants for ever; untill full satisfaction should be made, not onely of the said Loans capital summe, but also of its Interest at Six and a quart. per Cent. per Annum. Whereupon, the Queen was pleased to grant them a Loan on the above mentioned Conditions.
And whereas the respective original Bonds, of which your humble Remonstrant hath given notice to the Councel of State, are in safe Custody, so they [Page 6] doe manifest the reality of the said Debt.
Which together with its Interest from the year 1578. untill this present time doth amount unto seven Millions of pounds, lawfull moneys of England, since neither the Use money nor its Capital is yet paid.
The Loan of the moneys was allowed of by King Philip the Second, as it appears by the eight Article of those States Treatie with their King at Marche in Famines, on the 27 of February 1577. and the which was ratified and confirmed, as appears by the nineteenth Article of the Surrender of Arthois in Haynault.
The said King also returned his thanks unto Queen Elizabeth, for that she had assisted his Subjects.
Moreover those States specified the said Loan in their Accounts, which were by them exhibited to their King, on the second of September 1584.
And the King of Spain past those Accounts in lue of their Taxations and ordinary Contributions; so that the Debt thereby became those States, and those respective Towns and members particular proper Debt.
And therefore it is to be demanded of them, and not at all from any Governour in chief of those Provinces, much lesse from from the King of Spain himself.
Which the late Arch-Duchesse Isabella declared unto them, when late Mr. Trumbal Agent, both in King James and in the late Kings time, had laid a Claim to the said Debt, and had prosecuted the [Page 7] Debtors, when the said Arch-Duchesse warned and advised them also to satisfie on the said particular, for that she would not bear them out in the same.
So that both by Mr. Trumbal his pursuite, and the Arch-Duchesse her declaration unto those Debtors, there would have ensued a good satisfaction on that particular, had not the said Agent been recalled by reason of the following rupture between England and Spain.
The said Agent Trumbal had likewise contracted with one Tymon an Advocate, to prosecute the payment of the said Debt; Conditionally that the said Tymon should have a certain part of whatsoever he should recover touching the said Debt; and this in consideration of the said Advocates pains, disbursments, and such Presents as he should be obliged to give unto such Persons as might be in credit with those States, and with the Magistrates of the respective Towns.
The said Claim was again renewed in the year 1640. and was seconded by the late Kings own Letters to the Infant Cardinal, and to the Chancellor of Brabant, and by the said Kings Commissions, which he caused as then to be dispatched on that particular; the Copies whereof are here inserted, viz.
The translation of the late Kings Letter to the Infant Cardinal, in date the 20. of Iune 1641.
WEe would not let our Resident Sr. Balthazar Gerbier depart without our Letter, for to confirm unto You the particular assurances of our Affection, as also of the desires and good wishes which We shall alwaies have for the continuance and advancement of the good Correspondency which is betwixt these Crowns. In regard whereof Our Resident will tell your Highnesse the rescentments which we have witnessed against the Count of Egmond, for that he undertook to cause such Books to be Printed in Our States, as did tend to the prejudice of Yours; And how much we have disapproved this his proceeding.
We have also charged Our said Resident with a Commission from Vs, for to demand and procure the payment of considerable summes of moneyes due unto this Crown by the States & Town of Brabant and Flanders; Wherein we promise Our Selves those necessary offices from your Iustice and Power, as may be requisite towards the procuring unto Vs of the said satisfaction which is due; And that Your Highnesse will order that the complaints of Our Subjects, which doe still continue, may once cease: On all which Our said Resident being fully Instructed, we shall not make any addition hereunto, only desire You to give him full Credence in what he shall say thereon; And thus We shall beseech God to continue [Page 9] Dear Cozen in his holy Protection.
A Copy of the late Kings Letter to the Chancellour of Brabant.
Mr Chancellor, We have charged Sr. Balthazar Gerbier Our Resident, both with Our Commission and Letters for to procure the payment of notable sums of money due unto this Crown by the States and Towns of Brabant and Flanders, whereof We would give you notice, to the end that if he should be constrained to make use of the Courts of Iustice, for to procure Vs that satisfaction which is due unto Vs, he might rest assured of Your good Offices, according unto the dignity of Your place in that Country; the which We doe easily promise unto Our Selves from You in so just a Cause; Wherefore remitting Our Selves there on unto Our Resident; We shall remain,
The Copy of the late Kings Commission for the Claim of the Debt.
[Page 10] Whereas during the Reigne of Queen Elizabeth of happy memory (Queen of England) several notable summes of moneyes were lent unto the States General, and to some of those Towns in the Low-Countries, which are in Obedience unto the King of Spaine; which sums are due unto Vs by Vertue of those Instrumens and Obligations which on the same were respectively made and dispatcht by the said States and Towns for our use; And for that nought hath as yet been restored unto Vs for the said Loan, either by themselves, or by others in their behalf, notwithstanding the several endeavours which have been used heretofore, as well in the behalf of Our late Father of happy memory, King James, as in Our own behalf by Mr. Trumball Our Agent in the said Court of Bruxels.
We therefore have ordained and Authorized You, as by these Presents We doe Ordaine and Authorize You, in Our behalf, and in Our Name, to aske and require from the said States and Towns (as well in generall as in particular) all such summes, with their Interests, as appear to have been so lent unto them, by the said Queen, and the which are due unto Vs by the said States and Towns.
Commanding and Ordaining You moreover to use all such means, pursuits and instances, which shall be needfull for the recovery of the said summes and of their Interest.
And these Our present Letters shall be a sufficient declaration and witnesse (unto your self, as well as unto all others, whom it either doth or may concern) of the speciall power which we have and doe give unto you, on this particular.
Given at our Palace at Westminster, Signed by Our Self, and sealed with Our Signet, the fifth day of March, 1640. stilo veteri,and the sixteenth yeare of Our Reigne.
This Commission, as likewise the Credentials are translated verbatim out of the French tongue, in which the Originals are written; having been thought necessary to be penned in that language, because that they might have been made use of in case of necessity. For that it was agreed on between King Henry the Seventh and the Duke of Burgundy, that their publique Conferences should be in the French tongue, in which their publique Ministers were likewise to speak.
And the said Commissions were also dispatcht at that time, for that a Person in authority in those Provinces had made a proposition to procure satisfaction from those States for the said Debt, they (as it seems) being sensible of its Interest excessive increase; apprehending likewise, that as then the English Nation might have transported the said Debt either to the Hollanders or to the French, then in open war against them; And therefore shewed so great a willingnesse to come to a composition thereon.
Which being duly represented to the late King, the said Commission was immediately dispatched; which was the rather effected, to save it from prescription, as the said Debt requires to be claimed at every change of Government.
But the late King being at that time highly incensed [Page 12] against your humble Remonstrant, for that he had (in obedience to the Peers commands, then assembled in Parliament) declared the names of such as betrayed this State, especially the L. Cottington; He therefore caused Sir Henry Vane then Secretary of State, to call in again the said Commission concerning that particular (which Commission was under the great Seal) and likewise redemanded the Authentique Copies of the Original Bonds and Instruments, which had been translated here by a publike Notary, and unto which the City of London's Seale was affixed.
Insomuch that the said chief Commission, and the other authentique Copies being redemanded, and your humble Remonstrants return to Bruxels being impedited, the prosecution of the said Debt hath ever since layen dormant.
That the said Commission, with the Credentials, and the said Authentique Copies of the Bonds concerning the Flanders-Debt, were in this manner redemanded and delivered, it doth appear under the said Sir Henry Vanes hand, as followeth, Viz.
Sir, I have received a special command from His Majesty, to redemand of you the Letters and Orders you received for your Return to Bruxels. Which I shall intreat you to deliver unto this Bearer my Secretary, without any further delay. And so I rest.
The Copy of the Receipt, viz.
Received by the Order here above, from Sir Balthazar Gerbier, the Letters and Papers therein mentioned, to wit, A Commission to sollicite the payment of Debts due by the States of Flanders: Four Letters of Credence; two to the Infant-Cardinal, one to the President Rose, and another to the Chancellor Boiscot; and Copies of the Bonds.
Hereby this particular Case is stated; The proceedings which have been formerly held thereon are manifested, and the cause of its having remained dormant ever since.
The which in case it be renewed before the Debitors may justly plead a Prescription, and before they shall have any other cause to pretend any other evasions: Then the said Debitors may be so wise as to desire and seek to come to a Composition on the Total, before it amounteth to a further Increase: when as moreover they shall be induced to apprehend, that a Transportation of the said Debt might be made unto the French their Enemies.
So likewise on the other side, may the French be called upon for the satisfying of the said Debt, since they possesse the Town of Dunkirk, which in its own particular stands bound for the Debts liquidation.
Finally, Your humble Remonstrant conceiveth, That as this States remaining silent as touching the said Claim, cannot stand this Commonwealth in [Page 14] stead in any regard whatsoever, nor cause that Nation to esteem it any more for the same: But to the contrary, if after the claiming of the said Debt, this Commonwealth shall think it fit to grant those States a favourable Composition thereon, a Forbearance, or an Acquittance of the Interest upon Interest; Then those People must needs acknowledge the perpetuall Obligation which they will thereby owe for so considerable a Favour.