The Copie of a Letter from the Staple at Middleborough in Holland, to Mr. VANRODE a Dutch Marchant in London.
SIR, the sixty odde pounds of Bever amounting neere upon 400. Rix Dollers J lately sent you being intercepted and seiz'd on by the Kings Fleet, J shall be contented to beare an equall share of the charge of Custome, or by any other losse you shall sustaine through the default of my Ship-master or any of his in this behalfe, more J hope you will not desire considering my unwillingnes in hazarding [Page] it in these troublesome times of danger, &c. wee might very well have stayed the transportation therof for one Moneth longer, which then might be safely transported and convoyed by five or six States men of Warre, which are all ready for the bringing over of an Ambassador from the King of Denmarke to the King of England, he came to the Queens Court at the Hague upon the 20. of December, the Prince of Orange being at Breda, accompanied the Ambassador all through the Countrey, and brought him to the Queenes Court, who was royally entertained, and intends forthwith to come for England, his Embassage to his Majesty is privately concealed, onely this the K. of Denmarke desireth the States of Holland, that they would bee pleased to assist the King with such forces by Sea as shall be answerable to those which he shall provide by Land, in warring against Tunis, Argier and other places, concerning a late breach of Pacification in detaining our Countrimen still Captives and Slaves, though their Ransomes have bin payd in a very large [Page] contribution. Colonell Goring is travelled into Ortoys and Flanders to raise forces of Men and Armour, he having a Commission from the King of France to take a certaine number from each Garrison, for the Queene and present supply for England. Colonell Gage who is Colonell over the English in Flanders, gave Colonell Goring a Challenge for presuming to beat up his Drums to flock away his Officers and Souldiers, neverthelesse the souldiers being poore and long behind of their contribution mony agreed, and five or 600. English followed Colonell Goring to Dunkirke, Newport, Ostend, and Graveling, where they now remaine, till they be Shipt for England, there hath bin great meanes to the States that these Souldiers might bee permitted to passe through their Country and so take shipping for England, but the Queene nor the Ambassador can prevaile with the States for their consents therein. J have also here set you downe the summes of money raised amongst the Priests, Jesuites, Seminaries, Friers, Nuns, and holy Sisters through the land, [Page] and paid in to the Jesuites of St. Omers his Colledge towards the maintenance of his Majesties warres. And first as in order the English Cloyster at St. Omers, the Jesuits have raised 3000. pounds, besides the Taxes they have imposed upon every Scholler 5. l. a man being about 400. and that if any shall refuse the payment thereof to lose their Degrees in the House, and be for ever discharged for having any future benesit therein: in which Colledge the summe collected amounts about 3500. l. Secondly at Ayres, the summe collected amounts unto 500. l. Thirdly, at Beteone, the summe collected amounts unto 500. l. Fourthly at Arras, the some of 2000. l.
Fiftly at the University of Doway, 1000. l.
Sixtly at Gaunt, betweene the Colledge of English and Jrish Priests, and the Matron of the Nunnes there, was Collected 500. l.
Seventhly at Durmount, 50. l. Eightly at Bruzels, from the Countesse of Westmorland, and the Lady Babthorpe, Matrons of the holy Nuns, and the three Cloysters English, Jrish, and Walloons, 3000. l. Ninthly at Lovain, 1000. l.
Tenthly at Bridges, 300. l. Eleventhlily at Casteele, 200. l. Twelfely at Newport, 200. l.
Thirteenth at Ostend, 100. l. Fourteenth at Graveling, 100. l. Fifteenth at Dunkerke, 500. l. all which summes amounteth about 15000. l. have bin Collected and in the hands of Father Browne the Head of St. Omers Colledges, besides 5000. l. more gathered from the Governours of every Towne, Village, or petty Dorpe, which makes the summe of 20. thousand pounds, all which is intended to be transported to his Majesty from Dunkirke, besides the weekely allowance the Colledges will disburse towards the maintenance of the five hundred Souldiers under the command of Colonell Goring, during his Majesties warres with the Parliament.
The Rebels of Jreland have had also nere upon sixty thousand pounds already sent them, & an Jrish Ambassador is again sent to Bruzels intreating the state for more monies, which as yet we heare nothing of a second supply. The great Bishop of Cullen is lately dead, which puts the Country in a great disorder, [Page] an Jtalian is since Chosen. And thus much as J have set downe is the common discourse at the Queenes court, and whither her Majesty intendeth to goe over with the Denmarke Embassador is not certainly knowne, here is a great discention betweene the States and the Prince of Orange, which makes the Prince leave his Court at the Hague and continueth at Breda with One thousand of horse and foot, & seldome or never comes to the Queenes Court though her Majesty have often sent for him, J cannot certifie more as this we shall remoove our Staple from hence to Delph.