A LETTER WRITTEN ƲPON OCCASION from the Low-countries, Concerning a difference, betwixt the Prince of Orange, and the States, shewing upon what occasion it grew.
Whereunto is added, Aviso's from severall places, of the taking of the Iland of Providence, by the Spaniard, from the English.
London, Printed for Nath: Butter, March, 22. 1641.
Hage, March the 20. stilo novo. THE COPIE OF A Letter written from Charles de la Fin, Page unto the young Prince of Orange, unto Iames de La Fin his brother, Secretary unto the Duke of Vallette, residing now in Coven-garden, touching the late proceedings of the Prince of Orange.
Written from the Hage in Italian, and translated by William Vmfrevile, Gent. March. 14. 1641.
AS I am acquainted from you with the state of things in England, so let me impart unto you some alterations here, that more near touch us: Grave Henry our Prince, and Master, by some information, from Martin Van Trumpe, the States Admirall, is [Page 2] fallen into some more then distrust with the States, in matter of his proceedings in the Army, their jealousies brake forth into open discontent, upon occasion of a meeting of a great crue of his Commanders, at a supper in Flushing, upon the arrivall of the Queene of Great Britaine, where his health being drunke before the Lords Generall, the Bourgemasters of the Towne, took great exceptions at it, giving out that the Prince of Orange was but their servant, and tooke pay of them, as well as the meanest souldier in the Army; that it was disorderly done, to drinke his health before his betters: to whom replyed Mounsieur de Varracaville, a French Captaine of Horse; that he trusted the Prince his Master so wel understood himselfe, that having married his sonne to the eldest daughter of the King of great Brittaine, he would scorne to be counted, much more to bee termed, the servant of Brewers and Bakers, and Felt-makers: hereupon the Burgemasters surlily, and saucily replyed, that taking their allowance, he was either a true servant, or a false Traytor.
Varracaville was rising to let fly at him: and some others were as ready as hee; but noise and tumult arising, the Governour of the Towne came in, and commanded all to bee quiet, great muttering was in the Towne, the next two dayes about it: on the third, the Prince was summoned to the Hage to make his appearance before the States Generall, to make answer unto such things, as should by Martin Van' Trumpe, Iohn Van Eslerdort bee laid against him. His Highnesse tooke such [Page 3] homely dealing bad, and his servants worse: his Army worst of all, who summoning a Counsell of warre to his Highnesse lodging; plainely told him, that except hee would, hee should not goe, and that they should know, that if they had money, they had swords; and that they having command of the one, would not be long without the other, and that should shortly appeare; hereupon wee all, as well servants, as Commanders, tooke an oath unto His Highnesse, and his sonne, to serve them towards all, and against all; which taken upon mature deliberation, it was ordered by His Highnesse himselfe, because of the Queene of great Brittaines presence to goe to the Hage, but not to take notice of any summons, and with such a company with him, that he should not greatly need to fear them; and here we are in that posture, not caring for those that looke so big upon us: I trust the Army is wholly made for His Highnesse; not being desired of their service, but freely offering it: We his servants, and those of my young Masters, are resolued to see our end shortly accomplished, or to die every man of us: I trust there are no false parties in the Armie, then before May day I hope wee shall see an alteration: and those that hold themselves our masters, shall bee glad to give us all fitting respect: the King of Denmarke is assuredly for it, and hath promised both coine, men, and shipping: France hearkens to it, and Spaine upon some conditions, will yeeld assistance; it is more honourable for a Prince to be tyed in some ceremonious concernments unto [Page 4] a Monarch, then to any other, either by Democrasticall, or Aristocraticall Government▪ more pleasant tydings I hope to write you, at the Queenes returne, if not before; for this must not be long in doing, and it is here thought, that shee will not stay long here, by reason that these atchievements cannot long remaine without a period, nor without some bickering, we hold it not fit, shee should bee eye witnesse of it: His Highnesse, although hee is counselled to send away speedily his young sonne; and our hope, into France, yet hee will not, but is resolved, that hee shall partake of his fortune, what ever it be; I hope wee shall shortly cry, Vivez Oraneye; and in this expectation, wishing heaven to say Amen unto it.
Avisoes from severall places.
THe 20. of Decem. stilo novo, arrived at St. Lucar the Admiral of the Nova Spania's Fleet, in company of another small ship; they came in 91. dayes from the Havana, and were parted by a storm from the rest of the Fleet 12. days after their setting forth. I suppose they may be arrived at Porto Rico, for they had most of them spent their masts. The said Admiral was cast away in the going into St. Lucar, of 4. millions, which he brought, about 1.½ million lost; the whole Fleet worth 10. or 11. millions, the richest that ever was knowne; in the said Admirall was lost 500. Chests of Cuchinill, and a 1000. Chests of Indigo, with a great quantity of other goods. I have Letters by an Aviso from Cartagena, dated the 14. of September, wherein they advise that the Gallions were ready laden with the filver, and would depart thence the 6. of October. The General of the gallions, named Francisco Dia [...] Pimienta, had beene formerly in the moneth of Iuly, with above 3000. men, and the least of his ships in the Iland of Santa Catalina, which he had taken and carried away all the English, and rased the Forts, wherein they found 600. Negres, much gold and Indigo, so that the prize is esteemed, worth above halfe a million.
This unexpected, and undeserved act of the Spaniard, in supplanting our Nation, will I hope ere long be requited, when as in coole blood the Spaniard shall doe us a mischiefe, in demolishing, and ruining that which another hath built, and is not able, or will not make use of it himselfe [Page 6] supplanting our more industrious people, which endeavoured to doe good, both to the bodyes and soules of men, and only to shew his greatnesse, with his multitude to destroy a handfull, and to account that a victory, which is rather a credilous treachery: but let him triumph that wins at last.