The true copies of sundrie letters concerning the affaires of Bohemia, as they haue beene seuerally writen in High Dutch, Latine and French, to princes, and other men of account. Newly translated and printed

To the Emperours most Sacred and Royall Maiestie.

Most gracious Lord:

AT what time wee sate in Counsell with our Princes and Nobilitie, moued by the vrgent occasions of the renowned Kingdome of Hun∣garie, I did at once receiue one answer from your Maiestie vnto both my Letters, sent by the Illu∣strious Gentleman Stephen Haller; & as my Let∣ters (occasions so requiring) were two, so ha∣uing obtained an answere which agreeable to the weight of the affaires consisted of two parts, the matter was maturely deliberated by the Coun∣sell: and perceiuing present danger in delay, I would not deferre to sollicite your Maiestie the more earnestly about the last declaration of your Highnesse gracious pleasure.

And whereas I perceiue your Maiestie doth simply and absolutely vnderstand my declarati∣on of the truce, in this sense; that during the time of League no ayde may be sent by the Hungari∣ans to the Bohemians, and the rest of their Con∣federates: the retexing of which question will much illustrate both parts of the present answere: your Royall Maiestie may please to vnderstand the whole course of the matter in this sense and not otherwise.

In the Polonian Assembly there haue beene

three contracts made with me only: and in those, many transactions (and that for diuers respects) confirmed.

First, Truce and Conditions of Peace with your Imperiall Maiestie.

Secondly, with the Bohemians and the other Confederate Prouinces.

Thirdly, with the Peeres and States of the Illustrions Kingdome of Hungarie.

And I confesse, that I seemed in the opinion of many so entangled by that parley (contrarie al∣most and opposite in diuers passages vnto it selfe) that deserued and promised equitie could not possibly bee obserued towards both parties, but the one must either bee something neglected or iniuried by me; which so sinister conceit of mee that I may speedily remooue from the mindes of men (especially if your sacred Maiestie or Counsellors haue entertained it,) pleaseth it you to be informed of the certaine truth and diuerse conclusions.

The Hungarian Nation hath confirmed a per∣petuall league with the Bohemians: and we haue promised mutually by oath to liue and dye toge∣ther in withstanding all enemies: so as to make peace or warre with any, not aduertizing the o∣ther, is vnlawfull for either part. This agreement and couenant betwixt vs tooke place, when by notice giuen them, and their consent, I ratified the peace which I now haue with your Maiestie.

But since the second Article, I being silent, doth oblige your Maiestie expresly to grant the same peace vpon demand, to our Complices and Con∣federates, the Bohemians and the other Prouin∣ces, which you haue granted vs; and that your Maiestie is bound to harken after my motions, which doe but seeke that the cessation of Armes vpon iust and equall conditions, should bee on e∣uery side granted; If I shall perceiue your Maie∣stie to satisfie in no part this solemne protestati∣on, but contrarily with renewed forces to sound the alarme and put your Souldiers in Armes to suppresse vs: if I obserue your Maiestie, as daily complaints informe, contrary to the hope and expectation of all good men, to swerue alreadie (which be farre from you) from this agreement; who can bee ignorant that my selfe is no longer, neither the Hungarian Nation obliged to you? Nay, if wee aide not without delay our friends, whose protection we vndertake, we shall vnwor∣thily bee accused, by them of disloyaltie. I doe therefore abundantly satisfie the Bohemians and others, in soliciting your Maiestie for their truce like our owne: which, if I obtayne of you as due by couenant, or if I discerne their suspected and dangerous estate by vaine lingrings and delayes; neither your Maiestie, nor any other shall euer accuse mee or the Hungarian Nation of promise breaking, if wee finde our most bitter enemies, whom obligation tyed to league and peaceable∣nesse.

Wherefore your Maiestie is not otherwise to vnderstand my declaration of the truce placed expressely in the second Article, then the writing it selfe witnesseth; that this our league with the Bohemians is not, neither can bee made simply common, as if together at the same time and in all kindes of league wee were tyed to each other. Neither are they so neglected and forsaken of vs that there is no profit procured vnto them by our confederacie. Moreouer I requiring it, and fa∣uouring iust and equall conditions, your Maiesty is by couenant bound to grant like truce vnto them as to vs; which if you doe not, we are no further to contend in the matter with words and pen. Let truth ouer sway all things. Since I labour and sweate now the third time in solliciting your Maiestie in our Confederates and Friends cause, and that with obtestation.

Thus much concerning the Intreaties had with your Maiestie and the Confederate Princes.

COncerning the Articles concluded in the Consultations past at Polonia, the distincti∣on is manifest enough in them both of the truce confirmed with your Maiestie, and the league e∣stablished and concluded by the Confederates. The inward administration and gouernment of the Subiects of the Kingdome, vntill the truce is

expired, or till the next following and proclay∣med generall Assembly of State, howsoeuer prescribed by the Princes and Lords, is (I suppose) so highly weighed that it should not molest ei∣ther your Maiestie or others. Assuredly I thinke it fitter to giue place to so many complaints, and to mens disturbed appetites in this state of things, then hauing not yet laid hand vpon the tossing bridle, discourage Subiects mindes a far off with too much securitie; which hitherto, I confesse in∣geniously, is so performed by your Maiestie, that opposing by all means our studies and endeuour, the industrie of the seditious hath more a∣uailed (more is the griefe) then theirs whose la∣bour is imployed in composing controuersies. But I am ignorant being a stranger in that administra∣tion, where your Maiesties dignitie is impeached, or the libertie of the Kingdome so restrayned, since your Maiestie in confirming the league did sauourably consent to my free and absolute Go∣uernment. Neither for my part is it vrged, in what esteeme and regard these present Articles and publike Constitutions are of, in those places which belong to your Dominion But I see the prescribers of those Lawes doe indeuour to con∣forme my manner of Gouernment and Reigne to their owne pleasure.

From which it is manifest, that neither this ad∣ministration according to the Articles, nor any thing else can violate the Peace and League with

your Maiestie, and so with sufficient diligence & plainenesse I haue declared the three conclusions. Neither at this time will I vndertake any thing besides an earnest solliciting, vrging and expe∣cting of your Maiesties pleasure and resolution, concerning this my third and last, and most iust demand in behalfe of our Confederates. And whereas your Maiestie designeth long time for the deliberating of this matter, and hath sent vn∣to mee to intreat of it, doubtlesse that cause will moue suspicions in mens thoughts, not without some danger which cannot be remoued without certaine, reall, and desired tydings of peace esta∣blished. God preserue your Royall and Emperi∣all Maiestie long, happie, and studious of peace. Giuen in our free and Regall City Cassouia, 15. Martij, 1620.