CHAP. III.
What was the Form of the Ge∣neral Assemblies, till the time of the Earl of Leicester.
FRom the first time that the Depu∣ties met to make and ordain Laws, about the setling and firm establishing of the Commonwealth, it was agreed by the 17th. Article of the Union of Utrect, that as often as the Confederates should have occasion to deliberate a∣bout any thing in a set place, they should send thither their Deputies, and these Deputies were call'd the States General of the United Provinces. But the States being not alwayes in a capa∣city to meet, by reason of divers obsta∣cles, and there being a great necessity of a perpetual Senate or Council, it was Page 75 found requisite to establish a Council of State, (den Raed van Staten) which was made up of one President, of the Deputies of the Provinces, of one Treasurer, and three Secretaries. There was in those dayes no set place for the meeting of this Council, because that then the settlement was not com∣pleated, and things were uncertain: but here are the Articles which this Council was bound to observe, and which were to guide them in their ad∣ministration.
First, That in the exercise of their charge they should not so much en∣deavour the benefit and advantage of those Provinces which they were Depu∣ties for, as the good of the whole Com∣monwealth.
2. That they should observe the Laws prescribed them by the Authority of the States General.
3. That they shall take care of the publick Treasure, and pay the wages to all those to whom wages are due.
4. That they shall take care that the affaires of the Confederates do Page 76 not receive any disadvantage or trou∣ble.
5. That they shall send every three moneths to the States of each particular Province, a Compendium of all their Consultations, and the accounts of their expences and receipts.
6. That the States General shall con∣sult and deliberate with them in affairs of importance, and that they shall call them together, according to the 19th. Article of the Union.
This last Article was to be understood of such affairs as could not be delayed For their importance.
By succession of time, the Common∣wealth continuing to prosper and ad∣vance, and the Earl of Leicester being expected in these parts from England, to govern as Lieutenant to Queen E∣lizabeth, there was reason to fear that which had already happened, viz. that he or others sitting for him, in the States, should endeavour to dive into the secret of deliberations; whereupon it was resolv'd, to settle, besides this Council of State, the Soveraign Council of the States General, who should al∣wayes Page 77 sit at the Hague, leaving to this Council of State the care of smaller and less important business.
