The Perfidy and Trea∣cherousness of the Dutch with all Na∣tions in general.
IF the Treachery of the Dutch had ex∣tended and spread it self no further than the English Nation, they would at least pretend that we were partial and unjust in our accusations; But to prevent that scandal, a cloud of witnesses may be produced to back and second our Testi∣mony; for there's scarce any Nation whom they have traded with, but are in some measure sensible of their false deal∣ings, and can experimentally attest their perfidious transactions.
In the Year 1630. the Dutch enter'd into a league Offensive and Defensive, with Lewis the 13th of France, upon condition he would make no Peace with Spain without them; Notwithstanding Page 73 which, they endeavoured a truce with Spain, without either his advice or con∣sent; as appear'd (by several passages of underhand dealings of the Dutch with the Spaniards) in a complaint made by the French Embassador to the States.
Yea, when another League Offensive and Defensive was concluded, Feb. 8. 1635. between France and Holland, and a War with Spain commenced thereup∣on, the Dutch went so far underhand in promoting and procuring a Peace with the Spaniards, that their Attorney Gene∣ral Musch was dispatch'd to Don Martine Axpe, the King of Spain's Secretary, a∣bout a Treaty, though they deny'd it to the King of France, who notwithstand∣ing had intimation of it, and thereupon told my Lord Paw their Embassador, that these secret proceedings did contradict their solemn Treaty, and differed much from the Justice he had shewed toward them. The same League being continu∣ed from 1636. to 1642. in the year 1640 they treat again with the Spaniard, con∣trary to the League with the French; that intimated their Nonability to Treat with Spain without the Concurrence of Page 74 his Majesty of France. Yea, a Peace was Negotiated and managed by several Let∣ters intercepted to the Cond. Pinneranda, and shewed the States by the French Embassador at the Hague, at the very same time, when 12000 French ventured their Lives and Fortunes for them against Dunkirk and Flanders, which Peace was concluded at Munster, though confessed by Heer Van Nederhurst, one of the Ple∣nipotentiaries there, to be contrary to the agreement between France and Them, and so manifested by a Declaration of the King of France.
They that durst deal thus with the French, think they may presume to deal worse with the Portugals, with whom when they revolted from Spain, as they had done before; they entered into a firm League at Lisbon, and the Hague, 1640. with mutual clearness (as to out∣ward appearance) on both sides. But, see the Craft of these People! They in∣sert in their Articles of Peace, that it should not begin beyond the Line, till a year after: In the mean time, advising their Men at Brazil, and elsewhere to take all they could get from the Portu∣geze, Page 75 as they did, Angola, Malacca and Brazil.
Embassadors were sent from Portugal to demand these places: The Hollanders produced the said clause of the Truce, which was all the Portugeze could get of them; for, said they, there is no wrong done, in regard in that clause it is said, That each side should hold and keep what he can take, and in such a Time.
Whereupon, The Portugal Embassa∣dor said to them, very well, That it must be understood, Bona Fide, Viz. That which should be taken, without having any knowledg of the Truce.
Neither have they been more faithful to the Swedes, when they engaged to assist them against the Danes, and in the midst of their Service deserted them, making Conditions of Peace for them∣selves and retiring.
And the King of Spain hath also had sufficient experience and proof of their perfidiousness, from whose Government they first revolt, and afterward unwor∣thily Treat him.
There is yet another Testimony, Their dealings with the King of Macassar; Page 76 which story whoever peruseth and cen∣sures with an unbyassed judgment, must from thence necessarily gather their huge ingratitude and injustice.
