The Method and Arts which the States have used in India to In∣large their Dominions, and to exclude others from Trade or Commerce there.
1. THey are in a perpetual state of Hostility, ever Warring upon some Prince or other; and thereby gain either Tribute or Dominion.
2. When they have to do with any King or Prince, they order their Affairs so, that he must perform first; and when he hath done, they are States, and so are free.
3. They encourage the Natives upon every small occa∣sion of discontent, to Arm against their Prince, premi∣sing them their assistance, which they exactly perform. When they have Conquered the King, and taken his Ca∣stles and Ports, (which they first secure, making them∣selves Masters of the Seas and great Rivers) then they subdue the Natives: and so Vest in themselves Sove∣reign Dominion, and make both King and Natives their Vassals.
4. If the Natives take up Arms against their Prince, (as many times they do) then they encourage him against his Rebellious Subjects, and give him their assistance: When the Natives are subdued, then they conquer the King himself, or else demand so much for their assistance, that he is not able to pay; and so he must submit himself and his Dominions to their boundless ambition.
Page 22 5. If there be any Wars between Prince and Prince, they will be sure to fall in with one of them, and give him their Aid, and so make War in the other Princes Do∣minion. When that Prince is subdued, and themselves setled in his Dominions, then they reduce the other Prince to their Obedience, having some Castles or Ports in his Dominions, which do command the whole.
6. If they have any places of concern, and the Subjects of any Prince in Europe have any Factories there, (which they cannot fairly dismiss) then they lay such great Taxes and Impositions upon the Natives, that they are enforced to Arms. When they are subdued, then they charge the Subjects of that Prince as Conspirators and Abetters of the Natives; and so seize upon all their Goods, Factories, and enforce them to quit the Country, or else send them into some of their Islands to be Slaves.
7. If any Prince in Europe make any Treaty or League with the States, concerning any Affairs in India, they send to the States of Battavia private Instructions, contrary to their publick Agreement: So that all Treaties and Leagues, as to the Affairs of India, are ineffectual.
8. Where they have footing in any Island or Dominion, they claim by Conquest, and so lay what Taxes they please upon the Natives. And being in by Conquest, they are Proprietaries; and so exclude the Subjects of any King or Prince from Trade there.
9. If the Subjects of any King or Prince in Europe have Factories in the Dominions of any Prince there, (if they begin to be considerable) they take some occasion to War against that Prince; and upon Treaty, charge those Sub∣jects to be the cause of the War: so if the Prince will have Peace, he must seize their Factories and Goods, and banish them his Country.
10. They pretend great kindness to their Neighbour Princes, and enter into a League Offensive and Defensive with them: And by that means get the favour of those Princes to have some Ports, or strong Castles for Defence Page 23 of their Trade, as they pretend in their Territories. When that is done, they either make Wars themselves, (and so those Princes must aid them) or else perswade the Princes his Allies to make War upon another Prince; which they do, and so fight one Prince against another; and when they are sufficiently enweakned, they Conquer them all.
11. If they have any difference with any potent King or Prince, they get time: if it be for their advantage, they give good words, but part with no money. That done, they make their Addresses to some Favorite of that Prince, (which do all in the Court of the Indian Kings,) and so with small charges they effect great matters.
By these steps they have clim'd up to those immense Pyramids of Dominion and Power in the Indies, that they are become formidable to the greatest Emperours and Princes there: ever making good in their practice that Lemma of Loyola, (the Apostle of their State) Cavete vo∣bis *Principes. They have excluded the Subjects of all Kings and Princes in Europe from Traffick and Commerce, where they have any Territories or Power. And by reason of the Dominion they have in the South Seas, and the Con∣quests and Fortifications they make upon the North Seas, all their Subjects will finally be debarred from any Traf∣fick or Trade there.
Of what dangerous consequence this will prove, it's very well beseeming the Wisdom of the greatest Kings and Princes to consider. For there are a Generation which are born to be the Plague, Disquiet, and Scourge of Europe; and they gladly sacrifice the Publick Peace of Christendom to their own private Interest.
If we consider how many brave and large Dominions in the East-Indies, were under the Sovereignty of the Kings of Great Britain, what flourishing Factories their Sub∣jects had there, how great Kings they might have been in Treasure and Dominion, how rich their Subjects, it can∣not Page 24 * but discompose an English Spirit, that his King should be ousted of all those Dominions, and his Subjects devested of their Riches and Hopes, by a People who had nothing but the Favour of the King of Great Britain to support them, nor no Fortress to defend them but that of Amb•yna, and that built by the Monies of the English Company.
Well, we may see what Treachery and Perfidiousness can do, being accompanied with Ambition and Industry: But they will ere long find, that slippery are those Foun∣dations of Might and Greatness, which are not laid upon the Principles of Justice, and regulated by the Maxims of Christian Piety.
* And as America was the Theatre where they Acted these Tragedies, and unparallel'd Insolencies: so they have not spared to manifest their Ingratitude, Affronts, and highest Injuries against the Kings of Great Britain, and the English Nation here in Europe.
Anno 1639. when his Catholick Majesty sent his Ar∣mado with some Souldiers into Flanders, to strengthen his Garisons there, but by cross Winds were driven upon the English Coasts; the States Equipped out a great Fleet of Men of War, charged the Spanish Armado, ravished his *Ships out of the Harbours of his late Majesty at Dover, and destroyed most of that Fleet, though in his Majesties Pro∣tection and Dominions, and against his Majestles express Command: thereby Usurping Sovereignty to themselves, and giving Laws to his Majesty in his own Dominions. A bold Affront!
And certainly they could not think but his Majesty did highly resent it. But to keep him busied at home, and that his Majesty might have no opportunity to bring them to Justice for their Insolency: there being (Anno 1639.) some Distempers in Scotland, they did greatly promote them, and contributed their assistance to them, in all man∣ner of Military Provisions.
Page 25 Monarchy, and with that the Glory of the English Na∣tion, was now departed; the People model themselves into a Commonwealth, they take a full prospect of the Usurpations, Injuries, and Oppressions of the States, which had such a horrid complexion of Injustice upon them, that the new Commonwealth denounce War against the old States, they obtain many signal Victories, and had much disabled their Naval Forces. Now the States be∣ing not well able to contest with the English Valour, they project how they might deliver themselves from the fury of these men: At last, they having by their Emissaries first disseminated Sedition amongst the People, whereby the Commonwealth became a burthen to the Nation, and wise men began to be troubled at the ill face of affairs, they ad∣judged the best expedient was, to set up a single Person, (the States being now sensible of their former errour, in not supporting the English Monarchy, as their best safety, and greatest Protection) O. as the fittest person for such a Bold-fac'd Treason, (by their underhand practise, and paying to him some hundred thousand of pounds) is pre∣vailed with to take upon him the Government of the Na∣tion. The War is continued against them with great suc∣cess: yet by their Interest they obtain a Treaty. And thereupon paying a Million of Pounds to O. a Peace is concluded; but the most dishonourable and unjust that ever was to this Nation. But such as it was, it conti∣nued till his Majesties blessed Restauration.
* Anno 1641. there happening some difference betwixt his late Majesty, and his Parliament, they sent over their Rabbies of Sedition here into England, and infus'd their Antimonarchical Principles and dangerous Doctrines into some giddy heads of the English Nation, who thereby became so intoxicated, that they were never at rest till (like men infected with the Plague) they infected others; and thereby a great part of the people became disobservant to the Laws of the Nation, and Rebels to their King. An Army of these men were raised, they having their Page 26 chief Officers and Commanders, and all Warlike Provisi∣ons out of the United Provinces, to bring Destruction to the King, and Desolation to the Kingdom. Thereby that Great King being reduced to streights, (notwith∣withstanding the many Obligations of the States to his Majesty) they could never be induced to contribute any Aid or Assistance to redeem that Excellent Prince from so great Abyss of Misery, or to preserve the Kingdom from Ruine and Confusion, (which with their Assistance might have been easily prevented.)
But the States were so far from any Act of Charity or Piety, that Amsterdam was made the great Emporium or Market for the Rebels to sell those rich and costly Goods which they had plundered from his Majesties best Subjects in England, (whereas no King or Prince in Christendom would suffer them to make use of any of their Ports to that purpose) and the best Furniture that some of the States have in their Houses at this very day, are many of those stollen Goods.
And by this means they brought Poverty and Misery to this Nation, Riches and Plenty to themselves.
This unfortunate Nation being thus in Combustion, and all befry'd, the Hogan Mogans with joy, as an ingenious man observed, did warm their hands at those unhappy flames, which they themselves had kindled, tuning their merry Harps, when others were weeping over a Kingdoms Funeral. In England there being nothing but Confusion and Ruine, nothing to be seen but the Convulsions of a dying State. His now Sacred Majesty, for his own safety and security, withdrew Himself out of England, and re∣solved to live for some time (in his Solitudes) in the Bel∣gick *Provinces: But the States were so far from affording Him any comfort, as a distressed Prince, or yielding Him any kindness, as their best Friend, and greatest Patron, that if his Majesty had not had timely notice of it, it is cre∣dibly said, that he had been delivered up (in their Territo∣ries) as a Sacrifice to the fury of his cruellest Enemy.
Page 27 His Majesty, Anno 1660. being restored to his King∣doms, (forgetting all their former Unkindnesses and In∣gratitudes) his care was to conclude a strict League with the said States. But no sooner was it concluded, but they return to their usual practise of breaking of Articles, (who expect an exact observance of them from others, but per∣form none themselves.) Thereupon his Majesty, 1664. was stirred up by the Complaints of his people, and the Unanimous Votes of both Houses of Parliament, to de∣fend the Rights of his Crown, and the Liberties of his People, which the States had most notoriously invaded: yet his Majesty to prevent the effusion of bloud, (as Ty∣rants shed bloud for pleasure, Kings for necessity) spent the whole Summer in Negotiations to bring them to rea∣son, but all his endeavours proved ineffectual.
* Thereupon, Anno 1665 ensued the War, and conti∣nued to the year 1667. Wherein his Majesty obtained so many signal Victories, that by their humble Supplications and Addresses to his Majesty for Peace, he was induced to a Treaty. And his Majesty having the Garranty of the most Christian King, and of the said States, that no Act of Hostility during the said Treaty should be attempted by them against his Majesty, or any of his Dominions; thereupon his Majesty did forbear to Equip his Fleet. Yet the said States, contrary to their Faith, during the said Treaty, (with their Fleet though not half mann'd or Vi∣ctuall'd *for any time) most treacherously invaded his Ma∣jesties Dominions, burnt and committed Destruction upon several Ships of his Majesties Navy Royal, in his own Ports and Harbour. Whereas if his Majesty had set forth his Fleet, they had not been able to have put to Sea that year for want of Mariners, and other discouragements upon them, having received so many memorable defeats by the Valour and Courage of his subjects.
No sooner was there a Peace concluded, but every Ar∣ticle was broken by them. And no wonder, for it's a Maxime of their State, That all Alliance as to them is in∣considerable: Page 28 the foundation of their Greatness and Safety, consists in their own Power and Strength. Therefore to keep any Article is of no consideration to them.
Now they invade his Majesties Fishing upon the British Seas without his Royal License, they refuse to strike Sail, and dispute his Sovereignty of the British Seas. Affronts so high, and Indignities so transcendent, that no King or Potentate (except these men) did ever so much as que∣stion any of them.
It doth appear by the Records in the Tower, and the Municipal Laws of this Nation, that the Kings of Eng∣land have had ever from the time of the Romans an abso∣lute *and uninterrupted Right, and exclusive Property in the Sovereignty of the British Seas, in the Passages and Fishing thereof; and hath power to make Laws, and ex∣ercise Supreme Jurisdiction over all Persons, and in all cases within or upon the said Seas, as 'twas agreed 26 E. 1. by the Agents and Embassadors of Genoa, Catoloigna, Spain, Almaine, Zealand, Holland, Friesland, Denmark, Norway, and divers other places in the Empire. And by all the States and Princes of Europe, in a case then in question be∣tween the King of England and his most Christian Maje∣sty; concerning Rayner Grimbold his Admiral exercising some Jurisdiction upon the British Seas. See the Records in the Tower, 26 E. 1. de Superioritate Maris Anglici.
The Laws of Olleron which (after the Rhodian Laws were antiquated) have now near five hundred years been received by all the Christian World for regulating Sea-Affairs, and deciding of Maritine Controversies, were first declared by King R. 1. at his return from the Holy Land, and by him caused to be published in the Isle of Olleron, as belonging to the Dutchy of Aquitane.
* If the Subjects of any King or Prince have a Right to Fish in the British Seas, I do, desire to be satisfied, What should be the reason that all Neighbour Princes have by Treaty obtained license from the Kings of England, for their Subjects to Fish in those Seas, and have paid Tribute, Page 29 as it doth appear by the Licences granted by H. 4. unto the French. By H. 6. unto the Dutchess of Burgundy. To those of Brabant and Flanders by E. 4. To Francis Duke of Bri∣tain for his Subjects. Philip II. King of Spain, in the first year of Queen Mary, obtained a Licence for his Subjects to fish upon the North Coasts of Ireland, for the term of one and twenty years, paying yearly for the same 1000 l. which was accordingly paid into the Exchequer of Ireland.
And the Presidents in R. 1. King John, E. 3. and other Kings, are almost infinite.
And if any King or Prince could pretend to any right, certainly His Most Christian Majestic hath as good a pre∣tence as any. But that King by the special Licence of the Kings of England, and not otherwise, hath fish'd upon the British Coasts, with a set and limited number of Boats. And that for his own Family, and being likewise to observe the Laws and Orders of his own Fishermen: For breach whereof, divers of his Subjects have been taken and imprisoned in Dover Castle and elswhere; as doth appear by many presidents in time of E. 3. H. 4. H. 7. &c. in the Tower.
* Neither is this singular in the King of England only, for in Russia, many Leagues from the Main, Fishermen do pay for their fishing great Taxes to the Emperor of Russia And in most places, other Nations are prohibited to fish.
The King of Denmark doth the like, and taketh great Tribute both at Wardhouse and the Sound.
And the like he doth now for Norway.
All the bordering Princes of Italy do the like within the Mediterranean Seas.
The States do take an Imposition upon fish, which is taken upon the British Seas, and within the Streams and Dominions of other Princes.
The Hollanders do allow the tenth Fish, both in Russia, Lappia, and other places, or pay a Composition for the same: And do also pay a Tribute in the Sound, for pas∣sage to fetch the said Fish.
Page 30 But I shall not give my self any trouble in a point so clear. I would desire to know of the Hollanders, by what right or title they fish upon the British Seas. If they have a right, Why did the Earls of Holland, and them∣selves after the said Earls take Licences from the Kings of England, for their Subjects to fish and pay tribute? as they have done, as it appeareth by many ancient Presidents in the Tower.
But now I remember, it's a Principle of their State, That if they get the possession of any thing, never to dispute the right, so it be of conveniency or profit to them to keep it.
* The next is the striking of the Sail, which is nothing but an humble acknowledgement of His Majesties Sove∣raignty of the British Seas, and a grateful submission for their liberty to pass upon them; for strangers (by the Law and Custom of the British Seas) being to pass those Seas, either in coming to England, or going to any other place (without so much as touching upon any of His Majesties *Dominions) have us'd to take safe Conducts and Licences of the Kings of England, to secure and protect them in their passage. Vide Rot. Franciae, 11. H. 4 de Salvo conductu. The Presidents are exceeding many amongst the Records in the Tower. The striking of the Sail, is one of the an∣cientest Prerogatives of the Crown of England, For, I observe in the second year of King John, it was declared at Hastings by the King, with the advice of His Lords Temporal, for a Law and Custom of the Sea, That if a Lieutenant in any voyage, being ordained by the King, doth encounter upon the Sea, any ship or Vessel laden or unladen, that will not strike or vail their Bonnets at the Commandment of the Lieutenant of the King, or of the Admiral of the King, or his Lieutenant, but will fight against them of the Fleet; that if they can be taken, they be reputed as Enemies, their Ships, Vessels and Goods taken and forfeited, as the Goods of Enemies. And that the common people being in the same, be chastised by Im∣prisonment of their bodies, for their Rebellion, Inter Leges Page 31 Marinas, Anno 2 Johannis Regis, amongst the Records of the Tower.
The Hollanders therefore refusing to strike sail, do deny His Majesties Soveraignty in the Seas (one of the most precious Jewels of the Crown) and the principal means of the Trade, Wealth and Safety of this Nation; and *which all true English men, with the hazard of their lives and fortunes, are obliged to preserve and maintain, for Imperator Maris, est Dominus Terrae.
And as they have deny'd His Majesties Soveraignty, so they have by their Artifice supplanted the Trade and Traf∣fick of His Subjects, which are the only Pillars of Riches and Safety to this Nation.
Consult the Muscovia, Turkey, &c. Companies, enquire at the Exchange, they will all tell you, It's gone, whi∣ther I know not, but into Amsterdam, and the United Provinces.
The English are as active and industrious a people as any, but (of a more generous and noble Allay) they abhor to have Trade, by those base practises, or to gain it, by those sordid means as the Hollanders do. I doubt not but the English Nation being sensible of the Injuries and Op∣pressions done them by these men, will in short time, by their Sword and Valour reduce them to reason.
* And as they have supplanted the Trade of His Majesties Subjects; so they have endeavoured to make a diminution of His own Glory, by abusive Pictures and false Libels; not only in their own Territories, but in most of the Do∣minions of the Kings and Princes of of Europe, where the name of the King of Great Britain is renown'd. Repu∣tation abroad, and Reverence at home, are the Pillars of Safe∣ty and Soveraignty.
By these Arts they have endeavoured, not only to lessen His Majestie, Reputation abroad, but to bring contempt upon Him, even amongst His own Subjects at home. With∣out doubt His Majesties good Subjects have a great Senti∣ment of these Indignities, and will not only carry an An∣tidote Page 32 in their ears, against the poyson of these Libels, but with their Swords, Lives and Fortunes will vindicate His Dignity, and bring these Ungrateful Miscreants to Justice.
The States having put so many scorns and indignities upon his Majesty, and abuses upon His Subjects in their Trade (for which His Majestie was more troubled than for the Indignities done to Himself) He was resolved to have satisfaction of them. But they to give His Majesty disquiet in His own Dominions, and for a diversion to Him, made their Addresses to some persons of the Scotish Nati∣on *(with them) for their Brotherly assistance, promising them they should be furnished with Men, Arms and Mo∣ney what they pleased. But the Scots (too well remem∣bring their late sufferings and calamities, and) having as great a sense of Loyalty and Duty for their King as any people in the world, with the greatest scorn and abhor∣rency rejected their most impious and rebellious motion.
Not prevailing there, they set upon some Factories of Sedition in England: and by their Emissaries here, endea∣voured to work upon an honest party in this Nation, (though differing in some minute Ceremonies from the Church) but they looked upon it, as the greatest Injury and Indignity could be done them, to tempt them from the Loyalty to so good and gracious a King.
And certainly His Majesty had a very good esteem for them, or else He would never have granted them that Act of Indulgence: An Act so transcendent, and exceed∣ing the bounty and grace of all former Kings, that it could not be obtain'd of them, though there had been many hundred thousand pounds offered for the purchase of it. But as His Majesty hath granted them Liberty of Consci∣ence; so (there's no doubt) they will make conscience of their Liberty.
His Majesty of Great Britain, and the Most Christian King, of all Princes in Europe have most studied and en∣deavoured (for the good of their Subjects) to advance Trade and Commerce; yet their Subjects cry out they Page 33 have no Trade, and well they may, when the Hollanders are the great Supplanters of Trade, and obstructers of Commerce (to all others but themselves) in the world. And no wonder, for it's a prime principle of their State, That they must not be like the Joc-caul, which provide food for the Lyon; but they must imitate the prudent Cat, who mouses only for it self.
Nothing can be more becoming the Majesty of two such Potent Kings, not only out of charity to deliver the distressed Dutch (an industrous and well meaning people of themselves) from the Tyranny and Oppression of those insolent States; but out of Piety towards God, to settle peace in Christendom (which is only by the power of these two Great Kings to be effected); and to which all *Kings and Princes are oblig'd to contribute their assistance.
For let it be soberly considered, if these men (if we may so call them) since the Revolt from their Prince, have not made greater distempers and confusions, and caused more effusion of blood, aud expence of Treasure in Europe, than the Great Turk hath done for these 500 years.
And as they are more powerful by Sea, so they are much more dangerous in their practise. For, the Turk is a Prince, who with all Potentates doth exactly observe his Leagues, and keeps his Faith: But it's an Apophthegm in their State, that its for Kings and Merchants to keep their word and Faith: But for States, no longer then it's subservi∣ent to their Interest.
And how exactly they make this good in their actions, I appeal to all the Kings and Princes of Europe, if ever they kept one Article, or their Faith in any thing, where *it was their interest to break it. Certainly these men live, as if great Sins would merit Heaven by an Antiperistasis.
And its very well becoming the gravest Judgements to consider, if these men may not prove in a short time, a greater Terror and Plague to Christendom, than the Turk Himself. Insomuch as his Arms are at a great distance, and only Land-forces, but these men are seated in Page 34 the Centre of Europe, and being so Potent at Sea, and rich in Treasure, may cast an Army, and with that, blood and confusion into any Princes Dominion, whom they please to disquiet (especially being first reduced to poverty, which they labour to effect in all their Territories by obstructing of Trade) And they can more speedily and powerfully offend any Kingdom by Sea in one month, than the most puissant Army is able to to march through in a year.
Well, It's time to reduce these men to Justice and Rea∣son; Prudence teacheth us to set limits to that Power, which deservedly may be suspected. For as they grow in Puissance and strength, so the more formidable they will render *themselves to all Kings and Princes. From one great King they have taken so much blood, that he is fallen into a deep Consumption: And it's adjudged by some wise Physicians of State, that he will hardly recover.
* Did they not lately break the heart of one Potent King, and almost the back of another? Do they not privately engage Prince against Prince? and by that means bring misery and calamity to them both; and out of their ruine create riches and plenty themselves? Do they not under∣mine the Trade of all Europe, and send nothing but po∣verty, misery and complaints into all Princes Dominions?
How dangerous and fatal their Greatness will in few years prove to all the Kings and Princes of Europe, and to their Subjects (if not timely prevented) a weak Statist 〈…〉 without the help of Galileo s Prospective-glass) may easily see. Yet there are a People in the World, which contribute their assistance to them, but let them be assured, that if these States by their Arts shall ex∣tricate themselves from the destruction and calamity which now threaten them, they must for all their friendly assi∣stance, expect nothing but Polyphemus courtesie, to be the last that shall be swallowed up. This is too evident by their Ingratitude and Insolencies to the Kings of Great Bri∣tain, and to the English Nation.
Page 35 Nothing can give a check to their growing Power, but the Naval Forces of the King of Great Britain, whose Si∣tuation, Ports, Strength of Shipping, Courage of People, and Experince in Sea-Fights, have always made him very formidable. And that Henry the eighth understood so well, that he assumed to himself that Motto, Cui adhaereo, Praeest.
This Naval Power of the King of Great Britain, is the *security and safety of Europe: For if that were broken, they would look upon all the other as inconsiderable, because they are so far separate, that they might be destroyed be∣fore they could unite; and in case they did, the issue would be very doubtful.
Then they would sacrifice one Prince after another, and bring nothing but confusion, poverty, and misery to Prince and People. And whether this be not more than conje∣ctural, look into their practices in the East-Indies: Ob∣serve their Arts and Methods, by which they have reduced so many great Kings, with their Subjects, Vassals and Slaves, to their vast Ambition.
I have done: Yet I cannot but drop a few Tears for some honest People amongst them, who must be inwrapt in the Punishment, though innocent as to the Guilt.
Now the most formidable and Potent Kings in Christen∣dom, are drawing their Forces against them, All their Trade is gone by Sea, nothing but horror and confusion in their Land; none of their Allyes durst appear for them. A mournful Tragedy. Methinks like wise Patriots, they should seise upon their States (whom they may thank for all their calamities and miseries) and yield them up to Ju∣stice; set up their Prince, whose Ancestors have spent so much Blood and Treasure to Vindicate their Rights and Li∣berties, and not to serve their ends of him (as all wise men think the States do at this juncture of affairs) for its an Adage amongst them, that Leo vinciri liber pernegat.
And the States do as certainly hate a Prince, as a Prince doth a Free-State. Discite Justitium moniti, &c.
