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Annot.
After mens Interest, they consult their Security: and here∣in, as Forreigners may encrease Woollen Manufactures chea∣per and better in England than France or the Ʋnited Nether∣lands; so are they more secure in working them than in ei∣ther, or any other place upon the Continent, by reason they are more secure from the Invasion of Forreign Princes and States. It is true indeed, that one great reason of the encrease of the Strength and Trade of the Ʋnited Netherlands, was the secu∣rity men apprehended there, as well as Freedom: For the great Power of the Dutch by Sea, was such as was not to be controuled by any, or all other Princes, except the King of England; and the weakness of the bordering Princes by Land was such, as the States gave Laws to them at plea∣sure. But the terrour of the French Invasion in 1672, has much abated the opinion the World had of their Security in the Ʋnited Netherlands. And now the Marquiss of Brandenburg (the most powerful of all the Princes in Ger∣many) has recovered the Dominion of Wesel, Rees, Emrick, and Orsoy, which Commands the Rhine, and is possessed of Skinkersconce, which Commands the Rhine and Wael, the opinion of this Security is not only much abated, but the Dutch Trade to Germany and other places up and down the Rhine, must be precarious, as the Marquiss pleases. Nor will the Dutch easily free themselves from the Neighbour∣hood of the French in Maestricht, Maseike, and other pla∣ces.