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To the impartiall Readers.
Gentlemen.
IT was generally observed in the days of Queen Elizabeth, that her Majestie in all transactions at home and abroad, gave it in Charge to her Councill, that they should have a care of her Ho∣nour. In all Leagues or Treaties of Alliance and Commerce, the benefits of either side should be reciprocall: but no Nation in the World have been so industrious of late to undo themselvs as the English; VVhose Lands & rents are reduced, their staple Goods and Manufactures undervalued, their Gold and Silver wasted their trade & Commerce undermined, their Laws & Customs contemned & Violated. And being Cheated of their Moneys & Merchandizes by their Neighbours in ordi∣nary traffick, many of his Majesties good Subjects, are made contemptible & pore in the midst of peace and plenty.
In all regulations of trade, and Treaties Marine, both parties should have their re∣spective Considerations of advantage; Yet certainly many mistakes have been committed in severall ages and revolutions of State in publique Contracts upon the English account, wherein the Honour and interest of the King and Kingdom were mutually concerned, which might be regained, most gloriously upon good opertunities. If all English-men had publick spirits, and none would, be so treacherous under a trust, to preferr their own particular profit, before any nationall concernments.
The Hollanders upon all occasions of difference and dispute with England, doe fly for refuge to the treaty made between King Henry the VII. and Philip Duke of Bur∣gundy, in the Year 1495. long before Scotland was united to the Crown, or that the people of the seven united Provinces, had fallen from their naturall Princes of the Houses of Burgundy, & Austria, into a Common wealth by incouragments of others. And during the late war in the Year 1673. the States in all their Declarations and Manifestoes appealed to the Parliament of England, as Umpires between them and the King: one clause I cannot omit, in regard I find it published in print in their Netherland Histo∣rian (viz)
VVe the States Generall do hereby in the uprightness of our hearts, and confidence of our integrity, submit our defence to the Iudgement of the English Nation in generall, and more especially to the High and Honoble Court of Parliament (as re∣presenting the whole body of the Nation) whom we are not onely willing to make full Arbitrators of the unhappy differences between the Court of England and us, but should also account it for the speediest way to a most happy accommadation, if they would take the pains to make a right distinction between the true interests of the Nation (whom they represent) and the crafty pretences of evill minded men.Now to meet them again in their own way cannot be denied us, without prejudice and partiallity.
VVherefore I have recollected severall Articles out of diverse Treaties of State, upon which I have briefly discoursed, and made some speculations thereupon, and then pro∣ceeded to the third Part, which concerns the improvement of Trade and English Manufactures, &c.
VVhich if they find a good reception in England, I shall make a further progres in the next Year, to gratifie some Friends at the generall Treaty, where the English (although they are neither Principalls nor Parties) yet as Lookers on may see how to hit a blot, or take a point sooner then the Gamesters that plays.
Amsterdam Septemb. 29. 1676.
I am your Unfaigned Friend G. C.