Letters written by Sir William Temple during his being ambassador at The Hague, to the Earl of Arlington and Sir John Trevor, Secretaries of State to K. Charles II wherein are discovered many secrets hitherto concealed / published from the originals, under Sir William Temple's own hand ; and dedicated to the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Littleton, Speaker of the House of Commons, by D. Jones, Gent.

LETTER XLI. Hague, Iuly 5. S. N. 69▪ (Book 41)

SIR,

HAving not been able to return from Amsterdam, so quietly nor so spee∣dily as I went, by reason of the undeniable invitations I received from the Towns of Harlem and Leyden; I am return'd only in time, to acknowledge a Letter I met of yours here the 18th past, with an en∣closed paper of Arguments, in both the points of the East-Indies and Surinam, which I shall not fail to make the best use of I can.

I have had reason to believe, from my Reception in the several Towns, and Con∣versation with their chief Magistrates, that they all understand their interest in our Alliances, as they ought, and value it as it deserves, having had it upon all oc∣casions, exprest to me by them all equally in their Discourses: But in other Demon∣strations, more by the Town of Harlem,

(who are the most averse to the Princes interest) then the rest; and whose meet∣ing me with all the Militia of their Town in great Gallantry, and with great expense of powder, as I hear, was taken ill by the other Towns, as an excess they ought not to have made upon any Princes Ar∣rival, without having it first concerted by the States of Holland. I thank God, the trouble of this Journey is is well over, by which the chief thing I have learnt, is, that when they are Drunk, and when they are Sober, they seem still of a mind, in what concerns us and our Alli∣ance.

I left them at Amsterdam, in the same mind you are in your Letter, that 'tis time to make an end of this Marine business, and Monsieur Van Benniaghen assur'd me, that upon his coming to Town here next week, he would to his utmost endeavour it, and that in the business of Macassar, we should have Satisfaction. For the General Article, I can yet Discover no disposition to it, unless it should be with such Restricti∣ons, as I doubt will not answer our Merchants ends; as for Example, in that of Trading with Nations not in Subjection, they say 'tis a thing of so common Right, that we have no rea∣son to demand any particular Article, but if such a thing be adjusted, it must

be with a Clause, that it shall not be adjudged to prejudice any Rights, that one or other may have acqui∣red by their Arms, or by Trea∣ties with any Princes or People in those parts. You can best judge, whether this be what our Merchants mean. For my part, I am very confident that these here mean no such thing, as to endeavour our exclusion from the Trade of the Indies, nor to deny us the Re∣dress of any particular injuries we can complain of; and that if we desired Orders to their Officers in the Indies to make no Innovations, which may be to our prejudice, but to carry all mat∣ters there that concerns us, in the most friendly manner that has been used be∣tween the Nations, we should not be denyed them, though they are so stanch upon this General Article; believing it will be made the ground of future de∣mands, which we will not now spe∣cifie: And all this Opinion of mine, is not raised by the professions they make, nor by Monsieur Van Benning∣hen's protesting, they are so far from doing us injuries, that they tremble at the very thoughts of it, and a great deal more of that kind; but it comes from my belief, that they are a State which very well understands their own Interests, and knows they

can never take any good measures, but with us; and that if necessity drives them to any other, they are such as must fail, and ruine them at last. I am always,

SIR,

Your most Obedient, Humble Servant, W. Temple.