An intimation of the deputies of the States General, in a late discourse with Mr. Sidney, extraordinary envoy from His Majesty of Great Britain

AN INTIMATION OF THE DEPUTIES OF THE States General, In a Late Discourse with Mr. SIDNEY, Ex∣traordinary Envoy from His Majesty of Great BRITAIN.

THAT the States General did hear with extream trouble, that the Affairs of His Majesty and his Parliament, were not yet Composed to such an UNION, as they could heartily desire, and such as the necessity of Christendom requires,

That they neither would, nor could concern themselves, to Judge the Occasions of so great an Inconvenience, much less of the means that might be made use of, to re-establish an UNION so necessary, and so much desired.

That they had waited (though with an extream sorrow, yet with a respectful silence) the end it should please God to put to this great unhappiness, and that they should have acquiesced in those means, which His Majesty had thought fit to use, (being fully perswaded, that a King so great, and so clear sighted, would not have taken other measures, than such as His Majesty had thought the most profitable, for the directing his Affairs; and the most proper for the good of his Subjects:) But the danger in which they found themselves, obliged

them to speak. And that they neither could nor ought to address themselves any where else, than to His Majesty,

That His Majesty was the most and best informed of any, of all the sufferings which they have been obliged to indure, since the Conclu∣sion of the Peace; and also what earnest endeavours were used to in∣gage them in such Tyes as His Majesty approved not of; and which he thought most contrary to the good of both Nations. That he would be pleased to remember what had been said and threatned, when they thought they could not be under Obligations, so disagreeable to his Majesty, and so inconsistent with the publick good; and that then His Majesty assured them of his Protection, and that he would ven∣ture All to deliver them from the Evils that threatned them.

That the STATES resting upon this Royal Promise, and His Ma∣jesty being pleased for their greater security, to assure them he would call his Parliament, as soon as be thought Affairs required it: They submitted themselves to this Declaration and had waited for the Session of Parliament, (though with an extream impatience,) yet with as much resignation, as His Majesty could expect from his own Subjects. But the misunderstanding which seems to grow more than ever, be∣tween His Majesty and his People, makes them despair. Especially, since the misunderstanding is founded upon an Affair of so great Im∣portance, and so Domestick, that they could not Discuss so Nice a Point.

That it was certain, and that His Majesty might be assured by the Relation of Eye-witnesses, that those Foreign Powers, with whom His Majesty had no Tye, did Arm and make extraordinary great pre∣parations.

That they did with all Care, endeavour to repair the disorders, which the late Sickness had occasioned in their Armies, when they had like to have been destroyed about Strasburgh.

That all the extraordinary Embassies which they have sent to most of the Princes of Europe, were to no other end than to inform them, and give them assurance that all their proceedings had no other aim, than the publick quiet and tranquility; though after the Conclusion of the Peace, they have seized upon a greater number of Villages than the Agreement gave them.

That the apprehensions they had of His Majesty of Great Britain, have so far favoured these Countreys, as that their intentions have not yet been effected.

That the disposition of Affairs, which may incline His Majesty to differ with his People, would give them full opportunity to execute

their designes; since being perfectly acquainted with what they are to apprehend from His Majesties Power separate from his People; they think they may compleatly Execute their designs before any Forreign force can oppose them: And that they could not fail of their Ends, when once they should begin to Act.

That His Majesty knew the Arts they make use of in his Kingdom to bring their designs about, and is also informed of the Methods the Court of Spain uses in their own Affairs, by which the Spanish Nether∣lands are in danger to be intirely ruined.

That the design of their ruin was already almost effected and that all the Low-Countries would be infallibly destroyed, in a short time, if a speedy and vigorous course be not taken. The King of Spain not being able to put his Country into a condition of defence or resistance, and the States having been strangely exhausted by the Late Wars, and so disabled from making such a powerful resistance, as they might wish to themselves.

That the Spanish Netherlands, and this State being lost, His Ma∣jesty would endeavour in vain to apply the necessary remedies against a victorious King, ingaging all his Kingdoms, and extreamly powerful, as well by Sea as Land.

That they saw no means to secure or save themselves, and could not hope for any help from His Majesty, while he and his People are disagreed; nor could they hope any thing from time it self, since all delays have only served to animate foreign owers so strongly Armed, to execute their Projects, while His Majesty at variance with his People cannot afford them the requisite and necessary Remedies.

That His Majesty had found by experience, that the Dissolution and Prorogation of Parliaments, have only served to disquiet the minds of his People, and that at their first sittings; subsequent Parliaments have gone in the ways of the former, and with greater Animosity.

That they cannot but lament their own unhappiness, that a busi∣ness so uncertain as is that of a future Succession (wherein time may make considerable Alterations, and even Revolutions far different from what might be agreed to) should occasion their intire Ruin: and that the Interests of Europe, principally of all Protestant Princes, and of this State, should be sacrificed for so uncertain a matter.

That His Majesty is too clear sighted, not to perceive that in England it self, the Acts of Parliament, which have been made for excluding from the Succession to the Kingdom, have had no success; those of the Queens, Mary and Elizabeth, being too fresh in Mens Memories to be yet forgotten.

That it is much to be feared, that a Parliament Composed of Per∣sons Wise, and understanding in the Laws of the Nation, armed with con∣siderable Examples, and animated with the concurrence of the great Cities, and all the Nation will be able to keep their ground, and by that means continue the disunion, and so this affair (though it be uncertain that 'twill ever happen) will however be destructive, though His Ma∣jesty should agree to the Sentiments of his Parliament at last.

But that all Europe and principally the Neighbouring Countries would be inevitably Ruined, if this State should be so Unfortunate as to see the continuance of this difference; and that no help could be expected even then, when His Majesty shall comply with his Peo∣ple, and would apply the most effectual Remedies.

That they did not pretend in the least to Offer any directions to the Will and Pleasure of His Majesty: But that they submit them∣selves to what His Majesty shall think most agreeable, only they de∣sire, that if they be so Unfortunate as, to see that His Majesty will Sacrifice his Kingdoms, His Royal Person, and the Union of his People for so Uncertain a Matter, which perhaps may never happen; and that it may not be hoped, That His Majesty can Engage himself in the differences among Christian Princes when ever they shall hap∣pen: Since the condition of his Kingdom will not permit it. That then at least His Majesty would grant them this favour, to acquaint them, that they may endeavour to find out some means to Save their Common Wealth and the poor People committed to their care.

That they will always remember the good inclinations His Majesty has had for them, but that they shall see with extream displeasure and Tears of Blood, that they who do so much affect His Majestyes good must become an Innocent Sacrifice, for an Interest which it may be will never happen and which when it do's; will bring with it perhaps that loss and ruin to which they see themselves exposed.

FINIS.