A narrative or journal of the proceedings of their Excellencies, the Right Honourable the Lord Holles and the Lord Coventry appointed by His Majesty of Great Britain to be his ambassasors extraordinary and plenipotentiaries for the treaty held at Breda with the ambassadors of the French King, the King of Denmark and the States General of the United Provinces / by a person of quality concerned in this embassy.

A Narrative, or Journal of the Pro∣ceedings of their Excellencies, the Right Honourable the Lord Holles, and the Lord Coventry, appointed by his Majesty of Great Britain, to be his Ambassadors Extraordinary, and Plenipotentiaries for the Trea∣ty held at Breda, with the Ambas∣sadors of the French King, the King of Denmark, and the States General of the United Provinces.

BEing Monday, their Excellen∣cies the English Ambassadors weighed Anchor from the Hope. His Ex∣cellency

the Lord Holles in the Kent Fregat, commanded by Captain Silver; His Excel∣lency the Lord Coventry on board the Amity, commanded by Captain Poyn; both Ships carrying white Flags in the Main top. From the Hope they fell down to the Bnoy in the Nore, and so to the Gunfleet; from whence they weighed again on Thursday Follow∣ing, being the second of May, about two in the morning, having a very excellent Pas∣sage.

May 2. About eight in the evening, their Excellencies arrived before Flushing, about five leagues off the Coast, and there made up to them a Dogger-boat, sent out by order of the States to attend their Excellencies ap∣proach, and to give notice of the same, which the Dogger-boat did by shooting of several Guns: Upon which signal there presently hafted out six noble Yachts or Pleasure-boats, two belonging unto Holland, two unto Zea∣land, one to the States General, and one to the East India Company; which met their Excellencies a league from shore, and at their,

first meeting there passed great Acclamations of joy; The Yachts lowred their Topsails, their Trumpets sounded, and the first salute of their Trumpets we observed to be the Tune of The King shall enjoy his own again. Presently after, there came on board their Excellencies two Gentlemen, sent by Mon∣sieur Seneschy, a Colonel, and belonging to Zealand, the chief person appointed by the States, to complement and conduct their Excellencies to Breda; which two Gentle∣men did in the name of the States, and par∣ticularly of those of the Province of Zealand, and of the Deputies of Middleburg, congratu∣late their Excellencies safe arrival, and further acquainted their Excellencies that there were several persons of Quality on board those Yachts who came to wait upon their Excel∣lencies, and were ready to receive them into the Yachts if their Excellencies so pleased. Their Excellencies returned answer, That it was so late, it would be inconvenient for them to remove that night, and therefore they-thought better to deferr it until nine or

ten of the Clock next morning. In this confe∣rence those Gentlemen taking some further occasion to express the particular respects of the States of Zealand to the Person and Inte∣rest of his Majesty of Great Britain, His Excel∣lency the Lord Holles replied, That His Ma∣jesty also particularly desired to satisfie and assure those of Zealand, that he highly owned their Respects, and would be also ready to express a sensibleness and suitable good will to them when any occasion should present it self: After which those Gentlemen abun∣dantly satisfied, departed with much cheer∣fulness.

May 3. Colonel Seneschy, attended by about a dozen Gentlemen, came on board their Excellencies, and did in the name of the States, and the rest, congratulate their safe arrival, and acquainted them, That he was commanded to wait on their Excellencies to Breda: and about two of the Clock in the Afternoon their Excellencies went on board the Yachts, and anchored that night before the Rammekins.

At their going off in their Yachts from before Flushing, they were very respectfully saluted by the Great Guns from the Town, and from all the Ships of Note in the Road, and also by all the Forts and Block-houses on the River-side.

May 4. Saturday, At night their Excel∣lencies arrived at Terheyd, a small Fort, half a league from Breda.

Their Excellencies were treated very ho∣nourably all the way, &c. Monsieur Seneschy declaring that the States had allowed Eighteen hundred pounds sterling for their Entertain∣ment.

May 5. Being Sunday, Monsieur Courtin, one of the French Ambassadors, sent a Gen∣tleman to congratulate their Excellencies safe arrival.

May 6. In the morning, Monsieur Courtin came himself, incognito, to give their Excel∣lencies a visit; After which, his Excellency the Lord Coventry departed incognito to Breda.

At Breda there were two houses adjoining

together, taken up for their Excellencies and their Families, and the walls broak through from one house unto the other for their mu∣tual Entercourse.

May 7. In the morning, a Gentleman came from Monsieur Courtin with his Coach, unto his Excellency the Lord Holles (his Excel∣lencies own Coach being not yet ready) to bring him incognito to Breda; But his Excel∣lency with a return of much respect excused himself from making use of it.

On the same day his Excellency the Lord Holles, upon the invitation of the Gover∣nour of Terheyd, removed on shore to lie in the Fort.

May 8. His Excellency was Treated by Monsieur Seneschy on board the Yachts; and

May 9. His Excellency entertained Mon∣sieur Seneschy, and the Gentlemen with him on shore in the Fort.

May 10. His Excellencies House in Breda being in some measure fitted for his Recep∣tion, he removed incognito to Breda.

After their Excellencies arrival at Breda,

there were already arrived Monsieur D' E∣strade, and Monsieur Courtin, Ambassadors for France; Monsieur Clinenberg and Mon∣sieur Charisius, Plenipotentiaries for Den∣mark; and Monsieur Beverningk, Monsieur D' Huybert, and Monsieur Jongestal, Pleni∣potentiaries for the States.

May 11. Monsieur D' Estrade gave their Excellencies a private visit; after which, their Excellencies prepared for their publick En∣try: In order to which,

May 14. On Tuesday, Their Excellencies, with their retinue, went incognito out of Bre∣da to the Speele-house, a pleasant summer house in the Prince of Oranges Park, some di∣stance from the Town; and there spending some time till Monsieur Valkenhaen Lievte∣nant Governour of the Town came to wait upon their Excellencies; Sir George Charnock the Knight Martial immediately by their Ex∣cellencies Commands, disposed the train into this Order. First rode eight Grooms on Horseback, after them eight Pages, all in the Ambassadors rich Livery; then four of

his Majesties Trumpeters, next rode their Ex∣cellencies two Gentlemen of the Horse, then immediately next before their Excellencies own Coach, rode the Knight-Marshal to the Ambassie, bearing in his hand a Richly guilded Batton or Staff, the Ensign of his Office; his Horse attended on each side with Footmen in the Ambassadors Liveries, then followed his Excellencie the Lord Holles his first Coach which was both in it self, and all the Furni∣ture of the Horses exceeding Rich and Roy∣al. In this Coach rode their Excellencies, accompanied with Monsieur the Marquess of Hauterive Governor of Breda, and Monsieur Seneschy, and several others, who are Sons and Brothers to some of the Nobilitie, also Nicholas Morrice Esq Son to the Right Ho∣norable Sir William Morrice Principal Secre∣tary of State, who was by his Majesties spe∣cial appointment Secretarie unto the Ambas∣sie, a Gentleman of eminent Desert, parti∣cularly for the diligent and prudent discharge of his imployment in this Affair. The said Coach was attended on each side by the

gross of the Footmen, being near Fifty in number, in very costly and rich Liveries.

Next followed his Excellencie the Lord Coventries first Coach, which was also of a suitable Magnificence.

Next followed the Lord Holles his second Coach, and then the Lord Coventries second Coach, in all which Coaches their Excellen∣cies were also attended by divers other per∣sons of Honor and Quality.

After that went the Governors of the Town, then the Coaches of the several No∣bilitie and Gentry about the Town.

There were drawn up in the Park three Troops of Horse to attend their Excellencies: The first of which upon their Excellencies moving by (after having very respectfully saluted them) advanced and led the way at the head of all out of the Park.

The other two Troops stood still while the whole Train passed by, all of which they with like respect saluting, closed in after and brought up the rear. At the head of these was Monsieur Ouderkirk Captain of one of the

Troops, and Gentleman of the Horse to the Prince of Orange, a brave young Cavalier, and Brother to the Right Honorable the Lord Arlingtons Lady.

At their Excellencies entrance into the Town, they were received by Monsieur the Marquess d'Hauterive the Governor, with all possible demonstrations of Kindness and Re∣spects, to which their Excellencies having made suitable Returns, invited him into their own Coach, which he accepted ac∣cordingly.

There was all the Souldiery in the Town amounting to about Two thousand Foot be∣sides the rest of the Horse disposed at the ends of all Streets they passed by. And the whole great Market being the princi∣pal place for Beauty and Largeness in the Town, was filled with Horse and Foot, lea∣ving onely room for the Coaches to pass. At this place appeared the greatest State and Splendor of the Solemnitie: during the whole time of which the great Guns from all sides of the Town liberally discharged,

what contribution they owed to so joyful an appearance.

It is not conceivable how the spectators, (who in throngs filled all Windows and Streets) were transported with admiration and con∣tent, insomuch that from the unanimous Con∣tent of all their expressions; it may be tru∣ly affirmed that nothing of this nature hath ever been performed with more advantage to the Honour of the English Nation.

Being arrived at their own House, they found a very splendid Entertainment pro∣vided for their Excellencies and their Re∣tinue by the States appointment, where Monsieur the Marquess d'Hanterive, Monsieur Valkenhaen, Monsieur Ouder kirk and Monsieur Seneschy with the Noble persons that ac∣companied their Excellencies, and those who attended them in the several Coaches did all Dine in their Excellencies Presence.

May 15. The French Ambassadors did in the morning give their Excellencies a pub∣lique visit, and in the afternoon the Danish Plenipotentiaries gave their Excellencies a visit.

May. 16. The French Ambassadors did again in the morning give their Excellen∣cies a publique visit, and in the afternoon their Excellencies gave the French Ambas∣sadors a publique visit.

May. 17. The Swedish Ambassadors (ha∣ving not yet made their publique Entrie) gave their Excellencies a visit incognite. And after them the Ministers of the Town gave a visit, and the same morning their Excellencies visited the Danish Plenipotentiaries. In the af∣ternoon the States Plenipotentiaries visited their Excellencies.

May 18. The Burgomasters of the Town wait∣ed upon the Ambassadors. The same morning their Excellencies visited the States Plenipo∣tentiaries. In the afternoon their Excellencies visited Monsiour d'Hanterive the Governor.

May 19. Their Excellencies visited the Swedish Ambassadors, and some of the fol∣lowing days were likewise spent in visits.

The place appointed for the Treaty was at the Castle.

In the Castle there was a large Room

next unto the great Hall richly hung with Tapestry, and in the middle of the Room was a round Table covered over with green Velvet, over which hung a Canopie of green Velvet, over-shadowing all the Table, about which were placed many Chairs and Cushions suitable; the floor of the Room under the Table and round about the same was covered also with green Velvet.

To this Room there were three doors, one opening into the great Hall, at the other end of the Room was another door, and the third door was on the side of the Room next to the Gallerie.

However, the Ambassadors not finding it convenient to make use of this Room for their ordinary meeting together, made choice of several distinct appartments; the the Swedish Mediators passing betwixt from one to the other as there was occasion com∣municated their several Proposals, Objecti∣ons, and all of that Nature relating to the Negotiation; which manner of proceeding was observed during the whole Treaty.

May 25. Being Saturday, The respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries, accord∣ing to appointment came to their several ap∣partments in the Castle; and the Treaty was begun in the method aforesaid.

During their whole residence at Breda, there passed not at any time any disrespect between the persons interessed in the Treaty, nor any of their followers or Retinue, but every thing carried on with all mutual civi∣lities and kindness.

After the first general meeting on the 25th of May, there was a discontinuance of all Treaty and Transactions until the three and twentieth day of June, and during the said time very few, if any visits were made.

June 23. In the morning their Excellencies the English Ambassadors, visited the Swedish Ambassadors.

June 25. The French Ambassadors visited their Excellencies, and were in conference with them above three hours. And in the afternoon of the same day the Swedish Am∣bassadors visited their Excellencies, and

were in conference with them above three hours.

June 26. Their Excellencies visited the French and Swedish Ambassadors, and were with them all the Afternoon.

June 27. All the Respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries came to their several appartments in the Castle about four of the Clock in the Afternoon, and continued their Treaty till about nine in the evening, in man∣ner as before.

June 28. The Ambassadors and Plenipo∣tentiaries came to their several appartments in the Castle about five a Clock, and con∣tinued their Treaty till about nine in the E∣verning, in manner as before.

June 29. The Ambassadors and Plenipo∣tentiaries came again to their several appart∣ments in the Castle at nine in the morning, and continued on their Treaty till about one of the Clock in manner as before; and they came again in the Afternoon about four, and continued the Treaty till about nine.

Sunday, June 30. The several Ambassa∣dors and Plenipotentiaries came again to their several appartments about five of the Clock in the Afternoon, and continued their Treaty till about nine at night; In which time they concluded upon the generality of the Articles of the Peace: Onely some particulars yet remaining, in which it was fit his Maje∣sties pleasure should be farther known before the absolute compleating of them. It was unanimously defired by all the Ambassadors, that his Excellency the Lord Coventry would take the pains upon himself of a journey to England for that purpose, as also to present His Majesty with the accompt of what was al∣ready by all their Consents compleated. Up∣on which earnest desire of theirs, his Excellen∣cy the Lord Coventry did accordingly under∣take the journey, which he set out upon the second of July, and returned with His Maje∣sties Resolution and Approbation the 17^th of the same Month.

During this Treaty at the Castle, the French and Danish Ambassadors came some

times to the appartment of their Excellen∣cies the English Ambassadors, but the Dutch Ambassadors came not till the said close of the Treaty.

July 18. All the respective Ambassadors came to visit their Excellencies, after the return of his Excellency the Lord Coven∣try.

July 19. All the respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries came to their several appartments in the Castle at nine in the morning, and stayed there till twelve at noon.

July 20. They came likewise to their se∣veral appartments in the Castle about five in the Afternoon, and continued there till eight.

Sunday, July 21. They came again to their several appartments in the Castle at five, and continued till past nine, and then signed and sealed in their several appart∣ments the Articles of Peace; and presently after came together into one room, and mu∣tually enterchanged the same. Immediately

hereupon, some signal being given, all the Cannon of the Castle were discharged, and so from Fort to Fort round the Town; After which, the Ambassadors and Plenipotenti∣aries adjourned any further meeting until such time as the Ratifications from the se∣veral Princes might in all probability be re∣turned.

At their going out of the Castle, this night there were several Troops of Horse, and se∣veral Foot Companies placed in the High∣street; through which the Ambassadors Coaches returning, there were great expres∣sions of joy, the Drums beating, Colours flying, Trumpets sounding, and Discharging their Pistols and Muskets.

July 23. The Honourable Sir John Coven∣try, Knight of the Bath, Nephew to his Excellency the Lord Coventry, had all along attended the Ambassy, and omitted no ex∣pence to add to the Grandeur and honour of the Ambassy, being very noble in Equi∣page, suitable to his quality; He was after dispatched for England by their Excellencies,

unto his Majestie for his Majesties Ratifica∣tion of the Peace.

July 24. Their Excellencies the English Ambassadors dined with the Danish Plenipo∣tentiaries.

July 25. The Danish Plenipotentiaries and the Governor of Breda dined with their Ex∣cellencies.

During this Recess, the Swedes and Danish Ambassadors went unto the Hague, and so did Monsieur Beverningk, and Mon∣sieur. Huybert, two of the Dutch Am∣bassadors, Monsieur Jongestal remaining at Breda.

Aug. 2. The Honorable Sir John Coventry arrived at Breda; being returned from Eng∣land with great dispatch.

After the return of Sir John Coventrie to Breda, the French, Swedish and Dauish Am∣bassadors, and Plenipotentiaries returned al∣so to Breda; and there also returned Monsieut Beverningk and Monsieur d'Huybert, two of the Dutch Plenipotentiaries, and with them came two other deputed for the Signing

with more Solemnity, so that there were five of the Dutch Plenipotentiaries to attend and receive the exchange of the Ratificati∣ons of the Peace.

Aug. 11. The French Ambassadors gave their Excellencies a visit.

Aug. 13. All the respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries went to their several Appartments in the Castle about five of the clock in the afternoon, and remained there until seven, and advised one the other re∣spectively with the Returns of the Ratifi∣cations from the respective Princes, and up∣on the deliberation of the whole matter, ap∣pointed a meeting the next day for the Ex∣change of the Ratifications.

Aug. 14. All the respective Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries went at Eleven of the clock to the Castle, where they all met in one great Room, and after many Con∣gratulations of Joy and Respect, they Ex∣changed the Ratifications, and thereupon all the Guns of the Castle were shot off, and so from Fort to Fort round the Town;

all the Forces of the Garrison being in Arms in the Streets, the Drums beating, Trumpets founding, Colours flying, Guns shooting, and all Declarations of Joy through the whole Town; there being a great confluence of People from all parts of the Dutch Ne∣therlands. And it was agreed by the Am∣bassadors and Plenipotentiaries before they came out of the Castle, that at four of the clock that afternoon the Peace should be proclaimed before the Pallaces of the re∣spective Ambassadors and Plempotentiaries.

This day their Excellencies dined with Monfieur d'Estrade one of the French Am∣bassadors.

At four of the clock in the afternoon, all the Gentlemen attending the Ambassy, and all the Servants of their Excellencies were Marshall'd by Sir George Charnock Marshal to the Ambassy, and drawn out of the Gates of their Excellencies Pallace, with his Majesties Trumpets sounding before them, and walked the whole length of the ground before the Pallace, and being brought

into a round and close Order before the mid∣dle windows of the Pallace, their Excellen∣cies were seated at the Window in Chairs of State, with velvet Cushions before them, and Tapestry hangings adorning the outside of the windows, and multitudes of the Dutch Nation attending to see the Solemnitie: The Peace was proclaimed with France, Denmark and Holland, Doctor William Howel Doctor of the Laws, who went over with their Excellencies, a Person in much Honor and Esteem with them for his Learn∣ing and great Services in the Ambassy, read∣ing the Proclamations, and Mr. Lawrence Loe aloud pronouncing the same after him, and at the end of every Proclamation the Trumpets sounding, several Flourishes and great Rejoycings amongst all the People.

After the said Proclamations, all the Gen∣tlemen returned into the Ambassadors Pa∣lace where several hogsheads of Wine be∣ing let run at waste, the People with a great Joy and Gladness received the same.

The French Ambassadors and Danes made the like Proclamations before their Palaces respectively, and the Dutch Pleni∣potentiaries before the Stadthouse.

Night coming on, all the windows of the Palace of their Excellencies fronting to∣wards the street, were set with several rows of Candles lighted, in a very great num∣ber,

About seven of the clock that evening, their Excellencies went to the Stadthouse whither they were invited to a Banquet, and there met all the Ambassadors and Plenipotentiaries: Also were present the Magistrates and chief Persons of the Town, with many other Persons of Quality and their Ladies: In the Room was placed a large round Table, where after a handsome Treat of all Fowl the season afforded, they were entertained with a noble Ban∣quet.

In the street before the said Stadthouse was erected a large Scaffold, on which

were several Figures serving to artificial Fireworks; all performed by an excellent Engineer.

At each end of the Scaffold were erect∣ed four Structures in equal distances from the Scaffold, about sixteen foot high, each Structure full of Arms with burning Flam∣beaux.

The Fireworks continued, and the Flam∣beaux were burning; the streets full of Horse and Foot, Trumpets sounding, Drums beating, and Colours flying, for the most part of the night; all the windows of the Houses full of People; great accla∣mations and demonstrations of Joy through the whole Town.

Aug. 15. During the time of the Treaty, the Ambassadors had received very good Testimony of the Pious endeavours used by Mr. Ernest, Mr. Halsins and Mr. Planet; three Ministers in Breda, both in their Fray∣ers in publique and otherwise for Gods blessing upon the Treaty for a Peace and

happy Union betwixt the two Nations. The said Mr. Ernest and Mr. Plance being also Professors in the Schools at Breda; and themupon their Excellencies were pleased to signifie to the Lord Chancellor of the Universitie of Oxford their respective Merits, and obtained of his Lordship three Diploma's from that University, whereby they received as Rewards of their good af∣fection the Degrees of Doctors in Divini∣ty. And on this day the Ambassadors being in a great Room of their Palace, and seated in two Chairs at the upper end of a Table in the said Room; the Gentlemen of the Ambassy attending about them in the Room; the said three Ministers were in∣troduced into the Room by Doctor Mew Doctor in Divinity, and Fresident of St. Johns Colledge in Oxford; a person who hath morated much by the several good offices of Prudence, Industry and Piety, which he hath eminently discharged in the service of Chaplain to their Excel∣lencies;

and after a concise and eloquent Latine Speech by him made for that occa∣sion, the Condition of the persons receiving that Honour, the Renown of the Univer∣sity his Mother, and the Dignity of their Excellencies, and the said Ministers return of thanks for the Honour; Doctor Mew delivered the said Diploma's unto them re∣spectively.

Aug. 27. Their Excellencies dispached Sir George Charnock, with expresses unto his Majesty of the Exchange of the Rati∣fications, and of Proclaiming of the Peace, and several publications of the same. And the said Sir George coming to Middleburgh, was very civily treated by the President of the Admiralty, and had a Warrant to one of the States Men of War, then at Tervere, who lay ready to transport him for England, the Ship being by the States Order well fur∣nished with Provisions for his entertainment in his passage; and Sir George embarquing, took into her also many English Priso∣ners,

and came to the North-foreland where were riding the Vice-Admiral of North-Holland, with about four Dutch-men of War.; to whom Sir George gave notice of the Proclamations of the Peace: At which the Vice-Admiral expressed much joy, and so did all the Seamen with very great Shouts and Acclamations, and then shot off many Guns; and immediately after hung up their blew Flag, weighed Anchor, and went away.

Sir George landed at Margett, and there took Post-horse immediately for London.

Aug. 23. Very early in the morning he came to Whitehall, and in discharge of his Duty delivered his Expresses.

Aug. 24. By His Majesties special Com∣mand, the Peace with the French, Dane and Dutch was Proclaimed by three several Proclamations, at the Court Gate, and at the usual places in the City of London, by the Heraulds, Serjeants at Armes, with the Trumpets, and other Officers attending.

The Right Honourable the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London, wait∣ing also upon the publication of the same from Temple-Bar through the City unto Bishopsgate-street, to Gresham-house the pre∣sent Exchange, where the last Publications and Proclamations were made.

During the time after the dispatch of the formentioned Publications, there pas∣sed diverse Invitations and Entertainments betwixt the several Ambassadors, while they remained, till His Majesties Fregats, the Portland and the Reserve, arriving at Flush∣ing for their Excellencies reconveyance into England, they took their journey from Breda thither accordingly, being by the way very earnestly importuned to receive a Treat from the States at Middleburgh; which in regard of the haste they desir'd to make in returning to his Majesties farther service, they excused themselves from stay∣ing to accept of, coming after on board their Fregats. They set sayl from before Flush∣ing

on Monday morning September the 9^th, and quitting the Fregats before Gravesend, they entred there into Barges sent down express by His Majesty, and arrived at Whitehall on Friday the 13^th in the Af∣ternoon, where they were most graciously received by His Majesty.

FINIS.

Notes

• April 29. 1667.