A Discovery of the Designs of France against England.

HENRY VIII. King of England, did, in his time, cause a Medal to be stampt with a Hand stretch'd out of a Cloud, holding a Balance in equal poise, whereof both the Scales represented Spain and France, with this Motto, Cui adhaereo praeest, My Alliance weighs it down. It seems that Prince well knew his own Might; whereas now England may be compared to an Ox, who being insensible of his own strength, quietly submits himself to the Yoke. Evident it is, That England has many Advantages beyond other Kingdoms, but especially [Page 2]this, that being an Island, it can easily secure it self against any Foreign Force; they that intend an Invasion against it, must be obliged to cross the Seas, and struggle with the Winds and Waves, and all the hazards and dangers of that un­stable Element, besides a very potent Fleet, which alone is sufficient to deter their hardiest Enemy, from any such Design. Now this being so, 'tis manifest that the King of England (having Peace and a strict Alliance with Holland) can over-balance the Party he designs against.

This is a Truth, France is so fully convinc'd of, that notwithstanding the great Antipathy there is between both Nations, he has hitherto spar'd nothing, and is still turning every stone, to take off England from its true Interest, and to engage it on his side, or at least oblige it to stand Neuter, and to be an idle, uncon­cern'd Spectator of the horrid Tragedy the French King acts upon the Theatre of Europe, because he well knows that England is better able to prevent it, and spoil his Sport, than any other State or Kingdom whatsoever, and rescue Europe from the Universal Slavery he prepares for it.

Would the King of England only be pleased to open his Eyes, fast closed with the enchanted slumbers of the French Dalilah, to take a view of his own Strength and true Interest, he should soon find himself making another Figure amongst the Princes of Europe, than of late Years he hath done, and with ease mount that high degree of Power and Glory, of being the profest Umpire of the Universe, the Sovereign Mediator and Decider of Controversies, and the Giver of Peace to all Europe, which France, in a vain Bravado, pretends to, when indeed he is the sole Troubler of it.

To arrive at this transcendent pitch of Grandeur and Authority, two things only (which the King of England may do when he pleases) are requisite. The first is, That his Majesty do comport himself so, as to engage the Love of his People, and keep a right Understanding between him and his Parliament. And the second, That he enter into a strict Alliance with Holland, living in sincere Amity, perfect Union, and good Correspondence with them, in order to their common Defence and Security▪ The former of these is very easie, and the King will do it, as soon as he shall resolve to desire nothing of his Parliament, but what is agreeable with the Laws of the Realm, which by his Coronation Oath he is ob­liged to observe and maintain; and the latter will be found to be of absolute ne­cessity, as soon as the King of England shall please to stop his Ears to the false Suggestions of France, and stifle those Jealousies and Resentments which his Emissaries daily buzze into his Head; there being nothing to fear for England from the States, whose desire is not to enlarge their Dominions (as France do's) by invading those of their Neighbors, but only to keep what God has given them, and to maintain their Subjects in the Liberty they now enjoy.

This France so well knows, that he leaves no Stone unturn'd to prevent it, and continually sends forth some crafty turbulent Spirits, to sowe the Seeds of Divi­sion and Misunderstanding between the King and his Parliament. Thus the Spi­rit of France was at work, to exasperate the Episcopal Party against the Presbyte­rians, and again the Presbyterians, and other Nonconformists against them, making them believe that the Bishops favoured Popery, and would not fail to prove Turn­coats, as soon as a favourable Opportunity should be offer'd them, and that the King did incline the same way, with a thousand like Suggestions, which so set the People against the King, and filled the Parliament with such Jealousies, that they often granted his then Majesty but very little of what he demanded, and gave him so much work at Home, that he had no leisure to consider what was done Abroad. It was France that first kindled the Civil Wars in the time of Charles I. which cost England so much Blood, the French Ambassador that was then at that Court, boasting at his Return from thence, That he had kindled a Fire in England, which should not be quenched of a long time, and that the English for 20 Years to come, would not be in a condition to claim any thing of France.

To the kindling of this Unhappy Flame, one Father Joseph, a Capuchine Fryar, did much contribute under-hand, by means of the Papists, especially those that were in the Parliament's Army. But now since the King of England has thought good to change his Religion, France also has alter'd his Battery, and turn'd all his great Guns against the Church of England, and so far are the minds of Men irrita­ted against one another, that his British Majesty will not, this good while, be in a condition to look any where else but at Home, where he is like to meet with so many Crossings and Thwartings of the Designs he is carrying on, that he will find it a hard matter to break through them, and accomplish the thing he aims at, and so zealously affects. And whil'st these Heart-burnings continue between the King and his People, he will be forced continually to be upon his Guard, and to keep his Forces about him, and cast about his Thoughts how to raise a Fund to maintain them, and thereby give an opportunity to France to possess himself of the Low-Countries, and of Spain too, in case that King should chance to dye, which happy hour, France, with a great deal of Impatience, looks for.

As for the second point, viz. a League with the Ʋnited Privinces, and a right understanding and good Correspondence between those two Governments, to op­pose all Powers that would invade and trouble the Peace of Christendom, it is certain that the States for their parts would most gladly embrace the Proposal, if they saw any likelihood of engaging therein with safety, and being seconded up­on occasion; of which indeed there is but little probability as long as affairs shall continue, in the condition wherein they are at present. This indeed is the thing, which of all others France, would be very loth to see, because the hearty Union [Page 4]of these two Governments, would in all probability put a stop to the French Kings undertakings, overturn all his designs, and put him into an utter incapacity of attempting any thing against the Peace of Nimeguen, or the Truce with the Em­peror. But France carries a watchful eye to prevent this Capital inconvenience, and that by an assiduous fomenting and cherishing feuds and animosities between those two Nations, and improving every occurrence to this purpose: of which we have a fresh instance in the business of Bantam, which had been long ago made up, but that France (who finds it best fishing in troubled waters) thinks it more for his Interest, that it should remain undertermin'd; which is the very reason why it was never made an end of, but kept as a reserve for a quarrel upon occasion. That there can be nothing so evidently destructive of the French De­signs as this Union between England and Holland is very apparent; England can when it pleases overturn the projects of France against the Spanish Netherlands; neither could that King ever have taken Luxemburg, if the late King of England had had the least inclination to oppose him in that attempt, but the French King so well knew to take him by the blind side, that he did not perceive the mischief, till the City was taken. It was a Capital Error for England to part with Dunkirk; a place that open'd a passage for them to France and the Low Countries; but it would make the matter much worse, if all those Countries should be fain to sub­mit to the Tyranny of Lewis the Great, and he by this means should join Newport and Ostend to Dunkirk; for then would Flushing follow by Consequence, and that King be put into a condition to dispute the Soveraignty of the Sea with his Bri­tish Majesty, and destroy the Navigation and Commerce of this flourishing King­dom. Having got thus far, he would proceed to an entire conquest of the Ʋnited Provinces, which point being once gain'd by him, England would have but little reason to flatter it self with the hopes of a better Lot. Renowned Queen Elizabeth of happy Memory, was so sensible of what is here alledged, that she told Monsieur de Sully, the French Kings Ambassadour at her Majesties Court, that neither France nor England, nor any other Prince or State whatsoever, ought to lay any claim to the Low Countries, and that she would never suffer the King his Master to make the least attempt that way. Upon which Monsieur de Sully sent word to his Ma­ster Henry the Fourth, that notwithstanding the opposite sentiments of the Queen, his Majesty might by means of great forces, keep his friends within their own bounds, and possess himself of such Territories and Cities in the Low Countries, as should be ne­cessary to joyn France and the United Provinces wholly and inseparably together: which was (said he) the only way to restore France to its Primitive Grandure and glo­ry, and pitch it above the rest of Christendome; for if by any means the Provinces of Luxemburg, Juliers, Mark, Mons, Aix, and Cleves, were once Ʋnited to France, there was no doubt, but the rest of the Country would be forc'd to follow their example, be­ing [Page 5]deprived of all communication and correspondence with the rest of the world. Sure it is France has always inclin'd this way, since they have observed that they could not compass their design by Italy, as the Romans of old; which Conquest tho it be the interest of all Princes of Europe to prevent, as much as in them lies; yet it is evident that these two States who are nearer at hand, and can better do it, are the most of all concern'd to put a stop to the Progress of the French in the Low Countries, which would not fail to be attended with dismal consequences to them, as before mention'd. As for Spain, it is a Body deprived of the use of its Limbs, and to which nothing remains but that of its Tongue, viz. To pray and entreat its good Friends and Allies not to forsake it. But none can do more than England, towards the Preservation of the Low Countries; and if his British Majesty had not promised to stand still, Luxemburg would still be in the State wherein it was formerly, and a Bone for France to pick. The French King is so well aware of this, that he takes all the care he can to keep the King of Eng­land on his side, or at least to remain Neuter, in case he will not declare himself for him. To which purpose he spares nothing, neither Presents, Pensions, nor Arts, to keep all safe on that side. But alas, this Money and those Presents of France are like a Snake hid under Rose-leaves. This is a Smiling Lip, which hereafter will prove a deadly Sting. They are Iron Chains gilded o're to de­ceive the Eyes of those who now admires what hereafter they will have occasion to lament, if they do not betimes discover the Cheat of him who designs to en­slave them. England subsists by ballancing the Crown of France and Spain, and keeping them in equal poise; wherefore it must needs be the Interest of that Kingdom by all means possible to prevent the Low Countries from becoming an occasion to the overweight of France, lest by this means it should be incapacita­ted to maintain the Balance of Europe for time to come. For if ever by ill For­tune the French King should make himself Master of all the 17 Provinces as 'tis his great Aim, and may easily be brought to pass if the States be not seconded, what condition will England then be in? France will be stronger than they at Sea and in the Indies, and consequently interrupt their Commerce and Navigation, by keeping a great Fleet abroad, especially in the Channel, so that nothing shall be able to stir out of the English Havens, but by their leave, and upon the least oc­casion the total Conquest of England must needs ensue, and that without Reme­dy, there being no body in a condition to stave off their final Ruin.

Moreover the true Interest of England is to keep France low, as well to pre­serve the Dominion of the Sea, as to find a favourable occasion to recover those ancient Dominions the French King keeps from them, as are the Dukedoms of Britany and Normandy, Poictou, Languedoc, nay France it self; for of the Mar­riage of the King of England with Margaret Daughter to Philip the Fair, was [Page 6]born Henry the Fifth King of England, who had the same Right to France as the Dauphin has to Spain. The Three Sons of King Philip the Fair, viz. Lewis Hutin, Philip the Tall, and Charles the Fair, died all without Issue Male: And it was not till after this, when the King of England prosecuted his Right to the Kingdom of France, that the Salick Law was made, upon a Speech of the Bishop of Beauvais's in the Assembly of the States, in which he endeavoured to make out from an allusion to that place of the Gospel, The Lillies Spin not; that the Crown of France ought not to fall to the Distaff. But that Law could not prescribe to time past, but only to that which was to come, and consequently could not inva­lidate the King of England's Pretensions. After this, Henry the Fifth entring France with a powerful Army, and having defeated the French in several Battels, Married Catharin Daughter to Charles the Sixth; and in the Year 1441, it was concluded that Henry should be King of France. Isabella also who was Queen of France, and Mother to Catharin Queen of England, made her last Will in Favour of her Son in Law, declaring him therein the sole Heir of all her Estate and of the Crown, which encreases the just Pretensions, and strengthens the Rights of Eng­land to the Kingdom of France.

Had the French King but half the Pretensions to England, which the King of England has to France, the World would soon hear of nothing but Manifesto's to prove them just, as he calls all he does.

So that the King of England ought upon all occasions and in all respects to sus­pect France, and to beware of him as a most dangerous Enemy, who flatter'd and humour'd his late Majesty, only to lull him asleep, that he might play his game without being disturb'd or interrupted by him, who, whenever it shall please him to mind and be true to his own Interest, will undoubtedly carry the great­est stroke in the Affairs of Europe.

'Tis therefore no wonder that King Lewis the Fourteenth, spared nothing that might supply the Necessities or provide for the Pleasures of the late King Charles the Second, as Monsieur Barillon, and the Dutchess of Portsmouth can Witness. But I must tell you, that the French King confiders no Body, whether Prince or private Person, any further than as they may be servicable to promote his own ends; Yea Vertue it self is not esteemed by him, except it go hand in hand with his Interest. Do but confider what account he made of the Princes and Princesses of England in Cromwels time; were they not obliged to leave France, and to seek for Entertainment elsewhere? And it is notorious that he never contributed a­ny thing towards the late Kings Restauration, till it was past his skill to hinder it.

So that upon the whole, neither the Resentment of the Royal Family, nor the Interest of England, will allow of such strict Alliances with France, as might tie up the King of Englands hands, and make him an idle Spectator, whilst Lewis the [Page 7]Great makes himself Master of the Low Countries; but on the contrary he must always be ready to oppose any the least Attempt he shall make toward it, ma­king use in the mean time of the Six Regiments he has in Holland (which the States will not deny him on that account) till he can send some other Troops o­ver to Flanders. I am perswaded that those Six Regiments will be able to make Head against double the number of Frenchmen; and when England shall thus be pleased but to shew its Teeth, all Europe will thereby be safe, Resist the Devil, and he will fly from you; but if you fear him, he will make you his Slaves. France has cut out work enough for King James the Second, and the business that he hath taken in hand is so great, that many people fear, and others hope, he'l never com­pass it. 'Tis not a time to alter old Laws, when the Enemy is at the Gates; 'tis not always seasonable for a King to act the Missionary, but much more requisite that he shew himself a brave Soldier and good Politician. All the World was in expectation of great things from his Majesty; his Courage put all Europe in hopes of an universal Relief, and some Respite for Spain, but how has he frustra­ted and befool'd their Hopes, whilst his sole Study is to please the Jesuits, and to kindle a Fire in his own Kingdom, which probably he will never be able to quench when he would, as long as he dares not Convene a Free Parliament.

As Spain became depopulated by the departure of the Moors, so is France greatly weaken'd and impoverished by the Dragoon Conversions, and flight of the Prote­stants; and the French King would fain see England brought to the same pass. 'Tis a high Presumption to rob God of his Right, 'tis to him the Honour of Con­verting does belong, that work surpassing the Power and Activity of a Crea­ture. So leaving that care to God, the King of England ought to lay out his En­deavours about preserving his Dominions from becoming a Prey to that Ambiti­ous Prince, by obliging him to keep within his own bounds, and not to encroach upon his Neighbours Territories; and in so doing, the King will make good the Hopes and Expectation Europe had conceived of him.

The Designs of France against the Ʋnited Provinces.

AFter the States of the Ʋnited Provinces had by their Powerful Arms con­strained Spain to acknowledge them a Free State, who owed Allegi­ance to none but God alone; they were for a time the Object of their Neighbours Admiration and Envy, every one endeavouring to Court and make Alliances with this growing State, which began to be lookt upon as the Umpire of Europe: But this high Reputation of theirs has suffer'd a notable Eclipse since the War of 1672, when France having brought them to the very brink of Destruction, pleas'd himself with the thoughts of seeing them tumble [Page 8]headlong into the Pit he had digged for them; neither would he have been mista­ken in his hopes, had not the people given a sudden and unlookt for turn to the face of Affairs, by declaring the Prince of Orange Stadthouder; the Providence of Almighty God at the same time concurring with their Endeavours to preserve that small Spot of Ground, by confounding and daunting their Enemies, who af­ter the taking of Naerden, were struck with such a Panick Fear, that the [...] ran a­way, none pursuing them. Now what contributed most to the Mischiefs they were involved in at that time, was, that besides the Treasonable Correspondences which France held with some principal Members of that Government, they had neither any good Troops, nor a Commander in Chief; and relying on the Peace and fair Promises of France, they were well nigh lull'd asleep by that fatal Melo­dy, whilst that King was hard at work to undermine the Foundation of their dear bought Liberties and Government. We find in time of Peace the Soldiers grow Idle, as well as their Arms rusty. Ease pleaseth and flatters us, and Men are soon perswaded to lay aside the Exercise of Arms, to betake themselves to a more gain­ful way of Living; so that when the Enemy approached, they are readier to em­brace shame when joyned with Profit and Pleasure, than to strive for Glory sur­rounded with difficulties and dangers— France knew very well, that so long as the Ʋnited Provinces had no General, that Soldiery could not be but in a very bad Condition, and incapable of defending them from the Attempts of a powerful Enemy; wherefore he took special Care, by cunning Practices and false Sug­gestions (exasperating the Minds of the opposite Party) to prevent the Prince of Orange's being advanced to those places of Trust and Dignity His Royal Highness is now so deservedly possessed of. By this means the States grew daily weaker and weaker, their Troops were dissipated, their Fortifications neglected, their Strongest Holds went to decay, their Magazins were unfurnish'd, whilst France was raising Troops under-hand, and making Secret Alliances with England, the Elector of Cologne, and B [...]shop of Munster, in order to their final Ruin. Du Plessis is much in the right, when he saith, That a State is not to be judged strong or weak, but with relation to the strength or weakness of its Neighbours, and that it is upon that score that Wise Princes endeavour to keep themselves (as much as they can) in equal potse with their Neighbours, to the end, they continue in Peace and Amity toge­ther; for as soon as this fails, all Peace and Good Correspondence are dissolved, as be­ing only grounded upon a mutual fear or esteem for one another. Which is so true, that a Prudent Prince is always jealous of the least advance or motion of his Neigh­bour, tho in a time of Truce or Peace, and is continually upon his Watch, endea­vouring to be informed of his Designs before they be brought forth; for by this means, he puts him by his Measures, and frustrates his Purposes. In which point many Princes and States, who are too saving, fail very oft, and this Covetousness [Page 9]of theirs, costs them and their People very dear, by occasioning a most Expensive War, vvhich at the first by Precaution might have been prevented with a small Matter. France is so well Informed of this Truth, that they neglect nothing in such Cases, and their Ambassadors in all the Courts of Europe are supplied with Moneys for that very purpose, who knowing they cannot please their Master better, than by Corrupting one or more of the Ministers of the Prince or State at whose Court they reside, are Day and Night contriving for it, and spare no­thing to bring it about. Yea, when it happens that they cannot prevail with the Man himself they aim at, they endeavour to gain his Wife, or in case they chance to be so unhappy as to fail there also, they condescend to make their Application to some of their Children; nay, so humble are they, and such Slaves to their Ma­ster's Ambition, that they will not stick to bribe their Servants, and furnish them with Moneys proportionable to the Service they are able and willing to do them. These are the Maxims that speed their Designs wonderful well in such States as are governed by many Heads, as the Ʋnited Provinces, which are a great Bar to the French King in his aim of Conquering the Spanish Netherlands, who very well knows, that being Master of the one, he cannot miss of the other, His great business therefore is, to lull the States of the Ʋnited Provinces asleep with a Truce, which he will break when he pleases, being in hopes that their Forces will in the mean time be neglected, in laying out themselves wholly to propagate and encourage Trade and Navigation. For that King is well aware, that the States being awake and standing on their Guard, will never consent to his possessing himself of the Spanish Netherlands, at least they ought not to do it, since that it is the only Bar and Rampart which hinders France from overwhelming them, which they ought therefore by all means to endeavour to preserve whole and en­tire, as one would his Neighbours House from being set on Fire. What pains did not Count d' Avaux take to set one Province against the other, and to sow Di­visions among the Cities of Holland, how busie was he at Amsterdam? What Proffers or Promises did he spare to bring it about? Which is a thing so publick­ly known from that Ambassador's frequent Journeys to that great City, that the very Children were not ignorant of it. We must not imagine that Mombas was alone engag'd in his Treason against that State, but rather that he escaping into France, has left several behind him, that walk in the dark, and are not yet dis­covered. The best on't is, that Count d' Avaux begins now to be known, and his Insinuations not believed, he having but too long imposed upon the Credulity and good Nature of many, who now perceiving the Cheat, will scarcely suffer themselves to be decoy'd a second time. And as France was diligent to sow these Divisions and Jealousies amongst them at home, so was he no less Industrious in fomenting Differences between England and them, as knowing very well that [Page 10]these Neighbouring Powers when joyn'd together, are able to give check to his Pride, and set bounds to his Ambition. How pleasing a sight is it to the French King to see them engag'd against each other, and pursuing his Interests at so vast an Expence of their own Blood and Treasure? The last War betweeen those two States was some difference about Matters of Commerce, and whilst the King of England was Arming, the French King offer'd to engage in a Treaty with Holland, on purpose to amuse and divert them from putting themselves in a po­sture of Defence, as they soon after perceived; when France instead of conclu­ding the Treaty, begun with them, declared himself for England; and whilst the latter Attacked them by Sea, he Invaded their Country with a Puissant Army; and supposing the Conquest of those Provinces indubitable, they had afore-hand divided them amongst themselves, England being to have for his share the Ma­ritime Places, and France all the rest: Amsterdam only proved a Bone of Con­tention, and occasion'd some Difference between them, both the one and the o­ther desiring it for his share: tho indeed they had no reason to be in a heat about it, seeing all this was but reckoning without their Host, God preserving it from falling into either of their Hands. Thus a Peace being at last concluded with England, the Spirit of France was at work again to with draw the States from their Allies, and finding that things were about to change face, and that the Outch being row sed by a Discovery of the Artifices and Treachery of France, be­gan to look about them, and their Troops having a good General at the Head of them, became considerable and formidable, he thought fit for a while to dismiss the Lion and act the Fox, restoring Maestricht unto them, in order to obtain the Peace of Nimeguen. Since which time, that King has contented himself to bark afar off, and was so apprehensive of the States raising the last 6000 Men, that Count d' Avaux spar'd nothing to prevent it, and will do so still, as often as the States shall go about to Arm themselves, because that would stop the Great Lewis in the full Career of his Conquests, and make his Designs to prove abortive. I say again that it is the great Concern of Holland, not to suffer the Spanish Netherlands to be lost, except they desire at the same time to become a prey to the Usurper. For how easily will he find an occasion of quarrel with them; and if all else fail, he will make out his Pretensions and Right to those Provinces, for that they for­merly belonged to Mary of Burgundy, Philip the First, Charles the Fift, and after­wards to Philip the Second, who were without Contest the lawful Possessors there­of, and that afterwards rebelling, they obtained by force an acknowledgment of their being a free State. He will proffer to maintain them in all their Liberties and Priviledges; and the free Exercise of their Religion, in case they willingly submit to him; which if they should hearken to, he will by little and little clip their Franchises, and remove all Protestants from places of Trust, as he has done [Page 11]at home; and if they yield not willingly, he will attack them with an armed hand, as he did in 1672, being sure the Roman Catholick Princes will not oppose him, because he has blinded their Eyes with the false pretence of Religion. But if the House of Austria be not aware be­times of the Snares he lays for them under these specious Pretexts, they will find themselves deceiv'd when it is too late to recall their Inadvertency. To return to the Ʋnited Provinces, I say, they ought, next to God, not to rely upon any thing so much as their own Forces, and having nothing so much to fear as France, they ought to provide and strengthen themselves against his Power chiefly, who has, for this great while, been plotting and contriving their final Overthrow, or, at least, the bringing of them so low, as to be forced to depend solely upon, and truckle under him. It has some time since been observ'd, that France has had a strong de­sire to make Holland listen to the Proposal and Treaty, which the Wolf in the Fable made with the Sheep, Put away from you (said the Wolf to those harmless Creatures) your Shepherd and Dog, and we will make an Alliance, and live in Love and Amity together. In like manner, says Lewis the Great, Dismiss your General, and Disband your Old Troops; for to what purpose these unnecessary Charges in a time of Peace; especially being so well assur'd of our Friendship, by the Truce I am engaged in, and the word of a King, which you may safely rely on, that we will live in all Amity and good Correspondence with you. But what says the Italian, Trust not, if thou wouldst not be cheated. So that it is still safest for Holland to rely wholly on its own strength, and to have always a good Fleet at Sea, to serve for Convoy and Cruising, besides a Reserve in readiness to join with them in case of need. A good Navy may well be call'd the Right hand of that Go­vernment, being of great use in dispelling many Clouds and ill Designs which France hatcheth against his Neighbours. And if ever the States should come to a Resolution continually to keep in Pay a certain Number of Seamen, to be ready to be put aboard their Men of War at any time, this would produce a double good Effect. The first is, that the States would always have Men ready at hand upon occasion (without the Expence of Trouble and Time in raising them) who, by their continual Employment, would be trained up, and well used to the Sea, and Naval Conflicts. The second is, that by this means they would not fail to draw a great number of Seamen from the Neighbouring Coasts, continual Pay being no small Encourage­ment to Mariners, to betake themselves to the Service of those that offer it, but more especially the States Subjects in Foreign Service, would not fail to return to their own Country, to enjoy the benefit of being maintain'd all the year round. To effect which, the States need only to publish a Placaet, strictly enjoining all Seamen, their Subjects, in Foreign Service, to return home. True indeed it is, that the Navy of France will but be little the better for it; for I dare affirm, they can fit out very few Men of War, without putting some Dutch Mariners, especially Pilots aboard them, as trusting more to their Knowledge and Experience than their own, who are oft at a loss in a long Voyage. Which good and wholsom Resolution, when ever the States shall be please to take, you'l presently see the Spirit of France strangely exasperated and disturb'd, and his Ambassador running from one City to another to represent his Master's just Reasons against it. But 'tis hoped, that as the Count d' Avaux has much laid open himself to an obvious discovery, by the small Effects his Promises have had hitherto, as not being scason'd with the Salt of Truth and Honesty, (the main thing that keeps up the Credit and Reputation of a Minister in Foreign Countries) so he'l do nothing but catch cold. However, I cannot deny but the French King is beholden to that Creat Minister for his having inspired a Fondness for France into the minds of several of the States Subjects, which their Lordships have no reason to thank him for. Besides this, France receives no small service from the Jesuits, and other Foreign Priests, residing in the Ʋnited Provinces, who have Pensions allow'd them, to pry into, and engage the Inclinations of many there. These Spies are in the Prince's Court, where they have Friends that serve them on occasion, and have the Impudence to boast, That they are informed of the [Page 12]very Secrets of the Cabinet. How many of this sort of Cattle are there in the States Troops and Garisons, who have their Correspondents at the Hague, where the General Office of In­telligence is kept, as being the Centre of that Government. This is a thing that ought to be more narrowly lookt to, these Spies being no other but the Emissaries of France, who is always restless, and spares nothing that may further his Designs. I remember that not long since 4 Ducatoons a week were proffer'd a Servant of a Deputy of the State, only to report what he heard from his Master, at Table, or in Conversation with others; but the Servant, with sharp words rejected the Proffer, as became an honest Man.

This Instance shews, that France sets upon People every way, and that therefore one had need always to stand upon his Guard to avoid the Blow. I have also observ'd, that there are another sort of petty Spies that run up and down the chief Towns, especially the Hague, daily shifting their Ordinaries, except they find occasion to stay longer, and are in prospect of some advantage to be reap'd there of whom those who are oblig'd to frequent such Houses ought to beware. Others intrude themselves into Companies, or resort to the Court, and go to see the Prince and Princess at Dinner and Supper, to hear and see what is said or done there; and as soon as they have heard or seen any thing of concern, you see them run like Foot boys to the French Ambassador's, who, for a Reward, invites them to stay and eat with him, he now enter­taining scarce any but such at his Table. I could name a dozen of them who, to my know­ledge, are employ'd in this way, besides those that do it more secretly, and go to the Offering only at Night, and through the Stable door. Count de Caravas, one of these Spies of great Note, though (in my judgment) of as little use, was not so cautious, who coming from Court, would go into the Ambassador's at the Fore-door, in the middle of the day, to communicate to him his Collections. Two persons, whom I know to be Jesuits, thô in the Garb of Officers, resort every day to the Princes Rising, Dinner and Supper, and continually attend the Court, where they have so many Friends, or at least so much cunning, as to be able to procure their Ca­tholick Friends some Employment who are all Emissaries of France, and wholly devoted to the service of that King. Others have put themselves to serve even in the Kitchin where such sort of Cattle are very dangerous. Therefore I conclude, that both the States and Prince of Orange, ought in all Respects, and at all Times, to be very cautious of the wicked and unchri­stian Maxims and Designs of France, the King himself being a false and perjur'd person, who, under pretence of establishing the Roman Catholick Religion everywhere, (thô by his wicked Life and breach of Faith he denies all Religion) has no other aim, but to extend his Dominion to the uttermost Bounds of Europe, and to that end destroy first all the Protestant Princes, and then the Roman Catholick too that so he may cause himself to be proclaimed, not the Emperor of the Romans only, but of all Europe; and certain it is, that nothing can serve him as a Bridge to the Ʋniversal Monarchy but Holland, which from his Versailles he looks upon with a most envious Eye. So that the States and People of those Provinces have great reason to mind the advice of our Saviour to the Jews, Watch, for you know not what hour the Thief will come. To which I add, Be ready therefore to oppose him when he shall come to break into the House, and usurp his Neighbours Territories: and be sure to look upon France as a sworn Enemy to Republicks, and the Plague and Scourge of all that will not yield their Liberties up to him. True it is, he sears the States, more than he loves them, care therefore must be taken to be always in such a condition as may still keep him so, and to make him know himself, when ever he shall so far forget him­self as to meddle with what he has nothing to do. All the Remonstrances made by Count d' Avaux, as soon as he sees the States putting themselves into a posture of Defence, must not be minded, as being meerly upon design; for we may be sure that Minister would not make them, were it not for the promoting of his Masters Interests.