THE RESOLUTION OF THE STATES OF Holland and Friezland, concerning Prince Charles, and the Parliament of England, and their Proclamation to be proclaimed throughout the Netherlands thereupon.
THe Earl of Montrosse being constituted and made Generall for Scotland, the Prince hath negotiated with the States for ten thousand Armes, who upon consultation in reference thereunto, resolved not to intermeddle in the least, but to endeavour the preservation of a right understanding between the Republick [Page 2]of England, and the Netherlanders, and in order thereunto hath sent an Expresse to his Highnesse, purporting, That He must either depart the Vnited Provinces, or acquit himself of his followers, they being held in an universall hatred for the late barbarisme committed upon the Parliaments Agent.
But yet notwithstanding the Prince hath sent new Propositions, to the States, desiring 2000. Gilders for his present accommodation, for a certain time, which its believed he will be furnished withall, for the Prince of Orenge hath declared a willingnesse, to contribute toward his present necessities.
The Scots Commissioners have delivered in their last paper to his Highnesse, wherein they declare, That they cannot descend any lower then what they have already offered, and that if He will not give his assent to those things therein specified, they must be inforced to take care of that Kingdome, for the preservation of the fundamentall Rights and Liberties of the people, and oppose all persons whatsoever that shal endeavour to attempt or assume any power within their Territories, for the obstructing of the peace thereof.
The Prince being highly displeased at these demonstrations, in a great passion declared, that they were bound to obey, maintain, and defend his person as their dread soveraign Lord and King, and that if they did desist from their former acknowledgment, he would give them such a Memento, that should prove both effectuall and satisfactory.
Yet many of his Grandees begin to wave their former Resolutions, and begin to appear obscure in their a [...]tings, which is conceived to arise from the present [Page 3]declinings and remonstrations of the State provinciall of Holland, and West-Friezland, who have declared their Resolutions, to preserve and continue a good correspondency between the two States of England and Holland; and are resolved to use their utmost endevours for the suppressing, and bringing to condigne punishment all persons whatsoever, that shall foment, suggest or seditiously stir up the people, in raising any thing tending to the illegality of the proceedings of the aforesaid States, and are likewise resolved to set forth proclamation, prohibiting all persons from acting or intermedling with the publique affaires of either States, in reference to the discountenancing or withdrawing of others from their due obedience, upon pain of incurring such penalties, as shall be inflicted upon them according to their demerits.
This Proclamation is to be proclaimed throughout all the respective United provinces.
We hear that the princes Design goes very slowly on at Sea, and that instead of becomming masters therof, are here esteemed as great losers; for it is said, that the two unfortunate princes, Rupert and Maurice, hath lost 12 sayl of ships, and above one hundred and fifty pieces of Ordnance.
Prince Charles Elector Palatine of the Rhyne, hath sent a Message and full submission to the Emperor of Germany, so that it is believed the restitution of his Country will be suddenly accomplished.
A description of the Levellers, and the speeches of those that were lately executed, are as followeth, and first be pleased to peruse the words of undanted Tomson.
That it is just what did befal him, that God did not [...] the ways he went, that he had offended the General, and desired the prayers of the people, and told the souldiers that were appointed to shoot him, that when he held out his hand they should do their duties, and accordingly he was immediatly a [...]ter the sign given shot to death, next after him was a corporal brought to the same place of execution where looking vpon his fellow mutineer and bid them that were appointed to shoot, shoot, and dyed desperately. The third being also a corpor [...]l brought to the same place, and without the least acknowledgement of errour, or shew of fear, pulled off his Dublet (standing a pretty distance from the wall) bidding the soldiers do their duties, looking them in the face, till they gave fire, not shewing the least kind of t [...]rror or fearfulnes of spirit. After these 3 corner Dan, was brought to the place of execution, he exprest himself with much penitancy, and said that he was more worthy to dy then live, with much remorse of conscience for being an occasion to lead others into this way of mutiny, and disobedience. But immediate before the act of execution, The General sent him a pardon, and he was sensible of the mercy all that while this act of Justice was doing, the rest of the mutineers were in the church beholding the sad spectacle, and after all was over Lieut, Gen. Cromwel, and other officers went to them in the Church▪ [...]nd acuainted them how mercifully the Gen. had dealt with them, that he had destinated them, and hath made so few examples (excepting only every tenth man to dy the mutiny being of so high a nature hazarding the ruin of the Parliament and Kingdome, and delivering up all honest men to the cruelty of the Common enemy against whom they had fought so long.
This is to be observed, that before the Sentence of the Councel of war passed against them, they were very high and peremptory in their language and carriage, but the Sentence of death so struck them, that when they had their monies sent them to buy provisi [...]ns, they all refused to ac [...]ept of it, saying, they must take care to provide for the Soul, and not for the Body, and many of them wept bitterly for the unhappinesse of their condition, i [...] being misled to so rude a businesse; it is likewise s [...]ly to be observed that many of those men being form [...]rly great professors of the Gospel, have of late thrown off all Ordinances, nay some, the Scripture it self, fancying to themselves, that t [...]ey live above Ordinances or Rules of Scripture; and God hath suffered them to be insnared with such temptations of the Divell as to be [...]eft to themselves.
Cornet Den did confesse that many of that party that were thus engaged with him, their hearts were so inraged, and full of bitternesse against the Parliament party, and all others that did not adhere unto them, that he did think in his conscience there would have bin great cruelty used by these men, and that it was a blessed and happy hour they were surprized and prevented. Colonell Eyres is now brought prisoner to Oxford, to be tryed for his life: Hee did in n high manner exasperate the Mutineers, and at Newbridge led on the Forlorn Hope, & would have charged col. Reynold, and col. Okey, who made good the passe against him, though they were but a handfull to their number; he with divers others was in that house where that man was killed of our party, and shot divers of our souldiers before they would yeeld.
[Page 6]Oxford 21 May, 1649.
Upon the 23 of this instant, came further intelligence, that another party of Levellers began to appeare visible in the Isle of Wight, and were resolved to set up their Standard of Sea-green Colours, making great boasts of divers parties prevailing for them it, England thinking thereby to seduce the Souldiery (by which meanes they did mislead some) and the people; but a speedy couse is taking for the suppressing of them, and the major part of the Inhabitants and Souldiery have declared a unanimous resolution to live and dye with the Parliament and Army.
The grand proclamation touching Charles Stuart eldest Sonne to the late King, is said to be this present Thursday, to be proclaimed throughout the Cities of London and VVestminster, prohibiting all persons whatsoever, from acknowledging the said Charles Stuart to be Prince of Wales, or to have any Right or Title therunto or to any other places whatsoever, throughout the two Nations of England and Ireland.
May 23. 1649.
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