The Answer and Resolution of the States in Holland.
THe Queens Majesty since her departure from the English Court and her arrivall in Holland, being moved with the consideration of the manifold dangers which trouble this Kingeome, and which without speedy prevention must of necessity produce greater and more full of danger; we being moved with these and the like considerations, being grieved at the difference between the King and his Parliament, did most seriously, as one most tender of this Kingdome, did expresse her selfe unto the States of Holland, and seriously entreated from them their assistance in the Reconciliation of the King and Parliament, and withall desiring [Page]them that they would undertake to compose, and settle the difference which did so much distract this Kingdome, and for which she her selfe, as a maine sharer in these troubles, would acknowledge the benefit received, and accept as done unto her owne person. This Message or Desire was willingly received by the States, and at a publique Assembly at the Hague was openly read, but for the present they returned for answer to her Majesty, that her Desires were of so great weight and consequence, that they must assume some time for Answer, and that for the present they could not returne any thing to her Majesty in satisfaction to her desires, but their promise of their services, which should suddainly waite upon her with their Resolution to those her Desires.
Vpon the 2. of July there was another meeting assembled, and in the Audience of those that were present, the sense of [Page]Majesties Desires was reiterated, and after publication & a long debate thereof among the States, they did intimate their mind and chose ths Duke of Luneburg to present their Answer and Resolution to her Majesty, who with all conveniency and speed that might be, provided himselfe to visit and deliver the minds of the States unto her Highnesse. The summe whereof he delivered unto every particular of her Desires. To the first Desire, That it was a most unpleasing Office and that it did not become any Kingdome to interpose or meddle with the affayres that concerne another Nation, or to screw or search into the secrets and private occurrences that doe belong unto another State. yet they did heartily desire a Composure of all differentes to the Honour of God, the content of his Majesty, and the prosperity of the Kingdome of England. For that they beside the Relation which they were lately happy in by the Conjunction of their Nation, [Page]with ours of England, occasioned by the most happy and most auspicious Marriage of the Prince of Orange his sonne to the most hopefull Lady MARY Eldest Daughter to the King of England, they had many other obligations and inducement to desire and by all meanes further as much as in them lyes the Union and blessed estate of His Majesties Kingdomes.
And with all promised their assistance, so farre as might stand with their Honour to use all possible meanes of reconcilement between His Majesty and His Parliament.
And also informed the Queens Majesty that they vvould dispatch a suddaine Ambassage to the King and Parliament, by which Letters they would move both King and Parliament to a reconcilement, and intimate unto them the danger of Civill difference betweene the King and Subject, not doubting but they should obtaine so much respect from both, as [Page]not to deny their desires, which were onely grounded upon their faithfull desires of peace, and their true intentions to serve His Majesty and Parliament. To her Majesties second Desire, to furnish His Majesty with strength against the opposition of these present times. His reply in the name of all the States was, That what power or forces soever they were masters of, they would wish no better imployd then to serve the King of England, and to assist him against the violence and invasion of any forraigne enemy. But for any forces against His owne Subjects, they must desire more deliberation. For they did so much tender His Majesties Honour and advancement, and the prosperity of His Kingdomes, that they shall not dare to doe any thing which may by any meanes tend to the dishonour of the King, or the disquiet of His Subjects, or Kingdome, And that they did fore-see that if those distracted proceedings of this [Page]Kingdome were not in time prohibited and that ruine and destruction would be the consequence and effect of private dissentions. This was the answer delivered by the Duke of Luneburg to her Majesty concerning her Desires for the present, but since that time it is generally reported that two ships very well laden with all Warlike provision were sent over from the States with two hundred thousand pound to His Majesty in money, in which ships were also almost two hundred Ancient Commanders, which for this many yeares had served under the States of Holland, all which both ships, moneyes, ammunition, and Commanders were landed at Holdernesse the 4. of July and are now with His Majesty at Yorke.