Negotiation with places beyond Europe. in France, written at Paris the 16th and 17th inst. respectively, relating, among other things, to the conditional declaration verbally made by the King of France to him, M. Van Beuningen, that he will execute the guaranty in favor of this State against England, in case the latter refuse to make peace on the conditions submitted to them on his Majesty's behalf, which, according to M. de Lionne's explanation, consists of a general Restitution of the reciprocal restitution of all lands and places out of Europe, taken by the one from the other, exchanging, however, New Netherland and Fort St. Andrew on the Island of Boavista, for the Island of Pouleron. Which being considered, it is resolved and concluded, before coming to a final resolution on what is above written, or making any positive declaration on the part of this State, to wait for the information and advice of the Directors of the Incorporated East and West India Companies of this country here at The Hague, on the subject aforesaid, which have been called for, in order on the receipt of their opinions and advice, then to adopt such resolution as shall be found most advantageous for the public service. Follo 105. ron with the Eng erland. Resolution of the States-General. [From the Register of West India Affairs, 1664–1670, in the Royal Archives at the Hague. ] Tuesday, 1 September, 1665. Mess's Van Heukelom and the other their High Mightinesses' Deputies for the affairs of the East and West India Companies, have reported that they had been in conference Exchanging Poule With the attending Directors of said Companies on the subject of the exchange lish for New Neth- proposed by France; to let the English retain New Netherland with Fort St. Andrew on the Island of Boavista, for which the Island of Pouleron in the East Indies, should be ceded by the English to the Dutch; that the above Directors respectively had promised to prepare their observations in writing on the matter aforesaid, and to deliver the same to their High Mightinesses. Which being considered, their High Mightinesses have thanked the said Deputies for the trouble they had taken. And it is further resolved and concluded to wait for the aforesaid written opinions, in order, when seen, to resolve further hereupon, as shall be deemed expedient. And the aforesaid Directors, after they will have delivered in the opinions aforesaid, are hereby dismissed. This resolution shall take effect without reconsideration. Sir. Ambassador Van Gogh to Secretary Ruysch. [From the Duplicate in the Royal Archives at the Hague; File, Engeland. ] M. Courtin, one of the French mediators at present at this Court, having come on Wednesday last, the 23d instant, to me at Winchester, and acting for the other gentlemen, his colleagues, in ambassadorial visit, with wishes for future success at Court and other official salutations, I exchanged many observations with his Excellency concerning the present condition of the work of mediation, whereupon that gentleman seemed to give me to understand that he was not altogether without hope of an accommodation, should the English gain no further advantage over the fleet at present at sea and their High Mightinesses yield to reason, according to actual circumstances, and as requested; for, he said, no disinclination to peace was evinced at this Court, but that this was a matter which greatly depended on, or took its reflection from the disposition that would be manifested towards it at the approaching session of Parliament. On the following day, according to answer hereunto annexed, which I requested and received from Mr. Bennett (Lord Arlington, Secretary of State), I was invited to Salisbury, where, being arrived, and having obtained information of the entire state of affairs, I could well remark and perceive that, though no further news was now received at Court of any other encounter between both fleets, I yet understand that the one had retired to the coast of Holland and the other to Harwich, where it had arrived; and since no further engagement at this season could be expected, the aforesaid work of mediation might proceed to an arrangement. But the mediators did not appear very sanguine nor afford any hope of obtaining either the restitution of New Netherland or even of Cape Corse, much less of both, or that even the projected exchange for the Island of Pouleron was any way apparent; as the right of the English to the last, namely Pouleron, was notorious and known, and that island has been many years, and is still unjustly, as they say, withheld from them, to their intolerable damage, as they compute; that this King could not now, with any honor or reputation, let his subjects be deprived of the aforesaid island. And, as for the other two, namely New Netherland and Cape Corse, some considerations in favor of the Dutch might be submitted to arbitration in regard to New Netherland, were that country not granted and conveyed to his Royal Highness, who will not, or with great difficulty can, be induced to surrender it. But in regard to Cape Corse, the matter was somewhat doubtful; also that the victory which hath already been gained by the English arms, is of some weight on such an occasion in the working out of peace, above and besides the great damage the English have suffered from the Dutch in both Indies, and especially in the East Indies, by the obstruction of trade there. This and such like reasoning is what must be listened to here from one and the other, and even from the mediators. Whereupon, although the sought for information and powerful counter arguments were made use of according to circumstances, the question finally arises: Whether people desire peace, and will not rather continue the war; and furthermore, whether peace is not to be preferred for the State of the United Netherlands to pernicious war. My replies to these and such like observations are, I trust, unnecessary to be repeated. Their High Mightinesses, according to their usual profound wisdom, will think and judge what ought to be said on this point. The mediators seriously submit to their High Mightinesses whether the brief interval between the current time of this present opportunity and the approaching session of Parliament ought not to be taken advantage of and employed in earnest, if any hope be entertained of securing a peace, to which the King and other persons of influence are found at present not to be ill disposed. This can easily be put back by prolonging and continuing disputes and arguments, particularly when combined with the aforesaid meeting of Parliament, especially when new subsidies are voted for the continuance of the war, as those would then have to be levied, and warlike operations already begun, be therefore continued. Which undoubtedly seems greatly to be apprehended and possible, they say, on the aforesaid continuation of the war, unless this sporadic pestilence in some way make them, from many and divers reasons, pause in the matter. I have strongly insisted and dwelt on the serious misfortune which has just befallen the Dutch Nation herein, especially whenever people would wish to let go the places captured by the English from the Dutch, and then, again, restore what the latter have taken, to the former, to the enormous prejudice of the country and both Companies. But these gentlemen were of opinion that all this is hard to be stopped or prevented whenever such adverse encounters and losses at sea are perceptible on the Dutch side. And that, therefore, they wished a clear declaration might be furnished them before it were too late; the rather, as the meeting of Parliament is so near; after the adjournment of which (as it is to remain in session only a few days) no opportunity, 'tis to be presumed, would offer to accomplish the wished for service. They seem to regret that their good offices here had not given more satisfaction yonder, either in consequence of misconstruction or from some other cause; wherefore they declare they have followed the command and order of their Lord and Master, and had no other intention than to do their High Mightinesses the desired service. All which aforesaid, I have considered it my duty hereby to set forth and represent in full to their High Mightinesses, in order humbly to acquit myself, in all things, as well as possible. I have had, up to the present time, no special knowledge what communication from Fatherland or Paris may be, or may have been, held with the abovementioned gentlemen during my absence from Court, or even before; and, therefore, whenever I insisted on the right of the State to the captured places, and among the rest to New Netherland, I have been answered by them, That in Fatherland people did not insist so hard, nor think the damage so great as I did here. I scarcely know how to meet this otherwise than by denying that I have had communication of any such information. I wish it might be forthcoming, with the declaration of their High Mightinesses' good intention as to the future, in order to enable me, in all things, to apply the proper exertion. I have had no special conversation with their Excellencies about the proposed new commercial regulation, except only that, as it originated with the Dutch, it should be further urged by them, as people would think them interested therein. On which point they only say that they have indeed seen, on this occasion, a project heretofore brought forward by Ambassador Douwning. In their opinion this was not of such importance; it can also be surmounted whenever people will explain themselves clearly on the main point. Certainly, their Excellencies appear desirous to dispatch this business, which must, they say, be disposed of if people are inclined, or can hope, to acquire a peace. Friday last, the 25th inst., between 11 and 12 o'clock at night, some bonfires were seen blazing in front of several houses in this city, and the people were heard expressing great joy likewise; there was a great report that another naval victory had been gained over the Dutch; that 33 ships had been captured, and that this news was received from the English fleet and carried by Lord Rochester through this city to the King, who had retired further into the 1 JOHN WILMOT, Second Earl of Rochester, characterized, by Walpole, as a poet whom the Muses inspired but were ashamed to own, was born at Ditchley, in Oxfordshire, 10th April, 1647. After passing through Wadham College he traveled on the Continent, and in 1665 went to sea and distinguished himself at Bergen. In 1666 he served under Admira] Spragge. Having been appointed one of the gentlemen of the bedchamber, he became the licentious companion of Charles II., and, as he confessed to Dr. Burnet, was, for five years of his life together, continually drunk. He thus lived a worthless and useless life of debauchery and sensuality, until, at the age of thirty-one, he was totally prostrated. He died July 26th, 1680, before he had completed his thirty-fourth year, and was so worn away by long illness that life went out without a struggle. In his works there is sprightliness and vigor, and everywhere may be found tokens of a mind which study might have carried to elegance; but his poems have more obscenity than wit, more wit than poetry, and more poetry than politeDess. Johnson; Walpole. The title became extinct by the death of Charles, third Earl of Rochester, yet a minor, in 1681, the year after his father's demise. -ED. - interior. Inquiry being made the next day, this news was found not to be so favorable, only 18 ships having been taken by the English, and these, added to the number of 15 ships which they have captured in the last engagement, make a number of 33 ships, as they gave out, or as was understood by the people. What truth may be in this news, or how and on what occasion this rencontre may have occurred, cannot yet be ascertained. Indeed, 'tis said over 1,000 new prisoners have been received, fresh bonfires having been again lighted and the bells rung yesterday evening by order of the Mayor. All this does not advance the wished for peace. The two captured Brandenburg ships which have heretofore been condemned by the Admiralty here, as already advised, are again found to have been released. Furthermore, tis understood that two ships of Amelant, laden with corn and hemp, have been recently taken and brought into Dover. The King has gone some miles out of town to enjoy hunting, therefore there has been no opportunity of requesting an audience from his Majesty; but he is expected back in the middle of next week, when I intend setting to work to further the release of the prisoners and what depends thereon, as well as that of Secretary Cunæus; and to ascertain how far his Majesty may be disposed towards a negotiation for peace, whereof I shall let their High Mightinesses know at the proper time. And herewith concluding, &c. Written at Salisbury, this 27 September, 1665. Ambassador Van Gogh to Secretary Ruysch. [ From the Original, in the Royal Archives at the Hague; Secrete Kas of the States-General; Division, Engeland; Kas B., Loket L., No. 12, in Kas F., Loket C., No. 5.} Sir. Having found occasion, after I had an audience of this King and subsequently a conference with Lord Arlington, Secretary of State, about the case of the prisoners, as advised on the 4th instant, New Style, frequently to converse with the French mediators, and at mutual visits to discuss the business of the undertaken mediation, I have remarked that their Excellencies are of opinion that it is hard to promote the aforesaid work at present. In order to secure an end thereto one way or the other, they now and again bring forward (as they declare) propositions to have my opinion thereupon. But being unprovided with any special order or instruction, and therefore not daring to dilate, and also not knowing the condition of the aforesaid business in Fatherland, or what may have transpired thereupon in France or elsewhere, or what change may have occurred therein, I dare not meddle with it before receiving some special order or instruction as aforesaid in the premises, so as to avoid all embarrassment and fully to carry out the intention of their High Mightinesses, who are hereby respectfully reminded whether it would not be necessary that I should be sent the required information, and provided with a clear instruction and order so as to understand how I am to regulate myself under such circumstances. Their Excellencies suggest whether it would not be wise on this occasion to propose a suspension of hostilities for the space of three months, or such time as might be agreed on, being of opinion that the aforesaid work of accommodation must be soon arranged, or else suspended and abandoned. I have endeavored to ascertain and to obtain in writing the propositions submitted to the King here by their Excellencies, who have indeed told me verbally their contents, but declared they could not give them to me in writing, as they had already dispatched their baggage to Oxford; when they would arrive there they should furnish me with them; and said, that the State of the United Netherlands well knew all the aforesaid propositions and plans, which they had, as they declare, no doubt were in like manner sent to me from there, together with the resolutions which might be adopted thereupon; excusing themselves, moreover, for not having, through scrupulous motives, dared to keep up any uninterrupted communication, on account of the unfortunate time my family had experienced from plague and accident; for which omission they were now about to make up. They tell me that his Majesty, as well as divers Lords of the greatest and most influence at this Court, have frequently spoken about the matter, to whom a plan has been communicated, or submitted certainly in conversation, to leave New Netherland and Cape Corse to the English, as both places are captured by them, and in return to let the Dutch retain the Island of Pouleron in the East Indies, which although adjudged to the English, yet has not been delivered to them up to the present time. Moreover, that Cormantyn should pass to the English, and then see further what disposition should be made of Boavista and Fort St. Andrew on the River Gambia, and the indemnity claimed by the English for losses experienced in both the East and West Indies. But further conferences would be held about this subject whenever they would arrive and be settled at Oxford. Their Excellencies appear further to be seriously thinking over and about the proposed regulation respecting the trade in those parts and elsewhere, which, they are of opinion, 'twere better had never been agitated, as they think there will be difficulty herein before it can be fitted to the satisfaction of parties. And all this is preliminary conversation which indicates that something certainly is looking that way, in order to be able to push forward this work by and by with zeal and earnestness. I could not omit communicating to their High Mightinesses herein the reasons and discourses brought forward by the abovementioned gentlemen, with humble request that they would please to remember to allow at their pleasure the required order on the whole to be made, one way or the other, so that neither those gentlemen, nor the Court here through them, may be detained, nor have reason to complain of detention in regard of their purpose to advance the work. What I have further to observe, or what can or may well be said on this occasion goes over by another way, to which I refer, although I have ever and always wished, and still desire with heart and soul, that their High Mightinesses were permitted, with the proffer only of my observations, to transact the aforesaid business, as it indeed (with respect) demands. M. Courtin being set out this day for Oxford, having been preceded yesterday by the other mediators, I shall, God permitting, follow to-morrow morning. |