A DECLARATION OF THE QUEEN, Mother of the most CHRISTIAN KING.  
Containing the reasons of her departure out of the Low-countrieses; And disadvowing a Manifest, set out in her Name upon the same Argument.  
LONDON, Printed by John Raworth for 〈…〉 and Thomas Warren, and are to be sold at the 〈…〉 of the White-horse In Saint 〈…〉. 1639.   

A Declaration of the Queen, Mother of the most Christian KING, Containing the reasons of her departure out of the Low-countrieses, and disadvowing a Manifest, set out in her name, upon the same Argument.  
persons of my quality, being placed on the Theatre of the World, and their lives exposed to public view; by how much their Estate is the greater, by so much their liberty is the less. For although they are not tied in Conscience, to give an account of their Actions to any but to God, who is the sole Judge of their duty; yet, their Honour enforceth them many times to lay open, even their secret thoughts to men, who are the Judges of their reputation.  
If then my arrival in Flanders heretofore, hath given so much occasion of discourse to all Christendom, my departure lately from thence hath caused little less throughout all Europe. But as ill Fortune hath as little, wherewithal to recompense just praises, as good hath too much to reward flatteries; The misery of mine in either time hath been cause, that more interessed tongues and pens have been found to blame me, then charitable to defend me.  
So I understand now from all parts, that they endeavour by diverse means to condemn the design and manner of my departure out of the Low-countrieses, as well by letters, written in several places, as also by memorials, relations and Gazettes, published and dispersed, and by manifests, set forth even under my own name; amongst which one is come to my hand in Print, a piece indeed, which seems to be to my Justification; But in effect, tends not but to trouble and embroil me on all fides. Briefly, I perceive no Imaginary thing omitted, to give sinister Interpretations to my retreat.  
Now, as I have cause to fear, that so many devises may prevail against the sincerity of my intentions, and inclinations: and to the end, that this pretended Manifest, which passeth for my own, may not hereafter be of any force in this nature, especially having been publicly seen in my hands, which might serve as a tacit Approbation of it, if I should dissemble it: e thought it but due to my reputation, and true Interests, to set forth this public Declaration, containing the disadvowing of that piece, and such like, if there be any to be found, together with the principal motives, which made me retire from the Low-countrieses, the occasions which made me pass into England, and the resolutions wherein hitherto I remain, that there may be no cause left of such various discourse to my disadvantage.  
I desire then that every one may know, That when I took Flanders for my refuge, I looked upon that place, but as a neighbour Port, whereto I repaired to avoid the tempest, that then disordered me; and not as a Country I would have chosen to have remained or settled in, my obligation to France, being too strict to admit of such a thought.  
I would likewise have it known, that in all the time I sojourned in Flanders, as well during the Peace, as since the rapture betwixt the two Crowns, my principal cares, have tended to my reconciliation with the King my Son, and I never concealed this desire, which even my Son in Law the King of Spain did ever profess to esteem both just and commendable.  
It is true, that having for the space of seven years in vain laboured an accommodation, and now discovering by advice of the wiser, neither passionate, nor interessed, and even by reason and experience, that after all possible care employed, it hath rather been reconded then advanced; And that the place, wherein I remained seemed a perpetual obstacle to all encounters, which might lead toward it, as well by reason of the breach continued, as also for other powerful Considerations: At last, I found it would be most agreeable with my affairs, to live (at least for a time) in some place free from Suspicion; And the Season being then proper for drinking the Spa Waters, when I first entered into this deliberation, I resolved to make some stay in the Country of Liege, a place Neutral, hoping thereby, to find as well remedy for my indispositions, as expedients for the advancement of my reconciliation.  
This was my clear Intention without any resolution concerning my return into Flanders; And to speak the truth, this incertainity wherein I found myself, hindered me from communicating the particulars of my design to my Nephew the Cardinal Infante; beside, his employments in the wars, held him at such a distance from me at the time of my departure, that I could not have opportunity so much as to take my leave of him.  
Parting then from brussels, I went directly towards Liege, where the expectation of those people was as observable as the applause, wherewith I was received in all the Cities of that Dominion. And I have reason, to acknowledge an oblation to these Magistrates for the orders, they had given for my reception, wheresoever I was to stay. Nevertheless, having before dispatched into Holland and other parts, to make provision for my security, during the time I stayed in the Country of Liege; beside, foreseeing many difficulties in the safety of my abode there, I discovered that there would have been yet more in my departure thence, if I should have been necessitated to have left that place, so that finding all these accidents, as well by advice from such as I had employed abroad, as by the observations I made upon the place, where I was, and having yet free passage for Holland, I thought no time was to be lost in seeking some safe and quiet habitation which to me was then of most importance, considering my inconstant condition. So that for avoiding further hazard, I resolved presently to pass into England, as to the place of most security.  
But before I proceed further in this discourse, I must not omit the success, wherewith it pleased God to favour my voyage, which indeed was beyond all that I could desire. My Cousin, the prince of Orange, who met me at my very first entrance into the Country, received me in the Equipage, I was (which indeed might have made me unknown) as if my adversity had served me for ornaments, and as if I had been in as great splendour as in my highest prosperity. And as for the States, they did not entertain me, as a Princess of my condition, desiring passage, but rather as a triumphant King, coming to visit them, and impart his victories to them. And for my Cousin the Princess of Orange, who accompanied me through all Holland, she lived with me so respectfully and obliegeingly, and made the Country and her houses wherein I lodged, so agreeable to me, as that I could have almost thought them my own, had not my ill fortune already too much accustomed me to know, that they are no more mine. And as to the entertainment given me by the King of Great Britain, my Son in Law, all that I can say of it, would but derogate from what was publicly seen, and myself must acknowledge: By His extraordidinary magnificence at my entrance into London, he hath published the esteem he had of my Person, by the cheerfulness appearing in his own Countenance, and in that of all his Subjects; he shown how dear my presence was to him. But above all, I acknowledge the true friendship, which I read in his heart, the freeness of his proceeding, and the tender affections of the Queen my Daughter, towards me, which have few examples, and have given so much ease to my pressing afflictions, that it could not have been more, if God had sent an angel from heaven to comfort me. Insomuch, that I could not have had in all my voyage other occasion then of joy, if those things, which were prepared for my delight had not likewise been Subjects of my Sorrow: In that they made me think, that the late King, my lord, appeared yet living in my person in strange Countries, but in effect his very memory seemed dead for my sake in his own Kingdom.  
Now to return to my discourse; I must say, that having run over all that hath passed in this my retreat from Flanders, I cannot think, that any can charge me with neglect of my reputation for my diligence in the good of my affairs, nor that it will be hard to persuade such, as will indifferently judge thereof, that in this Retreat I have done any thing, either in Circumstances or Consequences, more, than all the time I sojourned in the Low-Countries, which may be repugnant to gratitude: And I add, that I had done nothing unseemly, if, when I had left the territories of Spain, I had remained in Holland, though it be an Enemy's Country; because in this Occasion I had not sought Holland, as an Enemy to Spain, but as an Ally and Confederate with France. And this quality of Holland, which was then advantageous to me, was not hurtful to Spain, in profiting me, So that remaining in Holland, I should not have prejudiced Spain, in doing myself good.  
And as for the bruits spread abroad, that I went into Holland to do ill offices to Spain, and that some of my people by order from me, had given up to my Cousin the Prince of Orange the Map of sundry places of the Low-Countries; It is a rumour so ridiculous, that it deserves no answer but of scorn. Surely it had been much to my credit, by this example to have demonstrated to my Cousin the Prince of Orange, who received me so courteously, how well I used my hosts when I was gone from them, and beside, in giving him a good impression of my integrity, I had also made him know that I had a better of his providence, judging it such, as that he had not care enough to provide himself of a Plattforme of all the places of the Low-Countries. Truly this would have passed for a fair Compliment at my arrival.  
And this rumour is not more contemptible than another quite contrary is false, savouring of a malicious Invention, That I should go into Holland to treat of the Truce, or to practise against that State, and against my Cousin the Prince of Orange, under the pretence of hospitality.  
But time having made appear even to the most simple, that these rumours were altogether false, and reason having made the wisest apprehend, that they had no resemblance of truth: I will rely upon that which is of more weight, and for Justification of all my designs, declare ingeniously, what were the motives of my resolution, in regard both of France and Spain, whilst I remained in the Low-countrieses, and, why I retired from thence.  
All the time I passed in Flanders, I kept this Temper, that my affections, as well as my behaviour, were all ways Neutral in respect of Public affairs between France and Spain. The assistance which I received from Spain on one side, and the Obligations, which I had to France on the other side, obliged me to carry myself in that Manner. And to speak clearly, I should have held it as unjust, whilst I remained in the Dominions of Spain, and lived at their expense, to take part with France, to the prejudice of Spain, as contrary to my own inclination to have taken part with Spain to the prejudice of France. And howsoever that pretended Manifest aggravating the complaints, which it makes under my name of Spain, doth artificially insinuate, that I have borne much affection to the good of their affairs, which is but a hidden venom, to perplex me on the part of France, The truth is, that Spain in that point hath no more obligation to me then that I have ever passionately longed for that Union and Concord between those two Crowns, whereof in former times I had laid the foundations by a double Alliance. And that beside I have always endeavoured since the rapture, to contribute all I was able to the reestablishment of Peace.  
God forbidden, I should desire to pay the new obligations, I have to Spain, to the prejudice of those ancient bonds, which I have contracted with France, it is to that I have vowed my first affections, And it is that, which shall for ever keep them with the ashes of my deceased Lord.  
But God forbidden likewise, that for any advantage I might have from France, it should ever enter into my thoughts, to disadvow the Obligations I have to Spain. I know too well, that it is the utmost degree of ingratitude to deny benefits received; I am so fare from that, that I will always proclaim them with advantage. And I confess it troubles me that I have no other means to acquit myself then on all occasions (as on this) to acknowledge the subsistence, which the King of Spain my Son in Law gave me seven years together, and the proofs of Cordial love, which I received from the Queen my Daughter, the care which my late sister the Infanta had of my person: who beside did no less instruct me with her virtues, then comfort me with her good offices: And lastly the great courtesy and good will of my Nephew the Cardinal Infante: All which, are effects which I refer principally to the King of Spain my Son in Law, to whose intentions my Nephew and my deceased Sister, the Infanta, have but joined their natural inclinations.  
Moreover I am fare from weakening these public testimonies (which I desire to confirm in all places) by making complaint against any of his Officers, and herein I am injured by the Authors of that pretended Manifest, in their exposing false ones to the view of the world, under my name; On the contrary it imports me, that it be known (as it is true) that in case there had been any disrespect of me through the fault of any Officers in Flanders (which yet would have been contrary to the orders of the King of Spain my Son in Law) the good entertainment I received from the Master would in my opinion have covered the error of the Servants, And although peradventure it would not have taken away my ressentiment of it, yet discretion would have taught me to have concealed it.  
Neither shall it ever be said, that any such thing falls from me, But rather expressions of the entire satisfaction I received from the King of Spain my Son in Law, And at my departure from the Hague, I dispatched an express to my Nephew the Cardinal Infante, to testify to him my Acknowledgements and to let him understand my intention of coming out of the Low-Countries: which is the same wherein this day I persist, and which I will clearly express to conclude this Declaration.  
My end neither was nor is in all these proceed any other than my reconciliation with the King my Son: To the effecting of which, those means, which would seem hard and troublesome to persons of my quality; shall be pleasant and easy to me. Nor do I account it of the number of those painful means, to affect those whom he honours with his principal trust: I will do that willingly though they give me no cause: and am resolved to omit nothing (no not that which I shall know to be in vain) to gain the friendship of the King my Son.  
It would be a happiness precious to me, yet due by so many just Titles that I hold myself as blameless for the pretending to it, as innocent of the least ambition thereby to partake of the Government. Nor should I pardon myself if I had any temptation of that nature, and withal, if I held not that authority as unuseful for my particular happiness, as I esteem the love of the King my Son, necessary to my present contentment.  
And it will be easy to believe, that I am of this opinion, if the present may be judged by what is past, and to that end it may be considered how I behaved myself during my regency, wherein I made use of it, and with what Spirit I governed, when through my misfortune and that of France, in losing the late King my Lord, I was engaged to employ my care and diligence, to uphold the public affairs, which were then in eminent danger: And when the Common Vote and consent of the states of the Kingdom had committed to my care, the fortune of the State, I think I so forgot my own, that even Slander and my enemies together, never dreamt to lay to my charge, that I had any thought of making Advantage of that Authority: Nor that Ambition or Interest had upon any occasion a Vote in my private Counsels. As for the former, it cannot be doubted, since it is clear, that I never sought in all my Regency other glory, then to leave the Kingdom as quiet and flourishing under the government of a woman (notwithstanding all the troubles, that then come upon it) as one of the greatest Kings of the world saw it at his death, after twelve years of settled peace. And as for Interest, I dare boldly say, without offence to modesty (and France cannot without ingratitude deny it) that I so ordered the Treasure of my Son, that in preserving it, I had care of it, as of my own; but in expending it, I considered it as the goods of another. So that at the end of my labours, there is nothing left me, but the quality of a Mother, which God himself cannot take from me.  
These actions, whereof the public monuments themselves will be for ever witnesses, are the only Trophies, which I have erected to my Memory. These Actions, I say, are the only Citadels, which I have raised to my defence and have built in the heart of the King my Son, in that of the French, and in my own Conscience. But certainly not to deceive myself, it is upon this last foundation, whereon I settle my principal hopes, and in all accidents, my most  satisfaction. And lastly, although it should happen by the secret reasons of God's Providence, that the rest of my days should pass in disgrace, and though I should never have before my death the comfort of seeing the King my Son, yet I will not leave to give him, absent, as now I do, my continual blessings. And I will finish my life, as I now end this Declaration; Beseeching God that these my blessings may be as effectual to him, as if I had been ever favourably treated.  
Signed Marie.  
and underneath is written,  
This Declaration hath been read publicly before the whole Court of the Queen, in presence of her Majesty. And after it was Signed with her own hand and by her commandment, the Original remains in the hand of the Viscount.  
FABRONI.