PROPOSITIONS MADE BY MONSIEUR ƲANDER HUR'ST AT THE Assembly of the General States of the United Provinces upon the 13. of januarie, 1608.  
WITH THE ANSWER OF THE said General States given unto the said Monsieur Ʋander Hurst, touching the said Propositions.  
And also A DECLARATION MADE AND SENT by the said States General unto all the Provinces and Towns under their government, touching Peace to be made: Printed 1608.  
The final Answer made by the said General States of the United Provinces unto the Commissioners for the King of Spain and the Archduke, assembled in the Hague, concerning Peace to be made, 1608.   printer's device of Melchisedec Bradwood (McKerrow 380): "an owl, two snakes, and a rod" 
M B  
LONDON Printed for Philip Harison, and are to be sold at his shop in Cornhill over-against the Exchange. 1609.   

PROPOSITIONS Made by Monsieur Ʋander Hurst at the Assembly of the General States of the United Provinces, upon the 13. of januarie, 1608.  
RIght honourable,  
May it please you to be advertised, that forasmuch as that the high and mighty Princes, the Archduke Albertus and the Infanta Isabella, have long since had and conceived great disliking of and concerning the bloody netherlands wars, as also of the great hurt, hindrance and utter destruction, which the Inhabitants thereof on both sides do hereby endure and daily fall into; and had rather see and behold the Netherlands (being brought to a firm and most assured Peace) to reobtain their ancient and pristinate flourishing estate; have not refrained both now and heretofore to signify unto your Honours, not only by themselves but by their messengers, what means they thought to be most fit to work the same: as in May last they sent me hither only to that end and purpose. But for that your Honours (in regard of the departure of Prince Maurice, with some of your Honour's Deputies from the Hague, about your martial affairs) could not resolve thereon, their Highness' bear arms, and till this time to make and maintain war, have not wished nor craved more of God almighty (for the benefit, welfare, and security of the said Netherlands, together with the good Inhabitants thereof) than to attain unto a godly, honourable, and an assured end of their said wars, as they also with all their hearts at this present still pray, desire and beseech God continually for the same. But for that by the said Instruction dated in May aforesaid (whereunto other Acts and Commissions have a reference) it doth clearly and evidently appear, that their said Highness do as yet continue in their ungrounded pretence, that a certain right and title doth yet belong and appertain unto them, to and in the said Netherlands; whereas to the contrary the said States do evidently, plainly, and without contradiction maintain and hold, That their said Highness neither can nor may by any means (otherwise than by force and power of war) pretend any right or title unto the United Provinces whatsoever: And that to the contrary, the said General States of the United Provinces, upon good and lawful causes, have always esteemed, and with undoubted right understand, (for the union of the united netherlands Provinces) That all the Provinces, Towns, and Places, which for the maintenance of the said union, have by force, and otherwise secretly by practice been taken and surprised, with violation of the solemn decree, are decreed and may be holden (by weighty and mighty reasons) for a free State. Which decree for the space of seven and twenty years hitherwards, by divers public Acts and Decrees, and by the mightiest Kings and Potentates of Europe hath been confirmed, as also the said States both for themselves and for all their deceased Adherents, (and as yet many thousands Well-willers to the freedom of the Netherlands, sighing under their highness gonernment, desire to see a good end) by the special grace of God, the aid and assistance of the aforesaid Kings and Potentates, together with the uttermost means of the said Provinces, Quarters, Towns and Inhabitants, by a commendable right, have hitherto maintained, and are resolved to maintain and defend the same unto the uttermost: and to that end the said States upon divers the like offers and propositions (motioned not only by their said Highness and by the emperors Majesty) have declared, that it is neither godly, honourable, nor assured for them, to deal with those who against the aforesaid Decree hold and maintain, and do insist and allege to have right and title unto the said united Provinces. In the which Decree the said States persisting, do hold and account themselves to be blameless and innocent before God almighty and all the world, and specially the Netherlands, of all the miseries, hurts, and troubles happened unto the said Netherlands and their neighbours, by means of the said unlawful pretences, and from the proceed, which they the said States for the maintenance of their said right, have been constrained to take in hand.  
Given in the Hague the seven and twentieth of januarie, 1608.   

A DECLARATION made and sent by the State's General unto all the Provinces and Towns under their government, touching the Peace to be made.  
RIght Honourable and Worshipful:  
for that the common cause of the united Provinces, by God's special grace and favour, is brought so far, and to that end, that the Archdukes Highness, in March last passed by three several motions in writing, have thought good to entreat and desire us, as with States of free Countries and Provinces, whereunto their Highness make no manner of pretence or title, to hearken unto a treaty of peace, or truce, and abstinence from wars for many years, with provisional exception from besieging and surprising of Towns, and Forts, invading or taking in of Provinces and Quarters; as also of the making of new Forts, for the time of eight months next ensuing; that in the mean time, we may with them sit and determine upon the said Treaty, and to make an end of the said Treaty before the first of September next coming: We with the advice of his Eccellencie, and the Counsel of Estate, having thought and esteemed it good, to accept and allow of the said motion and provisional exceptions, & also to proceed to a further Treaty, & thereof to give our final resolution before the first of September next ensuing, and herewith send letters of commission to appear, according to the contents of these presents. And although we are well assured that your Honours and Worships are sufficiently informed and certified of this motion and business in hand, yet we thought it good to advertise you thereof, and of our intents and purposes, to advertise and communicate the same, unto and with the Kings of Great Britain, France, and Denmark, as also with the Electors, and other Towns of the Empire, with whom these United Provinces are in league and amity; that having understood their good intents, advices, and counsels concerning these United Provinces, we may proceed to a farther and riper consideration thereof here in the said Provinces, and such as shall be found meetest and best for the honour of God, the furthering of Christian reform religion, and the best service, and most assurance of the same, and of the United Netherlands, and the Inhabitants thereof. And for that before all things, it is convenient and necessary that God Almighty should with all our hearts be praised and thanked for his many and special graces, showed and bestowed towards and upon these Countries, during these wars: and specially, that it hath pleased him to move the hearts of the Archdukes, to make and motion the said offers and propositions, as also to pray that it would please him, graciously to bless the said Treaty; that it may tend to the honour of his holy name, the maintenance and spreading abroad of his holy word; and of the Christian reformed religion, together with the welfare and securing of the United Netherlands, and of the Inhabitants thereof: We have thought it good, to ordain and appoint, a general Fast, and day of prayer to be made and held in the United Provinces, upon the 8. of May next ensuing: And therefore our desire is, that your Honours shall cause the said Fasting and Prayer day to be published and ploclaimed in all the places of the Provinces of Holland and West Friesland, according to the accustomed manner therein used: and to command that the same may be holden and celebrated accordingly, wherein you shall do an acceptable piece of service, both unto the Country and us. Wherewith, Right Honourable and Worshipful, and our special good friends, we commit you to the protection of the Almighty.  
Dated etc. and under written, john van olden Barnevelt.  
And lower there stood your special good friends; the State's General of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, and somewhat lower, by the ordinance of the said States. Under written, C. Aersous.   

THE FINAL ANSWER made by the said General States of the United Provinces, unto the Commssioners for the King of Spain and the Archduke, assembled in the Hague, concerning Peace to be made.  
THe States general of the United Netherlands, having heard the report of their Deputies appointed to deal in the Treaty of Peace, touching that which was declared in the conference holden upon the 20. of this month, by the Deputies for the High and Mighty King of Spain, etc. and for Albertus and Isabella Clara ingenia, Archdukes of Austria, etc. for the final charge and commission given them by the said King and the Archdukes touching the general points of the said Treaty, upon advice of the Right Honourable William Earl of Nassave, etc. and the Counsel of Estate of the said United Provinces, for resolution thereupon, have declared, and by these presents do declare, that the hurtful fruits and issues of divers forepassed Trearies, during the netherlands wars, made with the King of Spain last deceased, have so much moved the State's General, for the space of 25. years together, both upon the offers made in the behalf of the said King, his Governors and Successors, as also at the motions and solicitations of the emperors Majesty, together with the greatest and chiefest Kings and Potentates of Europe, that they could not be persuaded to enter into, or hearken unto any new treaty of Peace, but have always excused themselves therein, fearing the like effects; so that also upon the same Propositions made unto them to the like end, in the month of januarie 1607, in the behalf of the high & mighty Princes the Archdukes: they did roundly and by answer in writing declare, as also unto the like proposition not long before propounded by the Emperor's majesty; the said States made answer, that they thought it neither godly, honourable, nor secure, for them to enter into any treaty of Peace, with those, that contrary to their Decree, maintained and established, would seem to oppose, or to justify themselves to have and pretend any title unto the said Country: and that withal, they did persist, with protestation before God almighty, all the world, and specially the Netherlands, to be blameless and innocent of and concerning all the miseries, hurts and troubles which the Netherlands, and their neighbours, together with the inhabitants thereof, by means of the aforesaid unlawful pretences, have suffered and endured, and yet were likely to suffer and endure. Which answer being returned unto the said Archdukes, not long after several letters and writings subscribed with their hands, were by the said Archdukes sent unto the said General estates, whereby they signified unto them, that they were content to deal with them as with States of a free Country, (and for the which they so held and accounted both them and it, and whereunto they made not any pretence) touching a perpetual Peace, or a truce and abstinence from wars, for many years. And in the first of the aforesaid Acts it was said, that by the making of a Truce every man should hold that which he held and possessed; and by the making of a Peace, that which should be agreed upon; as also that the United Provinces should desist and abstain from trafficking unto the East and West Indies, etc. Whereunto the said States roundly made refusal; which the said Archdukes perceiving, made answer, that they were content that every man both by Truce and Peace should possess and enjoy that which he held, and claimed to be his own, unless that by exchange of any places by common consent, they could otherwise agree: and at the same time also the clause of defisting from trafficking and sailing unto the East and West Indies, was omitted, according to their Act to that end made, bearing date the 13. of March, in the aforesaid year. Upon the which Act the 12. of April, after certain points touching the nomination of their respectives Committees, being agreed upon between the Deputies for the said Archdukes, and the General States, upon the four & twentieth of the same month, by a formal instrument under written by their said Highness, and sealed with their great seals, and with their accustomed signatures and Paraphrases: and an other writing likewise sealed, Paraphrased, and underwritten, in the behalf of the General States, in quality as States of free Countries and Provinces; whereunto the Archdukes did not pretend any right or title, it was agreed, and by their said Highness promised, to hold and observe, and to cause to be holden and observed the aforesaid declaration made unto the said General States, and to make restitution, and cause the same to be made for all direct and indirect courses taken and used contrary unto the same, and besides those letters of confirmation, to cause the like declaration to be sent from the King of Spain (for as much as it concerned him) unto the said General States, within three months then next ensuing, with all general and particular renouncings, and assurances thereunto belonging. And thereupon the Truce for abstaining from all acts of hostility being also agreed upon: There were three acts of confirmation and consent sent into Holland from the said king; two of them bearing date the last of januarie; and one the eighteenth of March, in the year aforesaid: the last of them containing these words in effect. And for that the aforesaid Archduke our brother, hath promised to make the said Treaty, and thereupon to deliver unto the said States, our letters of ratification, and the like declaration, with all general and particular renuntiations, and promises, as the cause requireth: We upon ripe deliberation and advice, upon our certain knowledge, and absolute kingly power, for the holding and performing of the said promise, and the assuring of the principal Treaty of Peace, or of a long Truce to be made: do by these presents make the like declaration unto the States aforesaid, that our brother hath made, whereof mention is before made, forasmuch as the same concerneth us: And specially we declare, that we are well pleased and contented, that in our own name, and in our behalf, a Treaty shall be made with the said States, in quality, and as esteeming and holding them for free Countries, Provinces and States; whereunto we make no pretence of Sovereignty: and also have approved, confirmed, and ratified, and by these presents do approve, confirm, and ratify, all and every one of the points, comprehended and contained in the said Treaty: and promise by the word of a king to hold and observe them all, and to cause them to be held and observed as wholly and particularly, as if we had at the beginning thereof declared, consented and promised the same, and as if they had been proceeded in, and concluded by our consent and authority, and will not do, nor cause any thing to be done contrary unto the same: and also will promise to recompense and make amends for all direct or indirect courses used and taken contrary unto the same, in such manner that all the aforesaid points shall be truly observed, holden, and fulfilled unto and with the said States: Whereunto we bind ourselves by the word of a Prince, with all the general and particular renuntiations and obligations thereunto requisite and needful. We also promise, that as soon as the Treaty of Peace, or long Truce, shallbe concluded and agreed upon, that we will cause all dispatches necessary to be made for the fulfilling and execution of that which shall be capitulated and agreed upon, in good manner and form, as they ought to be: so that in all things, and throughout all the foresaid United Provinces, whole and full satisfaction shallbe made touching the aforesaid promise & confirmation, and with express rejection of all that which may be contrary or against the said confirmation: and withal, expressly declaring, that the General States, as States of free Countries, whereunto the King and the Archdukes make no pretence of Sovereignty, by the grace of God Almighty, and the aid of their allies (nominating the Kings of Great Britain, France, Denmark, and other Potentates) which in the said Provinces shall and may take order and maintain all causes that concern the welfare of the State and government (amongst the which, before all, the point of Religion is to be maintained, and the same expressly given in charge unto the archdukes Deputies) concerning the said Provinces, and the good Inhabitants thereof: so that in the chief Treaty, nothing shall or may be propounded against the same; (unless that men should seek to prevent and contrary the aforesaid formal and solemn promise.) Lastly it was concluded by the General States, that the Deputies of the said King and the Archdukes, might come unto the Hague, there to entreat and agree upon the said Treaty, with full information, charge, and authority to show their meanings plainly and sincerely therein: as also to understand the State's intent and meaning, that so they might make a short and brief resolution therein.  
The said Deputies being come unto the Hague, and having entered into Treaty with the Deputies of the said States, at the beginning there was a new clear and express promise and ratification made, not only to the said States, but also unto all the particular Provinces, and Lordships, thereunto depending, as also unto the Quarters, Lordships, Towns and Places of other Provinces holden by the said States, according to the foresaid promises, dated the 24. of April, both in the name of the King of Spain, and the Archdukes, being procured and to be procured from them, and all and every one of their heirs and successors, in their Kingdoms, Countries and States, decreeing and declaring that they pretend not any title in or unto the aforesaid United Provinces, Lordships, Lands, Towns and Places, as then holden and possessed by the said States, and that they held and accounted them for free States, Provinces, Lordships, Countries, Towns and Places, with promise upon their words and honours, and upon the words of Princes, not to do any thing contrary unto the same, nor permit it to be done, (no not in using the names, titles, or arms of the said Provinces, or otherwise) directly or indirectly in any wise whatsoever: as also that from thenceforth, at all times and for ever, there should be a good, firm, indissoluble Peace between the aforesaid high and mighty King and the Archdukes their children, and successors, and the aforesaid States, in the quality aforesaid, for all the Kingdoms, Lands, Lordships, Towns and Places which the aforesaid Kings, Archdukes, and States held and possessed, with their respective subjects and inhabitants, which reside therein at this time, or that hereafter shall dwell therein, without exception of any man whatsoever. Also, that the said King and Archdukes, and the said States, in quality aforesaid, together with their respective subjects and inhabitants should from thenceforth live in good friendship, without using any more hostility, with forgetting of all forepast causes and actions. But in the process of the Treaty, the Deputies in the behalf of the said King and Archdukes, sought to abridge and diminish the aforesaid acknowledged freedom of the United Provinces, in the principallest point thereof, and to make it of no effect, as amongst the rest, expressly in the general traffic and navigation, with the consequences thereof, wherein the chief and principal welfare of the aforesaid Provinces consisteth. Also, in the pretences (only to the evident and manifest overthrow of the United Provinces, without cause or reason) of dismembering some of the united Provinces of that which without denial (according to the agreement made) belonged unto them. Also in the disputation touching the freedom and sovereignty of certain Towns, held and possessed by the States, as also of the Villages appointed for places of receipt and accounts, in demanding of certain lands, which by former Princes had been conquered, and otherwise, coucrtly speaking of the point-of Religion, without making any free or open proposition thereof: and being urged to speak their minds freely and fully therein, sometime they said, that they would not do any thing contrary to the freedom and sovereignty (to the dislike or discontentment of the States of the united Provinces) touching the point of Religion; and yet at another time, they said they must consult with them of Spain touching the point of Religion, and that touching the same, and concerning the point of general traffic and navigation, some of them must expressly go into Spain. And although that the aforesaid State's General, perceiving the said proceed might well have broken up the said Treaty, notwithstanding considering the great importance thereof, and desiring for their parts before God, and before all Kings, Potentates, Princes, and Commonwealths of Europe, and specially before the Commons of the united Provinces, to make known, that they with all their hearts, and uprightly desire to alter and change the long, hurtful, and bloody wars of the Netherlands, into a godly, honourable, and an assured peace, for the comfort and vnburthening not only of the Inhabitants of the Netherlands, but also of the neighbour countries and kingdoms; thought good by the advice and good counsel of the Ambassadors of the Kings of Great Britain, France, Denmark, etc. and of the evangelical Electors and Princes of Germany (who at their earnest requests, were sent unto the Netherlands, to aid and assist them in the said Treaty and business of so great importance) that one of the Deputies for the King and the Archdukes, should go into Spain, to understand the King's absolute intent and meaning, notwithstanding it was expressly signified and declared by the States, that they would not consent unto the like deliberation, but only for that time, and that the said Deputy should expressly return again with the said resolution, within two months then next after ensuing. And to that end the Truce for the months of April and May was continued and prolonged. After that by means of the long staying of him that was sent into Spain, before the end of the month of May, the aforesaid Truce by common consent, was prolonged until the last of December last passed: but the States once again and plainly told the Deputies for the said King and the Archdukes, that their meaning was, within two months at the farthest, after the month of May, they would have a final end and breaking up of the said Treaty. Whereupon as in the beginning of the month of june, and after from time to time, divers letters and advices were brought and came from several Countries and Kingdoms, that the said king of Spain and the Spanish Counsel did not proceed truly and uprightly in the said Treaty, but by delays and all the means they could, sought to undermine the State of the united Provinces: Presently thereupon, as about the middle of june, the said Deputies for the King and the Archdukes were advertised by the General States of the said advice sent them, with earnest request by them made, to understand and know their uttermost intent and meaning: and withal it being told them, that notwithstanding the Truce was prolonged and continued for the whole year, yet it was the State's meaning, not to suffer the delay of the end of the said Treaty any longer than until the last of july, and that they might then presently break up and departed, if their intents were not to bring the Treaty to any good end: Whereupon the said Deputies made answer, That they held those advices to be wholly untrue, and that they were otherwise fully certified and assured, after that some few days, before the expiration of the month of july, certifying the States, that they had advice out of Spain, that the Commissary general was commanded to attend at the Court upon the fifteenth of july, to receive his dispatch, and that without doubt he would be there very shortly: whereupon the matter being considered of, until the twentieth of August, and in the mean time news of the continuance of the King of Spain's intent coming from all places, it was thought good the same day to have another conference with the said Deputies, to understand their uttermost authority and meanings: who at the same time declared, That the King of Spain's and the archdukes resolute intents were, that the agreement made should be observed and kept, and that the united Provinces by their said acknowledgement and agreement should be free and sovereign countries, without pretence of any right, vassalage, or other sovereignty to be sought or pretended by them therein or thereunto, upon condition that in regard thereof, the Romish Catholic religion should be re-established in the said Provinces; and that the subjects and inhabitants of the said Provinces should presently and from that time forth leave off and desist from trade, traffic, and navigation into India; declaring also, that they still persisted in the difficulties touching the raising of convoys, the dismembering of the Dukedom of Gelder, touching all the high quarter thereof, the holding of the places upon and being on the other side of the Reyn, as also upon the borders of the Empire, which without all controversy are neutral Towns, belonging to the territories of the Empire, as also touching the pretence of villages and the head banks or chambers of accounts in Towns belonging unto the States in other Provinces; also that the Archdukes ought to enjoy the lands belonging unto the Princes of the houses of Burgundy and Austria, being Lords in the time of the respective united Provinces. And for that the most part of the aforesaid points can not be holden nor esteemed, but as pretences against the decreed, maintained, confirmed and confessed freedom of the united Provinces, and consequently, openly repugning against the said Treaty and the confirmation thereof, and withal against the first Article that is thereby agreed upon: therefore the State's General of the united Provinces understand, that they for the state of the said countries, and of the good inhabitants thereof, can not find it good to enter into any further Treaty with the said Deputies, being hearty sorry, that contrary to their intents, the said Treaty hath been so unprofitably broken off, nevertheless contenting themselves, that they, before God and all the world, may be held inculpable, that the bloody and long continued wars of the Netherlands are not changed into a Christian, honourable, and an assured peace, and a final end made and procured of all the calamities, miseries, hurts, and hindrances which the said Netherlands, and their neighbours, together with the good inhabitants of the same have endured, and are like to endure, by means of the unlawful pretences of their adverse parties.  
Done in the Hague in full assembly of the General States of the united Provinces, etc.   

 printer's device (McKerrow 306): "Framed device of Truth attacked by Calumny and upheld by Time" 
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