TO THE supreme authority, THE PARLIAMENT OF THE commonwealth OF ENGLAND.  
The Humble REMONSTRANCE OF Sir Balthazar Gerbier Knight.  
Touching his sundry Proposals, wherein this Commonwealths Interest is concerned: And particularly on the present necessity of laying a Claim unto considerable sums of money due by the States of Brabant & Flanders unto this commonwealth.   

TO THE supreme authority, THE PARLIAMENT Of the Commonwealth of England. The Humble Remonstrance OF Sir BALTHAZAR GERBIER, Kt.  
Showeth, 
 THat his fidelity and zeal to this State and Nation, which hath been manifested during his thirty years' applications to the public concernments, hath moved him (in regard of giving an account of sundry particulars) to mention those which he humbly conceived both the Times and Occasions might justly challenge at his hands, unto such Members as are interessed in the managing of this commonwealth's affairs.  
And whereas the Parliament hath of late directed a solemn Embassage to the states-general of the united-provinces, possibly with an intent to proceed in the like manner towards such other Kings and States as shall deserve their Amity:  
Your humble Remonstrant hath long since prepared and penned several particulars wherein the public service is concerned, and hath kept them in readiness against such a time as the State might be pleased to call for them to be considered of, either publicly, or privately: For that some of them are supposed to be of the nature of Arcana Reipublicae, the keeping of them secret proving to be as their life: and therefore (as he humbly conceives) they ought to be considered of in the like manner, and to be resolved on out of hand.  
Such are several of his Proposals, which in the year 1623. were discovered by a considerable Party unto those Persons who as then were the prime Ministers in Authority; and the which, should they at present be considered of, would happily not only be judged fit by the Parliaments great wisdom to be kept secret, but to be undertaken out of hand, in consideration of the present conjuncture of affairs, when as neighbour-Nations are hammering on Treaties, and patching up their differences: Which being once allayed, the said parties may in all likelihood proceed to such resolutions, and enter on such Engagements, as that when they shall be once put in practice, would prove too late for to be provided against.  
Your humble Remonstrant hath therefore, in conformity of his zeal and fidelity, attended to give a clear account of all those particulars wherein this State may be concerned, and with that reference to the public good as may be justly expected. The which did lately beget a jealousy in him, on an Information which hath been given in, of the necessity there was to call him to an Account; when as his voluntary and free Attendance could not imply any necessity to such an Information; For that he hath been far more ready to open his Budget, then possibly the multiplicity of Affairs could afford a time to view his Pack.  
And whereas he humbly conceives, that Inferiors cannot too much express their fidelity, zeal, and readiness unto Superiors: So lest it should be conceived, that by his having but one Tongue to speak, he should want hands during the time of his attendance, to put himself in a readiness to be accountable to the Parliament, remitting to their great wisdoms the sit opportunity of their taking notice of his said Proposals▪ and to order therein according unto their pleasure.  
He therefore thought it requisite humbly to dilate himself in this manner on his Proposals; and to demonstrate how that in the first place those particulars which were presented in the year 1623. unto such persons who were then in Authority, are of such a nature, as that in case they be made use of at present, they may stand this Commonwealth in as great a stead, as the golden Mines do unto the King of Spain.  
Secondly, That there are certain Establishments extant in other Countries, which if they were practised here in England under the Parliaments protection, would be very beneficial to the people, and produce a vast stock of ready moneys for the state's use: Some of the said Establishments being proffered to be erected by such persons, as demand nought save this Commonwealths protection and encouragement in those said Establishments; which will produce a present vast stock of ready moneys, together with a constant considerable yearly Revenue to boot for this Commonwealths use; and the gaining of the people's love.  
Finally, That there is (as he humbly conceives) periculum in mora, in the not present heeding of a claim to be laid on a Debt of Seven millions of pounds, which are due unto this State by those of Brabant and Flanders. Wherefore your humble Remonstrant (to make good his said zeal, as well by his pen, as by his heart and tongue) presents the state thereof unto your Honours in the ensuing lines Viz.  
The Annals of Brabant and Flanders mention that. it happened on the 5. day of March, how that the great Commander of Castille, governor of the Netherlands, being deceased, a council of State was appointed to govern in those Provinces: and the said council was authorized by Letters Patents from King Philip the second under his great seal, in date, March 24. 1576. The said King of Spain, (by his Letters of April 1576. invited Queen Elizabeth to continue a correspondency with those of his said council of State in the said Provinces: And by that council of state's appointment so authorized, acknowledged and recommended, The Duke of Arscot was chosen and declared general for the King of Spain in those Provinces. The said Duke's Commission being under that King's Broad-Seal, dated the 3. of October 1576.  
The said States as then standing in need of a considerable stock of moneys, sent to such Neighbours as they conceived to be in a capacity of furnishing them: and as they sent to the Prince Elector of Collen, to the Duke Casimir, and others for a Loan of moneys, they likewise sent unto Queen Elizabeth.  
Their ambassadors were the Baron sweveghen and the marquess of Haure; and the Queen was pleased to appoint the Lord Burley, and the Earl of Sussex and others, to Treat with them concerning the Loan of money, for which they offered their Bonds, and to second them by the Bonds of the States of Brabant and Flanders, together with those of the Towns of Brussels, Antwerp, Gendt, Bridges, Newport, and Dunkirck.  
Those ambassadors and States obliging their Persons, and the Magistrates of the respective Towns themselves, and their Inhabitants for ever; until full satisfaction should be made, not only of the said Loans capital sum, but also of its Interest at Six and a quart. per Cent. per Annum. Whereupon, the Queen was pleased to grant them a Loan on the above mentioned Conditions.  
And whereas the respective original Bonds, of which your humble Remonstrant hath given notice to the council of State, are in safe Custody, so they do manifest the reality of the said Debt.  
Which together with its Interest from the year 1578. until this present time doth amount unto seven Millions of pounds, lawful moneys of England, since neither the Use money nor its Capital is yet paid.  
The Loan of the moneys was allowed of by King Philip the Second, as it appears by the eight Article of those state's treaty with their King at March in Famines, on the 27 of February 1577. and the which was ratified and confirmed, as appears by the nineteenth Article of the Surrender of Arthois in Haynault.  
The said King also returned his thanks unto Queen Elizabeth, for that she had assisted his Subjects.  
Moreover those States specified the said Loan in their Accounts, which were by them exhibited to their King, on the second of September 1584.  
And the King of Spain past those Accounts in lieu of their Taxations and ordinary Contributions; so that the Debt thereby became those States, and those respective Towns and members particular proper Debt.  
And therefore it is to be demanded of them, and not at all from any governor in chief of those Provinces, much less from from the King of Spain himself.  
Which the late arch-duchess Isabel declared unto them, when late Mr. Trumbal Agent, both in King James and in the late King's time, had laid a Claim to the said Debt, and had prosecuted the Debtors, when the said arch-duchess warned and advised them also to satisfy on the said particular, for that she would not bear them out in the same.  
So that both by Mr. Trumbal his pursuit, and the arch-duchess her declaration unto those Debtors, there would have ensued a good satisfaction on that particular, had not the said Agent been recalled by reason of the following rupture between England and Spain.  
The said Agent Trumbal had likewise contracted with one Timon an Advocate, to prosecute the payment of the said Debt; Conditionally that the said Timon should have a certain part of whatsoever he should recover touching the said Debt; and this in consideration of the said Advocates pains, disbursements, and such Presents as he should be obliged to give unto such Persons as might be in credit with those States, and with the Magistrates of the respective Towns.  
The said Claim was again renewed in the year 1640. and was seconded by the late Kings own Letters to the Infant Cardinal, and to the Chancellor of Brabant, and by the said Kings Commissions, which he caused as then to be dispatched on that particular; the Copies whereof are here inserted, viz.  

The translation of the late King's Letter to the Infant Cardinal, in date the 20. of June 1641.  
Dear cousin,  
We would not let our Resident Sr. Balthazar Gerbier depart without our Letter, for to confirm unto You the particular assurances of our Affection, as also of the desires and good wishes which We shall always have for the continuance and advancement of the good Correspondency which is betwixt these Crowns. In regard whereof Our Resident will tell your highness the rescentments which we have witnessed against the Count of Egmond, for that he undertook to cause such Books to be Printed in Our States, as did tend to the prejudice of Yours; And how much we have disapproved this his proceeding.  
We have also charged Our said Resident with a Commission from us, for to demand and procure the payment of considerable sums of moneys due unto this Crown by the States & Town of Brabant and Flanders; Wherein we promise ourselves those necessary offices from your justice and Power, as may be requisite towards the procuring unto us of the said satisfaction which is due; And that Your highness will order that the complaints of Our Subjects, which do still continue, may once cease: On all which Our said Resident being fully Instructed, we shall not make any addition hereunto, only desire You to give him full Credence in what he shall say thereon; And thus We shall beseech God to continue Dear cousin in his holy Protection.  
From Our Palace of Westminster 20. June 1641. Was Signed Your most Affectionate cousin, Charles R.   

A Copy of the late King's Letter to the chancellor of Brabant.  
Mr Chancellor, We have charged Sr. Balthazar Gerbier Our Resident, both with Our Commission and Letters for to procure the payment of notable sums of money due unto this Crown by the States and Towns of Brabant and Flanders, whereof We would give you notice, to the end that if he should be constrained to make use of the Courts of justice, for to procure us that satisfaction which is due unto us, he might rest assured of Your good Offices, according unto the dignity of Your place in that Country; the which We do easily promise unto ourselves from You in so just a Cause; Wherefore remitting ourselves there on unto Our Resident; We shall remain,  
Mr. Chancellor. Your friend C. R. 5. March 1640.   

The Copy of the late King's Commission for the Claim of the Debt.  
CHARLES by the grace of God King of great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To Our loyal and wellbeloved Sr. Balthazar Gerbier Knight, Our Resident in the Court of Brussels.  
Whereas during the reign of Queen Elizabeth of happy memory (Queen of England) several notable sums of moneys were lent unto the state's General, and to some of those Towns in the Low-Countries, which are in Obedience unto the King of Spain; which sums are due unto us by virtue of those instruments and Obligations which on the same were respectively made and dispatched by the said States and Towns for our use; And for that nought hath as yet been restored unto us for the said Loan, either by themselves, or by others in their behalf, notwithstanding the several endeavours which have been used heretofore, as well in the behalf of Our late Father of happy memory, King James, as in Our own behalf by Mr. Trumball Our Agent in the said Court of Brussels.  
We therefore have ordained and Authorized You, as by these Presents We do ordain and Authorize You, in Our behalf, and in Our Name, to ask and require from the said States and Towns (as well in general as in particular) all such sums, with their Interests, as appear to have been so lent unto them, by the said Queen, and the which are due unto us by the said States and Towns.  
Commanding and Ordaining You moreover to use all such means, pursuits and instances, which shall be needful for the recovery of the said sums and of their Interest.  
And these Our present Letters shall be a sufficient declaration and witness (unto yourself, as well as unto all others, whom it either doth or may concern) of the special power which we have and do give unto you, on this particular.  
Given at our Palace at Westminster, Signed by ourselves, and sealed with Our Signet, the fifth day of March, 1640. stilo veteri, and the sixteenth year of Our reign.   
This Commission, as likewise the Credentials are translated verbatim out of the French tongue, in which the Originals are written; having been thought necessary to be penned in that language, because that they might have been made use of in case of necessity. For that it was agreed on between King Henry the Seventh and the Duke of Burgundy, that their public Conferences should be in the French tongue, in which their public Ministers were likewise to speak.  
And the said Commissions were also dispatched at that time, for that a Person in authority in those Provinces had made a proposition to procure satisfaction from those States for the said Debt, they (as it seems) being sensible of its Interest excessive increase; apprehending likewise, that as then the English Nation might have transported the said Debt either to the Hollanders or to the French, then in open war against them; And therefore showed so great a willingness to come to a composition thereon.  
Which being duly represented to the late King, the said Commission was immediately dispatched; which was the rather effected, to save it from prescription, as the said Debt requires to be claimed at every change of Government.  
But the late King being at that time highly incensed against your humble Remonstrant, for that he had (in obedience to the Peers commands, then assembled in Parliament) declared the names of such as betrayed this State, especially the L. Cottington; He therefore caused Sir Henry Vane then Secretary of State, to call in again the said Commission concerning that particular (which Commission was under the great Seal) and likewise redemanded the authentic Copies of the Original Bonds and Instruments, which had been translated here by a public Notary, and unto which the City of London's seal was affixed.  
Insomuch that the said chief Commission, and the other authentic Copies being redemanded, and your humble Remonstrants return to Brussels being impedited, the prosecution of the said Debt hath ever since lain dormant.  
That the said Commission, with the Credentials, and the said authentic Copies of the Bonds concerning the Flanders-Debt, were in this manner redemanded and delivered, it doth appear under the said Sir Henry Vanes hand, as followeth, Viz.  

Sir, I have received a special command from His Majesty, to redemand of you the Letters and Orders you received for your Return to Brussels. Which I shall entreat you to deliver unto this Bearer my Secretary, without any further delay. And so I rest.  
Whitehall, the 31. of July, 1641. Is signed, Your assured loving friend, H. Vane.   

The Copy of the Receipt, viz.  
Received by the Order here above, from Sir Balthazar Gerbier, the Letters and Papers therein mentioned, to wit, A Commission to solicit the payment of Debts due by the States of Flanders: Four Letters of Credence; two to the Infant-Cardinal, one to the precedent Rose, and another to the Chancellor Boiscot; and Copies of the Bonds.  
witness my hand, this 3. of August 1641. Signed, Sidney bear.   
Hereby this particular Case is stated; The proceedings which have been formerly held thereon are manifested, and the cause of its having remained dormant ever since.  
The which in case it be renewed before the debtors may justly plead a Prescription, and before they shall have any other cause to pretend any other evasions: Then the said debtors may be so wise as to desire and seek to come to a Composition on the Total, before it amounteth to a further Increase: when as moreover they shall be induced to apprehend, that a Transportation of the said Debt might be made unto the French their Enemies.  
So likewise on the other side, may the French be called upon for the satisfying of the said Debt, since they possess the Town of Dunkirk, which in its own particular stands bound for the Debts liquidation.  
Finally, Your humble Remonstrant conceiveth, That as this States remaining silent as touching the said Claim, cannot stand this Commonwealth in stead in any regard whatsoever, nor cause that Nation to esteem it any more for the same: But to the contrary, if after the claiming of the said Debt, this Commonwealth shall think it fit to grant those States a favourable Composition thereon, a Forbearance, or an Acquittance of the Interest upon Interest; Then those People must needs acknowledge the perpetual Obligation which they will thereby owe for so considerable a Favour.  
FINIS.