THE KING OF SCOTS LETTER TO THE STATES of HOLLAND, CONCERNING Their present Design and Engagement against England: With His Desires touching the same; and His Resolution to venture Life and Fortune with them.  
Also, a Declaration of the Hollanders, for His defence and preservation; the raising of 40000 fight men; and a new Commission given to the Lord Admiral Vantrump, to fight, sink, bur●, and take, all English ships that wears not His Colours.  
London, Printed for George Horton, 1652.   

THE KING OF SCOTS LETTER TO THE States of Holland, touching their present Engagement against the Commonwealth of England; And a Declaration of the Hollanders for the said King, etc.  
Most High and Mighty Lords,  
WHereas every Age breeds some exorbitant spirits, who turn the edge of their own sufficiency, upon whatsoever they can devour in their ambitious apprehensions, seeking rather a great then a good fame, and holding it the chiefest honour to be thought the wonder of their Times; which if they attain unto, ●s but in the cordition of Monsters, that are generally much admired, but more abhorred. Friendship is of that nature, as it always desires to be entertained with mutual good Offices: therefore we must not suffer it to grow cold (by being too long nonresident) for coldness is a degree of deadness.  
They that are to make Demands or Requests to their friends, must regard how the same may stand with the safety of their friends, that their motions and requests may stand with their honour and surety to accord unto it. Good purposes as well in Princes, as private men, have many hinderers; therefore, when the commodities, or discommodities of taking or refusing are once throughly weighed, a speedy resolution is the best to cut off such inconveniences that delay of time commonly bringeth.  
MY LORDS,  
Our desire is, That all your Counsels and Consultations, may abound with abundanee of alacrity and spirit, in all your procedures, which now lie floating, in this juncture of time: Indeed, it is great wisdom in Councillors of State to make haste leisurely: State alterations are best gradual: It is less danger to anticipate occasion, then to fore slow it; And a practical point of policy, either in Prince or States, to prepare for war, when they propound for peace; by reason, That the best Treaty is with a drawn Sword; and the safest Peace is concluded under a Buckler. In a word, Necessity of fight, doubles courage in the soldier; and an impossibility of escape adds spirit to the coward: And far better it is, to build him a silver bridge to invite him to go, than Bulworks of earth to necessitate him to stay: As for Our part, upon Our return from the Diet of the Christian Princes, We shall be willing to expose Life and Fortune with You, in discussing of Your Rights and Title.  
Dated, July 3. 1652.  
This Letter, with the enclosed, was sent from one of the Royal Stamp, who gives out, That the States have renewed and enlarged Vantrumps Commission, to fight, kill, take, and make prize of any English Vessels whatsoever not having the K. of Scots Colours. He is to ship the residue of the standing Army and 40000 are said to be listed for a Reserve.   

A Declaration of the Hollanders, touching their present Engagement, etc.  
WHereas Unity within itself felicifies, and perpetuates; so civil discord demolishes, and destroys the very being of a Commonwealth; that Body being in great danger that bleeds inwardly; for long settled humours give foment to the distemper when it breaks forth, and prolongs the cure when it seeks remedy: Indeed, it is a perilous weakness in a State to be slow of resolution in the time of war: To be irresolute in determination, is both the sign and ruin of a weak State: such affairs attend not time: let the wise states man abhor delay, and resolve rather what to do, than what to say: slow deliberations in a quick business are symptoms either of a faint courage, weak forces, or false hearts. And to the end, that we may declare to the World, a detestation of these Odiums, let Us endeavour to take from our Country all scruples that may dis-invite it to a necessity of defence: Whom the fear of slavery necessitates to fight, the boldness of their Resolution will disadvantage the Assailants, and deficilitate their design: sense of Necessity justifies the War, and they are hopeful in their Arms which have no other hope but in their Arms. 'Tis our own case even in this juncture of time; and therefore let Us unanimously resolve to enter into a firm Union and Protestation, for the defence and preservation of our liberties and freedom, and to assist each other, with the hazard of lives, fortunes, and estates, by exposing all that is near and dear unto us, ●n pursuance thereof: In order whereunto, We the Estates and Lords Provincial of the Province of Zealand, do here send greeting to all the rest of the United Provinces, To desire them with one mutual consent to rise as one man, in the defence and vindication of our National Liberties, and to be aiding and assisting, both in moneys & provisions, out of the public Banks, and Treasure-houses, for maintenance of the Navy, raised for the defence and safety of our ancient Rights, Liberties, and Customs.  
Signed, 

Lord Van-Ers.  
Lord Schaep.  
Lord Orphinstrange.    
FINIS.