A REPLY To the Danish Papers presented to the members of Parliament the 23 of February last, Concerning the Question: Whether England should not assist the Swede, as well as the Dutch do the Dane. Answered by a true English man.  
Sir  
YOu have desired to know, what the Swedish Party can answer for themselves and their King concerning the Papers which were offered to the Members of the Parliament in favour of the King of Denmark, to dissuade England from intermeddling in the quarrel which is between the Swede and him; to the end that both sides being heard, and the Circumstances of the Controversy being opened in a sober way and without passion and partiality, power of those that oppose you, is to make yourselves ridiculous, and to give the Cause lost. To conclude then, it is conceived that England must now either renounce wholly all Relation to the Protestant Cause, and give it up into the hands of the Enemy, or else appear, and that suddenly in this instant, in this way to uphold it.  
As for the Plea which the Papers make for Denmark and Holland, it is grounded upon four main Arguments, to which all particulars may be referred.  

1. Because (as they say) the King of Sweden is the unjust Invader and Oppressor of the Dane.  
2. Secondly, Because the States of Holland by their Interest in Trading in the Balthick Sea, and by their special League with the Dane, are bound to assist him.  
3. Thirdly, Because England is obliged by the Peace made with the Dane not to see him wronged.  
4. Fourthly, Because the States of Holland have communicated unto this State their design of succouring Denmark, and not being dissuaded from it, they did take silence for consent.   
Concerning the first; namely that the Swede hath invaded the Dane, is only said, but not proved; whereas the contrary is a most evident truth, as can be undeniably proved, namely that the Dane and the Dutch have, without any cause given to them by the Swede, most injustly invaded him, so that he is a mere Defendant of himself against them. For it is known to all the world, that when the Swede was engaged in the War with Poland, and also in League with Denmark and the Dutch, that the Dutch made a League with the Dantzikers to oppose him; that they and the Dane together brought a Fleet of Ships of War into the Balthick sea (the Dutch of forty and odd, the Dane of nine or ten sails, to show his dependence upon them) to overpower him: and that the Dutch sent soldiers unto Denmark to fight against him, that he might not settle in the possession of that which he had taken from his enemy; and when this was not enough to hinder him, both the Dutch and the Dane dealt with the Muscovite to assault him in Liefland, promising to stop all succour from Riga by sea, whiles he did besiege it by land; and when this would not yet sufficiently divert him, the Dane by the Hollanders instigation, (contrary to all Leagues formerly sworn and ratified between them, and notwithstanding all instances made by the Swede to treat, and offers to give all due satisfaction to the Dane, if any injury was done since the former League concluded) I say the Dane raised three potent Armies, and invaded the Swede in Bremen, and in Sweden itself both where it joins to Sconen, and where it borders upon Norway: and all this was done before the Swede shown the least Hostility against Denmark or the Dutch, nay whiles the Dutch were treating to renew or confirm their former Leagues with him at Elbing; nay, after they had obtained all their Demands, and had promised to ratify the Treaty: so that the breach having been made by the Dutch and Dane so many ways without any cause given by him, and after all satisfaction offered by Treaties, as is known to all that know any thing of these Transactions, it must be thought to be a wonderful impudence to call the Swede the Invader of Denmark, or to assert that he gave cause to the present breach which is between the Northern Kingdoms; for it had been madness in him to have given any cause of breaking with the Dane, when both the Pole and the Muscovite were joined against him. But the truth is, that at the persuasion of the Dutch, and upon their engagement to him to maintain with him the War against Sweden, the Dane broke the peace with Sweden, which the Danish Agent in the Hague hath publicly declared to their face, when they lingered to send his Master succour: the design then of the Dane was to take his time when the Swede was beset round with enemies in Poland, to invade him in his own Country, that he might be ruined at one instant, both at home and abroad; hoping by that means that the three Northern Crowns (as then the King of Denmark was heard to say) might again come upon one head, meaning his own; and indeed, in humane appearance it might have been so, if God had not wonderfully carried him along out of Poland, and brought him over the sea to march with an Army toward Coppenhagen to be revenged of the treachery which was used against him. These Truths are so undeniable, that no man can have a face to deny them; for this cause the Papers pass by the first occasion of the War, and would fasten the crime of an innvasion upon the Swede only since the Treaty concluded at Roskild, as if the Swede had without cause broken the Peace concluded there in February, 1657. But when the cause shall be weighed, as than it was, and as afterwards it fell out to be by the malice of the Dutch, and falsehood of the Danish, than it may be determined impartially, whether the Swede or the Dane did give cause to the continuance of the War. The case at that Treaty was a just defence of himself on the Swedish part, and a just Revenge against the Danish invasion, who had deserved to be dealt withal as he purposed to have dealt with the Swede, that is, to be deprived of all his Dominions, as he had designed to deprive the Swede thereof by his invasion; yet the Swede was so merciful to him, that when he had all in his power, he restored unto him more than be deserved: for contenting himself with such Territories as were a part of his security, he remitted unto him the money, the Soldiers and the Ships, etc. chief things, which by the conditions of Peace he was bound to furnish him withal, and so put him in a condition to live still as a King of Denmark, upon condition that he would be faithful to the League made between them in time to come, which was not to be leagued with his enemies any more, nor to contrive any further disturbance to his affairs, when he should be retired from him to march back again into Poland; But his back was no sooner turned, when he was in a posture to march into Poland, but the Confederacy of his enemies, the Brandenburg, the Dutch and the Austrian, with whom the Dane was also secretly comprehended, was discovered; for it was manifest that the Dutch had not gained their ends, neither at the Treaty of Elbing, nor at the Treaty of Roschild; this made them put to all their strength and Industry to bring over the Brandenburger to their Party, and to put the Dane upon a resolution with their help to regain what he had lost, to whom the Polish and Austrian assistance being joined, they lay the plot to compass their first ends at an after game. Of this design the Swede had undoubted discoveries, not only by the Danish not surrendering of the places necessary for his security in due time, according to conditions, but by the Transactions which he found agreed upon amongst these Confederetes, to work his ruin by besetting him on all sides before and behind; for which cause he was necessitated to prevent the unavoidable danger wherewith he was threatened, by shutting the backdoor, and providing for his own safety; so that the effect of the Treaty of Roschild not being performed, but violated by the Dane, there was no new invasion made by the Swede upon the Dane, but the former defensive War was continued, Nam durat bellum, dum belli causa durat; nec pro Aggressore habendus est, qui primus ferit, sed qui causam dat feriendi; which is manifest by the immediate effect of their Confederacy; for the Swede no sooner went back again to make sure the passage of the Sound for his own safety, but all these Confederates were instantly in Arms against him; by which it was apparent, that their designs had been form before hand: So that if there had been no more in the Case but that the Dutch having made the Treaty of Elbing void by their own default of Ratification, and being justly excluded from the mediation at the Treaty of Roschild, and the Dane being still in League with them who were his chief enemies, and who had more power to do him mischief through the Sound then the Dane himself there was an absolute necessity that the Swede should secure himself from the invasion which was prepared against him; by all which it doth appear, that both first and last the Swede is the Defendant and oppressed, and not the Aggressor; and that the Dutch are the Original cause, and the Fomenters of all this War, and all to maintain their pretended Interest of Trade into the Balthick sea by force, when they might have done it by amiable agreements, both for themselves and their friends the Dantzikers.  
Concerning the second Argument, which is taken from the Interest of the Dutch, that their Trade in the Balthick sea should be maintained in Peace, Wars being prejudicial thereunto; and that the respective Northern Kings should be maintained in their Kingdoms and Territories; to which effect they say, That they did first contract with Sweden a defensive League and Alliance in the year 1640, and afterward to the same end made another Defensive League with the King and Kingdom of Denmark, with the approbation of Sweden in the year 1649. by which they are obliged to assist him, and in conformity to that Obligation have sent their Fleet to relieve him, as they say.  
First, It is to be granted, that their Trade in the Balthick Sea is one of their great concernments, and that Wars ordinarily are prejudicial to Trade, is also a Truth: but if so, than their conscience ought to be searched and tried upon these Interrogatories.  
1. Why they did stir up War in the Balthick Sea?  
2. Why they did stir up the Dane to break his Covenants with the Swede, after that they brought a strong Fleet of men of War into the Sea?  
3. Why they did not secure their Trade by amiable Treaties with the Swede, as well now, as formerly they did with the King Gustavus Adolphus?  
4. Why they did make themselves his Enemy in the Polish War? had it not been better for all Protestants to have had a Protestant Prince there then a Jesuited Papist?  
Therefore the Allegation and Plea for Peace being so directly contrary to their manifest practice, showeth that either this pretence is a Politic Deceit, under the colour whereof they seek something else, or else they think all men fools, and not able to discern the Language of their actions, which speak clearly another thing, namely, that having set their Northern Kings one against another, they would weaken them so that both should fall under their power, whereupon they would be able to command the Trade at their own pleasure: for when the Dane should not be able to subsist without them, and the Swede should be ruined by them, than they should do what they would in the Trade; And all Intelligent men can see that their actions all along speak nothing else but this. It is true, that their great concernment is Trade in the Balthick Sea: and it is also true, that Wars are ordinarily prejudicial to Trade, namely when they cannot manage the War to their own advantage; but if by War they can hinder all others from Trading besides themselves, or that none can Trade without their leave, (as now in the Indies they have begun to do) than War is so far from being prejudicial to Trade, that it becomes the only advantage thereof; and that their presumption is such that they mean, to carry it this way is clear, not only by all their proceed hitherto, and by their care that England should not intermeddle (which is only able to break this Design) but by their Resolution expressed in opposition to England's intermeddling, by these words used in their Consultation concerning England, Aut caedas aut cedas, either beat or give way. By all which it appears, as also by the Letter which their Ambassador Van Beuning wrote to his Masters the States, that the name of Peace is indeed in their mouth, but nothing but War in their heart, Counsels and Actions; and which above all this is yet so much the more evident, because that since the time that the public Ministers of England and France have at the Hague dissuaded the States from promoting the War in the Sound, declaring in the name of their Masters that it would be taken as promoting it against themselves, they have made greater preparations for War then ever, by levying an extraordinary Contribution to maintain it; and preparing a greater Fleet than any heretofore to employ in it: and yet they would have the world so blind and foolish, as to believe that no such thing is intended.  
As concerning their Leagues with Denmark and Sweden (for they allege 1649. before 1640) they prostitute their Credit very shamefully in that business; because they mention only their Obligation to Denmark, whereas their League with Sweden is more ancient than that with Denmark; and than it was a double League; one in 1640. and another in 1645. and both very strict and special for mutual Defence, whereas the League with Denmark was but in general terms, and made with consent of Sweden, so that in it nothing is concluded to the prejudice of Sweden; but in their League with Sweden there is particular mention made of the Dane by name, as being complained of that he had many ways transgressed Contra Jus Gentium, Pacta, Conventa, & morem ab antiquo observatum, which they never yet could say of the Swedes; but chief it is observable that in the forenamed League whereas on the Swedish side France and the Princes of Germany, and on the Dutch side, France, England and Venice are comprehended as Confederates, Denmark is left out by both parties, which in the League between them and Denmark cannot be in reference to Sweden, seeing it was made with the consent of England and Sweden: not did that League respect only the occasion of the War then composed between the two Crowns, whereof mention is made in the first and second Articles, but it relates to future times, as in the third Article appears: Si post modium alia quacunque de causa & praetextu Sm. Rm. Mtem. & Regnum Swesiae & Ei subjectas Provincias & subditos bello adoriatur, which in the sixth Article is thus enlarged,  neuter alterutrius hostem (nempe imprimis Danum contra quem Foedus intendebatur) qui nunc est in praesens hostis, aut deinceps existere poterit, consilio, , pecunia, commeatu, milite, Navibus, nautis, armis, pulvere pyrio aut munitionibus ullisve rebus bellicis adjuvet; and all this was confirmed by an express Treaty of warranty or Security for 49 years from that time forward, with these plain words: Si quid à Rege Daniae ejusve successoribu● aut Ministris in alterutrius Partis Subditorum prejudicium ac detrimentum actum, & Pactis contraventum fuerit, nec amice ademonitus Rex Daniae emendaverit, Pactisque satisfecerit, ex praescripto initi Foederis hujusq promissi opem laturi sunt. So that the Dutch are guilty of a threefold breach of Covenant against the Swedes. 1. That they did not assist the Swede when the Dane did so treacherously invade him, as hath been showed. 2. That they themselves did stir up the Dane to invade Sweden, as also hath been made to appear. 3. That they have assisted Denmark against Sweden, when according to their own and all men's Confession the Dane was the Aggressor and Invader of Sweden; for when the King of Sweden was the first time in Holstein, before ever he came into Zealand, they did send to the Dane money, Soldiers, Ships, and all other things, whatever they could send, and he desired of them.  
And whereas in this place, they make mention of the Treaty of Elbing to blame the King of Sweden, that he did wave it upon a pretence that some preliminar Declarations were first to be made, and assurances given; and in the mean time on the ninth of August, 1658. he went unto the Island of Zealand, this is like all the rest; for it is to be noted that the Treaty of Elbing was concluded between the. Swede and the Dutch Ambassadors on the first of September, 1656. then the Ratification, was promised to be made by the Stater within some few months; but they performed not their promise but protracted the time till the King of Sweden went into Zealand which was two whole years, wanting three weeks 〈…〉 is, till the ninth of August, 58. Then when 〈…〉 Miracle was become Master of Zealand, they 〈…〉 ●●●rication of their own accord, when as before that 〈◊〉 the Swede had urged them almost a hundred times to send it with much entreaty; whereupon when it came being too late, it was justly refused to be accepted till some preliminary Declarations should be made, and assurances given to prevent future juggle, which formerly they had used on their part; and yet this is now alleged as a great wrong done to them that the League was not confirmed, when they themselves were the only cause of it by delaying the Ratification, that they might deal underhand with the Moscovite and with Denmark to betray the Swede, whiles they pretended to treat with him: which Treaty was indeed altogether (if they had been honest) needless, because there were two Leagues in full force between them at that time: but they proposing a confirmation of these Leagues, the King would not refuse it, but was extreme willing to have it done, seeing it would have secured him against the Dane; but their Design was only to propose it to make him more secure, and the better to colour their perfidious dealing in stirring up enemies against him; so that it is to be wondered they should have the impudence now to allege for their justification a thing so notoriously shameful and known to all the World to have been a colour of their Treachery.  
The third Argument alleged concerning the League between England and Denmark, is all of a piece with the former. For the Dane sent Ambassadors into England to Treat for a League before the War broke forth between the Parliament and Holland: this he did not so much for himself, ss to serve the turn of the Dutch; that is to help them to deceive the Parliament; for when the Treaty was even upon concluding, the Dane arrested without any colour or pretence of Justice, the English Fleet in the Sound to gratify the Hollanders who were resolved to break with England. So under the pretence of a Treaty he favoured the Dutch designs of weakening England by sea. Then when the War was at an end, the Dutch who promised to save him harmless, made conditions for him with England, and made restitution of damages for the ships and goods arrested. Thus the Dane was nothing in all his applications to England but the Vassal of the Dutch to do their work: and now in the War with Sweden he must be their drudge to bear the burden of their Interest; therefore the Leagues made with him are broken by him, or kept at their pleasure. Now if he and they have had no conscience to break all their Leagues with Sweden, who is the Confederate of England, without any communication of Counsel with this State, or without any endeavour to have matters of differerce (if any were) composed, nay against all fair offers of satisfaction, in case of wrong done; I say, if the Dane hath thus behaved himself in the observing of that League, in a manner as if it had not been, I see not any Obligation lying upon England to favour him for it; for England had no respect unto him but for the Dutch-sake, nor did he ever respect England but upon their account at that time: Whereas in all former occasions he hath showed himself rather an Enemy than a Friend to this State; and in this occasion he hath made himself the Chief Enemy to the Protestant Cause, which is the great & main Interest of England to have it supported; for this is the great Wheel upon which all the Leagues which England hath with Foreigners, and chief with Protestants, do turn and are grounded; so that if any State doth overthrow that Interest, which Denmark in this Case hath endeavoured to do, the Obligation which England hath unto it, must cease, because the Foundation of it is made void; therefore the Dane at this time having done this, England should be so far from assisting him, that it ought rather to help him to receive his just reward, which is, that he should suffer that which he hath endeavoured to bring upon his harmless Neighbour.  
The last Argument is, that the Dutch having communicated their design to assist Denmark with England, they were not dissuaded from it; but it silently was assented unto; whereupon the Admiral Opdam was sent thither, and did not of set purpose, but occasionally come to fight with the Swedes; seeing the State's intention was to work out a peaceable agreement, whereunto the concurrence of England was desired. Now to show that there is no more truth in this then in all the fore going Allegations: let us examine first that which doth concern Opdam by the action itself, and his behaviour in performing of it. First, the preparation of so many fireships which Opdam brought along with him, shows that a fight was purposely intended to destroy the Swedish Fleet; And the Instructions which he had from the States his Masters, whereof a Copy was found in the Vice-admirals' Wit Wittson his Cabinet, * Sub Lit. A. whose ship was taken by the Swedes, do show that he was charged in express terms to destroy the Swedish Fleet in whole or in part, wherever he should meet with it; Nor is there any one word of any peaceable transaction mentioned therein: And indeed Opdam his behaviour in passing through the Sound was answerable thereunto; for when the King of Sweden had sent a Message unto him, before he did enter into the Sound to know the purpose of his coming thither, he returned him no answer, but sent the Letter and Message which came from him with a Galiot to his Masters, and in the mean time came on towards the Sound, and when he came within it, his behaviour was altogether hostile; for having cast Anchor directly over against the Castle of Chronenburg, and being saluted by it in a friendly manner, he returned to it no friendly re-salutation, but the wind serving him favourably, he fell directly upon the Swedish Fleet with whole broadsides to overthrow it, which accordingly they so answered, that the Dutch have had no cause to boast of a Victory, although in Holland they made the people believe so. And this will suffice to show the falsehood of that which is alleged, concerning the purpose of their Fleet in going to the Sound.  
As concerning their Intention of Peace, wherein they should have desired England to concur with them, that is no more true than the reft; for at the same time when this Intention was held forth unto England, it is known that in Holland a Fleet was preparing of 200. Sails, not to bring the Anstrian, Brandenburgish and Polish Forces into Zealand and Tunen only, but even into Schonen, and over the Swedish Frontiers, whereupon Letters were sent unto the Dane to dissuade him from all Treaties of Peace with the Swede, promising him that they would employ their whole might in the quarrel; and to this effect the two hundreth penny was yielded unto, for which a long time had been endeavoured, which without a great and urgent concernment would never have been granted, and which doth amount to many Millions; and the design of these preparations was openly given out in Holland to bring England under the Command of Holland at sea, to receive the Law from them, and to cut off the Correspondency which might be between England and Sweden; whereupon the words formerly mentioned, Aut Caedas aut Cedas, were made use of to declare their design towards England: And were not these peaceable intentions? Were they not amiable Purposes with which England should concur, and at which it should sit still and be silent?  
But that at the communication of their design of sending a Fleet into the Sound to assist the Dane, there was no such silent Assent given by England, as they pretend, is manifest by that which is publicly known, concerning the Remonstrance which the French Ambassador and English Resident made jointly unto the States about this very business, declaring unto them, that if they did proceed in a hostile way to oppose the Swede, that it would be taken by their Masters as done unto themselves, would and accordingly resent it. It is not unknown to the world what the Heroic designs and intentions of the late Lord Protector of blessed memory were, what esteem he had of the King of Sweden, and how well he wished him success, and intended the Welfare of the Evangelical Cause in all his Enterprises; therefore it will be understood by all that knew him, that he never would be silent, or seem to give any assent unto such a Communication: therefore this Allegation is a manifest Calumny against his upright meanings; and the contrary is most evidently true, that he hath both publicly and privately, both here and in Holland made it known and declared, that if they did not alter their Purpose, he would also put himself in a posture to cross them therein; and if his untimely sickness and death had not prevented the effect of his Resolutions, perhaps the Dutch before this time would have seen it; but since his death, his Highness who now is treading in the glorious steps of his renowned Father, hath showed by the effects that England doth not intent to connive and to be silent at such a threacherous design, whereby for covetous ends the Protestant-Interest in Europe will not only be undermined, bat directly overthrown, if the Swede be ruined in favour of those who for self-ends make no conscience of breaking Leagues, and concur even to betray the common Cause into the hands of the professed enemies thereof, with whom they confederate themselves to fight against it; and how far the Dutch have joined themselves with Spain to this effect against the Interest of their ancient friends, and concur with the house of Austria in Germany to strengthen him against the Protestant Party, God to whom these Papers in the Close have made an Appeal, doth see and will judge: and as hitherto he hath not altogether connived at their Juggling with their friends in their Treaties, but hath turned all their craftiness and plots into folly, and taken them in their own devices; (for he knoweth the secrets of hearts) so it will be their wisdom henceforth to learn plainer dealing, and not to lift their horn on high, nor to speak with a stiff neck, as their custom is, and hath been: which I shall beseech the Lord in Mercy to grant unto them for their own good, that yet they may partake of the Blessings which the God of Righteousness hath in store for those that walk uprightly and humbly in his presence; and this shall be all the evil that I shall wish them.   

Lit. A. The Copy of the Order to the State's Admiral Opdam intercepted.  
My Lord,  
I Have acquainted their High and Mighty Lordships with the Clausule your Lordship mentioned in your Letter of the second Current, wherein your Lordship referreth to consideration, whether you ought not to be ordered, that in case Coppenhagen should be surrendered, you should notwithstanding fall upon the Swedish Fleet wherever you could find them, and if possible, ruin same? Whereupon their High and Mighty Lordships have thought good to command me to give you notice, (which by Virtue of their Order these presents do give you) that it is the intention of their High and Mighty Lordships, that the Tenor of the sixth Article of your Instruction should be executed without any respect; not only if Coppenhaguen should yet hold out, but likewise if the same should be taken, according as your Lordship shall plainly see out of the Orders of the State's General, which ere long shall be sent to your Lordship's hands. In the mean while your Lordship may assure your self by these presents in the name of their High and Mighty Lordships, that in case Coppenhaguen should be lost, and any opportunity present itself to be Master, or spoil and ruin the Swedish Fleet, your Lordshig laying hold on such an occasion should do well, and by so acting, deserve Commendation and Honour; and contrariwise, if any such opportunity should be neglected, your Lordship should expect nothing but disgrace and blame; To which purpose these presents are only intended, the which I now conclude.  
Hague, the 19 of Octob. 1658. This Letttr was read and approved of by their High and Mighty Lordships in a full Assembly. JOHAN de WITTE.