THE Peacemaker. BEING A Letter sent from J. W. in London to N. C. his Friend and Countryman in Holland, to be communicated unto others for public good Wherein is set forth the state of the last Treaty: And what advantage it will be to the Netherlanders, to accept the offer which the Council of England then made to their Messengers. PSALM. 120.7. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war. Being according to the Dutch Copy. LONDON, Printed by M: Simmons in Aldersgate-street, next door to the gilded Lion, 1653. THE Peacemaker. Being a Letter sent from J. W. in London, to N. C. his Friend & Countryman in Holland, to be communicated unto others for public good. Myne-Heer. THE singular and sincere affection which I bear to my Native Country, that our liberty, lives, laws, and exercise of the Protestant Religion, (redeemed with a sea of blood and millions of Treasure from the sword and tyranny of the Spaniard) may not at once be lost and swallowed up either through a crafty design of some seeking themselves, and their own corrupt Interest, or through the ignorance and misunderstanding of other men. I have of late made it purposely my work seriously to search into the transactions and passages of things between the two S●tates, and so to inform myself of the most expedient and ready way and course to prevent all further Warts and blood: and how instead of raising more Forces one against the other, that a happy and blessed peace speedily may be made. I know there are too many amongst you, who by misreporting things to the people, do endeavour to heighten the difference: But for my part, I shall deliver nothing but what is truth and certain; as well knowing there is seasonable and good counsel here tendered to you all, if the Lord move your hearts effectually to embrace it. I shall not meddle with what hath passed between the States here and our former Ambassadors, but speak only to the present mttter of the last Treaty. The Council of the late Parliament insisted only upon two things. 1 Satisfaction. 2 Security. The which by them was thought to be most proper, necessary, and convenient as a manuduction to a Treaty for Amity between the two Republics. The same particulars afterward did the present Council desire to proceed upon: but this our Messengers refused, & were unwilling to do, propounding to have them come after the 36. Articles for Amity, and so to be taken in and debated. The Lords of the Council here manifested their unwillingness, to wave either the one or the other, as having in their understanding good reason & cause for it. First, they were not willing to decline their Claim in point of satisfaction: alleging. 1 That it stood with the rules of Justice and Equity contained in the Moral Law of God and nature, and sound natural Reason, That wrongs ought to be repaired. 2 That the charge of the Wars ought to be born by the wrong doers: A thing undeniable, and no more than what is just, and all States will demand and expect in their own Cause. 3 To decline the claim of satisfaction, it was (they said) to wave the right of their Cause, and in a sort to make themselves transgressors, which they could not do. Again, for the other particular, namely matter of security: Here likewise the Council gave their Reasons wherefore they desired it. 1 Because it would be no way for their safety & good to end the present difference by a Peace, if nothing were done to secure it. 2 Because we broke first with them, or rather fell upon them, whilst the Amity between us and them continued, yea whilst our Ambassadors were treating with them, of a strict League and Union, and had no thought of engaging us. Another Reason why they desired Security, was, because formerly we had made it our Interest to differ with them, and several times took advantage thereby, both at home and in foreign parts to their loss and prejudice many ways very much. These and such like were the Reasons which the Lords of the Council gave our Messengers, why they were not willing (neither could according to the trust of the Commonwealth committed to them) wave their Claim either to the matter of satisfaction or security. Our Agents perceiving that the States of England stood so fast and fixed, and would not decline the particulars, desired then to know what security they would have of them, as in what way, and how to be given. To this their Answer was, that they knew not for their part any better way or course in order to a lasting and profitable Peace, for the good and safety of both Nations, then by a Coalition, that is, the two States to become one entire Republic. And if this would be accepted by the Netherlanders, we should soon see how real and sincere they were for Peace and Amity, and how much they intended and sought the welfare and prosperity of our Nation, as no less every way then their own. Moreover, that it should appear, if this proffer would be accepted, they minded our happiness and good indeed, in not standing upon the quantum of satisfaction, but would use so much reason and moderation, as ourselves should be willing to it, and be no way loser's, but gainers rather by it. And that we might not startle, or take offence in their propounding this way for Peace, by a Coalition, or making the two Republics one sole and entire Commonwealth, they made it to appear most plainly to our Messengers, that the gain and advantage following this Conjunction, would not be theirs, but ours abundantly, and that in many respects and Considerations. And to say the truth, it cannot be otherwise, and therefore I most earnestly wish and desire, that my Countrymen every where were rightly and well informed concerning this particular, to wit, what cer●… profit our Nation may expect, by a willing and thank full embracing of this large and loving tender of the English, and not suffer ourselves to be any longer deluded, and become a prey to such men, who seek not the safety and public good of our Country, but to carry on their own design, not regarding what becomes of the Nation, if it perish, it perish. And to the end we may not repent when it is too late, but know the things which belong unto our peace in this our day: there are five things which I desire by you, may be communicated to all my Countrymen every where. First, how much it will be for our good, if England and the Netherlands be united and made one Commonwealth, this appears 1 It is well known what a numerous people we are, and how straightened and locked up (as it were) by reason of that small portion of land we have. Whereas being one with England, and free Denizens, our Territories will be larger, and we in a capacity to plant ourselves either in England, Scotland, or Ireland, where we shall live fart better, and more comfortably than now we do, there being land enough for us, and places most proper and fit for our condition, as to improve to our great advantage, all which we know to be true by experience already. 2 We are not ignorant of the usefulness & commodiousness of their ports and Havens; all which being ours as theirs, what infinite gain and profit we shall have by them in our trade continually, is not unknown to our Nation. 3 For the great trade of fishing upon the Coast of Great Britain, and what wealth and profit is gotten thereby, no nation knows better than ours, nor have had more profit thereby then we. Indeed this very thing duly weighed, is enough to move us all to accept their proffer, and doth plainly demonstrate, that such as endeavour to obstruct the same are Enemies and Traitors to the wellbeing of our Nation. 4. Whereas there belongs to the Commonwealth of England many foreign Islands and Plantions which do afford several rich Commodities, for us to Trade freely to them, and no otherwise then the English do, our gain will be great which we shall have continually thereby. 5. By this Coalition we shall be the better strengthened against all Enemies, whether nearer or farther off: Manage our Trade abroad the better, and live at home (where ever our dwellings are) the safer, and without disturbance or molestation. 6. Our Country will be much enriched by the Commodities which England affords, besides what we bring from other Nations, by carrying the same into England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. will be no small gain both to our Merchants and Mariners in point of Trade. Secondly, if we consider of the present condition of the Commonwealth of England, there is no cause (no necessity at least) on their part to unite with us: for though there be a necessity (as we shown before) for us to be one with them, yet they without us can do well enough, and they need us not; this we prove, 1. Because their Territories are so large and abounding with all necessaries as to food and raiment, for the preservation of mankind, & they can live prosperously and happily without the supplies and Commodities of other Countries, (specially ours) the which we cannot do. 2. Such hath been the Lord's powersul presence with them, both by Land and Sea, so clearly hath he owned hitherto, and born witness to the justness of their Cause in many unparallelled and glorious Characters. as all Nations round about them, taking notice thereof, would willingly have Peace and Amity with them: Yea no doubt, even Spain, France, Denmark, etc. would gladly enter by copulation and Treaty, into strict League, both offensive and defensive, though it were to leave us to shift for ourselves. 3. Such is their present strength and power both at Land and Sea, and the vast Treasure and Wealth of the Nation, both to maintain and enlarge the same, as they see occasion, that they need no addition from us, either of men, money, shipping, ammunition, etc. but are herein sufficiently stored and furnished themselves, to carry on the work which they have in hand both at home and abroad. 4. Howsoever our people for many reasons have encouragement to plant themselves in the Commonwealth of England, yet there is no such encouragement for them (specially the Husbandman) to live amongst us, we having no land to spare whereby to better their outward condition. 5. Seeing the Lord hath made them every where successful in their Wars, and given them peace round about, made their Dominion and Territories so large, it would be much more for their ease, contentment, quietness, to sit still and peaceably possess what they have, then by joining with us, to contract more labours and care, there being nothing else which they can expect, in reference unto us, but troubles and but thence by the Coalition. Thirdly, as the gain of this Union will be ours, and theirs: so not being accepted on our part, our sufferings thereby will be many and great. For 1. Our trade every day by continuance of War will be weakened and lessened, whereby our Merchants will be broken Labourers, and Tradesmen impoverished, houses worth little or nothing, and so a common calamity suddenly spread the whole land over. 2. Divisions, Factions, and intestine Tumults (already broiling amongst us) will be heightened and increased every day: so that in a little while there will be no need of a foreign Enemy to invade us; for through the Commotions arising & growing among ourselves, we shall shortly devour and destroy each other. 3. Neither can we imagine, but besides the fearsull sword of War within and without, a sore destroying famine will be in all our Cities; for if tnis breach between us and England be not healed, our provisions will be stopped, and the Nation exposed to such want and penury, as we must be constrained to sell ourselves for bread. 4. Whereas our Country flourished by reason of many Foreigners living amongst us, as English, French, Germans, Danes, etc. by which means great profit and trade was brought to us. All those (if possible) will speedily return to their own Countries, a prejudice and loss to our Nation beyond measure, as we see already in part by sad experience. 5. It is well known with what difficulty and hardships our former Navy was raised; what a stir there was to get men, money, ships, provisions; how discontented the people were to have such taxes and heavy but thence laid upon them, now who sees not, but it will be more difficult hereafter, even impossible, the people not being able to do as formerly they did: For Trading ceasing, and Famine like an armed man coming upon us, what can be done, but mourn to behold such desolation. 6. For Spain or France, what may we expect from them, but if brought low by the English, they will endeavour to enlarge their Territories upon us, and lay our necks under the yoke of their tyranny. Whereas by joining with England, we shall retain our freedom, and need not fear any such oppression: Besides for the Dane, if he would, he cannot stead us, being no otherwise than an Egyptian Reed, not to be trusted to, nor leaned on. 7. Not only is our Navy weakened by a great number of ships, some sunk, others taken, but our chiefest and choifest Mariners either slain or prisoners: Besides, such a fear and dread of the English is fallen upon our Nation, Soldiers, Sailors and all, as there is not among an hundred, one (almost) willing to engage again. And whereas there is so much complaint made against some of our Capt. for cowardliness; this I take to be, not so much a natural fear or dastardness in them, as the just hand of God upon us and our Fleet, speaking to us as it were from heaven, that we should not fight against England, and that good Cause for which they have engaged, but accept of Peace in the terms propounded to us. I come now to the fourth head or consideration: As by this Coalition, the gain would be only ours, and much danger prevented: So it is worth the observing, that this will bring loss and damage to no man, but every one will be the better; none (I say) suffer or be the worse by it. It is true, the vain title of High and Mighty States may be laid aside, as not fit indeed, not proper for poor Creatures, dust and ashes to assume; but Attributes rather to be given to the High and Mighty God. Besides, it is probable that the common people would more sweetly enjoy their liberty and freedom, and not be kept under by so Lordly and Arbitrary power as now they are. For the great business of the English Council is to remove all such things as are opptessive and destructive to the lives, liberties, persons and estates of the Nation, and to establish such who some and good Laws as may conduce to a full and perfect freedom. Hence it is that the people here are much encouraged to bring in their just Complaints concerning any Grievance or Oppression which lies upon them, and great care is taken for a speedy and effectual removal thereof. Whereas amongst us, no door is left open to have bad Laws and worse Customs abolished, but what formerly hath been ostablished, right or wrong, that is still held up, and no care taken for the satisfaction and ease of the people therein. In this regard therefore it is greatly to be desired that the Lord would open the eyes of our Countrymen to see how extremely they are abused by some in power among them, who for no other cause or end endeavour to continue the War, and imbrue our Nation in blood, out only to keep up themselves in state, pomp, pride, and to Lord it over their brethren: This I say again, and it is as clear as the Sun at noonday, that there is not any other imaginable Reason, why our General and Provincial States accept not of Peace offered to them by the Council of England, but because they alone will domineer and will vot let fall that sole Rule and Domination which they have formerly exercised over the people: As for any other inconvenience or loss I am sure there is none: no loss or inconvenience to the people at all, but good many ways. And here I hearty desire my Countrymen to consider what sollie and madness it is for them to assist their Superiors in this War against England. What, my dear Friends and Brethren, will ye shed your blood? spend your treasures? utterly undo yourselves? your Wives? Children? Posterity? only to satisfy the lusts of some sew ambitious persons? Is it not better, that the title of High and Mighty States doth fall, and these with it, that esfect it, than the whole Nation should be undone, by espousing so dishonourable, unjust, and bad a Cause? The fifth and last Consideration which I shall commend to you, and by you to the Nation, it is First, That you would observe who the persons be which are Obstructers and Enemies to this good ●ender of the English. 2. The deceitful ways and devices which they use to contirue the bleody War between the two Nations. 3. What their drift, end, and design is in all. For the persons, no doubt they are such as are not well-affected to either Nation, but desire the hurt of both: Hence it is, that Rome hath her Jesuits amongst you, Spain and France their Boutesues or Fling-fires, the Prince of Orange his Foction, and the titular King of Scotland his Incendiaries; all which like Sampsons' Foxes, with sirebrands at their tails, endeavouring to burn our Country, desiring rather to see our Towns and Cities laid waste, than England and the Netherlands happily united into one flourishing Commonwealth. Neither are our Magistrates there without guilt and sin in this particular; but some of them prostrate the blood and treasure of our Nation to satisfy the lusts of other States. Some again, either through a base fear lest they should be displaced, or an ambitious desite to keep up their Hogen. Mogen Title, join with the rest in their evil do. Thus through the covetousness of the one, and pride of the other, the poor people are like sheep led to the slaughter. 2. For the deceitful and sinful ways used by these Incendiaries, whereby to carry on their evil design, I am ashamed and blush to think of them: It is such a dishonour and scandal to our Nation: 1. By falsehood, making lies their resuge. Hence it is, that in your Letters and printed News which we have from thence, we find continually such abominable untruths, as if we were a Nation which knew not God, nor ever heard of his righteous Judgements thratned against Liars. Is there no way to hearten and keep up the spirits of our people, but by false relations, as to boast of Victories when we are bearen? to report the Enemy's losses to be such, when it is neither so nor so? What is this for? but a design of some men, to deceive and blind the people, that they may not hearken to Peace, but run on into unavoidable mischief and misery. 2. By Pasquil's and Libels, and setting forth base pictures and scurrilous forgs, whereby some seek to render this State contemptible to the world, and to exasperate the Common people there against this Nation, a practice most unseemly in any civil people, and no where else I believe practised in any Christian Common wealth. 3. By misreporting the loving tenders and proffers of this State for Peace, as publishing what was never said, and concealing in the mean time the truth of things. Hence it is, that our people there are made to believe, that the Council of England hath no inclination to Peace; that their Demands are unreasonable, and impossibilities. Whereas No Nation under heaven doth more desirously desire Amity than the English with us, and what they do propound is the only course (in the judgement of all judicious and men) for the security of both, away to remove all emulation, and to make our Nation really happy. So that I am very confident, if my Countrymen did truly understand how things have passed here, what desire this Nation hath to Peace, and how good for us all the thing is which is propounded, they would not any longer follow their Superiors to War, but rise up as one man, and immediately become one Common wealth with England. Lastly, As the Incendiaries in your Council there are divers, so they have several designs. Some act to raise up the House of Orange, and under pretence of his greatness and Authority, make account to reap no small advantage. Others more in reference to Charles Stuart, as thinking to rise by raising him. Others are secretly in pay, and promise with France, and others with Spain, every one driving forward his own Interest, as hoping by the continuance of this War, to profit their Masters and themselves too. Thus is our poor Country rend and torn by the treacherous and crafty designs of these several Factions, every one seeking himself and his own Interest, not regarding in the mean time what ruin and desolation befalls the Nation. Is it not therefore high time, that my Countrymen would awake, and lie no longer asleep and secure, through the deceit and hypocrisy of such crafty men, who like Vipers seek to eat out the Bowels of their own Mother, and that they take care for their own peace and safety, which is immediately to make peace with England upon the terms propounded. Moreover, that it may appare how hearty and really the English Nation hath desired peace with us, and that there might be no more effusion of blood between the two Nations. The Council desired our last Messengers, if they liked not this way of Security by Coalition, they should then propound any better way unto them, which they never did, but lay still fishing at this state, as to get out what they could; so that it is most evident and clear, that what they did, was only to make some advantage upon what might be offered, but had no mind, neither they nor their Superiors, who sent them, to have a good and lasting peace with the Commonwealth of England, unless it be such a one as cannot be condescended to, neither with the glory of God, nor honour, nor safety to the people of this Nation, no nor really to the happiness and prosperity of our own Country. Thus I have, as with much brevity, so in sincerity and singleness of heart, laid before you the true state of things: And I do once more earnestly entreat, that from your hands, This Peacemaker may, as from my hand be spread all our Country over, to the end that my dear Friends and Brethren may see how the War is neither desired nor continued by the English: But so much is granted and offered to us, as were our Country as flourishing as ever, and had England no advantage at this time over, yet would it have been a singular mercy and bleshng to us to enjoy what is now offered, it tending wholly and altogether to our good as I have proved before. Neither is the thing either dangerous or difficult to the effectual accomplishment thereof: For you there do but once stand up for your freedom and liberty, and openly declare that you will accept of Peace, be united to England, and make one Commonwealth; the Firebrands and Incendiaries in your Counsels or elsewhere, will have no heart to oppose; Besides, the thing is so just and necessary, as you may expect protection and assistance from the Lord. Now this I press the more earnestly upon you, as not to further or promote the Wars against England any longer either in your persons or Estates, seeing it is but to fight yourselves into slavery and bondage, and to satisfy their ends and turn, who seek not your good and prosperity, but their own, and that to your ruin and downfall. Now consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding in all things. FINIS.