Bijdragen en Mededeelingen van het Historisch Genootschap. Deel 45

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Een Engelsch republikein over Willem II's staatsgreep in 1650,
Medegedeeld door Dr. P. Geyl.

In 1894 heeft Gardiner uitgegeven: Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles II and Scotland in 1650. Men weet dat er in dat jaar tusschen de jonge koning en gevolmachtigden van het Schotsche Parlement onderhandelingen hebben plaats gehad in Breda, onder bemiddeling van Willem II, onderhandelingen die uitliepen op een overeenkomst, volgens welke Karel de Covenants aanvaardde en naar Schotland trok. Onder de door Gardiner uitgegeven stukken zijn niet de minst interessante de berichten van een Engelsch Republikein, die zich in 's konings gevolg had ingedrongen. Die berichten werden opgenomen in een blaadje, dat als een orgaan van de Engelsche Raad van State beschouwd kan worden, A Brief Relation. Het blaadje is zeer zeldzaam; Gardiner schrijft er van: ‘The Brief Relation, of which a complete series exists in the British Museum, is so rare that the Council of the Society’ - the Camden Society, door wie zijn Letters and papers werden uitgegeven - ‘has permitted me to publish extracts from it, in contravention of their usual rule to print only manuscript authorities’.

Ik laat hier volgen drie berichten van dezelfde correspondent, die door Gardiner terzijde zijn gelaten, omdat zij vallen na de periode dat Karel II in ons land vertoefde en met zijn Presbyteriaansche onderdanen onderhandelde. De schrijver was van Breda naar Leiden

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getrokken. Na het 57^ste nummer, waarin zijn laatste correspondentie voorkomt, schijnt A Brief Relation gestaakt te zijn. Op het Britsch Museum zijn dan nog slechts voortzettingen van soortgelijke blaadjes, in 't bizonder de Mercurius Politicus, maar die zijn minder interessant.

Het belang van deze correspondenties ligt voor een deel in de persoonlijke toon, waarin zij geschreven zijn. De schrijver is een krachtig partijman en wij kunnen uit zijn beschouwingen duidelijk zien, met welke verwachtingen, vreezen, ergernissen de Engelsche Republikeinen de ontwikkeling van de twist tusschen Holland en de Prins gadesloegen. Ik heb van de tweede brief, die de belangrijkste is van de drie, gebruik gemaakt in mijn artikel over Willem II en de Stuarts in De Gids van April 1923.

P.G.

I.
A Brief Relation. No. 50.
p. 754.
Leyden, 4 August. 1650. Stilo novo.

Sir,

This week hath happened in these parts a very strange attempt of the Prince of Orange, which in all probability will produce a very great revolution and catastrophe of affairs in these countreys; if the Provinces be not blinded, but that they take the advantages that God hath hereby put into their hands, for the recovery of their true Liberty, of which for a long time they have enjoyed onely a shadow, and have pleased themselves with an ēmpty name, which they may now make real, if they please, and cast off the yoke of their servant. He hath handsomly trodden in his Father in Law's steps, and it is not hard to see his end is beginning. I will onely give you what has passed here at the Hague, and for

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that at Amsterdam, leave you to the Relations that I doubt not you will have thence from many hands.

Here the business passed in this maner: Upon Saterday the 30 of July, new stile, at six of the clock, in the morning, the company of the Guard of the Prince of Orange were commanded by beat of drum to take Arms and march into the fields about Scheveling, where three Butts were set up, as if they should there shoot for a wager: This only served to put off suspition. About nine of the clock six Lords and Members of the States of Holland, were severally sent for by Messengers, to come to the court to speak with the Prince, not one of them knowing of the other; being come, they were arrested by the Lieutenant of his Guards, and conducted each to a several chamber; all which was done very privately, and was so kept till eleven of the clock. When the Guard came back - - having not been in exercise - - and was placed in the yard of the court, they disbanded not as is usual at other times, but remained in three Squadrons at the three Gates: About twelve of the clock came two other companies from Delph, two from Rotterdam, and one from Schedam. The other States of Holland being in the mean time assembled, expecting each one of his colleague(!), and thought they had been with the Prince onely about some business as they had been informed. By this time the fact was discovered, and a very great concourse of people in the streets and all places about the court. But by reason of those five companies placed round about, that none could stir, though there was much murmuring and discontent appeared. The night following a Troop of 100 Horse came into the Park here at the Hague, by whom, and by fifty Muskettiers of the Guard, those six seized Members were convoyed, being carried in two coaches of the Prince of Orange, to the castle of Lovenstein, which stands at the confluence of the Maes and the Wahl neer to Gorcum. This being done, the Prince certified the States General of it, who did nothing thereupon, but the Courts of Justice were otherwise affected with it: It is said they went to the Prince, and remonstrated the foulness and

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danger of the fact, and commanding their release, as I was told by some that know it¹⁾.

But that afternoon the Prince went towards Amsterdam with a great train of Courtiers, whither he had before sent Grave William of Nassaw, Governor of Friezland with eight or nine thousand Horse and Foot, and all was done with such speed and secrecy, that he had without question surprized the Town, had not the Providence of God, by sending a great Rain and Darkness, so retarded the Soldier's march, that they could not get thither so soon as they had appointed, which was to have been just at the opening of the Gates; which if they had done, that rich Town had been spoiled, and an infinite Treasure had come into his hands; whereby he would have repaired his own sinking state, setled his Tyranny over these people, and made them to bear that yoke which they have so tamely received from the hands of his Father and himself, although his Uncle laid the foundation of it in the blood of Barnevelt, that faithful Advocate of Holland, who out of his great wisdom, foresaw to what the Orange Tree would grow, and endeavored then to apply that Remedy which they were glad at last to use, though he was not able to bring it about, but must die as a Traytor, and the mercenary Priests proclaim him for an Heretique; his worst opinion being, that these people ought still to be free, and his worst action was, that he endeavored it: Besides, our Nation may see how the Providence of God hath watched over us in this disappointment of him, who is a most inveterate and irreconcileable enemy of our Nation; for had he obtained the money of the Bank at Amsterdam, he would have given great supplies to the King of Scotland against us.

But I hope these people will see how neer they were to the brink of danger, and put him into an incapacity of doing the like again: And indeed I perceive there is

1) Over de actie van de Hooge Raad zie Wicqnefort, Histoire des Provinces Unies (ed. Lenting), I, p. 484 svv.

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a general discontent amongst them, and it will never be made up again. He will now either make an absolute conquest of them, or they must otherwise dispose of him: The thing is yet but new, I cannot give more particulars about it; what was done at Amsterdam, you will hear thence; this is that I could learn at the Hague, whether several of us went for curiosity sake, to learn what we could of so strange an attempt. By my next you shall have more, it is Post time, and I cannot enlarge.

II.
A Brief Relation. No. 54.
p. 813 (drukfout voor 831).
Leiden, Septem. 9. 1650. Stylo novo.

I have not latelie put you to the trouble of my Letters, there beeing not much worth your knowing, since the miserable base business of Amsterdam, whereby hath been discovered the baseness of som Provinces, and the weakness of other, and by both their ripeness for slaverie, and readiness to succumb. Certainly that gallant spirit which possest those people when they bravely - - to their hitherto lasting honor - - vindicated that libertie from the oppressions of the most potent Prince of Europe, which they have now tamely given up into the hands of their own servants, hath made a transmigration into our Nation. I could wish their industrious genius would transmigrate, also, purified in the passage from its mixture of fas et nefas; I would then believe that by the gallantrie and industrie of our people improving the fertilitie, and situation of England and Ireland, this Republique, which begins already to give som apprehensions abroad, would speedilie becom very considerable. Onely at present, they at the Hague, where I was three dayes since, comming thither from Rotterdam, bear up themselves that your Armie in Scotland will bee beaten to peeces¹⁾ - - of which

1) Cromwell was met een Engelsch leger Schotland binnengevallen, waar Karel II, na de dood zijns vaders als koning erkend, zich nog handhaafde.

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I have no great apprehension - - and Macdonnel¹⁾, the Scots' Ambassador, gives it out, that they are already beaten; but onely their own partie believ's it, the rest judg it a Scottish storie, they are known to lose nothing they can get by boasting and lying. But if God shall send you good success there, you wil see these people less active against you, than now they seem ready to bee. This you may assure your selvs, the States General, beeing all at the Prince of Orange his devotion, are perfectly your Enemies upon that account against the clear interest of the United Provinces in respect of Trade, and Zealand more bitter than anie; but you need not care for their enmitie, you have an easie way to bring them to reason, they can no more live without you, than without the air, and that som of the wisest of them have acknowledged to mee.

And certainly you ought not longer to suffer them to walk in the clouds, but to declare what they act. Forbidding them your Ports one year would ruine their Trades, forbidding their fishing upon your Coast, or putting them to fight for what they take, would root up their trade by the foundation. Certainly they are your real Enemies, you ought not to let them injoie the privilege of friends so much to your own detriment, while they not onely employ your favors to the ruine of your Trade, but acknowledge your Enemie by receiving this Macdonnel, a fellow quite out of sorts, and wanting the furniture of Thistleflowers, as the Ambassador of a King of Great Britain, while they refused to receive your publick Minister sent from the Commonwealth²⁾.

There are very manie of the Province of Holland that mislike these things, and fear you wil, when you see it proper for you to remember them to their disadvantage, but cannot help it. The Articles of union of Utrecht tie's up Holland from treating, and they see that the Armie

1) Sic. De naam is echter Macdowel. Vgl. blz. 87.

2) Strickland, die echter wel in de vergadering van de Staten van Holland werd ontvangen.

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which they pay, and all their Garrisons are at the dispose of their saucie servant who went over Rubicon at Amsterdam, and seized their nominal libertie into his own hands, and hath an Armie to keep himself Master at their Charge. And indeed they seem beyond hope of recoverie by anie strength of their own, onely there seems to bee a Providence moving to the exstirpation of Tyrannie, under the power of which hee is likelie to fall in due time; but for present hee is complimented by the other Provinces for taking this pains of making them slaves. 'T was don by extraordinarie Deputies from his Creatures of Zeland. They of Gheldre did it in a bodie at Dieren, they of Freisland by a letter, which was taken for a slight; and they say there were manie in that Province who were whollie against giving him anie thanks; but in the mean time, hee hath them fast. They that see through things, and know that the Prince of Orange had higher speculations than those hee yet practised, and think they will break out in time, they wish verie well to your affairs in Scotland, for if they should bee adverse, hee would bee able to procure the States General to declare a War; the burthen and loss whereof would fall more upon others, than themselves. The Ministers¹⁾ are also much more your enemies here, as well as there, and flatter the Prince of Orange in all this. And hee, knowing how profitable it is for him to have an Orator in everie Church to lead the people by the ears, to serve him in his interest, he gratifies them upon al occasions with what is in his power, either by donation or intercession, knowing well that in that waie of Tyrannie hee intends to go they cannot prejudice him, but hee can take them off by an Act of power whensoever hee pleas, though they were as manie as the Citie of Amsterdam. Meantime notwithstanding his personal debaucheries, they crie him up the best Prince for Religion that ever they had; and for their Religion, which is near a kin in practice to that of Scotland, hee may soon bee so, it beeing nothing else but a meer outside formalitie.

1) De predikanten.

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The States General have resolved to offer their mediation for peace between France and Spain. I hear they will send a denunciation to Spain that they cannot endure to see France fall in pieces, but that is not so near yet¹⁾. But 'tis like enough Orange hath som design against Spain, beeing troubled that Spain hath not yet satisfied him according the agreement at Munster, and tis like hee will do anie thing that maie distaste the States of Holland, who were so much for that peace.

The King of Denmark hath written verie earnestlie for his redemption monie, but the Provinces have declared they are not yet readie.

1) Vgl. Fruin, Verspreide Geschriften, IV, blz. 172 vlg. Fruin bewijst daar, dat Holland tegen wist te houden, dat, gelijk Willem II wenschte, Spanje met interventie gedreigd zou worden.

III.
A Brief Relation. No. 57.
p. 865.
Leiden, Octob. Styl. vet. (1650).

I write not everie week becaus everie week affords not matter worth the trouble, besides the knowledge of affairs is best had at the Hague, whether I can not go everie week for it. That which I have now to tell you, is that Mac Dowel the King of Scotland's Resident is, and hath been a good while, with the Duke of Oldenburgh, a Lutheran Prince. Hee live's near Wesel and is esteemed verie rich. His errand thither is to borrow ten thousand pounds for the Scottish King, but there is no great liklihood of obteining it. Your successes in Scotland hath spoil'd the credit. Hee hath not got his Estate by lending to Princes, nor for it; tis like hee will do by his monie, as hee did last year by Ships when desired by Montross²⁾: hee excused it upon the report

2) Die inmiddels een royalistische inval in Schotland had gewaagd en door dezelfde Presbyteriaansche regeering, die Karel II op zekere voorwaarden had erkend, gevangen genomen en ter dood gebracht was

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of the great fleet you last year set out. When he hath don with Oldenburgh, hee is to go to Hamburgh; Where perhaps hee may get somthing, for they are perfectly your enemies, notwithstanding the advantage they have by your trade. Bee not deceived by their profession of Neutralitie, for they are your enemies and that you will finde whenever they have an opportunitie. But the remedie is easie when ever you will, for they are most inconsiderable. If you do but etc.

Thence is hee to go for Denmark. There, as everie where, dispositions to do you mischief, but means are not everie where readie. For even Denmark fails of his account, his treatie with the Hollanders about the Customs of the Sounds meets with so manie obstructions, as tis thought it will com to nothing, and thereby hee remain's unfurnished of those great summes, which should have been paid him by these Countries. And indeed tis certain that monie is wanting here, and that it is so far off that the Scots King should bee hence suppli'd, that they meet with verie great difficulties to furnish their own occasions: Take this instance: The Council of State - - at the Hague - - lately autorized their Receiver to borrow 200.000 Livers to carrie on the business of Brazil. They seeking a revenue out of which to paie the Interest, do finde som difficultie about it, and are unwilling to finde anie for their own most pressing occasions. I was certainly informed - - being at the Hague - - that the Council of State there sitting about the affairs of Brazil, som officers and souldiers imploied in the West Indies did in a verie high and mutinous manner press the said Council, so as they were much troubled and went away at a back door.

Indeed things look here with a very strange face, all men in sollicitude of events; the late extravagant actions of Orange have made men see their danger. But they do not so easily see a defence against his Tyrannie. By what he hath don, they see what hee can do when hee pleas, and they have no ground to be secure upon the hopes of his good Nature. And I see no great reason from experience, why they should think their own cou-

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rages a sufficient fortification. They of Amsterdam see their Error, but are like enough to commit the like, though they are in preparation to give better entertainment to those guests, if they should com again on the sudden uninvited¹⁾. Certainly things are very ill here, very superficially slubbered up, and will doubtless break out again; But the advantage will fall on that partie that shall best time their affairs. I have sent you herewith four Pamphlets in Dutch, being Dialogues under the Names of som of the several Provinces²⁾; by them you wil see what spirit is stirring here; But in the mean time monies are drawn awaie from hence, the Banks begin to sink, a clear evidence of their own general opinion of their insecuritie. And som that pretend to bee skilful in speculations not vulgar, do threaten these Countries with som ill events impending. - - I forbear what follows. - -

But to return to the Books I spake of: The matter of them is the high Actings of Orange and the danger of them; And to assert the supreme power of each Province to remain in the Province, and not in the States General by the union of Utrecht. And that therefore neither the States General nor Orange can justifie the late force against Amsterdam, for that hee cannot justifie the going into the field against an Enemie, but by the consent of the particular Provinces; All that I can hear anie of his saie in defence, is that if anie Province will not paie their quota the rest may compel them, and perhaps hee think's to justifie himself upon this account. Hee is now gon into Zutphin a Town in Gelderland to get those his proceedings justified.

I had forgot to tell you that Mac-dowel in his negoti-

1) De schutterij werd uitgebreid en blokhuizen aan de Amstel gebouwd: Wagenaar, XII, blz. 107.

2) Knuttel vermeldt: Hollants praatjen, tusschen vier personen, een Geldersman, een Hollander, een Vries en een Brabander, Aangaande de Souverainiteyt van Sijn Hoogheyt en tot Justificatie van de... Staten van Hollandt, Antwerpen 5 Sept. 1650; voorts daarvan het tweede en derde deel, alsmede het rechte tweede en het rechte derde deel; Catalogus, no. 6824, 6829, 6833, 6839, 6842.

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ation is appayed by the mediation of Orange, which they hope will prevail far with him upon this account. There hath been a controversie between Oldenburgh and the Citie of Bream concerning a toll upon a River. The States did formerly favour Bream; and now Orange promiseth they shall change sides, and if hee will favor the King of Scotland with monie they shall favor him in the Tolls.

This Mac-Dowel, the King of Scots' great Ambassador in the united Provinces, was formely a servant to the Ectates, as I am informed, being President of the Council of War at Groninghen, and it was thought hee would prove a fit Instrument for Orange and the Scots' King by his Scottish modestie and Regnardism to deceiv the Dutch, and therefore he was brought to Breda at the Treatie¹⁾, and there knighted, but he spake Scottish so broad at first, that they could hardly understand him ever since, except the Orangian faction, for they can speak the same dialect; I mean, when he printed his lying letters at the Hague of the beating and routing of your ever to bee loved and honored General Cromwel, and his Armie²⁾, which produced a Solemn daie of Thanksgiving at Rotterdam, kept by Mr. Petri, the Scots' Preacher there. And notwithstanding the great invectives in that sermon against Sectaries and Hereticks, yet this tender Resident used the Arminian Book-seller in the Hague to print his lying news, half of the gains whereof the said Mac-Dowel had, being verie necessitous, and out of sorts, wanting very much a supplie of Scottish Thistles. Do you not think Mr. Petrie deserv's to com

1) Vgl. inleiding. - William Macdowell (1590-1666) was professor in de philosophie te Groningen sedert 1614, president van de krijgsraad van Groningen en Friesland 1627, als gezant naar Engeland geweest in 1629, 1635, 1636. (Dict. of Nat. Biogr.)

2) Extract uyt een Brieff geschreven uyt Aberdyn in dato den 18. Aug. 1650. Aen een Godt-vreesent Vriendt tot Camp-Veere in Zeelandt, ende wederom van daer aen een Persoon van groote qualiteyt geschreven, Residerende in 's Gravenhage.... (over) de Victorie der Schotten.... In 's-Gravenhage bij W. Breeckevelt.... 1650; Knuttel, no. 6594.

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into the stool for making use of this Arminian Printer's lyes - - who will bee called an Heretick by his mother Kirk - - for the ground of his Thanksgiving whereby impiously to mock God, and impudently to deceiv men, for those men, and that caus, no means can bee bad enough to bee laid by, if it promise but the least advantage.

(Britsch Museum, Londen, Burney 36, A Brief Relation, n^o. 50, 54, 57.)