Nederlandse historische bronnen 10

6

Hague, 12th October 1728

My Lord, I return your Excellency my thanks for the honour of your letter of the 25th September and the copy of the resolution concerning the affairs of Oostfrize: which is by no means approved of here, but on the contrary is looked upon, as an evasive and delusive one, that under pretence of justice and lenity, may admit of the most rigorous and unjust proceeding against the renitents as they are called.

The crime of homicide mentioned in the resolution (which those who have been guilty of are to be excepted from the amnesty) may probably involve every inhabitant of Embden, since they have all been concerned in homicide, if that word be extended (as it certainly may) to those who have lost their lives in the tumults and disorders that have been very frequent in that town.

The sequestration, which is to be continued till the Prince, and the loyal part of Oostfrize, shall be indemnified of their losses is considered here as a perpetual sequestration, since according to the accounts that the Prince and his adherents have given of the damages they have sustained by the late troubles, the whole principality of Oostfrize if it were to be sold, would hardly reimburse them.

This Republick's right of garrison in Embden is likewise mentioned in the resolution in a manner that is by no means satisfactory to them, and to say the truth, I believe 'till that matter is settled, to their satisfaction, they will not be content with anything else. How well grounded their right of garrison is I won't pretend to determine, but when one considers the situation and importance of that place¹⁷

17 There were renewed difficulties over the conduct of the imperial commissioners sent into East-Friesland by the Aulic Council, Chesterfield to Townshend, 13 Aug., 19 Nov. 1728, PRO, num. 84/301, f. 173, num. 84/302, f. 109; Count Philip Kinsky, Austrian envoy extraordinary in London, to the Austrian war minister Prince Eugene, 11 Nov. 1728, Vienna, Haus-, Hof-, und Staatsarchiv (HHStA), Grosse Korrespondenz (GK), num. 94 (b), f. 5; Goslinga, Slingelandt's efforts, 217-218. On the Austrian resolution of 13 Sept. 1728, Kappelhoff, Absolutistisches Regiment, 391-396.

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with relation to this Republick especially who has the expectation of it one cannot wonder, that they interest themselves so much in an affair that so nearly concerns them.

The inhabitants of Embden to whom this imperial resolution has been communicated, are so dissatisfyed with it, that they have wrote to the States, to acquaint them, that they are determined to runn any risques rather than submitt to it.

The apprehensions here in relations to Juliers and Bergue are a good deal abated by the recovery of the Elector Pal. but not so entirely removed as to hinder them from taking what precautions they can upon that head.

It is true the K. of Prussia's minister here has assured the Republick in his Master's name, that he does not pretend to those successions whilst any male of the present Pal. line subsists; but what degree of credit those assurances meet with here it is not proper for me to say.

The answers of the Court or rather of the Queen of Spain to the plan for the Provisional Treaty and the new difficulties that C. Sinzendorf raises after having till then showed the utmost facility makes people suspect a secret concert between the two Courts¹⁸ upon this occasion, but of this your Excellency who is at one of them and the governing one¹⁹ must be best able to judge.

I am with the greatest truth and respect - - -

[P.S.]

I must not omitt informing your Excellency that mr. Hamel Bruyninx²⁰ in a letter which the Pensionary showed me, expressed the utmost satisfaction in the support he mett with from you, with all imaginable marks of esteem and regard for your Excellency.

18 A project for a Provisional Treaty was settled at Soissons, but then rejected by both Austria and Spain.

19 It was widely, and erroneously, believed that Austria determined Spanish policy.

20 Hamel Bruyninx, Dutch envoy extraordinary in Vienna, 1700-1738.