A
COPIE
OF
A
CERTAINE
LETTER
WRITTEN
BY
A
person
of
reputation
,
to
a
Prelate
of
Brabant
,
being
at
Brussels
.
The
25.
of
Februarie
.
1599.
printer's or publisher's device
Imprinted
at
London
by
Iohn
Wolfe
,
and
are
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
-
Alley
,
n●●e
〈◊〉
the
E●●●●●ge
.
1599.
To
the
Reader
.
LOuing
Reader
,
the
Coppie
of
this
Letter
,
beeing
come
to
my
hands
,
with
the
Annotations
vppon
the
gifte
or
yeelding
vp
of
the
Netherlandes
,
to
the
Infanta
of
Spaine
,
which
in
my
opinion
,
is
not
to
he
smothered
in
obscuritie
,
I
thought
good
to
put
the
same
in
Print
,
to
the
ende
that
all
louers
of
the
Netherlandish
rights
and
priuileges
,
may
the
better
vnderstand
(
what
by
the
vertuous
Catholiques
themselues
is
censured
of
these
Spanish
dealings
.
A
copie
of
a
certaine
letter
,
written
by
a
person
of
reputation
,
to
a
prelate
of
Brabant
,
being
at
Brussels
.
The
25.
of
Februarie
1599.
HOnorable
,
noble
,
high
learned
,
wise
,
prudent
,
and
most
discreete
Lorde
.
I
haue
receiued
your
letters
,
dated
in
Brussels
the
xvi
.
of
Nouember
last
,
with
the
inclosed
copie
of
the
gift
of
the
deceased
king
of
Spaine
,
to
the
noble
princesse
Isabella
Clara
Eugenia
,
his
eldest
daughter
:
of
the
Netherlands
,
and
the
Countrie
of
Burgundie
,
in
respect
of
the
marriage
betweene
the
aboue
named
illustrious
princesse
,
and
the
illustrious
Prince
Albertus
,
Archeduke
of
Austria
,
hir
cosin
,
with
your
request
,
that
I
should
sincerely
wright
vnto
you
my
opinion
thereof
:
to
wit
,
whether
according
to
my
iudgement
and
feeling
,
the
same
be
a
meete
meanes
to
quenche
the
Netherlandish
warres
,
and
to
reduce
them
to
a
quiet
and
peaceable
estate
:
wherevpon
I
haue
at
diuers
times
considered
,
and
notwithstanding
that
I
haue
been
in
great
suspence
,
in
what
sorte
and
what
imported
,
to
giue
my
iudgement
and
aduise
in
so
weighty
a
matter
:
yet
in
respect
of
the
reuerence
I
owe
to
your
honor
,
I
haue
been
forced
to
resolue
&
to
accomplish
your
wil
vpon
a
sure
trust
,
that
this
my
advice
should
remaine
betweene
vs
,
and
not
to
bewled
to
the
hinderance
and
scandall
of
other
I
cannot
bide
from
your
honor
,
but
that
vpon
this
matter
in
the
last
moneth
,
diuers
aduises
haue
bin
sent
me
,
aswell
out
of
England
,
France
,
&
Germany
,
as
out
of
some
quarters
of
the
Netherlands
,
wherof
some
are
of
this
opinion
,
and
other
of
other
,
that
the
deceased
king
conside
ring
his
great
age
and
desiring
to
leaue
his
sonne
,
the
new
●…ing
a
peaceable
estate
,
should
haue
faithfully
and
in
good
meaning
proceeded
herein
:
other
that
it
is
without
any
apperanne
that
the
Spanish
counsell
should
as
any
time
find
good
indue
meaning
to
seuer
the
Netherlands
from
Spaine
,
as
hauing
more
commodities
requisite
to
the
greatnesse
of
a
Prince
,
then
all
the
realines
of
Spaine
,
&
that
therfore
the
said
dealings
did
onlie
tend
and
stretche
to
attaine
and
being
that
to
passe
,
which
by
armes
or
other
means
can
hardly
be
done
.
Besides
that
,
a
certaine
person
of
no
smascredit
with
the
great
,
writeth
,
in
confirmation
of
this
last
opinion
,
to
know
certainly
,
that
by
the
high
borne
Princesse
&
Prince
,
counter
letters
should
haue
been
giuen
.
And
also
that
for
securitie
of
their
promises
therof
,
of
it
is
agreed
,
that
foure
of
the
cheefest
places
of
the
Netherlands
should
remaine
in
the
possession
of
the
Spaniards
.
But
without
,
to
build
vppon
any
foundations
of
these
deuises
,
I
will
onely
by
manner
of
a
glose
,
coate
what
I
finde
to
be
considerable
,
and
finallie
to
set
downe
my
feeling
,
to
vnderstand
the
true
ground
thereof
,
hoping
that
your
honour
the
better
will
consider
in
what
sort
ought
to
be
dealed
for
the
common
quietnesse
&
tranquillitie
,
vnion
and
wel
fare
of
the
Netherlands
,
and
to
bring
and
maintaine
them
in
their
olde
right
splender
,
respect
and
prosperitie
,
beseeching
your
honor
,
according
to
your
wisdom
and
bountifull
discretion
,
to
vnderstand
and
interpret
the
whole
to
the
best
:
and
the
Lord
God
Almightie
preserue
your
honour
able
,
noble
,
high
learned
,
wise
,
prouident
,
and
most
discreet
Lordship
,
in
a
long
and
prosperous
gouernement
.
Written
the
25.
of
Februarie
.
1599.
Your
Honors
most
humble
seruant
.
Superscription
.
To
the
honorable
,
noble
,
high
learned
,
wise
,
prouident
and
most
discreet
Lorde
,
Abbot
of
Saint
,
&c.
At
B●●ssels
.
Phillip
Rex
.
To
all
present
and
to
come
which
shall
see
or
heare
these
letters
:
greeting
.
WHereas
wee
haue
found
to
be
most
be
hoouefull
not
onely
to
our
Prouinces
of
the
Low-countries
,
but
also
,
vnto
[
](A16565-e10410-b)a
a
I
wish
that
this
Preface
were
shorter
,
and
with
words
more
pleasing
to
the
Hollanders
,
&
touching
that
which
the
K
of
Spaine
saieth
of
the
great
desire
and
care
hee
hath
for
all
Christendom
,
I
doubt
that
our
aduersarie
will
labour
but
too
much
by
the
former
and
present
actes
,
to
shewe
the
contrarie
.
all
Christendome
in
generall
,
[
](A16565-e10420-b)b
b
The
reasons
of
no
longer
to
deferre
or
delay
the
marriage
(
beeing
now
well
neere
come
to
that
age
,
that
there
is
little
appearance
of
hauing
children
,
falleth
also
not
well
,
not
yet
the
Popes
holinesse
dispensation
,
to
giue
the
high
aboue
named
Infanta
,
to
his
Brother
,
Nephewe
,
or
Cosin
,
cannot
be
very
pleasing
.
no
longer
to
delay
the
marriage
of
our
deare
and
eldest
daughter
the
Infanta
,
Isabell
Clara
Eugenia
,
being
mooued
therevnto
,
as
well
for
the
conseruation
of
our
house
,
as
diuers
other
good
respects
:
as
also
,
for
the
great
gogd
affection
,
which
we
beare
vnto
our
beloued
Brother
,
Nephewe
,
and
Cosine
,
the
Archouke
Albert
,
(
at
this
present
)
Lieftenant
,
Gouernour
,
and
Captaine
generall
,
for
vs
in
our
Netherlands
and
Burgondie
:
we
haue
cast
our
eyes
on
him
,
and
chusing
him
for
the
future
husband
of
our
saide
Eldest
Daughter
,
the
whole
,
as
well
with
the
consent
and
pleasure
of
our
holy
father
the
Pope
,
who
condiscendeth
,
and
graunteth
the
dispensations
therevnto
belonging
,
as
also
with
the
agreement
and
consent
,
of
the
most
high
,
excellent
,
and
puissant
Prince
,
our
beloued
Brother
,
Nephew
,
and
Cosin
,
Rodolph
,
the
second
of
that
name
,
Emperour
of
the
Romains
,
togither
with
our
welbeloued
sister
the
Empres
his
●other
,
which
being
considered
,
and
to
the
end
that
our
said
daughter
might
bee
furnished
with
reasonable
meanes
,
such
as
are
required
for
her
great
calling
and
merits
.
Also
to
shewe
and
make
known
,
[
](A16565-e10460-b)(c)
(c)
I
feare
that
against
this
singular
and
especial
loue
will
be
obiected
the
deaths
of
the
knights
of
the
fleece
,
many
Noblemen
and
Gentlemen
and
Inhabitants
of
the
Netherlands
,
by
thousands
which
haue
by
violent
means
,
and
against
the
rights
and
priuiledges
of
the
countries
.
the
loue
which
we
haue
and
doo
beer●
,
vnto
our
saide
Netherlands
and
Burgundie
,
we
haue
resolued
(
to
the
aduancement
of
the
said
marriage
)
to
[
](A16565-e10470-b)(d)
(d)
I
foresee
,
That
it
will
be
saide
that
this
griefe
doth
not
agree
with
the
generall
and
particular
fights
of
the
Netherlands
,
in
such
sort
to
giue
them
in
Spaine
,
but
that
the
one
ought
first
to
haue
beene
lawfully
assembled
,
the
States
general
and
particular
of
the
Prouinces
of
the
Netherlands
,
to
consider
duly
all
the
members
,
if
the
same
ought
for
the
good
of
the
countries
to
bee
permitted
,
or
no
:
also
I
feare
that
it
will
be
assuredly
supposed
and
beleeued
,
that
by
this
gift
the
Netherlands
shall
seeme
not
by
vsurpation
,
but
quasi
by
their
own
consent
,
to
be
made
subiect
to
the
Spanish
counsels
disposition
.
A
matter
at
times
highly
detested
by
the
Netherlanders
,
and
this
opinion
,
shall
apparantly
be
confirmed
by
sundrie
conditions
and
restraints
,
contained
in
this
gift
,
many
whereof
seeme
to
assubiect
the
Netherlands
to
Spaine
,
the
which
I
beleeue
will
not
be
so
vnderstood
nor
taken
to
be
either
honourable
or
lawfull
to
the
Netherlanders
,
not
only
by
the
States
and
Communaltie
of
the
aduersarie
,
nor
yet
by
theirs
of
Brabant
,
Flaunders
,
Haynolt
,
Artoyes
,
and
other
countries
.
giue
and
transport
all
those
said
countries
,
vnto
our
said
Daughter
,
and
all
therevnto
belonging
,
in
the
manner
which
shall
be
specified
here
vnder
.
The
whole
,
with
the
content
and
good
will
,
of
our
deare
and
welbeloued
good
sonne
,
the
Prince
Phillip
,
our
onely
sonne
and
heire
:
according
to
the
aduertisement
,
which
(
by
vs
and
our
said
sonne
)
hath
beene
giuen
vnto
the
principall
Lordes
and
Knights
of
our
order
,
Gouernours
and
Estates
of
our
said
Netherlands
,
which
are
in
our
obeysance
,
togither
with
those
of
our
countrie
of
Burgundie
.
All
the
which
haue
witnessed
and
declared
by
their
answere
,
the
ioy
and
contentment
which
they
receiued
at
our
so
kinde
resolution
,
which
they
know
and
confesse
to
bee
for
the
rest
and
tranquilitie
of
our
said
Netherlands
,
and
that
it
is
the
true
and
right
course
to
attaine
to
a
good
[
](A16565-e10510-b)(e)
(e)
I
wish
moreouer
,
that
this
designe
of
the
kings
to
see
the
Netherlands
in
a
su●e
peace
and
tranquilitie
had
been
soberly
rehearsed
since
that
the
present
and
former
proceedinges
will
bee
obiected
against
the
same
,
out
of
which
this
desires
can
hardly
be
iudged
,
especially
being
that
fire
and
sword
,
not
onely
in
the
Netherlands
,
but
also
vpon
the
neutrall
neighbors
is
yet
daily
as
much
vsed
as
euer
before
.
I
will
not
rehearse
the
great
●oades
and
other
disorders
committed
in
the
Netherlands
on
that
side
in
this
yeare
,
nor
the
neuer-to-fore
heard
mutenies
and
vnworthie
proceedings
vpon
the
castle
of
Antwerpe
,
to
the
charge
and
against
the
same
good
Cittie
and
Cittizens
of
the
Spaniards
,
also
the
dealings
with
the
Citties
of
the
Empire
,
Accken
and
Wesell
,
the
horrible
tyrannie
of
the
land
of
Collen
,
Cleue
,
Berge
,
Westphalie
,
Munster
,
Marcke
,
and
against
Earles
and
other
persons
,
onely
I
consider
vppon
the
aunswere
of
the
Admirant
D'arragon
,
who
being
shewed
and
tolde
of
the
Archbishops
promises
,
saith
,
that
Gods
seruice
and
the
kings
,
permit
him
not
to
his
faith
,
which
will
bee
esteemed
farre
woorse
then
the
former
,
to
wit
,
That
no
faith
neede
be
held
to
Heretickes
:
and
I
am
sorrie
that
with
so
small
consideration
,
by
the
abouenamed
Lord
Admirant
,
is
spoken
and
written
to
the
Empires
members
,
that
he
onely
desireth
to
haue
the
Romish
religion
,
by
them
maintained
and
excercised
,
with
the
deposing
as
well
with
the
Lutherian
as
the
Caluian
doctrine
,
fearing
that
same
wil
breed
a
great
scandal
to
the
Kings
,
Electors
,
Princes
,
and
other
not
vsing
the
Romish
religion
.
and
a
firme
peace
,
and
and
to
be
deliuered
from
such
a
troublesome
warre
:
which
quiet
and
tranquilitie
,
we
haue
alwaies
wished
vnto
them
.
[
](A16565-e10610-b)(f)
(f)
It
beeing
true
,
that
the
greatest
felicitie
which
maye
happen
to
a
countrie
,
is
to
haue
a
good
&
wise
Prince
,
and
to
be
gouerned
of
him
in
person
,
vndoubtedly
by
the
aduerse
partie
herevpon
will
be
alleaged
,
that
the
deceased
king
desired
not
the
felicitie
of
the
Netherlandes
,
as
not
vouchsafed
,
in
the
space
of
fortie
yeares
once
to
see
them
,
but
chuse
rather
by
the
Duke
of
Alba
,
and
other
his
Tyrants
,
with
outlandish
meane
of
warre
,
enemy-like
to
inuade
the
same
,
to
holde
the
Netherlands
as
a
new
conquested
land
,
to
put
to
death
the
chiefe
Lords
,
Nobles
,
and
principall
Cittizens
louers
of
the
lands
,
rights
and
priuiledges
,
or
to
bannish
them
out
of
the
countrie
,
and
to
confiscate
their
goods
,
to
vse
the
rest
as
slaues
to
their
tyrannie
,
to
builde
castles
in
their
chiefe
citties
,
to
fill
them
with
Spanish
souldiers
,
to
set
vp
and
erect
new
and
neuer
to
sore
heard
counsels
,
against
the
wils
of
the
States
of
the
land
,
to
appoynt
and
raise
such
contributions
as
they
thought
good
,
vnder
the
pretence
of
treating
of
peace
,
to
set
abroach
newe
treasons
,
and
reuenge
in
great
powers
:
and
in
briefe
,
to
reduce
the
Nethetlandes
to
such
a
poynt
,
that
therein
they
might
plant
Sedum
belli
,
thereby
with
the
countries
opportunitie
,
and
good
commodities
of
the
riuers
,
hauens
,
and
sea
holds
,
the
multitude
of
sea-faring
men
and
Shippes
,
togither
with
the
aboundance
of
all
prouision
needfull
to
a
mightie
armie
by
water
and
land
,
to
further
the
insatiable
Spanish
ambition
,
in
the
incorporating
and
establishing
laws
to
all
Realmes
,
Countries
,
and
Commonweales
,
(
as
they
say
)
with
the
proceeding
against
Germanie
,
England
,
France
,
Ireland
,
and
other
Realmes
and
countries
manifestly
shew
.
That
the
king
hath
been
this
fortie
yeare
so
busied
with
matters
of
such
importance
,
that
he
hath
not
beene
able
once
to
see
the
Netherlands
,
(
being
such
worthie
,
faire
,
and
important
countries
,
which
by
his
Lord
and
Father
,
Grandfather
,
and
other
his
predecessors
,
haue
bene
helde
in
so
high
esteeme
)
will
by
many
but
passe
for
a
sleight
excuse
,
especially
it
being
answered
that
his
Lord
and
father
the
Emperour
Charles
,
only
to
set
order
in
a
cause
of
the
Cittie
of
Gaunt
,
not
without
perill
to
his
person
,
came
our
of
Spaine
through
France
into
the
Netherlands
.
And
considering
that
(
which
vnto
all
is
most
manifest
)
the
greatest
felicitie
which
may
happen
to
a
countrie
,
to
bee
gouerned
by
the
sight
and
presence
of
their
naturall
Prince
and
Lord
,
God
is
witnesse
of
the
trouble
and
care
which
we
haue
had
,
because
we
haue
not
bene
able
in
that
sort
to
doo
it
personally
,
as
(
truly
)
wee
well
wished
,
if
other
great
&
important
affaires
of
our
Realme
of
Spaine
,
had
not
forced
and
constrained
vs
to
make
a
continuall
residence
therein
,
without
moouing
any
thing
from
thence
,
as
also
at
this
present
they
constraine
vs
.
And
although
the
age
of
our
said
sonne
,
seeme
more
fitte
to
trauell
then
doth
ours
,
notwithstanding
it
hath
beene
the
pleasure
of
the
Almightie
,
to
giue
so
many
other
kingdomes
and
Countries
,
for
the
good
gouernment
of
which
,
there
wil
neuer
want
offaires
of
great
importance
,
for
the
which
also
his
pretence
shall
here
be
néedful
.
We
haue
then
found
most
conuenient
to
take
this
resolution
to
the
ende
that
our
saide
Low
countries
be
not
left
in
the
forepassed
inconueniences
,
togither
with
the
reason
that
we
haue
to
appoynt
the
portion
of
our
said
daughter
the
Infanta
according
to
her
merits
,
and
the
[
](A16565-e10710-b)(g)
(g)
If
the
highnes
of
the
birth
of
the
illustrious
Infanta
,
or
her
great
merits
oght
to
giue
her
the
Netherlands
:
wherfore
then
(
might
be
said
)
,
Haue
they
not
beene
furthered
vnto
the
states
,
being
lawful●y
assembled
,
pure
,
cleare
and
without
any
conditions
side
commissions
,
or
●estrainctions
,
for
all
the
conditions
and
restraints
,
will
be
adiudged
to
be
traps
and
deceites
,
therby
(
according
to
the
doctrine
of
●he
doctors
of
Tyr●●o
)
〈◊〉
b●●ng
that
to
passe
vnder
the
vaile
of
a
Foxes
skinne
,
which
could
not
be
…
l
with
Lyons
cl●wes
.
greatnesse
of
her
birth
.
As
also
perticularly
,
that
next
vnto
the
said
Prince
〈◊〉
〈◊〉
(
vnto
whom
God
confirme
with
long
yeares
and
prosperitie
to
his
seruice
)
our
said
eldest
daughter
is
the
first
and
neerest
heire
vnto
the
said
Countries
,
and
therefore
,
by
vertue
of
the
will
and
pleasure
of
our
said
Sonne
,
she
may
from
this
time
be
constituted
in
the
same
.
The
more
because
wee
haue
chose
these
meanes
,
hoping
that
thereby
our
said
Netherlands
may
returne
,
to
their
auncient
flower
,
rest
,
and
prosperitie
,
which
heretofore
they
haue
had
.
Wherefore
we
make
knowne
,
That
desiring
at
this
present
to
put
in
execution
,
that
whereon
we
haue
so
ripely
considered
,
and
in
respect
of
the
voluntarie
consent
,
which
our
said
Sonne
the
Prince
hath
so
liberally
giuen
therevnto
,
after
her
had
vnderstood
,
the
[
](A16565-e10760-b)(b)
(b)
It
is
wonder
that
herein
they
haue
vsed
the
woorde
submission
since
that
vndoubtedly
it
will
bee
saved
not
to
bee
straunge
,
though
the
states
of
the
Prouinces
sything
and
panting
vnder
the
Spanish
tyrannie
,
seeing
the
Citties
enuironed
,
their
countries
suppressed
with
Spaniards
,
and
other
outlandish
souldiers
,
and
the
whole
and
entire
gouernment
of
countries
and
citties
,
compounded
according
to
the
Spanish
wil
:
of
many
mischiefs
,
were
sain
to
chuse
the
least
,
a&
that
they
therfore
theron
haue
bin
compelled
to
submit
&
yeald
themselues
to
the
Spanish
Councels
will
and
pleasure
,
and
to
accept
the
propounded
conditions
.
how
vnreasonable
burthensome
and
vnworthie
soeuer
they
seemd
,
but
it
will
neuer
bee
beleeued
,
that
neither
the
States
nor
the
Communaltie
,
which
by
the
staes
are
represented
,
beeing
in
libertie
,
will
keepe
those
forced
conditions
.
submission
where
with
our
said
countries
,
did
confirme
our
will
and
intention
,
wee
haue
resolued
and
decréed
,
to
cede
and
transport
to
our
said
Daughter
the
Infanta
,
and
to
the
aduancement
of
the
said
marriage
,
all
our
said
Prouinces
of
the
Netherlands
&
Burgundie
,
in
the
forme
,
manner
,
and
conditions
here
vnder
expressed
.
The
conditions
wherevpon
these
answers
are
written
,
are
to
be
found
in
the
Booke
before
Printed
,
intituled
,
The
transportation
of
the
Lowe
Countries
,
&c.
Vpon
the
first
condition
.
BY
this
first
and
many
other
articles
,
the
intent
of
the
Spanish
king
is
but
too
cleare
,
and
the
Spanish
counsaile
manifest
,
to
wit
,
that
by
all
meanes
they
will
not
onely
haue
the
Netherlands
ioyned
to
Spaine
,
but
especially
,
that
by
this
gift
and
transport
,
as
with
the
consent
of
the
lands
,
they
shall
be
assubiected
to
the
Spanish
gouernment
,
in
stéed
that
vntill
now
they
haue
desired
to
vsurpe
the
same
by
vniust
and
false
titles
.
Vpon
the
third
condition
.
I
haue
considered
vpon
the
contents
of
this
third
article
,
to
wit
,
that
the
Archeduke
dying
without
leauing
childe
or
children
,
procreated
by
the
high
borne
Infanta
:
in
such
case
this
gift
shall
be
nothing
,
and
of
no
worth
,
and
that
she
instéed
of
these
Netherlands
,
shall
haue
her
lawfull
portion
.
Héerevpon
will
be
said
,
that
it
is
a
fit
meanes
to
holde
the
Netherlands
combustion
,
being
that
no
bodie
should
be
able
to
make
the
legitimate
portion
of
all
the
realmes
and
countries
possessed
by
the
King
of
Spaine
,
aswell
in
Europe
,
as
the
East
and
West
Indies
,
that
this
catch
bringeth
with
it
the
afore
said
Spanish
enterprise
,
to
get
the
Netherlands
in
their
clawes
.
Vpon
the
fourth
condition
.
That
word
,
returne
to
the
king
of
Spaine
,
set
in
this
fourth
Article
,
manifesteth
likewise
the
selfe
same
intent
.
Vpon
the
fift
condition
.
By
this
fift
Article
appeareth
vnreplicably
,
that
at
least
the
Princes
of
the
Netherlands
,
should
for
euer
remaine
subiects
to
the
king
of
Spaine
and
the
Spanish
counsaile
,
a
matter
altogether
vnworthy
not
only
for
the
Netherlands
,
but
also
for
the
Princes
thereof
,
and
truely
,
the
vertue
of
the
states
of
the
Netherlands
prouinces
of
aboue
certaine
100.
yeares
past
was
so
great
,
that
such
indignitie
durst
not
haue
béene
offered
them
.
Vpon
the
sixt
condition
.
By
this
sixt
Article
,
is
giuen
full
power
to
the
king
of
Spaine
and
the
Spanish
counsaile
,
that
when
as
the
Netherlands
should
by
succession
fall
in
a
womans
hands
,
to
drawe
the
same
to
Spaine
againe
,
by
marriage
with
the
King
or
Prince
of
Spaine
,
or
by
hinderance
thereof
,
the
Spaniards
turning
ouer
the
leafe
,
and
instéede
that
Spaine
is
now
by
marriage
come
to
the
hands
of
the
Princes
of
the
Netherlands
,
they
will
alwayes
make
the
Netherlands
fall
into
the
king
of
Spaine
,
thereby
with
a
better
title
of
the
same
to
rule
them
to
their
pleasure
.
Vpon
the
seuenth
condition
.
The
conditions
contained
in
this
seuenth
Article
,
in
more
manifest
sort
explaineth
the
intent
of
the
Spaniard
,
willing
that
the
Princes
of
the
Netherlands
,
neither
their
sonnes
nor
daughters
shall
marry
,
without
the
aduise
and
licence
from
the
king
of
Spaine
:
In
what
plainer
and
manifester
sorte
might
we
set
the
Princes
and
the
Netherlands
(
against
the
right
of
all
peoples
and
nations
)
in
the
Spaniards
protection
or
wardship
.
Vpon
the
eight
condition
.
In
this
eight
Article
,
I
haue
considered
the
arrogancie
of
the
Spaniards
,
in
forbidding
the
Inhabitants
of
the
Netherlands
,
the
traffick
and
Nauigation
of
the
East
and
West
Indies
,
a
matter
neuer
to fore
heard
of
,
and
against
the
right
of
all
nations
.
How
much
differeth
this
from
the
furtherance
of
the
welfare
,
prosperitie
,
and
auncient
flourish
of
the
Netherlands
.
The
greater
part
of
the
East
and
West
Indies
,
knowne
the
king
of
Spaine
.
What
right
(
I
pray
you
)
haue
she
Spaniards
to
forbid
the
Netherlanders
,
the
traffick
&
nauightion
in
those
parts
?
What
reason
hath
a
Prince
of
the
Netherlands
(
who
is
bound
to
his
power
to
further
his
subiects
,
in
trade
and
welfare
)
to
propose
such
vnméete
and
vnreasonable
conditions
against
himselfe
and
his
subiects
,
and
to
take
vpon
him
to
set
penalties
,
that
the
Netherlands
in
such
case
should
be
confiscated
and
deuolued
to
the
Spaniards
:
by
what
title
,
foundation
,
or
colour
,
haue
the
Spaniards
●ot
such
right
in
the
Netherlands
?
Truly
I
am
of
opinion
that
many
thousands
,
aswell
Prelates
,
Lords
,
Nobles
,
as
vertue
us
citizens
in
Brabant
,
Flaunders
,
&
other
countries
(
as
now
sighing
vnder
the
Spaniard
)
would
rather
dye
for
the
countries
libertie
;
then
for
their
successors
,
to
accept
such
dishonorable
and
vnlawfull
conditions
,
and
it
is
not
apparant
that
any
of
the
other
Prouinces
would
once
thinke
vpon
such
intollerable
and
dishonest
propositions
.
Vpon
the
ninth
condition
.
It
will
be
said
,
that
by
this
ninth
article
,
the
right
of
the
States
of
the
land
,
is
contaminated
&
deminished
,
vnto
whom
during
the
nonage
of
their
Prince
or
Princesse
,
the
gouernement
of
them
and
the
lands
(
according
to
their
rights
)
dooth
belong
.
Which
rights
may
not
be
acquitted
and
laide
aside
,
according
to
the
Spanish
counsels
appetite
.
Vpon
the
tenth
condition
.
Vpon
this
tenth
article
I
am
to
say
nothing
as
touching
the
Catholick
faith
,
but
I
doubt
that
this
precise
condition
of
taking
such
an
oath
as
the
text
sheweth
,
&
the
penaltie
of
dispossession
of
the
proprietie
of
the
lands
,
shal
be
thought
to
tend
but
little
to
a
peace
and
quietnes
of
the
Netherlands
(
for
those
of
Holland
&
Zealand
,
&
other
vnited
Prouinces
,
will
esteeme
the
said
condition
such
,
as
therby
is
meant
,
that
it
is
not
desired
that
any
time
they
should
be
conioyned
with
the
other
lands
,
which
notwithstanding
(
in
my
opinion
)
is
the
onely
waye
,
to
bring
Netherland
out
of
these
broiles
of
the
Spanish
tiranie
,
&
in
her
olde
flourish
.
Vpon
the
oath
.
Nor
yet
vpon
the
forme
of
this
Oath
,
am
I
to
say
any
thing
,
but
I
feare
,
that
the
Hollanders
wil
expound
the
same
,
that
not
onely
the
Prince
bindeth
himselfe
and
his
successors
to
the
Romish
religion
,
without
considering
that
the
faith
is
a
gift
of
God
,
but
also
that
he
must
maintaine
his
subiects
therein
,
and
therevnto
will
bring
foorth
the
Spanish
Inquisition
.
Vpon
the
12.
condition
.
Vpon
this
.
12.
article
I
say
(
according
to
my
iudgement
)
that
no
sure
peace
,
loue
,
nor
correspondence
,
can
be
had
between
the
Spaniards
and
the
Princes
of
the
Netherlands
,
mor
no
hope
thereof
,
as
long
while
as
the
said
,
Spaniards
,
sick
(
in
the
least
)
to
vsurpe
any
thing
ouer
the
Netherlanders
,
which
notwithstanding
by
this
guift
seemeth
to
be
all
their
pretence
.
Vpon
the
13.
condition
.
I
am
&
haue
bene
offended
in
the
highest
degree
,
〈◊〉
…
standing
by
this
13.
article
,
that
these
Netherlands
should
be
held
as
a
feoffe
o●
…
feoffe
to
Spaine
,
and
do
not
thinke
that
any
Netherlander
,
(
not
ouer
Hispaniolized
)
would
finde
it
good
:
for
that
the
Princes
of
the
Netherlands
which
〈◊〉
certaine
hundred
yéeres
past
haue
alwaies
béen
souer●●…
and
absolute
Princes
,
should
henceforward
〈…〉
to
the
king
of
Spaine
,
which
wil
never
〈…〉
in
any
true
vertuous
Netherlanders
heart
,
but
vndoubtedly
wil
be
a
cause
that
the
Hollanders
&
their
associates
,
will
with
these
vndecent
&
vnreasonable
conditions
,
more
iustifie
their
causes
before
all
the
world
,
then
euer
to fore
,
especially
with
this
oportunity
by
the
kings
decease
,
whose
decease
hath
discharged
euery
one
of
all
bonds
,
&
their
bonds
may
not
be
renued
,
according
to
rights
,
priuileges
,
and
customes
of
the
countrye
,
without
their
consent
,
which
they
will
neuer
yéelde
to
such
conditions
.
By
this
my
briefe
annotation
,
your
honor
may
vnderstand
,
what
(
in
my
opinion
)
vpon
each
point
may
apparantly
be
said
by
the
catholikes
themselues
,
I
haue
therein
roundly
and
in
good
meaning
executed
your
honors
charge
,
vpon
hope
that
my
writing
shall
not
be
shewed
to
any
,
&
vpon
the
same
hope
,
I
cannot
hide
from
your
honor
,
(
that
in
my
minde
)
this
conditioned
gift
will
not
prooue
the
right
means
to
reduce
the
Netherland
in
rest
,
peace
,
&
prosperitie
,
but
would
estéeme
it
more
conuenient
,
that
in
this
oportunitie
,
&
by
the
kings
decease
,
the
States
of
all
the
Netherlands
should
take
armes
against
the
Spaniard
&
his
adherents
,
therby
to
compell
the
said
Spaniards
,
&
other
strangers
to
depart
the
Netherlands
,
leauing
by
prouision
,
euery
one
in
his
owne
in
such
order
touching
the
religion
as
otherwise
,
as
they
are
:
to
the
end
that
the
Spaniards
&
strangers
being
driuen
out
of
the
said
lands
,
&
the
same
land
,
being
so
reduced
in
their
rights
,
freedomes
,
&
securitie
,
that
as
then
the
Generall
States
of
all
the
Netherlands
,
might
assemble
,
and
by
good
meanes
take
aduise
and
resolue
,
vpon
the
points
which
should
tend
to
a
right
and
true
welfare
,
a
during
and
assured
peace
,
rest
and
vnion
of
the
Netherlands
,
which
would
be
a
good
and
conuenient
meanes
,
not
onely
for
the
seruice
of
the
Netherlands
,
but
also
for
the
high
aboue
named
Infanta
,
and
the
illustrious
Archeduke
her
lord
and
husband
,
which
otherwise
,
by
this
conditioned
guifte
would
holde
them
in
a
perpetuall
slauerie
and
seruitude
of
the
Spaniards
.
I
know
that
many
honest
persons
of
all
qualities
amongst
you
,
and
also
amongst
the
aduersaries
of
the
Spaniards
vnto
which
these
meanes
would
be
hartely
pleasing
,
and
trust
that
if
the
same
were
in
earnest
and
effectually
by
your
honor
and
others
,
taken
in
hand
,
the
Almightie
God
would
yeeld
his
blessing
thereto
.
FINIS
.