If the Ambaffors fpoke any thing, their interpreters were to *report it to the Speaker in English, and they to withdraw be- . ⚫fore the Speaker reported the fame to the house. The Ambaffadors to fit covered; and that coaches be fent to bring them and their followers to the house, fuch Lords as had coaches being defired to fend them.

• The orders which the Commons made for the introduction ⚫ of these Ambaffadors to that house, are also entered in their journals, as follows:

1. The Master of the Ceremonies, to be commanded by the house, to acquaint the States Ambassadors, in the name of the house, That they have appointed Friday, at nine of the clock in the morning, to give the faid Ambaffadors audience, ⚫ according to their defire expreffed in a paper dated the 5th of July inftant; and to return their answer unto the Speaker of • the house.

2. That the faid Mafter of the Ceremonies, on the day of audience, take with him ten coaches, with a convenient num⚫ber of gentlemen of quality, which fhall be appointed by the house, to go along with him to accompany the Ambassadors to the council-chamber of the court of wards, at the hour appointed, and to give notice of their being there.

3. That the guard place themfelves from the outward door ⚫ of the lobby of the House of Commons, to the outward door entering into the court of wards; and to keep the rooms and ⚫ way clear between the court of wards and house, fuffering none to come in but the members of the house, and those that are • appointed to accompany the Ambaffadors and their train.

That three chairs, with arms, be placed fomewhat above the middle of the houfe, for the Ambassadors.

5. That the Serjeant, by command of the Houfe, go with his mace to give them notice that the Houfe is ready to receive them; and that he conduct them, in his usual manner, to the House.

6. That the Mafter of the Ceremonies, and the Gentlemen appointed to accompany the Ambafladors, and the Ambassadors train, do ftay and make a lane in the lobby; and none of < them to follow the Ambaffadors into the house beyond the bar: < and, upon the Ambaffadors going to their chairs, all the gen<tlemen to withdraw, and the doors to be fhut, and the Serjeant to lay down his mace on the table.

7. That upon the Ambaffadors coming within the bar of the houfe, the Speaker to rife up in his chair and falute them;

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⚫ and all the members of the House to put off their hats, fitting in their places; and then the Ambafadors to be heard what they have to impart.

8. Upon their retiring to the place of their repofe, the fame paffages and ceremonies to be observed, as in their first com⚫ing up.'

• Thefe directions were ordered to be delivered to the Mafter • of the Ceremonies, who was to take proper care in every particular.'

The introductory matter to the propofitions which the Dutch Ambaffadors made to the Parliament, may deferve our peculiar attention; and it will be worth our while to compare the fentimentsof the States General in thofe days, with their conduct in the prefent juncture of affairs.

"Right Honourable Lords and Commons,

From the very beginning of the reftauration of the liberty "of the republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, the High and Mighty Lords, our Lords the States General, their chiefest wishes and defires have ever been to fee that the "Kings of Great Britain and these kingdoms might be perpe"tually maintained and preferved in a good concord, peace, and "union, by which nothing could befall them, but all fafety and advantage, and that for three principal reasons:

"First, That these kingdoms, being the greatest and strong"eft body, which having received and maintained the profef"fion of the true Chriftian Proteftant Religion, and conferv"ing it fo well, it might also contribute much, yea by fame and "reputation itfelf, to the confervation of states, confederates, "and friends, and of all the other Proteftant Churches, efta"blished and spread throughout all Europe.

Secondly, That these kingdoms by their fituation, commodities, traffic, and navigation, and their republic, being "fo nearly combined by their common interest of state and reli"gion, our Lords might reft affured, that the intereft of the "King and these kingdoms, being fo mightily advanced and "conferved, by the fame means thofe of the Netherlands could "not but be well conferved. And,

Thirdly, That this inteftine peace, union, and concord, "(which profperity and weal ordinarily accompanieth) conti"nuing here, that not only the Kings and kingdoms should be "be able to maintain and preferve themfelves; but that the States, confederates and friends, or the good caufe of the Proteftant religion, in other parts unjustly fuffering, as formerly

"it hath been, and yet this day is too much perceived, they "might ever find their refuge and afyle, their fuccours and their

aid against all thofe, who, on the contrary part, of other "ftates and churches, fhould undertake to undermine the true foundation of the happiness of these flourishing kingdoms. "For, your fituation being well confidered, you are in yourfelves as a world apart, feparated from many inconveniences. "of the other.

"You have your commodities at home, not only which are "neceffary, and for your pleasure and delight; but also in fuch "plenty, that you are able to communicate them to other na❝tions, your neighbours.

"The fea doth ferve you for a ditch and bulwark, and your power by fea is able to maintain you in your felicity, and ex"empt and free from all foreign injuries; fo that the good of your own confervation, and the cause of your evil and ruin, "could not be fufcitated, nor found elfewhere, but at home, " and within yourselves.

"And certainly the Kings and Queens formerly have done "notable affiftances for the maintenance and confervation of the "true religion, and of many flates which had need thereof; "among which our Lords do profefs themselves as much ob"liged and bound as any other *.

"And the King and thefe kingdoms fhall yet, in time, be "able to do the like affiftance, as well for the prefent, now "there is fo great a neceffity, as for the future; provided you "conferve yourselves in that concord and union, which hereto"fore hath made, and fhall ever make, you mighty and re“doubted.

"From hence it is, that the enemies of the peace of Chrif "tendom, and their agents, (who long fince have framed and "forged the defign of an univerfal monarchy of Europe, yea "of all the world, feeing and perceiving, with an envious and "malicious eye, your former happiness, your flourishing state, "and your power, and that there was nothing fo contrary and "dreadful to their vaft conceptions, as your oppofitions) to "hurt and weaken, yea to ruin you, if they had been able, they "have heretofore ufed all violence, and the ftrength of great "fleets and armies; but in vain, and without fuccefs.

"They have at last not been able to act a better play, than "that which is most familiar to them, and which hath helped

Query, If their High- Mightineffes have not now forgot thefe obligations?

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"them to the ruin of many great ftates, which have not been fo circumfpect and prudent as you are,

"Right Honourable,

"It is thus, that, quitting open violence, they have, in a profound peace with you, and during the time of the fame, "fown among you the feeds and weeds of difcord and diffen❝tion, as well in politics as church business, and will ever fo"ment them; whence they affure themselves of a certain profit, "whatever end the faid diffentions might take.

How different from this is the language of a remarkable speech faid to have been made, at a conference in the year 1742, by the G——d P▬▬▬▬r of Holland, before fome British Lords, who were sent thither on an Embafly!-A fpeech which is the best comment on the prefent fyftem of their politics with regard to this kingdom; and in which the Dutchman rejects the offer of British friendship with disdain, reproaching us as a miserable, blundering, and corrupt people. How far their fentiments towards us are changed, their prefent conduct, alas! too plainly determines.

It is melancholy to reflect, that a nation, which has triumphed over its enemies abroad, refcued itself from tyranny at home, and commanded refpect from foreign powers in the midst of civil troubles, should at length become fo wretched in itself, and fo despicable in the eyes of foreigners, by the bafe and venal arts of contending factions, which have harrafied the kingdom, favior armis. But to return to our Authors.

The French Refident, (the Ambaffador having left the kingdom) about this time fent to let the Parliament know, that he had letters of credence to deliver to both Houses, as a recognition of their power, and demanded an audience. On this the Lords ordered the manner of his reception in their house in this form: First, that he come to his audience in his own coaches, accompanied with the Mafter of the Ceremonies: that a chair without arms be set for him, in fome convenient place in the houses, as they fhall refpectively think fit: that he fit covered, and at the time of his fpeaking, he ftand up uncovered. This being agreed to, a day was appointed for this ceremony; but, on the fifteenth, the Refident being made açquainted with the intended manner of his reception, refufed to come at all; probably because it differed fo much from the manner and form in which the Parliament had received the Dutch Ambaffadors at their audience.'

Propofitions for peace were at length concluded on, and fent to the King at Oxford. The Commiffioners report of what pafied on that occafion, deferves infertion.

f We

"We attended the King at Christ-church, and prefented the "Propofitions to him, which were read by the Earl of Den"bigh, and were heard by his Majefty with a great deal of pa❝tience; fo as there being fome noife and diforder among the ftanders-by, upon mentioning the names of the two Princes, "Rupert and Maurice, amongst the perfons excepted out of "the general pardon, his Majefty was angry at it; reproved "them for it, and commanded them to be filent. The Propofitions being read, he asked us, If we had power to treat? "We answered, We had not: that our commiffion was to prefent the Propofitions, and to defire his answer in writing. His Majefty replied, "We should have it as foon as he could.''

On Wednesday in the evening, the Earl of Dorset fent a • Gentleman to let us know, "That his Majefty had refolved "on his answer, which we might receive that night, or in the "morning as we would." Unto which we antwered, "That we were ready to attend his Majefty at what time he pleased "to command us." The meflenger speedily returned, and < brought us word, "His Majefty was ready to give us his An"fwer speedily." We forthwith attended him at Chrift• church; where his Majefty delivered a paper to one that stood by, and commanded him to read it to us; after the reading whereof, his Majesty used these words, as near as we can recollect, "That he had ever expreffed his defire of Peace, << which did never more appear than by giving this Answer; « and if he had not a great defire to Peace he would not have given it."

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Upon hearing the paper read, the Earl of Denbigh, at our • defire, did move his Majesty, that we might withdraw, and attend him again prefently; upon which his Majefty demanded, if we had power to treat, and faid, "He knew we had none; for we had told him fo; and that we had received no "power from London fince; and he bid us answer, as perfons "of honour, if we had received any: I know, says he, you have had no poft fince." The Earl of Denbigh moved again, that we might withdraw for a little time, or have the liberty to attend his Majefty again before our return, as conceiving our Inftructions would engage us to fome reply to the paper delivered to us. Then his Majefty faid, "I will hear any thing you have to deliver from London, but none of the "fancies and chimeras taken up at Oxford, by your favour;" and added, "You fhall put no tricks upon me.' 'The Earl of Denbigh answered, "We were not perfons to put tricks "upon any, much less upon his Majefty." The King replied, "I mean it not to you." Then, by our advice, the Earl of Denbigh defired of his Majefty to know, to whom

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