A COPY OF A CERTAIN LETTER WRITTEN BY A person of reputation, to a Prelate of Brabant, being at Brussels.  
The 25. of February. 1599   printer's or publisher's device 
Imprinted at London by john Wolf, and are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉- Alley, ne'er 〈◊〉 the E●●●●●ge. 1599   

To the Reader.  
Loving Reader,  
the Copy of this Letter, being come to my hands, with the Annotations upon the gift or yielding up of the Netherlandes, to the Infanta of Spain, which in my opinion, is not to he smothered in obscurity, I thought good to put the same in Print, to the end that all lovers of the Netherlandish rights and privileges, may the better understand (what by the virtuous Catholics themselves is censured of these Spanish dealings.   

A copy of a certain letter, written by a person of reputation, to a prelate of Brabant, being at Brussels.  
The 25. of February 1599 
 Honourable, noble, high learned, wise, prudent, and most discreet Lord.  
I have received your letters, dated in Brussels the xvi. of November last, with the enclosed copy of the gift of the deceased king of Spain, to the noble princess Isabel Clara Eugenia, his eldest daughter: of the Netherlands, and the Country of Burgundy, in respect of the marriage between the above named illustrious princess, and the illustrious Prince Albertus, Archeduke of Austria, her cousin, with your request, that I should sincerely wright unto you my opinion thereof: to wit, whether according to my judgement and feeling, the same be a meet means to quench the Netherlandish wars, and to reduce them to a quiet and peaceable estate: whereupon I have at divers times considered, and notwithstanding that I have been in great suspense, in what sort and what imported, to give my judgement and advise in so weighty a matter: yet in respect of the reverence I own to your honour, I have been forced to resolve & to accomplish your will upon a sure trust, that this my advice should remain between us, and not to bewled to the hindrance and scandal of other I cannot bide from your honour, but that upon this matter in the last month, divers advises have been sent me, aswell out of England, France, & Germany, as out of some quarters of the Netherlands, whereof some are of this opinion, and other of other, that the deceased king conside ring his great age and desiring to leave his son, the new ●…ing a peaceable estate, should have faithfully and in good meaning proceeded herein: other that it is without any apperanne that the Spanish counsel should as any time find good endue meaning to sever the Netherlands from Spain, as having more commodities requisite to the greatness of a Prince, than all the realines of Spain, & that therefore the said dealings did only tend and stretch to attain and being that to pass, which by arms or other means can hardly be done. Besides that, a certain person of no smascredit with the great, writeth, in confirmation of this last opinion, to know certainly, that by the high borne Princess & Prince, counter letters should have been given. And also that for security of their promises thereof, of it is agreed, that four of the chiefest places of the Netherlands should remain in the possession of the Spaniards. But without, to build upon any foundations of these devices, I will only by manner of a gloze, coat what I find to be considerable, and finally to set down my feeling, to understand the true ground thereof, hoping that your honour the better will consider in what sort ought to be dealt for the common quietness & tranquillity, union and well far of the Netherlands, and to bring and maintain them in their old right splendour, respect and prosperity, beseeching your honour, according to your wisdom and bountiful discretion, to understand and interpret the whole to the best: and the Lord God Almighty preserve your honour able, noble, high learned, wise, provident, and most discreet Lordship, in a long and prosperous government.  
Written the 25. of February. 1599 Your honours most humble servant.  
Superscription. 
 To the honourable, noble, high learned, wise, provident and most discreet Lord, Abbot of Saint, etc. 
 At B●●ssels.   

Philip Rex. To all present and to come which shall see or hear these letters: greeting.  
WHereas we have found to be most be hoovefull not only to our Provinces of the Low-countries, but also, unto 
a I wish that this Preface were shorter, and with words more pleasing to the Hollanders, & touching that which the K of Spain saith of the great desire and care he hath for all Christendom, I doubt that our adversary will labour but too much by the former and present acts, to show the contrary.  all Christendom in general, 
b The reasons of no longer to defer or delay the marriage (being now well near come to that age, that there is little appearance of having children, falleth also not well, not yet the Pope's holiness dispensation, to give the high above named Infanta, to his Brother, Nephew, or Cousin, cannot be very pleasing.  no longer to delay the marriage of our dear and eldest daughter the Infanta, Isabella Clara Eugenia, being moved thereunto, as well for the conservation of our house, as divers other good respects: as also, for the great gogd affection, which we bear unto our beloved Brother, Nephew, and Cousin, the Archouke Albert, (at this present) Lieutenant, Governor, and Captain general, for us in our Netherlands and Burgundy: we have cast our eyes on him, and choosing him for the future husband of our said  Daughter, the whole, as well with the consent and pleasure of our holy father the Pope, who condiscendeth, and granteth the dispensations thereunto belonging, as also with the agreement and consent, of the most high, excellent, and puissant Prince, our beloved Brother, Nephew, and Cousin, Rodolph, the second of that name, Emperor of the Romans, together with our well-beloved sister the Empress his ●other, which being considered, and to the end that our said daughter might be furnished with reasonable means, such as are required for her great calling and merits. Also to show and make known, 
(c) I fear that against this singular and especial love will be objected the deaths of the knights of the fleece, many Noblemen and Gentlemen and Inhabitants of the Netherlands, by thousands which have by violent means, and against the rights and privileges of the countries.  the love which we have and do beer●, unto our said Netherlands and Burgundy, we have resolved (to the advancement of the said marriage) to 
(d) I foresee, That it will be said that this grief doth not agree with the general and particular fights of the Netherlands, in such sort to give them in Spain, but that the one ought first to have been lawfully assembled, the States general and particular of the Provinces of the Netherlands, to consider duly all the members, if the same aught for the good of the countries to be permitted, or no: also I fear that it will be assuredly supposed and believed, that by this gift the Netherlands shall seem not by usurpation, but quasi by their own consent, to be made subject to the Spanish counsels disposition. A matter at times highly detested by the Netherlanders, and this opinion, shall apparently be confirmed by sundry conditions and restraints, contained in this gift, many whereof seem to assubiect the Netherlands to Spain, the which I believe will not be so understood nor taken to be either honourable or lawful to the Netherlanders, not only by the States and Commonalty of the adversary, nor yet by theirs of Brabant, Flaunders, Haynolt, Artois, and other countries.  give and transport all those said countries, unto our said Daughter, and all thereunto belonging, in the manner which shall be specified here under. The whole, with the content and good will, of our dear and well-beloved good son, the Prince Philip, our only son and heir: according to the advertisement, which (by us and our said son) hath been given unto the principal Lords and Knights of our order, Governors and Estates of our said Netherlands, which are in our obeisance, together with those of our country of Burgundy. All the which have witnessed and declared by their answer, the joy and contentment which they received at our so kind resolution, which they know and confess to be for the rest and tranquillity of our said Netherlands, and that it is the true and right course to attain to a good 
(e) I wish moreover, that this design of the kings to see the Netherlands in a su●e peace and tranquillity had been soberly rehearsed since that the present and former proceedings will be objected against the same, out of which this desires can hardly be judged, especially being that fire and sword, not only in the Netherlands, but also upon the neutral neighbours is yet daily as much used as ever before. I will not rehearse the great ●oades and other disorders committed in the Netherlands on that side in this year, nor the never-to-fore heard mutinies and unworthy proceed upon the castle of Antwerp, to the charge and against the same good City and Citizens of the Spaniards, also the dealings with the Cities of the Empire, Accken and Wesell, the horrible tyranny of the land of Collen, Cleve, Berge, Westphalie, Munster, Mark, and against Earls and other persons, only I consider upon the answer of the Admirant D'arragon, who being showed and told of the Archbishop's promises, saith, that God's service and the kings, permit him not to his faith, which will be esteemed far worse than the former, to wit, That no faith need be held to Heretics: and I am sorry that with so small consideration, by the abovenamed Lord Admirant, is spoken and written to the Empire's members, that he only desireth to have the Romish religion, by them maintained and exercised, with the deposing as well with the Lutherian as the Calvian doctrine, fearing that same will breed a great scandal to the Kings, Electors, Princes, and other not using the Romish religion.  and a firm peace, and and to be delivered from such a troublesome war: which quiet and tranquillity, we have always wished unto them. 
(f) It being true, that the greatest felicity which may happen to a country, is to have a good & wise Prince, and to be governed of him in person, undoubtedly by the adverse party hereupon will be alleged, that the deceased king desired not the felicity of the Netherlandes, as not vouchsafed, in the space of forty years once to see them, but choose rather by the Duke of Alba, and other his Tyrants, with outlandish mean of war, enemy-like to invade the same, to hold the Netherlands as a new conquested land, to put to death the chief Lords, Nobles, and principal citizens lovers of the lands, rights and privileges, or to banish them out of the country, and to confiscate their goods, to use the rest as slaves to their tyranny, to build castles in their chief cities, to fill them with Spanish soldiers, to set up and erect new and never to sore heard counsels, against the wills of the States of the land, to appoint and raise such contributions as they thought good, under the pretence of treating of peace, to set abroach new treasons, and revenge in great powers: and in brief, to reduce the Nethetlandes to such a point, that therein they might plant Sedum belli, thereby with the country's opportunity, and good commodities of the rivers, havens, and sea holds, the multitude of seafaring men and Ships, together with the abundance of all provision needful to a mighty army by water and land, to further the insatiable Spanish ambition, in the incorporating and establishing laws to all Realms, Countries, and Commonweals, (as they say) with the proceeding against Germany, England, France, Ireland, and other Realms and countries manifestly show. That the king hath been this forty year so busied with matters of such importance, that he hath not been able once to see the Netherlands, (being such worthy, fair, and important countries, which by his Lord and Father, Grandfather, and other his predecessors, have been held in so high esteem) will by many but pass for a sleight excuse, especially it being answered that his Lord and father the Emperor Charles, only to set order in a cause of the City of Gaunt, not without peril to his person, came our of Spain through France into the Netherlands.  And considering that (which unto all is most manifest) the greatest felicity which may happen to a country, to be governed by the sight and presence of their natural Prince and Lord, God is witness of the trouble and care which we have had, because we have not been able in that sort to do it personally, as (truly) we well wished, if other great & important affairs of our Realm of Spain, had not forced and constrained us to make a continual residence therein, without moving any thing from thence, as also at this present they constrain us.  
And although the age of our said son, seem more fit to travel then doth ours, notwithstanding it hath been the pleasure of the Almighty, to give so many other kingdoms and Countries, for the good government of which, there will never want offaires of great importance, for the which also his pretence shall here be needful. We have then found most convenient to take this resolution to the end that our said Low countries be not left in the forepast inconveniences, together with the reason that we have to appoint the portion of our said daughter the Infanta according to her merits, and the 
(g) If the highness of the birth of the illustrious Infanta, or her great merits ought to give her the Netherlands: wherefore then (might be said), Have they not been furthered unto the states, being lawfully assembled, pure, clear and without any conditions side commissions, or ●estrainctions, for all the conditions and restraints, will be adjudged to be traps and deceits, thereby (according to the doctrine of ●he doctors of Tyr●●o) 〈◊〉 b●●ng that to pass under the vail of a Fox's skin, which could not be … l with lions cl●wes.  greatness of her birth.  
As also particularly, that next unto the said Prince 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (unto whom God confirm with long years and prosperity to his service) our said eldest daughter is the first and nearest heir unto the said Countries, and therefore, by virtue of the will and pleasure of our said Son, she may from this time be constituted in the same. The more because we have chose these means, hoping that thereby our said Netherlands may return, to their ancient flower, rest, and prosperity, which heretofore they have had.  
Wherefore we make known, That desiring at this present to put in execution, that whereon we have so ripely considered, and in respect of the voluntary consent, which our said Son the Prince hath so liberally given thereunto, after her had understood, the 
(b) It is wonder that herein they have used the word submission since that undoubtedly it will be saved not to be strange, though the states of the Provinces sything and panting under the Spanish tyranny, seeing the cities environed, their countries suppressed with Spaniards, and other outlandish soldiers, and the whole and entire government of countries and cities, compounded according to the Spanish will: of many mischiefs, were said to choose the lest, a& that they therefore thereon have been compelled to submit & yield themselves to the Spanish Counsels will and pleasure, and to accept the propounded conditions. how unreasonable burdensome and unworthy soever they seemed, but it will never be believed, that neither the States nor the Commonalty, which by the staes are represented, being in liberty, will keep those forced conditions.  submission where with our said countries, did confirm our will and intention, we have resolved and decreed, to cede and transport to our said Daughter the Infanta, and to the advancement of the said marriage, all our said Provinces of the Netherlands & Burgundy, in the form, manner, and conditions here under expressed.   

The conditions whereupon these answers are written, are to be found in the Book before Printed, entitled, The transportation of the Low Countries, etc.  
Upon the first condition. BY this first and many other articles, the intent of the Spanish king is but too clear, and the Spanish counsel manifest, to wit, that by all means they will not only have the Netherlands joined to Spain, but especially, that by this gift and transport, as with the consent of the lands, they shall be assubiected to the Spanish government, in steed that until now they have desired to usurp the same by unjust and false titles.  
Upon the third condition. I have considered upon the contents of this third article, to wit, that the archduke dying without leaving child or children, procreated by the high borne Infanta: in such case this gift shall be nothing, and of no worth, and that she instead of these Netherlands, shall have her lawful portion. Hereupon will be said, that it is a fit means to hold the Netherlands combustion, being that no body should be able to make the legitimate portion of all the realms and countries possessed by the King of Spain, 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 claws.  
Upon the fourth condition. That word, return to the king of Spain, set in this fourth Article, manifesteth likewise the self same intent.  
Upon the fift condition. By this fift Article appeareth unreplicably, that at least the Princes of the Netherlands, should for ever remain subjects to the king of Spain and the Spanish counsel, a matter altogether unworthy not only for the Netherlands, but also for the Princes thereof, and truly, the virtue of the states of the Netherlands provinces of above certain 100 years past was so great, that such indignity durst not have been offered them.  
Upon the sixth condition. By this sixth Article, is given full power to the king of Spain and the Spanish counsel, that when as the Netherlands should by succession fall in a woman's hands, to draw the same to Spain again, by marriage with the King or Prince of Spain, or by hindrance thereof, the Spaniards turning over the leaf, and instead that Spain is now by marriage come to the hands of the Princes of the Netherlands, they will always make the Netherlands fall into the king of Spain, thereby with a better title of the same to rule them to their pleasure.  
Upon the seventh condition. The conditions contained in this seventh Article, in more manifest sort explaineth the intent of the Spaniard, willing that the Princes of the Netherlands, neither their sons nor daughters shall marry, without the advise and licence from the king of Spain: In what plainer and manifester sort might we set the Princes and the Netherlands (against the right of all peoples and nations) in the Spaniards protection or wardship.  
Upon the eight condition. In this eight Article, I have considered the arrogancy of the Spaniards, in forbidding the Inhabitants of the Netherlands, the traffic and Navigation of the East and West Indies, a matter never tofore heard of, and against the right of all nations. How much differeth this from the furtherance of the welfare, prosperity, and ancient flourish of the Netherlands. The greater part of the East and West Indies, known the king of Spain. What right (I pray you) have she Spaniards to forbid the Netherlanders, the traffic & navightion in those parts? What reason hath a Prince of the Netherlands (who is bound to his power to further his subjects, in trade and welfare) to propose such unmeet and unreasonable conditions against himself and his subjects, and to take upon him to set penalties, that the Netherlands in such case should be confiscated and devolved to the Spaniards: by what title, foundation, or colour, have the Spaniards ●ot such right in the Netherlands? Truly I am of opinion that many thousands, aswell Prelates, Lords, Nobles, as virtue us citizens in Brabant, Flaunders, & other countries (as now sighing under the Spaniard) would rather die for the country's liberty; then for their successors, to accept such dishonourable and unlawful conditions, and it is not apparent that any of the other Provinces would once think upon such intolerable and dishonest propositions.  
Upon the ninth condition. It will be said, that by this ninth article, the right of the States of the land, is contaminated & diminished, unto whom during the nonage of their Prince or Princess, the government of them and the lands (according to their rights) doth belong. Which rights may not be acquitted and laid aside, according to the Spanish counsels appetite.  
Upon the tenth condition. Upon this tenth article I am to say nothing as touching the Catholic faith, but I doubt that this precise condition of taking such an oath as the text showeth, & the penalty of dispossession of the propriety of the lands, shallbe thought to tend but little to a peace and quietness of the Netherlands (for those of Holland & Zealand, & other united Provinces, will esteem the said condition such, as thereby is meant, that it is not desired that any time they should be conjoined with the other lands, which notwithstanding (in my opinion) is the only way, to bring netherlands out of these broils of the Spanish tryanny, & in her old flourish.  
Upon the oath. Nor yet upon the form of this Oath, am I to say any thing, but I fear, that the Hollanders will expound the same, that not only the Prince bindeth himself and his successors to the Romish religion, without considering that the faith is a gift of God, but also that he must maintain his subjects therein, and thereunto will bring forth the Spanish Inquisition.  
Upon the 12. condition. Upon this. 12. article I say (according to my judgement) that no sure peace, love, 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 usurp any thing over the Netherlanders, which notwithstanding by this gift seemeth to be all their pretence.  
Upon the 13. condition. I am & have been offended in the highest degree, 〈◊〉 … standing by this 13. article, that these Netherlands should be held as a feoff o● … feoff to Spain, and do not think that any Netherlander, (not over Hispaniolized) would find it good: for that the Princes of the Netherlands which 〈◊〉 certain hundred years past have always been souer●●… and absolute Princes, should henceforward 〈…〉 to the king of Spain, which will never 〈…〉 in any true virtuous Netherlanders' heart, but undoubtedly will be a cause that the Hollanders & their associates, will with these undecent & unreasonable conditions, more justify their causes before all the world, than ever tofore, especially with this opportunity by the king's decease, whose decease hath discharged every one of all bonds, & their bonds may not be renewed, according to rights, privileges, and customs of the country, without their consent, which they will never yield to such conditions.  
By this my brief annotation, your honour may understand, what (in my opinion) upon each point may apparently be said by the catholics themselves, I have therein roundly and in good meaning executed your honours charge, upon hope that my writing shall not be showed to any, & upon the same hope, I cannot hide from your honour, (that in my mind) this conditioned gift will not prove the right means to reduce the Netherlands in rest, peace, & prosperity, but would esteem it more convenient, that in this opportunity, & by the king's decease, the States of all the Netherlands should take arms against the Spaniard & his adherents, thereby to compel the said Spaniards, & other strangers to departed the Netherlands, leaving by provision, every one in his own in such order touching the religion as otherwise, as they are: to the end that the Spaniards & strangers being driven out of the said lands, & the same land, being so reduced in their rights, freedoms, & security, that as then the General States of all the Netherlands, might assemble, and by good means take advise and resolve, upon the points which should tend to a right and true welfare, a during and assured peace, rest and union of the Netherlands, which would be a good and convenient means, not only for the service of the Netherlands, but also for the high above named Infanta, and the illustrious Archeduke her lord and husband, which otherwise, by this conditioned gift would hold them in a perpetual slavery and servitude of the Spaniards. I know that many honest persons of all qualities amongst you, and also amongst the adversaries of the Spaniards unto which these means would be heartily pleasing, and trust that if the same were in earnest and effectually by your honour and others, taken in hand, the Almighty God would yield his blessing thereto.   
FINIS.