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May it please your good L. Wheras by the Treatie there are allowed for her Majesties garrisons in Flushing and the Rammekins, but 700 souldiers, the states of Zeland have sent certain deputies hither, to complaine to this Councel, that there are at this present eleven companies, of which there are 7 of a 150 and three that consist of 200 a peece: in so much as the payment of the service mony onely, which is defrayed to the souldiers in Flushing, is as burdensome to the countrey, as was wont to be the whole intertenment of the garrison before the making of the Treaty: besides that divers fraudes and abuses are committed by officers in the forsaid paiment, wherby the contrey is surcharged and damnified greatly. And therfore first they have required, that the companies may not exceede the number specified in the Treaty, and that this Councel should procure it, by writing to her Majestie. Secondly for refor- mation of those receates that are used in the paiment the States of Zeland have presented a draught of certain orders devised by themselves, which they desire to have confirmed by the Councel of Estate. The Councel having often consulted upon it, have concluded among themselves, to deale to that effect, as those of Zeland have desired: both for moving her Majestie to reduce the forsaid garrisons to the number of 700 and for approving the project which they have proposed. Howbeit before they would resolve to give up their answear, they have though it behoofull, to impart their purpose unto me, and to pray me to weigh, how much it doth import the state of the contrey, and to joine with them in writing to her Majestie about it.

I have answeared heerupon, that first as concerning the suparnumerary bandes, it was an old complaint of theirs, and had bin answeared often in very good sorte: and that I thought they should doe well, having borne that charge so many years together to passe for heerafter, without any gainesaing. For though the number of the companies were limited by the contract, yet they were in comon equitie to consider with themselves, that it was not possible for her Mjestie or her ministers at the making of the Contract, to know so precisely how great a garrison was requisit for defence of those places. For which cause, and for her greater security, she had reserved to her self the libertie to choose at all times, and at her good pleasure, besides the two townes of Flushing and the Brille , any other that she liked of the rest of the Provinces: and to furnishe it with a fol.27v
garrison, out of her auxiliary forces in these contreis: [which was] so accorded by themselves in their Act of Amplication made [upon the] Treaty. So that if they would seeme to urge so strightly [the just] number expressed in the Treaty, they were to expect that her Majestie [being] weakened that way in assurance, would demaunde some other t[owne] wherin as I conceaved, they would be very backward. Mo[reover] her Highnes did finde, that those townes were become a great dea[l more] populous then they were at the time that is mentioned in the Contract [.] though I knew very well the Treaty was made: so as [none of those] that she hath chosen, to the government of them, would undertake to [keep] the, with the restriction to the number that is mentioned in the Contract. [And] though I know very well, that the intention of the countrey was since[re and] direct, and that there was no cause to calle in question that affection, [which they] bare unto her Majestie yet occacions might fall of the breache of [this amitie,] as was often times seene betweene Princes and contreis in greate [est conjunction] For which it was expedient that the forsaid places should not onely [be assured] against the power of the enemy, which I thought might be done [with a] very fewe souldiers and the aide of the Burghers, but if occacion [so] required, against those attemptes that might be made by the s[tates] themselves, or those that are inhabitants. For howsoever [it be] presumed, as it might very well, that no such mater will come [to pass] yet they could not be ignorant, that garrison souldiers and Bur[ghers] are many times at variance, and grow often on the soddaine to [terms] of hostilitie. Which if it should happen by any accident in Fl[ushing] it is knowen to all that contrey, that there are of that towne and belo[nging] therunto 3000 mariners at the lest, which are armed sufficiently, to [master] so fewe as the Treaty doeth set downe. And how ill in su[ch a case] the State would be able to beare any sway in the appeasing [of their] furie, it was needeles for me to signify unto them. For [these] and other like causes I wished them to make no motion to [her Majestie] of any such mater: for that I was sure she would take dis[pleasure] at it, and they in their suite should be nothing the neerer. And where thei doe alleage the excessive charges of the Con[trey] in disboursing of service mony, it was but a shewe of a mater [of] fol.28r
weight, and was nothing in effect. For if the suparnumeraries were not kept in Flushing, thei must be placed somewhere els, and lodged as in Flushing, which in regard of their expense would come to one account. But to meete with those abuses that are practised by officers with surcharging the contrey with greater payments then were needfull for the numbers in garrison, I had thorowly parused that wch those of Zeland had projected in that behalf, and to my understanding I found it beneficiall as well for her Majestie as the contrey. Nevertheles I requested them to ceede with some correspondence with the Governor, and not onley to send him a transcript of their orders, but withall to make him offer to reforme any point, that should be found by his remonstrance prejudicial to the garrison. Upon these and other like speeches it was resolved by this Councel, that those orders of Zeland should be put in execucion: but as touching the excesse of the Companies in Flushing, they would for a time forbeare to write, till the Generall States were come together, and then determine with advise, what course they would take/ Nothing more being offered worth your L. reading, I take my humble leave. From the Hage. February 18 1592.