The memorial of the Heer Van Diest, envoy extraordinary of His electoral Highness of Brandenburgh to the high and mighty the Lords States General of the United Provinces, delivered May the 29th, 1864.

THE MEMORIAL OF THE HEER VAN DIEST, Envoy Extraordinary Of His Electoral HIGHNESS of BRANDENBURGH. To the High and Mighty the Lords STATES GENERAL of the UNITED PROVINCES: Delivered May the 29th. 1864. High and Mighty Lords

THE under-written Envoy Extraordinary from his Electoral Highneſs of Brandenburgh hath by ſpecial Order of His Moſt Gracious Maſter in the laſt Conference Repreſented at large to your High and Mightineſſes, Deputies: The grief which his Electoral Highneſs had upon him, concerning the Imminent and almoſt Inevitable danger into which this State was Involved by the Conſequence of the War between thoſe two Mighty Crowns.

That his Electoral Highneſs had for many, and Natural Reaſons taken to heart, the Welfare and Conſervation of this State, as were it his own, and did always continue his Sincere and Cordial Friendſhip.

That his Electoral Highneſs at Times and Occaſions hath given evident Proofs thereof.

That his Electoral Highneſs had never found Affairs, ſo Intricate and Deſperate as now.

That there was no properer Means to be thought upon, to avoid their Total Ruine, then by a moſt ſpeedy Peace, or Ceſſation, to make an end of the ſaid War, and to that end to take a prompt (or ready) Reſolution.

That this Work ſhould be taken in hand in good earneſt.

That it was not time now to Treat about this or the other Conditions.

That it was to be feared that delay of Time would make it daily more difficult.

That this hath been ſeen already, and was further to be feared.

That it would be hard to anſwer to God and to Poſterity, if through Deſpair they ſhould let all things Run on to Confuſion, and always to Embrace too late thoſe Conditions which are no more to be obtained.

That his Electoral Highneſs hath hitherto often diverted, or at leaſt delayed many Inconveniences like to happen to this State. For to give your High and Mightineſſes time to think upon their Conſervation and Safety, and to deliver themſelves out of that Fire which effectually was kindled in the Low-Countries.

But that Matters were now gone ſo far, that his Electoral Highneſs could ſee no further how to do any thing in the Buſineſs, but with Grief and Trouble to behold the Ruinous Effects that may follow, ſeeing they would not hearken to his ſo faithful and often Repeated Warnings.

That time would manifeſt how Upright and Sincere his Electoral Highneſs's Intentions towards this State and the General Welfare hath been, and that his Intentions have been quite contrary to what hath often been publiſhed by bad men.

That the Great God who knows his Electoral Highneſs Mind, That it had an Aſpect that they through Deſparate Reſolution, or rather Irreſolution, would Involve and Conſume themſelves, and all their Neighbours into that Fire which is already kindled.

That by all means we ought to preſerve Germany, and to prevent all Diſquietneſs there.

That they muſt not flatter themſelves here with Hopes of any Forces from thoſe Quarters.

That his Electoral Highneſs did requeſt them to Reflect upon all theſe Things ſeriouſly and without delay; and that he did hope that this his Well-meaning Repreſentation (to which end his Electoral Highneſs hath ſent the under-written Expreſs) might take ſome Effect upon the Minds of the Rulers of this State, and put your High & Mightineſſes in mind in this Diſtraction, what may be Convenient for the Preſervation of theirs, and their Neighbours Peace, that ſo they may by Gods Grace Transfer to Poſterity both Religion and Liberty, as the two deareſt and weightieſt Pledges which their Fore-fathers with ſo much Blood and Goods have obtained, and not to put the ſame at once, and with ſo much Diſadvantage in the Seale.

The Under-written thought fit to Repeat this by Memorial, That ſo your High and Mightineſſes might the better apprehend the Well-meaning Repreſentation of his Electoral Highneſs, and thereupon without Delay of Time might fall upon the Buſineſs.

Hague 29th May, 1684. Was Signed FRID. WILL. VAN DIEST.