Page:The Annual Register 1758.djvu/170

 156 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1758.

rather to his own prefervation, than to the affillance of thofe whofe un- happy lot has rendered them ob- jehs of compaffion : That fruga- lity, thus prevailing over libera- lity, people continue to feel the misfortunes of others, but are little difpofed to give them any relief: That, confideringon the one hand all thefe difafters, and on the other the welfare of commerce and of their country, the body of mer- chants have thought it their duty again to reprefent to your royal highnefs, that if redrcfs doth not foon fucceed to their complaints, it is to be feared, that in cafe the Ihips expeded home fhould be taken like the others, want of means will force the merchants to give up trade.

For thefe reafons, being per- fuaded of your royal highnefs's clemency, they prefume to claim the performance of the promifes you were pleafed to make them at their fecond audience; pro- mifes fo agreeable, fo full of ten- dernefs and regard, and fo much confided in by them, that they ftill expeti to feel the effefts of them. Accordingly, they moft humbly fupplicate your royal high- nefs, to be gracioufly pleafed to concur in the neceflary meafures for faving the commercial fubjedls of the republic from a calamity that is arrived at its utmoft pe- xiod ; and to conlider, that, if the reftitution of the ihips and cargoes be delayed, the one will go to de- cay, and the other be fpoili. They moreover conjure your royal high- nefs to interpofe your good offices in fuch a manner, that the Englifii nation may make good the immenfe loffes they have fufrered,and abftain from doing them farther damage.

to the hazard of totally ruining th: republic.

The merchants cannot for- bear laying before your royal highnefs the firm refolution ta- ken by his highnefs the late Prince of Orange, your illuftrious hufband, of moft laudable me- mory, to employ, had Heaven been pleafed to prolong his days, every method to reftore the trade which thefe provinces carry on by Hamburg, to its former flou- rifhing ftate. They moft humbly recommend to your royal high- nefs this branch of trade, which hath coft ihem fuch heavy impo- fitions during fo many years, and of which they will be able to continue the payment, when by the interpofition of your royal highnefs, they fhall be fo happy as to enjoy her proteftion in this refpcd, which is not more necef- fary than ardently defired. If that fhould fail, the merchants muft declare upon their honour, that the commerce of thefe pro- vinces in general will be at an end ; and tbst, notwithftanding their zeal for the welfare of the commonwealth, they will be unable to pay taxes much lefs ne- ceflary.

To thefe humble fuppHcations, the merchants add the noil fin- cere prayers for the profperity of your royal highnefs's family, whom moreover they requeft to preferve their common rights and liberties, purchafed at fo dear a rate, and to maintain them againft thofe who feek to make the republic fufFer."

They write from Holland, thai the princefs gouvernante, when fhe went to the affembly of the States General, and delivered the famous