434 ^' -^' 164&. 



ther were .the inhabitants of the Spanifh Low countries to frequent the 

 Spanifh fettlements in the Eaft-Indies *. 



IV) With regard to the Weft-Indies or America, the fubjeds of Spain 

 and Holland were mutually to abftain from failing to, or trading in, 

 any of the harbours, places, &c. poffefled by the one or the other party 

 there. 



V) The river Scheldt, as alfo the canals of Sas and Swyn, and other 

 mouths of rivers difemboguing themfelves there, were ftipulated to be 

 kept fhut on the fide of the lords the ftates-general f. 



VI) It was ftipulated that the Hanfe towns fliould enjoy all the fame 

 rights, privileges, &c. in the dominions of Spain, which by this treaty 

 were, or ftiould in future be, granted to the fubjeds of the ftates- 

 general ; and reciprocally, the fubjefts of the ftates-general were to en- 

 joy the fame privileges, &c. in Spain as the Hanfeatics ; whether for 

 eftabliftiing confuls in the capital ports of Spain, or elfewhere, as ftiould 

 be needful, or for the freedom of their meixhants, fadors, &c. and in 

 Hke fort as the Hanfe towns have formerly enjoyed, or ftiall hereafter 

 obtain, for the fecurity of their navigation and commerce. The Dutch 

 were alfo to enjoy the fame privileges, &c. in Spain as the king of Greafe 

 Britain's fubjeds did ; and honourable places weire to be appointed for 

 the interment of fuch of the fubjeds of the ftates-general as ftiould hap- 

 pen to die in the Spanifti dominions. The king of Spain, moreover, 

 obliged himfelf efFedually to procure the continuation and obfervation 

 of the neutrality and amity of the emperor and empire with the ftates- 

 general of the United Netherlands. [General Colkttion of treaties, F! ii, 

 p. 2^S' ed. 1732.] 



There was alfo a feparate article relating to the freedom ot commerce 

 on both fides ; againft the carrying of contraband goods to the enemy's 

 countries; and refpeding the fearching of ftiips, paflports, &c. needlefs 

 here to be particularized. It is fufficient upon the whole to obferve, 

 that the ftates-general of the United Netherlands by this honourable 

 treaty gained the folid and lafting means of greatly enriching their peo- 

 ple, by improving and extending their commerce, already grown to an 

 amazing height in Eaft-India, as well as in Africa and Europe. And 

 here we cannot omit a circumftance which, though in itfelf it may ap- 

 pear inconftderable, demonftrates the fuperiority of the Dutch in this 

 treaty. The count of Oldenburg earneftly requefted the ftates-general 

 to be included in the treaty : but by decrees of the 23d of May and the 

 6th of Auguft it was denied him ; ' becaufe he had for many years de- 



* 



This was urged to good purpofe by Great Bri- f This was for preventing the revival of the trade 



tain and Holland againft the emperor Charles VI, of Antwerp, which ftill languiihes under the de- 



when he fet up the Ollend company to trade from privation of its maritime commerce. j1. 

 Flanders to the Ealt-Indies. Jl. 



