160 HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

chap. over to London ; with an ambassador extra-LxVi ordinary, who had orders to use every expedient,that might give satisfaction to the court of Eng-land. That court replied, that the answer of theHollanders was ambiguous and obscure; but theywould not specify the articles or expressions,which were liable to that objection. The Dutchambassador desired the English ministers to drawthe answer in what terms they pleased ; and heengaged to sign it: The English ministry replied,that it was not their business to draw papers forthe Dutch. The ambassador brought them thedraught of an article, and asked them whetherit were satisfactory: The English answered, that,when he had signed and delivered it, they wouldtell him their mind concerning it. The Dutch-man resolved to sign it at a venture; and on hisdemanding a new audience , an hour was ap-pointed for that purpose: But when he attended,the English refused to enter upon business , andtoid him , that the season for negociating wasnow past

16 72. Long and frequent prorogations were made ofthe parliament ; lest the houses should declarethemselves with vigor against counsels, so opposite

* England’s Appeal j p. 22^ This year, on the 12th ofNovember, died, in his retreat, and in the 60th year ofhis age, Thomas lord Fairfax, who performed many greatactions, without being a memorable personage, and allowedhimself to be carried into many criminal enterprises, withthe belt and most upright intentions. His daughter and heirwas married to George Villiers, duke of Buckingham.

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