Catalogue description LORD WYLLUGHBY to the GOVERNOR OF GEERTRUDENBERGE.

--The Duke of Cleves and Juliers writes to us complaining that certain soldiers of your garrison, taking their way (as is freely allowed) through the country of Juliers, and receiving kindness and help, such as all good neighbours should give, went into the village of Kessenich and seized two men, brothers, who, as is well known to all the village, are not in their right wits. Seeing this, the soldiers said, what shall we do with these two fools, and on the way they released the older, but kept the other. At the same time, two soldiers of this same company, who had not gone with their companions, were kindly received at the house or chatteau of Kessenich, where they were well-treated, their horses shoed, and a guide given them, to take them back to Geertrudenberge. Before their departure, these soldiers were shown the protections which had been granted to the village and castle by the Governors and regents of the United Provinces, as also that they were of the province of Juliers, and the soldiers promised that as soon as they reached their company, the prisoner should be released. But notwithstanding this, they took him to Geertrudenberge, and there asked him if he would give them 4000 florins. Oh yes, answered the poor fellow, I will give you 6000 florins. It seems that they took these words as a promise of a ransom, and keep the man in prison till it is paid. Now, as they have no right to detain, without just cause, the subjects of the land of Juliers, and as the people of this village in particular have always been very friendly to our cause, we desire you at once to make enquiries, and, if fitting, to release the man and have him escorted to his own country, and their protections duly allowed; in order that all friendly relations may be maintained by your garrison with the country people, and especially with the village of Kessenich, which, henceforward, we take under our especial protection.