in a style and manner fitting to us _Jewes_ and our condition. It is a
thing most certaine, that the great God of _Israel_, Creator of Heaven
and Earth, doth give and take away Dominions and Empires, according to
his owne pleasure; exalting some, and overthrowing others: who, seeing
he hath the hearts of Kings in his hand, he easily moves them
whithersoever himselfe pleaseth, to put in execution his Divine
Commands. This, my Lord, appeares most evidently out of those words of
_Daniel_, where he, rendring thanks unto God, for revealing unto him
that prodigious Dreame of _Nebuchadnezar_, doth say: _Thou that removest
Kings, and sets up Kings_. And else-where, _To the end the living might
know, that the Highest hath dominion in Mans Kingdome, and giveth the
same to whom he please_. Of the very same-minde are the _Thalmudists_
likewise, affirming that a good Government, or Governor, is a Heavenly
Gift, and that there is no Governor, but is first called by God unto
that dignity: and this they prove from that passage of _Exodus_: _Behold
I have called Bazale’l by name_, &c. all things being governed by Divine
Providence, God dispensing rewards unto Vertues, and punishment unto
Vices, according to his owne good Will. This the Examples of great
Monarchs make good; especially of such, who have afflicted the people of
_Israel_: For none hath ever afflicted them, who hath not been by some
ominous _Exit_, most heavily punished of God Almighty; as is manifest
from the Histories of those Kings, _Pharaoh_, _Nebuchadnezar_,
_Antiochus_, _Epiphanius_, _Pompey_, and others. And on the contrary,
none ever was a Benefactor to that people, and cherished them in their
Countries, who thereupon hath not presently begun very much to flourish.
In so much that the Oracle to _Abraham_ (_I will blesse them that blesse
thee, and curse them that curse thee_) seemeth yet daily to have its
accomplishment. Hence I, one of the least among the _Hebrews_, since by
experience I have found, that through Gods great bounty toward us, many
considerable and eminent persons both for Piety and Power, are moved
with sincere and inward pitty and compassion towards us, and do comfort
us concerning the approaching deliverance of _Israel_, could not but for
my self, and in the behalf of my Countrey men, make this my humble
addresse to your Highness, and beseech you for Gods sake, that ye would,
according to that Piety and Power wherein you are eminent beyond others,
vouchsafe to grant, that the Great and Glorious Name of the Lord our God
may be extolled, and solemnly worshiped and praised by us through all
the bounds of this Common-wealth; and to grant us place in your
Countrey, that we may have our Synagogues, and free exercise of our
Religion. I nothing doubting, but that your Clemency will easily grant
this most equitable Petition of ours. Pagans have of old, out of
reverence to the God of _Israel_; & the esteem they had to his people,
granted most willingly free liberty, even to apostated _Jewes_; as
_Onias_ the High Priest, to build another Temple in their Countrey, like
unto that at _Jerusalem_: how much more then may we, that are not
Apostate or runagate _Iewes_, hope it from your Highnesse and your
Christian Councill, since you have so great knowledge of, and adore the
same one onely God of _Israel_, together with us. Besides, it increases
our confidence of your bounty towards us, in that so soon as ever the
rumour of that most wished-for liberty, that ye were a thinking to grant
us, was made known unto our Countrey-men; I, in the name of my Nation,
the _Iewes_, that live in _Holland_, did congratulate and entertaine
their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of _England_; who were received in
our Synagogue with as great pomp and applause, Hymns and cheerfulnesse
of minde, as ever any Soveraigne Prince was. For our people did in their
owne mindes presage, that the Kingly Government being now changed into
that of a Common-wealth, the antient hatred towards them, would also be
changed into good-will: that those rigorous Laws (if any there be yet
extant, made under the Kings) against so innocent a people, would
happily be repealed. So that we hope now for better from your
gentleness, & goodness, since, from the beginning of your Government of
this Common-wealth, your Highnesse hath professed much respect, and
favour towards us. Wherefore I humbly entreat your Highnesse, that you
would with a gracious eye have regard unto us, and our Petition, and
grant unto us, as you have done unto others, free exercise of our
Religion, that we may have our Synagogues, and keep our own publick
worship, as our brethren doe in _Italy_, _Germany_, _Poland_, and many
other places, and we shall pray for the happinesse and Peace of this
your much renowned and puissant Common-wealth.
[Illustration]
A DECLARATION
TO THE
Common-wealth of England,
BY
_Rabbi Menasseh Ben_ ISRAEL, shewing the Motives of his coming into
England.
_Having some yeares since often perceived that in this Nation, God hath
a People, that is very tender-hearted, and well-wishing to our
sore-afflicted Nation; Yea, I my selfe having some Experience thereof,
in divers Eminent persons, excelling both in Piety and Learning: I
thought with my-self, I should do no small service to my owne Nation, as
also to the People and Inhabitants of this Common-wealth, if by humble
addresses to the late Honourable Parliament, I might obtaine a
safe-Conduct once to transport my selfe thither. Which I having done,
and according to my desire, received a most kinde and satisfactory
Answer, I now am come. And to the end all Men may know the true Motives
and Intent of this my coming, I shall briefly comprehend and deliver
them in these particulars._
First and formost, _my Intention is to try, is by Gods good hand over
me, I may obtaine here for my Nation the Liberty of a free and publick
Synagogue, wherein we may daily call upon the Lord our God, that once he
may be pleased to remember his Mercies and Promises done to our Fore
fathers, forgiving our trespasses, and restoring us once againe into our
fathers Inheritance; and besides to sue also for a blessing upon this
Nation, and People of_ England, _for receiving us into their bosomes,
and comforting_ Sion _in her distresse_.
_My_ second _Motive is, because the opinion of many Christians and mine
doe concurre herein, that we both believe that the restoring time of our
Nation into their Native Countrey, is very neer at hand; I believing
more particularly, that this restauration cannot be, before these words
of_ Daniel, Chap. 12. ver. 7. _be first accomplished, when he saith_,
And when the dispersion of the Holy people shall be compleated in all
places, then shall all these things be compleated: _signifying
therewith, that before all be fulfilled, the People of God must be first
dispersed into all places & Countreyes of the World. Now we know, how
our Nation at the present is spread all about, and hath its seat and
dwelling in the most flourishing parts of all the Kingdomes, and
Countreys of the World, as well in_ America, _as in the other three
parts thereof; except onely in this considerable and mighty Island. And
therefore this remains onely in my judgement, before the_ MESSIA _come
and restore our Nation, that first we must have our seat here likewise_.
_My_ third _Motive is grounded on the profit that I conceive this Common
wealth is to reap, if it shall vouchsafe to receive us; for thence, I
hope, there will follow a great blessing from God upon them, and a very
abundant trading into, and from all parts of the World, not onely
without prejudice to the English Nation, but for their profit, both in
Importation, and Exportation of goods. Yet if any shall doubt hereof, I
trust their Charity towards the people of God, will satisfie them,
especially when they shall reade the ensuing Treatise_.
_The_ fourth _Motive of my coming hither, is, my sincere affection to
this Common wealth, by reason of so many Worthy, Learned, and Pious men
in this Nation, whose loving kindnesse and Piety I have experience of:
hoping to finde the like affection in all the People generally; the
more, because I alwayes have, both by writing and deeds, professed much
inclination to this Common-wealth; and that I perswade my selfe they
will be mindfull of that Command of the Lord our God, who so highly
recommends unto all men the_ love of strangers; _much more to those that
professe their good affection to them. For this I desire all may be
confident of, that I am not come to make any disturbance, or to move any
disputes about matters of Religion; but onely to live with my Nation in
the feare of the Lord, under the shadow of your protection, whiles we
expect with you_ the hope of Israel _to be revealed_.
How Profitable The Nation of the Iewes are.
_Three_ things, if it please your Highnesse, there are that make a
strange _Nation_ wel-beloved amongst the Natives of a land where they
dwell: (as the defect of those _three_ things make them hatefull.) viz.
_Profit_, they may receive from them; _Fidelity_ they hold towards their
Princes; and the _Noblenes_ and purity of their blood. Now when I shall
have made good, that all _these three_ things are found in the _Iewish
Nation_, I shall certainly persuade your Highnesse, that with a
favorable eye, (Monarchy being changed into a Republicq) you shall be
pleased to receive again the Nation of the Iews, who in time past lived
in that Island: but, I know not by what false Informations, were cruelly
handled and banished.
_Profit_ is a most powerfull motive, and which all the World preferres
before all other things: and therefore we shall handle that point first.
It is a thing confirmed, that merchandizing is, as it were, the proper
profession of the Nation of the Iews. I attribute this in the first
place, to the particular Providence and mercy of God towards his people:
for having banished them from their own Country, yet not from his
Protection, he hath given them, as it were, a naturall instinct, by
which they might not onely gain what was necessary for their need, but
that they should also thrive in Riches and possessions; whereby they
should not onely become gracious to their Princes and Lords, but that
they should be invited by others to come and dwell in their Lands.
Moreover, it cannot be denyed, but that necessity stirrs up a mans
ability and industry; and that it gives him great incitement, by all
means to trie the favour of Providence.
Besides, seeing it is no wisedome for them to endeavour the gaining of
Lands and other immovable goods, and so to imprison their possessions
here, where their persons are subject to so many casualities,
banishments and peregrinations; they are forced to use marchandizing
untill that time, when they shall returne to their own Country, that
then as God hath promised by the Prophet Zachary, _Their shall be found
no more any marchant amongst them in the House of the Lord_.
From that very thing we have said, there riseth an infallible Profit,
commodity and gain to all those Princes in whose Lands they dwell above
all other strange Nations whatsoever, as experience by divers _Reasons_
doth confirme.
I. The Iews, have no oportunity to live in their own Country, to till
the Lands or other like employments, give themselves wholy unto
merchandizing, and for contriving new Inventions, no Nation almost going
beyond them. And so ’tis observed, that wheresoever they go to dwell,
there presently the Traficq begins to florish. Which may be seen in
divers places, especially in Ligorne, which having been but a very
ignoble and inconsiderable City, is at this time, by the great concourse
of people, one of the most famous places of Trafique of whole Italy.
Furthermore, the Inventor of the famous _Scala de Spalatro_ (the most
firme and solid Traficq of Venice) was a Iew, who by this his Invention
transported the Negotiation from a great part of the Levant into that
City.
Even that very same is seene likewise at this day in Nizza and in other
innumerable places more, both in Europe and Asia.
II. The Nation of the Iews is dispersed throughout the whole World, it
being a chastisement that God hath layd upon them for their Idolatries,
Deut. 28,69. Ezech. 20,23. Nehem. 1,8. Ps. 107,27. and by other their
sinnes their families suffer the same shipwrack.
Now in this dispersion our Fore-fathers flying from the Spanish
Inquisition, some of them came in Holland, others got into Italy, and
others betooke themselves into Asia; and so easily they credit one
another; and by that meanes they draw the Negotiation where-ever they
are, where with all of them marchandising and having perfect knowledge
of all the kinds of Moneys, Diamants, Cochinil, Indigo, Wines, Oyle, and
other Commodities, that serve from place to place; especially holding
correspondence with their friends and kinds-folk, whose language they
understand; they do abundantly enrich the Lands and Countrys of
strangers, where they live, not onely with what is requisite and
necessary for the life of man; but also what may serve for ornament to
his civill condition. Of which _Traficq_, there ariseth ordinarily
_Five_ important benefits.
1. The augmentation of the Publiq Tolls and Customes, at their coming
and going out of the place.
2. The transporting and bringing in of marchandises from remote
Countries.
3. The affording of Materials in great plenty for all Mechaniqs; as
Wooll, Leather, Wines; Jewels, as Diamants, Pearles, and such like
Merchandize.
4. The venting and exportation of so many kinds of Manifactures.
5. The Commerce and reciprocall Negotiation at Sea, which is the ground
of Peace between neighbour Nations, and of great profit to their own
Fellow-cittizens.
III. This reason is the more strengthened, when we see, that not onely
the Iewish Nation dwelling in Holland and Italy, trafficqs with their
own stock, but also with the riches of many others of their own Nation,
friends, kinds-men and acquaintance, which notwithstanding live in
Spaine, and send unto them their moneys and goods, which they hold in
their hands, and content themselves with a very small portion of their
estate, to the end they may be secure and free from danger that might
happen unto them, in case they should fall under the yoke of the
Inquisition; whence not onely their goods, but oftentimes also their
lives are endangered.
IV. The love that men ordinarily beare to their own Country and the
desire they have to end their lives, where they had their begining, is
the cause, that most strangers having gotten riches where they are in a
forain land, are commonly taken in a desire to returne to their native
soil, and there peaceably to enjoy their estate; so that as they were a
help to the places where they lived, and negotiated while they remained
there; so when they depart from thence, they carry all away, and spoile
them of their wealth: transporting all into their own native Country:
But with the Iews the case is farre different; for where the Iews are
once kindly receaved, they make a firm resolution never to depart from
thence, seeing they have no proper place of their own: and so they are
alwayes with their goods in the Cities where they live, a perpetuall
benefit to all payments. Which reasons do clearly proove, that it being
the property of Cittizens in populous and rich countries, to seeke their
rest and ease with buying lands and faire possession of which they live;
many of them hating commerce, aspire to Titles and Dignities: therefore
of all strangers, in whose hands ordinarily Trafique is found, there are
none so profitable and beneficiall to the place where they trade and
live, as is the Nation of the Iews. And seeing amongst the people of
Europ, the chiefest riches they possesse, som from Spain, those
neighbour Nations, where the Iews shall finde liberty to live according
to their own Iudaicall Laws, they shall most easily draw that benefit to
themselves by means of the industry of our Nation, and their mutuall
correspondance.
From hence (if it please your Highnes) it results, that the Iewish
Nation, though scattered through the whole World, are not therefore a
despisable people, but as a Plant worthy to be planted in the whole
world, and received into Populous Cities: who ought to plant them in
those places, which are most secure from danger; being trees of most
savory fruit and profit, to be alwayes most favoured with Laws and
Priviledges, or Prerogatives, secured and defended by Armes. An Example
of this we have in our times. His Majesty, the Illustrious King of
Denmark, invited them with speciall Priviledges into Geluckstadt: the
Duke of Savoy into Nisa of Provence; and the Duke of Modina in Retio,
allowing them such conditions and benefices, as like never were
presented unto them by any other Prince, as appeareth by the copy of
those Priviledges, which I have in my hands. But supposing it would be a
matter of too large extention, if I should make a relation of all the
places under whose Princes the Iews live, I will onely speake briefly of
the two Tribes Iudah and Benjamin. These in India in Cochin have 4
Synagogues, one part of these Iews being there of a white colour, and
three of a tawny; these being most favoured by the King. In the year
1640. dyed Samuel Castoel, Governour of the City, and Agent for the
King, and David Castoel his sonne succeeded in his place. In Persia
there is a great number of Iews, and they live indifferent freely: there
are also amongst them that are in favour and great respect by the King,
and who live there very bravely. Some years past, there was Elhazar
Huza, the Viceroy, and now there is David Ian; if yet he be living. In
the year 1636. the Saltan Amarat took in Bagdad, and puting all to the
sword, he commanded that they should not touch the Iews, nor their
houses, and besides that, he freed them from one half of the tribuit
they were wont to pay to the Persian.
But the chiefest place where the Iews life, is the Turkish Empire, where
some of them live in great estate, even in the Court of the Grand Turke
at Constantinople, by reason there is no Viceroy, or Governour, or
Bassa, which hath not a Iew to manage his affaires, and to take care for
his estate: Hence it cometh that in short time they grow up to be Lords
of great revenues, and they most frequently bend the minds of Great ones
to most weighty affaires in government.
The greatest Viceroy of whole Europe is the Bassa of Egypt; this Bassa
always takes to him, by order of the Kingdome, a Iew with the title of
Zaraf-Bassa (_Thresurer_) viz. of all the Revenues of that government,
who receaves purses full of money, seals them, and then sends them to
the King. This man in a short time grows very rich, for that by his
hands as being next to the Bassa, the 24 Governments of that Empire are
sould and given, and all other businesses managed. At present he that
possesseth this place, is called S^r. Abraham Alhula. The number of the
Iews living in this Kingdome of the Great Turke, is very great, and
amounts to many Millions. In Constantinople alone there are 48
Synagogues, and in Salaminque 36, and more then fourescore thousand
soules in these two Cities alone.
The first King gave them great priviledges which they enjoy untill this
day: for besides the liberty, they have every-where, of trading with
open shops, of bearing any Office and possessing of any goods, both
mooveable and immooveable, he yet graunted them power to judge all
Civill causes according to their own Laws amongst themselves. Moreover
they are exempted from going to Warres, and that souldiers should be
quartered in their houses, and that Justice should take no place upon
the death of any one that left no heir to his Estate.
In all which they are preferred before the naturall Turks themselves.
For which cause they pay in some Cittys to the King three Patacons, and
in others two and a half by the pole.
In this estate some of the Iews have grown to great fortunes; as Joseph
Nasino, unto whom Amatus Lusitanus dedicated his fifth and sixth
Centuriæ, was by Sultan Solime made Duke of Maccia, Earle of Andro,
Seignor of Millo, and the seaven Islands: And Jacob Ben-Iaes by Sultan
Amurat, was made Governour of the Tiberiades: so likewise others were
exalted to very great and Eminent Dignities: as was that Selomo Rose,
that was sent for Ambassador at Venice, where he confirmed the last
Peace with Amurat. In Germany, there lives also a great multitude of
Jews, especially at Prague, Vienna and Franckfurt, very much favoured by
the most mild and most gracious Emperours, but despised of the people,
being a Nation not very finely garnished by reason of their vile
cloathing: yet notwithstanding there is not wanting amongst them persons
of great quality. The Emperour Matthias made Noble both Mardochai
Mairel, and Ferdinando Jacob Bar Seba.
But yet a greater number of Iews are found in the Kingdome of Poland,
Prussia and Lethuania, under which Monarchy they have the Jurisdiction
to judge amongst themselves all causes, both Criminal and Civil; and
also great and famous Academies of their own. The chief Cities where the
Nation liveth, are Lublin and Cracow, where there is a Iew, called Isaac
Iecells, who built a Synagogue, which stood him in one hundred thousand
Francs, and is worth many tons of gold. There is in this place such
infinite number of Iews; that although the Cosaques in the late warres
have killed of them above one hundred and fourescore thousand; yet it is
sustained that they are yet at this day as innumerable as those were
that came out of Egypt. In that Kingdome the whole Negotiation is in the
hand of the Iews, the rest of the Christians are either all Noble-men,
or Rustiques and kept as slaves.
In Italy they are generally protected by all the Princes: their
principall residence is in the most famous City of Venice; so that in
that same City alone they possesse about 1400 Houses; and are used there
with much courtesy and clemency. Many also live in Padoa and Verona;
others in Mantua, and also many in Rome it self. Finally they are
scattered here and there in the chief places of Italy, and do live there
with many speciall priviledges.
In the Government of the great Duke of Tuscany, they are by that Prince
most graciously & bountifully dealt with, having power from him
graunted, to have their Judicatory by themselves, and to judge in all
matters, both Civill and Criminall; besides many other Priviledges,
whereof I my self have the Copies in hand. The rich and illustrious
families that flourished in these Countries are many, viz. The Thoraces,
who being three Brethren, shared betwixt them above 700 thousand Crowns.
In Ferrara were the Viles, whose stock was above 200 thousand Crowns.
The Lord Joseph de Fano, Marquis de Villependi, was a man much respected
of all the Princes in Italy, and was called by them, The Peace-maker and
appeaser of all troubles; because he, by his authority and entremise,
was used to appease all troubles and strife rising amongst them. Don
Daniel Rodrigues, because of his prudency and other good qualities, was
sent in the year 1589 from the most Excellent Senat of Venice into
Dalmatia, to appease those tumults and scandals given by the Vsquoquibs
in Clissa: which he most manly effected, and caused all the women and
children, that were kept cloose prisoners, to be set at liberty, brought
also to an happy issue many other things of great moment, for which he
was sent. Alphonso II. the Duke of Ferrara, sent also for his Ambassador
to the Imperiall Majesty, one Abraham de Bondi, to pay and discharge
Investiture of the States of Modena and Reggio. The Prince of Sasol and
the Marquis of Scandia likewise, had to their Factors men of our Nation.
In the Kingdome of Barbary, their lives also a great number of Iews,
who-ever cruelly and basely used by that Barbarous Nation, except at
Marrocco, the Court and Kings house, where they have their Naguid or
Prince that governs them, and is their Iudge, and is called at this day,
Seignor Moseh Palache: and before him was in the same Court, that Noble
family Ruthes, that had power and Iurisdiction of all kinde of
punishment, onely life and death excepted.
In the Low-Countries also, the Iews are received with great Charity and
Benevolency, and especially in this most renowned City of Amsterdam,
where there are no lesse then 400 Families; and how great a trading and
Negotiation they draw to that City, experience doth sufficiently
witness. They have there no lesse then three hundred houses of their
own, enjoy a good part of the West and East-Indian Compagnies; and
besides have yet to set forth their Trafiq such a stock, that for
setting a side, onely one duit of every pound Flemish for all kind of
commodities that enter, and again as much for all what goes out of this
town, and what besides we pay yearly of the rents we get from the
East-Indian Compagnie to the reliefe and sustenance of the poore of our
Synagogue, that very money amounts ordinarily every year, unto the summe
very neare of 12000 Franks; whereby you may easely conceive what a
mighty stock it is they trade with, and what a profit they needs must
bring into this City.
In Hambourg likewise, a most famous City of Holsace in Germany, there
lives also a hundred families, protected by the Magistrat, though
molested by the people. There resides Sir Duarte Nunes d’Acosta,
Resident for his Majesty the King of Portugal: Gabriel Gomes, Agent for
his Majesty the King of Danemarck: David de Lima, a Ieweller, for the
same his Majesty; and Emanuel Boccaro Rosales, created by the Emperour a
Noble-man and a Count Palatin.