We allude rather, on the present occasion, to such publications as
explain and vindicate the conduct of the Queen's government in its
larger relations either to foreign countries or to its own people. For
example, when Elizabeth determined to give military assistance to the
United Provinces, there was published in various languages, a vindi-
catory "Declaration of the causes mooving the Queene of England
"to give Aide to the defence of the People afflicted and oppressed
"in the Lowe Countries." (Lond. 1585, 4to.); again, when the
country seemed threatened to be overrun with Seminary Priests and
Jesuits, and it was determined to enforce against them the penal
laws, a Declaration was sent forth "of great Troubles pretended
"against the Realme by a number of Seminarie Priests and Jesuits,
"sent and very secretly dispersed in the same, to work greate
"Treasons under a false Pretence of Religion; with a provision very
"necessarye for remedie thereof." (Lond. 1591, 4to.) So again,
when the expedition to Cadiz under the Earl of Essex was dis-
patched to destroy the second armada which Philip was preparing
for the invasion of England, a Declaration was published "of the
"causes mouing the Queene's Maiestie of England to prepare and
"send a Nauy to the Seas, for the defence of her realmes against
"the King of Spaines Forces." (Lond. 1596, 4to.) These are a
few examples of the class of publications which we consider to be
analogous in design to the treatise which we believe now sees the
light for the first time.

The importance of such publications for historical purposes can
hardly be over-estimated. Not that their statements are on any
account to be taken for granted. Candour is seldom a virtue of
any government, and rarely indeed of one which is put upon its
defence. When sifted, the statements of these publications are too

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