coast
reached the United Netherlands, the West India Company at once lodged
a complaint with the States General.[16] At their suggestion the Dutch
ambassadors obtained an audience with Charles II, who assured them
that neither he nor his officers had given any order for the injury
which had been done to the subjects of the United Netherlands, much
less to possess any of their forts. The king also assured them that,
if Holmes had committed any unjust action, he and his officers should
be exemplarily punished.[17] Sir George Downing, the English envoy
extraordinary at The Hague, further declared that Holmes had very
strict instructions not to disturb the subjects of the United
Netherlands or those of any other nation, and that, if anything to the
contrary had been done, it was without the least authority.[18]
Finally on August 14, 1661, Charles II declared to the States General
that their friendship was very dear to him and that he would under no
circumstances violate the "Droit de Gens."[19] With all this
extravagant profession of good will no definite assurance was given
the Dutch that the islands of St. Andre and Boa Vista would be
restored to them. On August 16, Downing wrote to the earl of Clarendon
that the island of St. Andre did not belong to the Dutch at all, but
to the duke of Courland, and that an answer to this effect could be
returned to the Dutch ambassadors if they objected to Holmes' actions.
Furthermore, Downing intimated that the duke could probably be induced
to resign his claims to the English.[20]

Meanwhile, Captain Holmes, who was responsible for this unpleasant
international complication, had returned from Guinea. Since he
suffered no punishment for his violent actions on the African coast
except the loss of his salary,[21] the Dutch ambassadors in London
reminded the king that on August 14, 1661, he had absolutely
disclaimed the proceedings of Holmes.[22] They requested, therefore,
that Holmes be called to account for his actions, that Fort St. Andre
be restored, that reparation for damages be made, and that in the
future the king's subjects observe the laws of nations more
regularly.[23] Holmes was ordered before the Privy Council to answer
to the charges of the ambassadors,[24] but no effort was made to force
him to respond. The duke of York kept him busy with the fleet where he
incurred some official displeasure, by failing to require a Swedish
ship to strike colors to his Majesty's ships in E