for he sometimes found vacant hours to the Study which he made his recreation of the Noble Science of Musick in which he advanc'd to that perfection that as I have been told and as I take it by our Author himself he Composed an In Nomine of Forty Parts for which he was rewarded with a Gold Medal and Chain by a Polish Prince to whom he presented it However this is a truth not to be denied that for several Songs of his Composition after the way of these times three or four of which are still to be seen in Old Wilby's set of Ayres besides some Compositions of his in Ravenscrofs Psalms he gained the Reputation of a considerable Master in this most charming of all the Liberal Sciences Yet all this while he managed his Grand Affair of this World with such Prudence and Diligence that by the assistance of Divine Providence favouring his honest endeavours he gained a Competent Estate whereby he was enabled to make a handsom Provision both for the Education and Maintenance of his Children for three he had and no more all by one Wife Sarah of the Family of the Castons derived originally from Wales A Woman of Incomparable Vertue and Goodness John the Eldest the Subject of our present Work Christopher and an onely Daughter Ann Christopher being principally designed for the Study of the Common Law of England was Entered Young a Student of the Inner-Temple of which House he lived to be an Ancient Bencher and keeping close to that Study and Profession all his Life-time except in the time of the Civil Wars of England when being a great favourer and assertor of the King's Cause and Obnoxious to the Parliament's side by acting to his utmost power against them so long as he kept his Station at Reading and after that Town was taken by the Parliament Forces being forced to quit his House there he steer'd his course according to the Motion of the King's Army But when the War was ended with Victory and Success to the Parliament Party by the Valour of General Fairfax and the Craft and Conduct of Cromwell and his composition made by the help of his Brother's Interest with the then prevailing Power he betook himself again to his former Study and Profession following Chamber-Practice every Term yet came to no Advancement in the World in a long time except some small Employ in the Town of Ipswich where and near it he lived all the latter time of his Life For he was a person of a modest quiet temper preferring Justice and Vertue before all Worldly Pleasure or Grandeur but in the beginning of the Reign of K. James the II. for his known Integrity and Ability in the Law he was by some Persons of Quality recommended to the King and at a Call of Serjeants received the Coif and the same day was Sworn one of the Barons of the Exchequer and soon after made one of the Judges of the Common Pleas but his Years and Indisposition not well brooking the Fatigue of publick Imployment he continued not long in either of these Stations but having his Quietus est retired to a Country Life his Study and Devotion Ann the onely Daughter of the said John Milton the Elder had a considerable Dowry given her by her Father in Marriage with Edward Philips the Son of Edward Philips of Shrewsbury who coming up Young to Town was bred up in the Crown-Office in Chancery and at length came to be Secondary of the Office under Old Mr. Bembo by him she had besides other Children that dyed Infants two Sons yet surviving of whom more hereafter and by a second Husband Mr. Thomas Agar who upon the Death of his Intimate Friend Mr. Philips worthily Succeeded in the place which except some time of Exclusion before and during the Interregnum he held for many Years and left it to Mr. Thomas Milton the Son of the aforementioned Sir Christopher who at this day executes it with great Reputation and Ability Two Daughters Mary who died very Young and Ann yet surviving But to hasten back to our matter in hand John our Author who was destin'd to be the Ornament and Glory of his Countrey was sent together with his Brother to Paul's School whereof Dr. Gill the Elder was then Chief Master where he was enter'd into the first Rudiments of Learning and advanced therein with that admirable Success not more by the Discipline of the School and good Instructions of his Masters for that he had another Master possibly at his Father's house appears by the Fourth Elegy of his Latin Poems written in his 18th year to Thomas Young Pastor of the English Company of Merchants at Hamborough wherein he owns and stiles him his Master than by his own happy Genius prompt Wit and Apprehension and insuperable Industry for he generally sate up half the Night as well in voluntary Improvements of his own choice as the exact perfecting of his School-Exercises So that at the Age of 15 he was full ripe for Academick Learning and accordingly was sent to the University of Cambridge where in Christ's College under the Tuition of a very Eminent Learned man whose Name I cannot call to mind he Studied Seven years and took his Degree of Master of Arts and for the extraordinary Wit and Reading he had shown in his Performances to attain his Degree some whereof spoken at a Vacation-Exercise in his 19th year of Age are to be yet seen in his Miscellaneous Poems he was lov'd and admir'd by the whole University particularly by the Fellows and most Ingenious Persons of his House Among the rest there was a Young Gentleman one Mr. King with whom for his great Learning and Parts he had contracted a particular Friendship and Intimacy whose death for he was drown'd on the Irish Seas in his passage from Chester to Ireland he bewails in that most excellent Monody in his forementioned Poems Intituled Lycidas Never was the loss of Friend so Elegantly lamented and among the rest of his Juvenile Poems some he wrote at the Age of 15 which contain a Poetical Genius scarce to be parallel'd by any English Writer Soon after he had taken his Master's Degree he thought fit to leave the University Not upon any disgust or discontent for want of Preferment as some Ill-willers have reported nor upon any cause whatsoever forc'd to flie as his Detractors maliciously feign but from which aspersion he sufficiently clears himself in his Second Answer to Alexander Morus the Author of a Book call'd Clamor Regii Sanguinis ad Caelum the chief of his Calumniators in which he plainly makes it out that after his leaving the University to the no small trouble of his Fellow-Collegiates who in general regretted his Absence he for the space of Five years lived for the most part with his Father and Mother at their house at Horton near Colebrook in Barkshire whither his Father having got an Estate to his content and left off all business was
our Resolution to continue the League concluded by our Father with your Majesty and to enter our selves into a stricter Engagement and so soon as we shall rightly understand the State of Affairs on both sides we shall always be ready on our part to treat of those things which shall be most chiefly for the United Benefit of both Republicks In the mean time God long preserve your Majesty to his Glory and the Defence and Safeguard of his Orthodox Church From our Court at Westminster Octob. 1658. Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandalls c. Most Serene and Potent King our Friend and Confederate WE have receiv'd two Letters from your Majesty the one by your Envoy the other transmitted to us from our Resident Philip Meadowes whereby we not only understood your Majesties unfaigned Grief for the Death of our most Serene Father in expressions setting forth the real thoughts of your mind and how highly your Majesty esteem'd his Prowess and Friendship but also what great hopes your Majesty conceiv'd of our selves advanc'd in his Room And certainly as an Accumulation of Paternal Honour in deeming us worthy to Succeed him nothing more Noble more Illustrious could befal us then the judgment of such a Prince nothing more Fortunately Auspicious could happen to Us at our first entrance upon the Government then such a Congratulator nothing lastly that could more vehemently incite us to take possession of our Father's Vertues as our Lawful Inheritance then the encouragement of so Great a King As to what concerns your Majesties Interests already under Consideration between us in reference to the Common Cause of the Protestants we would have your Majesty have those thoughts of us that since we came to the Helm of this Republick tho the Condition of our Affairs be such at present that they chiefly require our utmost Diligence Care and Vigilancy at home yet that we hold nothing more Sacred and that there is not any thing more determin'd by Us then as much as in us lyes never to be wanting to the League concluded by our Father with your Majesty To that end We have taken care to send a Fleet into the Baltic Sea with those Instructions which our Agent to that purpose empower'd by us will Communicate to your Majesty whom God preserve in long fafety and prosper with success in the Defence of his Orthodox Religion From our Court at Westminster Octob. 13. 1658. Richard Protector To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandalls c. Most Serene and most Potent King our Friend and Confederate WE send to your Majesty nor could we send a Present more worthy or more Excellent the truly Brave and truly Noble Sir George Ascue Knight not only fam'd in War and more especially for his Experience in Sea Affairs approv'd and try'd in many desperate Engagements but also endu'd with singular Probity Modesty Ingenuity Learning and for the sweetness of his Disposition caress'd by all Men and which is the sum of all now desirous to serve under the Banners of your Majesty so renown'd o're all the World for your Military Prowess And we would have your Majesty be fully assur'd that whatsoever high Employment you confer upon him wherein Fidelty Fortitude Experience may shine forth in their true Lusture you cannot entrust a Person more Faithful more Couragious nor easily more Skilful Moreover as to those things we have given him in Charge to Communicate to your Majesty we request that he may have quick Access and favourable Audience and that you will vouchsafe the same Credit to him as to our selves if personally present lastly that you will give him that Honour as you shall judge becoming a Person dignifi'd with his own Merits and our Recommendation Now God Almighty prosper all your Affairs with happy Success to his own Glory and the Safeguard of his Orthodox Church From our Court at White-Hall Octob. 1658. Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandalls c. Most Serene and Potent King our dearest Friend and Confederate SAmuel Piggot of London Merchant in a Petition deliver'd to Us sets forth that he lately sent from London into France upon the account of Trade two Vessels the one call'd the Post Tiddie Jacob Master the other the Water-Dog Garbrand Peters Master That from France being laden with Salt they Sail'd for Amsterdam at Amsterdam they one took in Ballast only the other laden with Herrings in Copartnership with one Peter Heinbergh Sail'd away for Stettin in Pomerania which is under your Jurisdiction there to unlade her Freight but now he hears that both those Vessels are detain'd somewhere in the Baltick Sea by your Forces notwithstanding that he took care to send a Writing with both those Ships Seal'd with the Seal of the Admiralty-Court by which it appear'd that he alone was the Lawful Owner of both the Vessels and Goods that part excepted which belong'd to Heinbergh Of all which in regard he has made full proof before us we make it our Request to your Majesty to prevent the Ruin and utter Shipwrack of the Poor man's Estate by the loss of two Ships at one time that you would Command your Officers to take care for the speedy discharge of the said Vessels God long preserve your Majesty to his own Glory and the safeguard of his Orthodox Church Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty Lords the State of Westfriezland Most High and Mighty Lords our Dearest Friends and Confederates MAry Grinder Widow in a Petition presented to us has made a most grievous Complaint that whereas Thomas Killegrew a Commander in your Service has ow'd her for these Eighteen Years a considerable sum of Money she can by her Agents neither bring him to pay the said Money nor to try his Title at Law to the same if he has any Which that he may not be compell'd to do by the Widow's Attorney he has Petition'd your Highnesses that no body may be suffer'd to sue him for any Money that he owes in England But should we signify no more then only this to your Highness That she is a Widow that she is in great want the Mother of many small Children which her Creditor endeavours to deprive of almost all that little support they have in this World we cannot believe we need to make use of any greater Arguments to your Lordships so well acquainted with those Divine Precepts forbidding the Oppression of the Widow and the Fatherless to persuade ye not to grant any such privilege upon a bare Petition to the Fraudulent Subverter of the Widow 's Right and which for the same reason we assure our selves you will never admit From our Court at Westminster Jan. 27. 1658.
several of her Brothers and Sisters which were in all pretty Numerous who upon his Father's Sickning and Dying soon after went away And now the House look'd again like a House of the Muses only tho the accession of Scholars was not great Possibly his proceeding thus far in the Education of Youth may have been the occasion of some of his Adversaries calling him Paedagogue and Schoolmaster Whereas it is well known he never set up for a Publick School to teach all the young Fry of a Parish but only was willing to impart his Learning and Knowledge to Relations and the Sons of some Gentlemen that were his intimate Friends besides that neither his Converse nor his Writings nor his manner of Teaching ever savour'd in the least any thing of Pedantry and probably he might have some prospect of putting in Practice his Academical Institution according to the Model laid down in his Sheet of Education The Progress of which design was afterwards diverted by a Series of Alteration in the Affairs of State for I am much mistaken if there were not about this time a design in Agitation of making him Adjutant-General in Sir William Waller's Army but the new modelling of the Army soon following prov'd an obstruction to that design and Sir William his Commission being laid down began as the common saying is to turn Cat in Pan. It was not long after the March of Fairfax and Comwel through the City of London with the whole Army to quell the Insurrections Brown and Massy now Malecontents also were endeavouring to raise in the City against the Armies proceedings ere he left his great House in Barbican and betook himself to a smaller in High Holbourn among those that open backward into Lincolns-Inn Fields here he liv'd a private and quiet Life still prosecuting his Studies and curious Search into Knowledge the grand Affair perpetually of his Life till such time as the War being now at an end with compleat Victory to the Parliament's side as the Parliament then stood purg'd of all it 's Dissenting Members and the King after some Treaties with the Army re Infecta brought to his Tryal the form of Government being now chang'd into a Free State he was hereupon oblig'd to Write a Treatise call'd the Tenure of Kings and Magistrates After which his thoughts were bent upon retiring again to his own private Studies and falling upon such Subjects as his proper Genius prompted him to Write of among which was the History of our own Nation from the Beginning till the Norman Conquest wherein he had made some progress When for this his last Treatise reviving the fame of other things he had formerly Published being more and more taken notice of for his excellency of Stile and depth of Judgement he was courted into the Service of this new Commonwealth and at last prevail'd with for he never hunted after Preferment nor affected the Tintamar and Hurry of Publick business to take upon him the Office of Latin Secretary to the Counsel of State for all their Letters to Foreign Princes and States for they stuck to this Noble and Generous Resolution not to write to any or receive Answers from them but in a Language most proper to maintain a Correspondence among the Learned of all Nations in this part of the World scorning to carry on their Affairs in the Wheedling Lisping Jargon of the Cringing French especially having a Minister of State able to cope with the ablest any Prince or State could imploy for the Latin Tongue and so well he acquitted himself in this station that he gain'd from abroad both Reputation to himself and Credit to the State that Employed him and it was well the business of his Office came not very fast vpon him for he was scarce well warm in his Secretaryship before other Work flow'd in upon him which took him up for some considerable time In the first place there came out a Book said to have been written by the King and finished a little before his Death Entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is The Royal Image a Book highly cryed up for it's smooth Style and pathetical Composure wherefore to obviate the impression it was like to make among the Many he was obliged to Write an Answer which he Entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Image-Breaker and upon the heels of that out comes in Publick the great Kill-cow of Christendom with his Defensio Regis contra Populum Anglicanum a Man so Famous and cryed up for his Plinian Exercitations and other Pieces of reputed Learning that there could no where have been found a Champion that durst lift up the Pen against so formidable an Adversary had not our little English David had the Courage to undertake this great French Goliah to whom he gave such a hit in the Forehead that he presently staggered and soon after fell for immediately upon the coming out of the Answer Entituled Defensio Populi Anglicani contra Claudium Anonymum c. he that till then had been Chief Minister and Superintendant in the Court of the Learned Christina Queen of Sweden dwindled in esteem to that degree that he at last vouchsafed to speak to the meanest Servant In short he was dismiss'd with so cold and slighting an Adieu that after a faint dying Reply he was glad to have recourse to Death the remedy of Evils and ender of Controversies And now I presume our Author had some breathing space but it was not long for though Salmasius was departed he left some stings behind new Enemies started up Barkers though no great Biters who the first Assertor of Salmasius his Cause was is not certainly known but variously conjectur'd at some supposing it to be one Janus a Lawyer of Grays-Inn some Dr. Bramhal made by King Charles the Second after his Restauration Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland but whoever the Author was the Book was thought fit to be taken into correction and our Author not thinking it worth his own undertaking to the disturbing the progress of whatever more chosen work he had then in hands committed this task to the youngest of his Nephews but with such exact Emendations before it went to the Press that it might have very well have passed for his but that he was willing the person that took the pains to prepare it for his Examination and Polishment should have the Name and Credit of being the Author so that it came forth under this Title Joannis Philippi Angli Defensio pro Populo Anglicano contra c. during the Writing and Publishing of this Book he lodg'd at one Thomson's next door to the Bull-head Tavern at Charing-Cross opening into the Spring-Garden which seems to have have been only a Lodging taken till his designed Apartment in Scotland-Yard was prepared for him for hither he soon removed from the foresaid place and here his third Child a Son was born which through the ill usage or bad Constitution of an ill chosen Nurse died an Infant
several Eye-witnesses Oct. A Treatise of Civil Power in Ecclesiastical Causes shewing that it is not Lawful for any Power on Earth to Compel in Matters of Religion Twelves Considerations touching the likeliest means to remove Hirelings out of the Church wherein is also discours'd of Tythes Church-Fees and Church-Revenues and whether any maintenance of Ministers can be setled by Law Twelves A Declaration or Letters Patents of the Election of John King of Poland A Translation Opera Latina Viz. Defensio pro populo Anglicano The same lately Translated into English Defensio Secunda Defensio Pro se Defensio Miltoni per Johannem Philippum Literae Pseudo-Senatûs Cromwellii Reliquorumque perduellium nomine ac jussu conscriptae a J. M. Twelves Johannis Miltoni Angli Epistolarum Familiarium Liber unus Quibus Accesserunt jam olim in Collegio Adolescentis Prolusiones Quaedam Oratoriae Octavo Accidence Commenet Gramar Johannis Miltoni Angli Artis Logicae Plenior Institutio ad Petri Rami Methodum Concinnata Adjecta est Praxis Annalytica Petri Rami vita libris Duobus Twelves LETTERS Written in the Name of the Parlament The Senate and People of England to the most Noble Senate of the City of Hamborough FOR how long a series of past Years and for what important Reasons the Friendship enter'd into by our Ancestors with your most Noble City has continu'd to this day we both willingly acknowledge together with your selves nor is it a thing displeasing to us frequently also to call to our remembrance But as to what we understand by your Letters dated the 25th of June that some of our People deal not with that Fidelity and Probity as they were wont to do in their Trading and Commerce among ye we presently referr'd it to the consideration of certain Persons well skill'd in those matters to the end they might make a more strict enquiry into the Frauds of the Clothiers and other Artificers of the Woollen Manufacture And we farther promise to take such effectual care as to make you sensible of our unalterable intentions to preserve sincerity and justice among our selves as also never to neglect any good Offices of our kindness that may redound to the welfare of your Commonwealth On the other hand there is something likewise which we not only require but which Equity it self and all the Laws of God and Man demand of your selves That you will not only conserve inviolable to the Merchants of our Nation their Privileges but by your Authority and Power defend and protect their Lives and Estates as it becomes your City to do Which as we most earnestly desir'd in our former Letters so upon the repeated Complaints of our Merchants that are daily made before us we now more earnestly sollicite and request it they complaining That their safety and all that they have in the world is again in great jeopardy among ye For although they acknowledge themselves to have reap'd some Benefit for a short time of our former Letters sent you and to have had some respite from the Injuries of a sort of Profligate People yet since the coming of the same Coc m to your City of whom we complain'd before who pretends to be honour'd with a sort of Embassy from the Son of the lately deceas'd King they have been assaulted with all manner of ill Language Threats and naked Swords of Ruffians and Homicides and have wanted your accustom'd Protection and Defence insomuch that when Two or Three of the Merchants together with the President of the Society were hurry'd away by surprize Aboard a certain Privateer and that the rest implor'd your Aid yet they could not obtain any Assistance from you till the Merchants themselves were forc'd to embody their own strength and rescue from the hands of Pyrates the Persons Seiz'd on in that River of which your City is the Mistress not without extream hazard of their Lives Nay when they had fortunately brought 'em home again and as it were by Force of Arms recover'd 'em from an Ignominious Captivity and carry'd the Pyrates themselves into Custody we are inform'd that Coc m was so audacious as to demand the Release of the Pyrates and that the Merchants might be deliver'd Prisoners into his hands We therefore again and again beseech and adjure ye if it be your intention that Contracts and Leagues and the very ancient Commerce between both Nations should be preserv'd the thing which you desire That our People may be able to asiure themselves of some certain and firm support and reliance upon your Word your Prudence and Authority that you would lend 'em a favourable Audience concerning these matters and that you would inflict deserved Punishment as well upon Coc m and the rest of his Accomplices in that wicked act as upon those who lately assaulted the Preacher hitherto unpunish'd or command 'em to depart your Territories nor that you would believe that expell'd and exil'd Tarquins are to be preferr'd before the Friendship and the Wealth and Power of our Republick For if you do not carefully provide to the contrary but that the Enemies of our Republick shall presume to think lawful the committing of any Violences against us in your City how unsafe how ignominious the Residence of our People there will be do you consider with your selves These things we recommend to your Prudence and Equity your selves to the Protection of Heaven Westminster Aug. 10. 1649. To the Senate of Hamborough YOUR conspicuous Favour in the doubtful condition of our Affairs is now the reason that after Victory and prosperous Success we can no longer question your good will and friendly inclination towards us As for our parts the War being almost now determin'd and our Enemies every where vanquish'd we have deem'd nothing more just or more conducing to the firm Establishment of the Republick then that they who by our means the Almighty being always our Captain and Conductor have either recover'd their Liberty or obtain'd their Lives and Fortunes after the pernicious Ravages of a Civil War of our free Gift and Grace should testifie and pay in exchange to their Magistrates Allegiance and Duty in a solemn manner if need requir'd More especially when so many Turbulent and Exasperated Persons more then once receiv'd into Protection will make no end either at home or abroad of acting Perfidiously and raising new Disturbances To that purpose we took care to enjoin a certain form of an Oath by which all who held any Office in the Common-wealth or being fortify'd with the Protection of the Law enjoy'd both Safety Ease and all other Conveniences of Life should bind themselves to Obedience in words prescrib'd This we also thought proper to be sent to all Colonies abroad or where-ever else our People resided for the convenience of Trade to the end that the Fidelity of those over whom we are set might be prov'd and known to us as it is but reasonable and necessary Which makes us wonder so much the
Splendid Embassy sent to us some time since after certain Negotiations begun by the Parlament in whom the Supreme Power was vested at that time as it was always most affectionately wish'd for by us with the assistance of God and that we might not be wanting in the Administration of the Government which we have now taken upon us at length we brought to a happy conclusion and as we hope as a sacred Act have ratifi'd it to perpetuity And therefore we send back to your Majesty your extraordinary Embassador the Lord John Roderigo de Sita Meneses Count of Pennaguiada a person both approv'd by your Majesty's judgment and by us experienc'd to excel in Civility Ingenuity Prudence and Fidelity besides the merited applause which he has justly gain'd by accomplishing the ends of his Embassy which is the Peace which he carries along with him to his Country But as to what we perceive by your Letters dated from Lisbon the second of April that is to say how highly your Majesty esteems our Amity how cordially you favour our Advancement and rejoyce at our having taken the Government of the Republick upon us which you are pleas'd to manifest by singular Testimonies of Kindness and Affection we shall make it our business that all the world may understand by our readiness at all times to serve your Majesty that there could be nothing more acceptable or grateful to us Nor are we less earnest in our Prayers to God for your Majesty's safety the welfare of your Kingdom and the prosperous success of your Affairs Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends CERTAIN Merchants our Countrey-men Thomas Bassel Richard Beare and others their Co-Partners have made their complaints before us That a certain Ship of theirs the Edmund and John in her Voyage from the Coast of Brasile to Lisbon was set upon by a Privateer of Flushing call'd the Red-Lyon Commanded by Lambert Bartelson but upon this condition which the Writing Sign'd by Lambert himself testifies That the Ship and whatsoever Goods belong'd to the English should be restor'd at Flushing where when the Vessel arriv'd the Ship indeed with what peculiarly belong'd to the Seamen was restor'd but the English Merchants Goods were detain'd and put forthwith to Sale For the Merchants who had receiv'd the Damage when they had su'd for their Goods in the Court of Flushing after great Expences for Five years together lost their Suit by the pronouncing of a most unjust Sentence against 'em by those Judges of which some being interested in the Privateer were both Judges and Adversaries and no less Criminal altogether So that now they have no other hopes but onely in your Equity and uncorrupted Faith to which at last they fly for Succour and which they believ'd they should find the more inclinable to do 'em Justice if assisted by our Recommendation And men are surely to be pardon'd if afraid of all things in so great a struggle for their Estates they rather call to mind what they have reason to fear from your Authority and high Power then what they have to hope well of their Cause especially before sincere and upright Judges Though for our parts we make no question but that induc'd by your Religion your Justice your Integrity rather then by our Intreaties you will give that Judgment which is Just and Equal and truly becoming your selves God preserve both you and your Republick to his own Glory and the defence and Succour of his Church Westminster April 1. 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Breme Verden Stettin Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Ingria and Wismaria Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria Juliers Cleves and Monts Most Serene Prince PEter Julius Coict having accomplish'd the Affairs of his Embassy with us and so acquitted himself that he is not by us to be dismiss'd without the Ornament of his deserved Praises is now returning to your Majesty For he was most acceptable to us as well and chiefly for your own sake which ought with us to be of high consideration as for his own deserts in the diligent acquittal of his Trust The Recommendation therefore which we receiv'd from you in his behalf we freely testifie to have bin made good by him and deservedly given by your self as he on the other side is able with the same Fidelity and Integrity to relate and most truly to declare our singular Affection and Observance toward your Majesty It remains for us to beseech the most Merciful and All-powerful God to Bless your Majesty with all Felicity and a perpetual course of Victory over all the Enemies of his Church Westminster Apirl 17. 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene Prince JOhn Dethic Mayor of the City of London for this Year and William Wakefield Merchant have made their Addresses to us by way of Petition complaining That about the middle of October 1649. they freighted a certain Ship call'd the Jonas of London Jonas Lightfoot Master with Goods that were to be sent to Ostend which Vessel was taken in the mouth of the River Thames by one White of Barking a Pyrate Robbing upon the Seas by Vertue of a Commission from the Son of King Charles deceas'd and carri'd to Dnnkirk then under the Jurisdiction of the French Now in regard that by your Majesty's Edict in the year 1647. renew'd in 1649. and by some other Decrees in favour of the Parlament of England as they find it recorded it was Enacted That no Vessel or Goods taken from the English in the time of that War should be carri'd into any of your Majesty's Ports to be there put to Sale they presently sent their Factor Hugh Morel to Dunkirk to demand Restitution of the said Ship and Goods from M. Lestrade then Governor of the Town more especially finding them in the Place for the most part untouch'd and neither Exchang'd or Sold. To which the Governor made Answer That the King had bestow'd that Government upon him of his free Gift for Service done the King in his Wars and therefore he would take care to make the best of the Reward of his Labour So that having little to hope from an Answer so unkind and unjust after a great Expence of Time and Money the Factor return'd home So that all the remaining hopes which the Petitioners have seem wholly to depend upon your Majesty's Justice and Clemency to which they thought
more reason you will have to be assur'd of our singular Love and Kindness for your Lordships From our Court at White-Hall August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Senators and Consuls of the City of Lubeck Most Noble Magnificent and Right Worshipful our dearest Friends COllonel William Jepson a Person of great Honour and a Senator in our Parlament is to pass with the Character of a Publick Minister from your City to the King of Sweden encamping not far from it Wherefore we desire your Lordships that if occasion require upon the account of the Friendship and Commerce between us you will be Assistant to him in his Journey through your City and the Territories under your Jurisdiction As to what remains it is our farther pleasure That you be Saluted in our Name and that you be assur'd of our Good-will and ready Inclinations to serve your Lordships From our Court at Westminster August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the City of Hamborough Most Noble Magnificent and Right Worshipful PHilip Meadows who brings these Letters to your Lordships is to Travel through your City with the Character of our Agent to the King of Danemark Therefore we most earnestly recommend him to your Lordships that if any occasion should happen for him to desire it you would be ready to Aid him with your Authority and Assistance And we desire that this our Recommendation may have the same weight at present with your Lordships as formerly it wont to have nor shall we be wanting to your Lordships upon the same Opportunities From our Court at White-Hall August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Sereae Prince Frederick Heir of Norway Duke of Sleswic Holsatia and Ditmarsh Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend COllonel William Jepson a Person truly Noble in his Countrey and a Senator in our Parlament is sent by us as our Envoy Extraordinary to the most Serene King of Sweden and may it prove Happy and Prosperous for the common Peace and Interests of Christendome We have given him Instructions among other things That in his Journey after he has Kiss'd your Serenities hands in our Name and declar'd our former Good-will and constant Zeal for your Welfare to request of your Serenity also That being Guarded with your Authority he may Travel with Safety and Convenience through your Territories By which kind act of Civility your Highness will in a greater measure oblige us to returns of answerable Kindness From our Court at Westm August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Great Duke our dearest Friend THE Company of our Merchants Trading to the Eastern Coasts of the Mediterranean Sea by their Petition to us have set forth That William Ellis Master of a Ship call'd the Little Lewis being at Alexandria in Egypt was hir'd by the Basha of Memphis to carry Rice Sugar and Coffee either to Constantinople or Smyrna for the use of the Grand Seignior but that contrary to his Faith and Promise given he bore away privately from the Ottoman Fleet and brought his Ship and Lading to Leghorn where now he lives in Possession of his Prey Which Villanous Act being of dangerous Example as exposing the Christian Name to scandal and the Fortunes of our Merchants living under the Turks to Violence and Ransack we therefore make it our request to your Highness That you will give Command that the said Master be Apprehended and Imprison'd and that the Vessel and Goods may remain under seizure till we shall have given notice of our care for the restitution of those Goods to the Sultan Assuring your Highness of our readiness to make suitable returns of gratitude whenever opportunity presents it self From our Court at Westm Septemb. 1657. Your Highness's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Lord Frederic William Marquiss of Brandenburgh c. Most Serene Prince our most dear Friend and Confederate BY our last Letters to your Highness either already or shortly to be deliver'd by our Embassador William Jepson we have imparted the substance of our Embassy to your Highness Which we could not do without some mention of your great Vertues and demonstration of our own Good will and Affection Nevertheless That we may not seem too superficially to have glided over your transcending deservings of the Protestant Interests we thought it proper to resume the same subject and pay our Respect and Veneration not more willingly or with a greater fervency of Mind but somewhat more at large to your Highness And truly most deservedly when daily Information reaches our ears That your Faith and Conscience by all manner of Artifices Tempted and Assail'd by all manner of Arts and Devices Solicited yet cannot be shaken or by any Violence be rent from your Friendship and Alliance with a most Magnanimous Prince and your Confederate And this when the Affairs of the Swedes are now reduc'd to that condition that in adhering to their Alliance 't is manifest that your Highness rather consults the common Cause of the Reformed Religion then your own Advantage And when your Highness is almost surrounded and besieg'd by Enemies either privately lurking or almost at your Gates yet such is your Constancy and Resolution of Mind such your Conduct and Prowess becoming a great General that the burthen and massy bulk of the whole Affair and the event of this important War seems to rest and depend upon your sole determination Wherefore your Highness has no reason to question but that you may rely upon our Friendship and unfeigned Affection who should think our selves worthy to be forsaken of all men's Good word should we seem careless in the least of your unblemish'd Fidelity your Constancy and the rest of your applauded Vertues or should we pay less respect to your Highness upon the common score of Religion As to those matters propounded by the most Accomplish'd John Frederic Schlever your Counsellor and Agent here residing if hitherto we could not return an Answer such as we desir'd to do though with all assiduity and diligence labour'd by your Agent we intreat your Highness to impute it to the present condition of our Affairs and to be assur'd that there is nothing which we account more sacred or more earnestly desire then to be serviceable and assisting to your Interests so bound up with the Cause of Religion In the mean time we beseech the God of Mercy and Power that so signal a Prowess and Fortitude may never languish or be oppress'd nor be depriv'd the Fruit and due Applause of all your Pious Undertakings From our Court at Westminster September 1657. Your Highness's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the
1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Prince THE Answer which we have given to your Agent here residing we believe will fully satisfy your Highness as to our Admiral who but lately put into your Ports In the mean time John Hosier Master of a Ship call'd the Owner has set forth in a Petition to us that in April 1656. he hir'd out his Ship by a Charter-party Agreement to one Joseph Arman an Italian who manifestly broke all the Covenants therein contain'd so that he was enforc'd lest he should lose his Ship and Lading together with his whole Principal Stock openly to set forth the fraud of his Freighter after the manner of Merchants and when he had caus'd it to be register'd by a Publick Notary to sue him at Leghorne Joseph on the other side that he might make good one Fraud by another combining with two other Litigious Traders upon a faign'd Pretence by Perjury seiz'd upon Six thousand Pieces of Eight the Money of one Thomas Clutterbuck But as for his part the said Hosier after great Expences and loss of time could never obtain his Right and Due at Leghorn Nor durst he there appear in Court being threaten'd as he was and way-lay'd by his Adversaries We therefore request your Highness that you would vouchsafe your Assistance to this poor Opprest Man and according to your wonted Justice restrain the Insolence of his Adversary For in vain are Laws ordain'd for the government of Cities by the Authority of Princes if Wrong and Violence when they cannot abrogate shall be able by Threats and Terror to frustrate the Refuge and Sanctuary of the Laws However we make no doubt but that your Highness will speedily take care to punish a daring Boldness of this nature beseeching Almighty God to bless your Highness with Peace and Prosperity From our Court at Westminster April 7. 1658. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King and most August Friend and Confederate YOUR Majesty may call to mind that at the same time when the renewing the League between us was in agitation and no less auspiciously concluded as the many Advantages from thence accrewing to both Nations and the many Annoyances thence attending the Common Enemy sufficiently testify those dreadful Butcheries befel the Piedmontois and that we recommended with great fervency of mind and compassion their Cause on all sides forsaken and afflicted to your Commiseration and Protection Nor do we believe that your Majesty of your self was wanting in a Duty so pious that we may not say beseeming Common humanity as far as your Authority and the Veneration due to your Person could prevail with the Duke of Savoy Certain we are that neither our selves nor many other Princes and Cities were wanting in our Performances by the Interposition of Embassies Letters aud Intreaties After a most bloody Butchery of both Sexes and all Ages at length Peace was granted or rather a certain Clandestine Hostility cover'd over with the name of Peace The Conditions of Peace were agreed in your Town of Pignerol severe and hard but such as those miserable and indigent Creatures after they had suffer'd all that could be endur'd that was oppressive and barbarous would have been glad of had they been but observ'd as hard and unjust as they were But by false Constructions and various Evasions the Assurances of all these Articles are eluded and violated Many are thrust out from their ancient Abodes many are forbid the Exercise of their Religion new Tributes are exacted a new Citadel is impos'd upon them from whence the Soldiers frequently making Excursions either plunder or murther all they meet Add to all this That new Levies are privately preparing against 'em and all that embrace the Protestant Religion are commanded to depart by a prefix'd day so that all things seem to threaten the utter extermination of those deplorable Wretches whom the former Massaker spar'd Which I most earnestly beseech and conjure ye Most Christian King by that RIGHT HAND which sign'd the League and Friendship between us by that same goodly Ornament of your Title of MOST CHRISTIAN by no means to suffer nor to permit such liberty of Rage and Fury uncontroul'd we will not say in any Prince for certainly such barbarous Severity could never enter the breast of any Prince much less so tender in years nor into the female thoughts of his Mother but in those sanctifi'd Cut-throats who professing themselves to be the Servants and Disciples of our Saviour Christ who came into this World to save Sinners abuse his meek and peaceful Name and Precepts to the most cruel slaughter of the Innocent Rescue you that are able in your towring Station worthy to be able rescue so many Suppliants prostrate at your feet from the hands of Ruffians who lately drunk with Blood again thirst after it and think it their safest way to throw the Odium of their Cruelty upon Princes But as for you great Prince suffer not while you reign your Titles nor the Confines of your Kingdom to be contaminated with this same Heaven-offending Scandal nor the peaceful Gospel of Christ to be defil'd with such abominable Cruelty Remember that they submitted themselves to your Grandfather Henry most friendly to the Protestants when the Victorious Lesdiguieres pursu'd the retreating Savoyard o're the Alpes There is also an Instrument of that Submission register'd among the Publick Acts of your Kingdom wherein it is excepted and provided among other things That from that time forward the Piemontois should not be deliver'd over into the Power of any Ruler but upon the same Conditions upon which your Invincible Grandfather receiv'd them into his Protection This Protection of your Grandfather these Suppliants now implore from you as Grandchild 'T is your Majesty's part to whom those People now belong to give 'em that protection which they have chosen by some exchange of Habitation if they desire it and it may be done Or if that be a Labour too difficult at least to succour 'em with your Patronage your Commiseration and your admittance into Sanctuary And there are some Reasons of State to encourage your Majesty not to refuse the Piemontois a safe Asylum in your Kingdom But I am unwilling that you so great King should be induc'd to the defence and succour of the miserable by any other Arguments then those of your Ancestor's pledg'd Faith your own Piety Royal Benignity and Magnanimity Thus the Immaculate and intire Glory of a most Egregious Act will be your own and you will find the Father of Mercy and his Son King Christ whose Name and Doctrine you have vindicated from nefarious Inhumanity so much the more favourable and propitious to your Majesty all your days The God of Mercy and Power infuse into your Majesty's Heart a Resolution to defend and save so many Innocent Christians and maintain your
own Honour Westm May 1658. To the Evangelick Cities of the Switzers Illustrious and most Noble Lords our dearest Friends HOW heavy and intolerable the Sufferings of the Piemontois your most afflicted Neighbours have bin and how unmercifully they have been dealt with by their own Prince for the sake of their Religion by reason of the Felness of the Cruelties we almost tremble to remember and thought it superfluous to put you in mind of those things which are much better known to your Lordships We have also seen Copies of the Letters which your Embassadors Promoters and Witnesses of the Peace concluded at Pignerol wrote to the Duke of Savoy and the President of his Council at Turin wherein they set forth and make it out that all the Conditions of the said Peace are broken and were rather a Snare then a Security to those miserable People Which Violation continu'd from the Conclusion of the Peace to this very moment and still growing more heavy every day then other unless they patiently endure unless they lay themselves down to be trampl'd under foot plash'd like Mortar or abjure their Religion the same Calamities the same Slaughters hang over their Heads which three years since made such a dreadful havock of them their Wives and Children and which if it must be undergone once more will certainly prove the utter extirpation of their whole Race What shall such miserable Creatures do in whose behalf no Intercession will avail to whom no breathing time is allow'd nor any certain place of Refuge They have to do with Wild Beasts or Furies rather upon whom the remembrance of their former Murders has wrought no compassion upon their Countrymen no sense of humanity nor satiated their ravenous hunger after blood Most certainly these things are not to be endur'd if we desire the safety of our Brethren the Piemontois most Ancient Professors of the Orthodox Faith or the Welfare of our Religion it self As for our selves so far remote we have not been wanting to assist 'em as far as in us lay nor shall we cease our future Aid But you who not only lie so near adjoining as to behold the Butcheries and hear the Outcries and Shrieks of the Distressed but are also next expos'd to the fury of the same Enemies consider for the sake of the Immortal God and that in time what it behoves ye now to do Consult your Prudence your Piety and your Fortitude what succour what relief and safegard you are able and are bound to afford your Neighbours and Brethren who must else undoubtedly and speedily perish Certainly the same Religion is the cause why the same Enemies seek also your Perdition why at the same time the last year they meditated your ruin by Intestine Broiles among your selves It seems to be only in your power next under God to prevent the Extirpation of this most Ancient Scien of the Purer Religion in these remainders of the Primitive Believers whose preservation now reduc'd to the very brink of utter ruin if you neglect beware that the next Turn be not your own These Admonitions while we give ye freely and out of Brotherly love we are not quite as yet cast down For what lies only in our power so far distant as we have hitherto so shall we still employ our utmost Endeavours not only to procure the safety of our Brethren upon the precipice of danger but also to relieve their Wants May the Almighty God vouchsafe to both of us that peace and tranquility at home that settlement of Times and Affairs that we may be able to employ all our Wealth and Force all our Studies and Counsels in the defence of his Church against the Rage and Fury of her Enemies From our Court at White-Hall May 1658. To his Eminency Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord THE late most Grievous Cruelties and most Bloody Slaughters perpetrated upon the Inhabitants of the Valleys of Piemont within the Duke of Savoy's Dominions occasion'd the writing of the inclos'd Letters to his Majesty and these other to your Eminency And as we make no doubt but that such Tyranny Inhumanities so rigorously inflicted upon harmless and indigent People are highly displeasing and offensive to the most Serene King so we readily persuade our selves that what we request from his Majesty in behalf of those unfortunate Creatures your Eminency will employ your endeavour and your favour to obtain as an accumulation to our Intercessions Seeing there is nothing which has acquir'd more good-will and affection to the French Nation among all the Neighbouring Professors of the Reformed Religion then that Liberty and those Privileges which by publick Acts and Edicts are granted in that Kingdom to the Protestants And this among others was one main Reason why this Republick so ardently desir'd the Friendship and Alliance of the French People For the setling of which we are now treating with the King's Embassador and have made those progresses that the Treaty is almost brought to a conclusion Besides that your Eminency's singular Benignity and Moderation which in the management of the most Important Affairs of the Kingdom you have always testifi'd to the Protestants of France encourages us to expect what we promise to our selves from your Prudence and Generosity whereby you will not only lay the foundations of a stricter Alliance between this Republick and the Kingdom of France but oblige us in particular to Returns of all good Offices of Civility and Kindness And of this we desire your Eminency to rest assur'd Your Eminency's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King our most August Friend and Confederate IT being the intention of Thomas Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law to Travel into France and no less his desire out of his profound Respect and Veneration to your Majesty to be admitted to Kiss your Royal hands though by reason of his pleasing Conversation we are unwilling to part with him nevertheless not doubting but he will in a short time return from the Court of so great a Prince celebrated for the resort of so many Prudent and Couragious Persons more nobly prepar'd for great Performances and fully Accomplish'd in whatsoever may be thought most Laudable and Vertuous we did not think it fit to put a stop to his generous Resolutions And though he be a Person who unless we deceive our selves carries his own Recommendations about him wheresoe're he goes yet if he shall find himself somewhat the more favour'd by your Majesty for our sake we shall think our selves Honour'd and Oblig'd by the same Kindness God Almighty long preserve your Majesty in safety and continue a lasting Peace between us to the common Good of the Christian world From our Court at White-May 1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord HAving Recommended to the most Serene King
Thomas Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law desirous to see France we could not but acquaint your Eminency with it and Recommend him in like manner to your self not ignorant of what moment and importance it will be to our Recommendation first given him For certainly what benefit or advantage he shall reap by residing in your Countrey which he hopes will not be small he cannot but be beholding for the greatest part of it to your Favour and Good will whose single Prudence and Vigilancy Supports and Manages the grand Affairs of that Kingdom Whatever therefore grateful Obligation your Eminency shall lay upon him you may be assur'd you lay upon our selves and that we shall number it among your many Kindnesses and Civilities already shew'd us Westm May 1658. Oliver Protector c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord HAving sent the most Illustrious Thomas Bellasis Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law to Congratulate the King upon his arrival in the Camp at Dunkirk I gave him Order to attend and wish your Eminency long Life and Health in our Name and to return Thanks to your Eminency by whose Fidelity Prudence and Vigilancy it chiefly comes to pass that the Affairs of France are carri'd on with such Success in several parts but more especially in near-adjoining Flanders against our common Enemy the Spaniard from whom we hope that open and Armed Courage now will soon exact a rigorous account of all his Frauds and Treacheries Which that it may be speedily done we shall not be wanting either with our Forces as far as in us lies or with our Prayers to Heaven From our Court at White-Hall May 1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent Prince our most August Friend and Confederate SO soon as the News was brought us That your Majesty was arriv'd in your Camp and was sate down with so considerable an Army before Dunkirk that infamous nest of Pyrates and Place of Refuge for Sea-Robbers we were greatly overjoy'd in certain assurance that in a short time now with God's Assistance the Seas will be more open and less infested by those Plundering Rovers and that your Majesty by your Military Prowess will now take speedy Vengeance of the Spanish Frauds by whom one Captain was by God corrupted to the Betraying of Hesden another Treacherously Surpriz'd at Ostend We therefore send the most Noble Thomas Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law to Congratulate your Majesty's arrival in your Camp so near us and that your Majesty may understand from his own lips with what Affection we labour the Prosperity of your Atchievemants not onely with our united Forces but with our cordial Prayers that God would long preserve your Majesty and perpetuate our establish'd Friendship to the common Good of the Christian world From our Court at Westm May 1658. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Grand Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Great Duke IN regard your Highness in all your Letters has ever signifi'd your Extraordinary Affection toward us we are not a little griev'd that either it should be so obscurely imparted to your Governors and Ministers or by them so ill interpreted that we can reap no benefit or sign of it in your Port of Leghorn where your Friendship toward us ought to be most clearly and truly understood Rather That we should find the Minds of your Subjects daily more averse and hostile in their demeanor toward us For how unkindly our Fleet was lately treated at Leghorn how little accommodated with necessary Supplies in what a Hostile manner twice constrain'd to depart the Harbour we are sufficiently given to understand as well from undoubted Witnesses upon the Place as from our Admiral himself to whose Relation we cannot but give Credit when we have thought him worthy to Command our Fleet. Upon his first arrival in January after he had caus'd our Letters to be deliver'd to your Highness and all Offices of Civility had pass'd between our People and yours when he desir'd the Accommodation of Porto Ferraro answer was made it could not be granted least the King of Spain that is to say our Enemy should be Offended And yet what is there which a Prince in Friendship more frequently allows to his Confederate then free entrance into his Ports and Harbours Or what is there that we can expect from a Friendship of this nature more ready to do us unkindness then befriend us or aid us with the smallest Assistance for fear of provoking the displeasure of our Enemies At first indeed Prattick was allow'd tho onely to Two or Three of our Seamen out of every Ship who had the Favour to go ashoar But soon after it being nois'd in the Town That our Ships had taken a Dutch Vessel Laden with Corn for Spain that little Prattick we had was Prohibited Longland the English Consul was not permitted to go aboard the Fleet The liberty of taking in Fresh water which is ever free to all that are not open Enemies was not suffer'd but under Armed Guards at a severe rate and our Merchants which reside in the Town to the vast emolument of your People were forbid to Visit their Countreymen or Assist 'em in the least Upon his last arrival toward the latter end of March no body was suffer'd to come Ashoar The fifth day after when our Admiral had taken a small Neapolitan Vessel which fell into our hands by chance above Two hunder'd great shot were made at our Fleet from the Town though without any damage to us Which was an argument that what provok'd your Governors without a cause as if the Rights of your Harbour had bin violated was done out at Sea at a great distance from your Town or the Jurisdiction of the Castle Presently our Long-boats sent to take in Fresh water were assail'd in the Port and one taken and detain'd which being redemanded answer was made That neither the Skiff nor the Seamen should be restor'd unless the Neapolitan Vessel were dismis'd tho certain it is that she was taken in the open Sea where it was lawful to Seize her So that ours after many Inconveniences suffer'd were forc'd at length to set Sail and leave behind 'em the Provision for which they had paid ready Money These things if they were not done by your Highness's Consent and Command as we hope they were not we desire you would make it appear by the Punishment of the Governor who so easily presum'd to violate his Master's Alliances but if they were done with your Highness Approbation and Order we would have your Highness understand that as we always had a singular value for your Friendship so we have learnt to distinguish between Injuries and Acts of Kindness From our Court at White-Hall May 1658. Your good Friend so far as we may Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England
c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent Prince our most August Confederate and Friend BY so speedily repaying our profound Respect to your Majesty with an Accumulation of Honour by such an Illustrious Embassy to our Court you have not onely made known to us but to all the People of England your singular Benignity and Generosity of Mind but also how much you favour our Reputation and Dignity For which we return our most cordial Thanks to your Majesty as justly you have merited from us As for the Victory which God has given most fortunate to our United Forces against our Enemies we rejoyce with your Majesty for it and that our People in that Battel were not wanting to your Assistance nor the Military Glory of their Ancestors nor their own Pristin Fortitude is most grateful to us As for Dunkirk which as your Majesty Wrote you were in hopes was near Surrender 't is a great addition to our joy to hear from your Majesty such speedy Tidings that it is absolutely now in your Victorious hands and we hope moreover that the loss of one City will not suffice to repay the twofold Treachery of the Spaniard but that your Majesty will in a short time Write us the welcome News of the Surrender also of the other Town As to your Promise That you will take care of our Interests we mistrust it not in the least upon the Word of a most Excellent King and our most assured Friend confirm'd withal by your Embassador the most accomplish'd Duke of Crequi Lastly we beseech Almighty God to prosper your Majesty and the Affairs of France both in Peace and War Westminster June 1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord WHile we are returning Thanks to the most Serene King who to Honour and Congratulate us as also to intermix his Joy with ours for the late glorious Victory has sent a splendid Embassy to our Court we should be ungrateful should we not also by our Letters pay our due acknowledgments to your Eminency who to testifie your Good-will toward us and how much you make it your study to do us all the Honour which lyes within your power have sent your Nephew to us a most Excellent and most Accomplish'd young Gentleman and if you had any nearer Relation or any Person whom you valu'd more would have sent him more especially to us as you declare in your Letters adding wlthal the Reason which coming from so great a Personage we deem no small advantage to our Praise and Ornament that is to say to the end that they who are most nearly Related to your Eminency in Blood might learn to imitate your Eminency in shewing Respect and Honour to our Person And we would have it not to be their meanest strife to follow your Example of Civility Candour and Friendship to us since there are not more conspicuous Examples of extraordinary Prudence and Vertue to be imitated then in your Eminency from whence they may learn with equal Renown to Govern Kingdoms and manage the most important Affairs of the World Which that your Eminency may long and happily Administer to the Prosperity of the whole Realm of France to the common Good of the whole Christian Republick and your own Glory we shall never be wanting in our Prayers to implore From our Court at White-Hall June 1658. Your Excellency's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Most Serene and Potent Prince our dearest Confiderate and Friend AS often as we behold the busy Counsels and various Artifices of the common Enemies of Religion so often do we revolve in our Minds how necessary it would be and how much for the safely of the Christian world that the Protestant Princes and most especially your Majesty should be united with our Republick in a most first and solemn Confederacy Which how ardently and zealously it has bin sought by our selves how acceptable it would have bin to us if ours and the Affairs of Swedeland had bin in that posture and condition if the said League could have bin sacredly concluded to the good liking of both and that the one could have bin a seasonable Succour to the other we declar'd to your Embassadors when first they enter'd into Treaty with us upon this Subject Nor were they wanting in their duty but the same Prudence which they were wont to shew in other things the same Wisdom and Sedulity they made known in this Affair But such was the Perfidiousness of our wicked and restless Countrey-men at home who being often receiv'd into our Protection ceas'd not however to machinate new disturbances and to resume their formerly often frustrated and dissipated Conspiracies with our Enemies the Spaniards that being altogether taken up with the preservation of our selves from surrounding dangets we could not bend our whole care and our entire Forces as we wish'd we could have done to defend the common Cause of Religion Nevertheless what lay in our power we have already zealously perform'd and whatever for the future may conduce to your Majesty's Interests we shall not onely shew our selves willing but industrious to carry on in union with your Majesty upon all occasions In the mean time we most gladly Congratulate your Majesty's Victories most Prudently and Couragiously atchiev'd and in our daily Prayers implore Almighty God long to continue to your Majesty a steady course of Conquest and Felicity to the Glory of his Name From our Court at White-Hall June 1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince the King of Portugal Most Serene King our Friend and Confederate JOhn Buffield of London Merchant has set forth in a Petition to us That in the year 1649. he deliver'd certain Goods to Anthony John and Manuel Ferdinando Castaneo Merchants in Tamira to the end that after they had sold 'em they might give him a just account according to the Custome of Merchants after which in his Voyage for England he fell into the hands of Pyrates and being Plunder'd by 'em receiv'd no small Damage Upon this News Antony and Manuel believing he had bin Kill'd presently look'd upon the Goods as their own and still detain 'em in their hands refusing to come to any Account covering this Fraud of theirs with a Sequestration of Englisb Goods that soon after ensu'd So that he was forc'd the last year in the middle of Winter to return to Portugal and demand his Goods but all in vain For that the said John and Anthony could by no fair means be perswaded either to deliver the said Goods or to come to any Account and which is more to be admir'd justifi'd their private detention of the Goods by the Publick Attainder Finding therefore that being a