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
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
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
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
stranger he should get nothing by contending with the Inhabitants of Tamira in their own Countrey he betook himself for Justice to your Majesty humbly demanded the judgment of the Conservator appointed to determine the Causes of the English but was sent back to the Cognizance of that Court from which he had appeal'd Which though in it self not unjust yet seeing it is evident that the Merchants of Tamira make an ill use of your Publick Edict to justify their own private Couzenage we make it our earnest request to your Majesty that according to your wonted Clemency you would rather refer to the Conservator being the proper Judge in these Cases the Cause of this poor Man Afflicted by many Casualties and reduc'd to utmost Poverty to the end he may recover the Remainder of his Fortunes from the Faithless Partnership of those People Which when you rightly understand the business we make no question but will be no less pleasing to your Majesty to see done then to our selves From our Court at Westminster August 1658. To the most Serene Prince Leopold Arch-Duke of Austria Governour of the Low-Countries under Philip K. of Spain Most Serene Lord CHarles Harbord Knight has set forth in his Petition to Us that having sent certain Goods and Houshold-Stuff out of Holland to Bruges under your Jurisdiction he is in great danger of having them arrested out of his hands by Force and Violence For that those Goods were sent him out of England in the Year 1643. by the Earl of Suffolk for whom he stood bound in a Great Sum of Money to the end he might have wherewithal to satisfy himself should he be compell'd to pay the Debt Which Goods are now in the Possession of Richard Greenville Knight who broke open the doors of the place where they were in Custody and made a Violent seizure of the same under pretence of we know not what due to him from Theophilus Earl of Suffolk by Vertue of a certain Decree of our Court of Chancery to which those Goods as being the Earls were justly liable whereas by our Laws neither the Earl now living whose Goods they are is bound by that Decree neither ought the Goods to be seiz'd or detain'd which the Sentence of that Court now sent to your Serenity together with these Letters positively declares and proves Which Letters the said Charles Harbord has desir'd of us to the end we would make it our Request to your Highness that the said Goods may be forthwith discharg'd from the violent seizure and no less unjust action of the said Richard Greenville in regard it is apparently against the Custom and Law of Nations that any Person should be allow'd the liberties to sue in a Foreign Jurisdiction upon a plaint wherein he can have no relief in the Country where the Cause of Action first arose Therefore the Reason of Justice it self and your far Celebrated Enquanimity encourag'd us to recommend this Cause to your Highness Assuring your Highness that whenever any dispute shall happen in our Courts concerning the Rights and Properties of your People you shall ever find us ready and quick in our Returns of Favour Westminster Your Highnesse's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. LETTERS Written in the Name of RICHARD Protector Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King our Friend and Confederate SO soon as our most Serene Father Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England by the Will of God so ordaining departed this Life upon the Third of September we being Lawfully declar'd his Successor in the Supream Magistracy tho in the Extremity of Tears and sadness could do no less then with the first Opportunity by these our Letters make known a Matter of this Concernment to your Majesty by whom as you have bin a most Cordial Friend to our Father and this Republick we are Confident the Mournful and unexpected Tydings will be as sorrowfully received Our business now is to request your Majesty that you would have such an Opinion of us as of one who has determin'd nothing more Religiously and constantly then to observe the Friendship and Confedracy contracted between your Majesty and our Renowned Father and with the same Zeal and Good-will to confirm and Establish the Leagues by him Concluded and to carry on the same Counsels and Interests with your Majesty To which intent it is our pleasure that our Embassadour Residing at your Court be empower'd by the same Commission as formerly and that you will give the same Credit to what he transacts in our Name as if it had bin done by our selves In the mean time we wish your Majesty all Prosperity From our Court at White-Hall Septemb. 5. 1658. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarine THO nothing could fall out more bitter and grievous to us then to write the Mournful News of our most Serene and most Renowned Father's Death nevertheless in regard we cannot be ignorant of the high Esteem which he had for your Eminency and the great Value which you had for him nor have any reason to doubt but that your Eminency upon whose care the Prosperity of France depends will no less bewail the loss of your constant Friend and most United Confederate we thought it of great moment by these our Letters to make known this Accident so deeply to be lamented as well to your Eminency as to the King and to assure your Eminency which is but reason that we shall most Religiously observe all those things which our Father of most Serene Memory was bound by the League to fee confirm'd and ratify'd and shall make it our business that in the midst of your mourning for a Friend so Faithful and Flourishing in all Vertuous Applause there may be nothing wanting to preserve the Faith of our Confederacy For the Conservation of which on your part also to the good of both Nations may God Almighty long preserve your Eminency Westminster Sept. 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 WHen we consider with our selves that it will be a difficult matter for us to be Imitators of our Fathers Vertues unless we should observe and endeavour to hold the same Confederacies which he by his prowess acquir'd and out of his singular judgment thought most worthy to be embrac'd and observ'd your Majesty has no reason to doubt but that it behoves us to pay the same tribute of Affection and Good-will which our Father of most Serene Memory always paid to your Majesty Therefore altho in this beginning of our Government and Dignity I may not find our Affairs in that Condition as at present to answer to some particulars which your Embassadours have propos'd yet it is