all our parts Westminster Feb. 4. 1649. To the Most Serene Prince John the Fourth King of Portugal The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England Greeting ALmost daily and most grievous complaints are brought before us that certain of our Seamen and Officers who revolted from us the last year and Treacherously and Wickedly carry'd away the Ships with the Command of which they were entrusted and who having made their escape from the Port of Ireland where being blockt up for almost a whole Summer together they very narrowly avoided the punishment due to their Crimes have now betaken themselves to the Coast of Portugal and the mouth of the River Tagus that there they practice furious Pyracy Taking and Plundering all the English Vessels they meet with Sailing to and fro upon the account of Trade and that all the adjoining Seas are become almost impassible by reason of their notorious and infamous Robberies To which increasing Mischief unless a speedy Remedy be apply'd who does not see but that there will be a final end of that vast Trade so gainful to both Nations which our People were wont to drive with the Portugueses Wherefore we again and again request Your Majesty that you will command those Pyrates and Revolters to depart the Territories of Portugal And that if any pretended Embassadors present themselves from ******* that you will not vouchsafe to give them Audience but that you will rather acknowledge us upon whom the Supream Power of England by the Conspicuous Favour and Assistance of the Almighty is devolv'd and that the Ports and Rivers of Portugal may not be barr'd and defended against your Friends and Confederates Fleet no less serviceable to your Emolument then the Trade of the English To Philip the Fourth King of Spain HOW heinously and with what Detestation your Majesty resented the Villanous Murder of our Agent Anthony Ascham and what has hitherto been done in the Prosecution and Punishment of his Assassinates we have been given to understand as well by your Majesty 's own Letters as from your Embassador Don Alphonso de Cardenos Nevertheless so often as we consider the horridness of that bloody Fact which utterly subverts the very Foundations of Correspondence and Commerce and of the Privilege of Embassadors most sacred among all Nations so villanously violated without severity of punishment we cannot but with utmost importunity repeat our most urgent Suit to your Majesty That those Parricides may with all the Speed imaginable be brought to Justice and that you would not suffer their merited Pains to be suspended any longer by any delay or pretence of Religion For tho most certainly we highly value the Friendship of a Potent Prince yet it behoves us to use our utmost endeavours that the Authors of such an enormous Parricide should receive the deserved Reward of their Impiety Indeed we cannot but with a grateful mind acknowledge that Civility of which by your Command our People were not unsensible as also your surpassing Affection for us which lately your Embassador at large unfolded to us Nor will it be displeasing to us to return the same good Offices to your Majesty and the Spanish Nation whenever opportunity offers Nevertheless if Justice be not satisfy'd without delay which we still most earnestly request we see not upon what foundations a sincere and lasting Friendship can subsist For the preservation of which however we shall omit no just and laudable occasion to which purpose we are likewise apt to believe that the presence of your Ambassador does not a little conduce To the Spanish Embassador Most Eccellent Lord THe Council of State so soon as their weighty Affairs would permit 'em having carried into Parlament the four Writings which it pleas'd your Excellency to impart to the Council upon the 19th of December last have receiv'd in Command from the Parlament to return this Answer to the first Head of those Writings touching the villanous Assassinates of their late Agent Anthony Ascham The Parlament have so long time so often and so justly demanded their being brought to deserved Punishment that there needs nothing further to be said on a thing of so great importance wherein as your Excellency well observ'd his Royal Majesty's Authority it self is so deeply concern'd that unless Justice be done upon such notorious Offenders all the foundations of Humane Society all the ways of preserving Friendship among Nations of necessity must be overturn'd and abolish'd Nor can we apprehend by any argument drawn from Religion that the Blood of the Innocent shed by a propensely malicious Murder is not to be aveng'd The Parlament therefore once more most urgently presses and expects from his Royal Majesty according to their first demands That satifaction be given 'em effectually and sincerely in this matter To the Most Serene Prince Leopold Archduke of Austria Governor of the Spanish Low-Countries under King Philip. SO soon as word was brought us not without a most grevious complaint that Jane Puckering an Heiress of an Illustrious and Opulent Family while yet by reason of her Age she was under Guardians not far from the House wherein she then liv'd at Greenwich was violently forc'd from the Hands and Embraces of her Attendants and of a sudden in a Vessel to that purpose ready prepar'd carri'd off into Flanders by the treachery of one Walsh who has endeavour'd all the ways imaginable in contempt of Law both Human and Divine to constrain a Wealthy Virgin to marriage even by terrifying her with Menaces of present Death We deeming it proper to apply some speedy remedy to so enormous and unheard-of a piece of Villany gave order to some Persons to treat with the Governours of Newport and Ostend for the Unfortunate Captive was said to be landed in one of those two places about rescuing the Free-born Lady out of the Hands of the Ravisher Who both out of their singular Humanity and Love of Virtue lent their assisting aid to the young Virgin in servitude and by down-right Robbery rifl'd from her Habitation So that to avoid the violence of her Imperious Masters she was as it were deposited in a Nunnery and committed to the charge of the Governess of the Society Wherefore the same Walsh to get her again into his Clutches has commenc'd a Suit against her in the Ecclesiastical Court of the Bishop of Ypre pretending a Matrimonial Contract between him and her Now in regard that both the Ravisher and the Ravish'd person are Natives of our Countrey as by the Witnesses upon their Oaths abundantly appears as also for that the splendid Inheritance after which most certainly the Criminal chiefly gape lies within our Territories so that we conceive that the whole cognizance and determination of this Cause belongs solely to our selves Therefore let him repair hither he who calls himself the Husband here let him commence his Suit and demand the delivery of the Person whom he claims for his Wife In the mean time this it is that we most
no less ready to make returns of all good Offices both of Friends and Brethren if in any thing we may be serviceable to your Lordships Westminster October 1653. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. To the Spanish Embassador Most Illustrious Lord UPON grievous Complaints brought before us by Philip Niel John Godal and the Society of Merchants of Foy in England that a certain Ship of theirs call'd the Ann of Foy an English Ship by them fitted out and laden with their own Goods in her return home to the Port of Foy about Michaelmas last was unjustly and without any cause set upon and taken by a certain Privateer of Ostend Erasmus Bruer Commander and the Seamen unworthily and barbarously us'd The Council of State wrote to the Marquis of Leda concerning it a copy of which Letter we also send enclos'd to your Excellency and expected from him that without delay Orders would have bin given for the doing of Justice in this matter Nevertheless after all this the foresaid Noel together with the said Company make further heavy complaint that altho our Letters were deliver'd to the Marquess and that those Merchants from that time forward betook themselves to Bruges to the Court there held for Maritime Causes and there asserted and prov'd their Right and the Verity of their Cause yet that Justice was deni'd 'em and that they were so hardly dealt with that though the Cause had bin ripe for Tryal above three Months nevertheless they could obtain no Sentence from that Court but that their Ship and Goods are still detain'd notwithstanding the great Expences they have bin at in Prosecuting their Claim Now your Excellency well knows it to be contrary to the Law of Nations of Traffick and that Friendship which is at present settl'd betwen the English and Flemings that any Ostender should take any English Vessel if bound for England with English Goods and that whatever was Inhumanly and Barbarously done to the English Seamen by that Commander deserves a rigorous Punishment The Council therefore recommends the whole matter to your Excellency and makes it their request that you would Write into Flanders concerning it and take such speedy care that this business may no longer be delai'd but that Justice may be done in such a manner that the foresaid Ship together with the Damages Costs and Interest which the English have sustain'd and bin out of purse by reason of that Illegal Seizure may be restor'd and made good to 'em by the Authority of the Court or in some other way and that care be taken that hereafter no such Violence may be committed but that the Amity between our People and the Flemings may be preserv'd without any Infringement Sign'd in the Name and by the Command of the Council of State appointed by Authority of Parlament To the Marquiss of Leda GREAT Complaints are brought before us by Philip Noel John Godal and the Company of Foy Merchants concerning a Ship of theirs call'd the Ann of Foy which being an English Vessel by them fitted out and laden with their own Goods in her return home to her own Port about Michaelmas last was taken unawares by a Freebooter of Ostend Erasmus Brewer Commander It is also further related that the Ostenders when the Ship was in their Power us'd the Seamen too inhumanly by setting lighted Match to their Fingers and plunging the Master of the Ship in the Sea till they had almost drown'd him on purpose to extort a false Confession from him that the Ship and Goods belong'd to the French Which though the Master and the rest of the Ship 's Crue resolutely deni'd nevertheiess the Ostenders carri'd away the Ship and Goods to their own Port. These things upon strict enquiry and examination of Witnesses have bin made manifest in the Admiralty Court in England as will appear by the Copies of the Affidavits herewith sent your Lordship Now in regard that that same Ship call'd the Ann of Foy and all her lading of Merchandize and Goods belongs truly and properly to the English so that there is no apparent reason why the Ostenders should seize by force either the one or the other much less carry away the Master of the Ship and use the Seamen so unmercifully and whereas according to the Law of Nations and in respect to the Friendship between the Flemings and English that Ship and Goods ought to be restor'd we make it our earnest request to your Excellency that the English may have speedy Justice done and that Satisfaction may be given for their losses to the end the Traffick and Friendship which is between the English and Flemings may be long and inviolably preserv'd To the Spanish Embassador THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England understanding that several of the People of this City daily resort to the Houses of your Excellency and other Embassadors and Publick Ministers from Foreign Nations here residing meerly to hear Mass gave Order to the Council of State to let your Excellency understand That whereas such Resort is prohibited by the Laws of the Nation and of very evil Example in this our Republick and extreamly Scandalous that they deem it their duty to take care that no such thing be permitted henceforward and to prohibit all such Assemblies for the future Concerning which 't is our desire that your Excellency should have a fair Advertisement to the end that henceforth your Excellency may be more careful of admitting any of the People of this Republick to hear Mass in your House And as the Parlament will diligently provide that your Excellencies Rights and Privileges shall be preserv'd inviolable so they perswade themselves that your Excellency during your abode here would by no means that the Laws of this Republick should be violated by your self or your Attendants A Summary of the particular real damages sustaiu'd by the English Company in many Places of the East-Indies from the Dutch Company in Holland 1. THe Damages comprehended in Sixteen Articles and formerly exhibited Amounting to 298555 Royals ½ which is of our Money 74638 l. 15 s. 00 d. 2. We demand Satisfaction to be given for the incomes of the Island of Pularon from the year 1622. to this time of Two hundred thousand Royals ½ besides the future Expence till the Right of Jurisdiction over that Island be restor'd in the same condition as when it was wrestest out of our hands as was by League agreed to amounting of our Money to 50000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 3. We demand Satisfaction for all the Merchandize Provision and Furniture taken away by the Agents of the Dutch Company in the Indies or to them deliver'd or to any of their Ships bound thither or returning home which Sum amounts to 80635 Royals of our Money 20158 l. 00 s. 00 d. 4. We demand Satisfaction for the Customs of Dutch Merchandize laden on board their Ships in Persia or landed there from the year 1624 as was granted us by the
they might have the more easie access by means of our Letters and therefore that neither your Clemency nor your Justice may be wanting to People despoil'd against all Law and Reason and contrary to your repeated Prohibitions we make it our request Wherein if your Majesty vouchsafe to gratifie us since there is nothing requir'd but what is most just and equitable we shall deem it as obtain'd rather from your innate Integrity then any intreaty of ours Westminster May 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends JOhn Brown Nicholas Williams and others Citizens of London have set forth in their Petition to us that when they had every one brought in their Proportions and Freighted a certain Ship call'd the Good-Hope of London bound for the East-Indies they gave Orders to their Factor to take up at Amsterdam Two thousand four hunder'd Dutch Pounds to insure the said Ship that afterwards this Ship in her Voyage to the Coast of India was taken by a Ship belonging to the East-India Company upon which they who had engag'd to Insure the said Vessel refus'd to Pay the Money and have for this Six years by various delays eluded our Merchants who with extraordinary Diligence and at vast Expences endeavour'd the recovery of their just Right Which in regard it is an unjust Grievance that lies so heavy upon the Petitioners for that some of those who oblig'd themselves are Dead or become Insolvent therefore that no farther Losses may accrue to their former Damages we make it our earnest request to your Lordships that you will vouchsafe your Integrity to be the harbour and refuge for People toss'd so many years and almost shipwrack'd in your Courts of Justice and that speedy judgment may be given according to the rules of Equity and Honesty in their Cause which they believe to be most just In the mean time we wish you all Prosperity to the Glory of God and the Welfare of his Church Westminste May 1656. Your High and Mighty Lordships most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends THE same Persons in whose behalf we wrote to your Lordships in September the last year Thomas and William Lower the lawful Heirs of Nicholas Lower deceas'd make grievous complaints before us that they are oppress'd either by the Favour or Wealth of their Adversaries notwithstanding the Justice of their Cause and when that would not suffice although our Letters often pleaded in their behalf they have not bin able hitherto to obtain Possession of the Inheritance left 'em by their Father's Will From the Court of Holland where the Suit was first Commenc'd they were sent to your Court and from thence hurri'd away into Zealand to which three Places they carry'd our Letters and now they are remanded not unwillingly back again to your Supream Judicature for where the Supream Power is there they expect Supream Justice If that hope fail 'em eluded and frustrated after being so long toss'd from post to pillar for the recovery of their Right where at length to find a resting place they know not For as for our Letters if they find no benefit of these the Fourth time Written they can never promise themselves any advantage for the future from slighted Papers However it would be most acceptable to us if yet at length after so many contempts the injur'd Heirs might meet with some Relief by a speedy and just Judgment if not out of respect to any Reputation we have among ye yet out of a regard to your own Equity and Justice Of the last of which we make no question and confidently presume you will allow the other to our Friendship Westminster May 6656. Your High and Mighty Lordships most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Common-wealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene King WHereas there is a considerable Sum of Money owing from certain Portugal Merchants of the Brasile Company to several English Merchants upon the account of Freightage and Demorage in the years 1649 and 1650. which Money is detain'd by the said Company by your Majesties Command the Merchants before-mention'd expected that the said Money should have bin paid long since according to the Articles of the last League but now they are afraid of being debarr'd all hopes and means of recovering their Debts understanding your Majesty has order'd That what Money is owing to 'em by the Brasile Company shall be carri'd into your Treasury and that no more then one half of the Duty of Freightage shall be expended toward the Payment of their Debts by which means the Merchants will receive no more then the bare Interest of their Money while at the same time they utterly lose their Principal Which we considering to be very severe and heavy upon 'em and being overcome by their most reasonable Supplications have granted 'em these our Letters to your Majesty chiefly requesting this at your hands to take care that the aforesaid Brasile Company may give speedy Satisfaction to the Merchants of this Republick and pay 'em not onely the Principal Money which is owing to 'em but the Five years Interest as being both just in it self and conformable to the League so lately concluded between us which on their behalf in most friendly manner we request from your Majesty Your Majesties most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth c. From our Palace at Westminster July 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the Most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c Most Serene King AS it is but just that we should highly value the Friendship of your Majesty a Prince so Potent and so Renown'd for great Atchievements so is it but equally reasonable that your Extraordinary Embassador the most Illustrious Lord Christiern Bond by whose sedulity and care a strict Alliance is most sacredly and solemnly ratifi'd between us should be most acceptable to us and no less deeply fix'd in our esteem Him therefore having now most worthily accomplish'd his Embassy we thought it became us to send back to your Majesty though not without the high Applause which the rest of his singular Vertues merit to the end that he who was before conspicuous in your esteem and respect may now be sensible of his having reap'd still more abundant fruits of his Sedulity and Prudence from our Recommendation As for those things which yet remain to be transacted we have determin'd in a short time to send an Embassy to your Majesty for the
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
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
a Chest or two of choice Musick-books of the best Masters flourishing about that time in Italy namely Luca Marenzo Monte Verde Horatio Vecchi Cifa the Prince of Venosa and several others he took his course through Verona Milan and the Poenine Alps and so by the Lake Leman to Geneva where he staid for some time and had daily converse with the most Learned Giovanni Deodati Theology-Professor in that City and so returning through France by the same way he had passed it going to Italy he after a Peregrination of one compleat Year and about Three Months arrived safe in England about the time of the Kings making his second Expedition against the Scots Soon after his return and visits paid to his Father and other Friends he took him a Lodging in S. Brides Church-yard at the House of one Russel a Taylor where he first undertook the Education and Instruction of his Sister 's two Sons the Younger whereof had been wholly committed to his Charge and Care And here by the way I judge it not impertinent to mention the many Authors both of the Latin and Greek which through his excellent judgment and way of Teaching far above the Pedantry of common publick Schools where such Authors are scarce ever heard of were run over within no greater compass of time then from Ten to Fifteen or Sixteen Years of Age. Of the Latin the four Grand Authors De Re Rustica Cato Varro Columella and Palladius Cornelius Celsus an Ancient Physician of the Romans a great part of Pliny's Natural History Vitruvius his Architecture Frontinus his Stratagems with the two Egregious Poets Lucretius and Manilius Of the Greek Hesiod a Poet equal with Homer Aratus his Phaenomena and Diosemeia Dionysius Afer de situ Orbis Oppian's Cynegeticks Halieuticks Quintus Calaber his Poem of the Trojan War continued from Homer Apollonius Rhodius his Argonuticks and in Prose Plutarch's Placita Philosophorum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Geminus's Astronomy Xenophon's Cyri Institutio Anabasis Aelians Tacticks and Polyaenus his Warlike Stratagems thus by teaching he in some measure increased his own knowledge having the reading of all these Authors as it were by Proxy and all this might possibly have conduced to the preserving of his Eye-sight had he not moreover been perpetually busied in his own Laborious Undertakings of the Book or Pen. Nor did the time thus Studiously imployed in conquering the Greek and Latin Tongues hinder the attaining to the chief Oriental Languages viz. The Hebrew Caldee and Syriac so far as to go through the Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses in Hebrew to make a good entrance into the Targum or Chaldee Paraphrase and to understand several Chapters of St. Matthew in the Syriac Testament besides an Introduction into several Arts and Sciences by Reading Vrstisius his Arithmetick Riffs Geometry Petiscus his Trigonometry Joannes de Sacro Bosco de Sphaera and into the Italian and French Tongues by reading in Italian Giovan Villani's History of the Transactions between several petty States of Italy and in French a great part of Pierre Davity the famous Geographer of France in his time The Sunday's work was for the most part the Reading each day a Chapter of the Greek Testament and hearing his Learned Exposition upon the same and how this savoured of Atheism in him I leave to the courteous Backbiter to judge The next work after this was the writing from his own dictation some part from time to time of a Tractate which he thought fit to collect from the ablest of Divines who had written of that Subject Amesius Wollebius c. viz. A perfect System of Divinity of which more hereafter Now persons so far Manuducted into the highest paths of Literature both Divine and Human had they received his documents with the same Acuteness of Wit and Apprehension the same Industry Alacrity and Thirst after Knowledge as the Instructer was indued with what Prodigies of Wit and Learning might they have proved the Scholars might in some degree have come near to the equalling of the Master or at least have in some sort made good what he seems to predict in the close of an Elegy he made in the Seventeenth Year of his Age upon the Death of one of his Sister's Children a Daughter who died in her Infancy Then thou the Mother of so sweet a Child Her false Imagin'd Loss cease to Lament And Wisely learn to curb thy Sorrows Wild This if thou do he will an Offspring give That to the Worlds last end shall make thy Name to live But to return to the Thread of our Discourse he made no long stay in his Lodgings in St. Brides Church-yard necessity of having a place to dispose his Books in and other Goods fit for the furnishing of a good handsome House hastning him to take one and accordingly a pretty Garden-House he took in Aldersgate-Street at the end of an Entry and therefore the fitter for his turn by the reason of the Privacy besides that there are few Streets in London more free from Noise then that Here first it was that his Academick Erudition was put in practice and Vigorously proceeded he himself giving an Example to those under him for it was not long after his taking this House e're his Elder Nephew was put to Board with him also of hard Study and spare Diet only this advantage he had that once in three Weeks or a Month he would drop into the Society of some Young Sparks of his Acquaintance the chief whereof were Mr. Alphry and Mr. Miller two Gentlemen of Gray's-Inn the Beau's of those Times but nothing near so bad as those now-a-days with these Gentlemen he would so far make bold with his Body as now and then to keep a Gawdy day In this House he continued several Years in the one or two first whereof he set out several Treatises viz. That of Reformation that against Prelatical Episcopacy The Reason of Church-Government The Defence of Smectimnuus at least the greatest part of them but as I take it all and some time after one Sheet of Education which he Dedicated to Mr. Samuel Hartlib he that wrote so much of Husbandry this Sheet is Printed at the end of the Second Edition of his Poems and lastly Areopagitica During the time also of his continuance in this House there fell out several Occasions of the Increasing of his Family His Father who till the taking of Reading by the Earl of Essex his Forces had lived with his other Son at his House there was upon that Son's dissettlement necessitated to betake himself to this his Eldest Son with whom he lived for some Years even to his Dying Day In the next place he had an Addition of some Scholars to which may be added his entring into Matrimony but he had his Wife's company so small a time that he may well be said to have become a single man again soon after About Whitsuntide it was or a little after that he took
a Journey into the Country no body about him certainly knowing the Reason or that it was any more than a Journey of Recreation after a Month's stay home he returns a Married-man that went out a Batchelor his Wife being Mary the Eldest Daughter of Mr. Richard Powell then a Justice of Peace of Forresthil near Shotover in Oxfordshire some few of her nearest Relations accompanying the Bride to her new Habitation which by reason the Father nor any body else were yet come was able to receive them where the Feasting held for some days in Celebration of the Nuptials and for entertainment of the Bride's Friends At length they took their leave and returning to Forresthill left the Sister behind probably not much to her satisfaction as appeared by the Sequel by that time she had for a Month or thereabout led a Philosophical Life after having been used to a great House and much Company and Joviality Her Friends possibly incited by her own desire made earnest suit by Letter to have her Company the remaining part of the Summer which was granted on condition of her return at the time appointed Michalemas or thereabout In the mean time came his Father and some of the foremention'd Disciples And now the Studies went on with so much the more Vigour as there were more Hands and Heads employ'd the Old Gentleman living wholly retired to his Rest and Devotion without the least trouble imaginable Our Author now as it were a single man again made it his chief diversion now and then in an Evening to visit the Lady Margaret Lee Daughter to the Lee Earl of Marlborough Lord High Treasurer of England and President of the Privy Councel to King James the First This Lady being a Woman of great Wit and Ingenuity had a particular Honour for him and took much delight in his Company as likewise her Husband Captain Hobson a very Accomplish'd Gentleman and what Esteem he at the same time had for Her appears by a Sonnet he made in praise of her to be seen among his other Sonnets in his Extant Poems Michalemas being come and no news of his Wife's return he sent for her by Letter and receiving no answer sent several other Letters which were also unanswered so that at last he dispatch'd down a Foot-Messenger with a Letter desiring her return but the Messenger came back not only without an answer at least a satisfactory one but to the best of my remembrance reported that he was dismissed with some sort of Contempt this proceeding in all probability was grounded upon no other Cause but this namely That the Family being generally addicted to the Cavalier Party as they called it and some of them possibly ingaged in the King's Service who by this time had his Head Quarters at Oxford and was in some Prospect of Success they began to repent them of having Matched the Eldest Daughter of the Family to a Person so contrary to them in Opinion and thought it would be a blot in their Escutcheon when ever that Court should come to Flourish again however it so incensed our Author that he thought it would be dishonourable ever to receive her again after such a repulse so that he forthwith prepared to Fortify himself with Arguments for such a Resolution and accordingly wrote two Treatises by which he undertook to maintain That it was against Reason and the enjoynment of it not proveable by Scripture for any Married Couple disagreeable in Humour and Temper or having an aversion to each to be forc'd to live yok'd together all their Days The first was His Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce of which there was Printed a Second Edition with some Additions The other in prosecution of the first was styled Tetrachordon Then the better to confirm his own Opinion by the attestation of others he set out a Piece called the Judgement of Martin Bucer a Protestant Minister being a Translation out of that Reverend Divine of some part of his Works exactly agreeing with him in Sentiment Lastly he wrote in answer to a Pragmatical Clerk who would needs give himself the Honour of Writing against so great a Man His Colasterion or Rod of Correction for a Sawcy Impertinent Not very long after the setting forth of these Treatises having application made to him by several Gentlemen of his acquaintance for the Education of their Sons as understanding haply the Progress he had infixed by his first undertakings of that nature he laid out for a larger House and soon found it out but in the interim before he removed there fell out a passage which though it altered not the whole Course he was going to Steer yet it put a stop or rather an end to a grand Affair which was more than probably thought to be then in agitation It was indeed a design of Marrying one of Dr. Davis's Daughters a very Handsome and Witty Gentlewoman but averse as it is said to this Motion however the Intelligence hereof and the then declining State of the King's Cause and consequently of the Circumstances of Justice Powell's Family caused them to set all Engines on Work to restore the late Married Woman to the Station wherein they a little before had planted her at last this device was pitch'd upon There dwelt in the Lane of St. Martins-L-Grand which was hard by a Relation of our Author's one Blackborough whom it was known he often visited and upon this occasion the visits were the more narrowly observ'd and possibly there might be a Combination between both Parties the Friends on both sides concentring in the same action though on different behalfs One time above the rest he making his usual visit the Wife was ready in another Room and on a sudden he was surprised to see one whom he thought to have never seen more making Submission and begging Pardon on her Knees before him he might probably at first make some shew of aversion and rejection but partly his own generous nature more inclinable to Reconciliation than to perseverance in Anger and Revenge and partly the strong intercession of Friends on both sides soon brought him to an Act of Oblivion and a firm League of Peace for the future and it was at length concluded That she should remain at a Friend's house till such time as he was settled in his New house at Barbican and all things for her reception in order the place agreed on for her present abode was the Widow Webber's house in St. Clement's Church-yard whose Second Daughter had been Married to the other Brother many years before the first fruits of her return to her Husband was a brave Girl born within a year after though whether by ill Constitution or want of Care she grew more and more decrepit But it was not only by Children that she increas'd the number of the Family for in no very long time after her coming she had a great resort of her Kindred with her in the House viz. her Father and Mother and
Punishment of a Spy By these two remarkable passages we may clearly discover the Industry and good Intelligence of those Times Here is a Catalogue added of every Book of his that was ever publish'd which to my knowledge is full and compleat TO Oliver Cromwell CRomwell our Chief of Men that through a Croud Not of War only but distractions rude Guided by Faith and Matchless Fortitude To Peace and Truth thy Glorious way hast Plough'd And Fought God's Battels and his Work pursu'd While Darwent Streams with Blood of Scots imbru'd And Dunbarfield resound thy Praises loud And Worcester's Laureat Wreath yet much remains To Conquer still Peace hath her Victories No less than those of War new Foes arise Threatning to bind our Souls in secular Chains Help us to save Free Conscience from the paw Of Hireling Wolves whose Gospel is their Maw To my Lord FAIRFAX FAirfax whose Name in Arms through Europe rings And fills all Mouths with Envy or with Praise And all her Jealous Monarchs with Amaze And Rumours loud which daunt remotest Kings Thy firm unshaken Valour ever brings Victory home while new Rebellions raise Their Hydra-heads and the false North displays Her broken League to Imp her Serpent Wings O yet a Nobler task awaits thy Hand For what can War but Acts of War still breed Till injur'd Truth from Violence be freed And publick Faith be rescu'd from the Brand Of publick Fraud in vain doth Valour bleed While Avarice and Rapine shares the Land To Sir HENRY VANE VANE Young in years but in Sage Councels old Then whom a better Senator ne're held The Helm of Rome when Gowns not Arms repell'd The fierce Epirote and the African bold Whether to settle Peace or to unfold The Drift of hollow States hard to be Spell'd Then to advise how War may best be upheld Mann'd by her Two main Nerves Iron and Gold In all her Equipage Besides to know Both Spiritual and Civil what each means What serves each thou hast learn'd which few have done The bounds of either Sword to thee we owe Therefore on thy Right hand Religion leans And reckons thee in chief her Eldest Son To Mr. CYRIAC SKINNER Upon his Blindness CYRIAC this Three years day these Eyes though clear To outward view of blemish or of Spot Bereft of Sight their Seeing have forgot Nor to their idle Orbs doth day appear Or Sun or Moon or Star throughout the Year Or Man or Woman yet I argue not Against Heaven's Hand or Will nor bate one jot Of Heart or Hope but still bear up and steer Right onward What supports me dost thou ask The Conscience Friend to have lost them over ply'd In Liberties Defence my noble task Of which all Europe rings from side to side This thought might lead me through this World 's vain mask Content though blind had I no other Guide A CATALOGUE OF Mr. John Milton's Works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Answer to a Book Entituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Portraiture of his Sacred Majesty in his Solitudes and Sufferings The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates proving That it is Lawful and hath been held so through all Ages for any who have the Power to call to Account a Tyrant or Wicked King and after due Conviction to Depose and put him to Death if the ordinary Magistrate have neglected or denied to do it and that they who of late so much blame Deposing are the men that did it themselves 4to Observations upon the Articles of Peace with the Irish Rebels on the Letter of Ormond to Collonel Jones and the Representation of the Presbytery of Belfast 4to The ready and easie way to establish a Free Commonwealth and the Excellency thereof compared with the Inconveniencies and Dangers of Readmitting Kingship in this Nation 4to Areopagitica A Speech of John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England 4to Brief Notes upon a Sermon Entitled The Fear of God and the King Preach'd and since Publish'd by Matthew Griffeth D. D. and Chaplain to the late King wherein many notorious Wrestings of Scripture and other Falsities are observed By J. M. 4to Of Reformation touching Church-Discipline in England and the Causes that hitherto have hindred it Two Books written to a Friend 4to Of Prelatical Episcopacy and whether it may be deduc'd from the Apostolical times by vertue of those Testimonies which are alledged to that purpose in some late Treatises one whereof goes under the Name of James Archbishop of Armagb 4to Animadversions upon the Remonstrants defence against Smectymnuus 4to An Apology for Smectymnuus with the Reason of Church-Government 4to The Reason of Church-Government urged against Prelacy In Two Books 4to Of True Religion Heresie Schism Toleration and what best means may be used against the growth of Popery 4to The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce restored to the Good of both Sexes from the Bondage of Canon Law and other mistakes to the true meaning of Scripture in the Law and Gospel compared Wherein also are set down the bad consequences of Abolishing or Condemning of Sin that which the Law of God allows and Christ abolisht not Now the second time Revised and much Augmented in Two Books To the Parliament of England with the Assembly In 4to Colasterion A Reply to a nameless Answer against the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce Wherein the Trivial Author of that Answer is discovered the Licenser conferr'd with and the Opinion which they traduce defended 4to Tetrachordon Expositions upon the Four chief Places in Scripture which Treat of Marriage or Nullities in Marriage on Genesis 1 27 28. Compar'd and Explain'd by Genesis 2. 18 23 24. Deut. 24. 1 2. Matt. 5. 31 32. with Matt. 19. from the 3d. to the 11. verse 1 Cor. 7. from the 10th to the 16th Wherein the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce as was lately Published is confirmed by Explanation of Scripture by Testimony of Ancient Fathers of Civil Laws in the Primitive Church of Famousest Reformed Divines And lastly by an intended act of the Parliament and Church of England in the last year of Edward the Sixth 4to The Judgment of Martin Bucer concerning Divorce written to Edward the Sixth in his second Book of the Kingdom of Christ and now Englished wherein a late Book restoring the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce is here Confirmed and Justified by the Authority of Martin Bucer To the Parliament of England 4to The History of Brittain that part especially now called England From the first Traditional Beginning continued to the Norman Conquest Collected out of the Ancientest and best Authors thereof in 4to Paradice lost A Poem in Twelve Books in 4to Paradice regain'd a Poem in four Books to which is added Samson Agonistes Octav. Poems upon several Occasions both English and Latin c. Composed at several times A brief History of Muscovia and of other less known Countries lying Eastward of Prussia as far as Cathay gathered from the writings of
Lord Anthony John Lewis dela Cerda Duke of Medina Celi Governor of Andalusia The Council of State constituted by Authority of Parliament Greeting WE have receiv'd Advice from those most Accomplish'd Persons whom we lately sent with our Fleet into Portugal in pursuit of Traytors and for the recovery of our Vessels that they were most civilly receiv'd by your Excellency as often as they happen'd to touch upon the Coast of Gallaecia which is under your Government and assisted with all things necessary to those that perform long Voyages This Civility of yours as it was always most acceptâ—ble to us so it is now more especially at this time while we are sensible of the ill will of others in some places towards us without any just cause giv'n on our side Therefore we make it our request to your Illustrious Lordship that you will persevere in the same good Will and Affection to us and that you would continue your Favour and Assistance to our People according to your wonted Civility as often as our Ships put in to your Harbours and be assur'd that there is nothing which we desire of your Lordship in the way of Kindness which we shall not be ready to repay both to you and yours whenever the like occasion shall be offer'd us Westminster Nov. 7. 1650. Seal'd with the Seal of the Council J. Bradshaw President To the Illustrious and Magnificent Senate of the City of Dantzick Magnificent and Most Noble Lords our dearest Friends MAny Letters are brought us from our Merchants trading upon the Coast of Borussia wherein they complain of a grievous Tribute impos'd upon 'em in the Grand Council of the Polanders enforcing 'em to pay the Tenth part of all their Goods for the Relief of the King of Scots our Enemy Which in regard it is plainly contrary to the Law of Nations that Guests and Strangers should be dealt withal in such a manner and most unjust that they should be compell'd to pay publick Stipends in a Foreign Common-wealth to him from whom they are by God's Assistance deliver'd at home we make no question but that out of respect to that Liberty which as we understand you your selves enjoy you will not suffer so heavy a Burthen to be laid upon Merchants in your City wherein they have maintain'd a continual Amity and Commerce to the extraordinary Advantage of the place for many years together If therefore you think it convenient to undertake the Protection of our Merchants trading among ye which we assuredly expect as well from your Prudence and Equity as from the Dignity and Grandure of your City We shall take that care that you shall be sensible from time to time of our grateful Acceptance of your Kindness as often as the Dantzichers shall have any dealings within our Territories or their Ships as frequently it happens put into our Ports Westminster Febr. 6. 1650. To the Portugal Agent Most Illustrious Lord WE receiv'd your Letters dated from Hampton the 15th of this Month wherein you signify That you are sent by the King of Portugal to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England but say not under what Character whether of Embassador or Agent or Envoy which we would willingly understand by your Credential Letters from the King a Copy of which you may send us with all the speed you can We would also further know whether you come with a Plenary Commission to give us satisfaction for the Injuries and to make Reparation for the Damages which your King has done this Republick protecting our Enemy all the last Summer in his Harbours and prohibiting the English Fleet then ready to assail Rebels and Fugitives which our Admiral had pursu'd so far but never restraining the Enemy from falling upon ours If you return us word that you have ample and fuâ—l Commission to give us satisfaction concerning all these matters and send us withal a Copy of your Recommendatory Letters we shall then take care that you may with all speed repair to us upon the Publâ—ck Faith At what time when we have read the King's Letters you shall have liberty freely to declare what further Commands you have brought along with you The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince D. Ferdinand Grand Duke of Tuscany c. WE have receiv'd your Highness's Letters dated April 22. 1651. and deliver'd to us by your Resident Signor Almerick Salvetti wherein we readily perceive how greatly your Highness favours the English Name and the value you have for this Nation which not only our Merchants that for many years have traded in your Ports but also certain of our young Nobility either Travelling through your Cities or residing there for the improvements of their Studies both testify and confirm Which as they are things most grateful and acceptable to us we also on our parts make this request to your Highness that your Serenity will persevere in your accustom'd good Will and Affection towards our Merchants and other Citizens of our Republick Travelling through the Tuscan Territories On the other side we promise and undertake that as to what concerns the Parlament That nothing shall be wanting which may any way conduce to the Confirmation and Establishment of that Commerce and mutual Friendship that now has been of long continuance between both Nations and which it is our earnest wish and desire should be preserv'd to perpetuity by all Offices of Humanity Civility and mutual Observance Westminster Jan. 20. 1651. Seal'd with the Seal of the Parlament and Subscribed by William Lenthal Speaker of the Parlament of the Common-wealth of England The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Illustrious and Magnificent Senate of the City of Hamborough Most Noble Magnificent and Illustrious our dearest Friends THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England out of their earnest desire to continue and preserve the Ancient Friendship and mutual Commerce between the English Nation and your City not long since sent thither Richard Bradshaw Esquire with the character of our Resident and among other Instructions tending to the same purpose gave him an express Charge to demand Justice against cert in persons within your Jurisdiction who endeavour'd to Murther the Preacher belonging to the English Society and who likewise laid impious hands upon the Deputy President and some of the principal Merchants of the same Company and hurri'd 'em away aboard a Privateer And although the aforesaid Resident upon his first Reception and Audience made known to your Lordships in a particular manner the Commands which he receiv'd from us upon which it was expected that you would have made those Criminals ere this a severe Example of your Justice yet when we understood our expectations were not answer'd considering with our selves what danger both our People and their Estates were in if sufficient provision were not made for their Security and Protection against the malice of their Enemies we again sent Orders to our afore said Resident to represent
to your Lordships our Judgment upon the whole Matter as also to exhort and perswade ye in the name of this Republick to be careful of preserving the Friendship and Alliance contracted between this Commonwealth and your City as also the Traffick and Commerce no less advantagious for the Interest of both and to that end that you would not fail to Protect our Merchants together with their Priviledges from all Violation and more particularly against the Insolencies of one Garmes who has carry'd himself contumeliously toward this Republick and publickly cited to the Chamber of Spire certain Merchants of the English Company residing in your City to the great contempt of this Commonwealth and trouble of our Merchants for which we expect such Reparation as shall be consentaneous to Equity and Justice To Treat of these Heads and whatever else more largely belongs to the common Friendship of both Republicks we have Order'd our Resident aforesaid to attend your Lordships requesting that ample credit may be given to him in such matters as he shall propose relating to these Affairs Westminster Mar. 12. 1651. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Christiana Queen of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Greeting Most Serene Queen WE have receiv'd and read your Majesty's Letters to the Parlament of England dated from Stockholm the 26th of September last and deliver'd by Peter Spering Silvercroon and there is nothing which we more vehemently and cordially desire then that the ancient Peace Traffick and Commerce of long continuance between the English and Swedes may prove diuturnal and every day encrease Nor did we question but that your Majesty's Embassador was come amply Instructed to make those Proposals chiefly which should be most for the Interest and Honour of both Nations and which we were no less readily prepar'd to have heard and to have done effectually that which should have been thought most secure and beneficial on both sides But it pleas'd the Supreme Moderator and Governour of all things that before he had desir'd to be heard as to those Matters which he had in Charge from your Majesty to propound to the Parlament he departed this Life whose loss we took with that heaviness and sorrow as became persons whom it no less behov'd to acquiesce in the Will of the Almighty whence it comes to pass that we are prevented hitherto from knowing your Majesty's pleasure and that there is a stop at present put to this Negotiation Wherefore we thought we could do no less then by these our Letters which we have given to our Messenger on purpose sent with these unhappy Tydings to signifie to your Majesty how acceptable your Letters how grateful your Publick Minister were to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England as also how earnestly we expect your Friendship and how highly we shall value the Amity of so great a Princess assuring your Majesty that we have those thoughts of encreasing the Commerce between this Republick and your Majesty's Kingdom as we ought to have of a thing of the highest importance which for that reason will be most acceptable to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England And so we recommend your Majesty to the Protection of the Divine Providence Westminster March 1651. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene and Potent Prince Philip the Fourth King of Spain Greeting THE Merchants of this Commonwealth who Trade in your Majesties Territories make loud Complaints of extraordinary Violence and Injuries offer'd 'em and of new Tributes impos'd upon 'em by the Governors and other Officers of your Ports and Places where they Traffick and particularly in the Canary Islands and this against the Articles of the League which both Nations have Solemnly Ratifi'd upon the account of Trade the truth of which Complaints they have confirm'd by Oath And they make it out before us That unless they can enjoy their Privileges and that their Losses be repair'd Lastly That except they may have some certain Safeguard and Protection for themselves and their Estates against those Violences and Injuries they can no longer Traffick in those Places Which Complaints of theirs being duly weigh'd by us and believing the unjust proceedings of those Ministers either not at all to have reach'd your knowledge or else to have been untruly represented to your Majesty we deem'd it convenient to send the complaints themselves together with these our Letters to your Majesty Nor do we question but that your Majesty as well out of your love of Justice as for the sake of that Commerce no less gainful to your Subjects then our People will command your Governors to desist from those unjust Oppressions of our Merchants and so order it that they may obtain speedy Justice and due Satisfaction for those Injuries done 'em by Don Pedro de Carillo de Guzman and others and that your Majesty will take care that the Merchants aforesaid may reap the fruit of those Articles and be so far under your Protection that both their Persons and their Estates may be secure and free from all manner of Injury and Vexation And this they believe they shall for the greatest part obtain if your Majesty will be pleas'd to restore 'em that Expedient taken from 'em of a Judge Conservator who may be able to defend 'em from a new Consulship more uneasie to 'em least if no shelter from Injustice be allow'd 'em there should follow a necessity of breaking off that Commerce which has hitherto brought great Advantages to both Nations while the Articles of the League are violated in such a manner West Aug. 1651. To the Most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice and the Most Illustrious Senate Most Serene Prince Most Illustrious Senate our dearest Friends CErtain of our Merchants by name John Dickins and Job Throckmorton with others have made their Complaints unto us That upon the 28th of November 1651. having Seiz'd upon a hunder'd Butts of Caveare in the Vessel call'd the Swallow Riding in the Downs Isaac Taylour Master which were their own proper Goods and Laden Aboard the same Ship in the Muscovite Bay of Archangel and this by the Authority of our Court of Admiralty In which Court the Suit being there depending they obtain'd a Decree for the delivery of the said Butts of Caveare into their Possession they having first given security to abide by the Sentence of that Court And that the said Court to the end the said Suit might be brought to a conclusion having Written Letters according to custom to the Magistrates and Judges of Venice wherein they requested liberty to cite John Piatti to appear by his Proctor in the English Court of Admiralty where the Suit depended and prove his Right nevertheless that the said Piatti and one David Rutts a Hollander while this Cause depends here in our Court put
the said John Dickins and those other Merchants to a vast deal of trouble about the said Caveare and solicite the Seizure of their Goods and Estates as Forfeited for Debt All which things and whatever else has hitherto bin done in our foresaid Court is more at large set forth in those Letters of Request aforemention'd which after we had view'd we thought proper to be transmitted to the most Serene Republick of Venice to the end they might be assistant to our Merchants in this Cause Upon the whole therefore it is our earnest Request to your Highness and the Most Illustrious Senate That not only those Letters may obtain their due force and weight but also that the Goods and Estates of the Merchants which the foresaid Piatti and David Rutts have endeavour'd to make lyable to Forfeiture may be discharg'd and that the said Defendants may be referr'd hither to our Court to try what Right they have in their Claim to this Caveare Wherein your Highness and the Most Serene Republick will do as well what is most Just in it self as what is truly becoming the spotless Amity between both Republicks and lastly what will gratefully be recompenc'd by the good Will and kind Offices of this Republick whenever occasion offers White-Hall Feb. 1652. Seal'd with the Seal of the Council and Subscrib'd President of the Councel To the Spanish Embassador Most Excellent Lord THE Council of State according to a Command from the Parlament dated the 2d of March having taken into serious deliberation your Excellencies Paper of the 15th of February deliver'd to the Commissioners of this Council wherein it seem'd good to your Excellency to propose that a Reply might be given to Two certain Heads therein specify'd as previous returns the following Answer to your Excellency The Parlament when they gave an Answer to those things which were Propos'd by your Excellency at your first Audience as also in those Letters which they Wrote to the most Serene King of Spain gave real and ample demonstrations how grateful and how acceptable that Friendship and that mutual Alliance which was offer'd by his Royal Majesty and by your self in his Name would be to 'em and how fully they were resolv'd as far as in them lay to make the same returns of Friendship and Good Offices After that it seem'd good to your Excellency at your first Audience in Council upon the 19th of December Oldstile to propound to this Council as a certain ground or method for an Auspitious commencement of a stricter Amity that some of their body might be nominated who might hear what your Excellency had to propose and who having well weigh'd the benefit that might redound from thence should speedily report the same to the Council To which request of yours that satisfaction might be given the Council appointed certain of their number to attend your Excellency which was done accordingly But instead of those things which were expected to have bin propounded the Conference produc'd no more then the abovemention'd Paper to which the Answer of the Council is this When the Parlament shall have declar'd their minds and your Excellency shall have made the Progress as above expected we shall be ready to confer with your Excellency and to treat of such matters as you shall propose in the Name of the King your Master as well in reference to the Friendship already concluded as the entring into another more strict and binding or as to any thing else which shall be offer'd by our selves in the Name of this Republick And when we descend to particulars we shall return such Answers as are most proper and the nature of the thing propos'd shall require White-Hall March 21. 1652. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince Frederick the Third King of Danemark c. Greeting Most Serene and Potent King WE have receiv'd your Majesty's Letters dated from Copenhagen the 21st of December last and deliver'd to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England by the Noble Henry Willemsem Rosenwyng de Lynsacker and most gladly perus'd 'em with that affection of mind which the matters therein propounded justly merit and request your Majesty to be fully perswaded of this That the same inclinations the same desires of continuing and preserving the ancient Friendship Commerce and Allyance for so many years maintain'd between England and Danemark which are in your Majesty are also in us Not being ignorant that though it has pleas'd Divine Providence beholding this Nation with such a benign and favourable Aspect to change for the better the receiv'd Form of the former Government among us nevertheless that the same Interests on both sides the same common Advantages the same mutual Allyance and Free Traffick which produc'd the former Leagues and Confederacies between both Nations still endure and obtain their former Force and Virtue and oblige both to make it their common study by rendring those Leagues the most beneficial that may be to each other to establish also a nearer and sounder Friendship for the time to come And if your Majesty shall be pleas'd to pursue those Counsels which are manifested in your Royal Letters the Parlament will be ready to embrace the same with all Alacrity and Fidelity and to contribute all those things to the utmost of their Power which they shall think may conduce to that end And they perswade themselves that your Majesty for this reason will take those Counsels in reference to this Republick which may facilitate the good success of those things propounded by your Majesty to our selves so desirous of your Amity In the mean time the Parlament wishes all Happiness and Prosperity to your Majesty and People Westminster April 1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament and Subscrib'd in its Name and by the Authority of it Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the most Illustrious and Magnificent the Proconsuls and Senators of the Hanse-Towns Greeting Most Noble Magnificent and Illustrious our dearest Friends THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has both receiv'd and perus'd your Letthrs of the 16th of January last deliver'd by your Publick Minister Leo ab Aysema and by their Authority have given him Audience at what time he declar'd the cordial and friendly Inclinations of your Cities toward this Republick and desir'd that the ancient Friendship might still remain on both sides The Parlament therefore for their parts declare and assure your Lordships That they deem nothing more grateful to themselves then that the same Friendship and Allyance which has hitherto bin maintain'd between this Nation and those Cities should be renew'd and firmly ratify'd and that they will be ready upon all occasions fitly offer'd what they promise in words solidly to perform in real deeds and expect that their ancient Friends and Confederates should deal by them with the same Truth and Integrity But as to those things which your Resident has more particularly in Charge in regard
of the Council to it the Council have thought it necessary to add this following Article to their following Demands That the People and Inhabitants of the Republick of England Trading into any Kingdoms Regions or Territories of the King of Danemark and Norway shall not for the future pay any more Customs Tribute Taxes Duties or Stipends or in any other manner then the People of the Vnited Provinces or any other Foreign Nation that pays the least coming in or going out of Harbour and shall enjoy the same and as equally ample Freedom Privileges and Immunities both coming and going and so long as they shall reside in the Countrey as also in Fishing Tradeing or in any other manner which any other People of a Foreign Nation enjoys or may enjoy in the foresaid Kingdoms and throughout the whole Dominions of the said King of Danemark and Norway Which Privileges also the Subjects of the King of Danemark and Norway shall equally enjoy throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Republick of England The Council of State of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend THE Council of State understanding as well by your Highness's Agent here residing as by Charles Longland chief Factor for the English at Leghorn with what Affectiou and Fidelity your Highness undertook the Protection of the English Vessels putting in to the Port of Leghorn for shelter against the Dutch Men of War threatning 'em with nothing but Ransack and Destruction by their Letters of the 29th of July which they hope are by this time come to your Highness's hands have made known to your Highness how grateful and how acceptable it was to 'em and at the same time sent to your Serenity a Declaration of the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England concerning the present Differences between this Republick and the Vnited Provinces And whereas the Council has again bin inform'd by the same Charles Longland what further Commands your Highness gave for the security and defence of the English Vessels notwithstanding the opposite endeavours of the Dutch they deem'd this opportunity not to be pass'd over to let your Highness understand once more how highly they esteem your Justice and singular Constancy in defending their Vessels and how acceptable they took so great a piece of Service Which being no mean testimony of your solid Friendship and Affection to this Republick your Highness may assure your self that the same offices of Kindness and good Will toward your Highness shall never be wanting in us such as may be able to demonstrate how firmly we are resolv'd to cultivate both long and constantly to the utmost of our Power that Friendship which is between your Serenity and this Republick In the mean time we have expresly commanded all our Ships upon their entrance into your Ports not to fail of paying the accustom'd Salutes by Firing their Guns and to give all other due Honours to your Highness White Hall Sep. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal and Subscrib'd President To the Spanish Embassador Alphonso de Cardenas Most Excellent Lord YOUR Excelleny's Letters of the 1 11 of November 1652. deliver'd by your Secretary together with Two Petitions inclos'd concerning the Ships the Sampson and Sun Salvadore were read in Council To which the Council returns this Answer That the English Man of War meeting with the foresaid Ships not in the Downes as your Excellency Writes but in the open Sea brought 'em into Port as Enemies Ships and therefore Lawful Prize and the Court of Admiralty to which it properly belongs to take Cognizance of all Causes of this nature have undertaken to determin the Right in dispute Where all Parties concern'd on both sides shall be fully and freely heard and you may be assur'd that Right shall take place We have also sent your Excellency's request to the Judges of that Court to the end we may more certainly understand what progress they have made in their proceeding to Judgement Of which so soon as we are rightly inform'd we shall take care that such Orders shall be given in this matter as shall correspond with Justice and become the Friendship that is between this Republick and your King Nor are we less confident that his Royal Majesty will by no means permit the Goods of the Enemies of this Commonwealth to be conceal'd and escape due Confiscation under the shelter of being own'd by his Subjects White-Hall Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal and Subscrib'd William Masham President To the Spanish Embassador Most Excellent Lord BUT lately the Council has bin inform'd by Captain Badiley Admiral of the Fleet of this Republick in the Streights that after he himself together with three other Men of War had for two days together engag'd Eleven of the Dutch put into Porto Longone as well to repair the Damages he had receiv'd in the Fight as also to supply himself with Warlike Ammunition where the Governor of the Place perform'd all the good Offices of a most just and courteous Person as well toward his own as the rest of the Men of War under his Conduct Now in regard that that same Place is under the Dominion of the Most Serene King of Spain the Council cannot but look upon the singular Civility of that Garison to be the copious fruit of that stricter mutual Amity so auspiciously commenc'd and therefore deem it to be a part of their duty to return their thanks to his Majesty for a Kindness so opportunely receiv'd and desire your Excellency to signify this to your most Serene King and to assure him that the Parlament of the Common-wealth of England will be always ready to make the same returns of Friendship and Civility upon all occasion offer'd Westminster Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Councel Seal and Subscrib'd William Masham President The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has receiv'd your Letters dated from Florence August 17. concerning the restitution of a certain Ship laden with Rice which Ship is claim'd by Captain Cardi of Leghorn And though the Judges of our Admiralty have already pronounc'd Sentence in that Cause against the foresaid Cardi and that there be an Appeal depending before the Delegates yet upon your Highness's Request the Parlament to testify how much they value the good Will and Alliance of a Prince so much their Friend have given Order to those who are entrusted with this Affair that the said Ship together with the Rice or at least the full Price of it be restor'd to the foresaid Captain Cardi the fruit of which Command his Proctor here has effectually already reap'd And as your Highness by favourably affording your Patronage and Protection to the Ships of the English in your Port of Leghorn has
in a more especial manner ty'd the Parlament to your Serenity so will they on the other side take care as often as opportunity offers that all their Offices of sincere Friendship and good-will toward your Highness may be solidly effectual and permanent withal recommending your Highness to the Divine Benignity and Protection of the Almighty Westminster Nov. 1652. Seal'd with the Seal of the Common-wealth and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene and Potent Prince King of Danemark c. Most Serene and Potent King THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England have received Information from their Admiral of that Fleet so lately sent to Copenhagen your Majesty's Port to Convoy our Merchants homeward bound that the foresaid Ships are not permitted to return along with him as being detain'd by your Majesty's Command and upon his producing your Royal Letters declaring your Justifications of the matter of Fact the Parlament denies that the Reasons laid down in those Letters for the detaining of those Ships are any way satisfactory to ' em Therefore that some speedy Remedy may be appli'd in a matter os so great moment and so highly conducing to the prosperity of both Nations for preventing a greater perhaps ensuing mischief the Parlament have sent their Resident at Himborough Richard Bradshaw Esquire a Person of great Worth and known Fidelity with express Commands to Treat with your Majesty as their Agent also in Danemark concerning this Affair And therefore we entreat your Majesty to give him a favourable Audience and ample Credit in whatever he shall propose to your Majesty on our behalf in reference to this matter In the mean time recommending your Majesty to the Protection of Divine Providence Westminster Nov. 6. 1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament and in their Name and by their Authority Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice Greeting THE Parlament of the Common-wealth of England has receiv'd your Highness's Letters dated June 1. 1652. and deliver'd by Lorenzo Pallutio wherein they not onely gladly perceive both yours and the cordial Inclinations of the Senate toward this Republick but have willingly laid hold of this opportunity to declare their singular Affection and good Will toward the Most Serene Republick of Venice which they shall be always ready to make manifest both really and sincerely as often as opportunity offers To whom also all the ways and means that shall be propounded to 'em for the preserving or encreasing mutual Friendship and Alliance shall be ever most acceptable In the mean time we heartily pray that all things Prosperous all things Favourable may befall your Highness and the Most Serene Republick Westminster December 1652. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Republick of England to the Most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting ALthough the Parlament of the Republick of England some time since redoubl'd their Commands to all the chief Captains and Masters of Ships arriving in the Ports belonging to your Highness to carry themselves peacefully and civilly and with becoming observance and duty to a most Serene Prince whose Friendship this Republick so earnestly endeavours to preserve as having bin oblig'd by so many great Kindnesses an Accident altogether unexpected has fallen out through the Insolence as they hear of Captain Appleton in the Port of Leghorn who offer'd Violence to the Sentinel then doing his Duty upon the Mole against the Faith and Duty which he ows this Republick and in contempt of the Reverence and Honour which is justly owing to your Highness the relation of which Action as it was really committed the Parlament has understood by your Letters of the 7th and 9th of December dated from Florence as also more at large by the most Worthy Almeric Salvetti your Resident here And they have so sincerely laid to heart your Highness's Honour which is the main concern of this Complaint that they have referr'd it to the Council of State to take care that Letters be sent to Captain Appleton to come away without stop or stay by Land in order to his giving an Account of this unwonted and extraordinary Act a Copy of which Letters is sent herewith enclos'd who so soon as he shall arrive and be accus'd of the Fact we promise that such a course shall be taken with him as may sufficiently testify that we no less heinoussy brook the violation of your Right then the Infringement of our own Authority Moreover upon mature debate concerning the recover'd Ship call'd the Phoenix of Leghorn which Affair is also related and press'd by your Highness and your Resident here to have bin done by Captain Appleton contrary to promise given whereby he was oblig'd not to fall upon even the Hollanders themselves within sight of the Lanthorn and that your Highness trusting to that Faith promis'd security to the Hollanders upon your word and therefore that we ought to take care for the satisfaction of those who suffer damage under the Protection of your Promise the Parlament begs of your Excellency to be assur'd That this Fact as it was committed without their Advice or Command so it is most remote from their Will and Intention that your Highness should undergo any Detriment or Diminution of your Honour by it Rather they will make it their business that some Expedient may be found out for your satisfaction according to the nature of the Fact upon Examination of the whole matter Which that they may so much the more fully understand they deem it necessary that Captain Appleton himself should be heard who was bound by the same Faith and is thought by your Excellency at least to have consented to the violation of it especially since he is so suddenly to return home And so soon as the Parlament has heard him and have more at large conferr'd with your Resident concerning this matter of no small moment they will pronounce that Sentence that shall be Just and Consentaneous to that extream good-will which they bear to your Highness and no way unworthy the favours by you conferr'd upon ' em Of which that your Highness might not make the least question in the mean time we were willing to certify your Highness by this Express on purpose sent that we shall omit no opportunity to testify how greatly we value your Friendship Westminster Dec. 14. 1652. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Council of State of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince Frederick Heire of Norway Duke of Sleswick Holsatia Stormaria Ditmarsh Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhort Greeting THough it has pleas'd the Most Wise God and Most Merciful Moderator of all things besides the Burthen which he laid upon us in common with our Ancestors to wage most just Wars in defence of our Liberty against Tyrannical
King of Persia which we cannot value at less then Fourscore thousand Royals 2000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 5. We demand Satisfaction for Four Houses Maliciously and Unjustly Burnt at Jocatra together with the Warehouses Magazines and Furniture occasion'd by the Dutch Governour there of all which we had Information from the Place it self after we had exhibited our first complaints the total of which damage we value at 50000 l. 00 s. 00 d. We demand Satisfaction for 32899 Pound of Pepper taken out of the Ship Endymion in 1649 the total of which damage amounts to 6000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 220796 l. 15 s. 00 d. A Summary of some particular damages sustain'd also from the Dutch East-India Company 1. FOR Damages sustain'd by those who Besieg'd Bantam whence it came to pass that for Six years together we were excluded from that Trade and consequently from an opportunity of laying out in Pepper Six hundred thousand Royals with which we might have laden our homeward bound Ships sor want of which lading they rotted upon the Coast of India In the mean time our Stock in India was wasted and consum'd in Mariners Wages Provision and other Furniture so that they could not value their Loss at less then Twenty hunder'd and four thousand Royals 600000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 2. More for Damages by reason of our due part lost of the fruits in the Molucca Islands Banda and Amboyna from the time that by the slaughter of our men we were thence expell'd till the time that we shall be satisfi'd for our Loss and Expences which space of time from the year 1622. to this present year 1650. for the yearly Revenue of 250000 lib. amounts in 28 years to 700000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 3. We demand Satisfaction for one hunder'd and two thousand nine hunder'd fifty nine Royals taken from us by the Mogul's People whom the Dutch protected in such a manner that we never could repair our Losses out of the Money or Goods of that People which lay in their Junks which we endeavour'd to do and was in our Power had not the Dutch unjustly defended ' em Which lost Money we could have trebled in Europe and value at 77020 l. 00 s. 00 d. 4. For the Customs of Persia the half part of which was by the King of Persia granted to the English Anno 1624. Which to the year 1629. is vrlued at Eight thousand Royals to which add the Four thousand Lib. which they are bound to pay since 1629. which is now One and twenty years and it makes up the Sum of 84000 l. 00 s. 00 d. From the First Account 220796 l. 15 s. Sum Total 1681996 l. 15 s. The Interest from that time will far exceed the Principal LETTERS Written in the Name of OLIVER the Protector To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Lord BY your Letters dated January 20. 1654. I have bin given to understand That the Noble Frederick Matthias Wolisog and Chirstopher Griphiander were sent with certain Commands from your Illustrious Lordship into England who when they came to us not onely in your Name Congratulated our having taken upon us the Government of the Eoglish Republick but also desir'd that you and your Territories might be comprehended in the Peace which we are about to make with the Low Countries and that we would confirm by our present Authority the Letters of safe Conduct lately granted your Lordship by the Parlament Therefore in the first place we return your Lordship our hearty thanks for your Friendly Congratulation as it becomes us and these will let you know that we have readily granted your two Requests Nor shall you find us wanting upon any opportunity which may at any time make manifest our Affection to your Lordship And this we are apt to believe you will understand more at large from your Agents whose Fidelity and Diligence in this Affair of yours in our Court has bin eminently conspicuous As to what remains we most heartily wish the Blessings of Prosperity and Peace both upon you and your Affairs Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Lord WE receiv'd your Letters dated May 2 from Oldenburgh most welcome upon more then one account as well for that they were full of singular Civility and Good-will toward us as because they were deliver'd by the hand of the most Illustrious Count Antony your beloved Son Which we look upon as so much the greater Honour as not having trusted to Report but with our own Eyes and by our own Observation discern'd his Vertues becoming such an Illustrious Extraction his noble Manners and Inclinations and lastly his extraordinary Affection toward our selves Nor is it to be question'd but he displays to his own People the same fair hopes at home that he will approve himself the Son of a most Worthy and most excellent Father whose signal Vertue and Prudence has all along so manag'd Affairs that rhe whole Territory of Oldenburgh for many years has enjoy'd a profound Peace and all the blessings of Tranquility in the midst of the raging confusions of War thundring on every side What reason therefore why we should not value such a Friendship that can so wisely and providently shun the Enmity of all men Lastly Most Illustrious Lord 't is for your Magnificent Present that we return you Thanks but 't is of Right and your Merits claim That we are cordially Westminster June 29. 1654. Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver c. Superscrib'd To the Most Illustrious Lord Anthony Gunther Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst Lord in Jehvern and Kniphausen 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 in Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Ingria Wismaria as also Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria Cleves and Monts c. Greeting Most Serene King THough it be already divulg'd over all the world that the Kingdom of the Swedes is translated to your Majesty with the extraordinary Applause and Desires of the People and the free Suffrages of all the Orders of the Realm yet that your Majesty should rather chuse that we should understand the welcome News by your most friendly Letters then by the common voice of Fame we thought no small Argument both of your good-will toward us and of the honour done us among the first Voluntary therefore and of Right we Congratulate this Accession of Dignity to your egregious Merits and the most worthy guerdon of so much Vertue And that it may be Lucky and Prosperous to your Majesty to the Nation of the Swedes and the true Christian Interest which is also what you chiefly wish with joynt supplications we implore of God And whereas your Majesty assures us That
the preserving entire the League and Alliance lately concluded between this Republick and the Kingdom of Sweden shall be so far your care that the present Amity may not only continue firm and inviolable but if possible every day encrease and grow to a higher perfection to call it into question would be a piece of impiety after the Word of so great a Prince once interpos'd whose surpassing Fortitude has not only purchas'd your Majesty a Hereditary Kingdom in a Foreign Land but also could so far prevail that the most August Queen the Daughter of Gustavus and a Heroess so matchless in all degrees of Praise and Masculine Renown that many Ages backward have not produc'd her equal surrender'd the most just possession of her Empire to your Majesty neither expecting nor willing to accept it Now therefore 't is our main desire your Majesty should be every way assur'd that your so singular Affection toward us and so eminent a signification of your Mind can be no other then most dear and welcome to us and that no Combat can offer it self to us more glorious then such a one wherein we may if possible prove Victorious in out-doing your Majesty's Civility by our kind Offices that never shall be wanting Westminster July 4. 1654. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Illustrious Lord Lewis Mendez de Haro WHAT we have understood by your Letters most Illustrious Lord that there is an Embassador already nominated and appointed by the most Serene King of Spain on purpose to come and Congratulate our having undertaken the Government of the Republick is not onely deservedly acceptable of it self but render'd much more wellcome and pleasing to us by your singular Affection and the speed of your Civility as being desirous we should understand it first of all from your self For to be so belov'd and approv'd by your Lordship who by your Vertue and Prudence have obtain'd so great Authority with your Prince as to preside his equal in Mind over all the most Important Affairs of that Kingdom ought to be so much the more pleasing to us as well understanding that the judgement of a surpassing Person cannot but be much to our Honour and Ornament Now as to our cordial Inclinations toward the King of Spain and ready propensity to hold Friendship with that Kingdom and encrease it to a stricter perfection we hope we have already satisfi'd the Present Embassador and shall more amply satisfie the other so soon as he arrives As to what remains Most Illustrious Lord we heartily wish the Dignity and Favour wherein you now flourish with your Prince perpetual to your Lordship and that whatever Affairs you carry on for the Publick Good may prosperously and happily succeed White-Hall September 1654. Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver c. To the Most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus Adolphus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. BEing so well assur'd of your Majesty's good-will towards me by your last Letters in answer to which I wrote back with the same Affection methinks I should do no more then what our mutual Amity requires if as I communicate my grateful Tydings to reciprocal Joy so when contrary Accidents fall out that I should lay open the sence and grief of my Mind to your Majesty as my dearest Friend For my part this is my Opinion of my self That I am now advanc'd to this degree in the Commonwealth to the end I should consult in the first place and as much as in me lies for the common Peace of the Protestants Which is the reason that of necessity it behooves me more grievously to lay to heart what we are sorry to hear concerning the bloody Conflicts and mutual Slaughters of the Bremeners and Swedes But this I chiefly bewail that being both our Friends they should so despitefully Combat one against another and with so much danger to the Interests of the Protestants and that the Peace of Munster which it was thought would have prov'd an Asylum and Safeguard to all the Protestants should be the occasion of such an unfortunate War that now the Arms of the Swedes are turn'd upon those whom but a little before among the rest they most stoutly defended for Religions sake and that this should be done more especially at this time when the Papists are said to Persecute the Reformed all over Germany and to return to their intermitted for some time Oppressions and their pristin Violencies Hearing therefore that a Truce for some days was made at Breme I could not forbear signifying to your Majesty upon this opportunity offer'd how cordially I desire and how earnestly I implore the God of Peace that this Truce may prove successfully happy for the Good of both Parties and that it may conclude in a most firm Peace by a commodious Accommodation on both sides To which purpose if your Majesty judges that my Assistance may any ways conduce I most willingly offer and promise it as in a thing without question most acceptable to the most Holy God In the mean time from the bottom of my heart I beseech the Almighty to Direct and Govern all your Counsels for the common Welfare of the Christian Interest which I make no doubt but that your Majesty chiefly desires White-Hall Octob. 26. 1654. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver c. To the Magnificent and most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Breme BY your Letters deliver'd to us by your Resident Henry Oldenburgh that there is a difference kindled between your City and a most Potent Neighbour and to what streights you are thereby reduc'd with so much the more Trouble and Grief we understand by how much the more we love and embrace the City of Breme so eminent above others for their Profession of the Orthodox Faith Neither is there any thing which we account more sacred in our wishes then that the whole Protestant Name would knit and grow together in Brotherly Unity and Concord In the mean time most certain it is that the common Enemy of the Reformed rejoyces at these our Dissentions and more haughtily every where exerts his Fury But in regard the Controversie which at present exercises your contending Arms is not within the power of our decision we Implore the Almighty God that the Truce begun may obtain a happy issue Assuredly as to what you desir'd we have written to the King of the Swedes exhorting him to Peace and Agreement as being most chiefly grateful to Heaven and have offer'd our Assistance in so Pious a Work On the other side we likewise exhort your selves to bear an equal Mind and by no means to refuse any honest conditions of Reconciliation And so we recommend your City to Divine Protection and Providence White-Hall Octob. 26. 1654. Your Lordships most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Republick of England To
such exasperated Cruelties inflicted upon the Professors of the same Religion with our selves and all this too out of a hatred of the same Worship And we have reason to hope a success of this Negotiation so much the more prosperous if your Majesty would vouchsafe to employ your Authority and Assistance once again with so much the more urgent importunity and as you have undertaken for those Indigent People that they will be Faithful and Obedient to their Prince so you would be gratiously pleas'd to take care of their Welfare and Safety that no farther Oppressions of this nature no more such dismal Calamities may be the portion of the Innocent and Peaceful This being truly Royal and Just in it self and highly agreeable to your Benignity and Clemency which every where protects in soft security so many of your Subjects professing the same Religion we cannot but expect as it behoves us from your Majesty Which Act of yours as it will more closely bind to your Subjection all the Protestants throughout your spacious Dominions whose Affection and Fidelity to your Predecessors and your self in most important Distresses have bin often conspicuously made known so will it fully convince all Foreign Princes that the Advice or Intention of your Majesty were no way contributory to this prodigious Violence whatever inflam'd your Ministers and Officers to promote it More especially if your Majesty shall inflict deserved punishment upon those Captains and Ministers who of their own Authority and to gratifie their own Wills adventur'd the perpetrating such dreadful Acts of Inhumanity In the mean while since your Majesty has assur'd us of your justly merited aversion to these most inhuman and cruel Proceedings we doubt not but you will assord a secure Sanctuary and Shelter within your Kingdom to all those miserable Exiles that shall flye to your Majesty for Protection and that you will not give permission to any of your Subjects to assist the Duke of Savoy to their prejudice It remains that we make known to your Majesty how highly we esteem and value your Friendship In testimony of which we farther affirm there shall never be wanting upon all occasions the real assurances and effects of our Protestation White-Hall July 29. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Lord Cardinal HAving deem'd it necessary to send this Noble Person to the King with Letters a Copy of which is here enclos'd we gave him also farther in Charge to Salute your Excellency in our Name as having entrusted to his Fidelity certain other matters to be communicated to your Eminency In reference to which Affairs I intreat your Eminency to give him entire Credit as being a Person in whom I have repos'd a more then ordinary confidence White-Hall July 29. 1655. Your Eminencies most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince Frederick III. King of Danemark Norway c. WITH what a severe and unmerciful Edict Immanuel Duke of Savoy has expell'd from their Native Seats his Subjects inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont men otherwise harmless onely for many years remarkably famous for embracing the Purity of Religion and after a dreadful Slaughter of some numbers how he has expos'd the rest to the hardships of those desert Mountains Stript to their Skins and barr'd from all relief we believe your Majesty has long since heard and doubt not but that your Majesty is touch'd with a real commiseration of their Sufferings as becomes so puissant a Defender and Prince of the Reformed Faith For indeed the Institutions of Christian Religion require that whatever Mischiefs and Miseries any part of us undergo it should behove us all to be deeply sensible of the same Nor does any man better then your Majesty foresee if we may be thought able to give a right conjecture of your Piety and Prudence what dangers the success and example of this fact portend to our selves in particular and to the whole Protestant name in general We have written the more willingly to your self to the end we might assure your Majesty that the same sorrow which we hope you have conceiv'd for the Calamity of our most Innocent Brethren the same opinion the same judgment you have of the whole matter is plainly and sincerely our own We have therefore sent our Letters to the Duke of Savoy wherein we have most importunately besought him to spare those miserable People that implore his mercy and that he would no longer suffer that dreadful Edict to be in force Which if your Majesty and the rest of the Reformed Princes would vouchsafe to do as we are apt to belive they have already done there is some hope that the Anger of the most Serene Duke may be asswag'd and that his Indignation will relent upon the Intercession and Importunities of his Neighbour Princes Or if he persist in his Determinations we protest our selves ready together with your Majesty and the rest of our Confederates of the Reformed Religion to take such speedy methods as may enable us as far in us lies to relieve the distresses of so many miserable Creatures and provide for their Liberty and Safety In the mean time we beseech Almighty God to bless your Majesty with all Prosperity White Hall May 1655. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Geneva WE had before made known to your Lordships our excessive Sorrow for the heavy and unheard of Calamities of the Protestants Inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont whom the Duke of Savoy Persecutes with so much Cruelty but that we made it our business that you should at the same time understand that we are not onely affected with the multitude of their sufferings but are using the utmost of our endeavours to Relieve and Comfort 'em in their distresses To that purpose we have taken care for a gathering of Alms to be made throughout this whole Republick which upon good grounds we expect will be such as will demonstrate the affection of this Nation toward their Brethren labouring under the burthen of such horrid Inhumanities and that as the Communion of Religion is the same between both People so the sence of their Calamities is no less the same In the mean time while the Collections of the Money go forward which in regard they will require some time to accomplish and for that the Wants and Necessities of those deplorable People will admit of no delay we thought it requifite to remit beforehand Two thousand Pounds of the Value of England with all possible speed to be distributed among such as shall be judg'd to be most in present need of Comfort and Succour Now in regard we are not ignorant how deeply the miseries and wrongs of those most innocent people have affected your selves and that you will not
think amiss of any Labour or Pains where you can be assisting to their Relief we made no scruple to commit the Paying and Distributing this Sum of Money to your Care and to give ye this farther trouble that according to your wonted Piety and Prudence you would take care that the said Money made be distributed equally to the most Necessitous to the end that though the Sum be small yet there may be something to Refresh and Revive the most Poor and Needy till we can afford 'em a more plentiful Supply And thus not making any doubt but you will take in good part the trouble impos'd upon ye we beseech Almighty God to stir up the hearts of all his People Professing the Orthodox Religion to resolve upon the common Defence of themselves and the mutual Assistance of each other against their imbitter'd and most implacable Enemies In the prosecution of which we should rejoyce that our helping hand might be any way serviceable to the Church Farewel Fifteen hundred Pounds of the foresaid Two thousand will be remitted by Gerard Hench from Paris and the other Five hundred Pounds will be taken care of by Letters from the Lord Stoup June 8. 1655. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice Most Serene Prince AS it has bin always a great occasion of rejoycing to us when ever any prosperous Success attended your Arms but more especially against the Common Enemy of the Christian Name so neither are we sorry for the late Advantage gain'd by your Fleet though as we understand it happen'd not a little to the Detriment of our People For certain of our Merchants William and Daniel Williams and Edward Beale have set forth in a Petition presented to us that a Ship of theirs call'd the Great Prince was lately sent by them with Goods and Merchandize to Constantinople where the said Ship was detain'd by the Ministers of the Port to carry Soldiers and Provisions to Creet and that the said Ship being constrain'd to Sail along with the same Fleet of the Turks which was set upon and vanquish'd by the Gallies of the Venetians was taken carri'd away to Venice and there adjudg'd Lawful Prize by the Judges of the Admiralty Now therefore in regard the said Ship was press'd by the Turks and forc'd into their Service without the Knowledge or Consent of the Owners directly or indirectly obtain'd and that it was impossible for her being Ship'd with Soldiers to withdraw from the Engagement we most earnestly request your Serenity That you will remit that sentence of your Admiralty as a Present to our Friendship and take such care that the Ship may be restor'd to the Owners no way deserving the displeasure of your Republick by any Act of theirs In the obtaining of which request more especially upon our Intercession while we find the Merchants themselves so well assur'd of your Clemency It behoves us not to question it And so we beseech the Almighty God to continue his prosperous Blessings upon your Noble Designs and the Venetian Republick Westminster December 1655. Your Serenity's and the Venetian Republick's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene King CErtain of our Merchants by name Samuel Mico William Cockain George Poyner and several others in a Petition to us have set forth That in the year 1650. they Laded a Ship of theirs call'd the Vnicorn with Goods of a very considerable value and that the said Ship being thus Laden with Silk Oyl and other Merchandize amounting to above Thirty four thousand of our Pounds was taken by the Admiral and Vice-Admiral of your Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea Now it appears to us that our People who were then in the Ship by reason there was at that time a Peace between the French and us that never had bin violated in the least were not willing to make any Defence against your Majesty's Royal Ships and therefore over-rul'd besides by the fair Promises of the Captains Paul and Terrery who faithfully engag'd to dismiss our People they paid their Obedience to the Maritime Laws and produc'd their Bills of Lading Moreover we find that the Merchants aforesaid sent their Agent into France to demand Restitution of the said Ship and Goods And then it was that after above Three years slipt away when the Suit was brought so far that Sentence of Restitution or Condemnation was to have bin given that his Eminency Cardinal Mazarine acknowledg'd to their Factor Hugh Morel the wrong that had bin done the Merchants and undertook that Satisfaction should be given so soon as the League between the two Nations which was then under Negotiation should be Ratifi'd and Confirm'd Nay since that his Excellency M. de Bourdeaux your Majesty's Embassador assur'd us in express Words by the Command of your Majesty and your Council That care should be taken of that Ship and Goods in a particular Exception a part from those controversies for the decision of which a general provision was made by the League of which promise the Embassador now opportunely arriv'd here to solicit some business of his own is a Testimony no way to be question'd Which being true and the Right of the Merchants in redemanding their Ship and Goods so undeniably apparent we most earnestly request your Majesty that they may meet with no delay in obtaining what is justly their due but that your Majesty will admit the grant of this Favour as the first fruits of our reviv'd Amity and the lately renew'd League between us The refusal of which as we have no reason to doubt so we beseech Almighty God to Bless with all Prosperity both your Majesty and your Kingdom Westminster Decemb. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Evangelic Cities of Switzerland IN what condition your Affairs are which is not the best we are abundantly inform'd as well by your publick Acts transmitted to us by our Agent at Geneva as also by your Letters from Zurick bearing date the 27th of December Whereby although we are sorry to find your Peace and such a lasting League of Confederacy broken nevertheless since it appears to have happen'd through no fault of yours we are in hopes that the Iniquity and perverseness of your Adversaries are contriving new occasions for ye to make known your long-ago experienc'd Fortitude and Resolution in Defence of the Evangelick Faith For as for those of the Canton of Schwits who account it a Capital Crime for any person to embrace our Religion what they are might and main designing and whose instigations have incens'd 'em to resolutions of Hostility against the Orthodox Religion no body can be ignorant who has not yet forgot that most detestable Slaughter of our Brethren in Piemont Wherefore
most beloved Friends what you were always wont to be with God's assistance still continue Magnanimous and Resolute suffer not your Privileges your Confederacies the Liberty of your Consciences your Religion it self to be trampled under foot by the Worshippers of Idols and so prepare your selves that you may not seem to be the Defenders onely of your own Freedom and Safety but be ready likewise to Aid and Succour as far as in you lies your Neighbouring Brethren more especially those most deplorable Piedmontois as being certainly convinc'd of this that a Passage was lately intended to have bin open'd over their Slaughter'd bodies to your sides As for our part be assur'd that we are no less anxious and solicitous for your Welfare and Prosperity then if this conflagration had broken forth in our Republick or as if the Axes of the Schwits Canton had bin sharpen'd for our Necks or that their Swords had bin drawn against our Breasts as indeed they were against the bosoms of all the Reformed Therefore so soon as we were inform'd of the condition of your Affairs and the obstinate Animosities of your Enemies advising with some sincere and honest Persons together with some Mininisters of the Church most eminent for their Piety about sending to your Assistance such Succour as the present posture of our Affairs would permit we came to those Results which our Envoy Pell will impart to your consideration In the mean time we cease not to implore the Blessing of the Almighty upon all your Counsels and the Protection of your most just Cause as well in War as in Peace Westminster Jan. 1655. Your Lordships and Worships most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus by the Grace of God King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland c. Most Serene King SEeing it is a thing well known to all men that there ought to be a Communication of concerns among Friends whether in Prosperity or Adversity it cannot be but most grateful to us that your Majesty should vouchsafe to impart unto us by your Letters the most pleasing and delightful part of your Friendship which is your joy In regard it is a mark of singular Civility and truly Royal as not to live onely to a man's self so neither to rejoyce alone unless he be sensible that his Friends and Confederates partake of his gladness Certainly then we have reason to rejoyce for the Birth of a young Prince Born to such an excellent King and sent into the world to be the Heir of his Father's Glory and Vertue and this at such a lucky season that we have no less cause to Congratulate the Royal Parent with the memorable Omen that befel the Famous Philip of Macedon who at the same time receiv'd the Tydings of Alexander's Birth and the Conquest of the Illyrians For we make no question but the wresting of the Kingdom of Poland from Papal Subjection as it were a Horn dismembred from the Head of the Beast and the Peace so much desir'd by all Good men concluded with the Duke of Brandenburgh will be most highly conducing to the Tranquility and Advantage of the Church Heaven grant a conclusion correspondent to such signal beginnings and may the Son be like the Father in Vertue Piety and Renown obtain'd by great Atchievments Which is that we wish may luckily come to pass and which we beg of the Almighty so propitious hitherto to your Affairs Westminster Feb. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Comonwealth of England c. To the King of Danemark Most Serene and Potent Prince JOhn Freeman and Philip Travess Citizens of this Republick by a Petition presented to us in their own and the Name of several other Merchants of London have made a complaint That whereas about the Month of March in the year 1653. they Freighted a certain Ship of Sunderburgh call'd the Saviour Nicolas Weinskinks Master with Woollen Cloth and other Commodities to the Value of above Three thousand Pound with Orders to the Master That he should Sail directly up the Baltick for Dantzick paying the usual Tribute at Elsenore to which purpose in particulor they gave him Money nevertheless that the said Master Perfidiously and contrary to the Orders of the said Merchants slipping by Elsenore without paying the usual Duty thought to have proceeded in his Voyage but that the Ship for this reason was immediately Seiz'd and detain'd with all her Lading After due consideration of which Complaints we Wrote in favour of the Merchants to your Majesty's Embassador residing at London who promis'd as they say that as soon as he return'd to your Majesty he would take care that the Merchants should be taken into consideration But he being sent to Negotiate your Majesty's Affairs in other Countries the Merchants attended upon him in vain both before and after his departure so that they were forc'd to send their Agent to prosecute their Right and Claim at Copenhagen and demand Restitution of the Ship and Goods but all the Benefit they reap'd by it was onely to add more expences to their former damages and a great deal of labour and pains thrown away the Goods being condemn'd to Confiscation and still detain'd Whereas by the Law of Danemark as they set forth in their Petition the Master is to be Punish'd for his Offence and the Ship is to be Condemn'd but not the Goods And they look upon this misfortune to lye the more heavy upon 'em in regard the Duty which is to be paid at Elsenore as they tell us is but very small Wherefore seeing our Merchants seem to have given no cause of Proscription and for that the Master confess'd before his death that this damage befel them onely through his neglect and the Father of the Master deceas'd by his Petition to your Majesty as we are given to understand by laying all the blame upon his Son has acquitted the Merchants we could not but believe the detaining of the said Ship and Goods to be most unjust and therefore we are confident that so soon as your Majesty shall be rightly inform'd of the whole matter you will not only disapprove of these Oppressions of your Ministers but give command that they be call'd to an account that the Goods be restor'd to the Owners or their Factors and Reparation made 'em for the Losses they have sustain'd All which we most earnestly request of your Majesty as being no more then what is so just and consentaneous to reason that a more equitable demand or more legal satisfaction cannot well be made considering the Justice of our Merchants Cause and which your own Subjects would think but fair and honest upon the like occasions To the most Serene Prince John the Fourth King of Portugal c. Most Serene King THE Peace and Friendship which your Majesty desir'd by your Noble and
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
setling of those Affairs In the mean time Almighty God preserve in safety so great a Pillar of his Church and of Swedeland's welfare From our Palace at Westminster July 1656. Your Majesties most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene King our most dear Friend and Confederate CErtain Merchants of London Richard Baker and others have made their complaint in a Petition to us That a certain hir'd Ship of theirs call'd the Endeavour William Jop Master Laden at Tenariff with Three hundre'd Pipes of rich Canary and bound from thence for London in her Voyage between Palma and that Island upon the 21st of November in the year 1655. was taken by Four French Vessels seeming Ships of Burthen but fitted and mann'd like Privateers under the Command of Giles de la Roche their Admiral and carri'd with all her Freight and the greatest part of the Seamen to the East-Indies whither he pretended to be bound Fourteen excepted who were put ashore upon the Coast of Guiney which the said Giles affirm'd he did with that Intent that none of 'em might escape from so Remote and Barbarous a Countrey to do him any harm by their Testimony For he confess'd he had neither any Commission to take the English Vessels neither had he taken any as he might have done before well knowing there was a firm Peace at that time between the French and our Republick But in regard he had design'd to revittle in Portugal from whence he was driven by contrary Winds he was constrain'd to supply his necessities with what he found in that Vessel and believ'd the Owners of his Ships would satisfie the Merchants for their Loss Now the Loss of our Merchants amounts to Sixteen Thousand English Pounds as will easily be made appear by Witnesses upon Oath But if it shall be Lawful upon such trivial Excuses as these for Pyrates to violate the most Religious Acts of Princes and make a sport of Merchants for their particular benefits certainly the sanctity of Leagnes must fall to the ground all Faith and Authority of Princes will grow out of date and be trampl'd under foot Wherefore we not onely request your Majesty but believe it mainly to concern your Honour that they who have adventur'd upon so slight a pretence to violate the League and most Sacred Oath of their Sovereign should suffer the Punishment due to so much Perfidiousness and daring Insolence and that in the mean time the Owners of those Ships though to their Loss should be bound to satisfie our Merchants for the vast Detriment which they have so wrongfully sustain'd So may the Almighty long preserve your Majesty and support the Interest of France against the Common Enemy of us Both. From our Palace at Westminster August 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England To his Eminency Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Lord HAving an occasion to send Letters to the King we thought it likewise an offer'd opportunity to Write to your Eminency For we could not think it proper to conceal the subject of our Writing from the sole and onely person whose singular Prudence Governs the most important Interests of the French Nation and the most weighty Affairs of the Kingdom with equal Fidelity Council and Vigilance Not without reason we complain in short to find that League by your self as it were a crime to doubt most sacredly concluded almost the very same day contemn'd and violated by one Giles a French-man a petty Admiral of Four Ships and his Associates equally concern'd as your Eminency will readily find by our Letters to the King and the Demands themselves of our Merchants Nor is it unknown to your Excellency howmuch it concerns not only Inferiour Magistrates but even Royal Majesty it self that those first Violators of solemn Alliances should be severely punish'd But they perhaps by this time being arriv'd in the East-Indies whither they pretended to be bound enjoy in undisturb'd possession the Goods of our People as Lawful Prize won from an Enemy which they Robb'd and Pilledg'd from the Owners contrary to all Law and the pledg'd Faith of our late sacrd League However this is that which we request from your Eminency That whatever Goods were taken from our Merchants by the Admiral of those Ships as necessary for his Voyage may be restor'd by the Owners of the same Vessels which was no more then what the Rovers themselves thought Just and Equal which as we understand it lies within your Power to do considering the Authority and Sway you bear in the Kingdom From our Palace at Westminster August 1656. Your Eminencies most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dear Friends and Confederates WE make no doubt but that all men will bear us this Testimony That no considerations in contracting Foreign Alliances ever sway'd us beyond those of defending the Truth of Religion or that we accounted any thing more sacred then to Unite the Minds of all the Friends and Protectors of the Protestants and of all others who at least were not their Enemies Whence it comes to pass that we are touch'd with so much the more grief of Mind to hear that the Protestant Princes and Cities whom it so much behoves to live in Friendship and Concord together should begin to be so jealous of each other and so ill dispos'd to mutual Affection more especially that your Lordships and the King of Sweden then whom the Orthodox Faith has not more Magnanimous and Couragious Defenders nor our Republick Confederates more strictly conjoyn'd in Interests should seem to remit of your confidence in each other or rather that there should appear some too apparent signs of tottering Friendship and growing discord between ye What the causes are and what progress this alienation of your Affection has made we protest our selves to be altogether ignorant However we cannot but conceive an extraordinary trouble of mind for these beginnings of the least dissention arisen among Brethren which infallibly must greatly endanger the Protestant Interests Which if they should gather strength how prejudicial it would prove to the Protestant Churches what an occasion of triumph it would afford our Enemies and more especially the Spaniards cannot be unknown to your Prudence and most industrious experience of Affairs As for the Spaniards it has already so enliven'd their confidence and rais'd their Courage that they made no scruple by their Embassador residing in your Territories boldly to obtrude their Counsels upon your Lordships and that in reference to the highest concerns of your Republick presuming partly with Threats of renewing the War to terrifie and partly with a false prospect of Advantage
to sollicit your Lordships to forsake your Ancient and most Faithful Friends the English French and Danes and enter into a strict Confederacy with your old Enemy and once your domineering Tyrant now seemingly atton'd but what is most to be fear'd only at present treacherously fawning to advance his own Designs Certainly he who of an inveterate Enemy lays hold of so slight an occasion of a sudden to become your Counsellor what is it that he would not take upon him where would his Insolency stop if once he could but see with his eyes what now he onely ruminates and labours in his thoughts that is to say Division and a Civil War among the Protestants We are not ignorant that your Lordships out of your deep Wisdom frequently revolve in your Minds what the posture of all Europe is and what more especially the condition of the Protestants That the Cantons of Switzerland adhering to the Orthodox Faith are in daily expectation of new Troubles to be rais'd by their Countrey-men embracing the Popish Ceremonies scarcely recover'd from that War which for the sake of Religion was kindled and blown up by the Spaniards who suppli'd their Enemies both with Commanders and Money That the Councils of the Spaniards are still contriving to continue the slaughter and destruction of the Piemontois which was cruelly put in execution the last year That the Protestants under the Jurisdiction of the Emperor are most grievously harass'd having much ado to keep Possession of their Native Homes That the King of Sweden whom God as we hope has rais'd up to be a most stout Defender of the Orthodox Faith is at present waging with all the Force of his Kingdom a doubtful and bloody War with the most Potent Enemies of the Reformed Religion That your own Provinces are threatened with Hostile Confederacies of the Princes your Neighbours Headed by the Spaniards and lastly that we our selves are busied in a War proclaim'd against the King of Spain In this posture of Affairs if any Contest should happen between your Lordships and the King of Sweden How miserable would be the condition of all the Reformed Churches over all Europe expos'd to the Cruelty and Fury of unsanctifi'd Enemies These cares not slightly seize us and we hope your Sentiments to be the same and that out of your continu'd Zeal for the common Cause of the Protestants and to the end the present Peace between Brethren professing the same Faith the same Hope of Eternity may be preserv'd inviolable your Lordships will accommodate your Counsels to these Considerations which are to be preferr'd before all others and that you will leave nothing neglected that may conduce to the establishing Tranquility and Union between your Lordships and the King of Sweden Wherein if we can any way be useful as far as our Authority and the Favour you bear us will sway with your Lordships we freely offer our utmost Assistance prepared in like manner to be no less serviceable to the King of Sweden to whom we design a speedy Embassie to the end we may declare our Sentiments at large concerning these matterso We hope moreover that God will bend your Minds on both sides to moderate Counsels and so restrain your Animosities that no provocation may be given either by the one or the other to fester your differences to extremity But that on the other side both parties will remove whatever may give offence or occasion of jealousie to the other Which if you shall vouchsafe to do you will disappoint your Enemies prove the consolation of your Friends and in the best manner provide for the welfare of your Republick And this we beseech you to be fully convinc'd of that we shall use our utmost care to make appear upon all occasions our extraordinary Affection and Good-will to the States of the Vnited Provinces And so we most earnestly implore the Almighty God to perpetuate his Blessings of Peace Wealth and Liberty upon your Republick but above all things to preserve it always flourishing in the Love of the Christian Faith and the true Worship of his Name From our Palace at Westminster Aug. 1656. Your High and Mightinesses most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene Prince UPON the 11th of July last Old-stile we receiv'd by Thomas Maynard the Ratification of the Peace Negotiated at London by your Extraordinary Embassador as also of the private and preliminary Articles all now confirm'd by your Majesty And by our Letters from Philip Medows our Agent at Lisbon dated the same time we understand that our Ratification also of the same Peace and Articles was by him according to our Orders sent him deliver'd to your Majesty And thus the Instruments of the foremention'd Ratification being mutually interchang'd on both sides in the begining of June last there is now a firm and settl'd Peace between both Nations And this pacification has given us no small occasion of joy and satisfaction as believing it will prove to the common benefit of both Nations and to the no slight detriment of our common Enemies who as they found out a means to disturb the former League so they left nothing neglected to have hinder'd the renewing of this Nor do we question in the least that they will omit any occasion of creating new matter for scandals and jealousies between us Which we however have constantly determin'd as much as in us lies to remove at a remote distance from our thoughts rather we so earnestly desire that this our Alliance may beget a mutual confidence greater every day then other that we shall take them for our Enemies who shall by any artifices endeavour to molest the Friendship by this Peace establish'd between our selves and both our People And we readily perswade our selves that your Majesty's thoughts and intentions are the same And whereas it has pleas'd your Majesty by your Letters dated the 24th of June and some days after the delivery by our Agent of the interchang'd Instrument of confirm'd Peace to mention certain clauses of the League of which you desir'd some little Alteration being of small moment to this Republick as your Majesty believes but of great importance to the Kingdom of Portugal we shall be ready to enter into a particular Treaty in order to those Proposals made by your Majesty or whatever else may conduce in the judgment of both Parties to the farther establishment and more strongly fastning of the League wherein we shall have those due considerations of your Majesty and your Subjects as also of our own People that all may be satisfi'd and it shall be in your choice whether these things shall be Negotiated at Lisbon or at London However the League being now Confirm'd and duly Seal'd with the Seals of both Nations to alter any part of it would be the same thing as to annul the whole which we
are certainly assur'd your Majesty by no means desires to do We heartily wish all things Lucky all things Prosperous to your Majesty From our Palace at Westminster August 1656. Your Majesties most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene King WE have receiv'd the unwelcome News of a wicked and inhuman Attempt to have Murther'd our Agent Philip Medows residing with your Majesty and by us sent upon the blessed Errand of Peace the hainousness of which was such that his Preservation is onely to be attributed to the Protection of Heaven And we are given to understand by your Letters dated the 26th of May last and deliver'd to us by Thomas Maynard that your Majesty justly incens'd at the horridness of the Fact has Commanded inquiry to be made after the Criminals to the end they may be brought to condign Punishment But we do not hear that any of the Ruffians are yet apprehended or that your Commands have wrought any effect in this particular Wherefore we thought it our duty openly to declare how deeply we resent this barbarous outrage in part Attempted and in part committed And therefore we make it our Request to your Majesty That due Punishment may be inflicted upon the Authors Associates and Encouragers of this Abominable Fact And to the end that this may be the more speedily accomplish'd we farther demand That persons of Honesty and Sincerity Well-wishers to the Peace of both Nations may be entrusted with the Examination of this Business That so a due scrutiny may be made into the bottom of this malicious contrivance to the end both Authors and Assistants may be the more severely Punish'd Unless this be done neither your Majesty's Justice nor the Honour of this Republick can be vindicated neither can there be any stable assurance of the Peace between both Nations We wish your Majesty all things Fortunate and Prosperous From our Palace at White-Hall August 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 Illustrious Lord the Conderd ' Odemira Most Illustrious Lord YOUR singular Good-will toward us and this Republick has laid no mean obligation upon us nor slightly ti'd us to acknowledgment We readily perceiv'd it by your Letters of the 25th of June last as also by those which we receiv'd from our Agent Philip Meadows sent into Portugal to conclude the Peace in Agitation wherein he inform'd us of your extraordinary zeal and diligence to promote the Pacification of which we most joyfully receiv'd the last Ratification and we perswade our selves that your Lordship will have no cause to repent either of your pains and diligence in procuring this Peace or of your Good-will to the English or your Fidelity toward the King your Sovereign more especially considering the great hopes we have that this Peace will be of high Advantage to both Nations and not a little Inconvenient to our Enemies The onely Accident that fell out unfortunate and mournful in this Negotiation was that unhallow'd Villanany nefariously attempted upon the Person of our Agent Philip Medows The conceal'd Authors of which intended piece of Inhumanity ought no less diligently to be sought after and made Examples to Posterity then the vilest of most openly detected Assassinates Nor can we doubt in the least of your King's Severity and Justice in the Punishment of a Crime so horrid nor of your Care and Sedulity to see that there be no remissness of Prosecution as being a person bearing due veneration to the Laws of God and Sanctity among men and no less zealous to maintain the Peace between both Nations which never can subsist if such inhuman Barbarities as these escape unpunish'd and unreveng'd But your abhorrency and detestation of the Fact is so well known that there is no need of insisting any more at present upon this unpleasing subject Therefore having thus declar'd our Good-will and Affection to your Lordship of which we shall be always ready to give apparent demonstrations there nothing remains but to implore the Blessings of Divine Favour and Protection upon you and all yours From our Palace at Westm Aug. 1656. Your Lordship 's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Most Serene King our dearest Friend and Confederate BEing assur'd of your Majesty's concurrence both in Thoughts and Councels for the defence of the Protestant Faith against the Enemies of it if ever now at this time most dangerously vexatious though we cannot but rejoyce at your prosperous Successes and the daily Tidings of your Victories yet on the other side we cannot but be as deeply afflicted to meet with one thing that disturbs and interrupts our joy we mean the bad News intermix'd with so many welcome Tydings that the Ancient Friendship between your Majesty and the States of the Vnited Provinces looks with a dubious Aspect and that the mischief is exasperated to that heighth especially in the Baltick Sea as seems to bode an unhappy rupture We confess our selves ignorant of the Causes but we too easily foresee that the Events which God avert will be fatal to the Interests of the Protestants And therefore as well in respect to that most strict Alliance between us and your Majesty as out of that Affection and Love to the Reformed Religion by which we all of us ought chiefly to be swai'd we thought it our duty as we have most earnestly exhorted the States of the Vnited Provinces to Peace and Moderation so now to perswade your Majesty to the same The Protestants have Enemies every where enow and to spare inflam'd with inexorable revenge they never were known to have conspir'd more perniciously to our destruction witness the Valleys of Piemont still reaking with the Blood and Slaughter of the Miserable witness Austria lately turmoil'd with the Emperor's Edicts and Proscriptions witness Switzerland But to what purpose is it in many words to call back the bitter lamentations and remembrance of so many Calamities Who so ignorant as not to know that the Counsels of the Spaniards and the Roman Pontiff for these Two years have fill'd all these Places with Conflagrations Slaughter and Vexation of the Orthodox If to these mischiefs there should happen an access of Dissention among Protestant Brethren more especially between Two Potent States upon whose Courage Wealth and Fortitude so far as human Strength may be reli'd upon the Support and Hopes of all the Reformed Churches depend of necessity the Protestant Religion must be in great jeopardy if not upon the brink of destruction On the other side if the whole Protestant Name would but observe perpetual Peace among themselves with
that same Brotherly Union as becomes their Profession there would be no occasion to fear what all the Artifices or Puissance of our Enemies could do to hurt us which our fraternal Concord and Harmony alone would easily repel and frustrate And therefore we most earnestly request and beseech your Majesty to harbour in your Mind propitious thoughts of Peace and inclinations ready bent to repair the breaches of your Pristin Friendship with the Vnited Provinces if in any part it may have accidentally suffer'd the decays of mistakes or misconstruction If there be any thing wherein our Labour our Fidelity and Diligence may be useful toward this Composure we offer and devote all to your service And may the God of Heaven favour and prosper your Noble and Pious Resolutions which together with all Felicity and a perpetual course of Victory we cordially wish to your Majesty From our Palace at Westm Aug. 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the States of Holland Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends IT has bin represented to us by William Cooper a Minister of London and our Countrey-man That John le Maire of Amsterdam his Father-in-Law about Three and thirty years ago devis'd a Project by which the Revenues of your Republick might be very much advanc'd without any burthen to the People and made an agreement with John Vandenbrook to share between 'em the reward which they should obtain for their Invention which was the setling of a little Seal to be made use of in all the Provinces of your Territories and for which your High and Mightinesses promis'd to pay the said Vandenbrook and his Heirs the yearly Sum of 3000 Gilders or 300 English Pounds Now although the use and method of this Little Seal has bin found very easy and expeditious and that ever since great Incomes have thereby accru'd to your High and Mightinesses and some of your Provinces nevertheless nothing of the said Reward tho with much importunity demanded has bin paid to this day so that the said Vandenbrook and le Maire being tir'd out with long delays the Right of the said Grant is devolv'd to the foresaid William Cooper our Countrey-man who desirous to reap the fruit of his Father-in-Law's Industry has petition'd us That we would recommend his just demands to your High and Mightinesses which we thought not reasonable to deny him Wherefore in most friendly wise we request your High and Mightenesses favourably to hear the Petition of the said William Cooper and to take such care that the Reward and Stipend so well deserv'd and by contract Agreed and Granted may be paid him annually from this time forward together with the Arrears of the years already pass'd Which not doubting but your High and Mightinesses will vouchsafe to perform as what is no more then just and becoming your Magnificence we shall be ready to shew the same favour to the Petitions of your Countrey-men upon any occasions of the same nature whenever presented to us From our Palace at White-Hall September 1656. Your High and Mightinesses most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene King our dearest Friend and Confederate AGainst our will it is that we so often trouble your Majesty with the wrongs done by your Subjects after a Peace so lately renew'd But as we are fully perswaded that your Majesty disapproves their being committed so neither can we be wanting to the complaints of our People That the Ship Anthony of Dieppe was Legally taken before the League manifestly appears by the Sentence of the Judges of our Admiralty Court Part of the Lading that is to say Four thousand Hides Robert Brown a Merchant of London fairly bought of those who were entrusted with the Sale as they themselves testify The same Merchant after the Peace was confirm'd carri'd to Dieppe about Two hundred of the same Hides and there having Sold 'em to a Currier thought to have receiv'd his Money but found it Stopt and Attach'd in the hands of his Factor and a Suit being commenc'd against him he could obtain no favour in that Court Wherefore we thought it proper to request your Majesty that the whole matter may be referr'd to your Council that so the said Money may be discharg'd from an unjust and vexatious Action For if Acts done and adjudg'd before the Peace shall after Peace renew'd be call'd into question and controversy we must look upon assurance of Treaties to be a thing of little moment Nor will there be any end of these complaints if some of these Violators of Leagues be not made severee and timely Examples to others Which we hope your Majesty will speedily take into your Care To whom God Almighty in the mean time vouchsafe his most Holy Protection From our Palace at White-Hall September 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 Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene King THE Peace being happily concluded between this Republick and the Kingdom of Portugal and what refers to Trade being duly provided for and ratifi'd we deem'd it necessary to send to your Majesty Thomas Maynard from whom you will receive these Letters to reside in your Dominions under the Character and Employment of a Consul and to take care of the Estates and Interests of our Merchants Now in regard it may frequently so fall out that he may be enforc'd to desire the Privilege of free Admission to your Majesty as well in matters of Trade as upon other occasions for the Interest of our Republick we make it our request to your Majesty That you will vouchsafe him favourable Access and Audience which we shall acknowledge as a singular demonstration and testimony of your Majesties Good-will toward us In the mean tlme we beseech Almighty God to bless your Majesty with all Prosperity From our Court at Westm October 1656. Your Majesties most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the King of the Swedes Most Serene and Potent King ALthough your Majesty's wonted and spontaneous Favour and Good-will toward all deserving men be such that all recommendations in their behalf may seem superfluous yet we were unwilling to dismiss without our Letters to your Majesty this Noble Person William Vavassour Knight serving under your Banners and now returning to your Majesty Which we have done so much the more willingly being inform'd that formerly following your Majesty's fortunate Conduct he had lost his Blood in several Combats to assert the Noble Cause for which you Fight Insomuch that the succeeding Kings of Swedeland in renumeration of his Military Skill and bold Atchievements in War rewarded him with Lands and Annual Pensions
as the Guerdons of his Prowess Nor do we question but that he may be of great use to your Majesty in your present Wars who has bin so long conspicuous for his Fidelity and Experience in Military Affairs 'T is our desire therefore that he may be recommended to your Majesty according to his merits and we also farther request That he may be paid the Arrears that are due to him This as it will be most acceptable to us so we shall be ready upon the like occasion whenever offer'd to gratify your Majesty to whom we wish all Happiness and Prosperity 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 Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene King our dearest Friend and Confederate THomas Evans a Master of a Ship and our Countrey-man has presented a Petition to us wherein he sets forth that in the years 1649. and 1650. he serv'd the Brafile Company with his Ship the Scipio being a Vessel of Four hunder'd Tuns and of which he was Master that the said Ship was taken from him with all the Lading and Furniture by your Majesties Command by which he has receiv'd great Damage besides the loss of Six years gain arising out of such a Stock The Commissioners by the League appointed on both sides for the deciding controversies valu'd the whole at Seven thousand of our Pounds or twice as many Milreys of Portugal Money as they made their report to us Which Loss falling so heavy upon the foresaid Thomas and being constrain'd to make a voyage to Lisbon for the Recovery of his Estate he humbly besought us that we would grant him our Letters to your Majesty in favour of his demands We therefore although we Wrote the last year in behalf of our Merchants in general to whom the Brasile Company was Indebted nevertheless that we may not be wanting to any that implore our aid request your Majesty in regard to that Friendship which is between us that consideration may be had of this man in particular and that your Majesty would give such Orders to all your Ministers and Officers that no obstacle may hinder him from demanding and recovering without delay what is owing to him from the Brasile Company or any other persons God Almighty Bless your Majesty with perpetual Felicity and grant that our Friendship may long endure From our Palace at Westm October 1656. Your Mrjesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the Illustrious and Magnificent Senate of Hamborough Most Noble Magnificent and Right Worshipful JAmes and Patrick Hays Subjects of this Commonwealth have made grievous Complaint before us That they being Lawful Heirs of their Brother Alexander who dy'd Intestate were so declar'd by a Sentence of your Court pronounc'd in their behalf against their Brother's Widow and the Estates of their deceas'd Brother together with the Profits onely the Widow's Dowre excepted being adjudg'd to them by vertue of that Sentence nevertheless to this very day they could never reap any benefit of their Pains and Expences in obtaining the said Judgment notwithstanding their own declar'd Right and Letters formerly Written by King Charles in their behalf for that the great Power and Wealth of Albertvan Eyzen one of your Chief Magistrates and with whom the greatest part of the Goods was deposited was an Opposition too Potent for them to surmount whilst he strove all that in him lay that the Goods might not be restor'd to the Heirs Thus disappointed and tir'd out with delays and at length reduc'd to utmost Poverty they are become suppliants to us that we would not forsake 'em wrong'd and oppress'd as they are in a Confederated City We therefore believing it to be a chief part of our duty not to suffer any Countrey-man of ours in vain to desire our Patronage and Succour in distress make this request to your Lordships which we are apt to think we may easily obtain from your City That the Sentence pronounc'd in behalf of the two Brothers may be Ratifi'd and duly Executed according to the intents and purposes for which it was given and that you will not suffer any longer delay of Justice by any Appeal to the Chamber of Spire upon any pretence whatever For we have requir'd the Opinions of our Lawyers which we have sent to your Lordships fairiy Written and Sign'd But if intreaty and fair means will nothing avail of necessity and which is no more then according to the customary Law of Nations though we are unwilling to come to that extremity the severity of Retaliation must take its course which we hope your Prudence will take care to prevent From our Palace at Westm Octob. 16. 1656. Your Lordships most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King our dearest Friend and Confederate WE are apt to believe that your Majesty receiv'd our Letters dated the 14th of May of the last year wherein we wrote that John Dethic Mayor of London that year and William Waterford Merchant had by their Petition set forth That a certain Vessel call'd the Jonas freighted with Goods upon their Accompt and bound for Dunkirk then under the Jurisdiction of the French was taken at the very Mouth of the Thames by a Sea-Rover pretending a Commission from the Son of the late King Charles Which being directly contrary to your Edicts and the Decrees of your Council That no English Ship taken by the Enemies of the Parliament should be admitted into any of your Ports and there put to sale they demanded Restitution of the said Ship and Goods from M. Lestrade then Governor of the Town who return'd 'em an answer no way becoming a Person of his Quality or who pretended Obedience to his Sovereign That the Government was conferr'd upon him for his good Service in the Wars and therefore he would make his best advantage of it that is to say by right or wrong for that he seem'd to drive at As if he had receiv'd that Government of your Majesties free gift to authorize him in the robbing your Confederates and contemning your Edicts set forth in their favour For what the King of France forbids his Subjects any way to have a hand in that the King's Governor has not only suffer'd to be committed in your Ports but he himself becomes the Pirate seizes the Prey and openly avouches the Fact With this Answer therefore the Merchants departed altogether baffl'd and disappointed and this we signifi'd by our Letters to your Majesty the last year with little better success for as yet we have receiv'd no Reply to those Letters Of which we are apt to believe the reason was because the Governor was with the Army
in Flanders but now he resides at Paris or rather flutters unpunish'd about the City and at Court enrich'd with the Spoils of our Merchants Once more therefore We make it our Request to your Majesty which it is your Majesty's Interest in the first place to take care of That no person whatever may dare to justify the wrongs done to your Majesty's Confederates by the contempt of your Royal Edicts Nor can this Cause be properly referr'd to the Commissioners appointed for deciding Common Controversies on both sides since in this Case not only the Rights of Confederates but your Authority it self and the Veneration due to the Royal Name are chiefly in dispute And it would be a wonder that Merchants should be more troubled for their Losses then your Majesty provok'd at Incroachments upon your Honour Which while you disdain to brook with the same labour you will demonstrate that you neither repent of your Friendly Edicts in favour of our Republick nor conniv'd at the Injuries done by your Subjects nor neglected to give due respect to our demands From our Court at Westminster Novemb. 1656. Your Majesty's most bounden by Good-will by Friendship and Solemn League Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Frederic III. King of Danemark Norway the Vandals and Goths Duke of Sleswich Holsatia Stormatia and Dithmarsh Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst c. Most Serene and Potent King our dearest Friend and Confederate WE receiv'd your Majesty's Letters dated the 16th of February from Copenhagen by the most worthy Simon de Pitkum your Majesty's Agent here residing Which when we had perus'd the Demonstrations of your Majesty's Good-will towards us and the Importance of the Matter concerning which you write affected us to that degree that we design'd forthwith to send to your Majesty some person who being furnish'd with ample Instructions from us might more at large declare to your Majesty our Counsels in that Affair And tho we have still the same Resolutions yet hitherto we have not been at leisure to think of a Person proper to be entrusted with those Commands which the weight of the matter requires tho in a short time we hope to be more at liberty In the mean while we thought it not convenient any longer to delay the letting your Majesty understand that the present Condition of Affairs in Europe has employ'd the greatest part of our Care and Thoughts while for some years to our great grief we have beheld the Protestant Princes and Supream Magistrates of the Reformed Republicks whom it rather behoves as being engag'd by the common Tye of Religion and Safety to combine and study all the ways imaginable conducing to mutual defence more and more at weakning variance among themselves and jealous of each other's Actions and Designs putting their Friends in fear their Enemies in hope that the Posture of Affairs bodes rather Enmity and Discord then a firm agreement of mind to defend and assist each other And this sollicitude has fix'd it self so much the deeper in our thoughts in regard there seems to appear some sparkles of jealousy between your Majesty and the King of Sweden at least that there is not that conjunction of Affections which our Love and Good-will in general toward the Orthodox Religion so importunately requires your Majesty perhaps suspecting that the Trade of your Dominions will be prejudic'd by the King of Sweden and on the other side the King of Sweden being jealous that by your means the War which he now wages is made more difficult and that you oppose him in his contracting those Alliances which he seeks 'T is not unknown to your Majesty so eminent for your profound Wisdom how great the Danger is that threatens the Protestant Religion should such Suspicions long continue between two such Potent Monarchs more especially which God avert if any symptom of Hostility should break forth However it be for our parts as we have earnestly exhorted the King of Sweden and the States of the Vnited Provinces to Peace and moderate Counsels and are beyond expression glad to behold Peace and Concord renew'd between them for that the Heads of that League are transmitted to us by their Lordships the States-General so we thought it our duty and chiefly becoming our Friendship not to conceal from your Majesty what our Sentiments are concerning these matters more especially being so affectionately invited so to do by your Majesty's most Friendly Letters which we look upon and embrace as a most singular Testimony of your Good-will toward us but to lay before your eyes how great a necessity Divine Providence has impos'd upon us all that profess the Protestant Religion to study Peace among our selves and that chiefly at this time when our most embittered Enemies seem to have on every side conspir'd our destruction There 's no necessity of calling to remembrance the Valleys of Piemont still besmear'd with the Blood and Slaughter of the miserable Inhabitants nor Austria tormented at the same time with the Emperor's Decrees and Proscriptions nor the impetuous Onsets of the Popish upon the Protestant Switzers Who can be ignorant that the Artifices and Machinations of the Spaniards for some years last past have fill'd all these places with the confus'd and blended havock of Fire and Sword To which unfortunate Pile of Miseries if once the Reformed Brethren should come to add their own Dissentions among themselves and more especially two such Potent Monarchs the chiefest part of our strength and among whom so large a Provision of the Protestants Security and Puissance lies stor'd and hoarded up against Times of Danger most certainly the Interests of the Protestants must go to ruine and suffer a total and irrecoverable Eclipse On the other side If Peace continue firmly fix'd between two such powerful Neighbours and the rest of the Orthodox Princes if we would but make it our main study to abide in Brotherly Concord there would be no cause by God's assistance to fear neither the force nor subtilty of our Enemies all whose Endeavours and laborious Toils our Union alone would be able to dissipate and frustrate Nor do we question but that your Majesty as you are freely willing so your willingness will be constant in contributing your utmost Assistance to procure this blessed Peace To which purpose we shall be most ready to communicate and join our Counsels with your Majesty professing a real and cordial Friendship and not only determin'd inviolably to observe the Amity so auspiciously contracted between us but as God shall enable us to bind our present Alliance with a more strict and Fraternal Bond. In the mean time the same Eternal God grant all things prosperous and successful to your Majesty From our Caurt at White-Hall Decem. 1656. Your Majesties most closely united by Friendship Alliance and Good-will Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector
great Duke of all Russia sole Lord of Volodomaria Moscow and Novograge King of Cazan Astracan and Syberia Lord of Vobscow great Duke of Smolensko Tuerscoy and other Places Lord and great Duke of Novogrod and the Lower Provinces of Chernigoy Rezansco and others Lord of all the Northern Climes also Lord of Eversco Cartalinsca and many other Places ALL men know how Ancient the Friendship and how vast the Trade has bin for a long train of years between the English Nation and the People of your Empire But that singular Vertue most August Emperor which in your Majesty far outshines the Glory of your Ancestors and the high Opinion which all the Neighbouring Princes have of it more especially moves us to pay a more then ordinary Veneration and Affection to your Majesty and to desire the imparting of some things to your Consideration which may conduce to the Good of Christendome and your own Interests Wherefore we have sent the most Accomplish'd Richard Bradshaw a person of whose Fidelity Integrity Prudence and Experience in Affairs we are well assur'd as having bin imploy'd by us in several other Negotiations of this nature under the Character of our Agent to your Majesty to the end he may more at large make known to your Majesty our singular Good will and high Respect toward so Puissant a Monarch and Transact with your Majesty concerning the matters above-mention'd Him therefore we request your Majesty favourably to receive in our Name and as often as shall be requisite to grant him free Access to your Person and no less gracious Audience and lastly to give the same credit to him in all things which he shall Propose or Negotiate as to our selves if we were personally present And so we beseech Almighty God to Bless your Majesty and the Russian Empire with all Prosperity From our Court at Westm April 1657. 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 Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Most Serene and Potent King our dearest Friend and Confederate THE most Honourable William Jepson Collonel of Horse and a Senator in our Parlament who will have the Honour to deliver these Letters to your Majesty will make known to your Majesty with what disturbance and grief of Mind we receiv'd the News of the fatal War broke out between your Majesty and the King of Danemark and how much it is our cordial and real endeavour not to neglect any labour or duty of ours as far as God enables us that some speedy remedy may be appli'd to this growing Mischief and those Calamites averted which of necessity this War will bring upon the Common Cause of Religion more especially at this time now that our Adversaries unite their Forces and pernicious Counsels against the Profession and Professors of the Orthodox Faith These and some other Considerations of great importance to the Benefit and Publick Interests of both Nations have induc'd us to send this Gentleman to your Majesty under the Character of our Extraordinary Envoy Whom we therefore desire your Majesty kindly to receive and to give Credit to him in all things which he shall have to impart to your Majesty in our Name as being a Person in whose Fidelity and Prudence we very much confide We also farther request That your Majesty will be pleas'd fully to assure your self of our Good-will and most undoubted Zeal as well toward your Majesty as for the Prosperity of your Affairs Of which we shall be readily prepar'd with all imaginable willingness of mind to give unquestionable Testimonies upon all occasions From our Court at Westminster August 1657. Your Majesty's Friend and most strictly Co-united Confederate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince The Lord Frederick William Marquess of Brandenburgh High Chamberlain of the Imperial Empire and Prince Elector Duke of Magdeburgh Prussia Juliers Cleves Monts Stettin Pomerania of the Cassiubiands and Vandals as also of Silesia Crosna and Carnovia Burgravae of Norrinburgh Prince of Halberstadt and Minda Count of Mark and Ravensbergh Lord in Ravenstein Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend and Confederate SUCH is the fame of your Highness's Vertue and Prudence both in Peace and War and so loudly spread through all the World That all the Princes round about are ambitious of your Friendship nor does any one desire a more faithful or constant Friend and Associate Therefore to the end your Highness may know that we are also in the number of those that have the highest and most honourable Thoughts of your Person and Merits so well deserving of the Commonwealth of Christendome we have sent the most Worthy Col. Will. Jepson a Senator in our Parlament in our Name to kiss your Majesties hands and with all to wish the continuance of all Prosperity to your Affairs and in Words at large to express our Good-will and Affection to your Serenity and therefore make it our request That you will vouchsafe to give him Credit in those matters concerning which he has Instructions to Treat with your Majesty as if all things were Attested and Confirm'd by our Personal Presence From our Court at White-Hall August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Hamborough Most Noble most Magnificent and Worthy THE most Accomplish'd Collonel William Jepson a Senator in our Parlament being sent by us to the most Serene King of Sweden is to Travel through your City and therefore we have given him in Command not to pass by your Lordships Unsaluted in our Name and withall to make it our request That you will be ready to Assist him upon whatsoever occasion he shall think it requisite to crave the Aid of your Authority and Counsel Which the more willingly you shall do the more you shall find you have acquir'd our Favour From our Court at Westminster August 1657. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Breme HOW great our Affection is toward your City how particular our Good-will as well upon the account of your Religion as for the celebrated Splendor of your City as formerly you have found so when occasion offers you shall be farther sensible At present in regard the most Accomplish'd Collonel William Jepson a Senator in our Parlament is to Travel through Bremen with the Character of our Envoy Extraordinary to the King of Sweden 't is our Pleasure that he salute your Lordships lovingly and friendly in our Name and that if any accident fall out wherein your Assistance and Friendship may be serviceable to him that he may have free Admission to desire it upon the score of our Alliance Wherein we are confident you will the less be wanting by how much the
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
Commonwealth of England c. To the most Excellent Lord M. d. 〈◊〉 Extraordinary Embassador from the most Serene King of France Most Excellent Lord LVcas Lucie Merchant of London has made his Complaint to the most Serene Lord Protector concerning a certain Ship of his call'd the Mary which in her Voyage from Ireland to Bayonne being driven by Tempest into the Port of St. John de Luz was there detain'd by vertue of an Arrest at the Suit of one Martin de Lazan nor could she be discharg'd till the Merchants had given security to stand a Tryal for the Property of the said Ship and Lading For Martin pretended to have a great Sum of Money owing to him by the Parlament for several Goods of his which in the year 1642. were Seiz'd by Authority of Parlament in a 〈◊〉 Ship call'd the Santa Clarâ—â—… 〈◊〉 in manifest That Martin 〈…〉 the Owner of the said 〈…〉 that he Prosecuted the 〈…〉 Owners Richard and 〈…〉 with his Paâ—â—ner whole 〈◊〉 was Antonio Fernandez and that upon the said Marâ—â—n and Antonio's falling out among themselves the Parlament Decreed that the said Goods should be stop'd till the Law should decide to which of the two they were to be restor'd Upon this Antony was desirous that the Action should proceed on the other side neither Martin nor any body for him has hitherto appear'd in Court All which is evidently apparent by Luca's Petition hereto annex'd So that it seems most unreasonable That he who refus'd to try his pretended Title with Antonio to other mens Goods in our own Courts should compel our People and the true Owners to go to Law for their own in a Foreign Dominion And that the same is apparent to your Excellency's Equity and Prudence the most Serene Lord Protector makes no question by whom I am therefore commanded in a particular manner to recommend this fair and honest Cause of Lucas Lucy to your Excellency's consideration to the end that Martin who neglects to try his pretended Right here may not under that pretence have an opportunity in the French Dominions to deprive others of their Rightful claims Westm Octob. 1657. Your Excellency's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonweolth of England c. To the most Serene Duke and Senate of the Republick of Venice Most Serene Duke and Senate our dearest Friends SO numerous are the Tydings brought us of your fortunate Successes against the Turks that there is nothing wherein we have more frequent occasion to employ our Pens then in Congratulating your Serenities for some signal Victory For this so recently obtain'd we give ye Joy as being not onely most Auspicious and Seasonable to your Republick but which is more Glorious so greatly tending to the Deliverance of all the Christians groaning under Turkish Servitude More particularly we recommend to your Serenity and the Senate Thomas Galily formerly Master of the Ship call'd the Relief who for these Five years together has bin a Slave tho this be not the first time we have interceded in his behalf yet now we do it the more freely as in a time of more then ordinary Exultation He having receiv'd your Commands to serve your Republick with his Ship and Engaging alone with several of the Enemies Gallies Sunk some and made a great havock among the rest but at length his Ship being Burnt the Brave Commander and so well deserving of the Venetian Republick was taken and ever since for Five years together has endur'd a miserable Bondage under the Barbarians To redeem himself he had not wherewithall for whatsoever he had that he makes out was owing to him by your Highness and the Senate upon the account either of his Ship his Goods or for his Wages Now in regard he may not want Relief and for that the Enemy refuses to discharge him upon any other condition then by exchange of some other person of equal value and reputation to himself we most earnestly intreat your Highness and the most Serene Senate and the Afflicted Old man Father of the said Thomas full of Grief and Tears which not a little mov'd us by our Intercession begs That in regard so many prosperous Combats have made ye Masters of so many Turkish Prisoners you will exchange some one of their Number whom the Enemy will accept for so stout a Seaman taken in your Service our Countreyman and the onely Son of a most sorrowful Father Lastly That whatsoever is due to him from the Republick upon the score of Wages or upon any other account you will take care to see it paid to his Father or to whom he shall appoint to receive it The effect of our first request or rather of your Equity was this that the whole matter was examin'd and upon an exact stating of the accounts the Debt was agreed but perhaps by reason of more important business intervening no payment ensu'd upon it Now the condition of the miserable Creature admits of no longer delay and therefore some endeavour must be us'd if it be worth your while to desire his wellfare that he may speedily be deliver'd from the noysome Stench of Imprisonment Which as you flourish no less in Justice Moderation and Prudence then in Military Fame and Victorious Success we are confident you will see done of your own innate Humanity and Free will without any hesitation without any incitement of ours Now that ye may long flourish after a most Potent Enemy subdu'd our daily Prayers implore of the Almighty From our Court at Westminster October 1657. Your Highnesses most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends and Confederates THE most Illustrious William Nuport your Extraordinary Embassador for some years residing with us is now returning to your Lordships but with this condition That after this respit obtain'd from your Lordships he shall return again in a short time For he has remain'd among us in the discharge of his Trust with that Fidelity Vigilance Prudence and Equity that neither you nor we could desire greater Vertue and Probity in an Embassador and a Person of unblemished Reputation with those inclinations and endeavours to preserve Peace and Friendship between us without any fraud or dissimulation that while he officiates the duty of your Embassador we do not find what occasion of scruple or offence can arise in either Nation And we should brook his departue with so much the more anxiety of mind considering the present juncture of times and affairs were we not assur'd that no man can better or more faithfully declare and represent to your Lordships either the present condition of Affairs or our Good-will and Affection to your Government Being therefore every way so excellent a Person and so well deserving both of yours and our Republick we request your Lordships to receive him returning
such as we unwillingly dismiss him laden with the real Testimonials of our Applauses Almighty God grant all Prosperity to your Affairs and perpetuate our Friendship to his Glory and the support of his Orthodox Church From our Court at Westminster November 1657. Your High and Mightinesses most devoted Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends and Confederates GEorge Downing is a Person of Eminent Quality and after a long trial of his Fidelity Probity and Diligence in several and various Negotiations well approv'd and valu'd by us Him we have thought fitting to send to your Lordships dignify'd with the Character of our Agent and amply furnish'd with our Instructions We therefore desire your Lordship to receive him kindly and that so often as he shall signify that he has any thing to impart in our Name to your Lordships you will admit him free Audience and give the same Credit to him and entrust him with whatsoever you have to communicate to us which you may safely do as if our selves were personally present And so we beseech Almighty God to bless your Lordships and your Republick with all prosperity to the Glory of God and the Support of his Church From our Court at White-Hall Decemb. 1657. Your High and Mightinesses most Affectionate Oliver c. To the States of Holland THere being an Alliance between our Republick and yours and those Affairs to be transacted on both sides that without an Agent and Interpreter sent either by your selves or from us matters of such great moment can hardly be adjusted to the advantage of both Nations we thought it conducing to the common good of both Republicks to send Geroge Downing a Person of Eminent Quality and long in our knowledge and esteem for his undoubted Fidelity Probity and Diligence in many and various Negotiations dignifi'd with the Character of our Agent to reside with your Lordships and chiefly to take care of those things by which the Peace between us may be preserv'd entire and diuturnal Concerning which we have not onely written to the States but also thought it requisite to give notice also of the same to your Lordships Supreme in the Government of your Province and who make so considerable a Part of the Vnited Provinces to the end you may give that reception to our Resident which becomes him and that whatever he Transacts with your High and Mighty States you may assure your selves shall be as firm and irrevocable as if our selves had bin present in the Negotiation Now the most Merciful God direct all your Counsels and Actions to his Glory and the Peace of his Church Westm Decemb. 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Great Duke our much Honour'd Friend YOur Highness's Letters bearing date from Florence the 10th of Novemb. gave us no small occasion of content and satisfaction finding therein your Good will toward us so much the more conspicuous by how much Deeds then Words Performances then Promises are the more certain marks of a cordial Affection For what we requested of your Highness That you would command the Master of the Little Lewis William Ellis who most ignominiously broke his Faith with the Turks and the Ship and Goods to be Seiz'd and Detain'd till Restitution should be made to the Turks least the Cnristian Name should receive any Blemish by Thieveries of the like nature all those things and that too with an extraordinary zeal as we most gladly understood before your Highness writes that you have seen diligently perform'd We therefore return our Thanks for the kindness receiv'd and make it our farther request That when the Merchants have given security to satisfie the Turks the Master may be discharg'd and the Ship together with her Lading be forthwith dismis'd to the end we may not seem to have had more care perhaps of the Turks Interest then our own Countreymen In the mean time we take so kindly this surpassing favour done us by your Highness and most acceptable to us that we should not refuse to be branded with ingratitude if we should not ardently desire a speedy opportunity with the same promptitude of Mind to gratifie your Highness whereby we might be enabl'd to demonstrate our readiness to return the same good offices to so noble a Benefactor upon all occasions From our Court at Westm Decemb. 1657. Your Highnesses most Affectionate Oliver c. 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 most Invincible Friend and Confederate BY your Majesty's Letters dated the 21st Of February from your Camp in Seland we found many reasons to be affected with no small joy as well for our own particular as in regard of the whole Christian Republick in general In the first place because the King of Danemark being become an Enemy not induc'd thereto as we are apt to believe by his own Inclinations or Interests but deluded by the Artifices of our common Adversaries is reduc'd to that condition by your sudden irruption into the very heart of his Kingdom with very little blood shed on either side that what was really true he will at length be perswaded that Peace would have bin more beneficial to him then the War which he has enter'd into against your Majesty Then again when he shall consider with himself that he cannot obtain it by any more speedy means then by making use of our Assistance long since offer'd him to procure a Reconciliation in regard your Majesty so readily intreated by the Letters onely deliver'd by our Agent by such an easy concession of Peace most clearly made it apparent how highly you esteem'd the Intercession of our Friendship he will certainly apply himself to us and then our Interposition in so Pious a work will chiefly require that we should be the sole Reconciler and almost Author of that Peace so beneficial to the Interests of the Protestants which as we hope will suddenly be accomplish'd For when the Enemies of Religion shall despair of breaking your United Forces by any other means then setting both your Majesties at variance then their own fears will overtake 'em lest this unexpected Conjunction which we ardently desire of your Arms and Minds should turn to the destruction of them that were the Kindlers of the War In the mean time most Magnanimous King may your Prowess go on and prosper and the same felicity which the Enemies of the Church have admir'd in the Progress of your Atchievements and the steady Careir of your Victories against a Prince now your Confederate the same by God's assistance may you enforce 'em to behold once more in their subversion From our Palace at Westminster March 30.
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
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
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.
Richard 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 WE have bin given to understand and that to our no small grief That several Protestant Churches in Provence were so maliciously Affronted and Disturb'd by a certain turbulent Humourist that the Magistrates at Grenoble who are the proper Judges of such Causes thought him worthy of exemplary Punishment But that the Convention of the Clergy which was held not far from those places obtain'd of your Majesty that the whole matter should be remov'd up to Paris there to be heard before your Royal Council But they not having as yet made any determination in the Business those Churches and more especially that of Yvoire are forbid to meet for the Worship of God Most earnestly therefore we request your Majesty That in the first place you would not prohibit those from Preaching in Publick whose Prayers to God for your Safety and the Prosperity of your Kingdom you are so free to suffer then that the Sentence given against that impertinent Disturber of Divine Service by the proper Judges of those Causes at Grenoble may be duly put in excution God long preserve your Majesty in Safety and Prosperity to the end that if you have any good Opinion of our Prayers or think 'em prevalent with God you may be speedily induc'd to suffer the same to be publickly put up to Heaven by those Churches now forbid their wonted Meetings Westminster Feb. 18. 1658. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Lord Cardinal THE most Illustrious Lady late Wife of the deceased Duke of Richmond is now going into France together with the young Duke her Son with an intention to reside there for some time We therefore most earnestly request your Eminency That if any thing fall out wherein your Authority Favour and Patronage may be assisting to 'em as Strangers you would vouchsafe to Protect their Dignity and to indulge the Recommendation of it not the meanest in such a manner that if any addition can be made to your Civility toward all people especially of Illustrious Descent we may be sensible our Letters have obtain'd it Withal your Excellency may assure your self your Recommendation whenever you require the like from us shall be of equal force and value in our Esteem and Care Westminster Feb. 29. 1658. Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene and Potent Prince our Friend and Confederate ALthough there are many things which we are bound to impart by Writing to a King our Friend and in strict Confederacy with our Republick yet there is nothing which we ever did more willingly then what we do at this present by these our Letters to Congratulate this last Victory so glorious to the Kingdom of Portugal obtain'd against our common Enemy the Spaniard By which how great an advantage will accrue not onely to your own but to the Peace and Repose of all Europe and that perhaps for many years there is no body but understands But there is one thing more wherein we must acknowledge your Majesty's Justice the most certain pledge of Victory That satisfaction has bin given by the Commissioners appointed at London according to the 24th Article of the League to our Merchants whose Vessels were hir'd by the Brasile Company Onely there is one among 'em still remaining Alexander Bence of London Merchant whose Ship call'd the Three Brothers John Wilks Master being hir'd and laden and having perform'd two Voyages for the said Company yet still they refuse to pay him his Wages according to their Covenauts when the rest that onely perform'd single Voyages are already paid Which why it should be done we cannot understand unless those People think in their Judgment that Person more worthy of his Hire who did 'em onely single Service then he who earn'd his Wages twice We therefore earnestly request your Majesty That Satisfaction may given for his Service truly perform'd to this same single Alexander to whom a double Stipend is due and that by Vertue of your Royal Authority you would prefix the Brasile Company as short a day as may be for the payment of his just due and repairing his Losses seeing that their delays have bin the occasion that the Loss sustain'd by the Merchant has very near exceeded the Money it self which is owing for his Wages So God continue your Majesty's prosperous Successes against the common Enemy From our Court at Westm Feb. 23. 1658. Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord BY Letters to your Eminency about Eight Months since dated June 13. we recommended to your Eminency the Cause of Peter Pet a Person of singular Probity and in all Naval Sciences most useful both to us and our Republick His Ship call'd the Edward in the year 1646. as we formerly Wrote was taken in the Mouth of the Thames by one Bascon and Sold in the Port of Boulogne and tho the King in his Royal Council the 4th of November 1647. decreed That what Money the Council should think fitting to be given in Recompence of the Loss should be forthwith paid in satisfaction to the Owner Nevertheless as he sets forth he could never reap the benefit of that Order Now in regard we make no question but that your Eminency at our desire gave strict Command for the speedy Execution of that Decree we make it therefore our renew'd request That you would vouchfafe to examine where the impediment lies or through whose neglect or contumacy it came to pass that in Ten years time the King's decree was not obey'd and employ your Authority so effectually that the Money then Decreed which we thought long since satisfi'd may be speedily demanded and paid to our Petitioner Thus your Eminency will perform an Act most grateful to Justice and lay moreover a singular Obligation upon our selves From our Court at Westm Feb. 25. 1658. The two following Letters after the Deposal of Richard were Written in the Name of the Parliament Restor'd The Parliament 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 SInce it has pleas'd the most merciful and Omnipotent God at whose Disposal only the Revolutions of all Kingdoms and Republicks are to restore us to our Pristin Authority and the Supream Administration of the English Affairs we thought it convenient in the first place to make it known to your Majesty and to signify moreover as well our Extraordinary Affection to your Majesty so Potent a Protestant Prince as also our most fervent Zeal to promote the Peace between your Majesty and the King of Denmark another most powerful Protestant King not to be reconcil'd without our Assistance and the good Offices of our Affection Our Pleasure therefore is that our Extraordinary Envoy Philip Meadowes be continued in the same Employment with your Majesty with which he has bin hitherto entrusted from this Republick To which end we impower him by these our Letters to make Proposals act and negotiate with your Majesty in the same manner as was granted him by his last Recommendations and whatsoever he shall transact and conclude in our Name we faithfully promise and and engage by Gods Assistance to Confirm and Ratify The same God long support your Majesty the Pillar and Support of the Protestant Interests Westminster May 15. 1659. William Lenthal Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Frederick King of Denmark Most Serene King and most Dear Friend SEeing it now is come to pass that by the Will and Pleasure of the most merciful and powerful God the Supream Moderator of all things we are restor'd to our Pristin Place and Dignity in the Administration of the Publick Affairs we thought it convenient in the first place that a Revolution of this Government should not be conceal'd from your Majesties notice a Prince both our Neighbour and Confederate and withal to signify how much we lay to Heart your ill Success which you will easily perceive by our Zeal and Diligence that never shall be wanting in us to promote and accomplish a Reconciliation between your Majesty and the King of Sweden And therefore we have Commanded our Extraordinary Envoy with the most Serene King of Sweden Philip Medows to attend your Majesty in our Name in order to these matters and to impart propound act and negotiate such things as we have given him in charge to Communicate to your Majesty and what credit you shall give to him in this his Employment we request your Majesty to believe it given to our selves God Almighty grant your Majesty a happy and joyful deliverance out of all your difficulties and afflicting Troubles under which you stand so undauntedly supported by your Fortitude and Magnanimity Westminster May 15. 1659. William Lenthal Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England The End * This word relates to his being a Protestant not a Roman-Catholick * The Horses which threw him out of the Coach-box
And whereas your Excellency in your last Paper seems to charge us with delay the Council therefore took a second review of your foresaid Paper of the 27 of May 6 of June and of what was therein Propounded and are still of Opinion That they have fully satisfy'd your Excellency in that former Paper to which they can only farther add That so soon as your Excellency shall be pleas'd either out of the Leagues already made or in any other manner to frame such conditions as shall be accommodated to the present state of Things and Times upon which you desire to have the foundations of Friendship laid on your side they will immediately return you such Answers as by them shall be thought Just and Reasonable and which shall be sufficient Testimonials that the Parlament still perseveres in the same desires of preserving an untainted and firm Amity with the King your Master and that on their parts they will omit no honest endeavours and worthy of themselves to advance it to the highest perfection Furthermore the Council deems it to be a part of their duty That your Excellency should be put in mind of that Paper of ours dated Jan. 30. 1651. to which in regard your Excellency has return'd no Answer as yet we press and expect that satisfaction be given to the Parlament as to what is therein mention'd The Answer of the Council of State to the Reply of the Lords Embassadors Extraordinary from the King of Danemark and Norway deliver'd to the Commissioners of the Council to the Answer which the Council gave to their Fourteen Demands TO the end that satisfaction may be given to the foresaid Lords Embassadors in reference to the Answer of the Council to the Fifth Sixth Seventh Eigth and Ninth Article the Council consents that this following Clause shall be added at the end of their Answers That is to say Besides such Colonies Islands Ports and Places under the Dominion of either Party to which it is by Law provided that no body shall resort upon the account of Trade or Commerce unless upon special leave first obtain'd of that Party to which that Colony Island Port or Places belong The Receiving of any person into any Ship that shall be driven in by stress of Weather into the Rivers Ports or Bays belonging to either Party shall not render that Vessel lyable to any Trouble or Search by the Answer of the Council to the Eleventh Article as the foresaid Lords Embassadors in their Reply seem to have understood unless it be where such a Receiving shall be against the Laws Statutes or Custom of that Place where the Vessel put in wherein it seems to the Council That there is nothing of severity ordain'd but what equally conduces to the security of both Republicks As to the proving the Property of such Ships and Goods as shall be cast ashore by Shipwrack the Council deems it necessary that an Oath be Administred in those Courts which are already or shall hereafter be constituted where the Claimers may be severally heard and every Body's Right be determin'd and adjudg'd which cannot be so clearly and distinctly done by Written Certificates whence many scruples and doubts may arise and many frauds and deceits creep into that sort of proof which it concerns both Parties to prevent The Council also deems it just that a certain time be prefix'd before which time whoever does not prove himself the lawful Owner of the said Goods shall be excluded to avoid Suits But as to the manner of putting Perishable Goods to Sale that are cast A shore by Shipwrack the Council thinks it meet to propose the way of selling by Inch of Candle as being the most probable means to procure the true value of the Goods for the best Advantage of the Proprietors Nevertheless if the foresaid Lords Embassadours shall propose any other method already found out which may more properly conduce to this end the Council will be no hinderance but that what is just may be put in practice Neither is it to be understood that the consideration of this matter shall put any stop to the Treaty As to the Punishment of those that shall violate the propounded Treaty the Council has made that Addition which is mention'd in their Answer to the Fourteenth Article for the greater force and efficacy of that Article and thereby to render the League it self more firm and lasting As to the last Clause of the Fourteenth Article we think it not proper to give our Assent to those Leagues and Alliances of which mention is made in the foresaid Answers and which are only generally propounded before it be more clearly apparent to us what they are But when your Excellencies shall be pleas'd to explain those matters more clearly to the Council we may be able to give a more express Answer to those Particulars A Reply of the Council of State to the Answer of the foresaid Lords Embassodours which was return'd to the Six Articles propounded by the Council aforesaid in the Name of the Republick of England THE Council having view'd the Commissions of the foresaid Lords Embassadors giving them Power to Transact with the Parlament or their Commissioners concerning all things expedient to be Transacted in order to the reviving the old Leagues or adding new ones believ'd indeed the foresaid Lords to have bin furnish'd with that Authority as to be able to return Answers and Negotiate all things as well such as should be propounded by this Republick as on the behalf of the King of Danemark and Norway and so did not expect the Replies which it has pleas'd the foresaid Lords Embassadors to give to the First Second Third and Fifth demand of the Council whereby of necessity a stop will be put to this Treaty in regard it is but just in it self and so resolv'd on in Council to comprehend the whole League and to Treat at the same time as well concerning those things which regard this Republick as those other matters which concern the King of Danemark and Norway Wherefore it is the earnest desire of the Council That your Excellencies would be pleasd to return an Answer to our First Second Third and Fifth demand As to the Fourth Article concerning the Customs of Gluckstadt in regard they are now abolish'd as your Excellencies have mention'd in your Answer the Council presses that their Abrogation may be ratifi'd by this Treaty lest they should be reimpos'd hereafter As to the Sixth Article concerning Pyracy the Counil inserted it as equally appertaining to the benefit of both and to the establishing of Trade in common which is much disturb'd by Pyrates and Sea-Robbers And whereas the Answer of the Lords Embassadors as to this Article relates onely to Enemies but makes no mention of Pyrates the Council therefore desires a more distinct Reply to it And whereas the foresaid Lords Embassadors in their Reply to the Answer of the Council have pass'd over both their Tenth Article and the Answer
of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Illustrious Prince and Lord the Lord William Lantgrave of Hess Prince of Herefeldt Count in Cutzenellebogen Decia Ligenhain Widda and Schaunburg c. Most Serene Prince WE had return'd an Answer to your Letters sent us now near a Twelvemonth since for which we beg your Highnesses pardon had not many and those the most Important Affairs of the Republick under our care constrain'd us to this unwilling silence For what Letters could be more grateful to us then those which are written from a most Religius Prince descended from Religious Ancestors in order to settle the Peace of Religion and the Harmony of the Church Which Letters attribute to us the same Inclinations the same Zeal to promote the Peace of Christendom not only in your own but in the Opinion and Judgment of almost all the Christian World and which we are most highly glad to find so universally ascrib'd to our selves And how far our Endeavours have been signal formerly throughout these Three Kingdoms and what we have effected by our Exhortations by our Sufferings by our Conduct but chiefly by Divine Assistance the greatest part of our People both well know and are sensible of in a deep tranquility of their Consciences The same Peace we have wish'd to the Churches of Germany whose Dissentions have been too sharp and of too too long endurance and by our Agent Dury for many years in vain endeavouring the same Reconciliation we have cordially offer'd whatever might conduce on our part to the same purpose We still persevere in the same Determinations and wish the same Fraternal Charity one among another to those Churches But how difficult a task it is to settle peace among those Sons of Peace as they give out themselves to be to our extream grief we more then abundantly understand For that the Reformed and those of the Augustan Confession should cement together in a Communion of one Church is hardly ever to be expected 'T is impossible by force to prohibit either from defending their Opinions whether in private Disputes or by publick Writings For Force can never consist with Ecclesiastical Tranquility This only were to be wish'd that they who differ would suffer themselves to be entreated that they would disagree more civilly and with more moderation and notwithstanding their Disputes Love one another not imbitter'd against each other as Enemies but as Brethren dissenting onely in Trifles though in the Fundamentals of Faith most cordially agreeing With inculcating and perswading these things we shall never be wearied beyond that there is nothing allow'd to human Force or Counsels God will accomplish his own work in his own time In the mean while you most Serene Prince have left behind ye a noble testimony of your Affection to the Churches an eternal Monument becoming the Vertue of your Ancestors and an Exemplar worthy to be follow'd by all Princes It only then remains for us to implore the Merciful and Great God to Crown your Highness with all the Prosperity in other things which you can wish for but not to change your Mind then which you cannot have a better since a better cannot be nor more Piously devoted to his Glory Westm March 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Duke of Curland Most Serene Prince WE have bin abundantly satisfi'd of your Affection to us as well at other times as when you kindly entertain'd our Embassador in his Journey to the Duke of Muscovy for some days together making a stop in your Territories Now we are no less confident that your Highness will give us no less obliging Testimonies of your Justice and Equity as well out of your own Good nature as at our request For we are given to understand That one John Johnson a Scotchman and Master of a certain Ship of yours having faithfully discharg'd his Duty for 7 years together in the Service of your Highness as to your Highness is well known at length deliver'd the said Ship call'd the Whale in the Mouth of the River according as the Custome is to one of your Pilots by him to be carried safe into Harbour But it so fell out that the Pilot being ignorant of his Duty though frequently Warned and Admonish'd by the said Johnson as he has prov'd by several Witnesses the said Ship ran aground and split to pieces not through any fault of the Master but through the want of Skill or Obstinacy of the Pilot. Which being so we make it our earnest request to your Highness That neither the said Shipwrack may be imputed to the foremention'd Johnson the Master nor that he may upon that account be depriv'd of the Wages due to him by the onely enjoyment of which he having lately suffer'd another misfortune at Sea he hopes however to support and comfort himself in the extremity of his Wants From our Court at Westm March 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the Republick of Dantzick Most Noble and Magnificent our dearest Friends WE have always esteem'd your City flourishing in Industry Wealth and studious Care to promote all useful Arts and Sciences fit to be compar'd with any the most Noble Cities of Europe Now in regard that in this War that has long bin hovering about your Confines you have rather chosen to side with the Polanders then with the Swedes we are most heartily desirous that for the sake of that Religion which you embrace and of your ancient Commerce with the English you would chiefly adhere to those Counsels which may prove most agreeable to the Glory of God and the Dignity and Splendour of your City Wherefore we intreat ye for the sake of that Friendship which has bin long establish'd between your selves and the English Nation and if our Reputation have obtaine'd any favour or esteem among ye to set at Liberty Count Conismark conspicuous among the Principal of the Swedish Captains and a Person singularly fam'd for his Conduct in War but by the Treachery of his own People surpris'd at Sea wherein you will do no more then what the Laws of War not yet exasperated to the heighth allow or if you think this is not so agreeable to your Interests that you will however deem him worthy a more easy and less severe Confinement Which of these two Favours soever you shall determin to grant us you will certainly perform an act becoming the Reputation of your City and highly oblige besides the most famous Warriers and most eminent Captains of all Parties and lastly lay upon our selves an obligation not the meanest and perhaps it may be worth your Interest to gratify us From our Court at Westm April 1657. Your Lordships most Affectionate Oliver c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene aud Potent Prince and Lord Emperor and