Prince haveing engaged for 't whose extraordinary vertue has not onely won an everlasting inheritance in the affection of stangers abroad but has been soe povverfull as to have invited 〈◊〉 most August Queen daughter of Gustaves whose mâ—…tch in all manner of good qualitys many past ages coud not produce to make a resignation of the Government to you without either your knowledge or seeking Be pleased therefore to be confident that your so singular affection unto us and so clear a signification of your mind are circumstâ—…nces of utmost acceptance unto us and that nothing shall promote more our delight then to oblige your kindnesse with our endeavours never to be wanting as farr as they can be made serviceable Westminster 4. July 1654. Your Majestyes most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England Scotland Ireland c. To the most 〈◊〉 Ludovico Mendesio de Haro WHat you write me Illustrious Sir of the most Serene King of Spains haveing appointed and nominated a person to come hitheir under the character of his Eâ—…bassadour to congratulate with me my undertaking in the 〈◊〉 of England as it is a thing in it selfe justly gratefull sovour 〈◊〉 study and quicknesse of care has renderd it so much the more so who to heighten the obligation have been pleased to be the first admenisher your selfe For to have the love and affection of one who by his prudence and vertue 〈◊〉 gaind so much Authority with his owne prince as to influence like your selfe matters of the greatest moment in that Kingdome ought to be no less pleasure to me then â—…nunderstand the good opinion of a most Excellent person to be an ornament to me But as to any disposition of mind to wards the most Serene King of Spaine in referrence as well to the Support of an alliance with that King as readynesse to improve it dayly more and more I hope I have satisfied the Embassadour here in that point and may do it plentifully to him that is to succede him I wish that the figure Moreover and favour under which you now move most Illustrious Sir may be dureable and that what ever you manage or administer for the good of the publick may end in aprosperous and happy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 am most Illustrious Sir Your Excellencies most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England Scotland 〈◊〉 c. Whitehall September 1654. To the most Serene Prince CAROLUS GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS King of Sweedland Goths and Vandales c. AS Your Majesties last Letter answered by me with a suitable Reply represented Your Majesties singular love to me so the consideration of our Friendships seemed to establish such an obligation upon me for the future that as I communicate occurrences answering our mutual desires so to observe unto you as a'most dear friend my sense and griefe in instances of contrary effects I am truly of opinion that the figure I make in this Republick implyes a duty of studying all â—… can the comon Repose of the protestants in particular Which heightens our concernednesse so much the more when we hear of the battails and mutuall slaughters acted by those of Bremen and Sweedland upon each other I am in the first place sorry to see both our friends ingaged in such bloody differences so much to the hazard of the Intrest of the protestant Religion Next that peace of 52. which was believed to be a main Bulwarke to all reformed Churches should prove the cause of such an uhappy 〈◊〉 that the Armes of Sweedland are now employed to destroy those who for Religion sake they woud so lately engage in the vigarous defence of and that now at a time when the Episcopacy is reported to persecute the 〈◊〉 all Germany over revive former violences and oppressions upon them Being therefore informed that the 〈◊〉 of Bremen hâ—…d few days Cessation of armes 〈◊〉 it I cou'd not truly decline the signifing unto your Majesty by this opportunity how heartily I coud wish and how earnestly I woud pray the God of peace that that Truce may end in a happy reconcliation of both Partys and that things be drawen to a peaceable composure equally conduceing to the advantage of both To the promotion of which if your Majesty can judge my endeavour capable of contributing ougâ—…t I do promise and freely tender the same as in apoint of utmost acceptance without doubt to God Almighty And do in the mean time from my hart wish that God Almighty may direct and steer all Your Majesty Councills to the publick advantage of Christendom a prayer which I doubt not but may 〈◊〉 with your owne inclination too Whitehall October 26 16545. Your Majestys most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Repnblick of England To the most Magnificent and Noble Magistrates and Senators of Bremen I do with so much the more 〈◊〉 and griefe of mind see by the account brought me by Henry Oldenburgh your Envoy the difference arisen between your Corporation and your most potent neighbour and the extremity which you are thence reduced unto by how much I love and respect the Citty of Bremen for her affection to the Orthodox Religion beyond others nor do I entertaine any thing more in my wishes then that the universall name of the Protestants may at length be cemented into a brotherly Union and Concord That the comon Enemy of the Reformation does in the mean space rejoyce at these our contentions promote thâ—…m the more violently abroad is a thing most certaine But the controversy it selfe as it is not the matter now to be debated I pray God that the progress therefore already made towards a peace may determine happily I have according to you desires writ to the King of Sweedland touching this matter sollicitting him to peace and Concord as a thing of utmost acceptance to God and acted freely and as Iough in a thing of thâ—…r piety and ofter it as my opinion that it is not 〈◊〉 viseable for you to stand off bat bear an affectionat inclination to any conditions of peace that are truly honourable Comending you and your Citty in the mean time to Gods Tuition an Providence Whitehall October 26. 1654. Your highnesses most aff ection ally O Protector c OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England to themost 〈◊〉 Prince Tarentine YOur affection to Religion made apparent in Your Letters to me together with Your extraordinary piety and singular love to the reformed Church's more especially the nobility and generosity of the manner wherein and that in a Government wherein so many of the Nobility dissenting from theProtestant Faith receive such plentiful encouragements of preferment wâ—…ile on the other hand such as adhere thereto are for that very reason exposed to proportionable inconveniencies are instances that have filled me with very much content and pleasure Nor has it proved lesso delightful to me to have pleased You by being of that Religion which is the inducement which principally ought to endear and render you a Subject fit for my
meanes of the Dutch Governour there Of all which we have had an account send us thence before our former complaint was exhibitted which damage amounts unto two hundred thousand pieces 〈◊〉 50000. lb 0. 6. Wee expect satisfaction for 32899 pounds of pepper taken by force out of the shipp Endimion in the year 1649. whose damage amounts unto 6003. lb 0. 220796. lb 16. ss An Abstract of some particular losses sustein'd by the English East India Company from that of the Dutch 1. For the damaâ—…es sustaind from the siege of Bantham which hindred our Trade with that place for the continued space of six years and prevented our laying in a stok of 600000. pieces 〈◊〉 for the buying of pepper according to our proportion Which might serve to loade such of our shipps as wandered up and downe the Indian Coast in their ballast for want of freight Our adventure haveing been in the mean space in sea-mens wages victualls and apparell diminished and exhausted among the Indians to that degree that the loss canot amount to lesse then 103000. pieces 8 8 which in our coyne is 6000000 lb 0. ss 0. 2. More for the damages sustaind by the losse of our just part of the Islands of Molluco Banda and Amboyna since the time we have been murthered and driven thence For the prejudice of which and other expences we expect to be satisfied amounting in time from the year 1622. to che current year 1650. at the yearly Income of 25000. lb for 28. yeares the Suâ—…e of 700000. lb 0. ss 3. Reparation is likewise expected for 12950. pieces 〈◊〉 damage done us at Surrat by those of Mogul so protected by the dutch that we coud not repay our selves either in money or goods which we might otherwise and had it in our power to have taken from them had not the Dutch most unjustly stood in their defence Which losse might in Europe be improved ere this to triple the value Whiâ—… we judge to amount to 77020. lb 4 For Customs at Persia whose moity the King of that place granted the English anno 1624. which to the year 162â—… is calculated to come to 80000. Mille Royalls as aforesaid Which being substracted they are obliged to pay from the year 1629. being twenty one yeares at the rate off our thousand pounds a year comes to the sume of 84000. lb 0. ss The Kings Hand From the other side 220976. lb 15. ss 0. The Summe total 1681996. lb 15. ss 0. The intrest for the said time having farr exceeded the principle Here follow all the LETTERS Written by OLIVER CROMWELL To forreign Princes and Potentates while Protector of England To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Sir I do by Yours of the 20. of January 1654. apprehend that Frederick 〈◊〉 Wollisogg â—… Noble Gentleman and Your Secretary with Christopher Griffie were with certain comands sent from Your most Illustrious Dignity into England Who upon their approach unto Us have in Your Name both congratulated our undertaking of the Administration of the Government of the Republick of England and sollicited for an admittance for You and People into the Peace lately concluded between Us and the Hollanders Petitioning with all our confirming the Grant lately obteind from the Parliament of Letters commonly knowne by the name of Letters of safe conduct We therefore pursuant to our obligation returne our thanks for so friendly a Complement and â—…ave freely assented to the said two petitions as being disposed to improve all future occasions which may at any time expresse our affection towards You And are of opinion that You have had the same communicated unto You at large by Your said 〈◊〉 whose fidelity and diligence in this affair have been apparent What I have to add is sincerely to wish You and affairs prosperity and tranquility Westminster June 27. 1654. I am your c. most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Count of Oldinburgh YOur Letters of the 2. of May from Oldenburgh are come to hand and obliged me not in a single degree for that the Letters themselves were so pregnant with singular kindness affection towards me and withall deliveâ—…ed by the hand of the most Illustrious Lord Count Antonio Your most beloved Son That that I apprehend my selfe most dignified by being the knowledge I now have of his vertues whorthy so noble Ancestors of his extraordinary behaviour finally of his singular affection testified unto me now beyond words Nor ought it to be a thing disputable whether he gives his Relations at home inducements to hope his inheriting the qualities of his worthy and Noble Father whose clear vertue and prudence administred the continuance of many yeares interrupted Peace to the People of Oldenburgh and cherished them with the effects of tranquillity among the severe Stormes of Warr blowing from every Corner Why should I therefore do otherwise then value the Alliance of such a Friend whose conduct is so wise and provident so as to be able to avoide the enmity of all people It is finally for that gift alone Most Illustrious Sir that I am thankfull It is out of regard to justice and Your merits that I 〈◊〉 subscribe my selfe Your most c. OLIVER Protector of England c. Westminster 29. June 1654. To the most Illustrious Lord ANTHONY GUNTER 〈◊〉 of Oldenburgh Delmhorst Leid in Jehven Kniphausen OLIVIER Protector of the Republick of England Scotland Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince CHARLES GUSTAVUS King of Sweedland Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthany Carelia Bremen Verde Stetin Pomeranie Castalies and Vandale Prince of Russin Lord of Ingry Wismare as also Duke Palatin of the Rhine Bavaria Jul. Clivia and Duke of Monts greeting Most Serene King THe choice made by Your Majesty of communicateing unto us by your most friendly letters that in particular which comon same has for some dayes disperst over all the world of the delcent of the Government of the Kingdome of Sweedland upon you and that to the great content of the people and the free suffrage of all persons iâ—… no slender argument of your great affection towards us and an honour not of the meanest degree Wee therefore freely and with Justice congratulate that addition of dignity to Your most singu 〈◊〉 merits and reward very worthy of so great a vertue and do with united prayers to God wish that which we are confident you do namely that the same may prove to the good and prosperity of Your Majesty the Kingdome of Sweedland and the Intrest of all Christendome But as to what you mention touching your disposition to the alliance lately contracted between England and Sweedland and acting our part towards its support as also that Your Majesty will endeavour not onely the 〈◊〉 but likewise the improveing if it were a thing fesible the league now established were an injustice to call to question the sincâ—…rity of The faith of so great a
Lisbonemarket our Merchant men and Goods loaded thereon To your timely prevention of which practice and to the end our desireof an alliance may appear more visible we have sent your Majesty Charles Vane a very noble Gentleman under the figure of our Embassadour with Comands and Credential letters testifiing our said Trust committed to his Care And do therefore pray that your Maj. may be pleased to admit hear him Courteously and make all becomeing provision for his honour and safety thro out the extent of your Empire All which shall be kindly acknowledged by us from whom your Majesty may depend upon suitable returnes when occasion shall seeme to call for it Dated at Westminster February 4. 1642. To the King of Spaine DAYLY almost and most lamentable complaints are brought us against certain Masters and Pilots who being English men and revolting from us the last year carrying away villanously and treacherously ships committed to their care as Masters at length went off from that part in Ireland where they were all last sumer besieged and have scarce escaped the reproofe due to their wickednesse but they betake themselves to the port of Lisbone planting themselves at the mouth of the River Tagi where they exercise wiâ—…hout controul piracy upon all Engâ—…ish Merchant men tradeing to and again thither infesting and renderiug infamous by Robbers all the neighbouring as well as the sea berdering upon the streights of Gibraeltaer To the speedy prevention and removeall of which practice if there be not some sudden remedy applyed who cannot but discerne the drooping decay of the great Trade now carryed on between us and Portugall and which intrinsically consist of vast advantage to both Nations Wee therefore again and again pray that you will forthwith Issue your commands for the speedy suppressing of our said Revolters and Rebells causeing them to be with all imaginlble speed rooted out and banished the Confines of Portugall And if in case there be any false conterfeited Embassadour resideing there from Charles Stuart you vouchafe him no hearing or take any other notice of him but rather looke upon us as those to whom the Government of England is thro Gods decree descended and that you woud not Suffer the River and port of Lisbone to be blockt up against a people who reckon the Intrest of England and that of their yours as One. To the King of Spaine YOUR Majesties and Don Alphonso de Codenas your Embassadours Letters have demonstrated the quality and degree of your Majesties resentment of the most wicked murther of our Embassadour Anthony Ascane and what has been hitherto done towards the punishment of those that are suspected to have had a hand in his death Yet when we seriously consider upon that act and that it removes and â—…estroyes the very foundation of entering into or manteining a correspondence when the Right of Embassadours most sacred among all Nations shall be found to suffer so great an affront we cannot decline the repeating our instant Pressures unto your Majesty for due and speedy punishment to be exercised upon those Parricides and that your will not suffer justice to be further suspended thro any deferrence to or Restraint of Religion And albeit we very much admire the friendship of a most potent Prince yet we reckon it a breach of our duty to spare any endeavours tending to the reduceing to just acknowledgment the Authors of so great a Villany Wee kindly thanke your Majesty for that kindnesse which it has commanded to be shewen our people in the Ports of Spaine and the great signification of your affection received by the conveyance of your Embassadour nor will it be less pleasant unto us to meet with an opportunity that may furnish us with a capacity of makeing you suitable returnes But if justice be further resoited as we have for a long time sollicitted that it shoud not we cannot apprehend any foundation to eâ—…ect a sincere and dureing alliauce upon towards the support of which tâ—…ere shall not be however any honest occasion slipt on our parts and are of opinion that the presence of an Embassadour from you here may not contribute a little thereto To the Spanish Embassadour THE Councill of State have as soone ever as the other more weighty affaires of the Nation coud permit them presented the Parliament with the four memorialls which your Excellency gave in thereto upon the 21. of December last and in answer to the first paragraph thereof relateing to the wicked Murther of Mr Ascane their late Embassadour are commanded to offer the following reply viz. That the Parliament haveing so long so often and so justly called for Justice against the said persons judge it an act of superfluity to add any further sollicitation thereto especially when as your Excelleuâ—…y well observed his Majesties owne honour was so much concern'd to do it without importunity and â—…thing which if not complyed with will certainly defeat the foundation upon which humane society is erected Nor can it be truly underastood by any argument borrowed from Religion why innocent blood basely drawen ought not to be vindicated Therefore the Parliament seemes earnestly to require and no less to depend upon an effectuall compliance with their former Demands in referrence to a thro satisfaction to be given for the losse of their subject To the most serene Prince LEOPOLD Arch Duke of Austria Praesident to King PHILIP in Flanders WHEN we were not without great Clamour made acquainted with the stealth of Jeane Puccheringam a maiden Gentlewoman of good extraction plentifull fortune and an heiresse who yet under age and consequently the care of a Guardian has been seised upon not far from the place of her habitation at Greenwich forced on board a vessell ready at hand for that purpose and suddainly hurried away out of the hands and embraces of her friends by the contrivance of one Walsh who since used indirect meanes such as the Terrour of death c. to freight the wealthy girle into a marriage with hm We did immediatly thereupon previous to the stopping the successe of a villany fo cruel un heard of direct some persons to apply to the Governours of Newport Oostend to one of which two places shee was reported to have been Snatched on behalfe of her freedome out of the hands of her Ravishers who both acted suitable to persons of singular integrity upright dealings to wards the reliefe of the poor captive thus felloniously hurried from home But shee s to escape in the mean time the violence of these villans retreating unto a Nunnery as a sequestred person the said Walsh to force her thence brings his action at Law in the spirituall Court at Ipre where in his declaration he lays his claine to her by Contract of Marriage Now in regard the Thiefe and the Heiresse are both our people and that it by good evidence appeares that this outrage has been commmitted within our Dominion and withall that the considerable
Memorial of the 27. of May or 6. of June and its contents and thinkes it has in that former paper fully satisfied your Excellency In addition whereto can say no more then that when your Excellency is at leisure to make known your desires of altering the alliances now establisht or proposeing such other Tearmes conduceing to the accomodation of times and affaires as they now stand and which you woud on your part lay the foundation of an alliance upon their answer thereupon shall be such as they judge may consist with equity and testify the Parliaments inclination of persevering in the same sincerity of maintaining unstain'd and â—…irme it 's friendship wiâ—…h the King your Master and contributeing to any other expedient which becoming it may tend to the prosperity of such an alliance The Councill doth moreover judge it abranch of her duty to remind your Excellency of our Memoriall transmitted unto you under the 30. of January 1651 which being yet unanswerd we continue still under instant expectations of the Parliaments being satisfied in the contents of The Councill of State 's answer to a Reply of the most serene King of Denmarke's Embassadours extraordinary delivered to the Committee of Councill in answer to a former One of the Councills concerning their fourteen Demands THe Council previous to the satisfaction of the a foresaid Embassadours in her answer to the fifth sixth seaventh eight and ninth Articles doth assent to the following paragraph's being added to the foot of their former answer that is to say Besides those Colonys Islands ports and places under the Government of either whether it is by Law forbidd to resort upon the account of Trade or traffique without his speciall licence first obtein'd to whose Jurisdiction the said Colony Island Ports or places shall appertaine The takeing of any thing on board of a ship driven into the Rivers Ports or havens of either party shall not render such a ship c. liable to any molestation or search as the said Embassadours woud in their said Reply seeme to have interpreted that of the Councill to the eleaventh Article Saveing in places where such a Reception happens to fall contrary to the Laws Statutes and Custome of the place wherein such a ship tooke Port. In which case the Councill doth thinke to have imposed nothing of hardship but that is equally conduceing to the welfare of both Republicks As to the proofe of the propriety of such shipps or Goods as shall by shipwrack happen to be driven on shore it is the opinion of the Councill that in such cases Oath be taken in such Courts as either already are or hereafter may be erected for the hearing and determining such Cases where such as may at any time lay claime to such Goods may be distinctly heared and every one's Right knowne and determin'd which by paper comonly called Certificates cannot â—…e so clearly and infallibly attain'd unto whence a cloud of scruples and Doubts may of times arise as also cover a deal of fraud aâ—…d deceipt often creeping under such a kind of proofe which concerne both partys equally to prevent The Councill is also of judgment that a certain time be limitted not to be exceeded without the forfeiture of such a claime by persons to bring their proofe with in the extent of of their propriety and to be excluded the benefit of the Court upon failing to make clear their Right within the space of to avoid endles Suites of Law As to a method of vending such goods found in the wrack as are perishable the Councill has also thought fit to propose that of the Inch of Caâ—…dle which as it is a meanes very probable so it is equally as expedient to secure thâ—… Oâ—…ner a good price for his Goods But if the aforesaid Embassadours shall come furnished with any other detected Expedient that may be found more conduceing to this end the Councill shall not withstand the promotion of what is equitable nor can it see how it may occasion any demurr to the dispatch of this Treaty As to the forfeiture they are to be liable unto that shall be found to incroach upon the proposalls herein contein'd the Councill inserted the same in their Reply to the fourteenth Article to the rendering the said Article of more efficacy and the Treaty it selâ—…e more durable and firme As for an answer to the last clause of the 14. Article it is inconsistent with our Judgment to give our assen to those alliances and fraternity mentioned in the said Replys and which are proposed in Generall Tearmes onely till by a further explanation we see what they may meane Which when Your â—…xcellency is pleased to be plaine with the Councill in we shall be able then to be more particular on our part The Councill of States Reply to the said Embassadours Answer given in Reply to theirs to the 16. Articles exhibited by the Council in the name of the Republick of England THE Council haveing perused the Letters Parents impowering the saids Lords Embassadours to treat with the Parliament it selfe or it's Deputies in referrence to such matters as were expedient to be transacted towards the renewing the ancient alliances and adding new ones did truly thinke that the said Lords Embassadours came with such authority as to have been able to Answer and transact all such things as should be proposed on behalfe as well of this Republick as of the King of Denmark and Norway and therefore did not expect those Replies which the said Lords Embassadours were pleased to give to the Council's first second third and fifth Demand which renders it necessarily obvious to be prest to the consideration of the present Treaty as a thing in it selfe most just accordingly determined in Council to comprimise take in the whole as well vvhat concernes this Republick as the Kingdomes oâ—… Denmark and Norway It is therefore the earnest Request of the Council that Your Excellencie's Answer to our said first second third and fifth Demand be made known As to the 4. Article concerning the Customes at Glâ—…kstadt as Your Excellencie's Answer intimated their being antiquated the Council seemes to presse that the same be expresly ratified in the Treaty least they should be hereafter revoaked As to the 6. Article about Pirats the mutual advantage of both parties has been the end of that Article and to establish the repose of Trade in common against the disquiet and interruption of Rogues Theeves and as the Lords Embassadors Reply to this Article was peculiarly applicable to the Enemy and therefore tooke no special notice of pirats The Council therefore desires to be expressely dealt which in that point And whereas the aforesaid Lords Embassadours in their Reply to the Council's Answer in reference more especially to their 10. Article tooke no notice of the Council's Answer the Council thought fit to add the following Article to their former demands That the People and Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of England who held
service can be of service to you we are ready to shew our selves not as friends but Brethren Dated at Westminster October Anno 1653. Signed and sealed by the Speaker to the House of Commons To the Spanish Embassador Most Illustrious Sir UPon the receipt of a petition in the names of Philip Noel John Goddall and other Merchants belonging to Foy in England heavily bemoaning that a ship of theirs called the Ann of Foy of their own buildding in England was about Michaelmas last most injustly sett upon and seised by a certain privateer belonging to Ostend comanded by Erasmus Bruerus who in his way homewards seised her loading wholly belonging to the petitioners and treated the marriners unworthily and barbarously The Councill of State thereupon writ to the Duke of Leda a copy whereof comes herewith to your Excellency and expected that he woud according to justice and equity make speedy inquiry into that affair But the said Noel and the rest of the Petitioners renewing their said heavy complaint and urgeing that although the said Duke had our said letters delivered him and that the said Merchants repaired since to Bruges where at the Admiralty Court they made proofe of their cause and the integrity of their Claime but that Justice is neverthelesse denyed 'em and they exposed to so unjust useâ—…ge That albeit the case has stood ready for determination any time these three monthes and more yet coud not obteine the sentence of that Court but that their said shipp and goods are still nevertheless under the same Restraint and they themselves from this delay of Justice exposed to considerable expences in the prosecution of their Right Your Excellency is not ignorant of its being contrary to the Laws of Nations as well as the Tearmes of Trade and correspondence â—…ow existent between the English and Flanders that any Osteender shoud offer to touch any English ship provided shee be loaded with Euglish goods and bound for England and that the said Captain 's inâ—…umane and barbarous useage of the Marriners ought to be severly punished The Councill therefore recommends the case to your consideration and prays that you woud write to Flanders about it and endeavour that speedy care be taken that this busynesse be no longer prolonged but that Justice be done as that the said shipp and Goods together with the damages expences and loss which the said English have susteind upon the score of that injust interception be by the Authority of the said maritime Court of Brussels or some other good manner restored them and provision made against any such future interception but that the correspondence now in being betvveen England and France be supported vvithout any Interruption Signed and sealed by the direction of the Councill of State appointed by the Parliament To the Duke of Lisle PHillip Noel John Gadâ—…ll with severall other Merchants belonging to the Towne of Foy haveing made large complaints unto us concerning a Ship of theirs called the Ann of Foy representing that the said Ship Anne built and loaded at their sole and peculiar cost and charges was about Michaelmas last in her way homewards unawares sett upon seised by one Erasmus Bruerus a Master of a shipp belonging to Ostend They moreover say that the Osteenders when they gott the vessell into their possession misused the marriners very inhumanely by dipping and almost stiffleing'em to prevent their telling of Tales and disposed of the goods as if they were French propriety Which albe it the Master as well as the Mariners positively denyed to be yet the Ostenders carried both Ship and Goods to their owne homes The truth of these things has upon inquiry made and the testimony of sworne witnesses been proved as is evident by the Certificate herewith sent In as much therefore as the said Ship called the Anne of Foy witth all the Goods truly properly and bonafide bâ—…longed to the English so as that there appears no cause why they of Ostend shoud lay violent hands on her or them much lesse touch the Master or expose the Seamen to so much hardship and whereas the constitution of the Laws of Nations and the alliance now existent between England and Flanders call for the restitution of the said Shipp and Goods wee earnestly desire Your Excellency that timely Right be done the English in haveing their owne forthvvith returned 'em and satisfaction made for the dammages they suftein'd and that the Trade and Commerce vvhich novv interceede betvveen England and Flanders may be supported firme aâ—…d permanent To the Spanish Embassador WHereas the Representatives of the Commonwealth of England being informed that great many People about Towne relating as well to Your Excellency as other Embassadours and forâ—…eign publick Ministers attending here resort to Your as well as other Houâ—…es under the pretence of hearing Masse Gave it in strict charge to the Counâ—…il to observe to Your Excellency that as the â—…aid practice tends to the expresse prejudice of the Laws of this Nation and of proportionable â—…ll example and offence to the Government They judged it abranch of their ossice to prohibit such a practice for the future and declare their dislike of such Assemblies for the ensuing time Whereof we desire Your Excellency to take notice and suffer none of the Subjects of this Republick to frequent Your House for the time to come to hear Masse And as the Parliament shall take due care to have the Right of Embassadors as well as their Priviledges secured inviolable to Your Excellency so they depend upon no encroachments to be made by You or Yours upon the Lawes of the Land dureing Your abode therein An Abstract of the particular Damages Susteind by the English East India Company thrò the meanes of the Dutch in severall places of the East Indies Imprimis THE Damages conteind in the 16. Articles lately exhibitted amounting in pieces 〈◊〉 291555. in Sterling make-73638 lb 15 ss 2. Satisfaction is expected for the Croppariseing from the â—…sland of Pularon from between the year 1622. to this time amounting in value to two handred thousane preces 5 8 besides future expence till the same be restored as it was when it was taken from us and that according to articles of agreement Which in sterling is 50000. lb 0 0. 3. Wee expect satisfaction for all those Sea prâ—…visions and apparell aken from the English in the Indies by the Dutch Factory delivered to or forc'd from their ships in their going to or returning thence Amounting to 10635. Royalls and in sterling 30158 lb 0. 4. Wee expect satisfaction for the Custom of all Dutch comoditys imported into exported out of Persia from the year 1624. according to the King of that Countryes Grant unto us which we canot calculat at lessâ—…n value then eighty thousand Royalls 20000. lb 0. 0. 5. Wee expect satisfaction for the reparation of four houses most malitiously and unjustly destroyed at Jocatra together with warehouses and other necessarys occasioned by the
Great Prince of Finland c. Most Serene Prince AS it is a custome of knowne antiquity especially among friends to admit of an obligation of useing all freedome in communicateing to each other passages of adversity as well as prosperity and comunity so that most delightfull part of friendship relateing to the import of the Letters which Your Majesty has been pleased to give us the honour of is what we cannot but take very kindly Seeing that it is an indication of singular humanity and true Royalty to be as communicable in enjoyments as way of liveing and to believe nothing to be pleasant without it be in community with Friends and Confederates And therefore cannot but justly rejoyce at the birth of a young Prince to his Son to inherit we hope the glory and vertue of so good a King and gladly lay it in parallel with the felicity and glory that befell Philip of Macedone both abroad and at home whom Records cite to have conquer'd the most powerful Greeks at the very time of the birth of his Son Alexander For we do not doubt but that Your kindness to Poland in dischargeing and as it were forceing it by the very strength of Your Army from the papall â—…oke and the establishment of that Peace with Brandenburgh which the desires of all pious men gaped for notwitstanding the storming opposition made to the contrary may conduce very considerably to the peace and advantage of the Church That God may in the mean time bless such Glorious Beginings with suitable Issues that his Gift of a Son may pursue the patern of his Father in Piety Vertue and noble Deeds That which we truly both hope and from our hearts wish the Omnipotent and Great God always favourable to Your undertakings may grant Westminster 1655. Your Majesties most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. To the King of Denmarke Most Serene and potent Prince JOhn Freeman and Phillip Traverse Subjects of this Republick have 〈◊〉 their owne and the names of severall other Merchants of London a petition'd humbly complain'd that haveing in the month of October 1653. loaded on board a certain ship of Sunderbrugh called the Salvador Nicolas Winskins Master severall Merchandizes woolen manufacture Cloathes and other woven comodities and Goods amounting according to Estimate to the value of between three and foure thousand pounds sterling charged the said Master that as he sailed thro the Baltique sea he shoud go directly to Dantzick and pay the usuall duty at Elsenor and for the same purpose furnished him with a competent sume of money Yetnotwithstanding t hat the said master most treacherously and contrary to his Instructions from the Merchants pass'd by the said place without dischargeing that duty so that the said ship with her whole loading had hue and Cry sent after them and were arrested to the great damage of the Owners in favour of whom we writ to your Majesties Embassadour then here in London who as they say engaged that as soone as he came to speake with your Majesty he woud endeavour to 〈◊〉 justice done the Merchants But in as much as the said person has been dispatched upon Your Majesties affaires into other Countryes and that their application to him before his departure amounted to nothing so that they were forc't to sen'd an Atturney purposely to sollicit their Right at Hafnia and demand restitution of said shipp and Goods which they also found coud amount to no more then an aggravation of the former Reckoning heape of fruitless trouble upon trouble that the said Goods Ly under confiscation present Restraint notwithstanding that according to the Laws of Denmarke a Master of a ship ought as they seeme to urge in their petition upon any misdedmeanour of his own to suffer corporall punishment exclusive to any confiscation that shipp or Merchandises can be pretended to be liable unto and reckon themselves so much the unkindlyer dealt with all for that the custome which ought to be paid at Essen'or is as we apprehend very inconsiderable Therefore as our Merchants have given no provocation that can be interpreted to the rendering their effects liable to forfeiture and that the Master a little before his death confessed that the neglect was wholly applicable to his proper guilt which exposed the Merchants to so 〈◊〉 damage and in as much as the Parent of the deceased Master himselfe has as we understand by petition already presented unto Your Majesty charged all the blame to his son's account and quitted the Merchants Wee coud not truly decline our condemning the detention of the said 〈◊〉 and goods to be most arbitrary and are so much the more strengthen'd in our confidence that as soone as your Majesty has a clear State of this thing you will not onely award a competent reproofe to the Ministers concernd in these Injuryes but Issue your comands also for the doing the Merchaâ—…ts Right and direct speedy restitution to be made of those Goods and reparation of damages sustaind to the said Owuers or Asfignes Which we instantly pray your Majesties compliance in as a thing guarded with so much reason and justice that we canot appear in the sollicitation of ought on behalfe of our people which we lesse ought to accept of a denyall in as being ready to make suitable returnes on behalfe of your Subjects as often as there is like occasion for 't To the most Serene Prince John the 4. King of Portugal THE Peace and alliance which your Majesties most Noble and splendid Embassy lately sent hither sollicitted the Parliament about which then had the conduct of this Republick in their hand Wee have now at length thro Gods help and pursuant to the 〈◊〉 we hold in the Administration of this Goverment as well as the affection we always bore theteto drawn unto a happy 〈◊〉 and such we hope as may continue to perpetuity And therefore returne you Your Ambassader extraordinary Mr John Roderick de Saa Menesses Count Pennagavad a per son whose Civill carriage understanding prudence and faithfulnesse we have found very eminent and worthy your esteeme and one who haveing discharged this Trust with extraordinary applause comes to you with the Ratification of the said Peâ—…ce As to the Import of your letters of the second of April from Lisbona intimating your good esteem of us how much you tender our honour and the excesse of your Gladnessâ—… at your â—…earing of our present undertakeing in this Goverment the same are apparent indications of singular affection and shall endeavour that all Men may hereafter see from my readynesse to serve Your Majesty at all times that the same is of utmost acceptance unto me Nor am I in the mean time lesse painfull in the preferrence of my expres prayers to God for your safety for the happy State of Your Kingdome and the prosperity of your affaires Your Majestie 's most affectionatlâ—… OLIVER Protector of England Scotland Ireland c OLIVER Protector of the Republick of
said Ship being in her way thither taken upon the very East India Coast by a certain Ship belonging to the 〈◊〉 East India Company the Ensurer's denyed to fulfill their Contract in paying the ensured Summe and have so far prevailed as to be capable by various delays to elude our People now after the expensive consumption of Six yeares in prosecution of their Right Which in regard they looke upon as an usage of great oppression and injustice and that some obliged for the Payment of the Money agreed for are either already dead or become insolvent We earnestly pray that you would to prevent â—…urther expences in addition to the said Losses be pleased to suffer your equity to be a safe Port and refuge to them after so many Yeares stormy useage and almost Shipwrack in your Court of â—…udicature and that Sentence be with all speed awarded concerning their cause in whose â—…ustice they seeme very confident Wishing in the meane time that happineâ—…s and prosperity may attend all you undertake to the Glory of God the safety of his Church Your High and Mighty Lordships most affectionally OLIVER Protector c. OLIVER Protector of the Commonwealth of England To the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland S D. THomas and William Lower lawfull Heires of Nicholas Lower lately deceased on whose account you have had some former trouble giveu you about the â—…des of September last I thinke do bawl now a fresh again alleadging that they still labour under the oppression of their Adversaries whoâ—…e power or other private Intrest has notwitstanding the integrity of their claimes and when that coud not doe our Letters sent in favour of their cause â—…o far prevailed as to hinder them from entering upon the benefit of their Father's will That being rejected by the Court of Holland where the action first began and thrown upon yours pack'd thence to Zee-land and thence hurryed back again to your high Court of Judicatorie to their content accompanyed to each place with our Letters For where the hight and power is there they depend upon the dispensation of Justice proportionably If that fails they are at a losse to know where to cast anchor for reliefe after the pains they undertoke in pursuit of Justice For if they find that this our fourth recomendation of their cause can do no good it will be to little purpose for 'em to extend their hopes any further Wee shall reckon it as a true instance of kindnesse if after so many rejections you let them see that your apprehension of our Authority cou'd contribute somewhat to their Reliefe in bringing their claime to a speedy determination as well altogether as have them believe it to be the intire effect of your own Justice and equity As we can no way dispond of your allowance of the former of which so we are confident that the consideration of our Friendship will incline you to the later Your's c. OLIVER Protector OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene Prince WHereas several Merchants belonging the Brazil Company in Portugal did in the Yeares 1649. and 1650. becom indebted unto sundry English Merchants in a considerable Sume of Money upon the account of freight and Moorage that the said Society respit the Payment thereof pursuant to an order of your Majesties to that purpose notwithstanding that they did truly depend upon the Payment thereof conformable to the Tearmes and conditions of the league lately ratified But fear they may be frustrated in their hope and other meanes of recovering their Right as being informed of your Majesty hayeing seized and sent to the Exchequer their said debt and assigned the repayment thereof upon the moity of your Customes so that the Merchants are like to have no more then the bare Interest of their Money the principal lying in the mean while wholly dead Haveing taken the hardship of which under our strict consideration the conviction of their just importunities prevailed upon our giveing your Majesty this trouble on their behalfe requireing that instant satisfaction be by the Brazil Company made the Merchants of his Republick in reference as well to each ma ns demand respectively as five Yeares Intrest This as it is a thing in it selfe consistent with lustice and conformable with the league lately contracted with you let me on their behalfe desire in an amicable manner that it be complyed with without further delay From our pallace at Westminster July 1656. Your Maâ—…esties most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER P. of the Republick of England To the most Sereâ—…e Prince Charles Gustavus by the Grace of God King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandalls Great Prince of Finland c. Most Serene King AS the alliance of so great a Prince and so famous for his actions as Your Majesty is hath â—… just Title to the height of our esteeme so that person thrô whose means we have been so strictly allyed I mean that most â—…llustrious Gentleman Christernus Bondur your Embassadour Extraordinary must have been upon that very consideration necessarily gratful and welcome unto us Whom therefore having laudably discharged this Embassy we cou'd not dismisse hence without accompanying him with a Testimony of our being highly satisfied in the rest of â—…is singular vertues as being one who seemes to entertâ—…ine a belâ—…efe that this our recommendation of him may add ' considerably to that value and esteeme which he is already in possession of with Your Majesty in reference 〈◊〉 particularly to the diligence and prudence he exerted in this affair What remaines to be further transacted we have resolved to send Your Majesty an Embassadour soone about Whose health God in the mean time preserve for the defence of his Church and that of the Kingdome of Sweedland From our Court at Westminster July An. Dom. 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionally OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Repbul of England c To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene Prince Friend and dearest Consederate WE have had a petition in the names of Richard Baker and severall other Merchants of London and his Associates wherein they humbly complaine that an English built Ship called the Endeavour William Jopp Master and hired into their service was about the 21. of Novemder 1655. set upon in her way between a place called the Palm and the Island of Tenerif where shee put out for London from seized by four French Vessels who in appearance looking like Merchant-men but arm'd like Men of War and under the chiefe comand of one Egedius de la Rocke carried her with her whole freight consisting in Medera wines to the East Indy's whether they said they were bound together with most oâ—… the Mariners saveing fourteen which they landed upon the shore of Guiny Which the said Egidius declared the intenâ—… of to be to prevent