Licencer were in the Hands of the late Earl of Anglesey while he liv'd where at present is uncertain It cannot certainly be concluded when he wrote his excellent Tragedy entitled Samson Agonistes but sure enough it is that it came forth afert his publication of Paradice lost together with his other Poem call'd Paradice regain'd which doubtless was begun and finisht and Printed after the other was publisht and that in a wonderful short space considering the sublimeness of it however it is generally censur'd to be much inferiour to the other though he could not hear with patience any such thing when related to him possibly the Subject may not afford such variety of Invention but it is thought by the most judicious to be little or nothing inferiour to the other for stile and decorum The said Earl of Anglesy whom he presented with a Copy of the unlicens'd Papers of his History came often here to visit him as very much coveting his society and converse as likewise others of the Nobility and many persons of eminent quality nor were the visits of Foreigners ever more frequent than in this place almost to his dying day His Treatise of true Religion Heresy Schism and Toleration c. was doubtless the last thing of his writing that was publisht before his Death He had as I remember prepared for the Press an answer to some little scribing Quack in London who had written a Scurrilons Libel against him but whether by the disswasion of Friends as thinking him a Fellow not worth his notice or for what other cause I know not this Answer was never publisht He died in the year 1673. towards the latter end of the Summer and had a very decent interment according to his Quality in the Church of St. Giles Cripplegate being attended from his House to the Church by several Gentlemen then in Town his principal wellwi-shers and admirers He had three Daughters who surviv'd him many years and a Son all by his first Wife of whom sufficient mention hath been made Anne his Eldest as abovesaid and Mary his Second who were both born at his House in Barbican and Debora the youngest who is yet living born at his House in Petty-France between whom and his Second Daughter the Son named John was born as above-mention'd at his Apartment in Scotland Yard By his Second Wife Catharine the Daughter of Captain Woodcock of Hackney he had only one Daughter of which the Mother the first year after her Marriage died in Child bed and the Child also within a Month after By his Third Wife Elizabeth the Daughter of one Mr. Minshal of Cheshire and Kinswoman to Dr. Paget who surviv'd him and is said to be yet living he never had any Child and those he had by the First he made serviceable to him in that very particular in which he most wanted their Service and supplied his want of Eye-sight by their Eyes and Tongue for though he had daily about him one or other to Read to him some persons of Man's Estate who of their own accord greedily catch'd at the opportunity of being his Readers that they might as well reap the benefit of what they Read to him as oblige him by the benefit of their reading others of younger years sent by their Parents to the same end yet excusing only the Eldest Daughter by reason of her bodily Infirmity and difficult utterance of Speech which to say truth I doubt was the Principal cause of excusing her the other two were Condemn'd to the performance of Reading and exactly pronouncing of all the Languages of what ever Book he should at one time or other think fit to peruse Viz. The Hebrew and I think the Syriac the Greek the Latin the Italian Spanish and French All which sorts of Books to be confined to Read without understanding one word must needs be a Tryal of Patience almost beyond endurance yet it was endured by both for a long time yet the irksomeness of this imployment could not be always concealed but broke out more and more into expressions of uneasiness so that at length they were all even the Eldest also sent out to learn some Curious and Ingenious sorts of Manufacture that are proper for Women to learn particularly Imbroideries in Gold or Silver It had been happy indeed if the Daughters of such a Person had been made in some measure Inheritrixes of their Father's Learning but since Fate otherwise decreed the greatest Honour that can be ascribed to this now living and so would have been to the others had they lived is to be Daughter to a man of his extraordinary Character He is said to have dyed worth 1500 l. in Money a considerable Estate all things considered besides Houshold Goods for he sustained such losses as might well have broke any person less frugal and temperate then himself no less then 2000 l. which he had put for Security and improvement into the Excise Office but neglecting to recal it in time could never after get it out with all the Power and Interest he had in the Great ones of those Times besides another great Sum by mismanagement and for want of good advice Thus I have reduced into form and order what ever I have been able to rally up either from the recollection of my own memory of things transacted while I was with him or the information of others equally conversant afterwards or from his own mouth by frequent visits to the last I shall conclude with two material passages which though they relate not immediately to our Author or his own particular concerns yet in regard they hapned during his publick employ and consequently fell most especially under his cognisance it will not be amiss here to subjoin them The first was this Before the War broke forth between the States of England and the Dutch the Hollanders sent over Three Embassadours in order to an accommodation but they returning re infecta the Dutch sent away a Plenipotentiary to offer Peace upon much milder terms or at least to gain more time But this Plenipotentiary could not make such haste but that the Parliament had procured a Copy of their Instructions in Holland which were delivered by our Author to his Kinsman that was then with him to Translate for the Council to view before the said Plenipotentiary had taken Shipping for England an Answer to all he had in Charge lay ready for him before he made his publick entry into London In the next place there came a person with a very sumptuous train pretending himself an Agent from the Prince of Conde then in Arms against Cardinal Mazarine The Parliament mistrusting him set their Instrument so busily at work that in Four or Five Days they had procured Intelligence from Paris that he was a Spy from K. Charles whereupon the very next Morning our Author's Kinsman was sent to him with an Order of Councel commanding him to depart the Kingdom within Three Days or expect 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
LETTERS OF STATE Written by Mr. John Milton To most of the Sovereign Princes and Republicks of EUROPE From the Year 1649. Till the Year 1659. To which is added An Account of his Life Together with several of his Poems And a Catalogue of his Works never before Printed LONDON Printed in the Year 1694. TO THE READER PRejudice over rules and sways a World of People and there is no question but this Collection will meet with a great deal There are some perhaps may censure it with an Infandum Regina jubes Bigots to something but they know not what nor is it in their Nature to examine the Reasons of their Antipathy For after the exactest Scrutiny that can be made there is nothing to be met with in the following Sheets not wrested by Tyrannical Innuendo's that can give the least Offence unless good Latin made good English be a Crime Here are no discussions which of the Contending Parties were in the Right no Justifications of the Prosperous nor Conclusions from Success Here are only bare Matters of Fact abstracted from the Domestick Broils and Civil Dissentions of those Times It only appears from hence that a Certain Party of People having by Victory obtained the Supream Government of the Kingdom took the Common Methods of Prudence and Policy to strengthen themselves abroad by Leagues and Amities with Foreign Princes Whatever they had done at home they paid to all the European Monarchs and Potentates that deference which became 'em yet were they not so pusillanimously forward neither to court Forreign Friendship or to conclude any Treaties but to the Advantage of the Nation according to those Maxims which they professed and how severe soever they were to those they believed their Enemies within dors both the one and the other were most careful not to suffer the Merchants to be abused abroad if either Force or Intercession could prevail Then for the Honour of those People who had in those times successively Vsurp'd the Supream Authority of the Nation nothing more plainly discovers it then the different Style of the ensuing Letters for Mr. Milton is not to be thought to have Written his own Sense but what was dictated to him by his Superiours The Language of the Long Parliament was more Imperious and downright Oliver's Vein more full of Cants and where he concluded with Threats he began with Godly Expostulations In the last place to question the Truth of those Transactions to which these following Letters have Relation would be a Solecism which Ignorance it self would be ashamed to own The Dates the Subscriptions Superscriptions render every thing Authentick So that were it only for their Character of Truth which must be allow'd 'em that alone is sufficient to recommend 'em to Posterity at least to those who may be ambitious to be the English Thuanus's of succeeding Ages to whom the Verity of these Letters will be a useful Clue so far as it reaches to guide them through the Labyrinth of forgotten story Hony Soit qui mal y pence THE LIFE OF Mr. John Milton OF all the several parts of History that which sets forth the Lives and Commemorates the most remarkable Actions Sayings or Writings of Famous and Illustrious Persons whether in War or Peace whether many together or any one in particular as it is not the least useful in it self so it is in highest Vogue and Esteem among the Studious and Reading part of Mankind The most Eminent in this way of History were among the Ancients Plutarch and Diogenes Laertius of the Greeks the first wrote the Lives for the most part of the most Renowned Heroes and Warriours of the Greeks and Romans the other the Lives of the Ancient Greek Philosophers And Cornelius Nepos or as some will have it Acmilius Probus of the Latins who wrote the Lives of the most Illustrious Greek and Roman Generals Among the Moderns Machiavel a Noble Florentine who Elegantly wrote the Life of Castrucio Castracano Lord of Luca. And of our Nation Sir Fulk Grevil who wrote the Life of his most intimate Friend Sir Philip Sidney Mr. Thomas Stanly of Cumberlo-Green who made a most Elaborate improvement to the foresaid Lacrtius by adding to what he found in him what by diligent search and enquiry he Collected from other Authors of best Authority Isaac Walton who wrote the Lives of Sir Henry Wotton Dr. Donne and for his Divine Poems the admired Mr. George Herbert Lastly not to mention several other Biographers of considerable Note the Great Gassendus of France the worthy Celebrator of two no less worthy Subjects of his impartial Pen viz. The Noble Philosopher Epicurus and the most politely Learned Virtuoso of his Age his Country-man Monsieur Periesk And pitty it is the Person whose memory we have here undertaken to perpetuate by recounting the most memorable Transactions of his Life though his Works sufficiently recommend him to the World finds not a well-informed Pen able to set him forth equal with the best of those here mentioned for doubtless had his Fame been as much spread through Europe in Thuanus's time as now it is and hath been for several Years he had justly merited from that Great Historian an Eulogy not inferiour to the highest by him given to all the Learned and Ingenious that liv'd within the compass of his History For we may safely and justly affirm that take him in all respects for Acumen of Wit Quickness of Apprehension Sagacity of Judgement Depth of Argument and Elegancy of Style as well in Latin as English as well in Verse as Prose he is scarce to be parallel'd by any the best of Writers our Nation hath in any Age brought forth He was Born in London in a House in Breadstreet the Lease whereof as I take it but for certain it was a House in Breadstreet became in time part of his Estate in the Year of our Lord 1606. His Father John Milton an Honest Worthy and Substantial Citizen of London by Profession a Scrivener to which Profession he voluntarily betook himself by the advice and assistance of an intimate Friend of his Eminent in that Calling upon his being cast out by his Father a bigotted Roman Catholick for embracing when Young the Protestant Faith and abjuring the Popish Tenets for he is said to have been Descended of an Ancient Family of the Miltons of Milton near Abington in Oxfordshire where they had been a long time seated as appears by the Monuments still to be seen in Milton-Church till one of the Family having taken the wrong side in the Contests between the Houses of York and Lancaster was sequestred of all his Estate but what he held by his Wife However certain it is that this Vocation he followed for many Years at his said House in Breadstreet with success suitable to his Industry and prudent conduct of his Affairs yet did he not so far quit his own Generous and Ingenious Inclinations as to make himself wholly a Slave to the World
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 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
from this Apartment whether he thought it it not healthy or otherwise convenient for his use or whatever else was the reason he soon after took a pretty Garden-house in Petty-France in Westminster next door to the Lord Scudamore's and opening into St. James's Park here he remain'd no less than Eight years namely from the year 1652 till within a few weeks of King Charles the 2d's Restoration In this House his first Wife dying in Childbed he Married a Second who after a Year's time died in Childbed also this his Second Marriage was about Two or Three years after his being wholly depriv'd of Sight which was jusst going about the time of his Answering Salmasius whereupon his Adversaries gladly take occasion of imputing his blindness as a Judgment upon him for his Answering the King's Book c. whereas it is most certainly known that his Sight what with his continual Study his being subject to the Head-ake and his perpetual tampering with Physick to preserve it had been decaying for above a dozen years before and the sight of one for a long time clearly lost Here he wrote by his Amanuensis his Two Answers to Alexander More who upon the last Answer quitted the field So that being now quiet from State-Adversaries and publick Contests he had leisure again for his own Studies and private Designs which were his foresaid History of England and a New Thesaurus Linguae Latinae according to the manner of Stephanus a work he had been long since Collecting from his own Reading and still went on with it at times even very near to his dying day but the Papers after his death were so discomposed and deficient that it could not be made fit for the Press However what there was of it was made use of for another Dictionary But the Heighth of his Noble Fancy and Invention began now to be seriously and mainly imployed in a Subject worthy of such a Muse viz. A Heroick Poem Entituled Paradise Lost the Noblest in the general Esteem of Learned and Judicious Persons of any yet written by any either Ancient or Modern This Subject was first designed a Tragedy and in the Fourth Book of the Poem there are Ten Verses which several Years before the Poem was begun were shewn to me and some others as designed for the very beginning of the said Tragedy The Verses are these O Thou that with surpassing Glory Crown'd Look'st from thy sole Dominion like the God Of this New World at whose sight all the Stars Hide their diminish'd Heads to thee I call But with no friendly Voice and add thy Name O Sun to tell thee how I hate thy Beams That bring to my remembrance from what State I fell how Glorious once above thy Sphere Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down Warring in Heaven against Heaven's Glorious King There is another very remarkable Passage in the Composure of this Poem which I have a particular occasion to remember for whereas I had the perusal of it from the very beginning for some years as I went from time to time to Visit him in a Parcel of Ten Twenty or Thirty Verses at a Time which being Written by whatever hand came next might possibly want Correction as to the Orthography and Pointing having as the Summer came on not been shewed any for a considerable while and desiring the reason thereof was answered That his Vein never happily flow'd but from the Autumnal Equinoctial to the Vernal and that whatever he attempted was never to his satisfaction though he courted his fancy never so much so that in all the years he was about this Poem he may be said to have spent but half his time therein It was but a little before the King's Restoration that he Wrote and Published his Book in Defence of a Commonwealth so undaunted he was in declaring his true Sentiments to the world and not long before his Power of the Civil Magistrate in Ecclesiastical Affairs and his Treatise against Hirelings just upon the King 's coming over having a little before been sequestred from his Office of Latin Secretary and the Salary thereunto belonging he was forc'd to leave his House also in Petty France where all the time of his abode there which was eight years as above-mentioned he was frequently visited by persons of Quality particularly my Lady Ranala whose Son for some time he instructed all Learned Foreigners of Note who could not part out of this City without giving a visit to a person so Eminent and lastly by particular Friends that had a high esteem for him viz. Mr. Andrew Marvel young Laurence the Son of him that was President of Oliver's Council to whom there is a Sonnet among the rest in his Printed Poems Mr. Marchamont Needham the Writer of Politicus but above all Mr. Cyriak Skinner whom he honoured with two Sonnets one long since publick among his Poems the other but newly Printed His next removal was by the advice of those that wisht him well and had a concern for his preservation into a place of retirement and abscondence till such time as the current of affairs for the future should instruct him what farther course to take it was a Friend's House in Bartholomew-Close where he liv'd till the Act of Oblivion came forth which it pleased God prov'd as favourable to him as could be hop'd or expected through the intercession of some that stood his Friends both in Council and Parliament particularly in the House of Commons Mr. Andrew Marvel a Member for Hull acted vigorously in his behalf and made a considerable party for him so that together with John Goodwin of Coleman-Street he was only so far excepted as not to bear any Office in the Commonwealth Soon after appearing again in publick he took a House in Holborn near Red Lyon Fields where he stayed not long before his Pardon having pass'd the Seal he remov'd to Jewin Street there he liv'd when he married his 3d. Wife recommended to him by his old Friend Dr. Paget in Coleman-street but he stay'd not long after his new Marriage ere he remov'd to a House in the Artillery-walk leading to Bunhill Fields And this was his last Stage in this World but it was of many years continuance more perhaps than he had had in any other place besides Here he finisht his noble Poem and publisht it in the year 1666. the first Edition was Printed in Quarto by one Simons a Printer in Aldersgate-Street the other in a large Octavo by Starky near Temple-Bar amended enlarg'd and differently dispos'd as to the Number of Books by his own Hand that is by his own appointment the last set forth many years since his death in a large Folio with Cuts added by Jacob Tonson Here it was also that he finisht and publisht his History of our Nation till the Conquest all compleat so far as he went some Passages only excepted which being thought too sharp against the Clergy could not pass the Hand of the
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
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
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
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
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
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