particular pressure to you relateing thereto pursuant to the Parliaments said comands in order to the obtaining of Justice upon these villains yet when we found our selves disâ—…ppointed in our said expectation and likewise considering the danger which our Merchants and Estates should be alwayes exposed unto â—…or want of a guard against the restlesse malice of their Enemies we have comanded him to represent a fresh our sense of that affair And that he shou'd in the name of this Common-wealth sollicit your taking care of the preservation oâ—… the amity and alliance ratified between this Republick and your Citty and the considerable Comerce which intercedes between both and with all to protect as well our Marchants themselves as their Priviledges without suffering them to be lyable to any violation what ever and that in a particular degree in referrence to One Garmet whose deportment to this Commonwealth has appear'd very insolent and whâ—… to the great dislquiet oâ—… our Merchants and in contempt of this Republick has publickly cited certain Merchants of the English Company resi â—…eing in your Citty into the Chamher of Spire Wherein we depend upon such reparation as may consist with equity and Justice All these Particulars and if there be any thing further that may affect the â—…riendship novv on foot betvveen this Repubblick and your Citty vve have directed the said Resident to vvait upon you vvith Whom vve desire that you give ample Credit unto in such things relating the reto as he shall propose Westwinster 12. March 1651. Subscribed by the Speaker of the House whose 〈◊〉 be fixed thereto To the most serene CHRISTIANA Queen of Sweedland c. the Parliament of England greeting THis comes to your Majesty with an account of our recept and peruseall of your letters dated the 26. of September last from Stokholme directed to and delivered the Parliament of England by Peter Spiering Silvercroon and to intimate that we earnestly and cordially wish that the alliance commerce and great traffick anciently observed between England and Sweedland be permanent and dayly thrive Nor do we doubt but that an Embassadour had come from your Mâ—…jesty furnished with full power of makeing such proposalls as principally tended to the mutuall Intrest and reputation of both Governments and such as we shoud very freely have received from him and that should seem to imply more particularly the health and profit of both and who shou'd have return'd upon the speedy accomplishment thereof But it haveing pleased God The câ—…iefe Moderator of things to remove that person out of this world whose losse we have as bitterly and sharply lamented as consisted with our due deferrence to the will of God beâ—…ore he could have made knowne unto the Parliament the message he came upon from your Majesty the same has kept them hitherto from the knowledge of your Majesties mind so that the further progresse thereof lies under present suspence wherefore we have thought fit to let you know by our Envoy expresly dismissed herewith to that purpose what welcome your Majesty Letters and publick Minister may depend upon from the Parliament of England and how ambitious we are of your Majesties â—…riendshipp as also what weight we shall as we ought be found to lay upon the â—…avour of so great a Prince And our regard to the augmentation of that commerce now in beiâ—…g â—…etween this Government and your Majesties shall appear to be such as we ought to retaine in re errence to a point in it selâ—…e every way valuable and which for that very reason shall be of ultimat acceptance to the Parliament of England in whose name and pursuant to whoseauthority first recommending your Majesty to the protection of God their speaker has fixed their seale and counter signed this letters Dated at Westminster March Anno Domini 1651. The Parliament of the Comonwealth of England To the Most serene and potent Prince Philip the IV. King of Spaine greeting GReat complaints have been made us from such of our people as exercise the faculty of merchandizeing within your Majesties Dominions of great violence and injurious practises and of proportionably new customes imposed upon them by the magistrates and other officers of your respective ports and other places where the trade and more particularly in the Canaery Islands and that contrary to the Articles wherein both Nations have engaged each â—…ther for the Support of Trade The Truth of whick complaints they have by oath made appear and tell us that if in case they are not justly treated and their damages repaired as also their Persons and Estates secured against such oppressions and affronts they purpole to withdraw and trade no longer into those places Which haveing seriously considering and judgeing that the misbehaviours of your Ministers were not at all known or represented to your Maj. otherwise then as they really stood They thought fit to transmit herewith their said complaints to your Majesty not questioning but that your Majesty may out of regard to Justice as the incentive consideration of Trade wherein your own people's as well as the advantage of ours is equally involved be pleased to â—…ssue such directions to your officers as may wean such vexatious practises and that the English Merchants have speedy Justice done them in consideration of the damages sustain'd thro the meanes of Mr Peter de Carillo de Gusman and other persons contrary to the said Articles and that your Majesty may please to order that the said Merchants receive the benefiâ—… of the said Articles and so to be retain'd in your Majesty's Ey as that they in their persons and estates be lyableto no future oppression what ever This they thinke they may in a great measure attaine unto if your Majesty will grant them back again that Charter which protected them in cases of this kind Otherwise they may be for want of a due refuge from Injurys 〈◊〉 to the discontinuance of that comerce which is of no small advantage to both thrô these kind of violations and encroachments upon the Articles of peace To the most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice The Councell of State constituted by the Authority of the Common wealth of England greeting JOhn Dickons and John Throgmorton with severall others of our Merchants have complain'd that haveing pursuant to the constitution Authority of our Admirality Court about the 28. of November 1651. Seized upon a quantity of Camphire of about one handred Fatts on board a certain ship called the swallow under the Command of Isaac Tayler then in the downes but loaded thereon at a place in Muscovy called the Archangel obtein'd according to Law adecrre in that Court directing the delivery of the said Goods to the receipt of the said petitioners upon Caution first enter'd into by them of standing to the award of the Court that the said Court by whom this matter was to be determin'd writ according to Custome to the Magistrates and Judges of Venice praying that John Perat
a venetian who pretended a propriety to the said Good would by proxy appear in the admiralty Court of England where that differrence depended to prove the equity of his Claime Yet the said Piatt and one David Buttâ—… a dutch man have while this quarrell lay under the debate of our Court exposed the said John Dickons and the other Merchants to very much trouble touching the propriety of the said Camphire arresting their goods and effects at Venice the particulars of all which and the sum of all the proceedings hitherto acted in our Court are in these Letters of request more succinctly and largely contain'd Which after they were inspected into and perused by us we have thought fit to transmit to the most serene Rebublick of Venice presumeing that they might help the Merchants in this case earnestly praying that the said Letters carry not onely their owne force and weight but that the Merchants Goods thus arrested by â—…he meanes of the said Patâ—…us and David Rutts be discharged and the said controversys remitted to the determination of our Court who are ready to decide by Law their Right to this Camphiré In doing wh ch your Highnesse and the most serene Republick will do an act that in it selfe is principally just worthy the untainted friendship of both Republicks and finally that shall be recompensed by this Republick upon any occasion that may offer of expressing their affection or good offices Dated at Whitehall Febr. 1652. Sealed and sign'd by the President of the Councell To the Spanish Embassadour Most excellent Sir THe Councill of State haveing in pursuance of a comand from the Parliament dated the 2. of March taken into their serious considederation your Excellency's memoriall presented to a Committee of this board the 17. of February wherein your Excellency has thought fit to propose a demand of an answer to be before hand given to the two heads therein expressed orderd your Excellency the following reply That the Parliament when they gave answer to such proposalls as were made by your Excellency upon your first audience as also in the contents of the letters sent the most serene King of Spaine declared at Large how gratefull acceptable that friendships and mutuall comerce offerd as well by the King himselfe as you in his name was and finally how much he stood disposed on his part towards the returning the like friendship and offices That Your Excellency being afterwards heard in Councill thought fit to propose thereto on the 19. of December old Stile a kind of a project tending to the fortifying of this alliance whereof you haveing then made an offer as if certain of their board were appointed to receive and debate such things as your Excellency had to propose and after deliberation had thereon to report their opinion of the advantage thereof forthwith to the Councill the matter might receive no damage by it They did to gratify your said Proposalls nominate certain of their Number to give your Excellency a meeting who haveing convâ—…n'd pursuant thereto their said meeting instead of what were expected to be proposed amounted to noe more then the purport of the aforsai'd Memoriall to which the Councill directed the subsequent answer That considering the Parliaments declaration when your Excellency is gott over the fere going progresse we are ready to give your Excellency a meeting touching such Overtures as you shall have to make on behalfe of the King your Master in referrence as well to the alliance already made as a stricter to be enter d into or if there be any thing that may occur or we judge to move on behalfe of this Republic And when we come to particulars our Reply shall be meet and consistent Whitehall March 21. 1652. The Representatives of the Comonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince Frederick the 3. King of Denmarke greeting Most serene and potent King WE have by the conveyance of Henry Williamson Rosenwing of Lysaker a worthy person received and suitable to the merit of their proposalls freely perused your Majesty's letters dated the 21. of December last from your Court at Hasnia and desire that your Majesty woud rest assured that we retaine the same disposition of mind and the same affection to the continuance and preservation of the ancient correspondence comerce and friendship for so many yeares supported between England and Denmarke which we apprehend your Majesty to do knowing that albeit it has pleased God in favour of the Peace and tranquillity of this Nation to alter we hope to abetter the formerly establisht Form of this Government yet to continue imoveable the same correspondence maintain the same Intrest and recover its former vigour to the mutuall Trade and comerce which have been the Results of former Contracts and alliances between both Nations and by improveing those alliances all that may be to engage each other in an united and joint endeavour oâ—… perfecting and strengthering dayly more and more that friendshipp is what we understand to be our advantage And when it shall please your Majesty to pursue those Councells mention'd in your Royall Letters the Parliament will with all alacrity and sincerity be ready to embrace them and joyne all they can in any other contribution that may conduce to the promotion of such a designe and are therefore inclinable to believe your Majesty's resolutions in referrence to this common-wealth to be such it being also provided for in former contracts as may consistwiâ—…h that willingnesse mett with by your Majesty in us upon your 〈◊〉 proposall thereof The Parliament in the mean time wish your Majesty and subjects health and happinesse Dated at Westminster April Anno Domini 1662. Signed and sealed by the speaker directed there to by Authority of Parliament The Rèpresentatives of the Comon-wealth of England to the â—…llustrious and Noble Magistrates and Senators of the Hanseatick Cittys greeting THE Representatives of the Republick of England have received and perused your letters of the 16 of January last and conformâ—…ble to their Demands admitted into audience Leo ab Aisem your publick Minister who brought'em and withall represented the â—…nclination and affection your people bear this Republick praying withall and solliciting the future inviolable continuance of the ancient alliance now in being between us The Parliament therefore do for themselves 〈◊〉 and assert it to be amost gratefull thing to them to renew and ratify that friendship and correspondence which have formerly interceded between this Nation and those Coâ—…porations and their Readynesse upon all fit occasions to evidence their promises in their Performances expecting to be treated with suitable faithfulness and integrity by those their antient friends and confederates As to the other Branches more particularly comitted to and urged by your Resident no sooner were the same transmitted unto proposed and debated before the Councill of State but such an answer was resolved upon as seem'd to consist with equity and reason And which your Resident himselfe may remit
so the Parliament is on it's part well disposed to the takeing care that as often as there is occasion for it no offices of sincere Friendship or love towards Your Excellency shall need to be complain'd of Comendig You in the mean time fervently to the Tuition of Divine Providence Dated at Westminster November 1652. Subscribed bâ—… the Speaker of the House of Comons whose seale he caused to be affixed thereto The Representatives of the Republick of England To the Most Serene and Porent Prince the King of Denmarke Most Serene and Poâ—…ent King THE Comander in chiefe of the Fleet laâ—…ely â—…ent hence to give Convoy homewards to such of our Merchant-men as attended to that purpose at the Port of Hasnia haveing advised our Parliament that upon his arrivall thore he found an Embergo laid upon the departure of the said Merâ—…hant men pursuant to an order of Your Majesties comanding that none of them shoud be suffered to budge notwithstanding his haveing produced your Majesties letters signifiing your pleasure to the contrary and demanding the reason of such detention To prevent therefore any ill consequences that may arise therefrom to either of the Nations so palpably concerned and which may be pursued by a worse the Parliament has directed Richard Bradshaw Esq. a worthy Gentleman of knowne fidelity and their Orator now at Hamburgh to wait upon Your Majesty under the same Character with expresse commands directing him to discourse and treat concerning that affair Praying that Your Majesty would therefore please curteously to listen unto allow him full credit in what ever he shall propose unto Your Majesty in our Name râ—…lating to this affair Whom we in the mean time heartily recomend to the care and protection of God Dated at Westminster November 1652. Signed and sealed by the Speaker in pursuance of the Parliaments direction The Representatives of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Duke of Venice greeting LAurence Paulet has delivered the Parliament Your Highness Letter dated the first of June 1652. which as it testifys the good disposition of Your Senat as well as Your Highnesses towards this Republick so they on their parts have thought fit to make known by this occasion the respect affection they bearto the most Serene Commonwealth of Venice and shall not grudge their continueing so to do and makeing no difference between their performances and promises as often as they are furnished with occasions that may enable them to act suitably and also cheerfully pursue such meanes as may be employed towards the support and improvement of the Amity and mutual comerce now existent wishing and praying in the meane time that all happiness and prosperity may attend Your Highness and most Sâ—…rene Republick Dated at Westminster December Anno Domini 1652. Signed and sealed by the Speaker pursâ—…ant to the comand and authority of the Parliament The Representatives of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince Ferdinando the II. Great Duke of Toscany WHereas the Representatives of the Commonwealth of Englaud have in former â—…nstructions to their Sea Comanders strictly charged them upon their touching at any Port within Your Highnesses Empire to behave themselves peaceably modestly and suitable to that observance which Your Civilityes to this Government justly call for from us to whose Kindnesses they cannot but owne themselves much obliged Yet it proved matter of great Surprize to them to find all forgot in the comportment of one of their said Officers named Appleton whose demeanour to the watch at Livorne is said to have been very insolent and that contrary as well to the allegiance wherin be is indebted to this Republick as well as the regard every Prince ought to have shewn him within his owne Territories Which the Parliament had an account of as it happend not onel from Your owne Letters under the 7. and 9. of December last from Florence but more particularly from Master Almericus Salvetus Your Resident â—…ere who is a very worthy Gentleman Your Highnesses honour which seemes to be involved in this matter lies under that veneration with the State as that this matter is wholly and particularly recommended to tâ—…e care of the Council with direction to write fortwith to Captain Appleton for his repaiting home by land to answer the insolency of this unpresidented misbehaviour of his of which the inclosed is a Coppy who upon hiâ—… arrival shall be examined and such punishment awarded him as shall testify that we are no lesse concerned than if it were done in contempt of our owne Government As concerning the Phenix taken at â—…vorne Your Excellency and Resident seem to say and urge that the same was committed contrary to Appletons promise who was obliged to make no attempt upon the Dutch vvithin sight of the Port or its Lantborne that Your Eâ—…cellency relying thereon entred into the like engagement to the Dâ—…ch and that therefore they ought to depend upon satisfaction for the damage susteind from their depending upon Your protection and promise The Parliament assure You that as the same vvas comitted vvithout their Council or aduice so it is a thing very distant from their inclination and mind to expose Your Excellency to any manner of inconveniency or diminution of honour upon the score of that Deed Nay shall endeavour that away be found out of makeing You such satisâ—…ction as shall seem suitable to the demerit of the cause after inquiry first made To be more fully informed wherein they thinke it a very necessary point to have Appleton himselfe examined before them who was obliged by his promise and consequently believed by Your Excellency to have a betted at least in that violation especially considering that he is to returne in so short a time who when ever he is heard by the Parliament and further debate had thereon with Your Oratour shall have such sentence awarded him upon this so considerable a crime as shall consist with equity and the extraordinary affection which they bear Your Excellency and finally not unworthy Your Kindnesses To confirme Your Excellencies beliefe of which they have directed this present messenger to be forthwith dispatched away with these Letters least they shoud be said to Sâ—…ip any opportunity that may be improved into a real Testimony of their sincerety towards You. Dated at Westminster 14. December Anno Domini 1652. By authority and Command of Parliament signed and sealed by the Speaker The Councill of State to the most Serene Prince Frederick Heir of Norway Duke of Slesvice Alsace Haâ—…mar Ditmarse Earle in Oldenburgh and Delmhorst greeting ALtho it has been the Decree of the all knowing God and most mercifull Ruler of the universe to engage us beyond that duty susteined by and transmitted unto us from our Ancestors in a most just quarrell for the resuceing our Liberty's from the oppression of Tyrany and lend us such singnall Marks of his divine help and assistance in preferrence to them as to have enabled us
your Subjects to discharge the said ships without the least delay of time God preserve your Majesty long to the service of his owne glory and the Protection of the Orthodox Church Dated at our Court at Westminster Jan. 27. Annâ—… Dom. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the high and mighty Lords the States of West Friesland S. D. High and mighty Lords Friends and dearest Confederates Mary Grindar Widdow has in her petition to me made a great complaint against one Thomas Killig rue now a soldier in your service who to escape the paying of a considerable sum of mony due from him to the petitioner for about eighteen yeares or being brought to any account either with her or her atturney by Law or other tendency to a satisfaction is said to have petition'd your Highnesses that he might not be prosecuted by Law upon the score of any debt contracted in England But if I let your Highnesses see this onely that shee is a widdow poore a mother of many small Children whose entire support almost this man seemes to endeavour to divert I shall keepe farr from thinking that I need the use of many arguments with you who are too wel acquainted with Gods Comands especially on behalfe of widdowes and Orphanes against oppression as to imagine your giveing way to the grant of such a fraudulent priviledge which I am confident you will never allow of Dated from our Court at Westminster January 27. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of England c To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King Friend and august Confedâ—…rate WEe have not without griefe had and account of some unworthy interruption given by some ill minded Persons to the Protestants while in the exercise of their devotion in Province to that degree that when complaint was made thereof to the Magistrates at Gratianopoli whom it lawfully concern'd they condemn'd the thing as worthy of a severe reproofe And that the Neighbouring Clergy did thereupon prevaile with your Majesty to remit the whole matter to the Judgment of your Royall Councill at Paris Wâ—…o haveing done nothing hitherto 〈◊〉 Churches there the Protestants more 〈◊〉 conot peaceably 〈◊〉 to the exercise of their devotion Let my earnest desires therefore prevaile with Your Majesty first that they whose prayers sacrificed for your 〈◊〉 and the prosperity of your Kingdome were not rejected their publick meetings to pray be not prohibitted Next that the Disturber of Gods peace be pursuant to their judgment to whom alone belongs the lawâ—…ll and usual cognisance of such Cases at Gratianopoli accounted with Long and peaceable may God render Your Majestys days And that if these our desires prove acceptable and judged by you of service to God you declare them as such by removeing that prohibition from off the Protestants Churchs and laying a speedy injunction to have the same repealed Dated at Westminster February 18. An. 1658. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Mr Cardinall THe most illustrious Lady Richmond widdow of the Duke of Richmond lately deceased designes with her yong son to visit and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 small stay in France My earnest request therefore to Your Eminency is that if they chance to need in any instance youâ—… 〈◊〉 favour oâ—… help as strangers you woud please to exercise that regard to their quality consisting with your wont in instances of extraordinary comendations So as to let them see that as farr as the usuall dispensation of your curtesys to all persons coud be render'd more then ordinary our Letters were able to do it and rest assured in this that if anâ—… comendation from your Eminency doe seem to call for any thing of this kind at my hands my allowance thereof may be noe less depended upon Westminster February 29. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Repub. of England c To the most Serene and potent Prince 〈◊〉 King of Portugall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Potent King Friend and 〈◊〉 ALtho I ought to write upon various Subjects to a Prince that is a Friend and verâ—… much concern'd in the welfare of this Republick yet there is nothing which I can with more freedome goe about then what I now 〈◊〉 of letting your Majesty and the people of 〈◊〉 know how glad I am of the late sigâ—…all victory 〈◊〉 of the comon Enemy the Spaniard tending in the apprehension of all men not onely to your owne but the most 〈◊〉 peace and Repose of all Europe and which may 〈◊〉 entail thereon an advantage of many yeares continuance The next thing is to owne Your Majestys Justice as the undoubted fountain from whence spring Your victorys instance'd in the provision made by the 24 article of the League concluded bâ—… the Arbitrators at London for the satisfaction of our Merchants whose Merchant Men were hired into the service of the Brasile Company Thereis one Alexandar Banck Merchant of London whom the said Company denyes to pray the freight contracted for for the service of a ship of his called the three Brothers John Wilk Master in consideration of two voyages perform'd in the said Company 's service Whereas the rest have been long ago paid notwithstanding their haveing been in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but once Which I do not understand the reason of except he in their opinion is beter worthy of a reward who has serv'd them once then he that did it twice My earnest Request to Your Majesty therefore is that this onely man to whom a double reward is due be not kept out of the satisfaction of his hire and cause by the influencâ—… of your Authority the said Company to fix upon some speedy day of payment repairing his damages their delays haveing exposed the Merchant to inconveniencyes farr exceeding his hire God increase your power and continue unto you the uper hand over your Enemies Dated at our Court rt Westminster An. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of Egland c. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Sr. THe Case of Peter Pett a person of singular honesty and very serviceable to us and the Republick in navall affaires came recomended to your Eminency in ours of the 13. of June being now about eight monthes past It was about a vessell of his called the Edward which was as we observ'd seised upon in the mouth of the River of Thames and sould at the Port of Bayon by one Bascon a Frenchman in the year 1646. And altho the King did by an order of Councill dated the 4. of November 1647. direct that what ever the Councill shoud Judge equivalent in mony to answer the damage susteind care shoud be taken of his being satisfied accordingly Yet the petitioner complains of his haveing received no benefit hitherto from the said decree But as I no way doubt but that your Eminency will at my request comand the speedy application of what may be requisit â—…revious to the execution of that order This brings you an earnest Repetion of my said request praying that you woud inspect where it sticks inquire thro whose neglect or obstinacy it comes to passe that the Kings order shall not after ten yeares respit be obeyed exercise your authority in the pressure of the execution of that Decree and payment of that appointed sume which we judge has been 〈◊〉 long agoe causeing'a speedy demand to be made thereof and the Result paid to the Receipt of the Petitioner Wherein your Eminency will act a thing conformable principally with Justice and that shall oblige me besides in a singular degree Dated at our Court at Westminster February 22. 1659. The two following LETTERS Were written in the name of the long Parliament when restrored upon the Removeall of Richard Cromwell The Parliament of the Republ. of England c. To the most serene and potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes Vandalls Most Serene and potent King Dearest Friend IT haveing pleased the almighty God with whom the power of all Changes in Kingdomes and Republicks is lodged to restore us to our former charge in this the Government of the comonwealth of England we have thought fit first to acquaint you therewith and next to let your Majesty know of the very great affection we bear to so potent a prince as you are and how benâ—… upon the support of that peace which our industry and most sincere endeavour were the sole means of establishing between you and the King of Denmarke also a potent protestant Prince It is therefore ouâ—… will that the authority by which Philip Meddowes our exâ—…raordinary Embassadour there has in the name of this Republick hitherto acted be now continued as from us And do hereby confirme unto him the power of proposeing acting and transacting with your Majesty to be the same with the Originall What ever he acts or contracts in our name we do with Gods assistance engage to make good God take your Majesty into his continuall guide with tendency to the safety and security of the Protestants Westminster May 15 An 1659 Subscribed by William Leuthall speaker to the Parliament The Parliament of the Republick of England To the most Seâ—…ne Prince Frederick King of Denmark Most Serene King dearest Friend IT gaveing pleased the Almighty great God the chiefe Ruler of all things to 〈◊〉 us 〈◊〉 former Sâ—…ion and charge in the administration of this Republick we held it apoint mainly becomeing our disposition to our Neighbour and Ally to observe the same to your Majesty and to intimat how much we are concern'd at your troubles the proofe whereof you shall see in the endeavour and dilligence which we now do and shall as farr as there is necessity for it exercise to reconcile your Majesty and the King of Sweedland to peace To which purpose we have directed Phillip Meadows our extraordinary Embasadour at the Court of Swedland that for the furure he wait upon your Majesty in our name concerning this affair and let you know that whatever he communicateth proposeth acteth or transact the at he shou'd doe the same as the effect of our Comands The Credit given him by your Majesty in the discharge of which Character we pray that it be believed as given to our selves God deliver your Majesty to your content out of all those Difficultyes which you so resolutely contend with and draw all to happy and pleasing Issue Westminster May 15. 1659. Sign'd by William Leuthall Speaker to the Comonwealth Parliament FINIS