to the Duke of Savoy almost humbly praying him to entertain milder thoughts and disposition towards these his most inocent subjects and humble people that he woud restore the wretches to their homes and Estates and put them in possession of their former liberty of Religion We did the like to the chiefest of the Protestant Princes and Magistrates whom we judged it most concerning to joine with us in our Mediation with the Duke of Savoy on behalfe of this people You have done the same perhaps more For if this so dangerous example succeeds with the Instruments concerned and this Revivall of their late cruelty upon the Protestants thrives with them to admonish your prudence how farr the same may endanger the Protestant Intrest is a thing we judge uunecessary And this person if he suffers himselfe to be perswaded by our united importunitys and prevailed with to give over we shall reape a Noble and plentifull crop and Recompence from our susteind care But if we shoud find him wilfull so as to endeavour to bring into utter dispair or destroy totally those who with their owne strength and free from corruption have either preserved our Religion delivered by the originall Preachers of the Gospell or long before it was restored to its primitive purity in all other Nations Wee are ready to joine with you and the rest of our Reformed Brethren and confederates in a comon Councill whereby the support of the sincking just may be with most inconveniency provided for and let him at length see how impossible it is for us to put up the Injuries and burthensome afflictions of the protestants Fare yee well To the Evangelicall Cantons of Svvitzerland YOu have ere we had it doubtlesse an account of that calamity which those of our Religion about Piedmont were lately exposed unto who being under the allegiance and subjection of the Duke of Savoy were by their own Prince's prolamâ—…tion strictly comanded to forsake their Native habitations if thâ—…t in three days they gave not satisfaction of their Turning to the Roman Religion and thereupon soone set upon with Arms and destroyed by the forces of their said Duke many also driven into banishment do now with their wives and children wander most miserably over the deserted mountains loaded with Snow c. where they are ready to perish under the afflictions of hunger cowld nakednesse want of places of habitation There is lesse reason why we shoud doubt of your being equally troubled at your first receipt of these Tydeings and it may be more proportionable to your Neernes to them in point of Neighbourhood in excess of us For your singular affection to the Oâ—…hodox faith and great Steddâ—…nesse in adhereing as well to as resolution in defending it is a thing we very well know you to be inferiour to none in Therefore as yee are in the str ctest comunion of Religion Brethren unto or rather incorporated with these wretches equall with us of which Body not one Member can suffer afflâ—…ction without the sense tâ—…e smart the detriment and the hasard of the whole wee have thought fit to write and signify unto you how much we judge it concerning us all to help 〈◊〉 comfort all we can that in a comon â—…id and assistance the want and distresse of our Brethren and make timely provision for the removeing not onely their mischiefess and misfortâ—…es but also stopping the further growth of any danger which by example or chance may be created us Wee likewise writ to the Duke of Savoy earnestly intreating that he vvoud out of his clemency treat his most fa thfull people more gently and that he vvouâ—… restore â—…em already almost destroyed to their goods and 〈◊〉 And do very vvell 〈◊〉 that these our letters or rather the joint importunity of this Nation may easily induce a most Glorious Prince to listen to vvhat we have with so much Toyle petitioned him for But if he should happen to persist we are ready to joine advice with you concerning a meanes to be fixed upon for the preservation of soe many most inocent Persons labouring under the yoake of so mâ—…ny oppressions and vexations comfort and bear up our most dear Brethren in Christ and protect them from most exquisit and unworthy ends Whose health and safety your piety leads lam confident very much to study the preservation of For my part I woud neglect my owne most important concernes yea my life to make way for it Adieu Westminster May 19. 1655. OLIVER Protector To the most Illustrious and Noble Lords the Councills and Senators of the Protestant and confederat Townes of Switzerland greeting To the most Serene and potent Prince Lewis King of France YOur Majesties letters in answer to mine of the 25. of May plainly shew how little I was mislead by that opinion I entertained that those late most inhumane slaughters and barbarous butchery comitted by certain squadrons of your Army upon the persons of such in the Duke of Savoy's Country as professe the protestant Religion vvere not the effects either of your direction or Comand and am exceeding gladd truly of your haveing so timelyly signified unto your Comanders vvho unbidd committed these inhumane outrages pursuant to the dictates of their ovvne inclinations hovv much the same displeasâ—…d your Majesty and the notice you tooke of so great a Cruelty to the Duke of Savoy himselfe and vvithall your haveing vvith so much sincerity and humanity interposed and employed your Intrest friendshipp and povver for the bringing back those miserable banished people to the place vvhere they vvere driven from and might vvell expect that that Prince vvond have done some thing at the desire and request of your Majesty But apprehending that yours nor the sollicitation and pressure of other Princes can no vvay incline him in favour of the distressed I hold it consistent vvith the duty of my province to depute this noble person under the character of our Embassadour extraordinary to the Duke of Savoy to tell him plainly how I take his useage of the Protestants thô for no other reason then out of detestation to the Religion it selfe And do truly hope that the account which this Embassy comes to may prove so much the more succesfull if Your Majesty will be pleased to adhibit a fresh and with more Instance your Authority to and endeavour in the thing And as your Majesty has undertaken unto that Prince for their future fidelity and Obedience to Government so be pleased to make some provision likewise sor their safety and security against any the like Injuries and most cruel affronts that may be offer'd for the future to the Inocent and peaceable This as it is in it selfe an act of Justice and truly becoming Majesty and no lesse suitable to your benignity and Mercy who secures the peace and safety of such of your owne Subjects in all places as profess that Religion so we canot in any reason decline the expectation of from your Majesty which in
England to the high and mighty States of Holland c. High and mighty Lords dearest Friends THomas Bushell and Richard Bear with severall other of our Subjects have made their joint complaint unto us setting forth that a shipp of theirs called the Edmond and John did being set upon in her way between Brasile and 〈◊〉 submit to the assault of a certain Privateor belonging to Vlushing called the Red Lyon whose Comander went by the name of Lambert Bartelson but upon such conditions and Tearmes 〈◊〉 by the said Lamberts hand and seale as that upon their arrivall at Vluissing restitution shoud be made of such Goods as shoud appear to belong unto the English That upon their arrivall there the shipp was acquitted and the seamen their respective goods restored them but the Merchants effects taken out and exposed to imediat sale That they namely the Merchants who had this affront put upon did upon their repair to Vlushing to demand their effects at the Admiralty Court there after five yâ—…ares expensive prosecution loose the cause with vast charges thro amost wicked sentence awarded against them by those Judges namely they who concern'd in the said Privateer were themselves both Juges and Jury in the thing That they have no other hope left 'em except it be in your equity and incorrupted uprightnesse which they now at length fly unto whom they judge some reliefe favour from if back'd with our 〈◊〉 of their complaint to you And truly this is a thing pardonable in the people if in so great a hasard of their fortunes as this seemes to be they under an uuiversall dread from all hands consider what they ought to fear from your power and authority as wel as what they were to hope from the integrity of Judges especially in a case where they were themselves 〈◊〉 We do not doubt but that the influence you are under of Religion Justice and Integrity may in preferrence to any sollicitation of Ours become an Incentive to you of comeing to such a determination herein as you may 〈◊〉 to consist with Equity and justice and an act that may become you God preserve both your selves and Republick to tâ—…e service of his Glory and the comfort of his Church Westminster April 1. 1656. OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Comonwealth of England To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandalls Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthon Carelia Bremen Verda Stetin Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Russia Lord of Ingry Wismar as also Count Pallatine of the Rhine Bavaria Jul Clevia and Duke of the Mounains c. Most Serene Prince PEter Julius Coitus haveing discharged his Embassy here and so discharged it as that I thought it a thing unfit to dismisse him hence without accompanying him with my opinion of his just merits which he now returnes to your Majesty with as being a person who upon your score who have a just Right to our highest esteeme was as well as for that of his owne meritts very acceptable unto us and no lesse praise worthy by the most dilligent discharge of this Trust. Therefore we freely certify if any Testimony can add thereto that he has answerd that character which he brought Us as your Majestys most just gift to him who may with the same fidelity and integrity relate the singular respect which we bear towards your Majesty What we have to add is to breath our wishes to the Omnipotent Great God to bless your Majesty with all prosperity and continue the influence of your victorys over the enemys of the Church to perpetuity Westminster Aprill 17. 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England To the most Serene and potent Prince Lewis King of France S. D. APplication being by petition made us in the names of John Dethicke present Lord Mayor of tâ—…is Citty of London and William Wackfield Merchant setting forth that haveing about the Calends of the month of October Auno 1649. loaded a certaine shipp called the 〈◊〉 of London one Ligâ—…tbagh Master the whole freight consisting of their owne proper goods to be transported to Ostend the said shipp was seised upon in the mouth of the River of Thames carryed away and disposed of at Dunkirk then under the obedience of the Crowne of France and that by the contrivance of a certaine Privateer called White belonging to Berkin who exerciseth piracy by vertue of a Comission from the son of Charles the late deceased King contrary to the purport of your Majestâ—…s proclamations published to the contrary Annis 1647. and 1649 besides some resolutions of Councill in favour of the Parliament of England whereby they understanding that the transportation of any Goods or ships taken from the English dureing that 〈◊〉 into any place under your Majesties jurisdiction or suffered to be in any such place exposed to sale was provided against as unlawfull dispatched Hugh Morrell their solliciter to Dunkirke with directions to apply to Mr Lestrado Governour of that Citty and demand restitution of the said shipp and Goods as knowing that they were in a great measure yet untoucht in Towne who upon such application replyed not like a gentleman nor one that woud seem to be very observable of the Comands of his prince that his present employ was a benefit comferr'd upon him in consideration of publick past services perform'd in the King of France s Service that he therefore intended to make as much improvement thereof as he coud as if comisionated to Robb his neighbours Upon which disappointment the said sollicitour after a great expence both of money and time comeing home the petiâ—…ioners destitute of all other hopes other then what they imagin'd they might meet with upon appeal to your Majesties Clemency and Justice and believing that our recomendatory Letters in their favour might render their access to your Majesty more facile pray that you woud not decline your help from a people robbed in defiance of all Justice and in derision of your repeated Comands to the Contrary Which if obtainable at our importunity albeit it is truly a thing which seemes ver equitable yet we shall believe it to be rather the effect of your naturall 〈◊〉 to Justice then the fruit of my soâ—…licitation Westminster May 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. To the high and mighty Lords the States General of the United Provinces S. D. High and mighty Lords Dearest Friends IOohn Browne Nicolas Williams with other Londoners have in a Petition humbly shewed unto us that having severally ventured to the East Indies by the Ship Good Hope of London then bound thither directed their Correspondents at Amsterdam about the Month of February 1644. to ensure there two thousand and forty Pounds Flemish That the
MILTONS REPUBLICAN-LETTERS OR A Collection of such as were written by Comand of the LATE COMMONVVEALTH OF ENGLAND from the Year 1648. to the Year 1659. Originally writ by the learned JOHN MILTON Seecrtary to those times and now translated into English by a Wel-wisher of Englands honour Printed in the Year 1682. Curteous Reader WHEN these following Letters came first to my hand in Latine I began to question with myselfe whether the usurpatious proceedings of their authors had not rather fitted them for the fire then reading But considering that whatever their proceedings previous to their obteining the Goverment might be that when obtein'd the support thereof obliged them to consult the inclinations of the people and square their actions by the most honourable of their humours I adventured and in their peruseall found the true Spirit of the English Nation soe livelyly displayed that I was not onely glad I was swayed to their reading but Resolved for the comon benefit of my Country to translate them into English that they might see how Zealous our predecessors have been in ascertaining and maintaining the liberty property both of the Civill and religious Rights not onely of themselves but also their Allies Confederates whensoever invaded though by the most potent of their Enemies And of what necessity they then found a protestaut Union to be may easily be guest at by their continued Cares and endeavours for the obteining and strengthening the same both at home and abroad And in what degree of honour our Nation must then have stood when their Resolutions were a Ballance to the actions of Europe Nor will it be unworthy of Consideration that soe farr was the french King then from dareing to offer such violence to his Protestant Subjects as of Late he hath that he at our Desire became Mediator with the Duke of Savoy on behalse of his Whom that Prince for their close adherence to the Reformed Religion hath so barbarouâ—…y butchered Et Readily Disclaimâ—…d the aâ—…ions of such of his Forces as were Co-acters in that Cruelty as done vvithout his consent or privity Neither rested he â—…ere but uudertooke vvith that Prince for the future fidelity and obedience to Goverment of those persecuted people Novv that the consider aeion of these things may stirr up â—… Zeal in every individuall Englishman to be so farr as in his station he legally may an augmentor or at least a Preâ—…erver of those Libertyes Priviledges and honours vvhich our vvorthily Renâ—…ned Predecessors transmitted to 〈◊〉 Not onely to secure us in a happy enjoyment of our Lives and propertyes but also in Trust for the Generations unborn And in what dishonerable Characters those our Posteritys will be inforced to vvrite our memory if vve prove so faithless in our Trust as to leave them onely â—… bare Report of vvhat our Progenitors have purchased for us and them and to their irrepairable vvrong and our Everlasting Infamy â—…ave imbezilled is that vvhich no true English â—…eart â—…ut must tremble at the very thought of Fare well LETTERS From the COMMON-WEALTH of ENGLAND To forreign Princes c. The Parliament People of England to the most Noble Senat and Corporation of Hamburgh greeting WEE doe unanimously acknowledge the antiquity of and shall be 〈◊〉 willing also to revive the Correspondence which has been upon severall good inducementâ—… erected and established by our Praedecessours and to this day continued between this Government and your most noble Corporation And haveing by yours of the 25. of June understood of some alteration in the comportment of some of our people who do not it seemes behave themselves with that punctualyty and integrity they formerly did among you we did immediatly thereupon truly consult with some Persons of judgment in the point whom we charged to inquire narrowly among the Clothiers and the rest of the people concerned in that manufacture assureing you withall our further carâ—… such to be as may render you sensible of all our genuine inclination and affection towards you But some thing also there appeares which not onâ—…ly we but equity and â—…ason it selfe calls for from you and that is that some care Suitable to the dignity of your Citty be taken of the security of the Priviledges Lives and â—…ortunes of such of our Merchants as are present Liverâ—… aâ—…ong you Which as it has been the main purport of our former letters so the dâ—…yly complaints brougâ—…t us on behalfe of the said Merchants and Estates all at stake render it necessary that this repetition of the said Letter of ours be looked upon as comeing with suitable earnestnesse For albeit they seeme to owne the Recept of some Ease as to time from our former interposition on â—…heir behalfe and a proportionable Breathing from the offensive villany of their Enemies yet since thâ—… arrivâ—…le of Cochrane of whom our former complaints made mention who pretends I know not what of an Embassy from Charles the Son of the late deceaâ—…ed King they seem to complaine of the want of that protection which they were formerly wonâ—… to receive upon demand made tâ—…erof against some late indecencies and mortal assaulâ—…s made upon them And that to such adegree that when one or more of the said Merchants together with the Governour of the Company himselfe were by fraude seduced on board a certain Privateer and thereupon applying to you for reliefe they were deyed so that the Merchants themselves were by force of armes constrained not without hasard of their lives to rescue their friends from out of the hands of their Enemies and that at your very doore Whom when by good fortune they brought home and as if it were râ—…cued from slavery thro meere strength and delivered tâ—…e Piraâ—…s alsoe into custody â—…uch has been the insolent pâ—…oceedings of that vagabonde and Rebell Cochrane we understand as to require not onely the discharge of the said Rovers but the surrender of the said Merchants as his Prisoners Wee therefore with all earnestness pray and desire that if you are such as you â—…eeme to be inclinable to the inviolable support of those contracts alliances and commerce for along time observed beâ—…ween us our people may be at some certainty to be at length relied upon in your faith prudence and authority and that in Order thereto you he prevailed with to assigne them afair hearing in reference as well to Cochrane and Party concern'd in this fact as such also as were concern'd in the yet un-accounted for affront tendered the Curate whom we expâ—…ct you woud see Right done unto by exposeing to prosecution and seeing brought to condign punishment those that abetted in that assault or expelling them your â—…urisdiction and do not thinke that people under their circumstances and banished like Tarquins are preferrable to the amity and power of England For if you do thinke fit to suffer our Enemyes to practise what they list upon our Merchants in your Citty consider among your selves how unsafeand dishonourable it
or exercised any Trade or Comerce with any of the Kingdomes Dominions or Jurisdictions belonging in the Crown of Denmarke and Norway should be liable to the Payment of no excess of Castome Taxe Toll Tribute or any other Imposition what ever for the future beyond what the Dutch and all other forreign Nations exerciseing Trade shall or ought to pay and to enjoy with freedome the same full Liberty Priviledges and Imunities in their comeing in stay as well as departure as also their Fishing-Trade and all other circumstances what ever equall and in proportion with any other strangers inhabiting the aforesaid Kingdomes or Empire of the said King of Denmark and Norway which Priviledges the said King of Denmark's and Norway's Subjects shall likewise enjoy throughout all the Provinces and Jurisdictions belonging to the Republick of England The Council of State to the most Illustrious Prince FERDINANDO the II Great Duke of Toskany Greeting Most Illustrious Prince and dearest Friend CHarles Longland Atturney for the English Factory at Livorne as also Your High Resident here haveing comunicated unto us with what affection and sincerity our Merchant-men were protected by Your Highnesse upon their repair to Livorne to escape the designe of Dutch Rovers who breathed nothing but ruine and destruction against them the Council of State 's Letters dated the 31. of July last and come to hand ere this we hope have signified unto Your Highness how grateful so seasonable a piece of kindness as that happened to be was to them where by the same conveyance they transmitted unto Your Highnesse other Papers containing an account of the ground of the controversy now depending between the Parliament of England the States of Holland And upon such advise transmitted from the said Charles Longland of your Highness's further care bestow'd upon the English by warning the Dutch to supersede notwithstanding their industrious sollicitation to the Countrey the said Council has taken the Liberty of signifying unto Your Highness by this conveyance that as your Justice and singular constancy in defending their Ships calls for the height of their esteeme so it likewise doth their gâ—…atitude Which as it is no slight indication of your sound friendship and affection to this Republick so Your Highness may rest Confident that upon any occasion opportunely represented our Returns shall lead your desires that in a method becoming the respect and affection we ow you and yours and that in such a degree as may declare how much we make it our endeavour to render the Alliance between this Government and Your Highnesses both constant and permanent We have in the mean time Issued our strict command to such of our Ships as may happen to call at your ports that they faile not saluteing you with a just Number of Canons and paying you all other imaginable due respect Dated at Whitehal September 2625. Subscribed by the Praesident of the Council whoseseale he fixed thereto TO ALPHONSO DE CARDENAS the Spanish Embassador Most Excellent Sir YOUR Excellencies Letter dated the 5. or 15. November 1652 together with two Petitions inclosed concerning the Ship comonly knowne by the Name of the Samson and Salvador were by Your Secretary upon the 8. Ditto delivered unto and read in Council who appointed the following Answer to both That the said Shipp fell in the English-man's ways super altum mare not in the Downes as Your Excellency seems to have understood it where having sett upon seized her as a Vessell belonging to the Enemy brought her home proceeded against her as a lawful prize in the Admiralty Court to which alone the cognisance of such cases is solely belonging and where the pretences of all parties are audibly and freely debated and lawfully determined We have moreover transmitted Your Excellencies Demand to the â—…udges of the laid Court with directions requireing our being informed concerning what proceedings were made towards the condemnation of thâ—… said Shipp Which when we have satisfaction given us in such further care shall be taken therein as is consistent with Iustice and becomeing the friendship subsisting between this Republick and Your King relying upon a suitable confidence that his Royal Majesty will not suffer himselfe to be made a Cloack of to protect the goods of our Enemies or see us otherwise baâ—…led under the pretence of their owning themselves his Subjects Subscribed by William Lenthal President of the Council whose Seale he caused to be affixed thereto Dated at Whitehal November 11 1652. To the Spanish Embassadour Most Noble Sir BAldid a Comander of one of the Men of War belonging to this Commonwealth having lately advised the Council that being necessitated to put in at a place comonly called by the name of Longone to repair some damages susteind in a Battle of two dayes constant continuance fought in the streights of Gibralter against eleaven Dutch Men of War haveing but three besides himselfe and furnish himselfe and Company with such further supplyes as he wanted for fight the Gouernour of that place acquitted himselfe like a very just and civil Person towards both him and the rest of his Ships And whereas the said place lies within the King of Spain's Dominions the Councill reckons the singular humanity of that Civility effectually demonstrated to be the true plentiâ—…ul Result of the strict alliance so fortunately establish't and so judge it an act becoming them to thanke His Majesty for so seasonable a piece of service and desire Your Excellency to be pleased to signify the same without losse of time to His most Serene Majesty and to assure him of a suitable Returne of friendship and kindnesse upon any occasion that may offer Dated at Westminster November the11 Anno Domini 1652. Signed and sealed by William Masham Praesident of the Council To the most Serene Prince FERDINAND the II. Duke of Great Toscany the Representaâ—…ives of the Commonwealth of England greeting Most Serene Prince and dearest Friend THe Representatives of the Commonwealth of England have received Your Highnesse's Letter dated the 3. of August from Florence touching the Restitution of a Vessell loaded with Rice challeng'd by a Master belonging to Livorns called Cardio and albeit Sentence is already awarded in our Cour of Admiralty against the said Cardio concerning that affair and that the appeal then hung before the Delegate yet upon Your Highnesses interposition the Parliament to shew their opinion of the amity and friendship of so great a Prince comanded those that were intrusted with the management of that affair that that Vessel witâ—… her loadeing of Rice or an equivalent value at least should be restored to the said Captain Cardeo whose Correspondent has since received the effect of the said Comand accordingly And as Your Highnesses Protection to the English Merchants and principally in the Port of Livorne has very much obliged the Parliament of which Your Resident as well as Charles Longland Sollicitor for the English Factorâ—… at Livorne have given us an account
meanes of the Dutch Governour there Of all which we have had an account send us thence before our former complaint was exhibitted which damage amounts unto two hundred thousand pieces 〈◊〉 50000. lb 0. 6. Wee expect satisfaction for 32899 pounds of pepper taken by force out of the shipp Endimion in the year 1649. whose damage amounts unto 6003. lb 0. 220796. lb 16. ss An Abstract of some particular losses sustein'd by the English East India Company from that of the Dutch 1. For the damaâ—…es sustaind from the siege of Bantham which hindred our Trade with that place for the continued space of six years and prevented our laying in a stok of 600000. pieces 〈◊〉 for the buying of pepper according to our proportion Which might serve to loade such of our shipps as wandered up and downe the Indian Coast in their ballast for want of freight Our adventure haveing been in the mean space in sea-mens wages victualls and apparell diminished and exhausted among the Indians to that degree that the loss canot amount to lesse then 103000. pieces 8 8 which in our coyne is 6000000 lb 0. ss 0. 2. More for the damages sustaind by the losse of our just part of the Islands of Molluco Banda and Amboyna since the time we have been murthered and driven thence For the prejudice of which and other expences we expect to be satisfied amounting in time from the year 1622. to che current year 1650. at the yearly Income of 25000. lb for 28. yeares the Suâ—…e of 700000. lb 0. ss 3. Reparation is likewise expected for 12950. pieces 〈◊〉 damage done us at Surrat by those of Mogul so protected by the dutch that we coud not repay our selves either in money or goods which we might otherwise and had it in our power to have taken from them had not the Dutch most unjustly stood in their defence Which losse might in Europe be improved ere this to triple the value Whiâ—… we judge to amount to 77020. lb 4 For Customs at Persia whose moity the King of that place granted the English anno 1624. which to the year 162â—… is calculated to come to 80000. Mille Royalls as aforesaid Which being substracted they are obliged to pay from the year 1629. being twenty one yeares at the rate off our thousand pounds a year comes to the sume of 84000. lb 0. ss The Kings Hand From the other side 220976. lb 15. ss 0. The Summe total 1681996. lb 15. ss 0. The intrest for the said time having farr exceeded the principle Here follow all the LETTERS Written by OLIVER CROMWELL To forreign Princes and Potentates while Protector of England To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Sir I do by Yours of the 20. of January 1654. apprehend that Frederick 〈◊〉 Wollisogg â—… Noble Gentleman and Your Secretary with Christopher Griffie were with certain comands sent from Your most Illustrious Dignity into England Who upon their approach unto Us have in Your Name both congratulated our undertaking of the Administration of the Government of the Republick of England and sollicited for an admittance for You and People into the Peace lately concluded between Us and the Hollanders Petitioning with all our confirming the Grant lately obteind from the Parliament of Letters commonly knowne by the name of Letters of safe conduct We therefore pursuant to our obligation returne our thanks for so friendly a Complement and â—…ave freely assented to the said two petitions as being disposed to improve all future occasions which may at any time expresse our affection towards You And are of opinion that You have had the same communicated unto You at large by Your said 〈◊〉 whose fidelity and diligence in this affair have been apparent What I have to add is sincerely to wish You and affairs prosperity and tranquility Westminster June 27. 1654. I am your c. most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Count of Oldinburgh YOur Letters of the 2. of May from Oldenburgh are come to hand and obliged me not in a single degree for that the Letters themselves were so pregnant with singular kindness affection towards me and withall deliveâ—…ed by the hand of the most Illustrious Lord Count Antonio Your most beloved Son That that I apprehend my selfe most dignified by being the knowledge I now have of his vertues whorthy so noble Ancestors of his extraordinary behaviour finally of his singular affection testified unto me now beyond words Nor ought it to be a thing disputable whether he gives his Relations at home inducements to hope his inheriting the qualities of his worthy and Noble Father whose clear vertue and prudence administred the continuance of many yeares interrupted Peace to the People of Oldenburgh and cherished them with the effects of tranquillity among the severe Stormes of Warr blowing from every Corner Why should I therefore do otherwise then value the Alliance of such a Friend whose conduct is so wise and provident so as to be able to avoide the enmity of all people It is finally for that gift alone Most Illustrious Sir that I am thankfull It is out of regard to justice and Your merits that I 〈◊〉 subscribe my selfe Your most c. OLIVER Protector of England c. Westminster 29. June 1654. To the most Illustrious Lord ANTHONY GUNTER 〈◊〉 of Oldenburgh Delmhorst Leid in Jehven Kniphausen OLIVIER Protector of the Republick of England Scotland Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince CHARLES GUSTAVUS King of Sweedland Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthany Carelia Bremen Verde Stetin Pomeranie Castalies and Vandale Prince of Russin Lord of Ingry Wismare as also Duke Palatin of the Rhine Bavaria Jul. Clivia and Duke of Monts greeting Most Serene King THe choice made by Your Majesty of communicateing unto us by your most friendly letters that in particular which comon same has for some dayes disperst over all the world of the delcent of the Government of the Kingdome of Sweedland upon you and that to the great content of the people and the free suffrage of all persons iâ—… no slender argument of your great affection towards us and an honour not of the meanest degree Wee therefore freely and with Justice congratulate that addition of dignity to Your most singu 〈◊〉 merits and reward very worthy of so great a vertue and do with united prayers to God wish that which we are confident you do namely that the same may prove to the good and prosperity of Your Majesty the Kingdome of Sweedland and the Intrest of all Christendome But as to what you mention touching your disposition to the alliance lately contracted between England and Sweedland and acting our part towards its support as also that Your Majesty will endeavour not onely the 〈◊〉 but likewise the improveing if it were a thing fesible the league now established were an injustice to call to question the sincâ—…rity of The faith of so great a
Corporations a considerable Reliefe advantage in a matter of this consequence as being truly bent upon all opportunity administred by God which we shall not thro the good help of the 〈◊〉 God decline the doing our part in the improvement of We cannot in the mean time without very great griefe observe unto Your Highnesse with what inclemency the Duke of Savoy persecutes such of his Subjects as inhabitingabout the Alps professe the Protestant Religion and whom he has not onely 〈◊〉 as many of as denyed to embrace the Roman Religion to quit their nature Country and abandon all their Possessions but also set upon them with his Forces who exposed many to most cruel murthers dispatched others with barbarous and invented Tortures and drove great Multitudes of 'em into the mountains there to be consumed with hunger and cowld having sett fire to their Houses and goods if these Butchers did chance to leave any unplunderd for want of conveyance And are very apt to believe that Your Highnesse could not decline being much displeased at so great a cruelty when first you heard it which I presume may be some time past and that you did what you could towards the Reliefe assiâ—…tance of those miserable wretches if inhuman Murthers and Miseries have left any surviveing We have writ to the Duke of Savoy to divert his Rage from off his People as also the King of France that he might do so too together with the neighbouring Protestant Princes to let them understand how we resented so inhumane an instance of cruelty Which albeit it was begun upon these needy wretches yet its designe seemes to extend to all that are of the same Judgment in Religion And so heightens the necessity conveyed unto them so much the morâ—… of taking care of hemselves and consulting the welfare of all their Friends Which pursuant to that light which God has inspired us with shall always be the very levell of our pursuit A thing Your Highness may depend upon the sincerity of as that of our love and affection wherewith we heartily wish you a properous issue in all things Praying that all Your Enterprises and Approaches towards the asserting the Liberty of the Gospel and its adherents may determine happily Whitehall May 1655. OLIVER Protector c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweedland Greeting YOur Majesty has ere this and to Your great trouble we presume had an account of that most bitter Proclamation reported to have bâ—…en lately published whereby the Duke of Savoy has afflicted to the marrow such of his Subjects inhabiting about the Alpes as stile themselves Reformed Protestants and directed that if in case they did not renounce their owne and embrace the Roman Catholick Religion within twenty dayes they should be rooted out of their Native Country habitations so that after the murther of many the rest plunder'd exposed to invented Deaths they wander now with their Wives and small Children over the wild Mountains in a continual Winter Consum'd witâ—… hunger and cowld For the universall hatred of the contrary party even unto all Protestants Demonstrates that albeit they differ in some frivolus things among themselves their cause and intrest yet in the main ought to be the same and almost one And there is none but knowes that how upon all occasions the Kings of Sweedland have joyned with the Reformed and powred their Forces into Germany to defend without distinction the Protestant Religion there Wee therefore and that with more then ordinary earnestnesse pray that Your Majesty would in the first place if You have not already done it in imitation of Us and other Protestant Republicks write to the Duke of Savoy concerning this matter and endeavour to reverse if it be possible by the interposition of Your Authority the severitd of this so cruel a proclamation from off of a People that are innocent as well as religious For these so cruel beginnings what do they mean what may they threaten Us all is a thing which we judge very unnecessary to advise Your Majesty of If this man will sligth all our prayers to gratify his owne peevish humour truly we shall after haveing first conâ—…ulted with Your Majesty and the rest of the Protestant Princes as we ought â—…f there be any obligation any love or community of Religion to be regarded or observed fix upon some speedy resolution that may serve timelily to prevent the miserable destruction of a multude of our most innocent Brethren destitute of all help Which as vve do not in the least question to have beeu Your Majesties sense and resolution too nothing can in our opinion be more adviseable in this point than that vve all vvithout the least losse of time unite our povver Council Purses and if there be any thing else that can be judged to stop the further groâ—…vth of this evil In the mean time we heartily recommend Your Majesties to the Tuitionof the most great omnipotent God OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England to the high and mighty Lords the States Generall of the united Provinces RUmor and the frequent advices and Tideings which letters bring you from your correspondents abroad have ere this we judge informed you of the Duke of Savoyê°s late proclamation issued against such under his subjection about the Alpes as have been antient professors of the Protestant Religion by verture of which proclamation they unlesse they embrace the Roman Catholick Religion â—…ithin twenty daâ—…s are comanded to quit their Lands and houses being first stript of all they have besides â—…nd with what cruelty the Authority â—…f tâ—…at Edict has tyranyzed over inocent persons and which very much concernes us our helplesse friends and Brethren in Christ. Many of them being destroyed by a Limb of his forces appointed to that purpose the rest plundred forc't from home so that they with their wives and smalle Ones have been for some time driven into the roughest of mountains covered with continual snow where they now labour under the oppression of hunger cowld But your concernednesse whereat how you Symphathyzed these calamities of our Brethren is a thing we can easily guesâ—… at by our own griefe which is truly very great For we that are but One as it were in point of Religion why should not we be equally such in our concernednesse at so unworthy a misuseage of our Brethren And truly many are the experiences of your apparent piety to the Orthodox people in times of oppression and no lesse favourable to many Ecclesiasticall difficultys and adversitys As for my part I had if I know my owne mind rather been outon in any thing elce then in love and charity to Brethren labouring under affliction and persecution upon the account of their Religion For that I would freely give way to the health repose of the Church in preferrence to my owne par ticular safety What we coud therefore hitherto act in it was to writ
said Ship being in her way thither taken upon the very East India Coast by a certain Ship belonging to the 〈◊〉 East India Company the Ensurer's denyed to fulfill their Contract in paying the ensured Summe and have so far prevailed as to be capable by various delays to elude our People now after the expensive consumption of Six yeares in prosecution of their Right Which in regard they looke upon as an usage of great oppression and injustice and that some obliged for the Payment of the Money agreed for are either already dead or become insolvent We earnestly pray that you would to prevent â—…urther expences in addition to the said Losses be pleased to suffer your equity to be a safe Port and refuge to them after so many Yeares stormy useage and almost Shipwrack in your Court of â—…udicature and that Sentence be with all speed awarded concerning their cause in whose â—…ustice they seeme very confident Wishing in the meane time that happineâ—…s and prosperity may attend all you undertake to the Glory of God the safety of his Church Your High and Mighty Lordships most affectionally OLIVER Protector c. OLIVER Protector of the Commonwealth of England To the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland S D. THomas and William Lower lawfull Heires of Nicholas Lower lately deceased on whose account you have had some former trouble giveu you about the â—…des of September last I thinke do bawl now a fresh again alleadging that they still labour under the oppression of their Adversaries whoâ—…e power or other private Intrest has notwitstanding the integrity of their claimes and when that coud not doe our Letters sent in favour of their cause â—…o far prevailed as to hinder them from entering upon the benefit of their Father's will That being rejected by the Court of Holland where the action first began and thrown upon yours pack'd thence to Zee-land and thence hurryed back again to your high Court of Judicatorie to their content accompanyed to each place with our Letters For where the hight and power is there they depend upon the dispensation of Justice proportionably If that fails they are at a losse to know where to cast anchor for reliefe after the pains they undertoke in pursuit of Justice For if they find that this our fourth recomendation of their cause can do no good it will be to little purpose for 'em to extend their hopes any further Wee shall reckon it as a true instance of kindnesse if after so many rejections you let them see that your apprehension of our Authority cou'd contribute somewhat to their Reliefe in bringing their claime to a speedy determination as well altogether as have them believe it to be the intire effect of your own Justice and equity As we can no way dispond of your allowance of the former of which so we are confident that the consideration of our Friendship will incline you to the later Your's c. OLIVER Protector OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene Prince WHereas several Merchants belonging the Brazil Company in Portugal did in the Yeares 1649. and 1650. becom indebted unto sundry English Merchants in a considerable Sume of Money upon the account of freight and Moorage that the said Society respit the Payment thereof pursuant to an order of your Majesties to that purpose notwithstanding that they did truly depend upon the Payment thereof conformable to the Tearmes and conditions of the league lately ratified But fear they may be frustrated in their hope and other meanes of recovering their Right as being informed of your Majesty hayeing seized and sent to the Exchequer their said debt and assigned the repayment thereof upon the moity of your Customes so that the Merchants are like to have no more then the bare Interest of their Money the principal lying in the mean while wholly dead Haveing taken the hardship of which under our strict consideration the conviction of their just importunities prevailed upon our giveing your Majesty this trouble on their behalfe requireing that instant satisfaction be by the Brazil Company made the Merchants of his Republick in reference as well to each ma ns demand respectively as five Yeares Intrest This as it is a thing in it selfe consistent with lustice and conformable with the league lately contracted with you let me on their behalfe desire in an amicable manner that it be complyed with without further delay From our pallace at Westminster July 1656. Your Maâ—…esties most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER P. of the Republick of England To the most Sereâ—…e Prince Charles Gustavus by the Grace of God King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandalls Great Prince of Finland c. Most Serene King AS the alliance of so great a Prince and so famous for his actions as Your Majesty is hath â—… just Title to the height of our esteeme so that person thrô whose means we have been so strictly allyed I mean that most â—…llustrious Gentleman Christernus Bondur your Embassadour Extraordinary must have been upon that very consideration necessarily gratful and welcome unto us Whom therefore having laudably discharged this Embassy we cou'd not dismisse hence without accompanying him with a Testimony of our being highly satisfied in the rest of â—…is singular vertues as being one who seemes to entertâ—…ine a belâ—…efe that this our recommendation of him may add ' considerably to that value and esteeme which he is already in possession of with Your Majesty in reference 〈◊〉 particularly to the diligence and prudence he exerted in this affair What remaines to be further transacted we have resolved to send Your Majesty an Embassadour soone about Whose health God in the mean time preserve for the defence of his Church and that of the Kingdome of Sweedland From our Court at Westminster July An. Dom. 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionally OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Repbul of England c To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene Prince Friend and dearest Consederate WE have had a petition in the names of Richard Baker and severall other Merchants of London and his Associates wherein they humbly complaine that an English built Ship called the Endeavour William Jopp Master and hired into their service was about the 21. of Novemder 1655. set upon in her way between a place called the Palm and the Island of Tenerif where shee put out for London from seized by four French Vessels who in appearance looking like Merchant-men but arm'd like Men of War and under the chiefe comand of one Egedius de la Rocke carried her with her whole freight consisting in Medera wines to the East Indy's whether they said they were bound together with most oâ—… the Mariners saveing fourteen which they landed upon the shore of Guiny Which the said Egidius declared the intenâ—… of to be to prevent
been found very easy and expedient and of a considerable advantage to your Highnesses and the other Provinces yet no part of the said settlement has been made good to this day altho sought with much sollicicitation So that he the said van den Brooke and la Maire being tired out with delays that affair lawfully descended to the said William Cooper our subject who out of a desire of receiveing the effects of his Father in Laws Industry applyed unto us by petition praying that we woud recomend this his Request to the consideration of your Mighty Highnesses which we thought unsit to deâ—…y ' him in Wherefore make it our friendly request to Your Mighty Highnesses that you would please to give a fair hearing to the petition of the said William Cooper and take care that the stipulated Reward of Industry and so just a stipend and for so many yeares past with a yearly 〈◊〉 fot the time to come be paid him Which as we doubt not of your Mighty Highnesses free allowance of as a just thing and worthy Your Bounty so we shall be on ouâ—… part ready to shew the like just disposition to your People in their Requests as often as we are in that nature applyed unto From our Court at Westminster September Anno Dom. 1656. I am your mighty Highnesses most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most serene King Friend and dearest Confederate IT is with violence to our inclination that so many complaints of ours against the injustice of your Subjects should happen to pursue the peace reestablish't vvith Your Majesty But as vve are confident that our sufferings are no vvay the effects of your consent so vve cannot be vvanting to the Complaints of our People It is evident that the Capture of the Ship Anthony of Deepe vvas lavvful prize if the Sentence of our Admiralty Court be consulted vvith vvhich says that her seisure happen'd before the Treaty vvas concluded Part of vvhich Prize to the number of about four thousand Hides more or lesse Robert Browne Merchant of London bought of those vvho had the overseeing of the publick sale Upon his sending selling â—…d calling for the price of about tvvo hundred of vvhich Hides from a certain Skinner at Deepe he complaines that the same vvas stopt and arrested in his Correspondents hands a quarrel fastend upon him so that he cannot attain to Justice in that Court Wherefore vve have thought fit to desire Your Majesty to cause the vvhole matter to be brought before your Council and that mony disengaged from that most uâ—…just restraint For if vvhat vvere comitted before the conclusion of the Peace shall be liable to be called into question and Judgment after its confirmation We do not see vvhat a Treaty can signify For there can be no end of quarrels of this kind if some severe punishment be not timely avvarded these frequent Peace-Breakers vvhich vve hope Your Majesty vvill take speedy care to see done Whom God honour vvith his most holy Defâ—…nce â—…om our Pâ—…llace at Westminster September 1656. Your Majesty's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince John King of Portugall Most Serene King THe peace between this Republick and the Kingdome of Portugall being now transacted and all due provision and 〈◊〉 â—…ken of Trade Wee have thought it a thing 〈◊〉 and necessary to dispatch the bearer Thomas Maynard to your Majesty to act in your Kingdome as Consul to hear and determine matters of debate usually ariseing amongst Merchanâ—… But in regard it often fâ—…lls out that the nature of his employ may necessâ—…rily require 〈◊〉 to your Majesty relateing as well to the Intrest of this Nation as Trade in generall Wee desire your Majesty that as often as he has occasion of being hâ—…ar'd you will please to allow him the liberty of approaching to and being heard by your Majâ—…sty which shall pass with us for an evident argument and singular Testimony of your esteeme of us That the omnipotent great God may in the mean time prosper all your Majestys undertakeings From our Court at Westminster October 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of England c. To the King of Svveedland Most Serene aâ—…d Potent King ALbeit your Majesties wonted and naturall disposition to men of merit is such as to reckon all additionall comendations unecessary yet we coud not dismiss this worthy Gentleman Sir William Vavasor Knight a person of note in warlike discipline and now upon his Journey towards you with out accompaining him with the trouble of a letter to your Majesty Our freedome in the doing of which was prompted so much the morâ—… when we were tould that much of his time blood has been spent in the pursuit of your service and in many battells fought on your behalfe So that the late Kings of Sweedland have in consideration of his warlike skill and true courage often exerted in warr settled Landsand annuall Pensions upon him Nor do we doubt but that he may be of future great use to your Majesty in the present Warrs as being faithfull and of knowne skill in Martiall discipline It is therefore but what he merits if we recomend him to your Majesty that the allowances granted him by them formerly be paid This we will take very kindly nor shall we upon any the like occasion that may offer grudge to gratify your Mâ—…jesty whom we wish all hapyâ—… and prosperity unto From our Court at Westminster Octob. An. Dom. 1656. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugall S. D. Most Serene King Friend and dearest Confederate Thomas Evans Skipper and one of the Subjects of this Lâ—…d complains that haveing served the Brasile Company Annis 1649. and 1650 in a small vessell of his of about forty Tuns and whereof he was himselfe Master the said vessell with all her Freight and apparell was taken from him pursuant to a comand of your Majestys So that the damages done the man besides the loss of six yeares profit amounts according to the Report of the Commissioner appointed by the League to decide differrences on both sides to above seaven thousand pounds sterling or twice that number of Milreis of Portugall Which proveing such a great affliction to the a foresaid Thomas so as to be constrain'd to repair to Lisbon to recover his Right according to Tearms of the Treaty humbly prayed us that we vvoud graâ—…t him our Letters to your Majesty Wee altho we did the last year writ on behalfe of those merchants cause in Comon to whom the Brasile Company is indebted yet that we may be wanting to none justly requireing our help pray that the consideration of our friendship
may be an inducement to your Majesty to take particular care of this mans case so direct your people that nothing may in your City stand in this mans way which may interrupt his demanding without delay recovering forthwith what ever the said Company or any others â—…an accountable to him in God incrâ—…se your Majesty in perpetuall felicity and render our friendship dâ—…eable From our Court at Westminster Octob. An. Dom. 1656. Your Mâ—…jesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the Illustrious and Magnificent Citty of Hamburgh Noble Magnificent and worthy Gentlemen dearest Friends James and Patrick Hay Subjects of this Republick made us their heavy complaint setting forth that being the lavvsul heires to a third brother called Alexander vvho died intestate and so declared by a sentence of your Court pronounc'd thirteen yeares ago against his vviddovv avvarding the petitioners the Estate of their said Brother dedueting onely her portion coud not hither to either by by their ovvne solicitation or the interposition of the late King Charles vvho vvrit to that effect received he benefit of the said sentence That the purse and â—…ntrest of one Albert van Eisen a great Man among you in whose hands great part of this Estate lies are made use of to keepe them out of their Right who Acts all he can to prevent their Recepit thereof Being thus eluded sham'd oft with delays and at length reduced to great poverty and supplicateing that we woud not suffer them to sink under the oppression of a Corporation that 's our Friend And looking upon it as a principall branch of our Office to deny our assistance to none of our Subjects in cases wherein our help and protection are justly called for and applicable our Request to your Corporation shall not exceed what may be easily obtein'd and that is to give the said sentence its due force without suffering your Justice to be further suspended or the said Brethren exposed to any the like future delays whatever for we have consulted and accordingly herewith send you under Hand Sealed the opinion of our learn'd in the Law awarded here concerning their cause Wâ—…erein if Intreatys canoâ—… doe the Laws of Nations must 〈◊〉 such other methods as we woud willingly avoid the pursuit of and which we are confident your prudence will invite you to prevent From our Court at Westminster Octob 16. A. D. 1656. Yours most affectionately OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France S. D. Most Serene and Potent King Friend and dearest Confederate OUr Letters of the 14. of the May last was twelve Month are we suppose come to Your Majesty's hands containing acomplaint made by John Dethick then Lord Mayor of the Citâ—…y of London and William Wackfield Merchant who declared that a Ship of theirs called the John laden with their proper Goods to be transported to Ostend was snatched away from out of the River of Thames's mouth and carryed to Dunkirke by a cerâ—…ain Privateer Comissionated thereto by thâ—… Son of Charles Stuart That they pursuant to your Proclamations and Decrees of Councill prohibitting the admission into or sâ—…le of any Ship taken from tâ—…e Parliament of England in any of your Poâ—…ts praying Monsr l'Estrade Governour of that Gitty to comand the restitution of the said Sâ—…ipp and Goods had an answer â—…o way truly suitable to the worth of a Gentleman nor such as would seem inclinable to shew obedience enough to his Kings comands namely that the King of France conferred that Governership upon him in Consideration of services in the Warrs moreover that he would take care to improve it all he coud right or wrong for sooth he did not seem to matter which As if your Majesty had bestowed this Governership and office upon him to robb his Neighbours vvith and Wipe his breech as it were with Edicts proclaimd in their favour If the King of France will be no more concern'd at injurys done us by our 〈◊〉 then bâ—…ly to forbidd his Subjects from abetting therein a Royall Governour has in his connivance thereat not onely violated and dispised a Royall prohibition in suffering us to be robbd and made a prey of before your doores but he himselfe is the Robber and made a prey of us and owned himselâ—…e openly to be Author of the Fact Tâ—…e Merchants therefore puâ—…t off with this answer provoaked and eluded went away with a flea in their Eares Our letters of last yeares date carryed Your Majesty an account of this affair tho to as little purpose wee must confesse for we we have yet seen no answer thereto The reason why was we believe because that Governour attended about that time your army in Flanders he lives now at Paris or rather Rants up and downe Citty and Country loaded with the spoyles of our people unpunished This therefore brings your Majesty a Repetition of our said demands which concernes your Majesties owne Intrest principally to provide for that none dare to heighten the thing by adding the contempt of Royall Edicts to Injuries done his Neighbours This matter canot be properly referr'd or carried before the Deputys or Commissioners appointed to the decision of Controversys on both sides seeing it goes beyond the Right of Society Royall Authority and the reverence due to that name is struck at It is to be truly admired if Merchants will be more concerned at their sufferings then your Majesty at yours namely the diminution of your honour Which if you will not suffer you will at one stroake shew that it doth not repent you of any friendly office which those most friendly Edicts might have intended in favour of us and this Republick nor that you have connived at the sufferings of our people nor that you would not listen to our Demands I am in affection friendship and fellowship From our Court at Westminster An. Dom. 1656. Your Majesty's most affectionally OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Frederick the 3. King of Denmark Norway Vandalls and Gothes Duke of Slesvice Holsatia Stormaria and Dithmarsia Earle of Oldenburgh and Delmenhort c. S. D. Most Serene King Friend and dearest Confederate THis brings you an account of our Receipt of your Majesties Letters of the 16. of Frebuary from Hasnia brought by amost worthy Gentleman Simon de Perkinn your Embassadour here The peruseall of which and the very weight of their contents did so affect us that we did forthwith resolve upon sending unto your Majesty One furnished with such Instructions as should enable him to open unto Your Majesty at large our sense of this affair And altho we continue still under the same inclination yet we cou'd not hitherto fix upon one fit to be intrusted with a Matter
Testimony of our thought of him God prosper your affaires in subserviency to his owne Glory the defence of the true Protestant Religion and perseverance of friendshipp From our Court at Westminster Nomember Anno Dom. 1657. Your Highnesses most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the High and Mighty Lords the States Generall of the United Provinces High and Mighty Lords Friends and dearest Confederates WEE have in consideration of the long and clear experience had of his fidelity in several affaires uprightness and knowledge sent you George Downing Gentleman under the Character of our Envoy and furnished him with ample directions accordingly We therefore pray that you wou'd according to your wont receive him kindly and give credit to what he shall say as often as he shall signify his haveing ougt to be in our name comunicated to Your Excellency and likewise comit to him with as little distrust as if it were to ourselves whatever you wou'd have imparted unto us What we have to add is fervently to wish you all prosperity in subserviency to tâ—… Glory of God and the keeping up of the Church From our Court at Westminster December 1656. Yours Highnesse's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. To the States of Holland Wherâ—…as such is the correspondence between this Republick and Yours and such is the mutuall Trasficq that unless an Envoy or Agent be sent hither thence or hence thither matters of that great importance to tâ—…e advantage of both Nations canot be so conveniently carryed on We have in pursuance of comon Custome determin'd upon the sending you under that Character George Downing Gentleman a Person whom in the discharge of many and various former Trusts we found of great faithfullnesse integrity and knowledge To continue there in our name and spend his time in such offices as may seem most conduceing to the inviolable preservation and continuance of our alliance Haveing comunicated these things in writeing to the High and Mighty States we have thought it requisit to do the like to you also who in your Province bear so great a part of the government and are so considerable a limb of the States of Holland to the end you might receive our Envoy with all convenient decency And assure yourselves that what ever he treates with the States Generall about or conclude we shall stand thereto as imoveable and steddy as if we our selves were personally present there at God direct all your Councils and Actions to his owne Glory and the Repose of the Church Westminster c. Deeember 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinando Great Duke of Toskany Most Serene Great Duke much to be honoured Friend YOur Highness s Letter of the 10. of November from Florence has added considerably to our delight in that the contents thereof shew much of your affection towards us and that in a nature so extraordinary as to 〈◊〉 the true Image oâ—… a sincere mind Your Excellency writes of itâ—… haveing with all imaginable care we understand performed our Request which sollicited that you woud â—…ssue forth your comands for the appreâ—…ending of Wiliam Ellis Master of the ship called the Little Lewis who very dirtily broake his word to the Turcks and stopping in port the said shipp and Goods till the Turcks had restitution made them to prevâ—…nt any disgrace that might ariâ—…e from such Theft to the reputation of Christianity Wee therefore both thanke you for this kindnesse and withall desire this that in regard thè Merchants undertooke to satisfy the Turkes you forthwith discharge the said Master shipp and Goods least we shoud seem to take more care of the concernes of Infidels then those of our owne people Your Highness es affection has been in the mean time so apparent so 〈◊〉 and so acceptable unto us that to deferr our wishes of being supplyed with an occasion of makeing you suitable Returnes were to own the stain of being reputed ungratefull persons and whereby we might also demonstrate our dispofition of mind in the ready returne of our effectuall acknowledgments From our Court at Westminster December An. Dom. 1657. Your Highness's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland c. Most Serene c. YOur Majesties Letter of the 21. of February from your Court at Selandia came pregnant with matter enough to fill us with satisâ—…action of no small degree in reference as well to our own private as the concerne of the intire welfare of Christendome First that the King of Denmarck to gratify I believe no private Inclination or end of his owne but driven into hostility rather by the artifice of the comon Enemy shoud be upon your entry into the bowles of his Countrâ—… suddainly so reduced and that without much blood that as the case stood he judged his takeing up of armes against you might be ameanes of his atteining at length to a more advantagious peace Next concluding that the onely means of accomplishing such a peace was to make use of our interposition if he coud obteine it that your Majesty prevailed upon at the single â—…nstance of our Envoy in his letter shoud in so easy a condescention shew what value it had for the interposition of our friendshipp and Intrest and to have been pleased to lodge my endeavour in the front of so pious aworke so as to become the main Instrument and author my selâ—…e of a peace so promiseing as this I hope may be to the Protestant Intrest For whereas the Enemys of Religion dispaired of disuniteing yours by any other meanes then that of setting you by the Eares among your selves they must now certainly have reason to apprehend that this suddain conjunction of your forces and of your minds we hope may turne to the destruction of the kindlers of this Warr Go on in the mean time most valiant King in prosperity and see that the Enemys of the Church smart now thro Gods help under the weight of that felicity which they lately admired in your exploits and stream of victories against a King now your friend OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinando Great Duke of Toskany Most Serene Prince OUr answer to your Envoy here may we suppose prove of satisfaction to your Highnes concerning the Comander in chiefe of our fleet lately arrived in your Roade Wee have been in the mean time petitioned unto by John Hosier a Londoner and Master of a certain vessell called the Mistriss wherein he says that haveing in the Month of Aprill 1656 comited by charter party his shipp to one Joseph Harman an Italian and finding that the said Italian apparently broake the Termes of the said Charter party was forc't to prevent the losse
in the Goverment of that Kingdome What ever kindness your Eminency will please to shew him reckon it to my account who shall add it to the maâ—… other Instancâ—…s of friendshipp which you have been curteously and amicably concern'd in upon my account Dated at Westminster May An. Dom. 1658. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To His Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Lord. HAveing sent a very worthy Gentleman Thomas Bellasis Vicount Faulcounbridge my Son in Law to compliment the most Serene King upon his arrivall at Dunkirke I comanded him to attend upon and salute your Eminency in my name and thanke you as the person to whose fidelity prudence and vigilance alone the affaires 〈◊〉 France in divers places and in the neighbour hood of flanders more especially ovv their prosperity against the 〈◊〉 Enemy the Spaniard whom I hope open prepared force may soon bring to a Reckoning for his fraudulent underhand dealings wherein consisted much of his defence Towards the speedy promotion of which our Prayer and Pikes shall not as farr aâ—… we are able be wanting Dated at Court at Westminster An Dom. 1658. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c To the most Serene aud Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King Friend and August Confederate AS soone ever as I had an account of Your Majestys comeing into the field and with such a force to lay a siege to Dunkirke that infamous Recess for Theeves I grew much affected thereat and began to entertain sure apprehensions that little time might with Gods assistance render the sea more navigable and less inflected with Rovers thâ—…n it has hitherto been that Your Majesty woud bring the fraudulent Spaniards to an account for Hesden and Ostend being both the purchase of corruption and Bribery by wâ—…ning that with your sword which was Iost thrô the treachery of ill servants I therefore send Thomas Vicount Falkonbridge my Son in Law and a very worthy person to bidd you and the approach of your Camp so neeer welcome and to let you know personally how ready are not onely our wisâ—…es but also our united strength to testify the affection we bear to tâ—…e good successe of your conqâ—…ests and our supplications to the Almighty Great God for your safety and the long continuance thereof for the comon good of Christendom and the friendshipp wherein we are now engaged Dated at Westminster May An. Dom. 1658. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinando Great Duke os Toskany Most Serene Great Duke THe Purport of all your Highness s former letters haveing invited us into a dependance upon the sincerity of the disposition you boâ—…r us Wee are troubled to find that the same has been so obscurely signified unto â—…our Governours and publicke Ministers or soe ill understood as that in the port of Livorne where your good Inclinations towards us ought most to be knowne we canot receive the benefit or Eflect thereof but the contrary rather from the Tryalls which we are forced to contend dayly vvith of animosities and strangness Wee seem to have more then knovvne the unfriendlynesse vvith vvhich those of Livoâ—…ne lately treated our Fleet how little help or supply it cou'd receive and finâ—…lly with what hostility entertained and how it was forc't â—…o quit that Port as the Testimony of several credible wiltnesses belonging to that place makes appear as well as that of the Comander in chiefe of the Fleet whom as we have intrusted therewith we canot denâ—… beliefe unto in this point Upon his first arrival the delivery of our Letters to Your Highnessse about the Calends of 〈◊〉 your Promises of all Friendship and good Offices passed to our Men were very large When praying the liberty of makeing use of the conveniency of Port Ferara the following Reply was given that the same cou'd not be granted least the King of Spaine our Enemy shoud be offended at it forsooth And yet what is it that a friendly Prince is more usual in the grant of to his Neighbours then the liberty of his Port and shore What is it that we can propose of advantage from such a Friendship which rather then offend our Enemys shall be found ready er to incomode then act the contrary or supply us in the least of our necessities And more particularly that out of every of our Ships there were not above two or three suffer'd to goe a shore and that conditionally too videlicet Praticque That as soone ever as the Towne understood and had notice of our haveing intercepted a Dutch Vessel design'd for Sapine with a supply of Corne there was present admittance Mr Longland President to our Factory there was denyed the Liberty of going a board our Fleet Fresh Water which is a comodity free for the use of all Nations that are not dovvne right Enemys vve cou'd not obtaine but at an extâ—…aordinary price and that under the difficulty of a Guard too So many of our Merchants vvhose Residence there is of no small advantage to your Country are forbid to visit or help their Countrymen vvith any thing Upon the approach of our Fleet about the latter end of March last none were suffer'd to go a shore Five days aâ—…ter vvhen by chance one of our Men of vvarr â—…ell fo vvl of a little inconsiderable Boat belonging to the States of Venice and tooke her your City tooke it in such a Dudgeon I warrant you as to have accosted us vvith tvvo hundred Guns or thereabouts tho vvithout damage vvhat ever they intended Which argues how farr into the sea from the reach of your Castle and the privilege of your Port these things were comitted which you woud causlely pretend to be an incroachment upon the priviledge of 〈◊〉 port For presently our Waterboates then a shore vvere set upon before your doores one taken detained and vvhen demanded that vvithout restitution of the said Naple's boot notwitstanding the justifiableness of her capture considering vvhere it happen'd nor men 〈◊〉 boate were to be parted with so that our People were 〈◊〉 at last to rest contended under their losses and pack away without carrying along what they so dearly paid for If all these things were as we hope they were committed without the consent or comand of Your Highnesse we desire that you shew it in the punishment of that Governour who made so slight a matter of 〈◊〉 â—…is masters 〈◊〉 But if otherwise and that you were privy to it thinke that as we alwayes valued your friendship at an extraordinary Rate so we have learn'd the lesson of distinguishing between kindnesses and open Injuries Iam. c. Dated at our Court at Westminster May An. Dom. 16â—…8 Your Friend as far as I may OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and potent Prince Lâ—…vis King of France Most Serene and potent King Friend and august Confederate THE double amends made
that God may preserve Your Eminency long and as an â—…nstrument for the promotion of the comon Good of both Nations Westminster September 1658. â—…HARD Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Sereâ—…e and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandals c. Most Serene and pâ—…tent King Friend and Confederate WHen I coâ—…sider that it is scarce possible for me to follow the patern of my fathers vertuâ—…s without I expres it in a desire of retaining valuing those Intrests also which were both the purchase of his valour and that which 〈◊〉 judged very adviseable to retaine and cherish Youâ—… Ma â—…sty need noâ—… qâ—…stion whether I understand the incumbency of continueing that study and affection towards you which my father of most famous memory seems to hâ—…ve entertaind Notwithstanding therefore that I do not upon my entry upon this Gâ—…verment and its dignity find things in such a posture 〈◊〉 the present so as to be able to be so quick in an answer to sâ—…me heads offeâ—…r'd by Your Embassâ—…dours as I woud â—…et tâ—… continue the League establish by my father with Your Majesty enter into another also of stricter Tearins is a thing I shall very willingly Listen to And sâ—… soone as I have a true state of things as they stand of both sides shall as far as concernes me be alwayes very ready to come to such Resolutions as shall seem to consist most with the advantage oâ—… both Goverments God in the mean time long preserve Your Majesty to his owne Glory and the defence and protection of the Orthodox Church Dated at our Court at Westminster October 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Repub. of England c. To the most seâ—…ene and potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes Vandalls Great Prince of Finland Duke of Scania Erthonia Careâ—…ia Bremen verda Vandal Prince of Russia Lord of Engria Wismar as also Count Pallatin of the Rhine Bavaria Julia Clivia and Duke of the Mounts Most Serene Potent King Friend and Confiderate THis brings you an account of my receipt of both Your Majesties Letters the one by your Eâ—…vo and the other transmitted unto us from Mr Philip Meadow our Embassadour Which denote not onely Your Mâ—…griefe concerning the death of my most Serene father evident your opinion of him but of me also his successor your expectations of me And as to my father nothing can truly add to his future 〈◊〉 which for nobility or worâ—…h can exceed the praise of so worthy a person nothing that can portend mâ—…re good Luck to my undertakeing of the administration of the Goverment then to be câ—…ngratulated by so great a Congratulator nothing of an estate tho never so plentiful coud have advâ—…nced so farr towards the kindleing an ambition of pursueing the vâ—…rtue of a father equall to so considerable a Councellour As to what you mention concerning the comon safety of Protestancy and the reasons you offer to draw us into a concurrence of with you I would have your Majesty believe that albeit since my arrivall to this Goverment the posture of our affaires has been such as to have taken up and approprinted the Reâ—…ult oâ—… our dilligence care and vigilancy to the speciall consideration oâ—… matters at home yet nothing has been or is dearer or more in our purposes then to employ all meanes tending to the support of that alliance ratify'd in my fathers time with Your Majesty I have therefore taken care of sending a fleet to the Baltique sea with such Instrucons as our Envoy pursuant to such directions as we â—…ave given him at large relateing thereto shall communicate to Your Majesty Whom the Almighty God take care of the safety of and make â—…ortunate and succesfull in all your undertakeing in referrence more particularly to the Orthodox faith for whose defence may he long stand by you Dated at our Court at Westminster October 13. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of England c To the most Serene and potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandalls c. Most Serene and potent King Friend and Confederate I send Your Majesty the best thing I coud part with both in wâ—…rth and Excellency I mean Sir George Ascue Knight a very worthy and noble Gentleman a person of long knowledge and Tryed experience not onely in warlike affaires especially those of the sea but also inrich'd 〈◊〉 integrity Modesty understanding and learning unwelcome upon the account of his most acceptable moralls to none and which is above all now â—…or some time under a desire of serveing under Your Majesties 〈◊〉 so famous every where upon the score of your power in warlike discipline And woud have Your Majesty thinke that what ever you please to comit to the care of this man either of trust or otherwise wherein faithfulnesse experience and courage is requisit to be shewn or exercised you canot doe it to a more faithfull stout or probably skillfull person As to what I committed to his Trust to be communicated to Your Majesty let his admittance I pray be quick his audience curteous and that very weight laid upon what he says which you woud upon our imediat delivery thereof shew him such respect withall as you shall judge convenient to be shewen to a person of his character for his merits very worthy of our recomendation That God may blesse your affaires and assign them a happy Issue and that to his owne Glory and the support of the Orthodox Faith Dated at our Court at Westminster October 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of Svveedland Gothes and Vandals Most Serene and potent King Friend and confederate COmplaint has been made us by Petition in the name of Samuel Piggot of London Merchant setting forth his haveing lately sent two shipps the one called the Post Jacob Tidd Master and the other the Water dog Graband Pieters Master from London into France upon the account of Trade thence to Amsterdam with their loading of salt thence to Stetin neere Pomerania in the Baltique sea within your jurisdiction the one in her Ballast and the other with her freight of salt loaded at the joint cost of the petitioner and one Peter Hensbergh who was his Copartener But that both the said shipps were as he understands sett upon and taken by some of your Forces in some part of the said sea and retain'd Altho he has to prevent this mischiefe sent a Certificate under the seal of the Admiralty Court with both the said ships testifying that 〈◊〉 the moity of the said herings the sole propriety of both lay peculiarly in him Which haveing made clear proof of before us I 〈◊〉 desire that in regard the losse of both the ships canot be without very greâ—… prejudice to the man and it may be the 〈◊〉 of his whole fortune Your Majesty wou'd charge and comand
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
esteeme But as to what you mention concerning what the Churches may hope or expect from me I pray God I may be able to answer the same one time or other if they need it and let the World see how I stand inclined towards it For I should not truly judge my selfe better rewarded in any thing ariseing from the station I hold in this my Republicke then to be able to promote the Intrest safety and which exceeds all the repaire of the reformed Churches Let me therefore earnestly desire that the piety and affection with which You professe the Orthodox Faith transmitted unto You from Your Ancestors be to the end steddily and constantly adhered unto Nor will there be any thing more truly worthy both Your selfe and Your most Religious progeny nor ought wherein I can wishingly expresse my gratitude in better and clearer acknowledgments of Your Obligations upon me albeit I wish all things well for Your sake then to compose and accommodate Your selfe so as that the Churches those of Your Countrey more especially under whose Discipline You have had so 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 and education may in you sensibly find a protection proportionable to those Merits wherein you exceed others Whitehall April 1655. OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince Emanuel Duke of Savoy Prince of Piedmont greeting Most Serene Prince WEE are by letters sent us from Geneva as well as Delphin and many other places bordering upon your Confines informed of a proclamation lately published by your Royall Highnesse implying that if such of your Subjects as were Professors of the Protestant Religion did not within three dayes after the publication thereof either declare their renunciation of their owne and acceptance of the Popish Religion they were strictly charged to forsake their Lands and habitations within twenty days after upon paine of forfeiting their lives and fortunes And that haveing thereupon made humble supplication to your Royall Highnesse praying that the same might be repealed and that they taken into former favour migt be restored to the Priviledges granted 'em by your most Serene Predecessors yet they were sett upon by part of your Army who cruelly murthered many chain'd others and drove the rest into wildernesses and uninhabited mountaines covered with Snow and desolation where hundreds of Familys are reduced to that extremity that it is much to be fear'd whether their misery may not be such as may soone draw utter Ruine upon them under the oppression of Cowld and hunger Upon our Receipt of this account we coud not truly decline our being troubled at hart at so unhear'd of a calamity imposed upon these most afflicted people But as we owne our selves united to them not onely as men but in communion of Religion altogether related as Brethren also We judged our selves imperfect in the discharge of our duty to God the charity due to our Brethren and our profession to Religion it selfe did we barely pity this calamity and misery of our Brethren without applying all the further endeavour we cou'd towards the meeting 'em with Reliefe against so many unexpected mischiefs Wee do therefore in the first place pray and beseech your Royal Highness with all imaginable earnestnesse to incline your heart to the continueing to your Subjects at Piedmont those Institutions granted and from time to times confâ—…irmed unto them by your most serene Predecessors In the allowance and conâ—… of which as thoir Grants were without doubt conformable to Gods owne approvall who has decreed and appropriated unto himselfe onely the inviolable Goverment and Jurisdiction of Soules so there was also due regard held doubtless to their meritts who in time of warr were found equally positive in their loyalty and courage and of peace subjects suitably obedient to Goverment And as your Royal Highnesse in all other things bravely and gloriously accomplished has pursued directly the paterne of your Forefathers so we do again and again beseech that you woud not begin to act the contrary in this but that this proclamation and if their be any other demand made use of to interrupt your Subjects upon the score of their professing the Reformed Religion be abolished they restored to their native Country and habitations their former Rights and libortys ratified unto 'em their sustain'd damages repaired and that you cause all their vexations to be drawen to an end Which if your Royall Highness will See done you will act a thing of utmost acceptance to God raise and comfort those miserable and calamitous peoplâ—… win the good opinion both of all your Neighbours and those who admire the Reformed Religion and more 〈◊〉 Ours who shall looke upon your kindness and clemency to them as the essectof this our Request Which will draw us under an obligation o makeing all suitable Returnes and lay a most solid foundâ—…tion not onely of an alliance and friendship to be raised but improved upon between this Goverment and yours Nor do we truly entertaine a cheaper opinion of your Justice and moderation of mind in this case To the 〈◊〉 of whom that Almighty God may incline your disposition and thoughts and do heartily wish both your selfe and people peace truth and a happy â—…ssue in all your affairs Whitehall May 1655. OLIVER P. of the Republick of England To the most Serene Prince 〈◊〉 Transsilvania greeting Most Serene Prince YOur Letters of the 16. of December 1654. whom this brings You an account of our receipt of have shewen Us the singular love and affection You bear Us Your Envoy who brought and delivered e'm haveing declared at large Your ambition of contracting a fellowship and alliance with this Government It did not truly please us in any small degree to meet with this occasion of declareing and demonstrateing all we can our inclination towards You and how much we ought to value that of Your Highnesses But considering that the account which we have had of Your clear Obligations upon and undertaking for the welfare of the Christian Republick hitherto unknown unto us otherwise then by report and that all these besides what You designe further to be concerned in either for the defence or promotion of the Christian Interest are come confirmed in the letters which Your 〈◊〉 ness has been so friendly pleased to send Us The same have plentiâ—…ully added to our satisfaction Namely that it has been Gods pleasure to have raised in those Countrys so powerful and worthy a Minister to the service of his Providence and Glory who notwithstanding the efficacy of his owne power and Arms desires to joyne with Us for the Defence of the Protestant Religion now groaning under the oppression and design of all hands But God whose providence has inspired us both albeit at this distance with the same inclination and disposition towards the support of the Orthodox Religion he will doubtless become our Author in such future Resolutions as may enable Us to be in and among our selves as wel as all other Protestants and
this very worke will make a thro conquest over the harts of all the Protestants inhabiting your owne Dominions who in times of difficulty have been already found of unexceptable affection and loyalty towards you as well as shevv your Neighbours that Royall Councill has no vvay abetted to this Mischiefe whatever Royall Ministers and Magistrates might presume to have done Especially if your Majesty exacts due punishment to be examplified upon those Captains and Officers who pursuant to their owne Wills and Pleasures have dared to be the Actors of such inhumane villanys In the mean time when your Majesty will thinke fit to shew your aversnes to the detestation this deserves I do not doubt but that your Kingdome may by your allowance become a reception and secure refuge to those miserable and distressed People when their address shall seeme to call for 't nor that you will suffer that any of your Subjects give the Duke of Savoy any assistance to their prejudice What we have to add is to assure your Majesty how much I esteeme your friendship To the improvement of which I assert to be wanting neither in faith nor â—…ndeavour I am your Majesty's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England Whitehall July 29. 16â—…5 To his Excellency Cardiual Mazarine Most eminent Lord Cardinall Upon my resolveing to send the bearer with Letters whereof the inclosed is a Copie to the King I did then direct him to accost your Eminency in my Name and committed some things to his Trust to be comunicated to you in particular Wherein I desire your Excellency to give him full Credit as being a person in whom I have reposed very great confidence Whitehall July 29. 1655. Your Eminency's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector c to the most Serene Prince Frederick the 3. King of Denmarke Norway c greeting YOur Majesty has erè this we judge and that as much to your griefe as becomes a champion and a Protestant Prince had an account of the unmercifull proclamation lately published by Imanuel Duke of Savoy for the overthrow of his own Subjects inhabiting about the Alpes inocent People and men of note and Renowne and that for the sincerity of their Zeale to the true Protestant Religion for many yeares past haveing driven them out of their native Land out of detestation to their Faith and after butchering many exposâ—…d the rest needy naked and loâ—…ded with all other miserys unto all the mischiefs and hardships which those desered mountains usually administer If the principles of Christianity layes an obligation upon us in generall to resent or Sympathize the sufferings of any particular scanâ—…leing thereof we do not if well acquainted with your piety prudence know of any that can clearlyer foresee what danger the example and consequence of this Fact bespeakes us all as well as the protestant Intrest then your selfe Wee have therefore exercised all freedome in our letters to let you know that however you resent this calamity of our most inocent brethren what opinion or judgment we expect you may entertaine of it the same shoud be a paterne for our imitation And for that reason have writ to the Duke of Savoy where we earnestly prayed that he wou'd treat the poore and meeke more spareingly and prevent the said bloody proclamation's being of any further Force Which if your Majesty and the rest of the Protestant Princes have imitated or otherwiâ—…e perform'd as we believe you have it is to be hoped that the most Serene Duk 's fury may be allayed and this his Rage appeased at the intercession and Instance of so many Neighbouring Princes at least But if he will rather choose to continue his resolution we declare our readynesse to joine with your Majesty the rest of our Confederats concern'd for the â—…ntrest of the Protestant Religion in such a resolution as may provide for their speedy Reliefe srom their distresse and do what we can for their sasety and Liberty Our prayers in the mean time bespeake your Majesty all health and happynesse Westminster May 1655. OLIVER Protector c. To the most Noble Magistrates and Senators of Geneva OUr Letters lately send you to shoud have intimated the very great griefe conveyed unto us from the vast and unheard of calamitys to which the Duke of Savoy has exposed the Protestants inhabiting in and about the Vallyes of Piedmont did we not then make it more our businesse to let you know that we were not onely concern'd at such their miserys as it was our care to provide all we could for their reliefe and comfort Wherefore we have caused a Collection to be levyed over all this Republick which we justly expect may prove such as may expresse the passionat affection which this Land bear to their Brethren ' in time of such most inhumane persecution And as we are One in point of Religion so we ought to admit of a fellowfeeling of their Calamityes In the meane time while the Collection is a raising which will take up time And considering that their want and helplessnes canot admit of any delay we have judged it necessary to transmit with all imaginable speed to be before hand distributed among 'em who shall appear most to need present help comfort the present sum of 2000. li But in as much as wee know how much the miserys and Injurys done Inocencyl affect you and that you will looke upon nothing either painfull or troublesome that may tend to their help and assistance we have ventured the transmitting the said sume to you to be distributed among these calamitous people and give you the trouble of considering in your piety and prudence of the justest method pursuant to vvhich that money may be soonest disposed of among the needyest of those people And albeit the sume is truly small Yet some vvhat it may be at least tovvards their present Ease and refreshment till vve grovv able to enlarge our charity by sending them a greater sume And as vve doubt not of your accepting of this employment in good part so vve pray the Omnipotent Great God to furnish his ovvne Protestant people vvith the courage of desending each other in common and of being a mutuall assistance to each other against the barbarity of their enemy vvherein vve shoud be gladd that our endeavour might be of any use to the service of the Church Adieu Fifteen hundred pounds of the said sume of two thousand remitted by Gerard Hensh to Paris the other five hundred shall be taken care of by Master Stoupely in bills of exchange OLIVER Protector of England c. To the most Serene Prince Duke of Venice Most Serene Prince As we have been always found manifest 〈◊〉 of your Outdoing your Enemys in Instances 〈◊〉 to the promotion of the Christain Interest more particularly so now more especially at the tydeing of the late Sea-battle which we no way repine at the success of
mean time Most Serene Prince left a samous declaration of your inclination to the Churches as â—…n everlasting monument becoming your family and a patern fit for the imitation of all Princes hereafter Wee do pursuant to your deserts pray that the great good God may bless all your other undertakeings with as much felicity as you your selfe can desire and continue you in your present mind no alteration being able to mend it Westminster March An. Dom. 1656. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Duke of Courland Most Serene Prince YOur kind entertainment of our Embassadour during those few dayes he stayed in Your Country in his way to the Duke of 〈◊〉 has beside other considerations shewed Your Highness's opinion of us who hope that your owne natural disposition added to our interposition may 〈◊〉 Your Highnesse not toalter those inclinations of your kindnesse towards us now â—…n the case of John Jameson a Scotchman who having 〈◊〉 you seaven yeares and that faithfully as Master at Sea deliver'd a Ship of yours lately comitted to his charge in her Ballast to the care of a Pilot upon her arrival as the custome is in the Mouth of the River and made out by good evidence that discovering the ignorance of the said Pilot did all he coud to advise him so that the miscarriage of the said Ship can be no way imputed to him but wholly to the un skill fulnesse or obstinacy of the said Pilot. Admitting which it s our earnest Request to Your Excellency that the said Shipwrack be not laid to the said John the Master's charge nor the wages remaining due to him stopt therefore upon that score which is what he has left to subsist comfort himselfe with or take to in the end having by a precedent shipwrack lost what he had a little before Westminster March Anno 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Repbul of England c. To the Noble Consuls and Senators of the Commonwealth of Switzerland S. P. D. Most Noble Magnificent Gentlemen WE have been alwayes of opinion that in Industry Riches and Practise of Arts and Sciences the Fame of your Citty might vie and stand in competition with any the Noblest Citty s whatever Now having chosen to take part with Poland rather then Sweedland in that Warr which has for a considerable time raged upon the Frontiers of your Country it were truly to be wished that the consideration of that Religion which you professe and of the antient Comerce between you and the English had inclined you to the choice of such Resolutions as shoud seeme to consist with the Glory of God and the dignity and splendor of your Corporation We therefore pray that the Alliance established by the length of custome and now extant between the English Nation and you my name if it may add any thing may induce you to set at liberty the Noble and famous Conismarek the chiefest among the Sweedish Captains a singular person in warlike discipline more especially and who has been casually and thro the Treachery of his People betrayed at Sea and by the Law of Warr not yet gott to the height of bitternesse made Prisonner But if you shou'd chance to Judge it inconsistent with the present posture of your affairs to free him that then you wou'd please to render his Confinement more easy Whatever of these two you happen to resolve upon you will resolve upon that which will be truly and principally consistent with the reputation of your Corporation and consequently beget the esteem of all Noble Comanders oblige us more especially in an extraordinary manner what ever you thinke it may avail you From our Court at Westminster Anno Dom. 1657. Your most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince and Lord the Emperour and Great Duke of all Russia Lord of Voladomar Muschow Novogrady King of Kazin and Astracan Syboria Lord of Vobsco Great Duke of Novcgrod and of the Law Countreys Chernigoy Rezanscoa c. Lord of all the North Seas also Lord of Everscoa Cartaluisa and many other Places S. P. D. THe antiquity of the alliance great and generally noted Trafficq together with the vast and antient comerce for along time observed betvveen this Government and your people but Great Emperour that 〈◊〉 vertue more especially wherein you outdo your Ancestors very much with the opinion entertained thereof by all your Neighbouring Princes have been our principall Inducement to cherish that affection for your Majesty which vve do and communicate thereto what vve may judge not a little conduceing to the Intrest of Christian affaires and suitably subservient to the Glory of your Name Previous whereto Wee have deputed under the character of our Embassadour to your Majeay a very vvorthy Gentlemen Mr Richard Bradshaw in whose fidelity Integrity Prudence and experience we have been sufficiently satisfied by his discharge of former Embassys and who comes fully capacitated to make kowne the singular affection and observance we bear you and suitably impower'd to treat with your Majesty concerning the affaires above mentioned Be plased therefore to receive him curteously in our name and order him as he shall have occasion for it 〈◊〉 access to your speech and Ear with proportionable credit to what he shall propose or transact and that in as full a 〈◊〉 as you woud unto us if personally present Wee wish that the Almighty and Great God may bless Your Majesty and Kingdome of Russia with all properity From our Court at Westminster April An. Dom. 1657. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothe aud Uandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthon Carelia Bremen Verd Stetin Pomerania Cassuby and Vandall c. Most Serene and Potent King Friend and dearest confederate WIlliam Jepson Kinght and a member 〈◊〉 our Parliament vvho reckons it an honour to have the delivery hereof to your Majesty comes to let your Majesty knovv vvith vvhat trouble and griefe of mind 〈◊〉 vve surprised at our receipt of the 〈◊〉 of that fatall warr arisen between your Majesty and the King of Sweedland and how much its become our study and care to advance as 〈◊〉 as God will enable us to go towards the 〈◊〉 stopping of this growing mischiefe and 〈◊〉 to beat back those calamitys which this warr must necessarily beget to the generall concerns of Religion now more especially at a time when our adversarys are visibly seen united in their most pernicious counsells and consequently in their strength against us These and many other considerations and reasons of utmost moment to the publick advantage of both Nations have been our inducements to dispatch this very worthy Gentleman under the character of our Envoy Extraordinary to your Majesty whom
we pray you to 〈◊〉 kindly and throly confide in in referrence to such things as he shall comunicate in our name to your Majesty as being a person whose fidelity prudence we confide very much in praying withal that you woud not in the least suspect our singular affection and sincerity we bear Your Majesty Which our disposition of mind and redynes to Serve you upon all occasions shall contain real demonstrations of From our Court at Westminster 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. To this Excellency the Lord of Bourdeaux Embassadour Extraordinary from his most 〈◊〉 Majesty the King of France Most Excellent Sr. SAmuel Dawson John Campsey and John Nevin Merchants of London have preferred a petition to the most Serene Lord Protector setting forth that they upon their being informed of the conclusion of the Treaty between this Republick and France freighted Anno 1655. a ship called by a Name not answered by her luck viz. the Speedwel whereof John Karr war Master with 〈◊〉 comodities to be thence transported to Portugall where haveing unloaded and taken in fresh freight consisting in Wines and other comodities was in her way back set upon about the 24. of November in the said year and seized by two Men of Warr belonging to Brest whose Comanders were called the one Adrian Vindmain Swart and the other James Jonshon who carried her to a place comonly called Brivat where shee was condemn'd as lawfull prize and exposed to publick sale the goods taken from 'em being bona fide and really worth eleaven hundred pounds besides the further damage of a thousand pound That they pursued all lawfull meanes with the Governour and Magistrates of that place to recover'em That all amounted to nothing hitherto That they 〈◊〉 pursuant to the Customes of the Admiralty Court sued out a publication whereby they were to be sumond and cited to Justice who were concern'd in the capture of the said shipp who 〈◊〉 to insist upon the legalty of their Seizure That this publication was duely orderly published delivered 〈◊〉 the publick Ministers of the saide Court timelily 〈◊〉 to the French Embassadour That when none appeared on the contrary side it was desired that witnesses might be 〈◊〉 and examin'd concerning the matter under 〈◊〉 Which as it was presented to the Lord Protector by the petitioners and by him referred to the cognisance and opinion of the Councill and whereas the affidavits of witnesses annexed to the petition make plain enough that the petitioners were at liberty to trade with Portugall and seeing none can be so blind but may see that the after-seisure of Goods bought and loaded there is as we said before an act contrary to the reputation of the alliance who canot but judge it a very 〈◊〉 demand to have the said shipp and goods restord or full satisfaction made of the damage 〈◊〉 from this 〈◊〉 in referrence as well to the expence 〈◊〉 in the prosecution at Law as the goods and shipp themselves Let me therefore desire you in the name of the most Serene Protector added to my own request to Your Excellency that you woud endeavour all you can and therein to employ the Authority of Your Employment too towards the speedy effecting of either of the two In regard you canot labour in a cause more equitable nor that you can please me more in who by how much the earlyer Your Excellency shall appear to have acquitted your 〈◊〉 in what you ought to do herein by so much the more that diligence shall appear which I am always inclinable to observe in the allowance of the demands made upon me by my people Whitehall August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Lord Frederick Williams Duke of Brandenburgh High Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Empire and Prince Elector of Magdeburgh Prussia Julia Clivia the Mountains of Stetin Pomerania Cassubyes and Vandalls as also in Silesia Crosna and Carnovia Duke Burgrave Norinbergin Prince of Halberstad and Mind Earle of Marca and Ravensbergh Lord in Ravestein S. P. D. Most Serene Prince Friend and dearest Confederate WHereas you 〈◊〉 singular vertue in peace Warr haveing sounded all over the world with that Renowne such is your Greatnes and 〈◊〉 of courage that the ambition of your friendship is gaped at by the neighbouring Princes about you so as that none need to desire a friend and neighbour of more fidelity or constancy Wee have also to let you know of our being one of thsoe who entertaine high and clear thoughts of you and Your Exttaordinary obligations upon the Christian Republick 〈◊〉 you a very worthy Gentleman William Jepson Knight and one of our Parliament Men who comes to Salute 〈◊〉 in our name bespeake and wish your affaires all happynesse and finally to make knowne at large the love and great affection vve bear Your Highnesse Praying that vvhatever proposalls he makes you you listen thereto vvith as much attention and confidence as you vvoud to our selves if personally present at the delivery thereof From our Court at Westminster August Dom. 1656. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Noble Magistrates and Senators of the City of Hambrough S. P. D. Most Noble Magnificent and worthy Gentleman Dearest Friends HAveing directed a very worthy Gentleman William Jepson Knt and member of our Parliament upon his going thrô 〈◊〉 Citty in his way to the most Serene King of Sweedland whether we sent him on an Embassy not to pass by without saluteing you in our name and praying that if in ought he judged your Authority and advice to be of any service to him you woud deny him in neither The freelyer you shew you selves wherein the more sensible shall you be made of our disposition towards you From 〈◊〉 Court at 〈◊〉 August An. 〈◊〉 1657. To the most noble Magistrates of the Citty of Bremen S. P. D. Most Noble Magnisicent and Worthy Gentlemen Dearest Friends YOu have heretofore and shall as often as there is occasion for it be made sensible how you stood in our opinion and affection and that as well out of regard to your Religion as the Renowne of your Citty Now whereas William Jepsâ—…n Kut a member of our Parliament and a very worthy person may in his way to the most Serene King of Sweedland whether he goes on an Embassy pass thro â—…our Citty our present request to you amounts to no more then this that upon his delivery of our Salutes which he is directed to hand to you if in any thing he happens to need your help or â—…iendshipp we have ordered him to propose our â—…ntrest with you as an inducement to your complying with him in any demand he shall make upon you wherein we no lesse rely upon your allowance of then you ought to doe upon our love and singular affection towards you From our Court at Westminster August An. Dom.
16â—…7 OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Noble Corporation of Lubeck Most Noble Magnificent and worthy Gentleman Dearest Friends WIlliam Jepson Knt a very worthy person and a Member of our Senat proceeds under the character of our publick minister to the most Serene King of Sweedland's Court held not farr distant from yours Do therefore pray that while his Journey happens to continue within the limits either of your Citty or Jurisdiction our alliance and comerce may be inducements to you to aid if need be and protect him We moreover directed him to salute you in our name very kindly and invite you to an assurance of our Clear disposition of mind and 〈◊〉 towards you From our Court at Westminster August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Noble Magistrates and Senators of the Citty of Hambrugh S. P. D. Most Noble Magnificent and worthy Gentlemen Dearest Friends PHillip Meddow who brings you this takes your Citty in his way to Denmarke whether wee have sent him as our Embassadour to the most Serene King of that Câ—…ntry Whom we earnestly recomend to your favour if in any thinâ—… he may judge it needfull to make use of your Authority or help Praying that our Recomendation be of no less weight now than it was always wont to draw with you who shall 〈◊〉 of nothing from us of an acknowledgment upon a like occasion From our Court at Westminster August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Frederick Heir of Norway Duke of Slesvice Holsatia Flormaria Ditmarsia Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst WEe have sent William Jepson to the most Serene King of Denmarke being a Gentleman of a noble Family member of our Parliament to treat with him as our Embassader about an affair that concernes the felicity and prosperity of the peace of Christendome And have among other things directed him to visit and salute in his way shither your in our name and make mention of our former kindness and most constant affection And desire that your Authority may be employed to secure and 〈◊〉 his Journey thrô your Country In which your Highness will oblige us and ours in a more speciall manner to suitable Returnes From our Court at Whitehall August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinando Great Duke of Toskany Most Serene great Duke Dearest Friend APplication has been made unto us by petition in the names of severall Merchants tradeing to the Levant Seas setting forth that one William Ellis master of a certain shipp called the Little Lâ—…wis being by an Otoman Peere hired in the 〈◊〉 of Alexandria to carry Rice Suggars with other comodities thenceâ—… Constantinople or Smirna there to be disposed of to his directions the said person withdrew from the 〈◊〉 fleet and contrary to his Trust 〈◊〉 the said 〈◊〉 to Livorne where he disposes of it as prized Goods Which misbehaviour as it is of utmost 〈◊〉 example of great infamy to the name of Christians and a passage that may expose the fortunes of such English Merchants as live in the Ottoman Empire to Reprizall Wee desire that your Highnese woud Issue your Comands for the apprehension and laying up of the said perfon secureing in the mean time the said shipp and Goods till intimation be transmâ—…tted hence to the said Ottoman Prince of the care taken of the Reâ—…titution of his said Goods Promiseing that if your Excellency shall happen to need the like from us in any Instance of this kind we shall be as ready to answer it as we are now to aske From our Court at Westminster An Dom. 1657. Your Highness's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince and Lord the Lord Frederick William Duke of Brandeburgh c. Most Serene Prince Friend and dearest Confâ—…derate OUR last to Your Highnesse by William Jepson who either already has or soone may deliver'em will shew you what errand we have sent him upon and how that we could not have done the same without doing you the Justice of inserting som mentions of your vertues and the affection we bear you But to prevent any mans thinking that our notice of these great obligations of yours conferr'd upon the Protestant Interest and celebrated as such in the Report of all Men is the slight effect of ordinary Custome we must â—…ay hold upon the same argument now where tho we cannot be more sincere yet a little more large we have thought fit to be then we have been in our expressions towards Your Serenity And not without cause truly considering that we are dayly told that notvvithstanding all the attempts that are made upon you by the supple address of Trick and artifices yet your constancy and loyalty is found to give no way nor be perswaded to part from the friendship of a most couragious King and Confederâ—…t and that at a time when the condition of Sweedland is such as that it is manifest that your regard to the welfare of the Protestant Religion in general is the onely inducement that keepes you to their Society and no privat end of your owne As also when hem'd in and as it were besieged by private as well as publick enemy peeping from every Corner to continue neverthelesse that steddynesse and comanding-vertue as that the Judgment of the whole matter the Issue of this very great Warr seeme to acquiesce in whatever your shall determine Wherefore your Highnesse has no reâ—…son to question but promise it selâ—…e any thing that may be expected from our friendshipp who woud arraign our selfe of all Delinquency if we did seeme to entertaine cheaper thoug 〈◊〉 of your fidelity constancy and other Merits or seeme less in our acknowledgments to your particular Government upon the comon account oâ—… Religion As to the delay met with by John Frederick 〈◊〉 your Councellour and Embassadour here and our respitting hitherto that reply which according to our inclinations we ought to have made to his proposalls we pray that our Highnesse woud impute the same to the condition 〈◊〉 our affaires and not the said person whose Industry and diligence act and contend for it and rest assured that we looke upon nothing more dear or desireable then to be serviceable and assisting to your affaires so inseperable from the Intrest of the Protestant Religion Wee in the mean time pray in our prayers to to the most Great and Omnipotent God that your apparent vertue and courage may never saile fall under oppression or misse of its due reward and praise From onr Court at Westminster September An. Dom. 1657. Your Highnes's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of England c. To the most Excellent Lord Monsieur de Bourdeux Embassadour extraordinary from his most Serene Majesty the King
of ship goods and adventure to call him to Justice at Livornâ—… haveing previous thereto published according to the custome of Merchants in like cases and recorded the Cheat. But that he to back one fraud by another seized by a feign'd attach'ment upon six thousand Pieces of eight of one Mr Thomas Câ—…atterbuck money in the name of the Petitioner having to promote the design drawen in two other litigious fellowes That he after the expence of much money and time 〈◊〉 not attain to justice at Livorne nor indeed dared to appear at that Court for 〈◊〉 of the threatenings and snares â—…aid for him by his adversaryes Wee therefore pray Your Highness to be pleased to lend your help to this Petitioner thus oppressed and according to your wonted custome checque the artifice of his adverâ—…aries For it totally defeates the dâ—…signe of such Lawes as the authority of Princes confines Corporations unto if what violence and injury for want of the force of a Law canot doe terror and Threatenings must supply the place of to keepe the Lawes from being appealed unto Yet we do not doubt but that Your Highnesse whom the Almighty and most High God blesse with Peace Prosperity will order timely reproof to be awarded these methods of presumption Dated at Westminster 7. April Anno Dom. 1658. To the most Serene and potent Prince Levis King of France Most Serene and potent King Friend and aâ—…gust Confederate YOur Majesty may call to mind that when we treated about renewâ—…ning of the league the fortunately laid fundation of which has proved the spring whence arose so many advantages to both Parties concern d as well as expose the comon enemy to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that miserable Massacre befell at Piedmont whose cause 〈◊〉 and afflicted on all hands we did with great 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of mind recomend to your pity and Reliefe Nor do we thinke that Your Majesty has as far as concernes your own particular been wanting to a worke of that piety yea so human as not to have employed the extent of what you ought to have of favour or intrest with the Duke of Savoy Our interposition by Embassyes Letters and Prayers has in imitation of other many Princes and Corporations not been wanting After the execution of a most bloody Massacre upon both Sexes of all ages a peace is at length given or rather a secret kind of hostility wrapt up and laid under the vizard of a seeming peace The Conditions of this peace are brought to your Towne of 〈◊〉 yea those hard Ones but such as those wretched and needy people tired out with all imaginable hardship and cruelty wou'd gladly have condescended unto as hard and unjust as they were provided they were stood unto 〈◊〉 the Faith of every single one of 'em is eluded and violated under false constructions quibleing equivocations many being thrown out of their 〈◊〉 habitations prohibited the exercise of the Religion of their Forefathers new Taxes exacted new yokes clapt to their Necks to that degree that such as happen to fall in the way of the Soldiers who often â—…ally out upon 'em are either robb'd or murther'd To which add the new Levyes lately and secretly raised against 'em and such of 'em as are Roman Catholicques comanded to stepp out of the way within a certain time limitted so that all things seem now a fresh to threaten the Ruine and Destruction of those few which the last Massacre left undispacht Which I beseech and pray thaâ—… by that Right hand of Yours most Christian King which has confirmed the League and Alliance with us by the most holy reputation of that most Christian Title you will not suffer to be carryed on nor give countenanceto I do not mean any Prince for no Prince much lesse one of his tender yeares and motherly Spirit can entertain so much Tyrany but those most sanctified Murtherers to the promotions of so much liâ—…entious Tyrany The persons concern'd 〈◊〉 they pretend to act as servants and Pursuers of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our saviour Christ who came into the mansion of flesh to becom a sacrifice for the sins of mankind a buseing his most meeke name and Lawes in the cruel murther of the 〈◊〉 Releive you that can and who in such a case are worthy of the power so many humble petitioners of yours out of the 〈◊〉 of Men Buâ—…chers who lately drunk with Blood woud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thirst with the same liquor and who judge it very aduiseable to charge the effect of their cruelty to the account of Princes But do not you 〈◊〉 your Titles or the hem's of your Kingdome nor the most 〈◊〉 Gospell of Christ to be while you reigne 〈◊〉 with that envy or cruelty Remember that these very People in the time of Your 〈◊〉 King Heâ—…ry a great Friend of the Protestaâ—…ts 〈◊〉 a submissive People and Promoters of the entrance of Digvierius when he thro the most accessible places oâ—… Italy victoriously invaded the yeeldieg People of Savoy over the Alpes The instrument containing that submission remains yet extant among the Recordâ—… of Your Kingdome wherein it is among other things excepted and provided for that the Protestants about the 〈◊〉 shou'd not â—…e yeelded to Any except it were under the Teaâ—…mes which Your most invincible Father received em upon into his allegeance This they now lay claime to they humbly require a Grandfather from You his Nephew They woud wish that if by any exchange it might be done they might be come yours rather then remain his whose Subjectâ—… they now are Which if it canot be you may lawfully become a harbour at least comfort refuge unto ' em There are some Intreagues of State which may render it adviseable for you not to reject the revolt of the Protestants of Piedmont to you But I woud not considering the greatness of such a King as you are propose any other inducement to invite you to the defense of the Calamitous different from the engagements of your Predecesser's piety Royall benignity Greatnesse of Spirit So that the praise and Glory of a most noble deed will be uncomunicably and intirely your ovvn and you your selfe find that the father of Mercy and his son Christ King whose name and doctrine you will thereby vindicate from all wicked cruelty will so much the more favour and prosper the remaining part of all your life time The Omnipotent most Great God inspire Your Majesty with this inclination for the service of his owne Glory the salvation of so many most inocent Christians now at stake and your own reputation Dated at Westminster May 1658. To the Evangelicall Cantons of Switzerland WEe have judge it an unnecessary worke to write you about matters which you your selves knowing better byfarr then we we abhor in our Soules to remember that out of detestation to the barbarity of the things themselves imposed upon your most afflicted Neighbours the Protestants of Savoy and the intollerable persecutions which their own Prince