King of Persia which we cannot value at less then Fourscore thousand Royals 2000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 5. We demand Satisfaction for Four Houses Maliciously and Unjustly Burnt at Jocatra together with the Warehouses Magazines and Furniture occasion'd by the Dutch Governour there of all which we had Information from the Place it self after we had exhibited our first complaints the total of which damage we value at 50000 l. 00 s. 00 d. We demand Satisfaction for 32899 Pound of Pepper taken out of the Ship Endymion in 1649 the total of which damage amounts to 6000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 220796 l. 15 s. 00 d. A Summary of some particular damages sustain'd also from the Dutch East-India Company 1. FOR Damages sustain'd by those who Besieg'd Bantam whence it came to pass that for Six years together we were excluded from that Trade and consequently from an opportunity of laying out in Pepper Six hundred thousand Royals with which we might have laden our homeward bound Ships sor want of which lading they rotted upon the Coast of India In the mean time our Stock in India was wasted and consum'd in Mariners Wages Provision and other Furniture so that they could not value their Loss at less then Twenty hunder'd and four thousand Royals 600000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 2. More for Damages by reason of our due part lost of the fruits in the Molucca Islands Banda and Amboyna from the time that by the slaughter of our men we were thence expell'd till the time that we shall be satisfi'd for our Loss and Expences which space of time from the year 1622. to this present year 1650. for the yearly Revenue of 250000 lib. amounts in 28 years to 700000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 3. We demand Satisfaction for one hunder'd and two thousand nine hunder'd fifty nine Royals taken from us by the Mogul's People whom the Dutch protected in such a manner that we never could repair our Losses out of the Money or Goods of that People which lay in their Junks which we endeavour'd to do and was in our Power had not the Dutch unjustly defended ' em Which lost Money we could have trebled in Europe and value at 77020 l. 00 s. 00 d. 4. For the Customs of Persia the half part of which was by the King of Persia granted to the English Anno 1624. Which to the year 1629. is vrlued at Eight thousand Royals to which add the Four thousand Lib. which they are bound to pay since 1629. which is now One and twenty years and it makes up the Sum of 84000 l. 00 s. 00 d. From the First Account 220796 l. 15 s. Sum Total 1681996 l. 15 s. The Interest from that time will far exceed the Principal LETTERS Written in the Name of OLIVER the Protector To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Lord BY your Letters dated January 20. 1654. I have bin given to understand That the Noble Frederick Matthias Wolisog and Chirstopher Griphiander were sent with certain Commands from your Illustrious Lordship into England who when they came to us not onely in your Name Congratulated our having taken upon us the Government of the Eoglish Republick but also desir'd that you and your Territories might be comprehended in the Peace which we are about to make with the Low Countries and that we would confirm by our present Authority the Letters of safe Conduct lately granted your Lordship by the Parlament Therefore in the first place we return your Lordship our hearty thanks for your Friendly Congratulation as it becomes us and these will let you know that we have readily granted your two Requests Nor shall you find us wanting upon any opportunity which may at any time make manifest our Affection to your Lordship And this we are apt to believe you will understand more at large from your Agents whose Fidelity and Diligence in this Affair of yours in our Court has bin eminently conspicuous As to what remains we most heartily wish the Blessings of Prosperity and Peace both upon you and your Affairs Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Lord WE receiv'd your Letters dated May 2 from Oldenburgh most welcome upon more then one account as well for that they were full of singular Civility and Good-will toward us as because they were deliver'd by the hand of the most Illustrious Count Antony your beloved Son Which we look upon as so much the greater Honour as not having trusted to Report but with our own Eyes and by our own Observation discern'd his Vertues becoming such an Illustrious Extraction his noble Manners and Inclinations and lastly his extraordinary Affection toward our selves Nor is it to be question'd but he displays to his own People the same fair hopes at home that he will approve himself the Son of a most Worthy and most excellent Father whose signal Vertue and Prudence has all along so manag'd Affairs that rhe whole Territory of Oldenburgh for many years has enjoy'd a profound Peace and all the blessings of Tranquility in the midst of the raging confusions of War thundring on every side What reason therefore why we should not value such a Friendship that can so wisely and providently shun the Enmity of all men Lastly Most Illustrious Lord 't is for your Magnificent Present that we return you Thanks but 't is of Right and your Merits claim That we are cordially Westminster June 29. 1654. Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver c. Superscrib'd To the Most Illustrious Lord Anthony Gunther Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst Lord in Jehvern and Kniphausen Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Breme Verden Stettin in Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Ingria Wismaria as also Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria Cleves and Monts c. Greeting Most Serene King THough it be already divulg'd over all the world that the Kingdom of the Swedes is translated to your Majesty with the extraordinary Applause and Desires of the People and the free Suffrages of all the Orders of the Realm yet that your Majesty should rather chuse that we should understand the welcome News by your most friendly Letters then by the common voice of Fame we thought no small Argument both of your good-will toward us and of the honour done us among the first Voluntary therefore and of Right we Congratulate this Accession of Dignity to your egregious Merits and the most worthy guerdon of so much Vertue And that it may be Lucky and Prosperous to your Majesty to the Nation of the Swedes and the true Christian Interest which is also what you chiefly wish with joynt supplications we implore of God And whereas your Majesty assures us That
Splendid Embassy sent to us some time since after certain Negotiations begun by the Parlament in whom the Supreme Power was vested at that time as it was always most affectionately wish'd for by us with the assistance of God and that we might not be wanting in the Administration of the Government which we have now taken upon us at length we brought to a happy conclusion and as we hope as a sacred Act have ratifi'd it to perpetuity And therefore we send back to your Majesty your extraordinary Embassador the Lord John Roderigo de Sita Meneses Count of Pennaguiada a person both approv'd by your Majesty's judgment and by us experienc'd to excel in Civility Ingenuity Prudence and Fidelity besides the merited applause which he has justly gain'd by accomplishing the ends of his Embassy which is the Peace which he carries along with him to his Country But as to what we perceive by your Letters dated from Lisbon the second of April that is to say how highly your Majesty esteems our Amity how cordially you favour our Advancement and rejoyce at our having taken the Government of the Republick upon us which you are pleas'd to manifest by singular Testimonies of Kindness and Affection we shall make it our business that all the world may understand by our readiness at all times to serve your Majesty that there could be nothing more acceptable or grateful to us Nor are we less earnest in our Prayers to God for your Majesty's safety the welfare of your Kingdom and the prosperous success of your Affairs Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends CERTAIN Merchants our Countrey-men Thomas Bassel Richard Beare and others their Co-Partners have made their complaints before us That a certain Ship of theirs the Edmund and John in her Voyage from the Coast of Brasile to Lisbon was set upon by a Privateer of Flushing call'd the Red-Lyon Commanded by Lambert Bartelson but upon this condition which the Writing Sign'd by Lambert himself testifies That the Ship and whatsoever Goods belong'd to the English should be restor'd at Flushing where when the Vessel arriv'd the Ship indeed with what peculiarly belong'd to the Seamen was restor'd but the English Merchants Goods were detain'd and put forthwith to Sale For the Merchants who had receiv'd the Damage when they had su'd for their Goods in the Court of Flushing after great Expences for Five years together lost their Suit by the pronouncing of a most unjust Sentence against 'em by those Judges of which some being interested in the Privateer were both Judges and Adversaries and no less Criminal altogether So that now they have no other hopes but onely in your Equity and uncorrupted Faith to which at last they fly for Succour and which they believ'd they should find the more inclinable to do 'em Justice if assisted by our Recommendation And men are surely to be pardon'd if afraid of all things in so great a struggle for their Estates they rather call to mind what they have reason to fear from your Authority and high Power then what they have to hope well of their Cause especially before sincere and upright Judges Though for our parts we make no question but that induc'd by your Religion your Justice your Integrity rather then by our Intreaties you will give that Judgment which is Just and Equal and truly becoming your selves God preserve both you and your Republick to his own Glory and the defence and Succour of his Church Westminster April 1. 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Breme Verden Stettin Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Ingria and Wismaria Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria Juliers Cleves and Monts Most Serene Prince PEter Julius Coict having accomplish'd the Affairs of his Embassy with us and so acquitted himself that he is not by us to be dismiss'd without the Ornament of his deserved Praises is now returning to your Majesty For he was most acceptable to us as well and chiefly for your own sake which ought with us to be of high consideration as for his own deserts in the diligent acquittal of his Trust The Recommendation therefore which we receiv'd from you in his behalf we freely testifie to have bin made good by him and deservedly given by your self as he on the other side is able with the same Fidelity and Integrity to relate and most truly to declare our singular Affection and Observance toward your Majesty It remains for us to beseech the most Merciful and All-powerful God to Bless your Majesty with all Felicity and a perpetual course of Victory over all the Enemies of his Church Westminster Apirl 17. 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene Prince JOhn Dethic Mayor of the City of London for this Year and William Wakefield Merchant have made their Addresses to us by way of Petition complaining That about the middle of October 1649. they freighted a certain Ship call'd the Jonas of London Jonas Lightfoot Master with Goods that were to be sent to Ostend which Vessel was taken in the mouth of the River Thames by one White of Barking a Pyrate Robbing upon the Seas by Vertue of a Commission from the Son of King Charles deceas'd and carri'd to Dnnkirk then under the Jurisdiction of the French Now in regard that by your Majesty's Edict in the year 1647. renew'd in 1649. and by some other Decrees in favour of the Parlament of England as they find it recorded it was Enacted That no Vessel or Goods taken from the English in the time of that War should be carri'd into any of your Majesty's Ports to be there put to Sale they presently sent their Factor Hugh Morel to Dunkirk to demand Restitution of the said Ship and Goods from M. Lestrade then Governor of the Town more especially finding them in the Place for the most part untouch'd and neither Exchang'd or Sold. To which the Governor made Answer That the King had bestow'd that Government upon him of his free Gift for Service done the King in his Wars and therefore he would take care to make the best of the Reward of his Labour So that having little to hope from an Answer so unkind and unjust after a great Expence of Time and Money the Factor return'd home So that all the remaining hopes which the Petitioners have seem wholly to depend upon your Majesty's Justice and Clemency to which they thought
of the Council to it the Council have thought it necessary to add this following Article to their following Demands That the People and Inhabitants of the Republick of England Trading into any Kingdoms Regions or Territories of the King of Danemark and Norway shall not for the future pay any more Customs Tribute Taxes Duties or Stipends or in any other manner then the People of the Vnited Provinces or any other Foreign Nation that pays the least coming in or going out of Harbour and shall enjoy the same and as equally ample Freedom Privileges and Immunities both coming and going and so long as they shall reside in the Countrey as also in Fishing Tradeing or in any other manner which any other People of a Foreign Nation enjoys or may enjoy in the foresaid Kingdoms and throughout the whole Dominions of the said King of Danemark and Norway Which Privileges also the Subjects of the King of Danemark and Norway shall equally enjoy throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Republick of England The Council of State of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend THE Council of State understanding as well by your Highness's Agent here residing as by Charles Longland chief Factor for the English at Leghorn with what Affectiou and Fidelity your Highness undertook the Protection of the English Vessels putting in to the Port of Leghorn for shelter against the Dutch Men of War threatning 'em with nothing but Ransack and Destruction by their Letters of the 29th of July which they hope are by this time come to your Highness's hands have made known to your Highness how grateful and how acceptable it was to 'em and at the same time sent to your Serenity a Declaration of the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England concerning the present Differences between this Republick and the Vnited Provinces And whereas the Council has again bin inform'd by the same Charles Longland what further Commands your Highness gave for the security and defence of the English Vessels notwithstanding the opposite endeavours of the Dutch they deem'd this opportunity not to be pass'd over to let your Highness understand once more how highly they esteem your Justice and singular Constancy in defending their Vessels and how acceptable they took so great a piece of Service Which being no mean testimony of your solid Friendship and Affection to this Republick your Highness may assure your self that the same offices of Kindness and good Will toward your Highness shall never be wanting in us such as may be able to demonstrate how firmly we are resolv'd to cultivate both long and constantly to the utmost of our Power that Friendship which is between your Serenity and this Republick In the mean time we have expresly commanded all our Ships upon their entrance into your Ports not to fail of paying the accustom'd Salutes by Firing their Guns and to give all other due Honours to your Highness White Hall Sep. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal and Subscrib'd President To the Spanish Embassador Alphonso de Cardenas Most Excellent Lord YOUR Excelleny's Letters of the 1 11 of November 1652. deliver'd by your Secretary together with Two Petitions inclos'd concerning the Ships the Sampson and Sun Salvadore were read in Council To which the Council returns this Answer That the English Man of War meeting with the foresaid Ships not in the Downes as your Excellency Writes but in the open Sea brought 'em into Port as Enemies Ships and therefore Lawful Prize and the Court of Admiralty to which it properly belongs to take Cognizance of all Causes of this nature have undertaken to determin the Right in dispute Where all Parties concern'd on both sides shall be fully and freely heard and you may be assur'd that Right shall take place We have also sent your Excellency's request to the Judges of that Court to the end we may more certainly understand what progress they have made in their proceeding to Judgement Of which so soon as we are rightly inform'd we shall take care that such Orders shall be given in this matter as shall correspond with Justice and become the Friendship that is between this Republick and your King Nor are we less confident that his Royal Majesty will by no means permit the Goods of the Enemies of this Commonwealth to be conceal'd and escape due Confiscation under the shelter of being own'd by his Subjects White-Hall Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal and Subscrib'd William Masham President To the Spanish Embassador Most Excellent Lord BUT lately the Council has bin inform'd by Captain Badiley Admiral of the Fleet of this Republick in the Streights that after he himself together with three other Men of War had for two days together engag'd Eleven of the Dutch put into Porto Longone as well to repair the Damages he had receiv'd in the Fight as also to supply himself with Warlike Ammunition where the Governor of the Place perform'd all the good Offices of a most just and courteous Person as well toward his own as the rest of the Men of War under his Conduct Now in regard that that same Place is under the Dominion of the Most Serene King of Spain the Council cannot but look upon the singular Civility of that Garison to be the copious fruit of that stricter mutual Amity so auspiciously commenc'd and therefore deem it to be a part of their duty to return their thanks to his Majesty for a Kindness so opportunely receiv'd and desire your Excellency to signify this to your most Serene King and to assure him that the Parlament of the Common-wealth of England will be always ready to make the same returns of Friendship and Civility upon all occasion offer'd Westminster Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Councel Seal and Subscrib'd William Masham President The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has receiv'd your Letters dated from Florence August 17. concerning the restitution of a certain Ship laden with Rice which Ship is claim'd by Captain Cardi of Leghorn And though the Judges of our Admiralty have already pronounc'd Sentence in that Cause against the foresaid Cardi and that there be an Appeal depending before the Delegates yet upon your Highness's Request the Parlament to testify how much they value the good Will and Alliance of a Prince so much their Friend have given Order to those who are entrusted with this Affair that the said Ship together with the Rice or at least the full Price of it be restor'd to the foresaid Captain Cardi the fruit of which Command his Proctor here has effectually already reap'd And as your Highness by favourably affording your Patronage and Protection to the Ships of the English in your Port of Leghorn has
for promoting the Christian Interest should be in Friendly manner imparted to us by Letters from your self this afforded us a more plentiful occasion of Joy and Satisfaction to hear that God in those remoter Regions had rais'd up to himself so Potent and Renowned a Minister of his Glory and Providence And that this great Minister of Heaven so fam'd for his Courage and Success should be desirous to associate with us in the common Defence of the Protestant Religion at this time wickedly assail'd by Words and Deeds Nor is it to be question'd but that God who has infus'd into us both though separated by such a spacious interval of many Climates the same desires and thoughts of defending the Orthodox Religion will be our Instructor and Author of the ways and means whereby we may be assistant and useful to our selves and the rest of the Reformed Cities provided we watch all opportunities that God shall put into our hands and be not wanting to lay hold of ' em In the mean time we cannot without an extream and penetrating sorrow forbear putting your Highness in mind how unmercifully the Duke of Savoy has Persecuted his own Subjects Professing the Orthodox Faith in certain Valleys at the feet of the Alps. Whom he has not only constrain'd by a most severe Edict as many as refuse to embrace the Catholick Religion to forsake their Native Habitations Goods and Estates but has fall'n upon 'em with his Army put several most Cruelly to the Sword others more Barbarously Tormented to Death and driven the greatest number to the Mountains there to be consum'd with Cold and Hunger exposing their Houses to the Fury and their Goods to the Plunder of his Executioners These things as they have already bin related to your Highness so we readily assure our selves that so much cruelty cannot but be grievously displeasing to your ears and that you will not be wanting to afford your Aid and Succour to those miserable Wretches if there be any that survive so many Slaughters and Calamities For our parts we have Written to the Duke of Savoy beseeching him to remove his insenc'd Anger from his Subjects as also to the King of France that he would vouchsafe to do the same and lastly to the Princes of the Reformed Religion to the end they might understand our sentiments concerning so fell and savage a piece of Cruelty Which though first begun upon those poor and helpless People however threatens all that Profess the same Religion and therefore imposes upon all a greater necessity of providing for themselves in general and consulting the common Safety which is the course that we shall always follow as God shall be pleas'd to direct us Of which your Highness may be assur'd as also of our sincerity and affection to your Serenity whereby we are engag'd to wish all prosperous success to your Affairs and a happy issue of all your Enterprizes and Endeavours in asserting the Liberty of the Gospel and the Worshippers of it White-Hall May 1655. Oliver Protector to the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus Adolphus King of the Swedes Greeting WE make no question but that the same of that most rigid Edict has reach'd your Dominions whereby the Duke of Savoy has totally Ruin'd his Protestant Subjects Inhabiting the Alpine Valleys and commanded 'em to be extirminated from their Native Seats and Habitations unless they will give security to renounce their Religion receiv'd from their Forefathers in exchange for the Roman Catholick Superstition and that within Twenty days at farthest so that many being kill'd the rest Strip to their Skins and expos'd to most certain destruction are now forc'd to wander over desert Mountains and through perpetual Winter together with their Wives and Children half dead with Cold and Hunger and that your Majesty has laid it to heart with a Pious sorrow and compassionate consideration we as little doubt For that the Protestant Name and Cause although they differ among themselves in some things of little Consequence is nevertheless the same in general and united in one common Interest the hatred of our Adversaries alike insenc'd against Protestants very easily demonstrates Now there is no body can be ignorant that the Kings of the Swedes have always joyn'd with the Reformed carrying their Victorious Arms into Germany in Defence of the Protestants without distinction Therefore we make it our chief request and that in a more especial manner to your Majesty that you would solicit the Duke of Savoy by Letters and by interposing your intermediating Authority endeavour to avert the horrid Cruelty of this Edict if possible from People no less Innocent then Religious For we think it superfluous to admonish your Majesty whither these rigorous begininnings tend and what they threaten to all the Protestants in general But if he rather chuse to listen to his Anger then to our joynt Intreaties and Intercessions if there be any Tye any Charity or Communion of Religion to be Believ'd and Worshipp'd upon Consultations duly first communicated to your Majesty and the chief of the Protestant Princes some other course is to be speedily taken that such a numerous multitude of our Innocent Brethren may not miserably Perish for want of Succour and Assistance Which in regard we make no question but that it is your Majesties Opinion and Determination there can be nothing in our opinion more prudently resolv'd then to joyn our Reputation Authority Councels Forces and whatever else is needful with all the speed that may be in pursuance of so Pious a design In the mean time we beseech Almighty God to Bless your Majesty Oliver Protector c. to the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces WE make no question but that you have already bin inform'd of the Duke of Savoy's Edict set forth against his Subjects Inhabiting the Valleys at the feet of the Alps Ancient Professors of the Orthodox Faith by which Edict they are commanded to abandon their Native Habitations stript of all their fortunes unless within Twenty days they embrace the Roman Faith and with what Cruelty the Authority of this Edict has rag'd against a needy and harmless People many being slain by the Soldiers the rest Plunder'd and driven from their Houses together with their Wives and Children to combat Cold and Hunger among desert Mountains and perpetual Snow These things with what commotion of Mind you heard related what a fellow-feeling of the Calamities of Brethren pierc'd your breasts we readily conjecture from the depth of our own Sorrow which certainly is most Heavy and Afflictive For being engag'd together by the same tye of Religion no wonder we should be so deeply mov'd with the same Affections upon the dreadful and undeserved Sufferings of our Brethren Besides that your conspicuous Piety and Charity toward the Orthodox where-ever overborn and oppress'd has bin frequently experienc'd in the most urging streights and calamities of the Churches For my own part unless my thoughts deceive
to your Lordships our Judgment upon the whole Matter as also to exhort and perswade ye in the name of this Republick to be careful of preserving the Friendship and Alliance contracted between this Commonwealth and your City as also the Traffick and Commerce no less advantagious for the Interest of both and to that end that you would not fail to Protect our Merchants together with their Priviledges from all Violation and more particularly against the Insolencies of one Garmes who has carry'd himself contumeliously toward this Republick and publickly cited to the Chamber of Spire certain Merchants of the English Company residing in your City to the great contempt of this Commonwealth and trouble of our Merchants for which we expect such Reparation as shall be consentaneous to Equity and Justice To Treat of these Heads and whatever else more largely belongs to the common Friendship of both Republicks we have Order'd our Resident aforesaid to attend your Lordships requesting that ample credit may be given to him in such matters as he shall propose relating to these Affairs Westminster Mar. 12. 1651. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Christiana Queen of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Greeting Most Serene Queen WE have receiv'd and read your Majesty's Letters to the Parlament of England dated from Stockholm the 26th of September last and deliver'd by Peter Spering Silvercroon and there is nothing which we more vehemently and cordially desire then that the ancient Peace Traffick and Commerce of long continuance between the English and Swedes may prove diuturnal and every day encrease Nor did we question but that your Majesty's Embassador was come amply Instructed to make those Proposals chiefly which should be most for the Interest and Honour of both Nations and which we were no less readily prepar'd to have heard and to have done effectually that which should have been thought most secure and beneficial on both sides But it pleas'd the Supreme Moderator and Governour of all things that before he had desir'd to be heard as to those Matters which he had in Charge from your Majesty to propound to the Parlament he departed this Life whose loss we took with that heaviness and sorrow as became persons whom it no less behov'd to acquiesce in the Will of the Almighty whence it comes to pass that we are prevented hitherto from knowing your Majesty's pleasure and that there is a stop at present put to this Negotiation Wherefore we thought we could do no less then by these our Letters which we have given to our Messenger on purpose sent with these unhappy Tydings to signifie to your Majesty how acceptable your Letters how grateful your Publick Minister were to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England as also how earnestly we expect your Friendship and how highly we shall value the Amity of so great a Princess assuring your Majesty that we have those thoughts of encreasing the Commerce between this Republick and your Majesty's Kingdom as we ought to have of a thing of the highest importance which for that reason will be most acceptable to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England And so we recommend your Majesty to the Protection of the Divine Providence Westminster March 1651. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene and Potent Prince Philip the Fourth King of Spain Greeting THE Merchants of this Commonwealth who Trade in your Majesties Territories make loud Complaints of extraordinary Violence and Injuries offer'd 'em and of new Tributes impos'd upon 'em by the Governors and other Officers of your Ports and Places where they Traffick and particularly in the Canary Islands and this against the Articles of the League which both Nations have Solemnly Ratifi'd upon the account of Trade the truth of which Complaints they have confirm'd by Oath And they make it out before us That unless they can enjoy their Privileges and that their Losses be repair'd Lastly That except they may have some certain Safeguard and Protection for themselves and their Estates against those Violences and Injuries they can no longer Traffick in those Places Which Complaints of theirs being duly weigh'd by us and believing the unjust proceedings of those Ministers either not at all to have reach'd your knowledge or else to have been untruly represented to your Majesty we deem'd it convenient to send the complaints themselves together with these our Letters to your Majesty Nor do we question but that your Majesty as well out of your love of Justice as for the sake of that Commerce no less gainful to your Subjects then our People will command your Governors to desist from those unjust Oppressions of our Merchants and so order it that they may obtain speedy Justice and due Satisfaction for those Injuries done 'em by Don Pedro de Carillo de Guzman and others and that your Majesty will take care that the Merchants aforesaid may reap the fruit of those Articles and be so far under your Protection that both their Persons and their Estates may be secure and free from all manner of Injury and Vexation And this they believe they shall for the greatest part obtain if your Majesty will be pleas'd to restore 'em that Expedient taken from 'em of a Judge Conservator who may be able to defend 'em from a new Consulship more uneasie to 'em least if no shelter from Injustice be allow'd 'em there should follow a necessity of breaking off that Commerce which has hitherto brought great Advantages to both Nations while the Articles of the League are violated in such a manner West Aug. 1651. To the Most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice and the Most Illustrious Senate Most Serene Prince Most Illustrious Senate our dearest Friends CErtain of our Merchants by name John Dickins and Job Throckmorton with others have made their Complaints unto us That upon the 28th of November 1651. having Seiz'd upon a hunder'd Butts of Caveare in the Vessel call'd the Swallow Riding in the Downs Isaac Taylour Master which were their own proper Goods and Laden Aboard the same Ship in the Muscovite Bay of Archangel and this by the Authority of our Court of Admiralty In which Court the Suit being there depending they obtain'd a Decree for the delivery of the said Butts of Caveare into their Possession they having first given security to abide by the Sentence of that Court And that the said Court to the end the said Suit might be brought to a conclusion having Written Letters according to custom to the Magistrates and Judges of Venice wherein they requested liberty to cite John Piatti to appear by his Proctor in the English Court of Admiralty where the Suit depended and prove his Right nevertheless that the said Piatti and one David Rutts a Hollander while this Cause depends here in our Court put
in a more especial manner ty'd the Parlament to your Serenity so will they on the other side take care as often as opportunity offers that all their Offices of sincere Friendship and good-will toward your Highness may be solidly effectual and permanent withal recommending your Highness to the Divine Benignity and Protection of the Almighty Westminster Nov. 1652. Seal'd with the Seal of the Common-wealth and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene and Potent Prince King of Danemark c. Most Serene and Potent King THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England have received Information from their Admiral of that Fleet so lately sent to Copenhagen your Majesty's Port to Convoy our Merchants homeward bound that the foresaid Ships are not permitted to return along with him as being detain'd by your Majesty's Command and upon his producing your Royal Letters declaring your Justifications of the matter of Fact the Parlament denies that the Reasons laid down in those Letters for the detaining of those Ships are any way satisfactory to ' em Therefore that some speedy Remedy may be appli'd in a matter os so great moment and so highly conducing to the prosperity of both Nations for preventing a greater perhaps ensuing mischief the Parlament have sent their Resident at Himborough Richard Bradshaw Esquire a Person of great Worth and known Fidelity with express Commands to Treat with your Majesty as their Agent also in Danemark concerning this Affair And therefore we entreat your Majesty to give him a favourable Audience and ample Credit in whatever he shall propose to your Majesty on our behalf in reference to this matter In the mean time recommending your Majesty to the Protection of Divine Providence Westminster Nov. 6. 1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament and in their Name and by their Authority Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice Greeting THE Parlament of the Common-wealth of England has receiv'd your Highness's Letters dated June 1. 1652. and deliver'd by Lorenzo Pallutio wherein they not onely gladly perceive both yours and the cordial Inclinations of the Senate toward this Republick but have willingly laid hold of this opportunity to declare their singular Affection and good Will toward the Most Serene Republick of Venice which they shall be always ready to make manifest both really and sincerely as often as opportunity offers To whom also all the ways and means that shall be propounded to 'em for the preserving or encreasing mutual Friendship and Alliance shall be ever most acceptable In the mean time we heartily pray that all things Prosperous all things Favourable may befall your Highness and the Most Serene Republick Westminster December 1652. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Parlament of the Republick of England to the Most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting ALthough the Parlament of the Republick of England some time since redoubl'd their Commands to all the chief Captains and Masters of Ships arriving in the Ports belonging to your Highness to carry themselves peacefully and civilly and with becoming observance and duty to a most Serene Prince whose Friendship this Republick so earnestly endeavours to preserve as having bin oblig'd by so many great Kindnesses an Accident altogether unexpected has fallen out through the Insolence as they hear of Captain Appleton in the Port of Leghorn who offer'd Violence to the Sentinel then doing his Duty upon the Mole against the Faith and Duty which he ows this Republick and in contempt of the Reverence and Honour which is justly owing to your Highness the relation of which Action as it was really committed the Parlament has understood by your Letters of the 7th and 9th of December dated from Florence as also more at large by the most Worthy Almeric Salvetti your Resident here And they have so sincerely laid to heart your Highness's Honour which is the main concern of this Complaint that they have referr'd it to the Council of State to take care that Letters be sent to Captain Appleton to come away without stop or stay by Land in order to his giving an Account of this unwonted and extraordinary Act a Copy of which Letters is sent herewith enclos'd who so soon as he shall arrive and be accus'd of the Fact we promise that such a course shall be taken with him as may sufficiently testify that we no less heinoussy brook the violation of your Right then the Infringement of our own Authority Moreover upon mature debate concerning the recover'd Ship call'd the Phoenix of Leghorn which Affair is also related and press'd by your Highness and your Resident here to have bin done by Captain Appleton contrary to promise given whereby he was oblig'd not to fall upon even the Hollanders themselves within sight of the Lanthorn and that your Highness trusting to that Faith promis'd security to the Hollanders upon your word and therefore that we ought to take care for the satisfaction of those who suffer damage under the Protection of your Promise the Parlament begs of your Excellency to be assur'd That this Fact as it was committed without their Advice or Command so it is most remote from their Will and Intention that your Highness should undergo any Detriment or Diminution of your Honour by it Rather they will make it their business that some Expedient may be found out for your satisfaction according to the nature of the Fact upon Examination of the whole matter Which that they may so much the more fully understand they deem it necessary that Captain Appleton himself should be heard who was bound by the same Faith and is thought by your Excellency at least to have consented to the violation of it especially since he is so suddenly to return home And so soon as the Parlament has heard him and have more at large conferr'd with your Resident concerning this matter of no small moment they will pronounce that Sentence that shall be Just and Consentaneous to that extream good-will which they bear to your Highness and no way unworthy the favours by you conferr'd upon ' em Of which that your Highness might not make the least question in the mean time we were willing to certify your Highness by this Express on purpose sent that we shall omit no opportunity to testify how greatly we value your Friendship Westminster Dec. 14. 1652. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal and Subscrib'd Speaker c. The Council of State of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince Frederick Heire of Norway Duke of Sleswick Holsatia Stormaria Ditmarsh Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhort Greeting THough it has pleas'd the Most Wise God and Most Merciful Moderator of all things besides the Burthen which he laid upon us in common with our Ancestors to wage most just Wars in defence of our Liberty against Tyrannical
the most Illustrious Prince of Tarentum YOUR Love of Religion apparently made known in your Letters to us deliver'd and your excelling Piety and singular Affection to the Reformed Churches more especially considering the Nobility and Splendor of your Character and in a Kingdom too wherein there are so many and such abounding hopes propos'd to all of Eminent Quality that revolt from the Orthodox Faith so many Miseries to be undergone by the Resolute and constant gave us an occasion of great joy and consolation of Mind Nor was it less grateful to us that we had gain'd your good Opinion upon the same account of Religion which ought to render your Highness most chiefly belov'd and dear to our selves We call God to Witness That whatever hopes or expectations the Churches according to your Relation had of us we may be able one day to give them satisfaction if need require or at least to demonstrate to all men how much it is our desire never to fail 'em Nor should we think any fruit of our Labours or of this Dignity or Supream Employment which we hold in our Republick greater then that we might be in a condition to be serviceable to the enlargement or the welfare or which is more sacred to the Peace of the Reformed Church In the mean time we exhort and beseech your Lordship to remain stedfast to the last minute in the Orthodox Religion with the same resolution and constancy as you profess it receiv'd from your Ancestors with Piety and Zeal Nor indeed can there be any thing more worthy your self or your Religious Parents nor in consideration of what you have deserv'd of us though we wish all things for your own sake that we can wish more Noble or Advantagious to your Lordship then that you would take such Methods and apply your self to such Studies that the Churches especially of your Native Countrey under the Discipline of which your Birth and Genius have render'd you Illustriously Happy may be sensible of so much the more assur'd security in your Protection by how much you excel others in Lustre and Ability White-Hall April 1654. Oliver the Protector c. To the most Serene Prince Immanuel Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont Greeting Most Serene Prince LEtters have bin sent us from Geneva as also from the Dauphinate and many other Places bordering upon your Territories wherein we are given to understand That such of your Royal Highness's Subjects as profess the Reformed Religion are Commanded by your Edict and by your Authority within three days after the Promulgation of your Edict to depart their Native Seats and Habitations upon pain of capital Punishment and Forfeiture of all their Fortunes and Estates unless they will give security to relinquish their Religion within Twenty days and embrace the Roman Catholick Faith And that when they appli'd themselves to your Royal Highness in a most Suppliant manner imploring a Revocation of the said Edict and that being receiv'd into pristin favour they might be restor'd to the Liberty granted 'em by your Predecessors a part of your Army fell upon 'em most cruelly Slew several put others in Chains and compell'd the rest to Flye into Desert places and to the Mountains cover'd with snow where some Hundreds of Families are reduc'd to such Distress that 't is greatly to be fear'd they will in a short time all miserably Perish through Cold and Hunger These things when they were related to us we could not chuse but be touch'd with extream Grief and Conpassion for the Sufferings and Calamities of this Afflicted People Now in regard we must acknowledge our selves link'd together not onely by the same tye of Humanity but by joynt Communion of the same Religion we thought it impossible for us to satisfie our Duty to God to Brotherly Charity or our Profession of the same Religion if we should onely be affected with a bare sorrow for the Misery and Calamity of our Brethren and not contribute all our endeavours to Relieve and Succour 'em in their unexpected Adversity as much as in us lies Therefore in a greater measure we most earnestly Beseech and Conjure your Royal Highness that you would call back to your thoughts the moderation of your most Serene Predecessors and the Liberty by them Granted and Confirm'd from time to time to their Subjects the Vaudois In Granting and Confirming which as they did that which without all question was most grateful to God who has bin pleas'd to reserve the Jurisdiction and Power over the Conscience to himself alone so there is no doubt but that they had a due consideration of their Subjects also whom they found Stout and most Faithful in War and always Obedient in Peace And as your Royal Serenity in other things most laudably follows the footsteps of your Immortal Ancestors so we again and again beseech your Royal Highness not to swerve from the path wherein they trod in this particular but that you would vouchsafe to Abrogate both this Edict and whatsoever else may be Decreed to the Disturbance of your Subjects upon the account of the Reform'd Religion that you would ratifie to 'em their conceded Privileges and pristin Liberty and command their Losses to be repair'd and that an end be put to their Oppressions Which if your Royal Highness shall be pleas'd to see perform'd you will do a thing most acceptable to God revive and comfort the miserable in dire Calamity and most highly oblige all your Neighbours that Profess the Reformed Religion but more especially our selves who shall be bound to look upon your Clemency and Benignity toward your Subjects as the fruit of our earnest Solicitation Which will both engage us to a reciprocal return of all good Offices and lay the solid foundations not only of establishing but encreasing Alliance and Friendship between this Republick and your Dominions Nor do we less promise this to our selves from your Justice and Moderation to which we Beseech Almighty God to encline your Mind and Thoughts And so we cordially Implore Just Heaven to bestow upon your Highness and your People the Blessings of Peace and Truth and prosperous Success in all your Affairs White-Hall May 1655. Oliver Protector of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince of Transilvania Greeting Most Serene Prince BY your Letters of the 16th of Nov. 1654. you have made us sensible of your singular good-will and affection toward us and your Envoy who deliver'd those Letters to us more amply declar'd your desire of contracting Alliance and Friendship with us Certainly for our parts we do not a little rejoyce at this Opportunity offer'd us to declare and make manifest our Affection to your Highness and how great a value we justly set upon your Person But after Fame had reported to us your egregious Merits and Labours undertaken in behalf of the Christian Republick when you were pleas'd that all these things and what you have farther in your thoughts to do in the defence and
me there is nothing wherein I should desire more willingly to be overcome then in Good will and Charity toward Brethren of the same Religion afflicted and wrong'd in their quiet Enjoyments as being one that would be accounted always ready to prefer the Peace and Safety of the Churches before my particular Interests So far therefore as hitherto lay in our power we have Written to the Duke of Savoy even almost to Supplication beseeching him that he would admit into his breast more placid thoughts and kinder effects of his Favour toward his most Innocent Subjects and Suppliants that he would restore the Miserable to their Habitations and Estates and grant 'em their pristin freedom in the Exercise of their Religion Moreover we Wrote to the chiefest Princes and Magistrates of the Protestants whom we thought most nearly concern'd in these matters that they would lend us their Assistance to intreat and pacifie the Duke of Savoy in their behalf And we make no doubt now but you have done the same and perhaps much more For this so dangerous a president and lately renew'd severity of utmost Cruelty toward the Reformed if the Authors of it meet with prosperous Success to what apparent dangers it reduces our Religion we need not admonish your Prudence On the other side if the Duke shall once but permit himself to be atton'd and won by our united Applications not onely our Afflicted Brethren but we our selves shall reap the noble and abounding Harvest and Reward of this laborious Undertaking But if he still persist in the same obstinate Resolutions of reducing to utmost extremity those People among whom our Religion was either disseminated by the first Doctors of the Gospel and preserv'd from the defilement of Superstition or else restor'd to its Pristin sincerity long before other Nations obtain'd that felicity and determins their utter extirpation and destruction we are ready to take such other Course and Counsels with your selves in common with the rest of our Reformed Friends and Confederates as may be most necessary for the preservation of Just and Good men upon the brink of inevitable Ruin and to make the Duke himself sensible that we can no longer neglect the heavy Oppressions and Calamities of our Orthodox Brethren Farewel To the Evangelick Cities of Switzerland WE make no question but the late Calamity of the Piemontois Professing our Religion reached your Ears before the unwelcome News of it arriv'd with us Who being a People under the Protection and Jurisdiction of the Duke of Savoy and by a severe Edict of their Prince Commanded to depart their Native Habitations unless within Three days they gave security to embrace the Roman Religion soon after were assail'd by Armed Violence that turn'd their Dwellings into Slaughter-houses while others without Number were terrifi'd into Banishment where now Naked and Afflicted without House or Home or any Covering from the Weather and ready to perish through Hunger and Cold they miserably wander thorough desert Mountains and depths of Snow together with their Wives and Children And far less reason have we to doubt but that so soon as they came to your knowledge you laid these things to heart with a Compassion no less sensible of their multipli'd Miseries then our selves the more deeply imprinted perhaps in your minds as being next Neighbours to the sufferers Besides that we have abundant proof of your singular Love and Affection for the Orthodox Faith of your constancy in retaining it and your Fortitude in defending it Seeing then by the most strict Communion of Religion that you together with our selves are all Brethren alike or rather one body with those unfortunate People of which no member can be Afflicted without the feeling without pain without the detriment and hazard of the rest we thought it convenient to Write to your Lordships concerning this matter and let you understand how much we believe it to be the general Interest of us all as much as in us lies with our common Aid and Succour to relieve our extirminated and indigent Brethren and not only to take care for removing their Miseries and Afflictions but also to provide that the mischief spread no farther nor incroach upon our selves in general encourag'd by Example and Success We have Written Letters to the Duke of Savoy wherein we have most earnestly besought him out of his wonted Clemency to deal more gently and mildly with his most faithful Subjects and to restore 'em almost Ruin'd as they are to their Goods and Habitations And we are in hopes that by these our Intreaties or rather by the united Intercessions of us all the most Serene Prince at length will be atton'd and grant what we have requested with so much Importunity But if his mind be obstinately bent to other determinations we are ready to communicate our Consultations with yours by what most prevalent means to relieve and re-establish most Innocent men and our most dearly beloved Brethren in Christ tormented and overlaid with so many Wrongs and Oppressions and preserve 'em from inevitable and undeserved Ruin Of whose welfare and Safety as I am assur'd that you according to your wonted Piety are most cordially tender so for our own parts we cannot but in our opinion prefer their preservation before our most important Interests even the safeguard of our own life Farewel Westminster May 19. 1655. O. P. Superscrib'd To the most Illustrious and Potent Lords the Consuls and Senators of the Protestant Cantons and Confederate Cities of Switzerland Greeting To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King BY your Majesty's Letters which you Wrote in answer to ours of the 25th of May we readily understand that we fail'd not in our Judgement that the inhuman Slaughter and barbarous Massacres of those men who profess the Reformed Religion in Savoy perpetrated by some of your Regiments were the Effects neither of your Orders nor Commands And it afforded us a singular occasion of Joy to hear that your Majesty had so timely signifi'd to your Collonels and Officers whose violent precipitancy engag'd 'em in those inhuman Butcheries without the encouragement of Lawful Allowance how displeasing they were to your Majesty that you had admonish'd the Duke himself to forbear such Acts of Cruelty and that you had interpos'd with so much Fidelity and Humanity all the high Veneration paid you in that Court your near Alliance and Authority for restoring to their ancient Abodes those unfortunate Exiles And it was our hopes That that Prince would in some measure have condescended to the good Pleasure and Intercessions of your Majesty But finding not any thing obtain'd either by your own nor the Intreaties and Importunities of other Princes in the Cause of the Distressed we deem'd it not foreign from our duty to send this noble Person under the Character of our extraordinary Envoy to the Duke of Savoy more amply and fully to lay before him how deeply sensible we are of
such exasperated Cruelties inflicted upon the Professors of the same Religion with our selves and all this too out of a hatred of the same Worship And we have reason to hope a success of this Negotiation so much the more prosperous if your Majesty would vouchsafe to employ your Authority and Assistance once again with so much the more urgent importunity and as you have undertaken for those Indigent People that they will be Faithful and Obedient to their Prince so you would be gratiously pleas'd to take care of their Welfare and Safety that no farther Oppressions of this nature no more such dismal Calamities may be the portion of the Innocent and Peaceful This being truly Royal and Just in it self and highly agreeable to your Benignity and Clemency which every where protects in soft security so many of your Subjects professing the same Religion we cannot but expect as it behoves us from your Majesty Which Act of yours as it will more closely bind to your Subjection all the Protestants throughout your spacious Dominions whose Affection and Fidelity to your Predecessors and your self in most important Distresses have bin often conspicuously made known so will it fully convince all Foreign Princes that the Advice or Intention of your Majesty were no way contributory to this prodigious Violence whatever inflam'd your Ministers and Officers to promote it More especially if your Majesty shall inflict deserved punishment upon those Captains and Ministers who of their own Authority and to gratifie their own Wills adventur'd the perpetrating such dreadful Acts of Inhumanity In the mean while since your Majesty has assur'd us of your justly merited aversion to these most inhuman and cruel Proceedings we doubt not but you will assord a secure Sanctuary and Shelter within your Kingdom to all those miserable Exiles that shall flye to your Majesty for Protection and that you will not give permission to any of your Subjects to assist the Duke of Savoy to their prejudice It remains that we make known to your Majesty how highly we esteem and value your Friendship In testimony of which we farther affirm there shall never be wanting upon all occasions the real assurances and effects of our Protestation White-Hall July 29. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Lord Cardinal HAving deem'd it necessary to send this Noble Person to the King with Letters a Copy of which is here enclos'd we gave him also farther in Charge to Salute your Excellency in our Name as having entrusted to his Fidelity certain other matters to be communicated to your Eminency In reference to which Affairs I intreat your Eminency to give him entire Credit as being a Person in whom I have repos'd a more then ordinary confidence White-Hall July 29. 1655. Your Eminencies most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince Frederick III. King of Danemark Norway c. WITH what a severe and unmerciful Edict Immanuel Duke of Savoy has expell'd from their Native Seats his Subjects inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont men otherwise harmless onely for many years remarkably famous for embracing the Purity of Religion and after a dreadful Slaughter of some numbers how he has expos'd the rest to the hardships of those desert Mountains Stript to their Skins and barr'd from all relief we believe your Majesty has long since heard and doubt not but that your Majesty is touch'd with a real commiseration of their Sufferings as becomes so puissant a Defender and Prince of the Reformed Faith For indeed the Institutions of Christian Religion require that whatever Mischiefs and Miseries any part of us undergo it should behove us all to be deeply sensible of the same Nor does any man better then your Majesty foresee if we may be thought able to give a right conjecture of your Piety and Prudence what dangers the success and example of this fact portend to our selves in particular and to the whole Protestant name in general We have written the more willingly to your self to the end we might assure your Majesty that the same sorrow which we hope you have conceiv'd for the Calamity of our most Innocent Brethren the same opinion the same judgment you have of the whole matter is plainly and sincerely our own We have therefore sent our Letters to the Duke of Savoy wherein we have most importunately besought him to spare those miserable People that implore his mercy and that he would no longer suffer that dreadful Edict to be in force Which if your Majesty and the rest of the Reformed Princes would vouchsafe to do as we are apt to belive they have already done there is some hope that the Anger of the most Serene Duke may be asswag'd and that his Indignation will relent upon the Intercession and Importunities of his Neighbour Princes Or if he persist in his Determinations we protest our selves ready together with your Majesty and the rest of our Confederates of the Reformed Religion to take such speedy methods as may enable us as far in us lies to relieve the distresses of so many miserable Creatures and provide for their Liberty and Safety In the mean time we beseech Almighty God to bless your Majesty with all Prosperity White Hall May 1655. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Geneva WE had before made known to your Lordships our excessive Sorrow for the heavy and unheard of Calamities of the Protestants Inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont whom the Duke of Savoy Persecutes with so much Cruelty but that we made it our business that you should at the same time understand that we are not onely affected with the multitude of their sufferings but are using the utmost of our endeavours to Relieve and Comfort 'em in their distresses To that purpose we have taken care for a gathering of Alms to be made throughout this whole Republick which upon good grounds we expect will be such as will demonstrate the affection of this Nation toward their Brethren labouring under the burthen of such horrid Inhumanities and that as the Communion of Religion is the same between both People so the sence of their Calamities is no less the same In the mean time while the Collections of the Money go forward which in regard they will require some time to accomplish and for that the Wants and Necessities of those deplorable People will admit of no delay we thought it requifite to remit beforehand Two thousand Pounds of the Value of England with all possible speed to be distributed among such as shall be judg'd to be most in present need of Comfort and Succour Now in regard we are not ignorant how deeply the miseries and wrongs of those most innocent people have affected your selves and that you will not
think amiss of any Labour or Pains where you can be assisting to their Relief we made no scruple to commit the Paying and Distributing this Sum of Money to your Care and to give ye this farther trouble that according to your wonted Piety and Prudence you would take care that the said Money made be distributed equally to the most Necessitous to the end that though the Sum be small yet there may be something to Refresh and Revive the most Poor and Needy till we can afford 'em a more plentiful Supply And thus not making any doubt but you will take in good part the trouble impos'd upon ye we beseech Almighty God to stir up the hearts of all his People Professing the Orthodox Religion to resolve upon the common Defence of themselves and the mutual Assistance of each other against their imbitter'd and most implacable Enemies In the prosecution of which we should rejoyce that our helping hand might be any way serviceable to the Church Farewel Fifteen hundred Pounds of the foresaid Two thousand will be remitted by Gerard Hench from Paris and the other Five hundred Pounds will be taken care of by Letters from the Lord Stoup June 8. 1655. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice Most Serene Prince AS it has bin always a great occasion of rejoycing to us when ever any prosperous Success attended your Arms but more especially against the Common Enemy of the Christian Name so neither are we sorry for the late Advantage gain'd by your Fleet though as we understand it happen'd not a little to the Detriment of our People For certain of our Merchants William and Daniel Williams and Edward Beale have set forth in a Petition presented to us that a Ship of theirs call'd the Great Prince was lately sent by them with Goods and Merchandize to Constantinople where the said Ship was detain'd by the Ministers of the Port to carry Soldiers and Provisions to Creet and that the said Ship being constrain'd to Sail along with the same Fleet of the Turks which was set upon and vanquish'd by the Gallies of the Venetians was taken carri'd away to Venice and there adjudg'd Lawful Prize by the Judges of the Admiralty Now therefore in regard the said Ship was press'd by the Turks and forc'd into their Service without the Knowledge or Consent of the Owners directly or indirectly obtain'd and that it was impossible for her being Ship'd with Soldiers to withdraw from the Engagement we most earnestly request your Serenity That you will remit that sentence of your Admiralty as a Present to our Friendship and take such care that the Ship may be restor'd to the Owners no way deserving the displeasure of your Republick by any Act of theirs In the obtaining of which request more especially upon our Intercession while we find the Merchants themselves so well assur'd of your Clemency It behoves us not to question it And so we beseech the Almighty God to continue his prosperous Blessings upon your Noble Designs and the Venetian Republick Westminster December 1655. Your Serenity's and the Venetian Republick's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene King CErtain of our Merchants by name Samuel Mico William Cockain George Poyner and several others in a Petition to us have set forth That in the year 1650. they Laded a Ship of theirs call'd the Vnicorn with Goods of a very considerable value and that the said Ship being thus Laden with Silk Oyl and other Merchandize amounting to above Thirty four thousand of our Pounds was taken by the Admiral and Vice-Admiral of your Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea Now it appears to us that our People who were then in the Ship by reason there was at that time a Peace between the French and us that never had bin violated in the least were not willing to make any Defence against your Majesty's Royal Ships and therefore over-rul'd besides by the fair Promises of the Captains Paul and Terrery who faithfully engag'd to dismiss our People they paid their Obedience to the Maritime Laws and produc'd their Bills of Lading Moreover we find that the Merchants aforesaid sent their Agent into France to demand Restitution of the said Ship and Goods And then it was that after above Three years slipt away when the Suit was brought so far that Sentence of Restitution or Condemnation was to have bin given that his Eminency Cardinal Mazarine acknowledg'd to their Factor Hugh Morel the wrong that had bin done the Merchants and undertook that Satisfaction should be given so soon as the League between the two Nations which was then under Negotiation should be Ratifi'd and Confirm'd Nay since that his Excellency M. de Bourdeaux your Majesty's Embassador assur'd us in express Words by the Command of your Majesty and your Council That care should be taken of that Ship and Goods in a particular Exception a part from those controversies for the decision of which a general provision was made by the League of which promise the Embassador now opportunely arriv'd here to solicit some business of his own is a Testimony no way to be question'd Which being true and the Right of the Merchants in redemanding their Ship and Goods so undeniably apparent we most earnestly request your Majesty that they may meet with no delay in obtaining what is justly their due but that your Majesty will admit the grant of this Favour as the first fruits of our reviv'd Amity and the lately renew'd League between us The refusal of which as we have no reason to doubt so we beseech Almighty God to Bless with all Prosperity both your Majesty and your Kingdom Westminster Decemb. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Evangelic Cities of Switzerland IN what condition your Affairs are which is not the best we are abundantly inform'd as well by your publick Acts transmitted to us by our Agent at Geneva as also by your Letters from Zurick bearing date the 27th of December Whereby although we are sorry to find your Peace and such a lasting League of Confederacy broken nevertheless since it appears to have happen'd through no fault of yours we are in hopes that the Iniquity and perverseness of your Adversaries are contriving new occasions for ye to make known your long-ago experienc'd Fortitude and Resolution in Defence of the Evangelick Faith For as for those of the Canton of Schwits who account it a Capital Crime for any person to embrace our Religion what they are might and main designing and whose instigations have incens'd 'em to resolutions of Hostility against the Orthodox Religion no body can be ignorant who has not yet forgot that most detestable Slaughter of our Brethren in Piemont Wherefore
of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Illustrious Prince and Lord the Lord William Lantgrave of Hess Prince of Herefeldt Count in Cutzenellebogen Decia Ligenhain Widda and Schaunburg c. Most Serene Prince WE had return'd an Answer to your Letters sent us now near a Twelvemonth since for which we beg your Highnesses pardon had not many and those the most Important Affairs of the Republick under our care constrain'd us to this unwilling silence For what Letters could be more grateful to us then those which are written from a most Religius Prince descended from Religious Ancestors in order to settle the Peace of Religion and the Harmony of the Church Which Letters attribute to us the same Inclinations the same Zeal to promote the Peace of Christendom not only in your own but in the Opinion and Judgment of almost all the Christian World and which we are most highly glad to find so universally ascrib'd to our selves And how far our Endeavours have been signal formerly throughout these Three Kingdoms and what we have effected by our Exhortations by our Sufferings by our Conduct but chiefly by Divine Assistance the greatest part of our People both well know and are sensible of in a deep tranquility of their Consciences The same Peace we have wish'd to the Churches of Germany whose Dissentions have been too sharp and of too too long endurance and by our Agent Dury for many years in vain endeavouring the same Reconciliation we have cordially offer'd whatever might conduce on our part to the same purpose We still persevere in the same Determinations and wish the same Fraternal Charity one among another to those Churches But how difficult a task it is to settle peace among those Sons of Peace as they give out themselves to be to our extream grief we more then abundantly understand For that the Reformed and those of the Augustan Confession should cement together in a Communion of one Church is hardly ever to be expected 'T is impossible by force to prohibit either from defending their Opinions whether in private Disputes or by publick Writings For Force can never consist with Ecclesiastical Tranquility This only were to be wish'd that they who differ would suffer themselves to be entreated that they would disagree more civilly and with more moderation and notwithstanding their Disputes Love one another not imbitter'd against each other as Enemies but as Brethren dissenting onely in Trifles though in the Fundamentals of Faith most cordially agreeing With inculcating and perswading these things we shall never be wearied beyond that there is nothing allow'd to human Force or Counsels God will accomplish his own work in his own time In the mean while you most Serene Prince have left behind ye a noble testimony of your Affection to the Churches an eternal Monument becoming the Vertue of your Ancestors and an Exemplar worthy to be follow'd by all Princes It only then remains for us to implore the Merciful and Great God to Crown your Highness with all the Prosperity in other things which you can wish for but not to change your Mind then which you cannot have a better since a better cannot be nor more Piously devoted to his Glory Westm March 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Duke of Curland Most Serene Prince WE have bin abundantly satisfi'd of your Affection to us as well at other times as when you kindly entertain'd our Embassador in his Journey to the Duke of Muscovy for some days together making a stop in your Territories Now we are no less confident that your Highness will give us no less obliging Testimonies of your Justice and Equity as well out of your own Good nature as at our request For we are given to understand That one John Johnson a Scotchman and Master of a certain Ship of yours having faithfully discharg'd his Duty for 7 years together in the Service of your Highness as to your Highness is well known at length deliver'd the said Ship call'd the Whale in the Mouth of the River according as the Custome is to one of your Pilots by him to be carried safe into Harbour But it so fell out that the Pilot being ignorant of his Duty though frequently Warned and Admonish'd by the said Johnson as he has prov'd by several Witnesses the said Ship ran aground and split to pieces not through any fault of the Master but through the want of Skill or Obstinacy of the Pilot. Which being so we make it our earnest request to your Highness That neither the said Shipwrack may be imputed to the foremention'd Johnson the Master nor that he may upon that account be depriv'd of the Wages due to him by the onely enjoyment of which he having lately suffer'd another misfortune at Sea he hopes however to support and comfort himself in the extremity of his Wants From our Court at Westm March 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the Republick of Dantzick Most Noble and Magnificent our dearest Friends WE have always esteem'd your City flourishing in Industry Wealth and studious Care to promote all useful Arts and Sciences fit to be compar'd with any the most Noble Cities of Europe Now in regard that in this War that has long bin hovering about your Confines you have rather chosen to side with the Polanders then with the Swedes we are most heartily desirous that for the sake of that Religion which you embrace and of your ancient Commerce with the English you would chiefly adhere to those Counsels which may prove most agreeable to the Glory of God and the Dignity and Splendour of your City Wherefore we intreat ye for the sake of that Friendship which has bin long establish'd between your selves and the English Nation and if our Reputation have obtaine'd any favour or esteem among ye to set at Liberty Count Conismark conspicuous among the Principal of the Swedish Captains and a Person singularly fam'd for his Conduct in War but by the Treachery of his own People surpris'd at Sea wherein you will do no more then what the Laws of War not yet exasperated to the heighth allow or if you think this is not so agreeable to your Interests that you will however deem him worthy a more easy and less severe Confinement Which of these two Favours soever you shall determin to grant us you will certainly perform an act becoming the Reputation of your City and highly oblige besides the most famous Warriers and most eminent Captains of all Parties and lastly lay upon our selves an obligation not the meanest and perhaps it may be worth your Interest to gratify us From our Court at Westm April 1657. Your Lordships most Affectionate Oliver c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene aud Potent Prince and Lord Emperor and
great Duke of all Russia sole Lord of Volodomaria Moscow and Novograge King of Cazan Astracan and Syberia Lord of Vobscow great Duke of Smolensko Tuerscoy and other Places Lord and great Duke of Novogrod and the Lower Provinces of Chernigoy Rezansco and others Lord of all the Northern Climes also Lord of Eversco Cartalinsca and many other Places ALL men know how Ancient the Friendship and how vast the Trade has bin for a long train of years between the English Nation and the People of your Empire But that singular Vertue most August Emperor which in your Majesty far outshines the Glory of your Ancestors and the high Opinion which all the Neighbouring Princes have of it more especially moves us to pay a more then ordinary Veneration and Affection to your Majesty and to desire the imparting of some things to your Consideration which may conduce to the Good of Christendome and your own Interests Wherefore we have sent the most Accomplish'd Richard Bradshaw a person of whose Fidelity Integrity Prudence and Experience in Affairs we are well assur'd as having bin imploy'd by us in several other Negotiations of this nature under the Character of our Agent to your Majesty to the end he may more at large make known to your Majesty our singular Good will and high Respect toward so Puissant a Monarch and Transact with your Majesty concerning the matters above-mention'd Him therefore we request your Majesty favourably to receive in our Name and as often as shall be requisite to grant him free Access to your Person and no less gracious Audience and lastly to give the same credit to him in all things which he shall Propose or Negotiate as to our selves if we were personally present And so we beseech Almighty God to Bless your Majesty and the Russian Empire with all Prosperity From our Court at Westm April 1657. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the Most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. Most Serene and Potent King our dearest Friend and Confederate THE most Honourable William Jepson Collonel of Horse and a Senator in our Parlament who will have the Honour to deliver these Letters to your Majesty will make known to your Majesty with what disturbance and grief of Mind we receiv'd the News of the fatal War broke out between your Majesty and the King of Danemark and how much it is our cordial and real endeavour not to neglect any labour or duty of ours as far as God enables us that some speedy remedy may be appli'd to this growing Mischief and those Calamites averted which of necessity this War will bring upon the Common Cause of Religion more especially at this time now that our Adversaries unite their Forces and pernicious Counsels against the Profession and Professors of the Orthodox Faith These and some other Considerations of great importance to the Benefit and Publick Interests of both Nations have induc'd us to send this Gentleman to your Majesty under the Character of our Extraordinary Envoy Whom we therefore desire your Majesty kindly to receive and to give Credit to him in all things which he shall have to impart to your Majesty in our Name as being a Person in whose Fidelity and Prudence we very much confide We also farther request That your Majesty will be pleas'd fully to assure your self of our Good-will and most undoubted Zeal as well toward your Majesty as for the Prosperity of your Affairs Of which we shall be readily prepar'd with all imaginable willingness of mind to give unquestionable Testimonies upon all occasions From our Court at Westminster August 1657. Your Majesty's Friend and most strictly Co-united Confederate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince The Lord Frederick William Marquess of Brandenburgh High Chamberlain of the Imperial Empire and Prince Elector Duke of Magdeburgh Prussia Juliers Cleves Monts Stettin Pomerania of the Cassiubiands and Vandals as also of Silesia Crosna and Carnovia Burgravae of Norrinburgh Prince of Halberstadt and Minda Count of Mark and Ravensbergh Lord in Ravenstein Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend and Confederate SUCH is the fame of your Highness's Vertue and Prudence both in Peace and War and so loudly spread through all the World That all the Princes round about are ambitious of your Friendship nor does any one desire a more faithful or constant Friend and Associate Therefore to the end your Highness may know that we are also in the number of those that have the highest and most honourable Thoughts of your Person and Merits so well deserving of the Commonwealth of Christendome we have sent the most Worthy Col. Will. Jepson a Senator in our Parlament in our Name to kiss your Majesties hands and with all to wish the continuance of all Prosperity to your Affairs and in Words at large to express our Good-will and Affection to your Serenity and therefore make it our request That you will vouchsafe to give him Credit in those matters concerning which he has Instructions to Treat with your Majesty as if all things were Attested and Confirm'd by our Personal Presence From our Court at White-Hall August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Hamborough Most Noble most Magnificent and Worthy THE most Accomplish'd Collonel William Jepson a Senator in our Parlament being sent by us to the most Serene King of Sweden is to Travel through your City and therefore we have given him in Command not to pass by your Lordships Unsaluted in our Name and withall to make it our request That you will be ready to Assist him upon whatsoever occasion he shall think it requisite to crave the Aid of your Authority and Counsel Which the more willingly you shall do the more you shall find you have acquir'd our Favour From our Court at Westminster August 1657. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Breme HOW great our Affection is toward your City how particular our Good-will as well upon the account of your Religion as for the celebrated Splendor of your City as formerly you have found so when occasion offers you shall be farther sensible At present in regard the most Accomplish'd Collonel William Jepson a Senator in our Parlament is to Travel through Bremen with the Character of our Envoy Extraordinary to the King of Sweden 't is our Pleasure that he salute your Lordships lovingly and friendly in our Name and that if any accident fall out wherein your Assistance and Friendship may be serviceable to him that he may have free Admission to desire it upon the score of our Alliance Wherein we are confident you will the less be wanting by how much the
more reason you will have to be assur'd of our singular Love and Kindness for your Lordships From our Court at White-Hall August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Senators and Consuls of the City of Lubeck Most Noble Magnificent and Right Worshipful our dearest Friends COllonel William Jepson a Person of great Honour and a Senator in our Parlament is to pass with the Character of a Publick Minister from your City to the King of Sweden encamping not far from it Wherefore we desire your Lordships that if occasion require upon the account of the Friendship and Commerce between us you will be Assistant to him in his Journey through your City and the Territories under your Jurisdiction As to what remains it is our farther pleasure That you be Saluted in our Name and that you be assur'd of our Good-will and ready Inclinations to serve your Lordships From our Court at Westminster August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the City of Hamborough Most Noble Magnificent and Right Worshipful PHilip Meadows who brings these Letters to your Lordships is to Travel through your City with the Character of our Agent to the King of Danemark Therefore we most earnestly recommend him to your Lordships that if any occasion should happen for him to desire it you would be ready to Aid him with your Authority and Assistance And we desire that this our Recommendation may have the same weight at present with your Lordships as formerly it wont to have nor shall we be wanting to your Lordships upon the same Opportunities From our Court at White-Hall August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Sereae Prince Frederick Heir of Norway Duke of Sleswic Holsatia and Ditmarsh Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend COllonel William Jepson a Person truly Noble in his Countrey and a Senator in our Parlament is sent by us as our Envoy Extraordinary to the most Serene King of Sweden and may it prove Happy and Prosperous for the common Peace and Interests of Christendome We have given him Instructions among other things That in his Journey after he has Kiss'd your Serenities hands in our Name and declar'd our former Good-will and constant Zeal for your Welfare to request of your Serenity also That being Guarded with your Authority he may Travel with Safety and Convenience through your Territories By which kind act of Civility your Highness will in a greater measure oblige us to returns of answerable Kindness From our Court at Westm August 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Great Duke our dearest Friend THE Company of our Merchants Trading to the Eastern Coasts of the Mediterranean Sea by their Petition to us have set forth That William Ellis Master of a Ship call'd the Little Lewis being at Alexandria in Egypt was hir'd by the Basha of Memphis to carry Rice Sugar and Coffee either to Constantinople or Smyrna for the use of the Grand Seignior but that contrary to his Faith and Promise given he bore away privately from the Ottoman Fleet and brought his Ship and Lading to Leghorn where now he lives in Possession of his Prey Which Villanous Act being of dangerous Example as exposing the Christian Name to scandal and the Fortunes of our Merchants living under the Turks to Violence and Ransack we therefore make it our request to your Highness That you will give Command that the said Master be Apprehended and Imprison'd and that the Vessel and Goods may remain under seizure till we shall have given notice of our care for the restitution of those Goods to the Sultan Assuring your Highness of our readiness to make suitable returns of gratitude whenever opportunity presents it self From our Court at Westm Septemb. 1657. Your Highness's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Lord Frederic William Marquiss of Brandenburgh c. Most Serene Prince our most dear Friend and Confederate BY our last Letters to your Highness either already or shortly to be deliver'd by our Embassador William Jepson we have imparted the substance of our Embassy to your Highness Which we could not do without some mention of your great Vertues and demonstration of our own Good will and Affection Nevertheless That we may not seem too superficially to have glided over your transcending deservings of the Protestant Interests we thought it proper to resume the same subject and pay our Respect and Veneration not more willingly or with a greater fervency of Mind but somewhat more at large to your Highness And truly most deservedly when daily Information reaches our ears That your Faith and Conscience by all manner of Artifices Tempted and Assail'd by all manner of Arts and Devices Solicited yet cannot be shaken or by any Violence be rent from your Friendship and Alliance with a most Magnanimous Prince and your Confederate And this when the Affairs of the Swedes are now reduc'd to that condition that in adhering to their Alliance 't is manifest that your Highness rather consults the common Cause of the Reformed Religion then your own Advantage And when your Highness is almost surrounded and besieg'd by Enemies either privately lurking or almost at your Gates yet such is your Constancy and Resolution of Mind such your Conduct and Prowess becoming a great General that the burthen and massy bulk of the whole Affair and the event of this important War seems to rest and depend upon your sole determination Wherefore your Highness has no reason to question but that you may rely upon our Friendship and unfeigned Affection who should think our selves worthy to be forsaken of all men's Good word should we seem careless in the least of your unblemish'd Fidelity your Constancy and the rest of your applauded Vertues or should we pay less respect to your Highness upon the common score of Religion As to those matters propounded by the most Accomplish'd John Frederic Schlever your Counsellor and Agent here residing if hitherto we could not return an Answer such as we desir'd to do though with all assiduity and diligence labour'd by your Agent we intreat your Highness to impute it to the present condition of our Affairs and to be assur'd that there is nothing which we account more sacred or more earnestly desire then to be serviceable and assisting to your Interests so bound up with the Cause of Religion In the mean time we beseech the God of Mercy and Power that so signal a Prowess and Fortitude may never languish or be oppress'd nor be depriv'd the Fruit and due Applause of all your Pious Undertakings From our Court at Westminster September 1657. Your Highness's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the
1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Prince THE Answer which we have given to your Agent here residing we believe will fully satisfy your Highness as to our Admiral who but lately put into your Ports In the mean time John Hosier Master of a Ship call'd the Owner has set forth in a Petition to us that in April 1656. he hir'd out his Ship by a Charter-party Agreement to one Joseph Arman an Italian who manifestly broke all the Covenants therein contain'd so that he was enforc'd lest he should lose his Ship and Lading together with his whole Principal Stock openly to set forth the fraud of his Freighter after the manner of Merchants and when he had caus'd it to be register'd by a Publick Notary to sue him at Leghorne Joseph on the other side that he might make good one Fraud by another combining with two other Litigious Traders upon a faign'd Pretence by Perjury seiz'd upon Six thousand Pieces of Eight the Money of one Thomas Clutterbuck But as for his part the said Hosier after great Expences and loss of time could never obtain his Right and Due at Leghorn Nor durst he there appear in Court being threaten'd as he was and way-lay'd by his Adversaries We therefore request your Highness that you would vouchsafe your Assistance to this poor Opprest Man and according to your wonted Justice restrain the Insolence of his Adversary For in vain are Laws ordain'd for the government of Cities by the Authority of Princes if Wrong and Violence when they cannot abrogate shall be able by Threats and Terror to frustrate the Refuge and Sanctuary of the Laws However we make no doubt but that your Highness will speedily take care to punish a daring Boldness of this nature beseeching Almighty God to bless your Highness with Peace and Prosperity From our Court at Westminster April 7. 1658. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King and most August Friend and Confederate YOUR Majesty may call to mind that at the same time when the renewing the League between us was in agitation and no less auspiciously concluded as the many Advantages from thence accrewing to both Nations and the many Annoyances thence attending the Common Enemy sufficiently testify those dreadful Butcheries befel the Piedmontois and that we recommended with great fervency of mind and compassion their Cause on all sides forsaken and afflicted to your Commiseration and Protection Nor do we believe that your Majesty of your self was wanting in a Duty so pious that we may not say beseeming Common humanity as far as your Authority and the Veneration due to your Person could prevail with the Duke of Savoy Certain we are that neither our selves nor many other Princes and Cities were wanting in our Performances by the Interposition of Embassies Letters aud Intreaties After a most bloody Butchery of both Sexes and all Ages at length Peace was granted or rather a certain Clandestine Hostility cover'd over with the name of Peace The Conditions of Peace were agreed in your Town of Pignerol severe and hard but such as those miserable and indigent Creatures after they had suffer'd all that could be endur'd that was oppressive and barbarous would have been glad of had they been but observ'd as hard and unjust as they were But by false Constructions and various Evasions the Assurances of all these Articles are eluded and violated Many are thrust out from their ancient Abodes many are forbid the Exercise of their Religion new Tributes are exacted a new Citadel is impos'd upon them from whence the Soldiers frequently making Excursions either plunder or murther all they meet Add to all this That new Levies are privately preparing against 'em and all that embrace the Protestant Religion are commanded to depart by a prefix'd day so that all things seem to threaten the utter extermination of those deplorable Wretches whom the former Massaker spar'd Which I most earnestly beseech and conjure ye Most Christian King by that RIGHT HAND which sign'd the League and Friendship between us by that same goodly Ornament of your Title of MOST CHRISTIAN by no means to suffer nor to permit such liberty of Rage and Fury uncontroul'd we will not say in any Prince for certainly such barbarous Severity could never enter the breast of any Prince much less so tender in years nor into the female thoughts of his Mother but in those sanctifi'd Cut-throats who professing themselves to be the Servants and Disciples of our Saviour Christ who came into this World to save Sinners abuse his meek and peaceful Name and Precepts to the most cruel slaughter of the Innocent Rescue you that are able in your towring Station worthy to be able rescue so many Suppliants prostrate at your feet from the hands of Ruffians who lately drunk with Blood again thirst after it and think it their safest way to throw the Odium of their Cruelty upon Princes But as for you great Prince suffer not while you reign your Titles nor the Confines of your Kingdom to be contaminated with this same Heaven-offending Scandal nor the peaceful Gospel of Christ to be defil'd with such abominable Cruelty Remember that they submitted themselves to your Grandfather Henry most friendly to the Protestants when the Victorious Lesdiguieres pursu'd the retreating Savoyard o're the Alpes There is also an Instrument of that Submission register'd among the Publick Acts of your Kingdom wherein it is excepted and provided among other things That from that time forward the Piemontois should not be deliver'd over into the Power of any Ruler but upon the same Conditions upon which your Invincible Grandfather receiv'd them into his Protection This Protection of your Grandfather these Suppliants now implore from you as Grandchild 'T is your Majesty's part to whom those People now belong to give 'em that protection which they have chosen by some exchange of Habitation if they desire it and it may be done Or if that be a Labour too difficult at least to succour 'em with your Patronage your Commiseration and your admittance into Sanctuary And there are some Reasons of State to encourage your Majesty not to refuse the Piemontois a safe Asylum in your Kingdom But I am unwilling that you so great King should be induc'd to the defence and succour of the miserable by any other Arguments then those of your Ancestor's pledg'd Faith your own Piety Royal Benignity and Magnanimity Thus the Immaculate and intire Glory of a most Egregious Act will be your own and you will find the Father of Mercy and his Son King Christ whose Name and Doctrine you have vindicated from nefarious Inhumanity so much the more favourable and propitious to your Majesty all your days The God of Mercy and Power infuse into your Majesty's Heart a Resolution to defend and save so many Innocent Christians and maintain your