Bait being the Estate which he mainly and originally gaped at lies under our Jurisdiction as also that the cognisance of the whole cause and consequently it's Judgment does in our opinion properly belong to us alone Let him repair hither with his claime let him comence his Suit here and make out the right he pretends unto her being his wife This brings your Excellency in the mean time an earnest Repetittion of what has been already very often pressed by our Envoy at Brussells that the afflicted and forlorn maiden the honesty of her exactation the surreptitious method wherein shee was conveyed from out of her Country by theft be prevalent Inducements to you to take care of her being in safety permitted to repaire home Which not onelywe who if there be occasion for it shall make a suitably ready expression of our aknowledgments but even humanity and modesty it selfe which ought to influence the disposition of all good and valiant men and engage them in the deâ—…nc of the honour chastity of her sex seâ—…me with united petition to call for Dated at Westminster March 28. 1650. To the most Serene Prince JOHN the IV. King of Portugall THE consideration of your Majesties honourable Reception of and curteous speedy audience allowed unto our Embassadour hath induced us to let you know by the quick dispatch oâ—… this our second that we accept thereof very kindly and that our purposes contain nothing more venerably to observe with deeds as well as words then the inviolable support without we be first provoked to contrary dealings of the peace alliance commerce which we are engaged in with severall Nations and which among the rest have been for a long time ratified between us and Portugall Nor has our fleet gone to the River Tagus upon any other different Errand then barely to chastise our Enemies who will not be warned by the many Flights which we so often already instructed them with the experience of and rescue such effects of ours as being by force and Treachery taken away from our people the Murrain of these Reb Ils has carryed into your Ports and especially Lisbone it selfe where they vend the proceed of their theft at open sale But yet we are apt to believe that most of the peoole of Portugall have by their depraved behaviours discovered what sort of persons they are how addicted to impudence fury and madnesse The consideration of which strenghtens our confidence and hopes so much the more of prevailing in the first place with your Majesty in favour of Edward Popham a very worthy Gentlemen whom we have appointed Comander in chiefe of this squadron sent for the overthrow of these Pirats And that in the next place you woud treat them and their Comanders not as persons worthy of hospitality but â—…heeves not merchants but the Bane of thrade and Breakers of Nationall Laws and consequently deny them admittance into or shelter within the pro ection of your Kingdome but rather banish them the limitts thereof But if you shou'd thinke fit to be otherwise inclinable that then we may be at liberty to assault râ—…duce and at our â—…ngle charge force them to thatdue subjection from which they have Renegadoes and Rogues like revolted Which as it has been the substance of our former pressing Dâ—…es so this comes to your Majesty as a repetition thereof accompanyed with no lesse fervency and Earnestnesse In which be your compliance the effect either of Justice or complement it will not onely advance and add to the Glory of your jâ—…stice in all other well governed Nations of the world but oblige us and more particularly the people of England before of no contrary disposition towards the people of Portngall and your family in amore especiall manner Dated at Westminster Aprell 27. 1653. To the Citty of Hamburgh LEtters have more then once interchangeably passed between us and you concerning differences ariseing between Merchants and some other matters also which seemed more particularly to relate to and touch the Dignity of our Republicke But in as much as we apprehend that such matters can be scarcetransacted by letters alone and understanding of the refort of certain seditious Persons thither from Charles Stuart whose Errands consist of nothing so much as to practise wickedness and insolence in order to the defeating and â—…oly removeing the trade which some of knowne affection to their Country drove with your Citty Wherefore having appointed Richard Bradshaw a very noble and worthy Gentleman to go under the Character of our Envoy thither to propose and transact such matter at Large as equally concerne the joint advantage of both Republicks and that in pursuance of our Commssiion and subsequent Instructions to him we pray that you give him speedy audience and in all things cause such provision to be made for the honout and Credit of his Errand as custoâ—…e has renderend practicable in all Nations to Persons of his Degree Adieu Dated at Westminster Aprill II. 1650. To the Corporation of Hamburgh Most Noble Magnificent and Worthy Gentlemen Dear friende YOur Entertainment to our Resident upon his arrivall with you under that figure has appeared so free affectionate and singular that we owne it as such and earnestly intreat your continuance of that inclination and disposition towards Us. And that the rather for that we are told that those under banishment hence of whom our former letters tooke so much notice do dayly more and more heighten in â—…heir Insolence among you and that not onely in an instance of opprobrious language to our Envoy but an open declaration of some ill designe to be practised upon him This therefore brings an earnest repetition of our recommendation of his safety and due honour to your Care And the sooner you reprove those new as well as old villains and murtherers the more acccptable shall we reckon the actâ—…on and performe a Deed very much consisting with your power and 〈◊〉 Dated at Westminster Mey 31. 1650. To PHILIP the IIII. King of Spaine WEE are to our great trouble informed that Am hony Ascane lately deputed hence to your Majesty as our Embassadour and as such very civilly and publickly treated in his way thither after haveing vanquished the hardships of a dangerous and tedious journey was upon his first Entry into your Royall Citty stript of all protection filthily sett upon and with his Interpreter John Baptista de Ripa most basily murthered at a certaine â—…nn where he tooke up his quartters yet in as much as we apprehend that not onely we our selves â—…ut your faith and reputation also have been in this action stabb'd â—…nd almost transfixt thro his fides wee do with all imaginable earnestnesse pray your Majesty to see imme diat jusâ—…ice executed upon such of the Murtherers as are reported to have been already taken and committed to prison their punishments â—…roportioned to their guilt and their abeâ—…s and confederates who ever they be exemplyed suitable to the quality of this
Great Prince of Finland c. Most Serene Prince AS it is a custome of knowne antiquity especially among friends to admit of an obligation of useing all freedome in communicateing to each other passages of adversity as well as prosperity and comunity so that most delightfull part of friendship relateing to the import of the Letters which Your Majesty has been pleased to give us the honour of is what we cannot but take very kindly Seeing that it is an indication of singular humanity and true Royalty to be as communicable in enjoyments as way of liveing and to believe nothing to be pleasant without it be in community with Friends and Confederates And therefore cannot but justly rejoyce at the birth of a young Prince to his Son to inherit we hope the glory and vertue of so good a King and gladly lay it in parallel with the felicity and glory that befell Philip of Macedone both abroad and at home whom Records cite to have conquer'd the most powerful Greeks at the very time of the birth of his Son Alexander For we do not doubt but that Your kindness to Poland in dischargeing and as it were forceing it by the very strength of Your Army from the papall â—…oke and the establishment of that Peace with Brandenburgh which the desires of all pious men gaped for notwitstanding the storming opposition made to the contrary may conduce very considerably to the peace and advantage of the Church That God may in the mean time bless such Glorious Beginings with suitable Issues that his Gift of a Son may pursue the patern of his Father in Piety Vertue and noble Deeds That which we truly both hope and from our hearts wish the Omnipotent and Great God always favourable to Your undertakings may grant Westminster 1655. Your Majesties most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. To the King of Denmarke Most Serene and potent Prince JOhn Freeman and Phillip Traverse Subjects of this Republick have 〈◊〉 their owne and the names of severall other Merchants of London a petition'd humbly complain'd that haveing in the month of October 1653. loaded on board a certain ship of Sunderbrugh called the Salvador Nicolas Winskins Master severall Merchandizes woolen manufacture Cloathes and other woven comodities and Goods amounting according to Estimate to the value of between three and foure thousand pounds sterling charged the said Master that as he sailed thro the Baltique sea he shoud go directly to Dantzick and pay the usuall duty at Elsenor and for the same purpose furnished him with a competent sume of money Yetnotwithstanding t hat the said master most treacherously and contrary to his Instructions from the Merchants pass'd by the said place without dischargeing that duty so that the said ship with her whole loading had hue and Cry sent after them and were arrested to the great damage of the Owners in favour of whom we writ to your Majesties Embassadour then here in London who as they say engaged that as soone as he came to speake with your Majesty he woud endeavour to 〈◊〉 justice done the Merchants But in as much as the said person has been dispatched upon Your Majesties affaires into other Countryes and that their application to him before his departure amounted to nothing so that they were forc't to sen'd an Atturney purposely to sollicit their Right at Hafnia and demand restitution of said shipp and Goods which they also found coud amount to no more then an aggravation of the former Reckoning heape of fruitless trouble upon trouble that the said Goods Ly under confiscation present Restraint notwithstanding that according to the Laws of Denmarke a Master of a ship ought as they seeme to urge in their petition upon any misdedmeanour of his own to suffer corporall punishment exclusive to any confiscation that shipp or Merchandises can be pretended to be liable unto and reckon themselves so much the unkindlyer dealt with all for that the custome which ought to be paid at Essen'or is as we apprehend very inconsiderable Therefore as our Merchants have given no provocation that can be interpreted to the rendering their effects liable to forfeiture and that the Master a little before his death confessed that the neglect was wholly applicable to his proper guilt which exposed the Merchants to so 〈◊〉 damage and in as much as the Parent of the deceased Master himselfe has as we understand by petition already presented unto Your Majesty charged all the blame to his son's account and quitted the Merchants Wee coud not truly decline our condemning the detention of the said 〈◊〉 and goods to be most arbitrary and are so much the more strengthen'd in our confidence that as soone as your Majesty has a clear State of this thing you will not onely award a competent reproofe to the Ministers concernd in these Injuryes but Issue your comands also for the doing the Merchaâ—…ts Right and direct speedy restitution to be made of those Goods and reparation of damages sustaind to the said Owuers or Asfignes Which we instantly pray your Majesties compliance in as a thing guarded with so much reason and justice that we canot appear in the sollicitation of ought on behalfe of our people which we lesse ought to accept of a denyall in as being ready to make suitable returnes on behalfe of your Subjects as often as there is like occasion for 't To the most Serene Prince John the 4. King of Portugal THE Peace and alliance which your Majesties most Noble and splendid Embassy lately sent hither sollicitted the Parliament about which then had the conduct of this Republick in their hand Wee have now at length thro Gods help and pursuant to the 〈◊〉 we hold in the Administration of this Goverment as well as the affection we always bore theteto drawn unto a happy 〈◊〉 and such we hope as may continue to perpetuity And therefore returne you Your Ambassader extraordinary Mr John Roderick de Saa Menesses Count Pennagavad a per son whose Civill carriage understanding prudence and faithfulnesse we have found very eminent and worthy your esteeme and one who haveing discharged this Trust with extraordinary applause comes to you with the Ratification of the said Peâ—…ce As to the Import of your letters of the second of April from Lisbona intimating your good esteem of us how much you tender our honour and the excesse of your Gladnessâ—… at your â—…earing of our present undertakeing in this Goverment the same are apparent indications of singular affection and shall endeavour that all Men may hereafter see from my readynesse to serve Your Majesty at all times that the same is of utmost acceptance unto me Nor am I in the mean time lesse painfull in the preferrence of my expres prayers to God for your safety for the happy State of Your Kingdome and the prosperity of your affaires Your Majestie 's most affectionatlâ—… OLIVER Protector of England Scotland Ireland c OLIVER Protector of the Republick of
said Ship being in her way thither taken upon the very East India Coast by a certain Ship belonging to the 〈◊〉 East India Company the Ensurer's denyed to fulfill their Contract in paying the ensured Summe and have so far prevailed as to be capable by various delays to elude our People now after the expensive consumption of Six yeares in prosecution of their Right Which in regard they looke upon as an usage of great oppression and injustice and that some obliged for the Payment of the Money agreed for are either already dead or become insolvent We earnestly pray that you would to prevent â—…urther expences in addition to the said Losses be pleased to suffer your equity to be a safe Port and refuge to them after so many Yeares stormy useage and almost Shipwrack in your Court of â—…udicature and that Sentence be with all speed awarded concerning their cause in whose â—…ustice they seeme very confident Wishing in the meane time that happineâ—…s and prosperity may attend all you undertake to the Glory of God the safety of his Church Your High and Mighty Lordships most affectionally OLIVER Protector c. OLIVER Protector of the Commonwealth of England To the High and Mighty Lords the States of Holland S D. THomas and William Lower lawfull Heires of Nicholas Lower lately deceased on whose account you have had some former trouble giveu you about the â—…des of September last I thinke do bawl now a fresh again alleadging that they still labour under the oppression of their Adversaries whoâ—…e power or other private Intrest has notwitstanding the integrity of their claimes and when that coud not doe our Letters sent in favour of their cause â—…o far prevailed as to hinder them from entering upon the benefit of their Father's will That being rejected by the Court of Holland where the action first began and thrown upon yours pack'd thence to Zee-land and thence hurryed back again to your high Court of Judicatorie to their content accompanyed to each place with our Letters For where the hight and power is there they depend upon the dispensation of Justice proportionably If that fails they are at a losse to know where to cast anchor for reliefe after the pains they undertoke in pursuit of Justice For if they find that this our fourth recomendation of their cause can do no good it will be to little purpose for 'em to extend their hopes any further Wee shall reckon it as a true instance of kindnesse if after so many rejections you let them see that your apprehension of our Authority cou'd contribute somewhat to their Reliefe in bringing their claime to a speedy determination as well altogether as have them believe it to be the intire effect of your own Justice and equity As we can no way dispond of your allowance of the former of which so we are confident that the consideration of our Friendship will incline you to the later Your's c. OLIVER Protector OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene Prince WHereas several Merchants belonging the Brazil Company in Portugal did in the Yeares 1649. and 1650. becom indebted unto sundry English Merchants in a considerable Sume of Money upon the account of freight and Moorage that the said Society respit the Payment thereof pursuant to an order of your Majesties to that purpose notwithstanding that they did truly depend upon the Payment thereof conformable to the Tearmes and conditions of the league lately ratified But fear they may be frustrated in their hope and other meanes of recovering their Right as being informed of your Majesty hayeing seized and sent to the Exchequer their said debt and assigned the repayment thereof upon the moity of your Customes so that the Merchants are like to have no more then the bare Interest of their Money the principal lying in the mean while wholly dead Haveing taken the hardship of which under our strict consideration the conviction of their just importunities prevailed upon our giveing your Majesty this trouble on their behalfe requireing that instant satisfaction be by the Brazil Company made the Merchants of his Republick in reference as well to each ma ns demand respectively as five Yeares Intrest This as it is a thing in it selfe consistent with lustice and conformable with the league lately contracted with you let me on their behalfe desire in an amicable manner that it be complyed with without further delay From our pallace at Westminster July 1656. Your Maâ—…esties most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER P. of the Republick of England To the most Sereâ—…e Prince Charles Gustavus by the Grace of God King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandalls Great Prince of Finland c. Most Serene King AS the alliance of so great a Prince and so famous for his actions as Your Majesty is hath â—… just Title to the height of our esteeme so that person thrô whose means we have been so strictly allyed I mean that most â—…llustrious Gentleman Christernus Bondur your Embassadour Extraordinary must have been upon that very consideration necessarily gratful and welcome unto us Whom therefore having laudably discharged this Embassy we cou'd not dismisse hence without accompanying him with a Testimony of our being highly satisfied in the rest of â—…is singular vertues as being one who seemes to entertâ—…ine a belâ—…efe that this our recommendation of him may add ' considerably to that value and esteeme which he is already in possession of with Your Majesty in reference 〈◊〉 particularly to the diligence and prudence he exerted in this affair What remaines to be further transacted we have resolved to send Your Majesty an Embassadour soone about Whose health God in the mean time preserve for the defence of his Church and that of the Kingdome of Sweedland From our Court at Westminster July An. Dom. 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionally OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Repbul of England c To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene Prince Friend and dearest Consederate WE have had a petition in the names of Richard Baker and severall other Merchants of London and his Associates wherein they humbly complaine that an English built Ship called the Endeavour William Jopp Master and hired into their service was about the 21. of Novemder 1655. set upon in her way between a place called the Palm and the Island of Tenerif where shee put out for London from seized by four French Vessels who in appearance looking like Merchant-men but arm'd like Men of War and under the chiefe comand of one Egedius de la Rocke carried her with her whole freight consisting in Medera wines to the East Indy's whether they said they were bound together with most oâ—… the Mariners saveing fourteen which they landed upon the shore of Guiny Which the said Egidius declared the intenâ—… of to be to prevent
Enemys with men and Money that the Massacre aâ—…d destruction executed the last year upon the Protestant Inhabitants of Piedmont were the effects of Spanish Influences that the Protestants of Germany under the subjection of the Emperour underwent intollerable disquiets and with much difficulty held their native habitations That the King of Sweedland whom God we hope raised as a most curagious champion for the Protestant Religion was exposed to the necessity of maintaining with the strength of his whole Kingdome a fowle aud rigid Warr against the most powerfull Enemy that the Reformation has extant how your own Provinces are threatend by the malicious confederacy lately struck by your Neighbours the Papists who are the King of Spaine's Subjects And sinally we who are taken up by the warr declared against the King of Spaine If while things stand thus a misunderstanding shoud happen to arise between you and the King of Sweedlâ—…nd what a sad and lamentable condition shoud Protestancy fall under all Europe over being subjected to the cruelty and fury of inhuman Enemys The consideration of which doth not a little trouble us and believe you to be of the same mind and that you will withall pursuant to the great affection you always expressed on behalfe of the Protestant cause in generall and disposition to the maintaining uninterupted the peace of such as are 〈◊〉 both in their Judgment and desires accommodate your counsells to these considerations which are preferrable to all others whatever and that you will not decline the doing of ought that may conduce to the establishing of a peace between you and the King of Sweedland Wherein 〈◊〉 we can â—…e of any service what ever opinion you may entertaine of our Authority or Intrest we most freely offer you the tender of our endeavour with the same readynesse which we do it to thâ—… King of Sweedland to whom we designe likewise to send an Embassy out of hand to let him know our opinion of this affair And â—…ope that God will incline your minds on both sides to moderat Couucills and prevent the falling out of any thing that may give cause of offence on either hand or carry things to an extremity But that contrarywise both partys endeavour to remove what may offend or Administer matter of Iealousy to to'ther Which if you concurr to you will â—…oth disappoint your Enemys and become a comfor't to your Friends and finally provide plentifully for your owne and the safety of the Republicke And do pray you to rest likewise very confident in this that we as often as we are supplyd with an opportunity for it shall employ our endeavour towards the rendering the united Provinces sensible of the great affection and love we bear 'em Sollicitting God witâ—…all with our dayly prayers that he woud be pleased to bless your Repulick with a flourishing peace riches Liberty and more especially love and true worshipp to the Christian faith From our Court at Westminster August 1656. Your c. OLIVER Protector OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugall Most Serene King THomas Maynard has upon the 11. of July last old stile delivevered into our Receipt your Majesties Ratification of the peace concluded by your Embassador at London as well as of the private and preliminary articles thereof and by letters then transmitted hither from Phillip Meaddaw our Envoy at Lisbona understand that he has deliver'd your Majesty ours likewise pursuant to our direction to him on that behalfe the aforesaid Instruments of Ratification being about the beginning of June last interchanged So that a most firme Peace is confirmed between both Nations From which peace we have derived no small pleasure for that we judged that as it bespeakes a general advantage to both so it doth a proportionable detriment to the comon Enemy Who as they have been the first Inventers of meanes to interrupt the former alliance so they have lefr nothing unattempted to prevent its renovation novv Nor do vve doubt of their slipping any occasion that can be improved tovvards the creating matter of suspicion and offence between Us. Which vve have truly resolved to employ our utmost endeavours and constancy in opposition of yea it 's our earnest desire that the alliance may strengthen our confidence in each other dayly more and more so as to reckon those our Enemys vvho by any artifices shall appear to employ any project tovvards the lesseningh our friendship among ourselves and those contain'd in this Ratification and are verily persvvaded that Your Majesty is much of the same mind And vvhereas Your Majesty has been pleased in it's Letters to Us under the 24. of June nevv Stile and delivered unto our Envoy some days after the mutual exchange of the Instrument concerning the establih't Peace to mention some Clauses of this Treaty vvhich you vvould have alter'd as things vvhich thô of small moment to this Republick in Your Majesties opinion yet of very great consequence to the Kingdome of Portugal We shall be found ready to treat apart about such things as shall be propound on Your Majesties behalfe and settleing such things as shall seeme to either party to conduce to the further strengthening or binding the same Wherein we shall observe such measures as may equally conduce to the satisfaction of Your Majesty and People as our owne and referr to your choice where you will have all these things debated either at London or Lisbona But this Treaty being already confirm'd passed the lawfull Firme of both Nations and mutually interchanged to alter any part of it were to destroy the whole which we know is a thing far from Your Majesties seeking We wish Your Majesty all prosperiâ—…y and happiness From our Court at Westminster August 1656. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most serene Prince John King of Portugal S. D. WEE have had an account of that base and wicked attempt made towards the Murther of Phillip Meadowes sent hence under the Character of our Envoy to treat with you touching a peace The cruelty of which has appeared so great that his escape is the sole effect of God providence and care of him And do by your Majestys Letters of the 26. of May delivered by Thomas Maynard understand that your Majesty moved at the indignity of the Fact Issued your comands in pursuit of the Assacinates in order to their being brought to condign punishment but do not yet heare of the apprehension of any of them nor that your Comands concerning them signified any thing We have therefore thought fitt to declare openly how much we resent that base and barbarous attempt and the approach it made towards its designe And require that due punishment â—…e executed upon the Authors Confederates and Instruments concern'd in that Villany And the sooner its done and People of honesty utmost integrity aud who
been found very easy and expedient and of a considerable advantage to your Highnesses and the other Provinces yet no part of the said settlement has been made good to this day altho sought with much sollicicitation So that he the said van den Brooke and la Maire being tired out with delays that affair lawfully descended to the said William Cooper our subject who out of a desire of receiveing the effects of his Father in Laws Industry applyed unto us by petition praying that we woud recomend this his Request to the consideration of your Mighty Highnesses which we thought unsit to deâ—…y ' him in Wherefore make it our friendly request to Your Mighty Highnesses that you would please to give a fair hearing to the petition of the said William Cooper and take care that the stipulated Reward of Industry and so just a stipend and for so many yeares past with a yearly 〈◊〉 fot the time to come be paid him Which as we doubt not of your Mighty Highnesses free allowance of as a just thing and worthy Your Bounty so we shall be on ouâ—… part ready to shew the like just disposition to your People in their Requests as often as we are in that nature applyed unto From our Court at Westminster September Anno Dom. 1656. I am your mighty Highnesses most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most serene King Friend and dearest Confederate IT is with violence to our inclination that so many complaints of ours against the injustice of your Subjects should happen to pursue the peace reestablish't vvith Your Majesty But as vve are confident that our sufferings are no vvay the effects of your consent so vve cannot be vvanting to the Complaints of our People It is evident that the Capture of the Ship Anthony of Deepe vvas lavvful prize if the Sentence of our Admiralty Court be consulted vvith vvhich says that her seisure happen'd before the Treaty vvas concluded Part of vvhich Prize to the number of about four thousand Hides more or lesse Robert Browne Merchant of London bought of those vvho had the overseeing of the publick sale Upon his sending selling â—…d calling for the price of about tvvo hundred of vvhich Hides from a certain Skinner at Deepe he complaines that the same vvas stopt and arrested in his Correspondents hands a quarrel fastend upon him so that he cannot attain to Justice in that Court Wherefore vve have thought fit to desire Your Majesty to cause the vvhole matter to be brought before your Council and that mony disengaged from that most uâ—…just restraint For if vvhat vvere comitted before the conclusion of the Peace shall be liable to be called into question and Judgment after its confirmation We do not see vvhat a Treaty can signify For there can be no end of quarrels of this kind if some severe punishment be not timely avvarded these frequent Peace-Breakers vvhich vve hope Your Majesty vvill take speedy care to see done Whom God honour vvith his most holy Defâ—…nce â—…om our Pâ—…llace at Westminster September 1656. Your Majesty's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince John King of Portugall Most Serene King THe peace between this Republick and the Kingdome of Portugall being now transacted and all due provision and 〈◊〉 â—…ken of Trade Wee have thought it a thing 〈◊〉 and necessary to dispatch the bearer Thomas Maynard to your Majesty to act in your Kingdome as Consul to hear and determine matters of debate usually ariseing amongst Merchanâ—… But in regard it often fâ—…lls out that the nature of his employ may necessâ—…rily require 〈◊〉 to your Majesty relateing as well to the Intrest of this Nation as Trade in generall Wee desire your Majesty that as often as he has occasion of being hâ—…ar'd you will please to allow him the liberty of approaching to and being heard by your Majâ—…sty which shall pass with us for an evident argument and singular Testimony of your esteeme of us That the omnipotent great God may in the mean time prosper all your Majestys undertakeings From our Court at Westminster October 1656. Your Majestie 's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of England c. To the King of Svveedland Most Serene aâ—…d Potent King ALbeit your Majesties wonted and naturall disposition to men of merit is such as to reckon all additionall comendations unecessary yet we coud not dismiss this worthy Gentleman Sir William Vavasor Knight a person of note in warlike discipline and now upon his Journey towards you with out accompaining him with the trouble of a letter to your Majesty Our freedome in the doing of which was prompted so much the morâ—… when we were tould that much of his time blood has been spent in the pursuit of your service and in many battells fought on your behalfe So that the late Kings of Sweedland have in consideration of his warlike skill and true courage often exerted in warr settled Landsand annuall Pensions upon him Nor do we doubt but that he may be of future great use to your Majesty in the present Warrs as being faithfull and of knowne skill in Martiall discipline It is therefore but what he merits if we recomend him to your Majesty that the allowances granted him by them formerly be paid This we will take very kindly nor shall we upon any the like occasion that may offer grudge to gratify your Mâ—…jesty whom we wish all hapyâ—… and prosperity unto From our Court at Westminster Octob. An. Dom. 1656. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugall S. D. Most Serene King Friend and dearest Confederate Thomas Evans Skipper and one of the Subjects of this Lâ—…d complains that haveing served the Brasile Company Annis 1649. and 1650 in a small vessell of his of about forty Tuns and whereof he was himselfe Master the said vessell with all her Freight and apparell was taken from him pursuant to a comand of your Majestys So that the damages done the man besides the loss of six yeares profit amounts according to the Report of the Commissioner appointed by the League to decide differrences on both sides to above seaven thousand pounds sterling or twice that number of Milreis of Portugall Which proveing such a great affliction to the a foresaid Thomas so as to be constrain'd to repair to Lisbon to recover his Right according to Tearms of the Treaty humbly prayed us that we vvoud graâ—…t him our Letters to your Majesty Wee altho we did the last year writ on behalfe of those merchants cause in Comon to whom the Brasile Company is indebted yet that we may be wanting to none justly requireing our help pray that the consideration of our friendship
me by the quickness by Your Majesty 's so Illustrious an Embassy as it has testified your singular goodness and Grandeur of mind so it has laid open not onely to me but all England also the height of the regard you bear to my honour and dignity For which I do in theirs and my ovvne name render aâ—… I ought you very great thanks I wish you Joy of that signall victory which God and our aid has blessed you with over your Enemy and looke upon it as a thing of utmost acceptance to us to find that our people have not in that battle been wanting to your help the warlike Glory of their Ancessors nor their owne former valour As to Dunkirk and the hopes your write to be under of haveing it soone surrendered it adds to my content to be able to take notice in writeing so soone of its capture Hopeing vvithall that the double fraud of the Spaniard may be punished beyond the loss of a single Citty that the takeing of another Citty may furnish your Majesty with an occasion of being as quick in your Reply hereto concerning the takeing of another As to what you add of your Intentions towards my concernes that is a thing I no was distrust as haveing the word of so good a King confirmed by so worthy a Noble maâ—… as Captain Crequi's your Envoy for it And do wish that the Almighty High God may endow your Majesty and the Affaires of France with prosperity both at home and abroad Dated at Westminster Jun. An. Dom. 1685. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Sir IN the comunication of my acnowledgments to the most Serene King by Letter who to give me the honour of a salute and an account of his late most noble victory dâ—…spatcht hither a most splendid Embassy I shoud own the guilt of Ingratitude if I failed in 〈◊〉 your Eminency mutuall payment of my acknowledgment in the same Metâ—…od who to testify your good disposition towards me and stâ—…dy of doing me all the honour lying within your power have sent your nephew a veâ—…y worthy exquisit Gentleman adding that if you had a neerer relation or whom you esteem'd more you would not fail of â—…aveing sent him to choose To which consideration adding also that the comeiâ—…g under the approveal of the judgment of so 〈◊〉 a man is a thing which I deeme for no small honour or ornament unto me namely that the nearest of your relations shoud in the payment of their respâ—…cts and kindnes to me follow the patterne of your Excellency They may its probable looke upon this example of your worthynes Candor and friendshipp in loveing of me as none o the least others they may find in you which for great vertue and prudence are farr fitter to be imitated as leading to the knowledge oâ—… Governing and manageiâ—…g the Reins of State affaires Your Eminencie's long and happy conduct of which the comon Good of the Kingdome of France the intire Christian Republick and your owne reputation are instances vvhich vve vvish all happyness unto From our Court of Westminster June An. Dom. 16â—…8 Your Eminency's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland c. Most Ssrene and Potent King Friend and dearest Confedâ—…rate AS often as the councels and various artifices of the comon Enemy of Religion come under our deliberation soe often do vvee enter into a consultation vvith our selves and calculate hovv necessary and hovv conduceing to the future vvelfare of the Chriâ—…ian vvorld it vvoud be if the Protestant Princes did among themselves and more especially your Majesty and this Republick engage in a very strict alliance in order to the easy disappointing of the projects of the adversary The subject of our conversation vvith your Embassadours ever since first they came hither to treat about this busynesse has evidenc'd unto'em hovv earâ—…estly and painfully have our vvishes been and withall hovv much it vvoud have ansvverd our aime if ours and the Concernes of Sweedland were putt into such a condition and posture as that the said alliance might be settled under such an establishment as might answer both partys expecta tions equally and enable'em to be in a capacity of supplying each other with timely help upon any emergent occasion Nor were they wanting on their parts who exercised that prudence and dilligence in this which they usually observed in all the rest of their sollicitations But we have been soe taken up in looking aâ—…ter the Treachery of some insolent people at home who tho often forgiven yet imbark upon new attempts and desist not in conjunction of Rebells and those Spaniards too to venture upon Resolutions wherein they were often shaken defeated that employed in removeing of Domestick dangers we coud not hitherto apply that care which vve wished we might or intire help to the comon defence of Religion Yet what we coud have done we have as farr as we were able carefully perform'd before and if vve are apprehended capable of conduceing Ought that may be thought of future service to Your Majesties affaires vve shall be not onely vvilling but also ready to joyne vvith you to the utmost upon any occasion in the promotion of it Wee do in the mean time congratulate and from our hearts vvish you Joy in your most prudently and resolutely managed enterprizes and continue our constant prayers to God that he vvoud be pleased to enable your course of felicity and victory to be permanent to the service of his Glory Dated at our Court at Westminster June An. Dom. 1658. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince the King of Portugal Most Serene King Friend and Confederate JOhn Buffield of London Marchant complains of his haveing deliver'd in the Year 1649. certain Comodities to Antony Jones Manuel Ferdinand â—…astaneo of Tamarin to be by them disposed of by sale and to be accordiâ—…g to the custome among 〈◊〉 accounted for with him That Fallinâ—… in his way to England into the hands of Pirats and sufficiently damaged the said Anthony and Manuel upon an account had thereof and beleeveing that he was dead looked upon the said Goods as their owne and accordingly retaine 'em hitherto denying to come to any account for 'em And subsequent to this fraud exposed the said English Goods to open sale the better to paliate their designe Of his being himselfe forc't at length to repair in the depth of last Winter to Portugal to challenge his owne but in vaine for that he cou'd not prevaile with these Persons to returne him either Goods or Money But found them which is to be wondered at justifying the private possession of these Goods with the pretence of their being the result of a publick sale Being a stranger and haveing to do with a People in their owne Câ—…untry which
your Subjects to discharge the said ships without the least delay of time God preserve your Majesty long to the service of his owne glory and the Protection of the Orthodox Church Dated at our Court at Westminster Jan. 27. Annâ—… Dom. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the high and mighty Lords the States of West Friesland S. D. High and mighty Lords Friends and dearest Confederates Mary Grindar Widdow has in her petition to me made a great complaint against one Thomas Killig rue now a soldier in your service who to escape the paying of a considerable sum of mony due from him to the petitioner for about eighteen yeares or being brought to any account either with her or her atturney by Law or other tendency to a satisfaction is said to have petition'd your Highnesses that he might not be prosecuted by Law upon the score of any debt contracted in England But if I let your Highnesses see this onely that shee is a widdow poore a mother of many small Children whose entire support almost this man seemes to endeavour to divert I shall keepe farr from thinking that I need the use of many arguments with you who are too wel acquainted with Gods Comands especially on behalfe of widdowes and Orphanes against oppression as to imagine your giveing way to the grant of such a fraudulent priviledge which I am confident you will never allow of Dated from our Court at Westminster January 27. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of England c To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King Friend and august Confedâ—…rate WEe have not without griefe had and account of some unworthy interruption given by some ill minded Persons to the Protestants while in the exercise of their devotion in Province to that degree that when complaint was made thereof to the Magistrates at Gratianopoli whom it lawfully concern'd they condemn'd the thing as worthy of a severe reproofe And that the Neighbouring Clergy did thereupon prevaile with your Majesty to remit the whole matter to the Judgment of your Royall Councill at Paris Wâ—…o haveing done nothing hitherto 〈◊〉 Churches there the Protestants more 〈◊〉 conot peaceably 〈◊〉 to the exercise of their devotion Let my earnest desires therefore prevaile with Your Majesty first that they whose prayers sacrificed for your 〈◊〉 and the prosperity of your Kingdome were not rejected their publick meetings to pray be not prohibitted Next that the Disturber of Gods peace be pursuant to their judgment to whom alone belongs the lawâ—…ll and usual cognisance of such Cases at Gratianopoli accounted with Long and peaceable may God render Your Majestys days And that if these our desires prove acceptable and judged by you of service to God you declare them as such by removeing that prohibition from off the Protestants Churchs and laying a speedy injunction to have the same repealed Dated at Westminster February 18. An. 1658. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Mr Cardinall THe most illustrious Lady Richmond widdow of the Duke of Richmond lately deceased designes with her yong son to visit and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 small stay in France My earnest request therefore to Your Eminency is that if they chance to need in any instance youâ—… 〈◊〉 favour oâ—… help as strangers you woud please to exercise that regard to their quality consisting with your wont in instances of extraordinary comendations So as to let them see that as farr as the usuall dispensation of your curtesys to all persons coud be render'd more then ordinary our Letters were able to do it and rest assured in this that if anâ—… comendation from your Eminency doe seem to call for any thing of this kind at my hands my allowance thereof may be noe less depended upon Westminster February 29. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Repub. of England c To the most Serene and potent Prince 〈◊〉 King of Portugall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Potent King Friend and 〈◊〉 ALtho I ought to write upon various Subjects to a Prince that is a Friend and verâ—… much concern'd in the welfare of this Republick yet there is nothing which I can with more freedome goe about then what I now 〈◊〉 of letting your Majesty and the people of 〈◊〉 know how glad I am of the late sigâ—…all victory 〈◊〉 of the comon Enemy the Spaniard tending in the apprehension of all men not onely to your owne but the most 〈◊〉 peace and Repose of all Europe and which may 〈◊〉 entail thereon an advantage of many yeares continuance The next thing is to owne Your Majestys Justice as the undoubted fountain from whence spring Your victorys instance'd in the provision made by the 24 article of the League concluded bâ—… the Arbitrators at London for the satisfaction of our Merchants whose Merchant Men were hired into the service of the Brasile Company Thereis one Alexandar Banck Merchant of London whom the said Company denyes to pray the freight contracted for for the service of a ship of his called the three Brothers John Wilk Master in consideration of two voyages perform'd in the said Company 's service Whereas the rest have been long ago paid notwithstanding their haveing been in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but once Which I do not understand the reason of except he in their opinion is beter worthy of a reward who has serv'd them once then he that did it twice My earnest Request to Your Majesty therefore is that this onely man to whom a double reward is due be not kept out of the satisfaction of his hire and cause by the influencâ—… of your Authority the said Company to fix upon some speedy day of payment repairing his damages their delays haveing exposed the Merchant to inconveniencyes farr exceeding his hire God increase your power and continue unto you the uper hand over your Enemies Dated at our Court rt Westminster An. 1658. RICHARD Protector of the Republ. of Egland c. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Sr. THe Case of Peter Pett a person of singular honesty and very serviceable to us and the Republick in navall affaires came recomended to your Eminency in ours of the 13. of June being now about eight monthes past It was about a vessell of his called the Edward which was as we observ'd seised upon in the mouth of the River of Thames and sould at the Port of Bayon by one Bascon a Frenchman in the year 1646. And altho the King did by an order of Councill dated the 4. of November 1647. direct that what ever the Councill shoud Judge equivalent in mony to answer the damage susteind care shoud be taken of his being satisfied accordingly Yet the petitioner complains of his haveing received no benefit hitherto from the said decree But as I no way doubt but that your Eminency will at my request comand the speedy application of what may be requisit â—…revious to the execution of that order This brings you an earnest Repetion of my said request praying that you woud inspect where it sticks inquire thro whose neglect or obstinacy it comes to passe that the Kings order shall not after ten yeares respit be obeyed exercise your authority in the pressure of the execution of that Decree and payment of that appointed sume which we judge has been 〈◊〉 long agoe causeing'a speedy demand to be made thereof and the Result paid to the Receipt of the Petitioner Wherein your Eminency will act a thing conformable principally with Justice and that shall oblige me besides in a singular degree Dated at our Court at Westminster February 22. 1659. The two following LETTERS Were written in the name of the long Parliament when restrored upon the Removeall of Richard Cromwell The Parliament of the Republ. of England c. To the most serene and potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes Vandalls Most Serene and potent King Dearest Friend IT haveing pleased the almighty God with whom the power of all Changes in Kingdomes and Republicks is lodged to restore us to our former charge in this the Government of the comonwealth of England we have thought fit first to acquaint you therewith and next to let your Majesty know of the very great affection we bear to so potent a prince as you are and how benâ—… upon the support of that peace which our industry and most sincere endeavour were the sole means of establishing between you and the King of Denmarke also a potent protestant Prince It is therefore ouâ—… will that the authority by which Philip Meddowes our exâ—…raordinary Embassadour there has in the name of this Republick hitherto acted be now continued as from us And do hereby confirme unto him the power of proposeing acting and transacting with your Majesty to be the same with the Originall What ever he acts or contracts in our name we do with Gods assistance engage to make good God take your Majesty into his continuall guide with tendency to the safety and security of the Protestants Westminster May 15 An 1659 Subscribed by William Leuthall speaker to the Parliament The Parliament of the Republick of England To the most Seâ—…ne Prince Frederick King of Denmark Most Serene King dearest Friend IT gaveing pleased the Almighty great God the chiefe Ruler of all things to 〈◊〉 us 〈◊〉 former Sâ—…ion and charge in the administration of this Republick we held it apoint mainly becomeing our disposition to our Neighbour and Ally to observe the same to your Majesty and to intimat how much we are concern'd at your troubles the proofe whereof you shall see in the endeavour and dilligence which we now do and shall as farr as there is necessity for it exercise to reconcile your Majesty and the King of Sweedland to peace To which purpose we have directed Phillip Meadows our extraordinary Embasadour at the Court of Swedland that for the furure he wait upon your Majesty in our name concerning this affair and let you know that whatever he communicateth proposeth acteth or transact the at he shou'd doe the same as the effect of our Comands The Credit given him by your Majesty in the discharge of which Character we pray that it be believed as given to our selves God deliver your Majesty to your content out of all those Difficultyes which you so resolutely contend with and draw all to happy and pleasing Issue Westminster May 15. 1659. Sign'd by William Leuthall Speaker to the Comonwealth Parliament FINIS