State Papers, 1657: January (3 of 4)

January (3 of 4)

A letter of intelligence from the Hague.

Samedy, le 13 Jan. 1657.

Vol. xlvi. p. 45.

A Ujourd'huy a esté fort sur le tapis l'affaire des differents des Omlandes; specialement s'est presenté le sieur Taminga, president de la cour de justice, provinciale de la province de Groning-Omlande; laquelle charge estant permanente & ad vitam, a esté neantmois par les estats de la dite province declarée biennelle, ou impetrable de deux en deux ans: de quoy il se pleint, que celuy est une marque d'infamie: les autres deputes de même font grande doleance d'infraction de loix, privileges, concluants, à ce que les estats generaux veuillent mettre ordre à ce que tout laissié en estats sans innovation; & puis que des deputes soient envoyes vers la dite province pour faire un autre reiglement.

Desja les parties contendents aux Omlandes ont esté aux mains; si qu'aucuns ont esté blesses; & les Doleanciers, qui sont icy, menacent de vouloir par voye de fait se faire droit soy même, si d'icy ils ne sont aides: pour encore n'est rien en cela conclu.

Lundy, 15 Jan.

L'affaire des differents des Omlandes esté sur le tapis dereches; & sur ce sujet leu une courte deduction, nommée reedenende motiven; sur quoy est resolu, que le sieur Raet pensionaire sera des concepts de missives; une aux estats de stadt en lande, une à ceux des Omlandes seuls; item, une au prince Guiliaume stadtholder; les requerants touts de vouloir tout remettre en estat, comme il a esté; & le tenir en surseance jusques au futur Lantdach.

Il y a eu pleinte, que les Condeiens ont esté environ Rynberck dans le Hortge.

L'on a conferé le consulat de Seville à Tel Doetekom.

Le residentiat au Sondt demeurera sur jusque à la semaine que la Hollande predidera: & l'on induira le pensionaire de Purmerend de desister voluntairement, & remercier l'assemblée. Et puis on donnera la charge au sieur le Maire, natif d'Amsterdam.

Ceux de Hollande ont produit bien 4 grands esclaircissements pour estre donnes par le roy de Sweede; & de cela on sera un instrument d'esclaircissement, qui sera bien 4 fois plus grand, que le traité d'Elbingen.

L'on a proposé de transplanter les correspondents, qui sont à Stetyn & à Dansigk.

Mardy, 16 Jan.

Aujourd'huy est resolu & conclu dans les affaires des Omlandes; & selon cela sont arrestées les lettres aux estats de Groningue & Omlande; comme aussy au prince Guiliaume, & toutefois tout n'est que par le voye de petition, que l'on veuille remettre en estat; comme il a esté devant la trouble & innovation.

L'affaire d'Ost-Frise de même a esté sur le tapis, & le concept en est comme arresté; que l'on quittera certains 300 mille livres, avec les interests & interests d'interests; qui montoyent à un ou deux millions.

2°. Que des 100,000 l. & 125,000 l. se sera au capital de 225,000 l. & de cela sera payé 4 par cent.

Et des interests de ces 225,000 l. sera sait un capital à part montant de 4 à 5 cent mille francs: qui sera paye en 8 ou 9 termes, fans interests.

Le consistoire de Boileduc a escrit pleinte, qu'on y avoit prins un Jesuite, qui s'eschappa, requerant, qu'on on escrive au magistrat d'y mettre meilleur ordre.

Mecredy, 17 Jan.

Il n'y a point eu de lettres. Aussy on n'a que changé quelque mot dans le concept Zeebrief dans le traité de marine avec Angleterre.

Jeudy, 18. Jan.

Ceux de Hollande ont sommé les autres provinces touchant leur concept de ratification; sur quoy chacun s'est declaré selon le pouvoir, qu'il avoit ou n'avoit pas sans rien conclurre. Et aussy avec les 4 grands esclaircissements, que la Hollande produit. La ratification sera fort dubieuse du costé de la Swede.

Item la Hollande a somme les provinces touchant la garantie a passer sur la paix, qui se sera entre la Pologne & la Swede, sur quoy encore n'est rien fait.

De Dennemarck n'a rien esté.

L'on a proposé & resolu de conscrire icy des deputes de l'admirauté pour aviser à equipper fort vers la mer Mediterranee; item sur la visitation pretendue des Anglois.

Vendredy, 19 Jan.

Le principal d'aujourd'huy est, que à l'instance de ceux de Hollande sera escrit aux admirautes de ne permettre pas aucun transporter de chanure durant un mois prochain, est ant apperceu que non seulement quantité de chanvre d'icy se transporte vers Angleterre, mais aussy que divers saiseurs de cordes, cordages, & cables vont d'icy travailler & habiter en Angleterre. On n'en fait point de placard publique; ains on en escrit seulement aux colleges des admiraultes.

Il y en pleinte sur le haut peage a Elslo. Le passeport ou permission pour le prince de Tarante est prolongé pour trois mois.

Le prince Frids ayant notifié quelque attentat des Condeiens sur le Hortsge, on en escrira.

A letter of intelligence.

Hague, Jan. 19, 1656. [N. S.]

In the possession of the right hon. Philip lord Hardwicke, lord high chancellor of Great Britain.

I Suppose you have been sufficiently assured before this time, of the king of Sweden's marching over the river of Weyssel. The Polish Infantery consisting of 15000 fightingmen, as soon as they heard of it, (for the king did cause his great ordinances, as soon as he was passed the river, to be discharged for a signal,) did retake themselves to their heels, retiring to the very walls and works about the city of Dantzick. The cavalry fled under general Charnetsky, towards the town of Conibz, with an intention to join him with those forces, which the queen hath brought along with her, which are reported to be about four thousand, which is against the tenor of the pass which the king of Sweden hath granted unto her, which mentions no more but the permission of fifteen hundred horse. If gen. Steinbock, who is commanded towards those quarters; can light upon them, he will certainly fight those forces. The affront, which the Dantzickers offered to the Swedish queen, for daring to watch and surprize her at sea, when she was lately returning into Sweden, sticks much in her husband's stomach; besides some other undervaluings and revilings, of which the pride of that city is too much guilty. The wise senate is said in the capitulations with their king to have insisted mainly upon a point of honour (taking it for granted, that the more ancient heretofore free cities of Thorn, and Elbing in Prussia, would be shortly in the king of Poland's hands) to have the precedency of sessions before those other two cities, in all their solemn and public meetings, which was very readily granted; but you will shortly see how their pride will have a fall. For if the king of Sweden persist in his designs to divert the river of Weyssel (which partly is begun about the Hoost, and another attempt is to be made between the city and the Weyssel-Munde) and to drown or overthrow the territories of the Werder, belonging to Dantzick, they will be utterly impoverished and undone. In the mean time the divided citizens began to grow more and more tumultuous; disliking the carriages of their senate with their king, and speaking very big words against his queen, who is not a little infamed for silthiness and blood-thirstyness. The Holland ambassadors there presumed to have done a great work of disposing the Polish king to treat jointly with the king of Sweden and elector of Brandenburgh. But they begin now to despair of doing any good this way. The Danish ambassador Rosewing labours main and might to have the sovereignty of Prussia conferred by the king of Poland upon the said elector; but not to yield a foot of ground to the Swedes in that country; but the States General here perceiving, what footing and possession the king of Sweden hath gotten already in Prussia, out of which he will not be so easily removed, are beginning to behave themselves more complyingly with his majesty of Sweden: for the king himself told their ambassadors, how that he had made a very firm league with Ragotski the prince of Transilvania, who hath also the Cossacks on his side. This makes our statesmen believe, that the city Cracovia will be delivered into the fore-named prince's hands; but the Swedish resident told me yesterday, how that it was done already, and that major general Wartz was gone out of it, with the Swedish garrison consisting of six thousand men. The king of Sweden gives likewise out, that he would do his best to set the crown upon that Transilvanian head, which is here interpreted in reference to the succession after the decease of king Casimir. By this you may see also, what new difficulties will arise in the intended treaty. The Polonian ministers in this place, with their adherents, continue in their wonted follies and vapourings, as if Cracovia were lately surrendered into the hands of their general Lubomirsky. Thus much is certain, that the Transilvanian forces have taken the four towns upon the frontiers of Hungary, belonging to Poland. This state is much enraged against France, because of their pretended visitation of their ships. They have given a commission or letters of reprisal to their admiral de Ruyter, and are therefore the more inclining to join with the Spanish interest; but France doth alledge their just dealings with them; for the old treaties about sea affairs, being expired, they have used all fair means (but all in vain) to conclude a new establishment with them. Some make this construction of the great preparations of France, to prosecute the wars in Italy, that they may have a pretext to excuse themselves for not being so able to assist the protector of England, in case he should attempt something against Flaunders. For every body knows, that it would be much against the French interest, if England should not get a footing in those countries. Charles Stuart promised his brother, the titular duke of York, a most intimate communication of all the means, whereby they all might be repossessed and established, if he would leave France, and come to him. But when he arrived, they were jealous of him, as if he were too much addicted to the French interest, and therefore excluded him from all their cabinet consultations; which did so much disgust his stomach, that he left them, and is come into these provinces. Others relate the matters thus: the aforesaid duke, having before his departure engaged himself to the king of France, to do nothing in prejudice of the affairs of that crown, as soon as he was come to Bruges, he was forced to dismiss presently all his French followers. Afterwards, it being proposed to him, that seeing the forces designed against England could not be employed this winter, it was resolved by the councel, that some notable enterprise should be taken in hand by them, in favour of the Spaniards against France, and that he should be the head and leader of that army; which he refusing to do, the differences were so much heightened amongst them, that he took the opportunity, having seen his brother the titular duke of Glocester to go to Sluys, from whence he is come to a place, but one day's journey from the Hague. What do you think of this little divided kingdom ? Letters dated at Zainoiske, Nov. 29, bring certain news of a total overthrow given to the Tartarians from the Cossacks in their treaty. The Muscovite complaines now, that upon a false information of the weakness and paucity of the Swedish forces in Poland, he hath suffered him to be ingaged in a war against Sweden, which hath cost him so dear; for of his two hundred thousand invaders, he hath lost in the Livonian war, above an hundred and forty thousand of his men. He is now very desirous to make a firm peace with Sweden, railing much against the persidiousness of the king of Poland. All the electoral forces are gone against general Gonzieusky.

The examination and information of John Toop, taken this 9^th of Jan. 1656, [taken by secretary Thurloe.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 111.

Saith, that about eight or nine weeks since, one Miles Sundercombe, who was a soldier in the army, and was cashiered (as this examinant hath heard and believes) in Scotland for some disturbance, which was designed in the army, about two years since, came to his lodging, and fell into discourse with him about the affairs of the nation; saying, there was a design to alter the government, and to that end take away the life of the lord protector. And the discourse was such, that the examinant believed he was paid, and set on work by the king of Spain; for he said, that it was better for this nation to be in league with Spain, than with France, which he said could never be; and that Spain could never obtain a peace with us, till this tyrant was taken away; and told this examinant, that if he would engage therein, he should be made for ever; and for his own part, he said, he was sure to be a col. of horse within half a year; and promised to this examinant, that he should have a troop, and also fifteen hundred pounds in money, when the protector should be killed.

He further said, that it was better to have Charles Stuart to reign here, than this tyrant. And at the several meetings, which the examinant had afterwards with the said Sundercombe, he told him, that they would attempt to kill the protector upon the road, as he went to Hampton-court, assaulting him to that purpose, when he was on horse-back; and that there was five of them besides this examinant, who knew of this design, and were engaged to effect it. And said, that he and Cecill had been several times upon the road to endeavour the killing him; but found not their opportunity. He further said, that they had hired a house in Hammersmith, where Mr. Frevill heretofore lay, which by reason of its standing upon the road, was very convenient for their purpose; and it having a little house upon the wall, their intention was to shoot the protector as he passed by, out of the little house, with scrued guns, which were prepared on purpose, which should break the coach in pieces, and kill him where he sat. And spoke to this examinant, to give them notice, when the protector went forth, and at what end of the coach he sat. And being asked, who the five persons were, who should do this execution, he said, he never told him, nor doth he know any of them, but the said Sundercombe himself, and John Cecill, which this examinant never saw but once before this week. And faith, that Sundercombe told him, that when they had done the fact, their horses were ready in the stable to escape away on the backside of the houss.

This examinant further faith, that Sundercombe acquainted him with an intention they had to fire Whitehall, saying, that it was so strong a place, and so many turnings and windings therein, that it was the fittest hole for a tyrant to live in it; and if that were burned, there is never another place in England where he could hide and secure himself; and to that purpose the said Sundercombe had provided a firework in a hand-basket (made, as he said, by one that came over from beyond the seas on purpose to make it) and brought it to the lodgings of this examinant, upon this day se'nnight, and thereupon this examinant and he came down together to view what place could be best to place the firework in; and they looked upon a place or two over against capt. Rolt's chamber, and the said Sundercombe tried with a key he had in his pocket to open a door thereabouts, but could not; and from thence went towards the chapel, and thought to have laid it at the head of the stairs, which comes the back way into the chapel, but resolved not fully of it: this was upon this day se'nnight; whereupon this examinant, the same day, seeing things growing so far, waited to have discovered it to his highness, but found not means of access to him.

The next day after, the said Sundercombe came to the examinant's lodging, and took away the firework, and carried it to Cecill's lodgings; and upon tuesday after, Sundercombe and this examinant met at the sign of the Ben. Johnson's in the Strand, where they discoursed of the same business, and of the manner of killing the protector, and he said, they would fire down Whitehall, and then defer the other business until the spring. He further said, that he should have money come by the next monday from Flanders.

Upon thursday after, they met again in the morning at this examinant's lodging, and told him he and Cecill had agreed to lay the firework in the chappel, and appointed a meeting to execute it at five a clock that night. In the mean time this examinant acquainted his highness with it, and so they met at five a clock, and came all there together to the place, to see if all things were as they would have it; and then Sundercombe and Cecill went back and brought with them the firework, and Cecill opened the door of the chapel, and Sundercombe put in the firework, this examinant and Cecill standing by to see that nobody came to discover them.

He, this examinant, being asked, whether they had no intention to fire any other place, faith, that he knew not; but saith that Sundercombe told him, they had another firework in a box, but knoweth not where it is.

This examinant further faith, that Sundercombe told him, that if the fire did not take, he was so far engaged in this business, that he himself would set upon the protector to take away his life, whatever came of it.

And being further asked, if he received any money of Sundercombe in part of what he promised him, faith, that about eight or nine weeks ago, he received of the said Sundercombe the sum of five pounds, about a week after that five pounds more, about a month since five pounds more; and upon this day se'nnight four pounds more; which is all the money he, this examinant, received of the said Sundercombe, or any other person, for the purpose aforesaid.

John Toop.

The examination of John Cecill, taken this 9^th of January, 1656, [taken by secretary Thurloe.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 115.

Saith, that about four months since, one Miles Sundercombe, heretofore a soldier in the army, came to this examinant, and told him, that there was a design in hand amongst some very considerable persons, whose names he could not reveal to him, for killing the lord protector, which he acquainted this examinant with, to perswade him to engage therein; alledging that now there was a parliament called of the protector's own naming, having kept out some, and let in others at his pleasure; and that it would be a very acceptable service to take him off, whereby things would come to a confusion; it being certain, that the great ones of the king would never agree, who should succeed, but would fall together by the ears about it, and then in that disorder the people would rise, and so things might be brought to a commonwealth again. And he further said, that there was no attempting him in the field, nor other way, but by falling upon his person at an advantage. And this examinant asking, how they should be able to bear the charge of such attendance, the said Sundercombe answered, that money should be provided, in case they could effect their business. This examinant was to escape over sea to colonel Sexbye, who was to 'provide for him, and was to have a share in all such honour and profit, which Sundercombe should have for this service. Upon these and such like discourses this examinant engaged to join in this work, viz. to attempt and kill the lord protector. And the way, which was first agreed upon, was to provide good horses, and to attempt him as he went upon the road; for which purpose this examinant bought several horses, one of the earl of Salisbury, which cost him fourscore pounds; which horse is now at Cobham with John Clarke, who lives at the house of Thomas Christmas; another horse he bought of one Morgan at Cashalton, which cost him seventy five pound, and is now at the said Morgan's. He bought another of Mr. Vanbrooke, cost him forty two pound, which he sold again. He bought another of Mr. Harvey by the hands of the said Morgan, cost thirty four pound, which he delivered to Mr. Sundercombe. He bought another of Cluffe the horse-seller for thirty pound, which he sold again. And faith, that the money to pay for these horses he had of Sundercombe. And when these horses were bought, the intention was to have made a party of horse of a bout forty to have assaulted him. But that proving a difficult business to get so many in together, it was resolved to be done by a lesser party; and Sundercombe and this examinant did agree to take the first opportunity to assassinate the protector when he went abroad, and to do it as he either came out of his coach to take his horse, or as he did alight from his horse to go into the coach; and one Toop, who is one of the protector's life-guard, whom the said Sundercombe had engaged to serve them in this attempt, was to give them notice when the protector went abroad. And he faith, that he and Sundercombe were upon the road about five or six times, on purpose to have made this attempt, and had notice of the protector's going abroad by the said Toop; and faith, that he was mounted upon the black horse he bought of Morgan, and Sundercombe upon the bay horse he bought of the earl of Salisbury; but they had not opportunity to effect their design. And faith, that he himself went once into Hide-park, with an intention to have attempted there, having a sword and pistol to that purpose, which were the only arms that he and the said Sundercombe rid with, being confident, that if he could come near him, he could have done it, and escaped after by the goodness of his horse. And faith, that there was a gate in Hide-park, the hinges and hooks whereof were filed almost asunder, on purpose that they might have the better escaped. And he says, that he believes he could have rid his black horse one hundred miles without drawing bit, and ten miles of it with that speed, that he could have left behind him most horses in England, that were not kept. This examinant further faith, that this way proving not effectual, there was a resolution taken to hire a house upon the way to Hampton-court, out of which they might shoot him as he went by in his coach. And accordingly the said Sundercombe took a house at Hammersmith, at this end of the town on the righthand as we go from London, where there is a garden-wall, and upon the wall a banquetting house, which is upon the street, out of which the intention was to shoot him, as he came by, with guns made on purpose for that business, which should carry twelve or more bullets at a time, and Toop was to give them notice when the protector went that way, and at which end of the coach he sat. And faith the guns were prepared, one whereof he saw, and was like a harquebus, and would carry about twelve bullets and a slug. And this business was chiefly directed by one Boyes, who was much with Sundercombe, and is a man of somewhat a low stature, and small boned, brownish hair curling to slaxen, sanguine complexion, and wore his beard long. Being asked where the said Boyes lodged, and what he was, he faith he cannot tell, nor could ever learn, but often went between this place and Flanders, and that he is now gone thither. And this examinant further faith, that at the same time they had a design to fire Whitehall, and a firework was prepared for that purpose, made up in a handbasket, with two matches hanging out of each side of above a yard long, which he supposeth was made by the said Boyes, who hath great skill in fireworks; and that this firework when it was made ready, was left at Toop's quarters, Sundercombe and Toop having been about it for a good while, and had viewed several places where they might put it in, and Toop undertook to place it himself; and as Sundercombe told this examinant he had twenty pound given him for it, which is he had performed, this examinant believes he had not known of it till it had been executed; but it not being done it was communicated to him about five or six days since, and about saturday last it was carried from Toop's lodging to the lodging of this examinant in King-street, and yesterday the said Sundercombe, Toop, and this examinant, met at the bear in King-street, and there they resolved to bring the said firework, and put it into the chapel, and they came together between five and six a clock in the evening of yesterday: they came together to the chapel door, and finding all things to their mind, this examinant and Sundercombe went back to this examinant's lodging, lighted the match, and brought it with them; and this examinant having opened the door, Sundercombe laid it in, and so locked the door again. It was about six o'clock when they laid it in, and they conceived it would have fired about twelve o'clock, or between twelve and one in the night. And being asked what issue they expected of this, said, that at least it would have had this effect, that their party would have been satisfied that they were not idle, but were at work to accomplish what they had designed.

And this examinant further faith, that Boyes did assure them, that when the protector was dispatched, forces were to come over from Flanders in ships, to be hired of the Dutch with the king of Spain's money, and that then also a great part of the fleet would fall off; but faith he cannot tell the particulars of these things, but hath heard and believes, that col. Sexby is the man, that doth agitate these affairs at Brussels.

And he faith, that Boyes hath had much discourse about a port town to be procured and seized upon, where forces might be landed, and they expressed much desire to have Portsmouth or Plymouth, or some place in the west; where also there was shipping to be seized upon; and said, that a very great sum of money was to be given to have such a place; but he is not able to say, whether they have any assurance of any such thing, but thinks they have not as yet. But doth believe that their design is going on for taking away the life of the protector, and that this deficiency will not hinder the prosecution thereof; and that he believes there are thirty or forty men engaged therein, and they will order it so, that not above two shall know of one another, until it be ready to be executed, only there shall be one person, who shall know the whole number; and this person, he thinks, is Boyes. This examinant further faith, that there was a design to take away the protector's life the first day of the parliament, as he went thither, and there was a trunk of blunderbusses and scrued guns carried into a chamber at a sempster's shop in king-street, on the left hand of the street as we go to Westminster, taken by Boyes for that purpose, the intention being to shoot the protector as he went by in his coach; but it appearing that there was not any possible way of escaping out of the house, they were discouraged from that enterprize. Then they hired part of a house, which is next to the east door of the abbey-church, and on the right hand, thinking to shoot him as he went from the sermon to the parliament-house: they hired it of a colonel, who knew nothing of the business, he keeping only a room or two himself; but they having not time to make conveniencies, and finding so many people standing on both sides the way, before the protector came by, and as he passed, they durst not do any thing, for fear of being discovered before they shot; but faith, that house stands so conveniently, both for escaping after the fact; and for all other purposes, that it is resolved to make use of it upon the next occasion, if they can get the colonel quite out of it, which they will endeavour to do, and then will fit all things for the purpose. And being asked, where money is had for managing those things, he faith, he is not able to say that; it is Boyes, who provided it all. And faith, that he heard Boyes say, that the protector had got some of their money, but that they should be supplied with more. And being asked, what chief persons in England they relied upon for carrying on the business, faith, that he believes, that col. Overton was the chief, but that he was in prison.

And being further asked about the design of killing the protector the day he went to the parliament-house, he faith, that he was engaged by Boyes, to be one, that should shoot, being brought acquainted with him by Sundercombe, and that Sundercombe was another; and believes, that they three were all to be present; and faith, that he this examinant saw one blunderbuss at the house by the abbey, which was to be used for the purpose aforesaid. He further faith, that there is one major Wood, who was formerly an officer in sir William Waller's army, who is one of this party, and doth often go between this country and Flanders; but he is not acquainted with any particular business, that he doth or hath transacted.

John Cicell.

Dorp, the Dutch ambassador at Dantzick, to the States General.

Vol. xlvi. p. 127.

High and mighty lords.

My Lords, I have safely received your high and mighty lordships resolution of the 5^th instant. I shall not fail to effect your high and mighty lordships commands, at the return of the lords ambassadors, to your high and mighty lordships content.

Of late we have had no news here worthy of your high and mighty lordships knowledge; only we hear, that the king of Sweden hath retaken the town of Conitz.

The Polish general Pototsky and the lieut. gen. Landtskronsky are said to have left the army, and to have yielded up their commands to the general Charnetsky.

Dantzick, January 20, 1657. [N. S.]

Fred. Van Dorp.

P. S. The letters, which came this morning from Koningsburg, advise, that proclamation was made there, that no citizen shall drive any trade with those of Dantzick, nor send any goods thither, nor receive none from thence, upon a certain penalty.

A letter of intelligence from Dantzick.

Jan. 20, 1657. [N. S.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 135.

The inclination, which I said to be, in mine of the 17^th instant, that in the Polish court there is for an accommodation of the differences between that and Muscovy, doth seem to be confirmed, in regard a Polish lord, called Bonkofsky, is designed to go ambassador to the great Czar. And although he be ready to go his journey, yet it is thought he will be delayed, till such time the court hath heard what the ambassador from the emperor hath brought, who was arrived near to Dantzick. In the mean time the Swedes are victorious in Pomerania, having retaken Conitz. The king of Poland hath summoned again all the gentry of Pomerania to come to his assistance. The Swedes are fortifying of Thorn, and more forces put into it, in regard the inhabitants begin to be weary of their guests.

The city of Elbing sheweth more affection to their garrison, having lately caused some coin to be made with the king of Sweden's picture upon it on the one side, and their arms on the other; in recompence whereof the said king hath taken off a part of the jus patronatus belonging unto them.

The prohibiting of all manner of trade to Dantzick doth cause no small discontent amongst the merchants.

General Spar is at Koningsburgh, and the earl of Waldecke at Labiauw, and there is no great disposition perceived in those places to peace.

To the Venetian agent.

Antwerp, Jan. 20, 1657. [N. S.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 137.

We have not any thing considerable at present. The duke of York is gone from the king his brother very much distasted, towards Holland; and from thence he will go to Cologn. The occasion of the falling out between them is said to be the king's turning away one, that hath been the duke's governor for many years; but it is thought, they will be reconciled again suddenly. The said king's business is very much retarded for want of money. The safe arrival of the fleet from the Indies will be a means to advance his interest very much.

A letter of intelligence.

Paris, Jan. 20, 1657. [N. S.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 139.

Sir,
They write from Languedoc, that the soldiers of the regiment of Estrades, who had saved themselves in a village, afterwards made a composition, that four serjeants, who were the authors of the disorder, should be put into the hands of the parliament of Toulouse to be punished, and that all the officers should be bound to make good the damage, which they alledge to be made in that province by the said soldiery.

Here is a report, as if the king did intend to make a journey to Lyons, the better to manage his designs in Italy; and also to bridle the people of Languedoc and Provence.

They write from Flanders, that the duke of York hath forsaken Charles Stuart's court in a discontent, and is retreated to Escluse, which belongeth to the Hollanders; and that this misunderstanding will be very prejudicial to the affairs of the said Stuart.

The earl Tot, though he hath taken upon him as yet no public character, yet nevertheless he hath had two private conferences with the cardinal, who received him very civilly. The said earl is said to go for Italy, after he hath done here, to see the queen Christina from the king of Sweden.

Col. Brayne to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xlvi. p. 123.

Right honourable,
I Have written many particulars to his highnes and my lord Lambart, which I need not repeat, because I know they will come to your sight. Money for fortification and six monthes provisions are the only great necessities here, which provision, if timely sent, will probably take away your future care for provisions for this army, and the fortifications, when compleated, will ease you from keeping much shipping here to justifie this place. Alsoe if his highnes and counsell would give a generall libertie of trade here to all nations in amity with England, for the space of seven years, it would speedily plant and settle this place. And I humbly conceive, itt would bee noe prejudice to England, the customes and excise being already given away, and probably would endeare the Dutch with the beneffit of the trade, and cause him lay aside the thought of joyning with the Spanyard: but I submit all to your honour's consideration, and leave it to your thoughts to propose it or not, as you shall see cause.

I have sent by this shipping eleaven Spanyards, who I found prissners here. They have eaten us up much provision, and by negligence of their keeping have given intelligence against us. Vice-admiral Goodsonne will shortly be with you, who I have desired to give a full accompt of the state of assayres here. But I beseech you let not money and provisions be delayed, least their bee a shipwracke in the very harbour's mouth of all our endeavours. I finde all the land affaires in very great confusion here, and difficultys rather greater than they were in the beginning, plantations being raised, and seeds and plants not to bee had; soe that I must bee forced to send to other Islands for them, stores imbezilled, great animositys betwixt officers and souldiers, and want of performance of duty on both sides; great want of able accomptants, as also of men cordiall to the busines. Yet I hope God will bring us thro' all these difficultys. I promised in my last to give you an account of Barbados. At my comeing there, I found a generall aversness, even of those in autority, to this designe, which I endeavoured to satisfy, and enquiringe diligently into the cause, I finde the takeing of persons thence doth in their oppinions lessen their profit, the excise of goods being employed to their's and the country's benefit; to remedy which, if their were an able person sent over as atturney, or solliciter for his highnes, to raise and take care for all dews, that belong to his highnes, as excise, petty imposts, fines, forfeitures, amerciaments, and all other perquisits of courts, I easily believe it might be worth 10,000 l. per annum; part whereof might bee laid out for necessary fortification by some able engineer, that allready done there being of no worth, and great cost; besides, the remayneing part might ease his highnes's charge here, and might bee ordered to pay for the transport of men from thence hither, there being many continually made free, who cannot have plantations upon that place, and the great men there doe now see, that though they have hindered them from comeing hither, yet they daily departe thence to other plantations. This in duty I thought myselfe bound to acquaint you with. I have noe more at present, but againe humbly begg your honour's care, that money and provisions be speedly sent unto

Your honor's most obleidged servant,
Will. Brayne.

Jamaica, 10 Jan. 1656.

Sussex sc. An information of John Pellett. Saturday, Jan. 10, 1656, at the Bull in Lewes, at Mr. Richardson's.

Vol. xlvi. p. 131.

Upon a discourse had betwixt J. Pellet of Arundel, and col. Culpepper, who curst the decimators, and all the devisers of the decimation. H. Woodcocke, upon that discourse arising about decimation, which being defended as just in the lord protector by John Pellet, the said Henry Woodcocke did with many reproachful words enveigh against decimation and decimators; and being told by Pellet, it was a mercy in the protector and council, in regard the cavaliers had forfeited both life and goods, the said Woodcocke cursed that mercy, and said, if he had as many lives as he had hairs, taking himself by a lock of his hair, he would spend them all against such traytors and rebells, as were against the cavaliers. And being told by John Pellet, that the cavaliers had had fighting enough, wherein God was always against them; and the said Pellet told him thus much, We have always beaten you; the said Woodcocke asked Pellet, whom he meant by saying we: the said Pellet told him, he meant the protector, and those that took part with the late parliament against the late king's party, who had conquered the cavalier party at Marston-Moore, at Naseby, Cheriton, Oxford, and all places else, where God had given signal testimonies of his power against the late king's party. To which the said Woodcocke replied, saying, You are all a company of traitors and rebels; adding these words, God confound me, if in case I had the power in my hand, there should never a rogue of you all have a bit of bread in the kingdom; referring in his said speech to the protector, and all that take part with him against the cavalier party; adding more a report of two persons going forth to fight, the one at his going forth saying, Lord bless me, Lord bless me; the other, whose name was Leonard, crying out with his arms cast out, God damn me, God damn me, God damn me, commending the said Leonard, saying, that he came off bravely, when the other was slain. To the which the said Pellet replied, saying, Where now are all your God damn me's? Hath not the Lord trampled them all as mire in the street under the feet of the present power? Whereupon the said Woodcocke, looking round about him to observe if any person heard him, the said Henry Woodcocke spake of having a thousand men and five hundred horse, vowing he would cut them all (having relation to the protector and present power) in pieces, and that before long time the said Pellet should see it and feel it. To the which the said Pellet replied, saying, the said Woodcock shewed what he would do, in case he had power in his hand, as the protector and the present power had in their's; the said Pellet adding, that in case he were of council with the present government, such implacable cavaliers and enemies to the state, as would not be at peace in the nation, he would have them sent to Jamaica; telling the said Woodcocke, it was great mercy in the protector and council to let such irreconcileable enemies have a being. Whereupon the said Woodcocke, clapping his hand into his pocket, drew out somewhat, and clap'd to the breast of the said Pellet, vowing he could afford to pistol him; and called him traitor and rebel, bidding the said Pellet to honour the king, demanding of the said Pellet, which way he went home, vowing he would have an account of him very speedily. And Francis Woodcocke, one of the brothers of the said Henry, coming into the chamber at that instant, it being the lodging chamber of the said John Pellet, the said Henry Woodcocke began to repeat to his said brother part of the former discourse; and forthwith the said Francis Woodcocke said, in case he had said so much to him, he would have thrown the beer in his face; and struck the said Pellet standing peaceably by the fire-side with a glass, filled with beer, in the face, giving the said Pellet three wounds near the eye. And the said Henry did at that instant catch the said Pellet by the hair, and both of the Woodcocke's did wound and violently beat and abuse the said Pellet, giving him six wounds in the head and face, tearing his cloaths, and plucking much of his hair off his head, and laming him in his leg, insomuch by effusion of blood running from the said wounds, two table-napkins were soaked in blood; and the said Pellet's cloaths being exceeding bloody, his wounds bleeding all night, altho' dressed by an able surgeon.

And the said Pellet upon oath further saith, that the said Henry Woodcocke at the time of this discourse was very sober, and did well understand what he spake, and that during this discourse, which lasted about an hour in the said Pellet's chamber, where there was no person present in the said chamber, during the discourse aforesaid, but the said Pellet and the said Henry Woodcocke.

And the said John Pellet upon oath saith, that at the time of the battery there was no person present, but William Gratwick of Torton; and that the said Pellet used not a word of provocation to Francis Woodcocke, nor to the said Henry; for truth whereof Pellet refers to the testimony of the said William Gratwick.

I do upon this 12^th of Jan. 1656, upon oath, testify the whole above written narrative and discovery.

John Pellet.

This was given into Mr. Boughton at Lewes,
the 10^th of Jan. 1656.

The occasion of that controversy, which arose at the Bull in Lewes betwixt Henry Woodcocke and John Pellet, was by means of one Culpepper, who being in the chamber of John Pellet, refused his part of the reckoning; and being thereunto requested by John Pellet, he answered, he was decimated for his sins and demerits. Hereupon he cursed, The plague of God take the decimators, and all that devised decimation. The said Pellet affirmed, it was just in the protector and his council, since the cavaliers had forfeited lives and estates. And the said Pellet being asked, if he would justify decimation, since it was after the act of oblivion and composition, Pellet replied, and said, the parliament did not admit them to composition, and pass the act of oblivion, to render the cavaliers able to cut the parliament's own throats. Hereupon the said colonel Culpepper cursed the late parliament, saying, they were rogues, and villains, and knaves, and pull'd out by the ears for their knavery; which being denied by Pellet, and he telling the said Culpepper, the cavaliers were the conquered party, the company broke up, and presently after, the within written Henry Woodcocke laid hold of Pellet, telling him he would have an account of him, for speaking against the cavalier party; and thereupon ensued the within written discourse betwixt Henry Woodcocke and Pellet.

John Pellet.

This was given in upon oath at Lewes,
the 21^st of Jan. 1656, before the commissioners.

The judges of the admiralty to the protector's council.

In the possession of Mr. Theophilus Rowe, of Hampstead in Middlesex.

Right honourable,
Haveing seen your honours order bearing date the 6^th of Jan. 1656, whereby it is ordered, that the Dutch ship called the Charity or Love of Rotterdam, Cornelius Janson master, which in her way toward Bilboa, being laden with salmon and herrings, was taken by the Oxford frigot, and brought into Dover, should with all her furniture, company and lading, bee forthwith discharged, and suffered to proceed on her voyage, whereof wee are by the said order to take notice; we could not but conceive it our duty, humbly to represent unto your honours, that the said ship and ladeing, as stated in your lordships sayd order, are by the 7^th article of peace lately concluded between England and Holland, consiscable. Wherefore when wee consider the quality of the sayd ladeing to bee soe advantagious for the enemy, by furnishing them with victualls, wee could not conceive our duty discharged without humbly submitting this to your lordships, and remayn,
Right honourable,
Your honours humble servants,
Jo. Godolphin, C. G. Cocke.

Doctor's-Commons, Jan. 10, 1656.

To the right hon. the council at Whitehall.

Will. Rowe esq, to general Disbrowe.

Honourable Sir,
When I offered to your honour this inclosed from the judges of the admiralty, you desired it might bee given you, when the council should sitt this day; and I promised I would wayte upon your honour with it, as sensible, that if this bee the eighth ship of the Dutch, which hath been taken and released, carrying that which hath been relief to the enemy, how many passe, which are not taken, and yet by the treaty noe such thing should bee. But if they (the Dutch) must drive what trade they please till England have none but under them, it seemeth sad as to others, soe to

Your honor's most humble servant,
W. R.

To the right honourable general Disbrowe.

Jan. 13, 1656.

To his highness the lord protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging.

The humble petition of the merchants and well-affected people, whose names are subscribed.

In the possession of Mr. Theophilus Rowe, of Hampstead in Middlesex.

Sheweth,
That some of your petitioners and others, haveing commenced suites in your highness's courte of admiraltie, some for matters done upon the sea, and others upon contractbills of ladeing and agreements made beyond the seas, according to the conclusions of the civill law, the generall rules and usages of other contracts, there have of late beene obstructions to their proceedeings in the said courte by motions and rules for prohibitions, and allsoe actions brought at common law for the selfe same things decreed and judged in your highness said courte of admiralty, which tendeth very much to the damage of the petitioners, and will much obstruct and hinder the forreine comerce, if timely remedy bee not by your highness's wisdome provided therein. And for that upon contracts and acts betwixt party and party, done upon, and beyond the seas, our common law books determine them to belong to the admiralty courte, and not to be triable at common law, and common reason, declareing that contracts made beyond the seas by doctors of law and notarys, according to principles and conclusions used there, should not bee tryed by any other law repugnant, and in many other things contrary to that law by which the partys made their agreement. The petitioners findeing, that heertofore in such cases of clashing of jurisdictions, recourse was made to the former kings and their councell, where the judges of their majestyes courtes at Westminster, and the judges of their courte of admiralty being, and the matter debated, composures were made, and perticulerly upon full hearing of all the then judges of England, and his then majesty's attorney generall 22 Feb. 1632; the causes upon which the petitioners complaine, were by assent of the judges and attourny declared to belonge to the admiralty as by the president annexed appeareth.

The petitioners as well thereupon, as for that allsoe, they humbly conceive there would otherwise bee not only an obstruction, but allsoe a failer of justice in many causes, where the rules of the common law would not relieve either them or forreigners, doe beseech your highness to bee pleased, that their petition and such greevances as they shall humbly present, may bee heard before your highness and your honourable councell, in presence of the judges of your highness's courts of Westminster and the judges of your admiralty, that soe by your highness's wisdome, with advice of your council and judges, such composures may be made, that justice may have it's free course, and the people may only try their rights and causes, without wasting their estates by obstruction of jurisdiction, or otherwise to doe therein for your petitioners releife, as to your highness in your greate wisdome shall seeme most meete; and in the meane that proceedeings against the petitioners at the common law may stay.

And they shall pray.

At Whitehall, Feb. 18, 1632.

Present.

The king's most excellent majestie.

The lord keeper and twenty three lords of the councell.

Conventio inter judices seculares & judices admiralitatis quoad prohibitiones.

This day his majestie being present in councell, the articles and propositions for accommodateing the differences concerneing prohibitions agreed unto and subsigned by all the judges and his majesty's attourney generall were read, and ordered to be entred into the register of councell causes, and the originall to remaine in the councell chest.

1. If suites shall bee commenced in the courte of admiraltie upon contracts made, or other things personally done upon or beyond the seas, no prohibition is to be awarded.

2. If suite shall bee before the admirall for servants or mariners wages, or for the breach of charter partys for voyages to be made beyond the sea, though the charter partys happen to bee made within the realme, and allthough the money bee paybable within the realme, soe as the penalty bee demanded, a prohibition is not to be granted; but if suites bee for penalty, or if the question bee made, whether the charter party were made or not, or whether the plantiff did release, or otherwise discharge the same within the realme; that is to bee tryed in the king's court at Westminster, and not in the king's courte of the admiralty, soe that first it be denied upon oath, that a charter party was made or a denyall upon oath tendred.

3. If suite shall bee in the courte of admiralty for buying, saving necessary victualling of a ship against the ship itselfe, and not against any party by name, but such as for his intrest makes himself a party, noe prohibition is to bee granted, though this bee done within the realme.

4. Likewise the admirall may enquire of and redress all annoyances and obstructions, in all navigable rivers beneath the first bridges, that are impediments to navigation or passage to or from the sea; and allsoe try personall contracts and injurys there, which concerne navigation upon the sea, and no prohibition is to be granted in such cases.

5. If any bee imprisoned and upon habeas corpus, if any of these bee the cause of imprisonment, and that bee so certifyed, the party shall be remanded.

signed,
Tho. Richardson
Ro. Heath
Humphry Davenport
John Denham
Richard Hutton
William Jones
Geo. Croker
Tho. Trevor
George Vernon
James Weston
Ro. Barkley
Francis Crawley
Henry Marten
William Noye.

Ex. T. Meautys.

The Dutch ambassadors in Denmark to Ruysch.

Vol. xlvi. p. 141.

My lord,
The resident of Sweden having received new and (as the 1^d amb. of the duke of Brandenburg told the ryxhoffmaster) ample and satisfactory orders to treat with this crown, hath offered to enter upon the negotiation; but in regard he produceth no other power than what they refused to accept of formerly, and saith, that he hath no other, this business is returned upon the same difficulties, which have delayed it all this while. And there hath again been proposed to the said ambassador and resident the same thing, about the security of Dantzick, which was proposed heretofore, and which we advised your lordship of in ours of the 3^d instant. The lord ambassador of Brandenburg moved to the lord ryxhoffmaster, that almost all states had treated with Sweden, or endeavoured to treat with that king; and that it was so much the more admired, that his majesty, who could make best his condition, should shew himself so backward to treat, and this the chiefest argument, wherewith they endeavour to bring on the said treaty. But we can assure their high and mighty lordships, that his majesty and the lords ministers of this crown are sincerely affected, if so be they can remain united with the high and mighty lordships to facilitate, by no separate treaty during the war in Prussia, the Swedish designs upon that dukedom, but rather to help and re-establish by the most efficacious means the affairs of Prussia, which they conceive will be best effected by a treaty of peace, and the which will be best maintained by a joint treaty, and not by a seperate one, which will rather hinder it than advance it.

The lords ryxhoffmaster and chancellor delivered to us on thursday last a project of ampliation of the foregoing alliance between their high and mighty lordships and this crown, differing in some points from those orders, which we have of their high and mighty lordships concerning the same; but we doubt not, but that we shall be able to effect the same, conformable to the mind of their high and mighty lordships, by reason of the facility, which the said lords declared to lay down for the effecting of the same; only in the article speaking of the countries, upon which the defensive alliance hath regard; in place that the foregoing treaty in the first article; and in the third, which is relating to the first, where it is said, his majesty of Denmark and his crowns and dominions, there is put in the said project of ampliation his royal majesty, his kingdoms, dukedoms, and countries, which he is possessing at present, or which he may possess hereafter by succession; upon which the said lords declared to us, that by the said words, which had a line drawn under them, there is nothing else understood, than the earldom Oudenborgh. And therefore we by ourselves considering in what manner the said earldom is neighboured, we thought we had no reason to speak against it; but at last told them, that we must expect their high and mighty lordships further order upon the same, which we shall expect, if they think fit to take any upon the same, that so this business may be perfected to the content of their high and mighty lordships. Likewise in the said project the increase of assistance was put upon eight thousand men; but if so be their high and mighty lordships persisted by their former resolution to agree rather upon six thousand, there will not be much insisted on the side of his majesty. As far as we perceive in the conference, the said lords were desirous to know of us, whether their high and mighty lordships did not think fit to agree with his majesty about that, which concerneth the city of Dantzick (whereby they understand here the whole state of Prussia) and in their discourse upon that subject, they declared, that it was his majesty's opinion, that they ought not to delay the same any longer; but in regard we answered, that we could say nothing else of the intention and proceedings of their high and mighty lordships about the same, then what we signified formerly; and that we would gladly hear his majesty's considerations upon the same; whereupon their excellencies made answer, that we might assure their high and mighty lordships in general, that they should find his majesty ready to all good and vigorous resolutions; but that so long as they could not tell, what will become of the Elbing treaty, and what their high and mighty lordships resolutions will be upon the same, they could not particularize. We have communicated here the order of their high and mighty lordships to their ambassadors in Prussia, to demand further elucidation upon several points of that treaty; and we endeavour what we can to satisfy his majesty about it, who seems to expect their high and mighty lordships further resolution concerning it.

They are very much alarmed in Sweden upon the council of this crown, in regard it seems clearly, that they will set forth a fleet, wherewith they here will be able to hinder all recruits to go from Sweden towards the Baltick, and also prevent any from going from any of his other countries, which resolution of Denmark will be soon effected, as is judged by several, if so be their high and mighty lordships will close with this crown, and that nothing maketh this crown so backward in executing of their resolution, as that they apprehend their high and mighty lordships will ratify the treaty of Elbing, as it now lieth.

They write from Riga very sad news of mortality, want of provisions and money in that city.

The king treated us very nobly on tuesday last, and declared a very great affection to their high and mighty lordships to cultivate the former amity and alliance, and to increase the same from time to time, upon which we verily believe their high and mighty lordships may absolutely rely.

Beuningen.

Amerongen,
Viersen.

Copenhagen, Jan. 21, 1657. [N. S.]

A letter of intelligence from Blank Marshall.

Bruges, January 21, 1656/7. [N. S.]

Vol. lvii. p. 124.

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Sir,
Y e s t e r d a y I r e t u r n e d from the m u s t e r a t D i c k s m u d e we passed M u s t e r a b o u t e i g h t h u n d e r e d but not e f f e c t i v e t h r e e. A l l the a r m y i s g o n t o q u a r t e r s d. John has r e d u c e d f i f t i e two t r o o p s o f h o r s ther p a y and thankes was the k. of Spayn h e s n o m o r e t o d o e w i t h y o u.

D. John i s to bee r e m o o v e d f r o m h i s c o m a n d: a y o n g e r b r o t h e r o f d u k e T e r r o l e of the h o u s e of Aus t r i a is to come in h i s st e a d d. York w e n t from h e n c the 13^th i n s t a n t t o B r e d a. Y e s t e r day Ormond took h i s j o u r n e y for the D y e t t o G e r m a n y. C. Stew. g o e t h s u d d a i n l y after d. of York t o B r e d a to m e e t h i s s i s t e r: i n s h o r t t y m e ther b u si ne s 52 19 w i l l c o me t o l i g h t. Ther went l a t e l y from h e n c t w o p e r s o ns f o r E n g l a n d; o n e i s w h o s e b r o t h e r y o u h a v e p r i s s o n e d h i s n a m e i s H o w l d e r. For news wee have none here, but for your business you may bee sure I will not fayle you when you think fit to comand mee. Direct your's as formerly. So humbly beg pardon for my boldness, and am, sir,
Your most devoted and humble servant,
J. H.

The resident of Dantzic to the States General.

Presented, Jan. 22, 1657. [N. S.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 157.

High And Mighty Lords,
The present inconveniencies of the city of Dantzick are so well known to your high and mighty lordships, by several representations made by the ministers of the said city, as otherwise, that the government there, having continually expected the promised subsidy of 12000 rix-dollars per mensem, concerning which the subscribed commissioners do desire a speedy and favourable resolution, as also reimbursement of what hath been paid by the said government to your forces there; which though but just in itself, yet the same will be well taken by the lords of Dantzick, as a continuation of your high and mighty lordships singular affection for redress of their affairs.

Extract out of the register of the resolutions of their high and mighty lordships States General of the United Netherlands.

Lunæ, Jan. 22, 1657. [N. S.]

Vol. xlvi. p. 155.

The lords commissioners of the province of Zealand have declared the consent of the lords their principals, whereby they have thought fit to ratify the treaty made between the king of Sweden and this state at Elbing, upon condition of two observations and considerations proposed by the lords of Holland relating to the word circiter, as also peculiares societatis & per sonarum specialia privilegia. The said lords do agree with the lords of Holland in those considerations. Whereupon being debated, the lords States General gave thanks to the said lords commissioners for their overture; and it is herewith also desired, that the other provinces, that are yet defective herein, will forthwith declare themselves upon this subject.