State Papers, 1657: November (1 of 5)

November (1 of 5)

A letter of intelligence from col. Bamfylde.

Vol. lv. p. 225.

[Paragraph contains cyphered content — see page image]

Sir,
I Have received yours yesterday of the 23d of October, stil. vet. Those whoe have informed you contrary to what you have received from me, touching the elect i on, may have wrote theyr affections rather then the truth of the thing: the state whereof you have had as perfectly as ma. Grammont himselfe coulde give it you, if he were your correspondent. The generall vogue there is, that the king of Hungary will be emperour; but such as knowe the secretts of things have very good reason to doute it, and to be of the oppinion, that you say Bamp. is of. Here is come a letter from the pope to all the ecclesiasticall electors, exhorting them to mediate with their uttermost instance for the peace betwixt France and Spayne; to which effect the elector of Mayence made an extraordinary speech on monday last to the essembly; wherein he tells them, that the best foundation, that can be layed for such an election, as may be for the tranquility of the empire, will be that accord, if it can be effected. The coppye of this speech I shall send you by the post that parts hence upon thursday next: I have it in Dutch, but did not thinke fitt to send it you, till I had translated it. The French prosess great forwardnesse herein, and desire, that it may precede the election; thowgh I doe not beleive either party mean it in good earnest; and yet it may very probably bee: if there happens a peace betwixt Sweden and Denmarke, and that the elector of Brandenburgh can be gayned to the French and Swedish party, I neither beleive the peace will be, nor the king of Hungary chosen emperour; and without that, both are likely, since none of the electors, whoe (out of aversions to the house of Austria, or from more publique considerations, or upon promises or hopes of advantage) are enclined to translate the empire to any other famely, will never attempt it, unlesse they finde themselves very substancially backed, at least by an equall, if not by a superior power, to that, which is visible in the service of the house of Austria. I expect nowe you should tell me, all this is conjecture; indeed moste of it, I confesse, is soe; but withall I muste tell you, that 'tis the sense of the wisest and neerliest concerned persons heere, and all the judgment they can make: and allbeit, in two or three of the cheif poynts, all men can be as yet but guessers, yet some (like good phisicians) may by a more perfect knowledge of the tempers and humors of persons and things, guesse nearer then ill ones can. In fine, if you will aske me, whoe will infallibly be chosen emperour? I must only answer you, that neither I nor any man liveing can resolve you without the spirit of divination. If you shall demand, whoe is likely to stand in competition with the king of Hungary? I shall say, the duke of Bavaria. If you aske, whoe will be for and whoe against? I must referre you to my last letters, wherein is contayned as exact an account as I am capable of rendring you; and without much indulgence to my selfe I may say, as you can have from any els. The newes wee have here from other parts is, that the count de Bouchaine with those troopes, which were upon the frontiers of Transylvania, are yet upon the borders of Silecia adjoyning to Poland, the Pole declaring he has noe need of them, nor is able to make provisions for them. 'Tis sayed, that many of the most considerable of the nobillity are much discontented at the Austrians, and fear their aristocracy, and the liberty of their electing their king, both which they have soe longe mayntayned, will be much endangered by theyr king's late bargayne. Hopes there are, that these embers raked up in ashes may in time be blowne up to something: however for the present, the Austrian invades Prusia, and the Pole has passed the Oder for certayne with 20000 men, as is suspected, to beseidge Stetin. For the business of Buck, if it falls out, as I have some time beleived, I am only afrayed, I shall grow a little supersticious of my owne augury for the future. I beleive, if I had jugled, I had succeeded much better then I have done or am like to doe. Upon this it may be depended, the great designe, which they say here must breake out in two months, is of that nature, as the protector himself cannot hinder, thowgh he knewe of it, and that some considerable persons about him are privy to it. Indeed if they would whistle the king in, and sett him upon the throne without blowes, they might peradventure finde theyr accounte therein; but since there must be a war for it, and the chance there is allways uncertayne; and thowgh the victory shoulde answer the wishes, I much doute they would be of Ciceroe's oppinion; Quod in bello civili miserius nihil quam ipsa victoria, quæ etiamsi ad meliores venit, tamen eos ipsos injustiores impotentioresque reddit; ut etiamsi natura tales non sint, necessitate esse cogantur. Multa enim victori eorum arbitrio, per quos vicit, etiam invito facienda sunt. But I fear this is ridicula serie tractare; and therefore, although you have accustomed your selfe to allow mee a little ralliery with you, yet I shall not weare out too much time upon soe flight and improbable a subject. In fine, I am come soe neer the French humor, whoe usually prefer particular frendships and obligations to any more publique concernments, that I thinke, I shall as well take the side that you take, as assure you, that I am with moste unseigned affection,

Sir,
Your most humble and most obedient servant.

Nov. the 1/11, 1657.

For sir John Hobart, these.

Lockhart, embassador in France, to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. lv. p. 201.

Right Honorable,
Yesterday's post broght me two of yours of the dates the 23d and 27th October. I should me more afflicted for your indisposition mentioned in the first, if the second, by reason of its being writt with your own hand, did not give me hops of your recovery. I pray God your health may answer my hops and wishes.

Upon thursday last mr. de Lyon gave me a visitt. After a generall discourse, he said the cardinall told him, he was to imploy him in some businesse with me, but had not then leisure to give him his commands, but ordered his waiting upon him next morning for that end, and concluded, he had resolved to pay his first visitt purely upon the account of respect, without any relation to businesse. After I had expressed my sense of the honor he did me, and entertained him with all the other civilitys I could, I told him (what I feare you will fynd too trew) how unhappy I should esteem my self, to be putt to treat on any businesse with one of his greatt parts and experience, who by his employs in Roome and Spain, had gained a perfytt knowledg in the nycest intrigues of all affaires. I rendered his visitt next day, and this morning he sent me word he would be with me this evening. My expectation of seeing him made me delay wryting to your honor, till its so late, as I feare this shall misse the post.

Sir, this morning his eminence sent me the inclosed, in return to that of his highness of Sept. 25, with this compliment, that tho' their ambassador at London, yet he would give me the troble of conveying of it. Yesterday he sent the master of the horse with a copple of very fyn barbs, who told me he was to bring me two more within a fortnight; the reason he had not broght them was, because they were not yet arryv'd from Marseilles. They are intended for his highness, tho' pretended to be given to me. I should send the two I have received imediatly for England, if one of them had not gott a little cold in his jorney hither. They are rarely well mannaged, and deserve to be so well looked too, that I hope his highness will give me leave to come over with them.

Monday next the parliament heare sitts. Its thoght they will come from their vacation with greatt zeale for vindicating their pretended priviledges. Mons. de Turein is arryved. Alsatia is lyk to be in a dangeros posture by reason of mons. de Harcourt's discontents and humors. His last letter to the cardinal is highly resented at court.

The clergy's passion for a peace with Spain is so violent, as it cannot be durable. Mademoselle Manchiny, the cardinal's neece, is to be marryed to prince Eugene, son to prince Thomas of Savoy. His mother was eldest sister to the count of Soissons. The forfeiture of that family is taken of in his favor, and he is made count of Soissons, and the whole estate restored to him. Another match is making up betwixt the duke of Bouillon's son (who is also to be mons. de Turein's heire) and another of the neeces: By this its desygned to serve mons. Turein's interest (upon whom new honors are to be conferr'd) and its thought Sedan will be restored to the duke of Bouillon. Tho' these newes be of no extraordinary importance, yett they declare how exactly this great and wyse man observs tyms and seasons, and how carefull he is to make hay whyle the sunn shynes. But I beseech you pardon this impertinency.

Right honorable,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
Will. Lockhart.

Paris, Nov. 11/1 1657.

Capt. R. Manley to mr. Ant. Rogers.

Vol. lv. p. 203.

Dear Ant.

I Have wrote a long and materiall letter to you in two English envoys pacquett: the direction is to your selfe. You will understand therby the difference betwixt the king and our states, the taking of Fredericksode by the Swades, the ravage of Charnisky in Pomerania, the treaty betwixt the king of Poland and the elector, and that I am
Wismar, 12/2 Nov. [1657.]

Yours for ever, J. B.

I sent you a cypher last week; if that be not come safe, send me answer, and forget not your frend and servant. The letters sent to the resident Romer came safely. Continue that way, wee will still know from

The king assisted at the solemne thanksgiving in the great church for his victorie at Fredericksode. All the canon about the towne and in the fleet fired for joy.

RECIPES of moneys out of his highness's exchequer, for the use of the publick contingencies, being from the 1st day of November 1656, to the 1st of November 1657.

Vol. lxii. p. 25.

Disbursements in reference to the government, being from the 1st day of November, 1656, to the 1st day of November, 1657.

Vol. lxii. p. 9.

Disbursements to severall pensioners, being from the first day of November 1656, tothe first day of November 1657.

Vol. lxii. p. 5.

Disbursements to severall uses, being from the first day of November 1656, to the first day of November 1657.

Vol. lxii. p. 1.

An estimate of the charge of the ensuing year, ending the first of November 1675.

In the possession of G. Duckett, esq.

The present revenue.

An abstract of the revenue of Ireland, as to the whole receipts thereof for 2 years, determining the 1st of November 1657, and how disposed.

Vol. lv. p. 205.

N. B. All tythes parochial and other are comprehended in the above charge, which are and were since excluded and set apart distinctly, and prove this year short of the present charge for maintenance of the ministry.

Which sume hath been discharged by payments made for

Major-general Jephson to the protector's privy-council.

Vol. lv. p. 162.

My lords,
I Have thus long forborn to give any interruption to your most serious affaires, because I have not found any thing fitt for publick view, which might afford sufficient excuse for such a presumption. What progress I have made in pursuance of my instructions, and what privat observations I have beeneable to make relating to the interest of our commonwealth, I have by the weekely post communicated to mr. secretary, who (I assure myselfe) hath done the same to your lordshipps, when he hath found any thing therein worth your knowlege. But now, having an opportunity to give you the relation of an action perhaps as extraordinary as may fall out in an age, I take the humble boldnes herein to present it. I will not trouble your lordshipps with a perticular enumeration of all the inconveniences which I suffer by my long absence from home; but doe earnestly desire, that my stay in these parts may be noe longer then the necessity of the publick affaires require; wherein whilst I must continue, I shall endeavour to shew myselfe a faithfull and diligent servant. So begging your lordshipps pardon and candid interpretation of this and all other my actions, I assume the liberty to subscribe myselfe,

My lords,
Your most faithfull and humble servant,
William Jephson.

Wismar, Nov. 2, 1657.

A letter of intelligence.

Wismar, the 12/2 Novemb. [1657.]

Vol. lv. p. 225.

Deare brother,
I receaved your's yesterday, of the 16th of October, with nothing but a courant and excuses in it. If I doe not write as often as you would have mee, you must impute it to my journeying, and not neglect; yet I have omitted nothing materiall. I wrote last week to you at large from this place, with a coppie of the king's declaration agaynst the states inclosed. You will thereout understand upon what termes the present affaires stand. His majestie secluded the Holland's ambassadors upon a false presumption, that Appelboom was putt of at the Hague. He was indeed limitted to six weeks time, and the buisinesse remitted to his masters examination; but the others were quite excluded, although there were nothing objected agaynst their persons. Upon their arrivall here, they demanded audience anew; which the king refused them, till he saw the states answer to his declaration; which being sent, his majestie declared to bee more offended therewith, then with any thing that hath happened before; and not only refused them admission, but sent them word by Coignet, his secretarie, that hee would have no further commerce with them, till hee had received satisfaction in honor for the injuries done him. I doubt not, but you will receave both declarations by this post: I gave coppies of both of them to major-generall Jephson, your envoy, who is a person of reall worth, and highly esteemed here. Undoubtedly the ambassadors will bee recalled, at least ordered to remove from court. There lyes a resolution of them of Holland to that purpose alreadie, that in case of none-admission upon this last addresse, their ambassadors should bee undoubtedly recalled. The way seemes open to a rupture, unlesse England and France doe interpose. 'Tis pittie the common enemy should alwayes laugh at the differences of the good partie. The Poles and Austrians appeared before Thorn: 'twas but to observe the place. They are againe retyred. If these last grow masters of Prussia, which is an old designe of theirs, and so gett footing on the Baltick-sea, adieu the Polish libertie, and the freedom of commerce upon that sea. Dansick, whom they would lull with the offer of being imperiall, and new priviledges, may share Polyphemus his favour, to bee last eaten. That towne is in the meane time miserable enough; the magistrates and cittesens at daggers drawing; the Holland auxiliaries returned home; and the plague forely rageing amongst them. The elector hath bin with the king of Poland at Bromberg; they are huge frends at present; but it is a folly to think, that the states of Poland will confirme what the king and a few senators have upon their owne authority concluded. In the meane time the articles are,

1. Pax sit inter omnia.

2. Pillaviam elector retineat, vectigabilis maris solus gaudeat.

3. Elector fiat Brombergii dominus & adjacentis districtus, ut in Marchiam extra regalis territorii sines per suas terras ire possit.

4. Episcopatum Ermlandensem regi cedal, & pro eo totam Pomerelliam capiat.

5. Annum nummorum bactenus regi solvi solitum evanescat.

6. Appellationem ad regem Prussia nesciat.

7. Feudum à rege per legatum elector expetat.

All this is nothing to the great victorie, which the Swedes have gott agaynst the Danes. Wrangel assaulted and tooke Fredericksode upon the 24th of October, early in the morning. A thousand were killed upon their entrie. The prisoners are above 2000. Bille, the rix-marshall, is sore hurt, and prisoner; as also Hans Hueck a senator. The spoyle was vast. and provisions of warr without number. There were above 50 brass guns. In a word, a more advantagious, though somewhat less glorious, victorie than that of Warsovie. This place was the only remora hitherto to the Swed's progress: They have now a passage into Fuenen, the best of the Danish islands: and is that king doe not hasten with his forces out of Sconen, where he hath been more succesfull, he may come too late, unless the Swede want a wastage for their transports, to save what remaynes. Coppenhagen itselfe is not defensible, I know it well; but that is summa rei. Wee shall shortly see, whether the states-general will only bee content to looke on. All this is noe wonder, if we consider the activenesse, the bravenesse, and the vigilance of the Swedish partie; and on the other side, the securenesse, the dissenting, and the unskilfullnes of the ringleaders. Adieu, and forgett not your's till death,

G. B.

I am offered faire conditions here: I would rather serve my country. Lett me know your advice, menager cette affaire.

Just now comes newes, but at random, that Wrangel is in Fuenen. The king had a list of 52 townes and villages, that the Poles have burnt on this side Stetin. Several troopes of horse passe dayly through this towne, to oppose those ravages. Wrangel his foot out of Cracovia, and others taken from the fleet, were at the takeing of Fredericksode. 4 men of warr are sent thither.

The superscription.

For mr. Isaack Dorislaws, at the post-office, London.

Col. Thomas Cooper to H. Cromwell, major-general of the forces in Ireland.

In the possession of the right hon. the earl of Shelburn.

My lord,
The inclosed is an examination, taken of one Phillip Croly, a priste, lately come out of Flanders, hee pretends, for his health sake; and, that though hee hath comission for vicar-generall of Clougher, yet hee is willing to burne that, if hee may be permitted to follow the practice of the civill-law, in which he hath, as hee saith, pro ceeded doctor. But it seemes to mee veary unlykely, that hee should have a comission for vicar-generall, and should bring it over with him; and now hee is apprehended, to say, hee is willing to destroy it, it may bee he hath more of the same: and that hee should come out of Flanders, whear they are soe plentifully maintained, into this country, whear, hee saith, hee hath noe maintenance, and hath noe money. For since hee was apprehended, major Pawdon, whoe was the cause of it, hath tooke order for his maintenance in the inne whear hee is, and a man to looke to him; for hee is very weake at present. I desire your lordship will please to give order, that out of the treasury heere, that chardg may bee payd, that soe major Pawdon may not pay it; and that you will please to signesye your pleasure, wheather hee shall bee sent up to Dublin, or comitted to prison heere. Which is all at present from,

My lord,
Your lordship's veary faithfull servant,
Tho. Cooper.

Carricksergus, November 2d 1657.

Secretary Thurloe to H. Cromwell, major-general of the army in Ireland.

In the possession of the right hon. the earl of Shelbern.

My lord,
I received two of your lordship's together, both concerninge mr. Brayfield, occasioned by what I writt to your lordship upon that subject; and doe perceive, that I tooke my measures very ill, as to what I apprehended in that busines; seeinge your lordship hath soe different a sence both of hym and his case from what I did conceive upon the papers, which I had seene of the proceedinges against hym. And yet truly, my lord, I may take the boldnes to say, that I did not, or at least intended not, to write as one, that hath any ill impressions made upon me from the insinuation of persons, who beare no good will to you. I could say to others, and give me leave to say it upon this occasion to yourselfe, that I am not capable of any such impressions. The sence I had of this buissnes I tooke from the papers, which were sent me by an undoubted freind, and conteyned nothinge but the bare matter of fact, which I thought was such as (consideringe what was sayd of the man himselfe here by noe ill-minded men) did give some occasion to your lordship to shew mercye towards a person, who would take it as an act of your favour and goodnes, and lay a certeyne obligation upon him and others. However these my thoughts were not but with all submission to your lordship's judgment; who beinge upon the place, could make a farre better judgment of it, then any much wiser then I could doe at this distance. And, secondly, in case you should enclyne to restore hym, it was alwayes intended (and soe I expressed it both to your lordship and to my lord Broghill) to be done without the least disobligation to the court-martiall who sentenced hym; and if that could not be accommodated, I then judged the matter not soe practicable: and I did not see the occasion, why the court should not be satisfied with your lordship's mercy; pardon after sentence beinge not soe very extraordinary, but, on the contrary, very usuall, especially when the cryme charged is personall upon hym who is to dispence the grant and give the pardon. But I doe very much preserre your lordship's judgment to my owne in this and all thinges else, but not any man's affection or sence of duty, wherein I persuade myselfe I shall never be sound wantinge. However I may mistake very grosly in my oppinion, which yet I shall alwayes take upon me the confidence to expresse in every thinge wherein I shall apprehend your service to be concerned, and freely submit myselfe to your censure, whom I am confident you will esteeme to have a very good and honest meaninge in all things, which I shall say to your lordship; and truly, soe I had in this.

Upon wednesday the affaires of Ireland were resumed, and the setlinge of a deputy and counsell were considered of: and after some debate, the counsell here have, upon his highnes's nomination, consented, that your lordship be the deputy: and they have alsoe advised, that all the late counsell of Ireland be againe of the counsell, save mr. Goodwyn, in whom there is noe satisfaction. All the other votes about Ireland were very unanimous, noe man dissentinge: but of this I pray your lordship make noe mention at all, nor that this buissnes is thus farre proceeded in. All possible care shall be used to dispatch away the comissions by an expresse; and I thinke it best, that he brings the first newes thereof. I shall not mention any thinge of this to my lord Broghill, nor any body else by this post. Many persons have beene thought of, as to an addition to be made to the counsell of Ireland; but I doe not perceive, that there is any great likelyhood of choseinge one, the persons spoken of beinge either such as will not accept the imployment, or else are not fitt for it.

Our alarums yet continue from the malignant partye; they are hatchinge some winterdesigne, to begin with the murder of my lord protector: but I trust the Lord will be a shield and buckler to hym, and keepe him from their malice and bloody intentions.

The newes beyond sea is not considerable, and therefore. I shall not trouble your lordship with perticulers. I suppose, I need not acquaint you, that my lord Fauconberge is a servant of my lady Mary: he is a person of very good abilityes, and seemes very sober. His estate is 5000 l. per annum. I beleeve it will be a match: but such perticulers as these, I suppose your lordship hath from better hands, and those who knowe thinges more inwardlye. I remeyne

Your lordship's most humble and faithfull servant,
Jo. Thurloe.

Whitehall, 3 Nov. 1657.

Lord Broghill to general Montagu.

In the possession of the right hon. John earl of Orrery.

Dear sir,
I am obliged to the Diurnal this week, in acquainting me where you are, that I might address my letters unto you; the ignorance whereof for some posts did occasion my silence. We are here in a country, that has no news but what we receive from the place where you are; where, if all things move at the rate our settlement of Ireland has done, I shall think the body politick has got the gout. As soon as his highness's resolutions are sent over for this country, I shall prepare to waite on you at London. All the last week I spent in waiting on my lord Harry at Kilkenny, who came there on purpose from Dublin to afford me that honour. I make, by conversing with him, and observing of him, every day new discoveries of eminent things in him; such truly as convinces us all he is fit to be our chief governor before he have a parent for it, which is both our trouble and satisfaction. He has indeed a great guist in reading of men; and amongst many other evincements thereof, one is the high value he places upon you, and the desire he has of a particular friendship with you: but of this, and of some other particulars, I shall, the Lord willing, discourse at large with you when I have the honour to wait on you at London: which is a contentment heartily longed for by

Dear sir, yours, &c.
Broghill.

Youghall, the 6th Novemb. 1657.