State Papers, 1656: February (6 of 6)

February (6 of 6)

Lord Broghill to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxv. p. 253.

Honored sir,
This enclosed to his highnes I beg you to peruse. Though it be longe, I could not retrench without omitting thinges necessary; and be pleased to give it to himself, and beg his perusal therof and further commands therin. I have as little faith in a Scotsman as another; and yet I doe really beleeve now, that the ministry may be gayned and peeced as I have exprest. They told me, when we come to an agreement, that in that I had done my lord protector as much service as in winninge a battell. If I have done my duty, it wil be my satisfaction and comfort. I beg what is done may be kept private, and then am not doubtfull, but what is sayd wil be done. A worde or two from his highnes to them might not be amiss. If you think soe, be pleased to move him in it, at the request of,
Edinburgh, Feb. 26, 1655.

Honored sir, your most affectionate and most obliged humble servant,
Broghill.

I shall suddenly give you an accounte of the honnor of your command to me concerninge col. Lidcott. 'Tis put in a way alreddy. I humbly thanke you for your prints, which I have well disperst.

The Spanish embassador in Holland to the states general.

Read, March 8, 1656.

Vol. xxxv. p. 251.

The underwritten embassador of Spain having acquainted the serene archduke Leopold with what the lords states general had proposed unto him concerning the accommodation for the countries of Outremeuse, at the conference which he had on the 4th of February last with the lords their commissioners, in pursuance of their resolution of the 22d of January, he hath since received express order from his highness to signify unto their high and mighty lordships, that it being the intention of the king, that this troublesome difference should be decided and accommodated in a peaceable and amicable way as soon as may be, by reason it will be a means to take away all occasions, which may molest or disturb the good correspondence and amity, which his majesty doth sincerely desire to maintain, preserve and cultivate with this state; and therefore his said highness doth conceive, that the best way for the effecting thereof to the content of all parties will be to refer the same to the judges of the chambre mipartie, who were chiefly established to decide and determine the said difference, and to order them expressly to begin without any delay to hear the proofs and process about the country of Outremeuse; and that if in the mean time of the said hearing and reading they do find some means to come to a reasonable agreement, that they do propose them to the one and the other of the parties, to be able upon them to come to an agreement, which hath been long desired, the said embassador being fully authorized to treat and conclude with their high and mighty lordships about it.

Yet however if the lords states general do judge, that it can be determined and decided more speedily than by the way of the chambre mipartie, that they themselves then would be pleased to propose the means for the said accommodation, hee will be ready to hear them, and yet this may be done without retarding the hearing of the cause by the chambre mipartie; upon all which he is ready to enter into a conference with their high and mighty lordships, to endeavour to decide and accommodate this long difference, which hath already produced so many complaints and inconveniences and troubles. To all this he expects their high and mighty lordships answer as soon as may be. Done at the Hague the 8th of March 1656. [N. S.]

Signed
Gamarra.

An intercepted letter of sir G. Ratcliffe to mrs. Traps.

Paris, March 8, 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxv. p. 278.

Francis [ie. D. of York] his very good words to me as yet yield nothing: I hope they will after a while: They are loath to part with him; here he may stay as long as he will, nay it is thought that they keep him bare of money, that he may not have means to go away. Yet Peter [ie. K. Charles] is like to invite him very shortly, I hope, upon very good terms for them both. If the company with Peter [ie. K. Charles] do not much flatter themselves they are in great hopes of much good.

A letter of intelligence.

Paris, March 8/February 27 1655/6.

Vol. xxxv. p. 269.

The court returned from St. Germain en Laye on last monday m the evening. This morning came an express to the count of Brienne from their embassadors in Switzerland, whereby his majesty is informed, that the peace is at last concluded between the protestant and popish cantons, and that he had happily renewed the alliance of his majesty with the said protestants. The said count is gone this morning to give notice thereof unto the cardinal. Those of the religion here rejoice so much the more of these news, that they see thereby the intents this court hath to keep friendship with the protestant party, notwithstanding the pope's endeavours to hinder it; knowing also, that his only aim is to ruinate this state and the said cardinal in particular by a war of religion, which would give way unto the Spaniards and to the house of Austria to avoid the storm, which threatens them on all sides the next campaign.

As for the proposals of peace come from Spain, they are found to be grounded only upon a particular carriage of the said count of Brienne, who to please the pope, when he propounded to come in person to such a place as should be desired for the negotiating thereof, answered the king would also willingly go thither, so much his majesty was disposed for such a good work. The king of Spain, who sees himself forced to desire it, took his words for deeds, and causeth the nuncio to say here what you have heard, alledging, that the treaty might be made upon a little river between the Bayonne and Fontarabia. The assembly of the clergy is still much invenomed. The archbishop of Sens made again a speech on saturday last, and was chosen to make some remonstrances to his majesty against us.

We have notice here from Turin, that the court of Savoy is ill satisfied with this, by reason they have not substituted the prince Eugene in the office of great steward of the king's houshold, whereof his father was heretofore provided, and that monsieur de Beringham having propounded the marriage of that duke with the duke of Modena his daughter, which being his majesty might marry that of Savoy, the duke of Savoy would not give ear thereunto.

The king hath few days since granted his letters of cachet, calling back the members of this parliament exiled by reason of the edict of the new coin; but to the prejudice of the assurances his majesty was thought to have given to the first president of that assembly for the recalling of that edict, a decree of the upper council was yesterday published, commanding all manner of persons to receive the golden lys at 7 Tournois, and that the creditors, that they pay their debts with that coin, shall have sufficient discharge, having consigned the monies in case of refusal.

All the court prepares to post on next saturday for Fountainbleau, where I am informed the duke and dutchess of Orleans will come and tender their duties unto their majesties. In the interim his eminency gives all orders necessary for the preserving of the places conquered in Flanders the last year: a relief is lately entred therein by the diligence of the mareschal de la Ferte.

The prince of Conti is not yet arrived here.

They write, that the princess his lady is worse than ever she was.

At the council at Whitehall.

Wednesday, February 27, 1655.

Vol. xxxv. p. 273.

Upon report from the committee to whom the business of the major generals is referred, ordered, that it be offered to his highness the lord protector as the advice of the council, that the respective troops of the militia in the counties of Oxford, Buckingham, Hertford, Berks, Southampton, Sussex, Kent, Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk, Rutland be from the next muster reduced to 80 in a troop, and paid off till that time.

W. Jessop, clerk of the council.

Certificate of mr. N. Barnewall's being made a baron by king Charles I.

Vol. xxxv. p. 275.

It appeareth upon record in the office of the rolls of his highness high court of chancery in Ireland, that Nicholas Barnewall of Turvy in the county of Dublin esq; by letters patents, bearing date at Dublin the nine and twentieth day of June, in the two and twentieth year of the reign of the late king, was created viscount Barnewall of Kingsland, and Baron of Turvy in the said county of Dublin; the same being in pursuance of the said king's letters, bearing date at Ragland the twelfth day of September, in the twentieth year of the reign of the said late king, as by the said letters patents more at large may appear.

R. Wallis, clerk of the said office.

At the council at Whitehall.

Thursday, February 28, 1655.

Vol. xxxv. p. 274.

Ordered, that it be offered to his highness as the advice of the council, that his highness will please to give licence to the lord Cranston, to levy one thousand men in Scotland, for the service of the king of Sweden.

W. Jessop, clerk of the council.

Commissioners for Cumberland and Westmoreland to the protector.

Vol. xxxv. p. 276.

May it please your highness,
In pursuance of the instructions given us by your highness and council, we have proceeded to lay the extraordinary tax upon the estates of those persons within the counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland who have come within these instructions: a list of the particular summes we have inclosed, and what comes short of the summe necessary to pay the malitia troope raysed in these counties. Wee shall endeavour to improve it by further discoveries; but feare it will rather come short of what it is, by reason some have made address for abatement, wherefore this list will be subject to some alteration. We have not yet found any within these counties that have come within the first head of the instructions but mr. Christopher Musgrave, second son to sir Phillip Musgrave, who is fled, and we cannot discover any real or personal estate, though we have the business now under examination for discovery thereof. We have also sent inclosed a list of those, who we have found to be within the second general head: most of whom we have secured in prison, and the rest under very good bond; upon this list wee have the name of each person breifly signified upon what grounds we have judged them to be within that head. We shall not fail to the utmost of our powers to proceed further in our duty for performance of this trust by your highness committed unto us, and shall endeavour to approve our selves
Penreth, Feb. 28, 1655.

Your highnes humble and faithfull servants,
Ch. Howard,
Gr. Owen,
Jer. Tothurst,
William Orsene,
Walter Applegarth,
Cuth. Studholme,
Ar. Scarfe,
Jos. Mason,
Thomas Langhorne.

Besides this list, there will be a great many inferior persons, that will come within the compass of the second head; of which hereafter we shall give a further account.

Carlile, Jan. 10, 1655. A particular Schedule of the taxes or assessments laid upon the severall delinquents in the county of Cumberland, according to instructions from his highnes the lord protector and his councill.

Vol. xxxiv. p. 389.

A letter of intelligence from the Hague.

March 4, 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxv. p. 227.

This morning there will be another conference concerning the negotiation or instruction for Denmark. The embassadors are to inform themselves of the rights and privileges of Dantzick; and if they do not find them to be contrary to the interest and rights of this state, they may recommend them to the king of Sweden. And an answer is to be drawn up something like to this form to be given to the commissioner of Dantzick, which is a very mean satisfaction for the said city.

The ministers of Brandenburg have laboured hard for the embassy to their master, and are very much surprized to see the same deferr'd; yea, I am told, that a chief creature of the elector's shewed himself very confident in this business: we shall see whether any thing will be mentioned about it to day. The admiralty of Amsterdam hath writ, that the private men of war of Stralsunt have already taken two ships going for Dantzick. Holland hath proposed, that a deputation ought to be sent from the generality to zealand; 1st, to induce them to consent to the last money; 2d, to put in practice the placaert of the year 1653 made to benefit the convoy and licenses.

This day they only resolved, that the advice of Holland shall be converted into a resolution of the generality; consequently, that according to that the embassadors in Denmark shall endeavour to induce that king to second this state in their address to the king of Sweden, and to that end to send likewise an embassy to the king of Sweden to induce him not to exact or exceed in the toll; and in the mean time likewise to invite the king of Denmark to equip his fleet. So likewise the advice, which concerneth the city of Dantzick, is to be turned into a resolution of the generality; but to give that or such notification, as a responsible resolution to the commissioner of Dantzick, that did seem to those of Holland to be too harsh, and therefore they have yet held it in suspence. Of the embassy to Denmark there is yet no speech, and I believe it is quite laid asleep, to the great discontent of all those here, who affect the service of his electoral highness, and who have laboured hard about it, under pretence that the elector would be able to do much good to this state, to dispose the king to moderation.

March 6.

They have yet more expressly debated about the business of Dantzick, and especially upon a complaint proceeding from thence, that they do tax and charge the Hollanders more than the rest, and do exempt the English. Whereupon a conference is to be held to morrow with the commissioners of the said city about it.

They have still held in suspence the resolution or answer, which is to be given for an answer to the said commissioners. But in effect they will not consent to any thing before that the embassadors do write from thence or from Poland.

The lord Rosenwinge hath again, but by word of mouth, made rememoration of the remainder of the subsidy promised to his king during the war with England: upon which admonition is to be made to those provinces that are defective. After what manner is resolved for the embassadors in Denmark, is to be seen in the enclosed.

March 8.

Yesterday again there was a conference about the matter, which doth concern Dantzick, and especially upon what the commissioner Pels hath writ from Dantzick. Item, to France an answer, which is to be given to the commissioner of Dantzick. But yesterday the business was only prepared, and to day it is said, that the commissioner is to be heard upon it. In the mean time the said commissioner is also very ill satisfied with this state, for having heard, that here his arrival was so much desired, and therefore believing to have found here a great maturity in his requests, he doth find, that they will only use him with delays and procrastinations, and that the reports oftentimes are less than the effects.

They proposed yesterday the nominating of commissioners to Zealand, upon the two points to dispose them to agree to the last money, and to benefit the convoy; but there was no body that would accept of it, the air being very unhealthful there, and the sea cold; but as to the deputation to Flanders, there to change the magistrates, which is to be in the best of the summer, there are enough that desire it. The lord of Rendswoude is named for one. The lords Huygens and Vandersteyn are in dispute, who of them two shall go, each of them being desirous of it.

The embassy to the elector doth remain behind, but it is probable, that the four designed to Sweden will have a credential to salute likewise the elector. The embassadors in Denmark are still there, stantes in foro otiosi. They have advised in particular, that the king of Denmark was already far advanced in some negotiations with Sweden, (as they had understood) which negotiations were tending to a mutual and joint defence of the Sound and the Baltick sea; and that being so, there would hardly be any thing to do for the said embassadors. But that however they hoped, yea they imagined, that the king nor his council had any mind to engage in a treaty with Sweden, confessing however that Denmark is timorous and feeble. They have this day again had in debate the business of Denmark, without calling the commissioner to the conference, not thinking fit to give him any cause of discontent, nor to write to the magistrates of Dantzick according to the project of the commissioner Pels. But they have resolved to give the commissioner an answer in civil and moderate terms; however, will not signify any thing, there being no likelihood, that this state will do any real thing for Dantzick, if so be the affairs in Poland do not turn, unless that Denmark will engage likewise.

They have constituted for governor vel quasi over the young prince of Orange the minister Triglandius, so that the ministers of Sterremont, Goethals, and Morus do find themselves very much offended. But the government will not be so profitable as that of the deceased monsieur Rivet over the deceased prince William, for Rivet had well 500 l. sterling per annum, and this is to have but the fourth part; likewise he is to come but one hour in the day to teach him the prayers and the first steps of piety.

March 9.

The offer of the embassador of Spain to compose the difference for the country of Outre-Meuse, is judged by an effect of the future war against England: and that Spain will insinuate itself here according as the breach doth grow wider between them and England. The French pirates in the Mediterranean sea have taken four Holland ships worth 400 thousand rix dollars.

In the Baltick sea the Swedish capers have also taken two Holland boyers coming from Dantzick; the 3 escaped.

This morning three commissioners of the admiralty of Amsterdam had audience, saying that the 24 ships for their proportion were ready, desiring permission and money to raise seamen, with an admonition, that if they be not raised within 15 days, that all the mariners will have engaged themselves in the merchant-men bound for Greenland and other parts, and that then there will be no seamen to be had. Item, they demand guns, &c. upon all which they are to advise to morrow. They have also this day resumed the answer, which is to be given to the commissioners of Dantzick.

Answer of the states general to the deputy of the city of Dantzick.

Vol. xxxv. p. 285.

The states general of the United Netherlands having perused and examined the memorial of mr. Christian Schroder, the deputy of the lords burgomasters and senate of the city of Dantzick, delivered in the assembly of their high mightinesses on the 25th of February last past, find that the same doth contain three several articles: First, that the lords extraordinary embassadors of this state design'd for Poland might hasten their voyage; as also, that they might intercede for the rights and privileges of the said city. Secondly, that since that city and the fortresses thereunto belonging must needs be supplied with a larger garrison, that their high mightinesses would be pleased in the present danger of the said city to assist them with some troops, and to pay them their pay monthly. And thirdly, that in case the said city should have occasion for any subsidies in money for their defence, and make their request on that account, what the said city in that case could expect of the opinion and resolution of their high mightinesses, offering in such a case to repay the said money with due acknowledgment. Whereupon their high mightinesses have accordingly thought fit to give to the said deputy the following answer. As to the first article, that the same have given orders to the said lords their extraordinary embassadors, among other matters, that they, being now upon their departure to the contending crowns, in case the same can be done without great hindrance, to call upon the magistrates of the said city in the name of their high mightinesses, and to receive from them a particular information concerning the rights and privileges, the conservation whereof is recommended to their high mightinesses by the said first article; and afterwards having received a fundamental account and the necessary informations thereof, do use and employ their good offices and zealous and earnest endeavours with the said high-mentioned two crowns, and otherwise where-ever they shall judge the same to be of good effect, to the end that the said rights and liberties may be inviolably preserved to the said city. Further, that in relation to the two other articles, such resolutions shall be taken as their high mightinesses shall think meet. Their high mightinesses desire the said deputy to communicate this their answer and well-meaning good intention to the lords his masters, to serve for their information, in such a manner as it behoves. The further and final resolution of their high mightinesses upon the aforesaid articles, shall be communicated to the said deputy as soon as possible. Done in the assembly of the said high-mentioned states general at the Hague, March 9, 1656. [N. S.]

Commissioners of the admiralty of Amsterdam to the states general.

Exhibited the 9th of March 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxv. p. 281.

The under-written commissioners out of the college of the admiralty residing at Amsterdam do humbly declare and desire of your high and mighty lordships, that in pursuance of your high and mighty lordships resolutions, the 24 men of war being quite finished and ready for service, they do in the first place declare and desire, that for the setting of them to sea, that your high and mighty lordships would order the furnishing of one hundred, fifty-nine thousand, three hundred and seventy-three guilders, six stivers, to pay for the ships provisions bought in upon credit, which were undertaken by the province of Holland to provide, and not yet paid. Item, to dispose the said province to lend a parcel of the iron guns lying at Amsterdam, and necessary for the mounting of the said ships.

Item, that without any delay absolute order be given for the raising of men; for unless the same be not suddenly effected there will be no men to be had, by reason that the several merchant men that are going to several parts will carry away abundance of seamen.

Actum, March 9, 1656. [N. S.]

Witsen,
H. Van Ewyck,
David de Wild.

Major general Berry to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxv. p. 277.

Sir,
I Have not any thing of note to write to you, onely I thinke it my duty to acquainte you where I am, that you may direct your commands to me. I have beene this weeke at Brecknocke, where the commissioners are with me, and we have begun the worke of these partes; and from hence I intend (God willing) to goe to morrow towards Carmarthinge, where the commissioners for the other parte of Wales are to meete, and I hope within a while to put the affaires of this countrey into a good posture; only one great evill I find here, which I know not how to remedy, and that is the want of able preachers. Certainly if some course be not taken, these people will some of them become Heathens: this town where I now am hath no preacher neere it as I can heere of, and the people are growing into a carelesse content of being without. Methinks you might find some way betwixt mr. Owen and mr. Craddocke to send some able men into those partes: many of the vacancies are elapsed into my lord's hand, and the blame is much layed upon him that they are not supplied. Here are one or two good liveings neere the towne: if one man were sent to supply 2 or three of them, and to receive the profitts, it would doe well; but I have done and leave these things to God, who can helpe them, and remaine
Brecon, Feb. 28, 1655.

Yours, J. Berry.

Lord Broghill to the protector.

Vol. xxxv. p. 288.

May it please your highness,
An application haveing been made to your highness councill heere in name and in behalfe of the university of Aberdeene, in order to the confirmation of the guist of the superiorities of the bishopprick of Aberdeene, and two hundred markes sterling yearely out of the customes of the port of Aberdeene, granted by your highness ordinance, pass'd (with advise and consent of your councill the viiith of August 1654 to the said university:) and your highness councill here findeing it absolutely necessary, that all guists of any part of the publique revenue bee (according to the lawe of Scotland) confirmed by the court of exchequer, and the manner being for that court to have a signature from the supreme magistrat for their authority therein:

Your highness councill in a case of this nature have thought fit humbly to represent the same to your highness, together with a draught of a signature, that your highness may bee pleased to signe the same, whereuppon the said university may holde the said guist confirmed, and enjoye the same according to the intent and meaning of the said ordinance. All which by appointment of your highness councill heere is humbly laide before you, by
Edinb. Feb. 28, 55.

Your highness's most humble, and most faithfull servant,
Broghill.

Mr. Longland, agent at Leghorn, to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxv. p. 302.

Right honorable sir,
Here is not the lest newes of any Spanish ships coming for Itally; so 'tis very probable, they mak al theyr naval strength they can at Cales. 'Tis credibly reported here in Itally, that Spayn and Portugal ar as good as agreed, which may hapilly be a reson, why the latter seeks to fly off from the agreement made with the protector's hyhnes. It is very certain, what I writ you in a former, that the Genowes republik apply themselfes altogether to the Spanish interest, furnishing that king with vast sums of mony, and ar sending within this month three great ships with amunition for Cales. 'Tis given out, they go for Portugal with merchandiz, under which pretence 'tis said they may the better effect the other servis. 'Twer convenient general Blak's fleet had order to search strictly al manner of ships, that pas that way in or out the Streits. There is a report, the French hav taken an English merchant ship, and carryed her into Tollon. The queen of Sweden has bauht a gallant pallas in Rom for her life, which is a syn she intends to mak her aboad there.

I should hav bin glad, it would hav pleased you, now the peace is made with France, to hav allotted me some reparation for my losses sustain'd by that nation, which you once promist me to do; the want whereof is the chief caus why I want my country, whither I should quikly repair with your good leav to kiss your hands, and serv you at home in som more acceptable way. The ship Mary, with her French pryze, is not yet retorned from Smirna. Your orders about that bisnes myt yet arriv in tym.

In my last I acquainted you with the inconveniencies, that ar on our nation living in this place, by reason one Morgan Read, a papist vassall to this prince, acts here as consul of our nation by the autority of Charles Stuart's commission. If it pleased you to bestow that offis on som, that is wel affected to the protestant religion and government, it would do much good amongst our nation here, and mak them more moderat. The gentlemen I sent hence into Spayn by your commissioners myht be fit for such a place, if it be answerable to your lyking. I should gladly hear, that he has behaved himself wel in your servis.

I have sent hom by the An Percy 2 chests of Verdea, and 2 chests of Monte Alcino wyn for your lady, and 2 jars of oil for yourself, to be delivered you by mr. George Smith merchant, which pleas to accept from,
Leg. March. 10, 1655. [N. S.]

Right honorable, your most faithfull, and most humble servant,
Charles Longland.

Barriere to the prince of Condé.

March 10, 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxv. p. 300.

I Have received the letter, which your highness was pleased to write to me of the 6th current, whereby I understand the miscarriage of mine to your highness, which I suppose must be intercepted at the office here.

Since my last a gentleman was sent unto me from his highness the lord protector to acquaint me, that I was to depart out of England within a few days, by virtue of the treaty made with France, from whence all the English cavaliers were likewise to depart. I confess I was something surprized at this news, ever believing, that they would not order me to be gone; but since it is their pleasure so to do, I desired to have audience of his highness, which by reason of his indisposedness I could not obtain: wherefore I was forced to write to him, to desire his highness to grant me so long time for my abode here, 'till I should receive an answer from your highness, in regard I had lain here these four years, and had several particular businesses to do for your highness. I could not likewise get to the speech of the secretary of state, who was also ill, to whom I likewise writ to desire to know when I might have audience of his highness, but I have not received any answer, so that I cannot tell what they will do with me. In the mean time my creditors have laid siege to my house, who are not willing to let me go, till I have satisfied what I owe. I make no doubt but your highness will do all what he can to help me to money. I confess I am not ignorant, how much your highness is necessitated at present, but I beseech your highness to consider my condition to be such, that if I am not supplied with money to pay my debts, they will at last seize upon my person, and how much I abhor a prison upon this account in your highness service, I am not able to express. I do advise your highness to take likewise some speedy order about your own particular business. I cannot give your highness any advice of the affairs of this state, in regard I stir not abroad, only I am told that the fleet is gone to sea.

Nieupoort, the Dutch embassador, to the states general.

Vol. xxxv. p. 297.

High and mighty lords,
My lords, a few days since the lifeguard of horse of the lord protector, which formerly consisted of 40 persons, most young gentlemen of this nation, was reformed after such a manner, that 20 of them are to be employed as ordinary pensioners, who are to wait continually upon the person of his highness, and other twenty are joined to the hundred elected horse out of all the regiments; so that now the lifeguard of horse doth consist of 120 men besides the captain and four lieutenants. The lord protector with the advice of the council hath made an order, that no ships belonging to this state, or any other countries, shall go to sea for the space of 21 days, unless it be under the protection of the sleet. It is believed, that the body of the fleet will be at Portsmouth the next week, whither the vice admiral Badily departed hence yesterday, and I am told that vice-admiral Lawson is to guard the Narrow with six good frigats. I am also informed, that there is a great complaint at Jamaica for want of women to look to those that are sick there; wherefore of late (as I am told) they have taken up a great number of idle persons, who are to be sent thither.

A person of quality told me, that of late all the affairs, which concern the present government, and have been tried by a jury of 12 men in this county of Middlesex, have been still judged against the government; and that at last they have found out the reason, that the same was acted and managed by a mean person, who for a long while hath served under sheriff of the said county, and still present at all the trials; and being a disaffected person, he made a shift to pack a jury when any thing was to be tried for the state, and by this means the three gentlemen that killed the soldier had so favourable a sentence given against them; but that business is to be heard again.

The judges of this country departed from hence this week each towards their counties, where they are to keep their sessions as is usual in the long vacations. Yesterday there came to me a skipper, who came from Norwich: he told me, that he was assaulted near Harwich by two Dunkirk sloops, who had plundered and abused him very much; and having also three merchants of Haerlem aboard him, that were passengers, they took all that they had from them, who are since gone to Dunkirk to see if they can recover any thing again. It is to be feared, that all vessels, that sail without convoy, will meet with the like disturbance.

Westminster, March 10, [1656. N. S.]

High and mighty lords,
W. Nieuport.

A letter of intelligence from the Hague.

Vol. xxxv. p. 293.

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Sir,
The embassadors are at last dispatch'd towards Sweden. I willingly confess, that one cannot say any thing of a certain of what they will be able to do, since one can foretell but a little of future things. But I am confident more and more in my old opinions, that the states of Holland (who are the soul of the states general as Amsterdam of the states of Holland) will not do any thing without the Dane and the Dane will not do any thing without Cromwell; quod usque adeo verum est, that the embassadors of the states general (who are in Denmark) have writ, that the Dane hath sent an express to communicate to the protector a project, treaty, or agreement, which the Swede hath caused to be proposed to the Dane to take the advice of the protector and to hear the opinion and good pleasure of protector thereupon; so that the Dane doth very much fear the protector and will not do any thing without the protector.

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And knowing really and clearly, that Charnetski will not do any thing or no reality for Dantzick I do repeat and conclude, that Amsterdam and the states of Holland are the greatest rodomontadors living upon the earth, having made so much noise all the last summer, having threatned so much that all the world trembled. And besides this, I could testify how many discourses in particular I have heard, not from particular persons, but from the states gen. and of the stat. of Hol. and of Amsterdam. Be assured, that for the present these ambassadors will not speak to the Swede but verba byssina; in ore ferent lac & mel, they will sweeten all that may be bitter. And in the mean time they attempt, and will attempt to engage the Dane to join his fleet and his embassador to those of the states general. All this doth seem to me unhandsom, at least hitherto (in my opinion) they have ill managed their business: yea almost as they did in the year 1652 against the protector only that at present they put water into their wine, not being willing to commit against the Swede the fault, which they committed against the protector.

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Yet it is a strange thing, in regard that formerly they did cry up so much their interest with Dantzick yea 100 times more than with Bremen; they do however as little for the one as for the other, yea, on the contrary, they do pick quarrels with those of Dantzick. And in regard it is seen, that in effect the states general do act all according to event and success, at least do go very floating, and the one opposing the other; I know what issue they can promise to themselves. In the mean time the Dane hath promised, that whatsoever thing he doth with the Swede that he will not do any thing without the communication of the states general.

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As to the harmony there is also uncertainty enough of it. Grave William do continue to will and desire it, and yet as well the princess Dowager as others friends of the prince of Orange are against it; yea I know (and with reason it may be feared) that the prince of Orange according as he groweth, shall be taught and instructed to destroy the harmony: yet likewise there are several well affected in Holland who have an aversion to the harmony.

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So that as well the states gen. as the states of Hol. are not without an inward sever, and that will be nourish'd more and more, it being the only means to cause them to perish and relapse under the prince of Orange. I remain,
March 10, 1656. [N. S.]

Your most humble servant.

General Monck to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxv. p. 292.

Sir,
I Make bold to give you this trouble to gett the inclosed signature signed for mr. David Drummond concerning the gift of the chaplaine's place, which his highnesse hath bestowed upon him in Scotland; for unlesse you please to doe him and mee that favour, as to gett the same signed by his highness, the judges of the exchequer cannott passe itt under the seale of the exchequer in Scotland. Mr. Drummond is one that is very active since his coming hither, in bringing the ministers (which I thinke you will shortly heare of) to a good compliance with us; and if you please to doe us that favour, you will oblige both him and mee in itt. For newes wee have little, onely wee heare, that Charles Stuart will speedily goe for Flanders, and what the king of Spaine will doe with him there I know not; but itt is thought hee will make some provision for him at Dunkirke and Ostend to * * English and Scotchmen he can gett there to robbe and doe mischief at sea. I remayne
Dalkeith, Feb. 29, 165⁵/6.

Your very affectionate freind and servant,
George Monck.