State Papers, 1656: June (5 of 7)

June (5 of 7)

General Blake to the protector.

Vol. xxxix. p. 386.

May it please your highnes,
I Am very loth amidst the disappointments of our desires and hopes in the present employment to trouble your highnes with an ould busenes, were I not moved thereunto by reasons, which seeme unto mee of weight and concernement to the trade of the nation; and therefore I hope I shall be excused for my boldness in putting your highnes in mind of a paper, which I sent to your highness the last voiage, dated the 12^th of June; wherein I acquainted your highnes, that haveing been at Argier for reliefe of the fleet, I was necessitated to send one Mr. Browne ashore then for the speedier procurement thereof; and also for a further confirmation of the peace between us and them, to appoint him as in the quality of an agent to reside in that place, untill the approbation of your highnes could be obtained. Wee had a good effect of our desires there, having received a seasonable and competent supply of victuals. And to the termes of the former peace, in which the English were onely concerned, there was added an article in favour of the Scots and Irish likewise, as your highnes may be informed by a paper, which at that time was sent from the king and divan of that place unto your highnes upon theire importunity. But so it is, that of late I received a letter from Mr. Browne resident there, complaining, that, for want of an answer from your highnes to theire paper, and a confirmation of that warrant, which Mr. Browne had from mee, they began very much to sleight him, were in a great aptnes to breake the peace; and it is conceived, that the vicinity of our fleet was the onely restraint upon them. This advise I had by the Nantwich and the Ruby, which wee sent to that place. My humble request therefore to your highnes is, that you will be pleased, as far as your weighty affaires will admit, to take this busines into your consideration, and to grant a power unto the said Mr. Browne, or any, whom your highnes shall thinke sitt, to remaine and act as an agent for the nation there, with such allowance as hath bin granted to his predecessor, and as is usuall in such cases: and that your highnes (if your wisdome shall judge it convenient) vouchsase a word of answer to the paper from the king and divan, which I humbly leave to your highnes prudence and pleasure. But as to the monie business, I am bold to be the more instant with your highnes, because they are so numerous and strong in shipping, having above thirty saile of men of warre, and are continually building of new friggats. I humbly crave your highnes pardon for this my importunity, and to take it as proceeding from a sincere affection to the good of the nation, and to the service of your highnes, unto which I stand firmly devoted, and shall endeavour, as much as God shall inable mee, to the hazard of all that is dear unto mee in this world, to give reall manifestations, that I am, what I desire to be accounted,
Your highnes most humble and obedient servant,
Rob. Blake.

Aboard the Naseby in Cascais road,
the 19^th of June, 1656.

Generals Blake and Mountagu to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxix. p. 384.

Sir,
We shall not trouble you to repeat here any thing of our affaires, for that you will have a full accompt of them by other letters, and the relation of capt. Lloyd; this being only to accompany the coppies of all that passed between us and Mr. Meadowe touching the treaty with Portugall, which we mentioned in our letter to his highnesse, and to present you with the tender of our real respects, who are
Your affectionate friends and servants,
Rob. Blake.
E. Mountagu.

Naseby, in Cascais-road, this
19^th of June, -56.

Instructions to captain Clay, commander of the Sapphire (fn. 1).

Vol. xxxix. p. 382.

You are to receive capt. Lloyd on board the frigot under your command, and with him and the charge of money you have on the frigot forthwith to set sail in company of the Phœnix, and repair with what expedition you can unto Gravesend in the river of Thames.

Being arrived at Gravesend, you are to dispatch them advice thereof unto the commissioners for the admiralty and Mr. secretary Thurloe, and attend such further order as shall be sent you.

In case the wind should take you short, that you cannot go directly to the Downs, you are, the first port you put into, immediately to send an account thereof unto the aforesaid commissioners and Mr. secretary, and move them for orders how to dispose of the money, sending them withal a copy of the instructions.

You are to treat capt. Lloyd with all civility and respect; and in case he think fit to land short of the river, you are accordingly to set him ashore with as little loss of time as may be.

You are strictly enjoined not to part company with the Phœnix, until the arrival in the river, nor to give chace to any vessel as you go; and capt. Whetston hath the like order to keep you company, and hereof not to fail. Given on board the Naseby, in Cascais-road, this 19^th of June, 1656.

Rob. Blake.
E. Mountagu.

The Venetian resident to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxix. p. 387.

Ill. sig. mio sig. ess.
Havendo la protettione benignis^a. che presta sua alt^za a ministri de prencipi, che s'intratengono presso la sua persona, e con quanta severita castiga, e punisce quelli, ch'ardiscono d'affrontarli, io ricorro alla cortesia di V. S. ill. perche m'impetri presso l'alt.^za sua, la di lei giustitia, in certo accidente occorsomi contro tutte la ragioni del mondo, che pregiudica in considerabile maniera, non solo la mia partic. riputatione, ma quella ancora della serenissima republica di Venetia, che dà tanti anni in quà, proffessa a questo potentissimo stato una amicitia, & una stima partialis. tenendo qui in suo residente per solo testimonio di buona corrispondenza, con desiderio d'andarla sempre piu augmentando, e senza niun altro minimo oggetto, oltre quello di radicar maggiorm^c. ne i cuori una piu viva, e durable considenza, e perpetua amicitia.

Passate per lieve causa alcune parole trà servitore di mia casa, con altro del mio hospite, fu costretto il mio di darle una guanciatà ricevendone put anco lui dal suo contrario, e trovatosi anco presente il mio seg^rio, procurando di radolcir gl'animi adirate, fù talm^te maltrattato di parole da quello dell' hospite, che fù necessitato anco lui far segno di dargli altra guanciata.

Questo non sapendo in qual maniera vindicarsi, procurò con ordine dal signior Scipio Squire, giudice di pace, e con questo mandò Riccardo Lorenzo contestabile venerdi passato in mia casa per arrestare i due miei domestici, trovata aperta la porta, e non vedendo alcun ostacolo prese per forza il servo, e lo condusse alla giustitia, al quale si fece dar cautione di comparire alla prima sessione. E veduto di non poter haver il seg^rio all' hora, venne hieri mattina, e nel tempo ch'io ero in carozza, pur col medesimo voleva prendermelo par forza dalla carozza. Jo lo difesi, e non volsi in alcuna maniera lasciarlo condur via, sapendo il grand affronto che mi si facera. Il contestabile non lasciò di seguitarmi, chiamando tutto il popolo contro di me, percotendo col suo bastone, oltre i miei serv^ri, la mia propria persona nella testa, e sopra le spalle, niun' riguardo havendo al carattere & alla representanza che sostengo, ferendo pure i miei cavalli, e causando, che si rinverso la carozza, e posso rendere gratie a sua divina maestà d'havermi preservato, mentre io credevo d'esser affato stropiato, quasi tutta la carozza tenendo sopra la mia persona.

Questè il vero racconto di tutto il successo, sopra cui spero, que sua alt^za, haurà rissesso, e che non lasciarà andar impunito misfatto cosi essecrando contro ministro d'una rep^ca, tanto interessata par l'essaltatione e gloria di questo stato, tanto piu ch'i rappresentanti publici in tutti i luoghi del mondo sono rispettati, è stimati come si conviene, e par ciò implora dalla cortese affettione di V. S. ill. di impetrarmi la gratia, e di dar quegli ordini, che sono necessarii in tal occasione, per preservarmi de altri affronti, che mi potessero esser fatti senza alcuna immaginabile mia colpa. Esperando il favore dalla di lei bontà, confermogli la mia distin^tima divotione, e protestomi piu d'ogni altro,
Di V. S. ill^ma dev^mo obl^mo servitore,
Francesco Giavarina.

Questo giorno 29/19 Giugno, 1656.

Sacræ regiæ majestatis Sueciæ commissariorum infra scriptorum declaratio ad mandatum regiæ majestatis data celsorum & præpotentium Fæderati Belgii ordinum excellentissimis dominis legatis super propositione de d. Maii ore tenus coram regia sacra majestate & postea scripto exhibita.

Vol. xxviii. p. 137.

Quemadmodum sacra reg. majestas omnibus summarum potestatum ministris, qui majestatem suam adeunt, secundum cujusque characterem & rerum circumstantias, cumprimis verò iis, quorum principales interiori amicitiæ & considentiæ nexu facræ reg. majestati devincti sunt, omnia benevoli animi documenta declarare solet; ita ex quo in has oras sacræ reg. majestati nunc subditas celsorum & præpotentium Fæderati Belgii ordinum legati advenere, nihil eorum intermittere voluit, quibus testificari posset, quanti faciat & amicitiam dominorum ordinum, & prudentiæ dexteritatisque notas in eorundem legatione conspicuas. Et quia ea omnia, quæ in limine admissionis & negotiorum legationi accederunt, æquis ac gratis animis excepta sunt, sperat etiam sac. reg. majestas fore, ut dicta legatio perspecto reg. majestatis sincero proposito æquanimitati hujusque usitatæ & ad perpetuandum inter fac. reg. majestatem & celsos præpotentesque Fœderati Belgii ordines amicitiam & considentiam accommodatæ insistat, sac. reg. majestas memoria tenet, non modo quam sincera & fida inter reg. s. majestatis antecessores reges Sueciæ & celsos præpotentesque Fœderati Belgii ordines, ut utriusque partis respective regna, provincias, ditiones, & subditos, a longo jam tempore exstiterit amicitia, vicinitas, & correspondentia, sed insuper etiam reciprocæ illique necessitudinis officiis gradus suerint structi, & nexus deinde firmati ad interiorem considentiam & fœdera. Quemadmodum vero prædicta fœdera fuerunt varia, & temporum aliarumque circumstantiarum rationibus aptata, ita etiam ritè & religiosè culta observataque utrique parti cum sidam animorum conjunctionem, et in rebus agendis constantem cooperationem, tum etiam emolumenta in commune & cuique separatim attulere. Quandoquidem ergo celsorum & præpotentium Fœderati Belgii ordinum legatio ex mente suorum committentium idem prositetur, & simul contestatur celsos & præpotentes Fœderati Belgii ordines velle novissimum fœdus cum regina Sueciæ Christina anno 1640 ictum, & anno 1648 cum eadem renovatam, non modo continuare, & exactè posthac servare, ad mutuam defensionem & assistentiam contra omnes aggressores & turbatores, sed etiam id ipsum secundum temporis & rerum præsentium constitutiones renovare & augere, ideo ad altissime memoratæ reg. s. majestatis mandatum hoc ipso se dederant regii commissarii, quo regia sua majestas in eundem cum antecessoribus suis, & cumprimis serenissima regina Sueciæ Christina scopum nunc feratur, parataque sit ministris suis committere, ut primo quoque tempore congressi cum celsorum & præpotentium Fœderati Belgii ordinum legatis plenipotentiariis, pacta fœderis novissimi, utpote quæ adhuc durant, reassumant, eorumque observantia examinata id confiderent, ac tempori negotiisque præsentibus adaptent, totamque rem ita concinnent & concludant, ut præsixo utriusque scopo & unitis rationibus certæ leges, tam communi utriusque partis quam Evangelicæ rei bono accommodatæ, mutuâ & sincerâ cooperatione definiantur & constituantur. Cui rei successum & dominis legatis omnium rerum prosperitatem, ex animo adprecantur infrascripti regii commissarii. Datum Mariæburgi die 19 Jun. anno 1656.

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

Vol. xxxix. p. 402.

Right honorable,
I Writ you in a former, what newes the Hannibal brauht (a ship arryved here) that spok with som of general Blak's fleet off Cales. By another Inglish ship arryved yesterday wi hear the clean contrary, that the king will not subscryb the articles of peace; and besyds his highnes the protector's resident had bin affronted ther by a pistol shot at him, which had wounded him in the arm; wherupon general Blak had cald up his fleet to ly befor Lisbon, notwithstanding hi is so great a distance from Itally. Yet last wick the pope and al his court received an alarm from him, that he had taken Civita Vecchia, and was battering the castel, which distracted them as much as the sicknes latly begon there, to avoid which the pope has made him a sedan of cristol, to felicitat the piple with his syht, and not receiv from them any infected air. This fear came only from a couple of Duch ships, who when they ar in theyr ael, spare not powder or guns to complete theyr jollity. It caused the pope to draw out of his castel St. Angello al his great guns, to plant them in the streets, and fortify the citty; whereby you may pleas to observ first particularly, of whom the pope is most afraid; which I cannot but take for a good omen, that God may pleas to give deliverance to Christendom by Inglish arms; and againe the great wisdom of the protector, and advantage to our nation, in keeping thes powerful fleet at sea, whereby the Spanyard dares not set out a ship, nether within nor without the Streits. The Portugal wil be sudenly, I hope, in sam predicament. The Spanyard is alarmed in the West Indyes by this fleet; the pope and the Turk in the East. Ther is not one port or place in the Mediterranean but is awed by this fleet. Tis given out in Rom, that the queen of Sweden intends for France to avoyd the increasing sicknes in Itally. This state is yet clear; God so continue it. In the borders of Piemont the French latly had a desyn to hav surprized a strong frontier in the hands of the Spanyard, by giving fyre to 4000 barils of powder in the magazine, which was com within an hower and a half of it's tym, but was prevented, and the master of the amonition seizd on, and sent away for Milan to receiv his reward. Here is no farther town news of the Frenches coming for Itally. Letters from Holland thunder out the great damages the Dunkirker does our nation, advysing of no less than 49 fail taken in this week's letter; which I hope is no truer than the rest of theyr storyes. I am,
Right honourable,
Your most faithfull servant,
Charles Longland.

Leghorn, 30 June 1656. [N. S.]

Col. D'oyley to the protector.

Vol. xxxix. p. 389.

May it please your highnes,
I Have now, and ever since I had the honour of commanding your armie heere, acquainted Mr. Secretary Thurloe with the condition thereof; and should not have presumed to give this diversion from your highnes great affaires, had not a fresh act of crosse providence given me the sadd occasion: 'tis the death of commissioner Sedgwick, who receiving your highnes commission for major generall of this army, was soe much troubled, that he told Mr. Aylisbury his confident and our secretary, that he was undon, in that your highnes had sent him a commission to command the army; and that much was expected, but little probability to have much done; soe fell sick, and in few dayes dyed. He sent immediately upon the receipt of his commission to me, but told me nothing of the commission; but by his looks shew'd unusual dumpishness and confusion. I tooke my leave of him, and sent to know the truth of him, who returned me the copy I have herewith sent. I doubt he provoaked God by his distrust of providence, in not comeing ashoare, where his business lay, for feare of infection, I had the greatest losse in him, being now in the publique charge againe without your heighnes commission, the not haveing whereof hath made some furious spiritts to render me vile. And one considerable person told me, that if I would not let him goe for England, he would make mutines, and doe more harme then good. I precautioned him not to try, how farr my power extended, nor to give me occasion to shew severity, which in such case I would adventure.

I have not interest enough in your highnes to intreate much your favour, but lay these few things before you, that I am a gentleman of no inconsiderable family, but persecuted theis many years for the cause of religion. That my education at the inns of courte, together with my continuall imployments, not meane ones in civill and martiall affairs these fowerteene yeares past, may have given me experimentall abilities enough to performe the charge heere, as commander in cheife of the forces, or governor, if I am allowed to be indued with common parts. That I am already soe by election, succession, and confirmation of the commissioners. That I have endured the soure, and would gladly see if any sweet come from it. That no man out of England will thanke you for it, nor probably live six moneths. That though I have not been satisfied in all revolutions of late tymes; yet upon your highnes being made protector, I did quitt a good imployment in Ireland, and publiquely declared to lieut. gen. Ludlowe (fn. 2) and others, that I would goe for England, and live and dye with your interest; which I only offer; and whatsoever result the Lord hath in his secret councell determined of this undertakeing, yett generations to come shall call you blessed, for soe glorious, soe pious an enterprize. I crave pardon for my boldnes, and with my prayers to God to settle your highness in peace here, and establish you in an intire tranquility hereafter, take my leave, remaining,
Your devoted servant and subject
Edw. D'oyley.

Jamaica, 20^th June, 1656.

Col. D'oyley to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxix. p. 392.

Sir,
I Am not a little troubled, that before you know my face, you should receive so many letters from me, which cannot be any way pleaseing to you in readeing nothing but discontents, wants, murmurings, and repinings in our armie for the disappointment which the Lord hath given us in this present expedition; not at all lookeing back nor considering the evill of our waies, nor the base ends of one comeing hither, which our own consciences doe sufficiently accuse us off, and for which the Lord hath doubtless brought all this evill upon us, and had made us, instead of an honour, a reproach as yet to our nation. Some of the officers of the armie, who have a sence of their owne vilenes, have this weeke humbled themselves before God, and hope for a gratious returne of their prayers. The wants of the armie begin to threaten us; and if providence interpose not by some speedy supply from his highnes, we are like to be in two moneths in a sad condition, our provision not being able to help us any longer; and our people have bin soe stupid, that they have planted little or nothing at all. And some of their officers have attributed much severity unto me for imposeing that order on them, according to the instructions I received from his highnes. I have herewithall sent you the coppies of severall proceedings against one lieut. coll. Archbould; and receiving answer from the admirall and other commanders of the fleete, that they apprehend no danger of any such attempt, nor never heard any such discourse in the fleete, have kept him heere, untill his hightnes pleasure be knowne, being a sober, godly, and faithfull man, and there being few such in the armie, to our shame be it spoaken. You will heare by every body the sad newes of commissioner Sedgwick's death, who upon the receiveing of his commission was so troubled in spiritt, that he fell sick, and in a few days dyed; by whose death I am agine elected to supply the publique charge, in which I have a great deale of trouble, being commander in chiefe, commissioner, judge advocate, and treasurer; all which if I did not undertake, thinges must of necessitye run to confution. I hope you have sent me his highnes commands, according to my desire by the shipp Wildeman concerninge officers goeing off the island. It hath caused many evill speakinge of me by such as I have denied; and one very considerable officer in the armie told me plainely, that if I would not suffer him to goe off, he would make a mutinye, which because I have not his highnes commission for the supreame command, I am faine to beare. I beseech your uttermost industry for the relieveing your poore countreymen, which wil be a great peece of pietie in you, as well as oblidge every one in the armie to be, as I in theire behalfe am,
June 20, 1656.

Sir, your oblidged servant, Edw. D'oyley.

Our armie yet consists of neare seaven and twenty hundred, but begin to fall sick.

The Dutch ambassadors in Sweden and Poland to the States General.

Vol. xxxix. p. 401.

High and mighty lords,
My lords, the king went from hence early in the morning upon the 27^th currant for a town called Hollant to speak with the duke of Brandenburgh, to ratify the late treaty of alliance, and to employ their forces according to the resolution taken.

What number of forces, and whether the duke is to go into the field in person, is uncertain. His majesty is resolved to go into the army very speedily, and is resolved to fight the Poles, if he can.

We were to compliment the king before he went, and accompanied him half a mile out of town, the like being done by other foreign ministers. We had the honour to fit with his majesty in his coach, and were received and used with much civility.

His majesty in his discourse shewed himself to be well resolved and very courageous, did not deny the great and considerable forces of the Poles. How the Cosacks will behave themselves in this war is uncertain: it is probable they will choose the strongest side.

The Poles intrench themselves near to Warsaw. They have some pieces of ordnance with them, but their number of forces is uncertain.

Marienburgh, 30^th June, 1656. [N. S.]

A letter of intelligence from the Hague.

24 June, 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxix. p. 344.

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In the end yesterday the states of Holland was delivered of its project concerning the affairs of Dantzick and East sea. Yesterday I say was made an end of debating and resolving; and thereupon the assembly of the states of Holland separated that night. The result of all these deliberations doth containe two chief heads: 1. the assistance of the city of Dantzick: 2^dly the action of the fleet. The advice then of States of Holland is, that they will assist the city of Dantzick with twelve thousand rycksdollers per month, during the time that it shall be besieged; which word besieg'd is doubtful, and one of Holland demanded, if it was to be understood to be besieged at present, answered not; and moreever that the said city may draw as many officers and soldiers from hence, as they shall think fit; but it shall be at the cost and charges of the city. And as well the resident of Poland as the commissioner of Dantzick are to declare, that in Poland and at Danzick they shall use for the time to come the nation of the states of Holland after the same manner as their own natives.

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The said point is taken ad referendum by all the provinces, for not one commissioner of the other provinces was fully instructed upon it; so that they must stay till they see what the other provinces will do or resolve and advise upon it; and that will require some time, unless that the states of Holland will advance two or three months. Item as well the said resident as commissioner are to declare and promise not to raise the tolls at Dantzick and in Poland. Now I know not, whether the commissioner of Dantzick will dare to declare these two points, for the magistrates of Dantzick have great and specious privileges, and Dantzick promising that will promise more to this nation than to others, which will do them harm elsewhere. The second point is concerning the fleet, and is, that it shall conduct the ships to cause them to go in safety to Dantzick and elsewhere. Item to keep the harbour of Dantzick. Item to hinder the exacting of excessive tolls before Dantzick, Pillauw, &c.

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They will also endeavour once more to induce the Dane to engage with the state against the Swede; at least to assist likewise the town of Dantzick. Item to permit the free passage of the fleet of this state through the Sound; and in case the king will not permit it, that then the fleet shall pass against the good will of the Dane through the Sound.

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But if the Dane doth permit a free passage, that they will promise the said king to assist and secure him harmless against all that may happen to him on the behalf of Sweden, for having agreed to their passage. But this resolution concerning, the Dane Sound is a great secret. And the lord Vander Hoolck president concluded it, notwithstanding that Zealand, Friezland, and Overyssell did oppose it, and caused to be inserted the contrary.

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Item one or two of the embassadors, that are at Marienburgh, are to go to see the elector of Brandenburg, and are to endeavour to disengage him from the Swede; at least to admonish, and summon him to the observation of the treaty of 27^th of July 1655, with a new promise to bear him harmless against all that the Swede shall do to his prejudice against him. And especially he is to be put in mind of the article, that he will not raise the toll in Pillauw, &c. And in case that he doth the contrary, those ambassadors are to tell him, that this state will hold him for a sædifragum (a covenant breaker) and that this state will resent themselves upon the state of this elector of Brandenburg with the power and means, which God and nature hath given to this state.

They will send a minister to the duke of Muscovy.

Of all this they writ and informed by the post of yesterday, as well the embassadors at Marienburgh and at Copenhagen, as the admiral Opdam, who is said to be still upon the coasts. Those of Holland would give no copy of their result or resolution, but the other provinces were fain to take notice, each in particular, of what the real pensionary declared in his harangue or speech unto them.

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By this above mentioned you will see what I know of the opinion and mind of the states of Holland. As yet we know nothing of the resolutions of the rest, but in general I perceive sufficiently, that all the well affected of Holland will be for the states of Holland; and by reason of that half of Zeland and the well affected of Holland, will be for the states of Holland. Sed quia prohibentis conditio semper est melior, I think that the well affected of Holland ought to have a care of favouring too much the states of Holland, for that would make the rest to incline to the contrary. The states of Holland men believe, that they will be very little for the states of Holland; but if the states of Holland can in any wife have the plurality, they will pass further. And although it is observed, that the protector doth meddle much with the Swede, yet out of pure jealousy and imagination the states of Holland have a most bad opinion of Cromwell, speaking of him with more ill will then ever the friends of the princess of Orange did.

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In the mean time I believe they reckon much without their host, imagining themselves that they shall have so good cheap of the Swede A few days since came here the lord Culpepper, where he found his son come from France; that he doth any thing with the States General or the states of Holland is no likelihood.

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I do also understand C. Stuart is in a poor condition and equipage, and that almost every body doth forsake him. All speak ill of his chancellor Hyde, that he doth possess and govern him solely. Item it is said, that he hath not yet done any thing, nor treated with the Spaniard, that those of Spain do still delay that business, saying from time to time that they have yet no resolution nor answer from Spain. In short I perceive, that Charles Stuart will be only a charge to Spain, and that he will do no great harm to Cromwell.

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I am confidently assured, that the Embassador of the States General by their last letters did assure, that the Swede did now declare, that he was willing to treat or renew the foregoing treaties, applying them to the present conjunctures according to the Proposition, which the embassadors had made formerly. I am,
The 30^th June, 1656. [N. S.]

Your most humble servant.

An intercepted letter of Windebank to one Jones.

Boulogne, the last of June, 1655. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxix. p. 396.

Sir,
I Have received yours of the 16^th of June with the enclosed, which hath not given me that satisfaction you hoped or I expected; only it tells me, that Mr. Thomas would be in London this term, and that he had promised to provide, if not the whole, yet a good part of the commodities, and send them to me; but not hearing by your letter, that the gentleman is come to town, I much fear his performance. I hope if I could once get to our factor, I should be able to tell you some considerable news of our trade, by which I hope not only to satisfy what we owe, but to provide that we shall never owe more, or be in debt.

Lockhart, ambassador in France, to the ministers and deputies of the reformed churches of Piedmont.

Vol. xxxix. p. 535.

Gentlemen,
I Have received yours of the 30^th of May last, full of civill acknowledgements to my master and respects to myselfe, which (were not my endeavours already engaged for you, as I am a protestant and publique minister from his highnesse my master, whoe hath a sincer affection for you) are obligations deserveing my care answerable to your kindnesse and expectation. Whereupon I have already moved the cardinall on your behalfe, who did recomend your businesse to the ambassador of Savoy before his departure from Paris, and was earnest with him, that his master might give noe new cause of complaint this summer. His eminencies inclinations to heare me in your businesse bid me hope, that I shall be capable of serveing you more fully at the end of this campagnia. In the meane time by my frequent sollicitations I shall prepare and ripen your affaires, that theire maturity may evidently declaire my diligence in what concernes the commands of my master towards the advanceing of your Interest. How far it shall prevaile for you, I shall from time to time signifie to his highnesse extraordinary commissioners at Geneva, or to your good pastor and brother mons. de Ize, the offer of whose company and assistance was extraordinarily welcome unto me, since you have experementally found him to be a person, whose zealous endeavours for you God hath hitherto been pleased to blesse with a prosperous successe. I shall not be wanting to joine my power to his advise, which being accompanied with your praiers may take of from those sufferings you have long groaned under. These are the hopes and hearty desires of, gent.

Chaulny, the last of June, 1656. [N. S.]

Yours, &c.

W. Lockhart.

Lockhart, ambassador in France, to mons. de Ize, pastor of Grenoble.

Vol. xxxix. p. 534.

Sir,
Yours of the 4^th instant, wherein you mention a coppie of a treaty delivered unto Mr. Moreland (the which I have already received) is safely come to my hands. What probably I can doe thereupon I shall not faile to acquaint you, as often as I may improve any opportunities for the advantage of your affaires; but I doubt little wil be concluded thereupon till towards the beginning of the winter (the king and court being altogeather taken up with the businesse of this present campagnia.) If at their returne to Paris you shall thinke fitt to come and joine with me in a personall assistance, you will be very welcome unto mee, and be an extraordinary comfort to those your brethren of the valleyes, whoe have singuler confidence in your zealous proceedings for them, neither shall there be any thing wanting in me (by the blessing of God on my resolutions) which ought to be done on my parte, I beinge a servant to a master, whose endeavours are alwaies greate, whose vigilancy and care are truly pious for the preservation of the reformed churches, and whose love and kindnes is perticularly interessed in the reliefe of those distressed protestants of Piedmont. The consideration hereof will, I hope, stampe upon you an assurance of my passionate readinesse faithfully to serve you in the justnesse of your cause; and that I shall alwaies remaine, Sir,
Yours,
W. L.

Chaulny, the last of June, 1656. [N. S.]

Lockhart, ambassador at France, to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxix. p. 391.

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Right Honorable,
The cardinall (having receaved the newes of the arrivall of the convoy mentioned in my former at the camp) sent for me yesterday to court, where after I had congratulated his recoverie of health, and the good success of the convoy, I reassumd the discourse of Ma r dy ke; and after a long debate he at last condescended to advance mony for the l e ve ing 4000 foot which he will need for the carrying one of that businesse. France shall give them pay during the see ge, and at the de ly ve r ing of Ma r dy ke to protector, if he should imploy any part of them for the de fe n d ing the place, or anie other his service, that then the l e vie mo ny shall be returned by the protector, proportionable to the nu m be r he shall so employ; and that all that can be spared and continued in the service of France shall have the same conditions the Scots have, which are as good (if not better) as are given to anie other strangers.

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There was severall other particulars mentioned, as that the great gu n n s and anie other considerable things fownd in Ma r dy ke shall be left for the use of protector, and that the army of France, either in whole or in part, shall remain near M ar dy ke till its b re ac h es may be with conveniencie re pa re d. That France shall assist England with their army if Spayne attempt Ma r dy ke; that England shall assist France with their fleet if Spayne attempt Dunkirk when in the possessione of France.

The cardinall desyred, that the whole particulars of this businesse might be putt in wryting, to the end after he and I had viewed them, they might be sent to you for his highnesse approbation either in part or in whole; and then if his highnesse did give commissione to me or anie else to signe for him, the king showld impower some persons of honor to doe the same for his majestie I did insinuate, that I thought my master would desyer good securitie for theire putting him in possessione of the 191 18 abovementioned. He told me, he could give noe greater then the ingadgment of his master's honor and his own; and that to gaine a kingdome he would not breake his word to a person, whom he so much honored as he did his highnesse.

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Sir, I know the seasone of the year is so farr spent, as you will looke upon all that can be said in this businesse as of verie little consequence. I have my owne fears, that it will prove so and have not been wanting to represent them to his eminence; but he assures me, that, if he meet not with some extraordinarie crosse providence in his present attaque of Valenciennes, he will be able to performe all that is requisite on his part; and that the businesse I have mentioned will not be above the work of one month at most: That now the States Gen. fleet is at such a distance in the B al t ie ke, the fleet need not be so as otherwayes it must have been.

He doth still assure me, that the Portugall will give all satisfaction; and sayth the Spanyard hath great fears, least the two gallionns supposd to be lost shall fall into the hands of your fleet.

He earnestlie presseth, that if you desyre to come to a nearer union and alliance then is settled, that you would offer such propositions, as you conceave necessarie for that end; and that you will consither, whether you will proceed in it apart or jointlie with the Swed and Hollander.

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I told him his highnesse did expect to receave propositions from him touching that affaire, he excused himself from being the first proposer; and said, when he had once seen his highnesse propositions, he would endeavor all that he cowld to give him satisfactione in them, and wowld freelie offer everie thing else, that he showld conceave might be contributive to the carrying on and closing so good a work. I was prevented in the propositione concerning mony by a large discourse of the great extremities he was now put to for want of it, wherein he did much blame the clergy of France; and told me, he hop'd ere long (by the assistance of God and his friends) to bring them into some better order then now they were. In my endeavours to learne something more of the businesse with Spayne; have as yett had no successe. I ame,
Right honorable,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
Will. Lockhart.

Chaulni, this last of June, 1656.

London, 20 June 1656.

Vol. xxxix. p. 394.

This day Mr. George Clerke received a letter of the 13^th of May from Lisbon, which came by the ship Diligence from Port, wherein he hath advice, that the king of Portugall had that day signed the articles of peace with this commonwealth; and that on the 11^th of the same month of May, about nine of the clock in the evening, our agent coming from the conde de Mira, cheife commissioner of this last treaty, was mett going to his house by two horsemen, which came on both sides his litter, and discharged each a pistole, and then severally fled; but it pleased God, only one shott him in the left hand, which is hoped is not dangerous; presently dilligent search were made throughout the citty, and twenty thousand crownes promised to the discoverer. These are the words of his letter, which I thought good to aćquaint you with, suposeing you may have no advice thereof as yet. The ship I understand is in this river, which brought the aforesayd letter.

Commissioner Pels to the States General.

Vol. xxxix. p. 405.

High and mighty lords,
The agreement and conjunction of the arms between the duke of Brandenburgh and the king of Sweden is now known publicly; it causeth great perplexity. The king of Sweden is gone to his army to fight king Casimir, if he can draw him to a battle. It is supposed we shall hear suddenly of some engagement. Here in this town all things are in the same condition mentioned in my last; our forces bring in good store of prisoners.

Grave Magnus de la Garde is gone from Riga with 3000 horse towards Ingermerlandt, and had commanded all the gentry to come in to him to resist the Muscovites, who had made some inroads near to those parts.

Dantzick, 1 July, 1656. [N. S.]

Pels.

To Barriere.

Brussells, 1 July, 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxix. p. 407.

We have had no news from our army since the 25^th June. I know not whether the cutting off the convoys will cause them to raise the siege; if not, they have taken a strong resolution here to attack the lines. France hath undertaken a great business, for the inhabitants being true to this government, I speak it without passion, they will have enough to do to take it, for it is a strong city, well fortified, and provided with all things. True it is, that there are not soldiers enough in it to defend it, but they have armed a great many, that fled into the city, and those of the city do furnish money to pay them.

The king of England is still at Bruges. His affairs are not much advanced.

The king of Sweden is said to have raised his siege before Dantzick, and to be marched towards the king of Poland. 'Tis thought he would gladly hearken to a peace, and that France doth endeavour it; a sign his affairs are in no good condition.

Admiral Opdam to the States General.

Vol. xxxix. p. 412.

High and mighty lords,
My lords, (fn. 3) by my former of the 27^th of the last month I informed your high and mighty lordships of my arrival in the Sound, and that I was resolved, as soon as the wind served, to go with your fleet before this town, the better to execute my instruction, which doth dictate to me, that I am to communicate with your high and mighty lordships ambassadors upon any thing of importance, and to be over the sands, in case any thing is to be done upon the East-sea, to cause the whole fleet or part thereof to act there. On the 28^th their excellencies sent me their coach, with their desire, that I would transport myself to them; which I did, leaving order with the vice-admiral de Ruyter, that as soon as the wind blew good, he should bring the fleet near this town; but, coming at night to speak with your high and mighty lordships ambassadors about it, they judged, that it might be, that by bringing such a considerable fleet before the chief city of the kingdom without signisying the same first to his majesty, and to have his consent upon it, it would be ill taken, which obliged me to send order to the vice admiral to remain upon the Lubeck road till further order.

Your high and mighty lordship's fleet is now encreased to the number of thirty-five ships by the coming of capt. Black of Zealand, who arrived since I came ashore. I have not yet heard of the five ships from Gorée and the two from Frizeland, which were to follow.

Copenhagen, 2 July, 1656. [N. S.]

An intercepted letter of Sir G. Ratcliffe.

Paris, 1 July, 1656. [N. S.]

Vol. xxxix. p. 398.

D. N.

I Writ to Ormond/Fitz-Walter , that I was weary of this place, and would gladly go to him; but I must stay where I am, and do what I can, though it be to no great purpose; for Duke of York/Francis hath others, that he confides in; and they have more opportunity to press him, and better means to persuade, than I have. Yet if he were gotten from hence, some more good might be done; but his removal suits not either with his own inclinations, nor with the ends of some about him. Cha. Stuart/Peter is not well pleased at this, and bids me do my best; which would not need, if he would express his mind plainly and roundly (as I have desired him) and I hope he will, and then doubtless all will be well, for he may have D. of York/Fracis as tractable as he pleaseth, if he will but use his power, which he hath with him. Ormond/Fitz-Walter writes again very comfortably of their health and welfare, which God continue and increase. My master in a little time may see, which of his servants give him best advice. I believe all of them will not be overjoyed, whom my fellow Harry Bennet brings, but who can help it ? D. of York/Fracis is of late better disposed than some about him; so as I doubt not but he will give his best friends full satisfaction. I believe I shall not stay here many weeks.

We are here in great expectation of the event of the siege of Valenciennes, which the French have encompassed with 2000 horse and foot, well commanded by monsieur de Turenne, the greatest captain of his age, and they are guarded by a strong line pallisadoed; on the other side don John and the prince of Condé lie within an English mile of them with 12000 horse and as many foot; so that the issue of this business is like to appear within a few days.

Peter ab Heimbach to secretary Thurloe.

Vol. xxxix. p. 414.

Vir illustris,
Sitantum tibi à republica, quæ sub magno, serenissimo protectore, tanquam Atlante, tibi, ceu Herculi succenturiato, feliciter incumbit, otii esset, quantum amici necessarii aut clientes optarent, jam dudum equidem primoque adeo in Britanniam hanc vestram adventu amplissimæ dignitati tuæ, neque minori in isto fastigio humanitati, qua prosequeris cunctos, manus coram tuas osculis fuissem fatigaturus, omniaque pro virili officia manibus pedibusque quam proliximé oblaturus. Sed ut mollissima commodissimaque fandi tempora captare meum hactenus fuit, ita veritus sum semper, ne officio forte inofficioso, fur temporum, quorum avarissimus esse debes, evaderem. Si autem id ab inusitatâ comitate tuâ, aliquando ut votis contendo, ita precibus impetrare possem, ut tibi occupationibusque tuis infinitis tria momenta ipsemet mea causa suffurari dignareris, nihil me beatius fore arbitrabor; modo vel per ministrorum minimum certiorem me fieri cures, quo die, quâ diei horâ potissimum, quod cum commodo tuo fiat, sim accessurus, ruptâ omni morâ, rebus relictis omnibus, id é vestigio agam, præsenti ut præsens prositear, quod nunc per literas animi interpretes testatum velim, potissimam felicitatis meæ partem in favore tuo, facilitate, benevolentiaque posuisse me, & si meruisse aliqua videar, te non nolente in perpetuum mansurum,
Vir illustris,
Nomini & famæ tuæ devotissimum
Petrum ab Heimbach.

22 Jun. stylo Juliano,
dabam in urbe, 1656.