King of Persia which we cannot value at less then Fourscore thousand Royals 2000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 5. We demand Satisfaction for Four Houses Maliciously and Unjustly Burnt at Jocatra together with the Warehouses Magazines and Furniture occasion'd by the Dutch Governour there of all which we had Information from the Place it self after we had exhibited our first complaints the total of which damage we value at 50000 l. 00 s. 00 d. We demand Satisfaction for 32899 Pound of Pepper taken out of the Ship Endymion in 1649 the total of which damage amounts to 6000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 220796 l. 15 s. 00 d. A Summary of some particular damages sustain'd also from the Dutch East-India Company 1. FOR Damages sustain'd by those who Besieg'd Bantam whence it came to pass that for Six years together we were excluded from that Trade and consequently from an opportunity of laying out in Pepper Six hundred thousand Royals with which we might have laden our homeward bound Ships sor want of which lading they rotted upon the Coast of India In the mean time our Stock in India was wasted and consum'd in Mariners Wages Provision and other Furniture so that they could not value their Loss at less then Twenty hunder'd and four thousand Royals 600000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 2. More for Damages by reason of our due part lost of the fruits in the Molucca Islands Banda and Amboyna from the time that by the slaughter of our men we were thence expell'd till the time that we shall be satisfi'd for our Loss and Expences which space of time from the year 1622. to this present year 1650. for the yearly Revenue of 250000 lib. amounts in 28 years to 700000 l. 00 s. 00 d. 3. We demand Satisfaction for one hunder'd and two thousand nine hunder'd fifty nine Royals taken from us by the Mogul's People whom the Dutch protected in such a manner that we never could repair our Losses out of the Money or Goods of that People which lay in their Junks which we endeavour'd to do and was in our Power had not the Dutch unjustly defended ' em Which lost Money we could have trebled in Europe and value at 77020 l. 00 s. 00 d. 4. For the Customs of Persia the half part of which was by the King of Persia granted to the English Anno 1624. Which to the year 1629. is vrlued at Eight thousand Royals to which add the Four thousand Lib. which they are bound to pay since 1629. which is now One and twenty years and it makes up the Sum of 84000 l. 00 s. 00 d. From the First Account 220796 l. 15 s. Sum Total 1681996 l. 15 s. The Interest from that time will far exceed the Principal LETTERS Written in the Name of OLIVER the Protector To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Lord BY your Letters dated January 20. 1654. I have bin given to understand That the Noble Frederick Matthias Wolisog and Chirstopher Griphiander were sent with certain Commands from your Illustrious Lordship into England who when they came to us not onely in your Name Congratulated our having taken upon us the Government of the Eoglish Republick but also desir'd that you and your Territories might be comprehended in the Peace which we are about to make with the Low Countries and that we would confirm by our present Authority the Letters of safe Conduct lately granted your Lordship by the Parlament Therefore in the first place we return your Lordship our hearty thanks for your Friendly Congratulation as it becomes us and these will let you know that we have readily granted your two Requests Nor shall you find us wanting upon any opportunity which may at any time make manifest our Affection to your Lordship And this we are apt to believe you will understand more at large from your Agents whose Fidelity and Diligence in this Affair of yours in our Court has bin eminently conspicuous As to what remains we most heartily wish the Blessings of Prosperity and Peace both upon you and your Affairs Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Count of Oldenburgh Most Illustrious Lord WE receiv'd your Letters dated May 2 from Oldenburgh most welcome upon more then one account as well for that they were full of singular Civility and Good-will toward us as because they were deliver'd by the hand of the most Illustrious Count Antony your beloved Son Which we look upon as so much the greater Honour as not having trusted to Report but with our own Eyes and by our own Observation discern'd his Vertues becoming such an Illustrious Extraction his noble Manners and Inclinations and lastly his extraordinary Affection toward our selves Nor is it to be question'd but he displays to his own People the same fair hopes at home that he will approve himself the Son of a most Worthy and most excellent Father whose signal Vertue and Prudence has all along so manag'd Affairs that rhe whole Territory of Oldenburgh for many years has enjoy'd a profound Peace and all the blessings of Tranquility in the midst of the raging confusions of War thundring on every side What reason therefore why we should not value such a Friendship that can so wisely and providently shun the Enmity of all men Lastly Most Illustrious Lord 't is for your Magnificent Present that we return you Thanks but 't is of Right and your Merits claim That we are cordially Westminster June 29. 1654. Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver c. Superscrib'd To the Most Illustrious Lord Anthony Gunther Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst Lord in Jehvern and Kniphausen Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Breme Verden Stettin in Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Ingria Wismaria as also Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria Cleves and Monts c. Greeting Most Serene King THough it be already divulg'd over all the world that the Kingdom of the Swedes is translated to your Majesty with the extraordinary Applause and Desires of the People and the free Suffrages of all the Orders of the Realm yet that your Majesty should rather chuse that we should understand the welcome News by your most friendly Letters then by the common voice of Fame we thought no small Argument both of your good-will toward us and of the honour done us among the first Voluntary therefore and of Right we Congratulate this Accession of Dignity to your egregious Merits and the most worthy guerdon of so much Vertue And that it may be Lucky and Prosperous to your Majesty to the Nation of the Swedes and the true Christian Interest which is also what you chiefly wish with joynt supplications we implore of God And whereas your Majesty assures us That
the preserving entire the League and Alliance lately concluded between this Republick and the Kingdom of Sweden shall be so far your care that the present Amity may not only continue firm and inviolable but if possible every day encrease and grow to a higher perfection to call it into question would be a piece of impiety after the Word of so great a Prince once interpos'd whose surpassing Fortitude has not only purchas'd your Majesty a Hereditary Kingdom in a Foreign Land but also could so far prevail that the most August Queen the Daughter of Gustavus and a Heroess so matchless in all degrees of Praise and Masculine Renown that many Ages backward have not produc'd her equal surrender'd the most just possession of her Empire to your Majesty neither expecting nor willing to accept it Now therefore 't is our main desire your Majesty should be every way assur'd that your so singular Affection toward us and so eminent a signification of your Mind can be no other then most dear and welcome to us and that no Combat can offer it self to us more glorious then such a one wherein we may if possible prove Victorious in out-doing your Majesty's Civility by our kind Offices that never shall be wanting Westminster July 4. 1654. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Illustrious Lord Lewis Mendez de Haro WHAT we have understood by your Letters most Illustrious Lord that there is an Embassador already nominated and appointed by the most Serene King of Spain on purpose to come and Congratulate our having undertaken the Government of the Republick is not onely deservedly acceptable of it self but render'd much more wellcome and pleasing to us by your singular Affection and the speed of your Civility as being desirous we should understand it first of all from your self For to be so belov'd and approv'd by your Lordship who by your Vertue and Prudence have obtain'd so great Authority with your Prince as to preside his equal in Mind over all the most Important Affairs of that Kingdom ought to be so much the more pleasing to us as well understanding that the judgement of a surpassing Person cannot but be much to our Honour and Ornament Now as to our cordial Inclinations toward the King of Spain and ready propensity to hold Friendship with that Kingdom and encrease it to a stricter perfection we hope we have already satisfi'd the Present Embassador and shall more amply satisfie the other so soon as he arrives As to what remains Most Illustrious Lord we heartily wish the Dignity and Favour wherein you now flourish with your Prince perpetual to your Lordship and that whatever Affairs you carry on for the Publick Good may prosperously and happily succeed White-Hall September 1654. Your Illustrious Lordship's most Affectionate Oliver c. To the Most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus Adolphus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals c. BEing so well assur'd of your Majesty's good-will towards me by your last Letters in answer to which I wrote back with the same Affection methinks I should do no more then what our mutual Amity requires if as I communicate my grateful Tydings to reciprocal Joy so when contrary Accidents fall out that I should lay open the sence and grief of my Mind to your Majesty as my dearest Friend For my part this is my Opinion of my self That I am now advanc'd to this degree in the Commonwealth to the end I should consult in the first place and as much as in me lies for the common Peace of the Protestants Which is the reason that of necessity it behooves me more grievously to lay to heart what we are sorry to hear concerning the bloody Conflicts and mutual Slaughters of the Bremeners and Swedes But this I chiefly bewail that being both our Friends they should so despitefully Combat one against another and with so much danger to the Interests of the Protestants and that the Peace of Munster which it was thought would have prov'd an Asylum and Safeguard to all the Protestants should be the occasion of such an unfortunate War that now the Arms of the Swedes are turn'd upon those whom but a little before among the rest they most stoutly defended for Religions sake and that this should be done more especially at this time when the Papists are said to Persecute the Reformed all over Germany and to return to their intermitted for some time Oppressions and their pristin Violencies Hearing therefore that a Truce for some days was made at Breme I could not forbear signifying to your Majesty upon this opportunity offer'd how cordially I desire and how earnestly I implore the God of Peace that this Truce may prove successfully happy for the Good of both Parties and that it may conclude in a most firm Peace by a commodious Accommodation on both sides To which purpose if your Majesty judges that my Assistance may any ways conduce I most willingly offer and promise it as in a thing without question most acceptable to the most Holy God In the mean time from the bottom of my heart I beseech the Almighty to Direct and Govern all your Counsels for the common Welfare of the Christian Interest which I make no doubt but that your Majesty chiefly desires White-Hall Octob. 26. 1654. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver c. To the Magnificent and most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Breme BY your Letters deliver'd to us by your Resident Henry Oldenburgh that there is a difference kindled between your City and a most Potent Neighbour and to what streights you are thereby reduc'd with so much the more Trouble and Grief we understand by how much the more we love and embrace the City of Breme so eminent above others for their Profession of the Orthodox Faith Neither is there any thing which we account more sacred in our wishes then that the whole Protestant Name would knit and grow together in Brotherly Unity and Concord In the mean time most certain it is that the common Enemy of the Reformed rejoyces at these our Dissentions and more haughtily every where exerts his Fury But in regard the Controversie which at present exercises your contending Arms is not within the power of our decision we Implore the Almighty God that the Truce begun may obtain a happy issue Assuredly as to what you desir'd we have written to the King of the Swedes exhorting him to Peace and Agreement as being most chiefly grateful to Heaven and have offer'd our Assistance in so Pious a Work On the other side we likewise exhort your selves to bear an equal Mind and by no means to refuse any honest conditions of Reconciliation And so we recommend your City to Divine Protection and Providence White-Hall Octob. 26. 1654. Your Lordships most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Republick of England To
Splendid Embassy sent to us some time since after certain Negotiations begun by the Parlament in whom the Supreme Power was vested at that time as it was always most affectionately wish'd for by us with the assistance of God and that we might not be wanting in the Administration of the Government which we have now taken upon us at length we brought to a happy conclusion and as we hope as a sacred Act have ratifi'd it to perpetuity And therefore we send back to your Majesty your extraordinary Embassador the Lord John Roderigo de Sita Meneses Count of Pennaguiada a person both approv'd by your Majesty's judgment and by us experienc'd to excel in Civility Ingenuity Prudence and Fidelity besides the merited applause which he has justly gain'd by accomplishing the ends of his Embassy which is the Peace which he carries along with him to his Country But as to what we perceive by your Letters dated from Lisbon the second of April that is to say how highly your Majesty esteems our Amity how cordially you favour our Advancement and rejoyce at our having taken the Government of the Republick upon us which you are pleas'd to manifest by singular Testimonies of Kindness and Affection we shall make it our business that all the world may understand by our readiness at all times to serve your Majesty that there could be nothing more acceptable or grateful to us Nor are we less earnest in our Prayers to God for your Majesty's safety the welfare of your Kingdom and the prosperous success of your Affairs Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the High and Mighty States of the United Provinces Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends CERTAIN Merchants our Countrey-men Thomas Bassel Richard Beare and others their Co-Partners have made their complaints before us That a certain Ship of theirs the Edmund and John in her Voyage from the Coast of Brasile to Lisbon was set upon by a Privateer of Flushing call'd the Red-Lyon Commanded by Lambert Bartelson but upon this condition which the Writing Sign'd by Lambert himself testifies That the Ship and whatsoever Goods belong'd to the English should be restor'd at Flushing where when the Vessel arriv'd the Ship indeed with what peculiarly belong'd to the Seamen was restor'd but the English Merchants Goods were detain'd and put forthwith to Sale For the Merchants who had receiv'd the Damage when they had su'd for their Goods in the Court of Flushing after great Expences for Five years together lost their Suit by the pronouncing of a most unjust Sentence against 'em by those Judges of which some being interested in the Privateer were both Judges and Adversaries and no less Criminal altogether So that now they have no other hopes but onely in your Equity and uncorrupted Faith to which at last they fly for Succour and which they believ'd they should find the more inclinable to do 'em Justice if assisted by our Recommendation And men are surely to be pardon'd if afraid of all things in so great a struggle for their Estates they rather call to mind what they have reason to fear from your Authority and high Power then what they have to hope well of their Cause especially before sincere and upright Judges Though for our parts we make no question but that induc'd by your Religion your Justice your Integrity rather then by our Intreaties you will give that Judgment which is Just and Equal and truly becoming your selves God preserve both you and your Republick to his own Glory and the defence and Succour of his Church Westminster April 1. 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthonia Carelia Breme Verden Stettin Pomerania Cassubia and Vandalia Prince of Rugia Lord of Ingria and Wismaria Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria Juliers Cleves and Monts Most Serene Prince PEter Julius Coict having accomplish'd the Affairs of his Embassy with us and so acquitted himself that he is not by us to be dismiss'd without the Ornament of his deserved Praises is now returning to your Majesty For he was most acceptable to us as well and chiefly for your own sake which ought with us to be of high consideration as for his own deserts in the diligent acquittal of his Trust The Recommendation therefore which we receiv'd from you in his behalf we freely testifie to have bin made good by him and deservedly given by your self as he on the other side is able with the same Fidelity and Integrity to relate and most truly to declare our singular Affection and Observance toward your Majesty It remains for us to beseech the most Merciful and All-powerful God to Bless your Majesty with all Felicity and a perpetual course of Victory over all the Enemies of his Church Westminster Apirl 17. 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene Prince JOhn Dethic Mayor of the City of London for this Year and William Wakefield Merchant have made their Addresses to us by way of Petition complaining That about the middle of October 1649. they freighted a certain Ship call'd the Jonas of London Jonas Lightfoot Master with Goods that were to be sent to Ostend which Vessel was taken in the mouth of the River Thames by one White of Barking a Pyrate Robbing upon the Seas by Vertue of a Commission from the Son of King Charles deceas'd and carri'd to Dnnkirk then under the Jurisdiction of the French Now in regard that by your Majesty's Edict in the year 1647. renew'd in 1649. and by some other Decrees in favour of the Parlament of England as they find it recorded it was Enacted That no Vessel or Goods taken from the English in the time of that War should be carri'd into any of your Majesty's Ports to be there put to Sale they presently sent their Factor Hugh Morel to Dunkirk to demand Restitution of the said Ship and Goods from M. Lestrade then Governor of the Town more especially finding them in the Place for the most part untouch'd and neither Exchang'd or Sold. To which the Governor made Answer That the King had bestow'd that Government upon him of his free Gift for Service done the King in his Wars and therefore he would take care to make the best of the Reward of his Labour So that having little to hope from an Answer so unkind and unjust after a great Expence of Time and Money the Factor return'd home So that all the remaining hopes which the Petitioners have seem wholly to depend upon your Majesty's Justice and Clemency to which they thought
of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Illustrious Prince and Lord the Lord William Lantgrave of Hess Prince of Herefeldt Count in Cutzenellebogen Decia Ligenhain Widda and Schaunburg c. Most Serene Prince WE had return'd an Answer to your Letters sent us now near a Twelvemonth since for which we beg your Highnesses pardon had not many and those the most Important Affairs of the Republick under our care constrain'd us to this unwilling silence For what Letters could be more grateful to us then those which are written from a most Religius Prince descended from Religious Ancestors in order to settle the Peace of Religion and the Harmony of the Church Which Letters attribute to us the same Inclinations the same Zeal to promote the Peace of Christendom not only in your own but in the Opinion and Judgment of almost all the Christian World and which we are most highly glad to find so universally ascrib'd to our selves And how far our Endeavours have been signal formerly throughout these Three Kingdoms and what we have effected by our Exhortations by our Sufferings by our Conduct but chiefly by Divine Assistance the greatest part of our People both well know and are sensible of in a deep tranquility of their Consciences The same Peace we have wish'd to the Churches of Germany whose Dissentions have been too sharp and of too too long endurance and by our Agent Dury for many years in vain endeavouring the same Reconciliation we have cordially offer'd whatever might conduce on our part to the same purpose We still persevere in the same Determinations and wish the same Fraternal Charity one among another to those Churches But how difficult a task it is to settle peace among those Sons of Peace as they give out themselves to be to our extream grief we more then abundantly understand For that the Reformed and those of the Augustan Confession should cement together in a Communion of one Church is hardly ever to be expected 'T is impossible by force to prohibit either from defending their Opinions whether in private Disputes or by publick Writings For Force can never consist with Ecclesiastical Tranquility This only were to be wish'd that they who differ would suffer themselves to be entreated that they would disagree more civilly and with more moderation and notwithstanding their Disputes Love one another not imbitter'd against each other as Enemies but as Brethren dissenting onely in Trifles though in the Fundamentals of Faith most cordially agreeing With inculcating and perswading these things we shall never be wearied beyond that there is nothing allow'd to human Force or Counsels God will accomplish his own work in his own time In the mean while you most Serene Prince have left behind ye a noble testimony of your Affection to the Churches an eternal Monument becoming the Vertue of your Ancestors and an Exemplar worthy to be follow'd by all Princes It only then remains for us to implore the Merciful and Great God to Crown your Highness with all the Prosperity in other things which you can wish for but not to change your Mind then which you cannot have a better since a better cannot be nor more Piously devoted to his Glory Westm March 1656. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Duke of Curland Most Serene Prince WE have bin abundantly satisfi'd of your Affection to us as well at other times as when you kindly entertain'd our Embassador in his Journey to the Duke of Muscovy for some days together making a stop in your Territories Now we are no less confident that your Highness will give us no less obliging Testimonies of your Justice and Equity as well out of your own Good nature as at our request For we are given to understand That one John Johnson a Scotchman and Master of a certain Ship of yours having faithfully discharg'd his Duty for 7 years together in the Service of your Highness as to your Highness is well known at length deliver'd the said Ship call'd the Whale in the Mouth of the River according as the Custome is to one of your Pilots by him to be carried safe into Harbour But it so fell out that the Pilot being ignorant of his Duty though frequently Warned and Admonish'd by the said Johnson as he has prov'd by several Witnesses the said Ship ran aground and split to pieces not through any fault of the Master but through the want of Skill or Obstinacy of the Pilot. Which being so we make it our earnest request to your Highness That neither the said Shipwrack may be imputed to the foremention'd Johnson the Master nor that he may upon that account be depriv'd of the Wages due to him by the onely enjoyment of which he having lately suffer'd another misfortune at Sea he hopes however to support and comfort himself in the extremity of his Wants From our Court at Westm March 1657. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the Republick of Dantzick Most Noble and Magnificent our dearest Friends WE have always esteem'd your City flourishing in Industry Wealth and studious Care to promote all useful Arts and Sciences fit to be compar'd with any the most Noble Cities of Europe Now in regard that in this War that has long bin hovering about your Confines you have rather chosen to side with the Polanders then with the Swedes we are most heartily desirous that for the sake of that Religion which you embrace and of your ancient Commerce with the English you would chiefly adhere to those Counsels which may prove most agreeable to the Glory of God and the Dignity and Splendour of your City Wherefore we intreat ye for the sake of that Friendship which has bin long establish'd between your selves and the English Nation and if our Reputation have obtaine'd any favour or esteem among ye to set at Liberty Count Conismark conspicuous among the Principal of the Swedish Captains and a Person singularly fam'd for his Conduct in War but by the Treachery of his own People surpris'd at Sea wherein you will do no more then what the Laws of War not yet exasperated to the heighth allow or if you think this is not so agreeable to your Interests that you will however deem him worthy a more easy and less severe Confinement Which of these two Favours soever you shall determin to grant us you will certainly perform an act becoming the Reputation of your City and highly oblige besides the most famous Warriers and most eminent Captains of all Parties and lastly lay upon our selves an obligation not the meanest and perhaps it may be worth your Interest to gratify us From our Court at Westm April 1657. Your Lordships most Affectionate Oliver c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the most Serene aud Potent Prince and Lord Emperor and
think amiss of any Labour or Pains where you can be assisting to their Relief we made no scruple to commit the Paying and Distributing this Sum of Money to your Care and to give ye this farther trouble that according to your wonted Piety and Prudence you would take care that the said Money made be distributed equally to the most Necessitous to the end that though the Sum be small yet there may be something to Refresh and Revive the most Poor and Needy till we can afford 'em a more plentiful Supply And thus not making any doubt but you will take in good part the trouble impos'd upon ye we beseech Almighty God to stir up the hearts of all his People Professing the Orthodox Religion to resolve upon the common Defence of themselves and the mutual Assistance of each other against their imbitter'd and most implacable Enemies In the prosecution of which we should rejoyce that our helping hand might be any way serviceable to the Church Farewel Fifteen hundred Pounds of the foresaid Two thousand will be remitted by Gerard Hench from Paris and the other Five hundred Pounds will be taken care of by Letters from the Lord Stoup June 8. 1655. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince the Duke of Venice Most Serene Prince AS it has bin always a great occasion of rejoycing to us when ever any prosperous Success attended your Arms but more especially against the Common Enemy of the Christian Name so neither are we sorry for the late Advantage gain'd by your Fleet though as we understand it happen'd not a little to the Detriment of our People For certain of our Merchants William and Daniel Williams and Edward Beale have set forth in a Petition presented to us that a Ship of theirs call'd the Great Prince was lately sent by them with Goods and Merchandize to Constantinople where the said Ship was detain'd by the Ministers of the Port to carry Soldiers and Provisions to Creet and that the said Ship being constrain'd to Sail along with the same Fleet of the Turks which was set upon and vanquish'd by the Gallies of the Venetians was taken carri'd away to Venice and there adjudg'd Lawful Prize by the Judges of the Admiralty Now therefore in regard the said Ship was press'd by the Turks and forc'd into their Service without the Knowledge or Consent of the Owners directly or indirectly obtain'd and that it was impossible for her being Ship'd with Soldiers to withdraw from the Engagement we most earnestly request your Serenity That you will remit that sentence of your Admiralty as a Present to our Friendship and take such care that the Ship may be restor'd to the Owners no way deserving the displeasure of your Republick by any Act of theirs In the obtaining of which request more especially upon our Intercession while we find the Merchants themselves so well assur'd of your Clemency It behoves us not to question it And so we beseech the Almighty God to continue his prosperous Blessings upon your Noble Designs and the Venetian Republick Westminster December 1655. Your Serenity's and the Venetian Republick's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene King CErtain of our Merchants by name Samuel Mico William Cockain George Poyner and several others in a Petition to us have set forth That in the year 1650. they Laded a Ship of theirs call'd the Vnicorn with Goods of a very considerable value and that the said Ship being thus Laden with Silk Oyl and other Merchandize amounting to above Thirty four thousand of our Pounds was taken by the Admiral and Vice-Admiral of your Majesty's Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea Now it appears to us that our People who were then in the Ship by reason there was at that time a Peace between the French and us that never had bin violated in the least were not willing to make any Defence against your Majesty's Royal Ships and therefore over-rul'd besides by the fair Promises of the Captains Paul and Terrery who faithfully engag'd to dismiss our People they paid their Obedience to the Maritime Laws and produc'd their Bills of Lading Moreover we find that the Merchants aforesaid sent their Agent into France to demand Restitution of the said Ship and Goods And then it was that after above Three years slipt away when the Suit was brought so far that Sentence of Restitution or Condemnation was to have bin given that his Eminency Cardinal Mazarine acknowledg'd to their Factor Hugh Morel the wrong that had bin done the Merchants and undertook that Satisfaction should be given so soon as the League between the two Nations which was then under Negotiation should be Ratifi'd and Confirm'd Nay since that his Excellency M. de Bourdeaux your Majesty's Embassador assur'd us in express Words by the Command of your Majesty and your Council That care should be taken of that Ship and Goods in a particular Exception a part from those controversies for the decision of which a general provision was made by the League of which promise the Embassador now opportunely arriv'd here to solicit some business of his own is a Testimony no way to be question'd Which being true and the Right of the Merchants in redemanding their Ship and Goods so undeniably apparent we most earnestly request your Majesty that they may meet with no delay in obtaining what is justly their due but that your Majesty will admit the grant of this Favour as the first fruits of our reviv'd Amity and the lately renew'd League between us The refusal of which as we have no reason to doubt so we beseech Almighty God to Bless with all Prosperity both your Majesty and your Kingdom Westminster Decemb. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. To the Evangelic Cities of Switzerland IN what condition your Affairs are which is not the best we are abundantly inform'd as well by your publick Acts transmitted to us by our Agent at Geneva as also by your Letters from Zurick bearing date the 27th of December Whereby although we are sorry to find your Peace and such a lasting League of Confederacy broken nevertheless since it appears to have happen'd through no fault of yours we are in hopes that the Iniquity and perverseness of your Adversaries are contriving new occasions for ye to make known your long-ago experienc'd Fortitude and Resolution in Defence of the Evangelick Faith For as for those of the Canton of Schwits who account it a Capital Crime for any person to embrace our Religion what they are might and main designing and whose instigations have incens'd 'em to resolutions of Hostility against the Orthodox Religion no body can be ignorant who has not yet forgot that most detestable Slaughter of our Brethren in Piemont Wherefore