of the Council to it the Council have thought it necessary to add this following Article to their following Demands That the People and Inhabitants of the Republick of England Trading into any Kingdoms Regions or Territories of the King of Danemark and Norway shall not for the future pay any more Customs Tribute Taxes Duties or Stipends or in any other manner then the People of the Vnited Provinces or any other Foreign Nation that pays the least coming in or going out of Harbour and shall enjoy the same and as equally ample Freedom Privileges and Immunities both coming and going and so long as they shall reside in the Countrey as also in Fishing Tradeing or in any other manner which any other People of a Foreign Nation enjoys or may enjoy in the foresaid Kingdoms and throughout the whole Dominions of the said King of Danemark and Norway Which Privileges also the Subjects of the King of Danemark and Norway shall equally enjoy throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Republick of England The Council of State of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend THE Council of State understanding as well by your Highness's Agent here residing as by Charles Longland chief Factor for the English at Leghorn with what Affectiou and Fidelity your Highness undertook the Protection of the English Vessels putting in to the Port of Leghorn for shelter against the Dutch Men of War threatning 'em with nothing but Ransack and Destruction by their Letters of the 29th of July which they hope are by this time come to your Highness's hands have made known to your Highness how grateful and how acceptable it was to 'em and at the same time sent to your Serenity a Declaration of the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England concerning the present Differences between this Republick and the Vnited Provinces And whereas the Council has again bin inform'd by the same Charles Longland what further Commands your Highness gave for the security and defence of the English Vessels notwithstanding the opposite endeavours of the Dutch they deem'd this opportunity not to be pass'd over to let your Highness understand once more how highly they esteem your Justice and singular Constancy in defending their Vessels and how acceptable they took so great a piece of Service Which being no mean testimony of your solid Friendship and Affection to this Republick your Highness may assure your self that the same offices of Kindness and good Will toward your Highness shall never be wanting in us such as may be able to demonstrate how firmly we are resolv'd to cultivate both long and constantly to the utmost of our Power that Friendship which is between your Serenity and this Republick In the mean time we have expresly commanded all our Ships upon their entrance into your Ports not to fail of paying the accustom'd Salutes by Firing their Guns and to give all other due Honours to your Highness White Hall Sep. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal and Subscrib'd President To the Spanish Embassador Alphonso de Cardenas Most Excellent Lord YOUR Excelleny's Letters of the 1 11 of November 1652. deliver'd by your Secretary together with Two Petitions inclos'd concerning the Ships the Sampson and Sun Salvadore were read in Council To which the Council returns this Answer That the English Man of War meeting with the foresaid Ships not in the Downes as your Excellency Writes but in the open Sea brought 'em into Port as Enemies Ships and therefore Lawful Prize and the Court of Admiralty to which it properly belongs to take Cognizance of all Causes of this nature have undertaken to determin the Right in dispute Where all Parties concern'd on both sides shall be fully and freely heard and you may be assur'd that Right shall take place We have also sent your Excellency's request to the Judges of that Court to the end we may more certainly understand what progress they have made in their proceeding to Judgement Of which so soon as we are rightly inform'd we shall take care that such Orders shall be given in this matter as shall correspond with Justice and become the Friendship that is between this Republick and your King Nor are we less confident that his Royal Majesty will by no means permit the Goods of the Enemies of this Commonwealth to be conceal'd and escape due Confiscation under the shelter of being own'd by his Subjects White-Hall Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal and Subscrib'd William Masham President To the Spanish Embassador Most Excellent Lord BUT lately the Council has bin inform'd by Captain Badiley Admiral of the Fleet of this Republick in the Streights that after he himself together with three other Men of War had for two days together engag'd Eleven of the Dutch put into Porto Longone as well to repair the Damages he had receiv'd in the Fight as also to supply himself with Warlike Ammunition where the Governor of the Place perform'd all the good Offices of a most just and courteous Person as well toward his own as the rest of the Men of War under his Conduct Now in regard that that same Place is under the Dominion of the Most Serene King of Spain the Council cannot but look upon the singular Civility of that Garison to be the copious fruit of that stricter mutual Amity so auspiciously commenc'd and therefore deem it to be a part of their duty to return their thanks to his Majesty for a Kindness so opportunely receiv'd and desire your Excellency to signify this to your most Serene King and to assure him that the Parlament of the Common-wealth of England will be always ready to make the same returns of Friendship and Civility upon all occasion offer'd Westminster Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Councel Seal and Subscrib'd William Masham President The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England to the Most Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second Grand Duke of Tuscany Greeting Most Serene Prince our dearest Friend THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has receiv'd your Letters dated from Florence August 17. concerning the restitution of a certain Ship laden with Rice which Ship is claim'd by Captain Cardi of Leghorn And though the Judges of our Admiralty have already pronounc'd Sentence in that Cause against the foresaid Cardi and that there be an Appeal depending before the Delegates yet upon your Highness's Request the Parlament to testify how much they value the good Will and Alliance of a Prince so much their Friend have given Order to those who are entrusted with this Affair that the said Ship together with the Rice or at least the full Price of it be restor'd to the foresaid Captain Cardi the fruit of which Command his Proctor here has effectually already reap'd And as your Highness by favourably affording your Patronage and Protection to the Ships of the English in your Port of Leghorn has
own Honour Westm May 1658. To the Evangelick Cities of the Switzers Illustrious and most Noble Lords our dearest Friends HOW heavy and intolerable the Sufferings of the Piemontois your most afflicted Neighbours have bin and how unmercifully they have been dealt with by their own Prince for the sake of their Religion by reason of the Felness of the Cruelties we almost tremble to remember and thought it superfluous to put you in mind of those things which are much better known to your Lordships We have also seen Copies of the Letters which your Embassadors Promoters and Witnesses of the Peace concluded at Pignerol wrote to the Duke of Savoy and the President of his Council at Turin wherein they set forth and make it out that all the Conditions of the said Peace are broken and were rather a Snare then a Security to those miserable People Which Violation continu'd from the Conclusion of the Peace to this very moment and still growing more heavy every day then other unless they patiently endure unless they lay themselves down to be trampl'd under foot plash'd like Mortar or abjure their Religion the same Calamities the same Slaughters hang over their Heads which three years since made such a dreadful havock of them their Wives and Children and which if it must be undergone once more will certainly prove the utter extirpation of their whole Race What shall such miserable Creatures do in whose behalf no Intercession will avail to whom no breathing time is allow'd nor any certain place of Refuge They have to do with Wild Beasts or Furies rather upon whom the remembrance of their former Murders has wrought no compassion upon their Countrymen no sense of humanity nor satiated their ravenous hunger after blood Most certainly these things are not to be endur'd if we desire the safety of our Brethren the Piemontois most Ancient Professors of the Orthodox Faith or the Welfare of our Religion it self As for our selves so far remote we have not been wanting to assist 'em as far as in us lay nor shall we cease our future Aid But you who not only lie so near adjoining as to behold the Butcheries and hear the Outcries and Shrieks of the Distressed but are also next expos'd to the fury of the same Enemies consider for the sake of the Immortal God and that in time what it behoves ye now to do Consult your Prudence your Piety and your Fortitude what succour what relief and safegard you are able and are bound to afford your Neighbours and Brethren who must else undoubtedly and speedily perish Certainly the same Religion is the cause why the same Enemies seek also your Perdition why at the same time the last year they meditated your ruin by Intestine Broiles among your selves It seems to be only in your power next under God to prevent the Extirpation of this most Ancient Scien of the Purer Religion in these remainders of the Primitive Believers whose preservation now reduc'd to the very brink of utter ruin if you neglect beware that the next Turn be not your own These Admonitions while we give ye freely and out of Brotherly love we are not quite as yet cast down For what lies only in our power so far distant as we have hitherto so shall we still employ our utmost Endeavours not only to procure the safety of our Brethren upon the precipice of danger but also to relieve their Wants May the Almighty God vouchsafe to both of us that peace and tranquility at home that settlement of Times and Affairs that we may be able to employ all our Wealth and Force all our Studies and Counsels in the defence of his Church against the Rage and Fury of her Enemies From our Court at White-Hall May 1658. To his Eminency Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord THE late most Grievous Cruelties and most Bloody Slaughters perpetrated upon the Inhabitants of the Valleys of Piemont within the Duke of Savoy's Dominions occasion'd the writing of the inclos'd Letters to his Majesty and these other to your Eminency And as we make no doubt but that such Tyranny Inhumanities so rigorously inflicted upon harmless and indigent People are highly displeasing and offensive to the most Serene King so we readily persuade our selves that what we request from his Majesty in behalf of those unfortunate Creatures your Eminency will employ your endeavour and your favour to obtain as an accumulation to our Intercessions Seeing there is nothing which has acquir'd more good-will and affection to the French Nation among all the Neighbouring Professors of the Reformed Religion then that Liberty and those Privileges which by publick Acts and Edicts are granted in that Kingdom to the Protestants And this among others was one main Reason why this Republick so ardently desir'd the Friendship and Alliance of the French People For the setling of which we are now treating with the King's Embassador and have made those progresses that the Treaty is almost brought to a conclusion Besides that your Eminency's singular Benignity and Moderation which in the management of the most Important Affairs of the Kingdom you have always testifi'd to the Protestants of France encourages us to expect what we promise to our selves from your Prudence and Generosity whereby you will not only lay the foundations of a stricter Alliance between this Republick and the Kingdom of France but oblige us in particular to Returns of all good Offices of Civility and Kindness And of this we desire your Eminency to rest assur'd Your Eminency's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King our most August Friend and Confederate IT being the intention of Thomas Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law to Travel into France and no less his desire out of his profound Respect and Veneration to your Majesty to be admitted to Kiss your Royal hands though by reason of his pleasing Conversation we are unwilling to part with him nevertheless not doubting but he will in a short time return from the Court of so great a Prince celebrated for the resort of so many Prudent and Couragious Persons more nobly prepar'd for great Performances and fully Accomplish'd in whatsoever may be thought most Laudable and Vertuous we did not think it fit to put a stop to his generous Resolutions And though he be a Person who unless we deceive our selves carries his own Recommendations about him wheresoe're he goes yet if he shall find himself somewhat the more favour'd by your Majesty for our sake we shall think our selves Honour'd and Oblig'd by the same Kindness God Almighty long preserve your Majesty in safety and continue a lasting Peace between us to the common Good of the Christian world From our Court at White-May 1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord HAving Recommended to the most Serene King
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
to sollicit your Lordships to forsake your Ancient and most Faithful Friends the English French and Danes and enter into a strict Confederacy with your old Enemy and once your domineering Tyrant now seemingly atton'd but what is most to be fear'd only at present treacherously fawning to advance his own Designs Certainly he who of an inveterate Enemy lays hold of so slight an occasion of a sudden to become your Counsellor what is it that he would not take upon him where would his Insolency stop if once he could but see with his eyes what now he onely ruminates and labours in his thoughts that is to say Division and a Civil War among the Protestants We are not ignorant that your Lordships out of your deep Wisdom frequently revolve in your Minds what the posture of all Europe is and what more especially the condition of the Protestants That the Cantons of Switzerland adhering to the Orthodox Faith are in daily expectation of new Troubles to be rais'd by their Countrey-men embracing the Popish Ceremonies scarcely recover'd from that War which for the sake of Religion was kindled and blown up by the Spaniards who suppli'd their Enemies both with Commanders and Money That the Councils of the Spaniards are still contriving to continue the slaughter and destruction of the Piemontois which was cruelly put in execution the last year That the Protestants under the Jurisdiction of the Emperor are most grievously harass'd having much ado to keep Possession of their Native Homes That the King of Sweden whom God as we hope has rais'd up to be a most stout Defender of the Orthodox Faith is at present waging with all the Force of his Kingdom a doubtful and bloody War with the most Potent Enemies of the Reformed Religion That your own Provinces are threatened with Hostile Confederacies of the Princes your Neighbours Headed by the Spaniards and lastly that we our selves are busied in a War proclaim'd against the King of Spain In this posture of Affairs if any Contest should happen between your Lordships and the King of Sweden How miserable would be the condition of all the Reformed Churches over all Europe expos'd to the Cruelty and Fury of unsanctifi'd Enemies These cares not slightly seize us and we hope your Sentiments to be the same and that out of your continu'd Zeal for the common Cause of the Protestants and to the end the present Peace between Brethren professing the same Faith the same Hope of Eternity may be preserv'd inviolable your Lordships will accommodate your Counsels to these Considerations which are to be preferr'd before all others and that you will leave nothing neglected that may conduce to the establishing Tranquility and Union between your Lordships and the King of Sweden Wherein if we can any way be useful as far as our Authority and the Favour you bear us will sway with your Lordships we freely offer our utmost Assistance prepared in like manner to be no less serviceable to the King of Sweden to whom we design a speedy Embassie to the end we may declare our Sentiments at large concerning these matterso We hope moreover that God will bend your Minds on both sides to moderate Counsels and so restrain your Animosities that no provocation may be given either by the one or the other to fester your differences to extremity But that on the other side both parties will remove whatever may give offence or occasion of jealousie to the other Which if you shall vouchsafe to do you will disappoint your Enemies prove the consolation of your Friends and in the best manner provide for the welfare of your Republick And this we beseech you to be fully convinc'd of that we shall use our utmost care to make appear upon all occasions our extraordinary Affection and Good-will to the States of the Vnited Provinces And so we most earnestly implore the Almighty God to perpetuate his Blessings of Peace Wealth and Liberty upon your Republick but above all things to preserve it always flourishing in the Love of the Christian Faith and the true Worship of his Name From our Palace at Westminster Aug. 1656. Your High and Mightinesses most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene Prince UPON the 11th of July last Old-stile we receiv'd by Thomas Maynard the Ratification of the Peace Negotiated at London by your Extraordinary Embassador as also of the private and preliminary Articles all now confirm'd by your Majesty And by our Letters from Philip Medows our Agent at Lisbon dated the same time we understand that our Ratification also of the same Peace and Articles was by him according to our Orders sent him deliver'd to your Majesty And thus the Instruments of the foremention'd Ratification being mutually interchang'd on both sides in the begining of June last there is now a firm and settl'd Peace between both Nations And this pacification has given us no small occasion of joy and satisfaction as believing it will prove to the common benefit of both Nations and to the no slight detriment of our common Enemies who as they found out a means to disturb the former League so they left nothing neglected to have hinder'd the renewing of this Nor do we question in the least that they will omit any occasion of creating new matter for scandals and jealousies between us Which we however have constantly determin'd as much as in us lies to remove at a remote distance from our thoughts rather we so earnestly desire that this our Alliance may beget a mutual confidence greater every day then other that we shall take them for our Enemies who shall by any artifices endeavour to molest the Friendship by this Peace establish'd between our selves and both our People And we readily perswade our selves that your Majesty's thoughts and intentions are the same And whereas it has pleas'd your Majesty by your Letters dated the 24th of June and some days after the delivery by our Agent of the interchang'd Instrument of confirm'd Peace to mention certain clauses of the League of which you desir'd some little Alteration being of small moment to this Republick as your Majesty believes but of great importance to the Kingdom of Portugal we shall be ready to enter into a particular Treaty in order to those Proposals made by your Majesty or whatever else may conduce in the judgment of both Parties to the farther establishment and more strongly fastning of the League wherein we shall have those due considerations of your Majesty and your Subjects as also of our own People that all may be satisfi'd and it shall be in your choice whether these things shall be Negotiated at Lisbon or at London However the League being now Confirm'd and duly Seal'd with the Seals of both Nations to alter any part of it would be the same thing as to annul the whole which we
1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Prince THE Answer which we have given to your Agent here residing we believe will fully satisfy your Highness as to our Admiral who but lately put into your Ports In the mean time John Hosier Master of a Ship call'd the Owner has set forth in a Petition to us that in April 1656. he hir'd out his Ship by a Charter-party Agreement to one Joseph Arman an Italian who manifestly broke all the Covenants therein contain'd so that he was enforc'd lest he should lose his Ship and Lading together with his whole Principal Stock openly to set forth the fraud of his Freighter after the manner of Merchants and when he had caus'd it to be register'd by a Publick Notary to sue him at Leghorne Joseph on the other side that he might make good one Fraud by another combining with two other Litigious Traders upon a faign'd Pretence by Perjury seiz'd upon Six thousand Pieces of Eight the Money of one Thomas Clutterbuck But as for his part the said Hosier after great Expences and loss of time could never obtain his Right and Due at Leghorn Nor durst he there appear in Court being threaten'd as he was and way-lay'd by his Adversaries We therefore request your Highness that you would vouchsafe your Assistance to this poor Opprest Man and according to your wonted Justice restrain the Insolence of his Adversary For in vain are Laws ordain'd for the government of Cities by the Authority of Princes if Wrong and Violence when they cannot abrogate shall be able by Threats and Terror to frustrate the Refuge and Sanctuary of the Laws However we make no doubt but that your Highness will speedily take care to punish a daring Boldness of this nature beseeching Almighty God to bless your Highness with Peace and Prosperity From our Court at Westminster April 7. 1658. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King and most August Friend and Confederate YOUR Majesty may call to mind that at the same time when the renewing the League between us was in agitation and no less auspiciously concluded as the many Advantages from thence accrewing to both Nations and the many Annoyances thence attending the Common Enemy sufficiently testify those dreadful Butcheries befel the Piedmontois and that we recommended with great fervency of mind and compassion their Cause on all sides forsaken and afflicted to your Commiseration and Protection Nor do we believe that your Majesty of your self was wanting in a Duty so pious that we may not say beseeming Common humanity as far as your Authority and the Veneration due to your Person could prevail with the Duke of Savoy Certain we are that neither our selves nor many other Princes and Cities were wanting in our Performances by the Interposition of Embassies Letters aud Intreaties After a most bloody Butchery of both Sexes and all Ages at length Peace was granted or rather a certain Clandestine Hostility cover'd over with the name of Peace The Conditions of Peace were agreed in your Town of Pignerol severe and hard but such as those miserable and indigent Creatures after they had suffer'd all that could be endur'd that was oppressive and barbarous would have been glad of had they been but observ'd as hard and unjust as they were But by false Constructions and various Evasions the Assurances of all these Articles are eluded and violated Many are thrust out from their ancient Abodes many are forbid the Exercise of their Religion new Tributes are exacted a new Citadel is impos'd upon them from whence the Soldiers frequently making Excursions either plunder or murther all they meet Add to all this That new Levies are privately preparing against 'em and all that embrace the Protestant Religion are commanded to depart by a prefix'd day so that all things seem to threaten the utter extermination of those deplorable Wretches whom the former Massaker spar'd Which I most earnestly beseech and conjure ye Most Christian King by that RIGHT HAND which sign'd the League and Friendship between us by that same goodly Ornament of your Title of MOST CHRISTIAN by no means to suffer nor to permit such liberty of Rage and Fury uncontroul'd we will not say in any Prince for certainly such barbarous Severity could never enter the breast of any Prince much less so tender in years nor into the female thoughts of his Mother but in those sanctifi'd Cut-throats who professing themselves to be the Servants and Disciples of our Saviour Christ who came into this World to save Sinners abuse his meek and peaceful Name and Precepts to the most cruel slaughter of the Innocent Rescue you that are able in your towring Station worthy to be able rescue so many Suppliants prostrate at your feet from the hands of Ruffians who lately drunk with Blood again thirst after it and think it their safest way to throw the Odium of their Cruelty upon Princes But as for you great Prince suffer not while you reign your Titles nor the Confines of your Kingdom to be contaminated with this same Heaven-offending Scandal nor the peaceful Gospel of Christ to be defil'd with such abominable Cruelty Remember that they submitted themselves to your Grandfather Henry most friendly to the Protestants when the Victorious Lesdiguieres pursu'd the retreating Savoyard o're the Alpes There is also an Instrument of that Submission register'd among the Publick Acts of your Kingdom wherein it is excepted and provided among other things That from that time forward the Piemontois should not be deliver'd over into the Power of any Ruler but upon the same Conditions upon which your Invincible Grandfather receiv'd them into his Protection This Protection of your Grandfather these Suppliants now implore from you as Grandchild 'T is your Majesty's part to whom those People now belong to give 'em that protection which they have chosen by some exchange of Habitation if they desire it and it may be done Or if that be a Labour too difficult at least to succour 'em with your Patronage your Commiseration and your admittance into Sanctuary And there are some Reasons of State to encourage your Majesty not to refuse the Piemontois a safe Asylum in your Kingdom But I am unwilling that you so great King should be induc'd to the defence and succour of the miserable by any other Arguments then those of your Ancestor's pledg'd Faith your own Piety Royal Benignity and Magnanimity Thus the Immaculate and intire Glory of a most Egregious Act will be your own and you will find the Father of Mercy and his Son King Christ whose Name and Doctrine you have vindicated from nefarious Inhumanity so much the more favourable and propitious to your Majesty all your days The God of Mercy and Power infuse into your Majesty's Heart a Resolution to defend and save so many Innocent Christians and maintain your
Thomas Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law desirous to see France we could not but acquaint your Eminency with it and Recommend him in like manner to your self not ignorant of what moment and importance it will be to our Recommendation first given him For certainly what benefit or advantage he shall reap by residing in your Countrey which he hopes will not be small he cannot but be beholding for the greatest part of it to your Favour and Good will whose single Prudence and Vigilancy Supports and Manages the grand Affairs of that Kingdom Whatever therefore grateful Obligation your Eminency shall lay upon him you may be assur'd you lay upon our selves and that we shall number it among your many Kindnesses and Civilities already shew'd us Westm May 1658. Oliver Protector c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord HAving sent the most Illustrious Thomas Bellasis Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law to Congratulate the King upon his arrival in the Camp at Dunkirk I gave him Order to attend and wish your Eminency long Life and Health in our Name and to return Thanks to your Eminency by whose Fidelity Prudence and Vigilancy it chiefly comes to pass that the Affairs of France are carri'd on with such Success in several parts but more especially in near-adjoining Flanders against our common Enemy the Spaniard from whom we hope that open and Armed Courage now will soon exact a rigorous account of all his Frauds and Treacheries Which that it may be speedily done we shall not be wanting either with our Forces as far as in us lies or with our Prayers to Heaven From our Court at White-Hall May 1658. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent Prince our most August Friend and Confederate SO soon as the News was brought us That your Majesty was arriv'd in your Camp and was sate down with so considerable an Army before Dunkirk that infamous nest of Pyrates and Place of Refuge for Sea-Robbers we were greatly overjoy'd in certain assurance that in a short time now with God's Assistance the Seas will be more open and less infested by those Plundering Rovers and that your Majesty by your Military Prowess will now take speedy Vengeance of the Spanish Frauds by whom one Captain was by God corrupted to the Betraying of Hesden another Treacherously Surpriz'd at Ostend We therefore send the most Noble Thomas Viscount Falconbridge our Son-in-Law to Congratulate your Majesty's arrival in your Camp so near us and that your Majesty may understand from his own lips with what Affection we labour the Prosperity of your Atchievemants not onely with our united Forces but with our cordial Prayers that God would long preserve your Majesty and perpetuate our establish'd Friendship to the common Good of the Christian world From our Court at Westm May 1658. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinand Grand Duke of Tuscany Most Serene Great Duke IN regard your Highness in all your Letters has ever signifi'd your Extraordinary Affection toward us we are not a little griev'd that either it should be so obscurely imparted to your Governors and Ministers or by them so ill interpreted that we can reap no benefit or sign of it in your Port of Leghorn where your Friendship toward us ought to be most clearly and truly understood Rather That we should find the Minds of your Subjects daily more averse and hostile in their demeanor toward us For how unkindly our Fleet was lately treated at Leghorn how little accommodated with necessary Supplies in what a Hostile manner twice constrain'd to depart the Harbour we are sufficiently given to understand as well from undoubted Witnesses upon the Place as from our Admiral himself to whose Relation we cannot but give Credit when we have thought him worthy to Command our Fleet. Upon his first arrival in January after he had caus'd our Letters to be deliver'd to your Highness and all Offices of Civility had pass'd between our People and yours when he desir'd the Accommodation of Porto Ferraro answer was made it could not be granted least the King of Spain that is to say our Enemy should be Offended And yet what is there which a Prince in Friendship more frequently allows to his Confederate then free entrance into his Ports and Harbours Or what is there that we can expect from a Friendship of this nature more ready to do us unkindness then befriend us or aid us with the smallest Assistance for fear of provoking the displeasure of our Enemies At first indeed Prattick was allow'd tho onely to Two or Three of our Seamen out of every Ship who had the Favour to go ashoar But soon after it being nois'd in the Town That our Ships had taken a Dutch Vessel Laden with Corn for Spain that little Prattick we had was Prohibited Longland the English Consul was not permitted to go aboard the Fleet The liberty of taking in Fresh water which is ever free to all that are not open Enemies was not suffer'd but under Armed Guards at a severe rate and our Merchants which reside in the Town to the vast emolument of your People were forbid to Visit their Countreymen or Assist 'em in the least Upon his last arrival toward the latter end of March no body was suffer'd to come Ashoar The fifth day after when our Admiral had taken a small Neapolitan Vessel which fell into our hands by chance above Two hunder'd great shot were made at our Fleet from the Town though without any damage to us Which was an argument that what provok'd your Governors without a cause as if the Rights of your Harbour had bin violated was done out at Sea at a great distance from your Town or the Jurisdiction of the Castle Presently our Long-boats sent to take in Fresh water were assail'd in the Port and one taken and detain'd which being redemanded answer was made That neither the Skiff nor the Seamen should be restor'd unless the Neapolitan Vessel were dismis'd tho certain it is that she was taken in the open Sea where it was lawful to Seize her So that ours after many Inconveniences suffer'd were forc'd at length to set Sail and leave behind 'em the Provision for which they had paid ready Money These things if they were not done by your Highness's Consent and Command as we hope they were not we desire you would make it appear by the Punishment of the Governor who so easily presum'd to violate his Master's Alliances but if they were done with your Highness Approbation and Order we would have your Highness understand that as we always had a singular value for your Friendship so we have learnt to distinguish between Injuries and Acts of Kindness From our Court at White-Hall May 1658. Your good Friend so far as we may Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England