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
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
the most Illustrious Prince of Tarentum YOUR Love of Religion apparently made known in your Letters to us deliver'd and your excelling Piety and singular Affection to the Reformed Churches more especially considering the Nobility and Splendor of your Character and in a Kingdom too wherein there are so many and such abounding hopes propos'd to all of Eminent Quality that revolt from the Orthodox Faith so many Miseries to be undergone by the Resolute and constant gave us an occasion of great joy and consolation of Mind Nor was it less grateful to us that we had gain'd your good Opinion upon the same account of Religion which ought to render your Highness most chiefly belov'd and dear to our selves We call God to Witness That whatever hopes or expectations the Churches according to your Relation had of us we may be able one day to give them satisfaction if need require or at least to demonstrate to all men how much it is our desire never to fail 'em Nor should we think any fruit of our Labours or of this Dignity or Supream Employment which we hold in our Republick greater then that we might be in a condition to be serviceable to the enlargement or the welfare or which is more sacred to the Peace of the Reformed Church In the mean time we exhort and beseech your Lordship to remain stedfast to the last minute in the Orthodox Religion with the same resolution and constancy as you profess it receiv'd from your Ancestors with Piety and Zeal Nor indeed can there be any thing more worthy your self or your Religious Parents nor in consideration of what you have deserv'd of us though we wish all things for your own sake that we can wish more Noble or Advantagious to your Lordship then that you would take such Methods and apply your self to such Studies that the Churches especially of your Native Countrey under the Discipline of which your Birth and Genius have render'd you Illustriously Happy may be sensible of so much the more assur'd security in your Protection by how much you excel others in Lustre and Ability White-Hall April 1654. Oliver the Protector c. To the most Serene Prince Immanuel Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont Greeting Most Serene Prince LEtters have bin sent us from Geneva as also from the Dauphinate and many other Places bordering upon your Territories wherein we are given to understand That such of your Royal Highness's Subjects as profess the Reformed Religion are Commanded by your Edict and by your Authority within three days after the Promulgation of your Edict to depart their Native Seats and Habitations upon pain of capital Punishment and Forfeiture of all their Fortunes and Estates unless they will give security to relinquish their Religion within Twenty days and embrace the Roman Catholick Faith And that when they appli'd themselves to your Royal Highness in a most Suppliant manner imploring a Revocation of the said Edict and that being receiv'd into pristin favour they might be restor'd to the Liberty granted 'em by your Predecessors a part of your Army fell upon 'em most cruelly Slew several put others in Chains and compell'd the rest to Flye into Desert places and to the Mountains cover'd with snow where some Hundreds of Families are reduc'd to such Distress that 't is greatly to be fear'd they will in a short time all miserably Perish through Cold and Hunger These things when they were related to us we could not chuse but be touch'd with extream Grief and Conpassion for the Sufferings and Calamities of this Afflicted People Now in regard we must acknowledge our selves link'd together not onely by the same tye of Humanity but by joynt Communion of the same Religion we thought it impossible for us to satisfie our Duty to God to Brotherly Charity or our Profession of the same Religion if we should onely be affected with a bare sorrow for the Misery and Calamity of our Brethren and not contribute all our endeavours to Relieve and Succour 'em in their unexpected Adversity as much as in us lies Therefore in a greater measure we most earnestly Beseech and Conjure your Royal Highness that you would call back to your thoughts the moderation of your most Serene Predecessors and the Liberty by them Granted and Confirm'd from time to time to their Subjects the Vaudois In Granting and Confirming which as they did that which without all question was most grateful to God who has bin pleas'd to reserve the Jurisdiction and Power over the Conscience to himself alone so there is no doubt but that they had a due consideration of their Subjects also whom they found Stout and most Faithful in War and always Obedient in Peace And as your Royal Serenity in other things most laudably follows the footsteps of your Immortal Ancestors so we again and again beseech your Royal Highness not to swerve from the path wherein they trod in this particular but that you would vouchsafe to Abrogate both this Edict and whatsoever else may be Decreed to the Disturbance of your Subjects upon the account of the Reform'd Religion that you would ratifie to 'em their conceded Privileges and pristin Liberty and command their Losses to be repair'd and that an end be put to their Oppressions Which if your Royal Highness shall be pleas'd to see perform'd you will do a thing most acceptable to God revive and comfort the miserable in dire Calamity and most highly oblige all your Neighbours that Profess the Reformed Religion but more especially our selves who shall be bound to look upon your Clemency and Benignity toward your Subjects as the fruit of our earnest Solicitation Which will both engage us to a reciprocal return of all good Offices and lay the solid foundations not only of establishing but encreasing Alliance and Friendship between this Republick and your Dominions Nor do we less promise this to our selves from your Justice and Moderation to which we Beseech Almighty God to encline your Mind and Thoughts And so we cordially Implore Just Heaven to bestow upon your Highness and your People the Blessings of Peace and Truth and prosperous Success in all your Affairs White-Hall May 1655. Oliver Protector of the Republick of England to the most Serene Prince of Transilvania Greeting Most Serene Prince BY your Letters of the 16th of Nov. 1654. you have made us sensible of your singular good-will and affection toward us and your Envoy who deliver'd those Letters to us more amply declar'd your desire of contracting Alliance and Friendship with us Certainly for our parts we do not a little rejoyce at this Opportunity offer'd us to declare and make manifest our Affection to your Highness and how great a value we justly set upon your Person But after Fame had reported to us your egregious Merits and Labours undertaken in behalf of the Christian Republick when you were pleas'd that all these things and what you have farther in your thoughts to do in the defence and
such exasperated Cruelties inflicted upon the Professors of the same Religion with our selves and all this too out of a hatred of the same Worship And we have reason to hope a success of this Negotiation so much the more prosperous if your Majesty would vouchsafe to employ your Authority and Assistance once again with so much the more urgent importunity and as you have undertaken for those Indigent People that they will be Faithful and Obedient to their Prince so you would be gratiously pleas'd to take care of their Welfare and Safety that no farther Oppressions of this nature no more such dismal Calamities may be the portion of the Innocent and Peaceful This being truly Royal and Just in it self and highly agreeable to your Benignity and Clemency which every where protects in soft security so many of your Subjects professing the same Religion we cannot but expect as it behoves us from your Majesty Which Act of yours as it will more closely bind to your Subjection all the Protestants throughout your spacious Dominions whose Affection and Fidelity to your Predecessors and your self in most important Distresses have bin often conspicuously made known so will it fully convince all Foreign Princes that the Advice or Intention of your Majesty were no way contributory to this prodigious Violence whatever inflam'd your Ministers and Officers to promote it More especially if your Majesty shall inflict deserved punishment upon those Captains and Ministers who of their own Authority and to gratifie their own Wills adventur'd the perpetrating such dreadful Acts of Inhumanity In the mean while since your Majesty has assur'd us of your justly merited aversion to these most inhuman and cruel Proceedings we doubt not but you will assord a secure Sanctuary and Shelter within your Kingdom to all those miserable Exiles that shall flye to your Majesty for Protection and that you will not give permission to any of your Subjects to assist the Duke of Savoy to their prejudice It remains that we make known to your Majesty how highly we esteem and value your Friendship In testimony of which we farther affirm there shall never be wanting upon all occasions the real assurances and effects of our Protestation White-Hall July 29. 1655. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Lord Cardinal HAving deem'd it necessary to send this Noble Person to the King with Letters a Copy of which is here enclos'd we gave him also farther in Charge to Salute your Excellency in our Name as having entrusted to his Fidelity certain other matters to be communicated to your Eminency In reference to which Affairs I intreat your Eminency to give him entire Credit as being a Person in whom I have repos'd a more then ordinary confidence White-Hall July 29. 1655. Your Eminencies most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England to the most Serene Prince Frederick III. King of Danemark Norway c. WITH what a severe and unmerciful Edict Immanuel Duke of Savoy has expell'd from their Native Seats his Subjects inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont men otherwise harmless onely for many years remarkably famous for embracing the Purity of Religion and after a dreadful Slaughter of some numbers how he has expos'd the rest to the hardships of those desert Mountains Stript to their Skins and barr'd from all relief we believe your Majesty has long since heard and doubt not but that your Majesty is touch'd with a real commiseration of their Sufferings as becomes so puissant a Defender and Prince of the Reformed Faith For indeed the Institutions of Christian Religion require that whatever Mischiefs and Miseries any part of us undergo it should behove us all to be deeply sensible of the same Nor does any man better then your Majesty foresee if we may be thought able to give a right conjecture of your Piety and Prudence what dangers the success and example of this fact portend to our selves in particular and to the whole Protestant name in general We have written the more willingly to your self to the end we might assure your Majesty that the same sorrow which we hope you have conceiv'd for the Calamity of our most Innocent Brethren the same opinion the same judgment you have of the whole matter is plainly and sincerely our own We have therefore sent our Letters to the Duke of Savoy wherein we have most importunately besought him to spare those miserable People that implore his mercy and that he would no longer suffer that dreadful Edict to be in force Which if your Majesty and the rest of the Reformed Princes would vouchsafe to do as we are apt to belive they have already done there is some hope that the Anger of the most Serene Duke may be asswag'd and that his Indignation will relent upon the Intercession and Importunities of his Neighbour Princes Or if he persist in his Determinations we protest our selves ready together with your Majesty and the rest of our Confederates of the Reformed Religion to take such speedy methods as may enable us as far in us lies to relieve the distresses of so many miserable Creatures and provide for their Liberty and Safety In the mean time we beseech Almighty God to bless your Majesty with all Prosperity White Hall May 1655. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. to the most Noble the Consuls and Senators of the City of Geneva WE had before made known to your Lordships our excessive Sorrow for the heavy and unheard of Calamities of the Protestants Inhabiting the Valleys of Piemont whom the Duke of Savoy Persecutes with so much Cruelty but that we made it our business that you should at the same time understand that we are not onely affected with the multitude of their sufferings but are using the utmost of our endeavours to Relieve and Comfort 'em in their distresses To that purpose we have taken care for a gathering of Alms to be made throughout this whole Republick which upon good grounds we expect will be such as will demonstrate the affection of this Nation toward their Brethren labouring under the burthen of such horrid Inhumanities and that as the Communion of Religion is the same between both People so the sence of their Calamities is no less the same In the mean time while the Collections of the Money go forward which in regard they will require some time to accomplish and for that the Wants and Necessities of those deplorable People will admit of no delay we thought it requifite to remit beforehand Two thousand Pounds of the Value of England with all possible speed to be distributed among such as shall be judg'd to be most in present need of Comfort and Succour Now in regard we are not ignorant how deeply the miseries and wrongs of those most innocent people have affected your selves and that you will not
that same Brotherly Union as becomes their Profession there would be no occasion to fear what all the Artifices or Puissance of our Enemies could do to hurt us which our fraternal Concord and Harmony alone would easily repel and frustrate And therefore we most earnestly request and beseech your Majesty to harbour in your Mind propitious thoughts of Peace and inclinations ready bent to repair the breaches of your Pristin Friendship with the Vnited Provinces if in any part it may have accidentally suffer'd the decays of mistakes or misconstruction If there be any thing wherein our Labour our Fidelity and Diligence may be useful toward this Composure we offer and devote all to your service And may the God of Heaven favour and prosper your Noble and Pious Resolutions which together with all Felicity and a perpetual course of Victory we cordially wish to your Majesty From our Palace at Westm Aug. 1656. Your Majesty's most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the States of Holland Most High and Mighty Lords our dearest Friends IT has bin represented to us by William Cooper a Minister of London and our Countrey-man That John le Maire of Amsterdam his Father-in-Law about Three and thirty years ago devis'd a Project by which the Revenues of your Republick might be very much advanc'd without any burthen to the People and made an agreement with John Vandenbrook to share between 'em the reward which they should obtain for their Invention which was the setling of a little Seal to be made use of in all the Provinces of your Territories and for which your High and Mightinesses promis'd to pay the said Vandenbrook and his Heirs the yearly Sum of 3000 Gilders or 300 English Pounds Now although the use and method of this Little Seal has bin found very easy and expeditious and that ever since great Incomes have thereby accru'd to your High and Mightinesses and some of your Provinces nevertheless nothing of the said Reward tho with much importunity demanded has bin paid to this day so that the said Vandenbrook and le Maire being tir'd out with long delays the Right of the said Grant is devolv'd to the foresaid William Cooper our Countrey-man who desirous to reap the fruit of his Father-in-Law's Industry has petition'd us That we would recommend his just demands to your High and Mightinesses which we thought not reasonable to deny him Wherefore in most friendly wise we request your High and Mightenesses favourably to hear the Petition of the said William Cooper and to take such care that the Reward and Stipend so well deserv'd and by contract Agreed and Granted may be paid him annually from this time forward together with the Arrears of the years already pass'd Which not doubting but your High and Mightinesses will vouchsafe to perform as what is no more then just and becoming your Magnificence we shall be ready to shew the same favour to the Petitions of your Countrey-men upon any occasions of the same nature whenever presented to us From our Palace at White-Hall September 1656. Your High and Mightinesses most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth c. Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene King our dearest Friend and Confederate AGainst our will it is that we so often trouble your Majesty with the wrongs done by your Subjects after a Peace so lately renew'd But as we are fully perswaded that your Majesty disapproves their being committed so neither can we be wanting to the complaints of our People That the Ship Anthony of Dieppe was Legally taken before the League manifestly appears by the Sentence of the Judges of our Admiralty Court Part of the Lading that is to say Four thousand Hides Robert Brown a Merchant of London fairly bought of those who were entrusted with the Sale as they themselves testify The same Merchant after the Peace was confirm'd carri'd to Dieppe about Two hundred of the same Hides and there having Sold 'em to a Currier thought to have receiv'd his Money but found it Stopt and Attach'd in the hands of his Factor and a Suit being commenc'd against him he could obtain no favour in that Court Wherefore we thought it proper to request your Majesty that the whole matter may be referr'd to your Council that so the said Money may be discharg'd from an unjust and vexatious Action For if Acts done and adjudg'd before the Peace shall after Peace renew'd be call'd into question and controversy we must look upon assurance of Treaties to be a thing of little moment Nor will there be any end of these complaints if some of these Violators of Leagues be not made severee and timely Examples to others Which we hope your Majesty will speedily take into your Care To whom God Almighty in the mean time vouchsafe his most Holy Protection From our Palace at White-Hall September 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 Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene King THE Peace being happily concluded between this Republick and the Kingdom of Portugal and what refers to Trade being duly provided for and ratifi'd we deem'd it necessary to send to your Majesty Thomas Maynard from whom you will receive these Letters to reside in your Dominions under the Character and Employment of a Consul and to take care of the Estates and Interests of our Merchants Now in regard it may frequently so fall out that he may be enforc'd to desire the Privilege of free Admission to your Majesty as well in matters of Trade as upon other occasions for the Interest of our Republick we make it our request to your Majesty That you will vouchsafe him favourable Access and Audience which we shall acknowledge as a singular demonstration and testimony of your Majesties Good-will toward us In the mean tlme we beseech Almighty God to bless your Majesty with all Prosperity From our Court at Westm October 1656. Your Majesties most Affectionate Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the King of the Swedes Most Serene and Potent King ALthough your Majesty's wonted and spontaneous Favour and Good-will toward all deserving men be such that all recommendations in their behalf may seem superfluous yet we were unwilling to dismiss without our Letters to your Majesty this Noble Person William Vavassour Knight serving under your Banners and now returning to your Majesty Which we have done so much the more willingly being inform'd that formerly following your Majesty's fortunate Conduct he had lost his Blood in several Combats to assert the Noble Cause for which you Fight Insomuch that the succeeding Kings of Swedeland in renumeration of his Military Skill and bold Atchievements in War rewarded him with Lands and Annual Pensions
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
Richard 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 Confederate and Friend WE have bin given to understand and that to our no small grief That several Protestant Churches in Provence were so maliciously Affronted and Disturb'd by a certain turbulent Humourist that the Magistrates at Grenoble who are the proper Judges of such Causes thought him worthy of exemplary Punishment But that the Convention of the Clergy which was held not far from those places obtain'd of your Majesty that the whole matter should be remov'd up to Paris there to be heard before your Royal Council But they not having as yet made any determination in the Business those Churches and more especially that of Yvoire are forbid to meet for the Worship of God Most earnestly therefore we request your Majesty That in the first place you would not prohibit those from Preaching in Publick whose Prayers to God for your Safety and the Prosperity of your Kingdom you are so free to suffer then that the Sentence given against that impertinent Disturber of Divine Service by the proper Judges of those Causes at Grenoble may be duly put in excution God long preserve your Majesty in Safety and Prosperity to the end that if you have any good Opinion of our Prayers or think 'em prevalent with God you may be speedily induc'd to suffer the same to be publickly put up to Heaven by those Churches now forbid their wonted Meetings Westminster Feb. 18. 1658. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Lord Cardinal THE most Illustrious Lady late Wife of the deceased Duke of Richmond is now going into France together with the young Duke her Son with an intention to reside there for some time We therefore most earnestly request your Eminency That if any thing fall out wherein your Authority Favour and Patronage may be assisting to 'em as Strangers you would vouchsafe to Protect their Dignity and to indulge the Recommendation of it not the meanest in such a manner that if any addition can be made to your Civility toward all people especially of Illustrious Descent we may be sensible our Letters have obtain'd it Withal your Excellency may assure your self your Recommendation whenever you require the like from us shall be of equal force and value in our Esteem and Care Westminster Feb. 29. 1658. Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince John King of Portugal Most Serene and Potent Prince our Friend and Confederate ALthough there are many things which we are bound to impart by Writing to a King our Friend and in strict Confederacy with our Republick yet there is nothing which we ever did more willingly then what we do at this present by these our Letters to Congratulate this last Victory so glorious to the Kingdom of Portugal obtain'd against our common Enemy the Spaniard By which how great an advantage will accrue not onely to your own but to the Peace and Repose of all Europe and that perhaps for many years there is no body but understands But there is one thing more wherein we must acknowledge your Majesty's Justice the most certain pledge of Victory That satisfaction has bin given by the Commissioners appointed at London according to the 24th Article of the League to our Merchants whose Vessels were hir'd by the Brasile Company Onely there is one among 'em still remaining Alexander Bence of London Merchant whose Ship call'd the Three Brothers John Wilks Master being hir'd and laden and having perform'd two Voyages for the said Company yet still they refuse to pay him his Wages according to their Covenauts when the rest that onely perform'd single Voyages are already paid Which why it should be done we cannot understand unless those People think in their Judgment that Person more worthy of his Hire who did 'em onely single Service then he who earn'd his Wages twice We therefore earnestly request your Majesty That Satisfaction may given for his Service truly perform'd to this same single Alexander to whom a double Stipend is due and that by Vertue of your Royal Authority you would prefix the Brasile Company as short a day as may be for the payment of his just due and repairing his Losses seeing that their delays have bin the occasion that the Loss sustain'd by the Merchant has very near exceeded the Money it self which is owing for his Wages So God continue your Majesty's prosperous Successes against the common Enemy From our Court at Westm Feb. 23. 1658. Richard Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Eminent Lord Cardinal Mazarin Most Eminent Lord BY Letters to your Eminency about Eight Months since dated June 13. we recommended to your Eminency the Cause of Peter Pet a Person of singular Probity and in all Naval Sciences most useful both to us and our Republick His Ship call'd the Edward in the year 1646. as we formerly Wrote was taken in the Mouth of the Thames by one Bascon and Sold in the Port of Boulogne and tho the King in his Royal Council the 4th of November 1647. decreed That what Money the Council should think fitting to be given in Recompence of the Loss should be forthwith paid in satisfaction to the Owner Nevertheless as he sets forth he could never reap the benefit of that Order Now in regard we make no question but that your Eminency at our desire gave strict Command for the speedy Execution of that Decree we make it therefore our renew'd request That you would vouchfafe to examine where the impediment lies or through whose neglect or contumacy it came to pass that in Ten years time the King's decree was not obey'd and employ your Authority so effectually that the Money then Decreed which we thought long since satisfi'd may be speedily demanded and paid to our Petitioner Thus your Eminency will perform an Act most grateful to Justice and lay moreover a singular Obligation upon our selves From our Court at Westm Feb. 25. 1658. The two following Letters after the Deposal of Richard were Written in the Name of the Parliament Restor'd The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of the Swedes Goths and Vandalls c. Most Serene and Potent King our Dearest Friend SInce it has pleas'd the most merciful and Omnipotent God at whose Disposal only the Revolutions of all Kingdoms and Republicks are to restore us to our Pristin Authority and the Supream Administration of the English Affairs we thought it convenient in the first place to make it known to your Majesty and to signify moreover as well our Extraordinary Affection to your Majesty so Potent a Protestant Prince as also our most fervent Zeal to promote the Peace between your Majesty and the King of Denmark another most powerful Protestant King not to be reconcil'd without our Assistance and the good Offices of our Affection Our Pleasure therefore is that our Extraordinary Envoy Philip Meadowes be continued in the same Employment with your Majesty with which he has bin hitherto entrusted from this Republick To which end we impower him by these our Letters to make Proposals act and negotiate with your Majesty in the same manner as was granted him by his last Recommendations and whatsoever he shall transact and conclude in our Name we faithfully promise and and engage by Gods Assistance to Confirm and Ratify The same God long support your Majesty the Pillar and Support of the Protestant Interests Westminster May 15. 1659. William Lenthal Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England c. To the most Serene Prince Frederick King of Denmark Most Serene King and most Dear Friend SEeing it now is come to pass that by the Will and Pleasure of the most merciful and powerful God the Supream Moderator of all things we are restor'd to our Pristin Place and Dignity in the Administration of the Publick Affairs we thought it convenient in the first place that a Revolution of this Government should not be conceal'd from your Majesties notice a Prince both our Neighbour and Confederate and withal to signify how much we lay to Heart your ill Success which you will easily perceive by our Zeal and Diligence that never shall be wanting in us to promote and accomplish a Reconciliation between your Majesty and the King of Sweden And therefore we have Commanded our Extraordinary Envoy with the most Serene King of Sweden Philip Medows to attend your Majesty in our Name in order to these matters and to impart propound act and negotiate such things as we have given him in charge to Communicate to your Majesty and what credit you shall give to him in this his Employment we request your Majesty to believe it given to our selves God Almighty grant your Majesty a happy and joyful deliverance out of all your difficulties and afflicting Troubles under which you stand so undauntedly supported by your Fortitude and Magnanimity Westminster May 15. 1659. William Lenthal Speaker of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England The End * This word relates to his being a Protestant not a Roman-Catholick * The Horses which threw him out of the Coach-box