mean time Most Serene Prince left a samous declaration of your inclination to the Churches as â—…n everlasting monument becoming your family and a patern fit for the imitation of all Princes hereafter Wee do pursuant to your deserts pray that the great good God may bless all your other undertakeings with as much felicity as you your selfe can desire and continue you in your present mind no alteration being able to mend it Westminster March An. Dom. 1656. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince the Duke of Courland Most Serene Prince YOur kind entertainment of our Embassadour during those few dayes he stayed in Your Country in his way to the Duke of 〈◊〉 has beside other considerations shewed Your Highness's opinion of us who hope that your owne natural disposition added to our interposition may 〈◊〉 Your Highnesse not toalter those inclinations of your kindnesse towards us now â—…n the case of John Jameson a Scotchman who having 〈◊〉 you seaven yeares and that faithfully as Master at Sea deliver'd a Ship of yours lately comitted to his charge in her Ballast to the care of a Pilot upon her arrival as the custome is in the Mouth of the River and made out by good evidence that discovering the ignorance of the said Pilot did all he coud to advise him so that the miscarriage of the said Ship can be no way imputed to him but wholly to the un skill fulnesse or obstinacy of the said Pilot. Admitting which it s our earnest Request to Your Excellency that the said Shipwrack be not laid to the said John the Master's charge nor the wages remaining due to him stopt therefore upon that score which is what he has left to subsist comfort himselfe with or take to in the end having by a precedent shipwrack lost what he had a little before Westminster March Anno 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Repbul of England c. To the Noble Consuls and Senators of the Commonwealth of Switzerland S. P. D. Most Noble Magnificent Gentlemen WE have been alwayes of opinion that in Industry Riches and Practise of Arts and Sciences the Fame of your Citty might vie and stand in competition with any the Noblest Citty s whatever Now having chosen to take part with Poland rather then Sweedland in that Warr which has for a considerable time raged upon the Frontiers of your Country it were truly to be wished that the consideration of that Religion which you professe and of the antient Comerce between you and the English had inclined you to the choice of such Resolutions as shoud seeme to consist with the Glory of God and the dignity and splendor of your Corporation We therefore pray that the Alliance established by the length of custome and now extant between the English Nation and you my name if it may add any thing may induce you to set at liberty the Noble and famous Conismarek the chiefest among the Sweedish Captains a singular person in warlike discipline more especially and who has been casually and thro the Treachery of his People betrayed at Sea and by the Law of Warr not yet gott to the height of bitternesse made Prisonner But if you shou'd chance to Judge it inconsistent with the present posture of your affairs to free him that then you wou'd please to render his Confinement more easy Whatever of these two you happen to resolve upon you will resolve upon that which will be truly and principally consistent with the reputation of your Corporation and consequently beget the esteem of all Noble Comanders oblige us more especially in an extraordinary manner what ever you thinke it may avail you From our Court at Westminster Anno Dom. 1657. Your most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince and Lord the Emperour and Great Duke of all Russia Lord of Voladomar Muschow Novogrady King of Kazin and Astracan Syboria Lord of Vobsco Great Duke of Novcgrod and of the Law Countreys Chernigoy Rezanscoa c. Lord of all the North Seas also Lord of Everscoa Cartaluisa and many other Places S. P. D. THe antiquity of the alliance great and generally noted Trafficq together with the vast and antient comerce for along time observed betvveen this Government and your people but Great Emperour that 〈◊〉 vertue more especially wherein you outdo your Ancestors very much with the opinion entertained thereof by all your Neighbouring Princes have been our principall Inducement to cherish that affection for your Majesty which vve do and communicate thereto what vve may judge not a little conduceing to the Intrest of Christian affaires and suitably subservient to the Glory of your Name Previous whereto Wee have deputed under the character of our Embassadour to your Majeay a very vvorthy Gentlemen Mr Richard Bradshaw in whose fidelity Integrity Prudence and experience we have been sufficiently satisfied by his discharge of former Embassys and who comes fully capacitated to make kowne the singular affection and observance we bear you and suitably impower'd to treat with your Majesty concerning the affaires above mentioned Be plased therefore to receive him curteously in our name and order him as he shall have occasion for it 〈◊〉 access to your speech and Ear with proportionable credit to what he shall propose or transact and that in as full a 〈◊〉 as you woud unto us if personally present Wee wish that the Almighty and Great God may bless Your Majesty and Kingdome of Russia with all properity From our Court at Westminster April An. Dom. 1657. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothe aud Uandals Great Prince of Finland Duke of Esthon Carelia Bremen Verd Stetin Pomerania Cassuby and Vandall c. Most Serene and Potent King Friend and dearest confederate WIlliam Jepson Kinght and a member 〈◊〉 our Parliament vvho reckons it an honour to have the delivery hereof to your Majesty comes to let your Majesty knovv vvith vvhat trouble and griefe of mind 〈◊〉 vve surprised at our receipt of the 〈◊〉 of that fatall warr arisen between your Majesty and the King of Sweedland and how much its become our study and care to advance as 〈◊〉 as God will enable us to go towards the 〈◊〉 stopping of this growing mischiefe and 〈◊〉 to beat back those calamitys which this warr must necessarily beget to the generall concerns of Religion now more especially at a time when our adversarys are visibly seen united in their most pernicious counsells and consequently in their strength against us These and many other considerations and reasons of utmost moment to the publick advantage of both Nations have been our inducements to dispatch this very worthy Gentleman under the character of our Envoy Extraordinary to your Majesty whom
crime and as the 〈◊〉 calls for Albeit wâ—… doudt not but that a King naturally pious and just woud unsollicited persorme neverthelesse what we seeme here to desire Whereto what we have to add is to pray that the body be deliver'd to the receipt of his Friends and relations in order to its transportationin to its owne Country and our consulting a little and provideing for the health of his survivers as we shall thinke fit till they accompanid with an answer hereto give us upon their returne if possible an account of your piety and justice herein Westminster Dat. 28. January 1650. To His Excellency Don ANTONIO JOANNI LUDOVICO Duke of Corda Medina Celi Praesident of Andalitia The Councill of State constituted by the Authority of the Parliament of England Greeting THE Person intrusted with the command in chiefe of that fleet sent hence to the Coast of Portugall to persecute â—…d recover the Damages sustein'd from our enemies in those parts hath acquainted us with your Highness Friendship upon the fleets touching upon the Coast of Galicia a place belonging to your Jurisdiction where thy were he saith very curteously used and furnished with all manner of necessary supplies incident to the want of seamen Which kindnes of yours as it has always justly challenged our gratitude so in a more particular manner now at a time when experience acquaints us with the effects of some ill dispositions from abroad towards us un proveoked that we know of We therefore pray you most Illustrious Sir to be pleased not to discontinue the same disposition and affection towards us and that as often as any of our ships may for the future happen to touch at any place in the said Coasts they faile not of the same favour and help Resting in the mean time assured that upon any opportunity occuring and that may be improved to your advantage and service our Returnes shall be suitable Dated at Westminster November 7. 1650. The Council-seale affixed and countersigned By JOHN BRADSHAW President To the Illustrious and Magnificent Senat of Switserland c. Magnificent and most Noble Sirs most dear Friends WEE have by Letters from our Merchants tradeing for Prusia received heavy Complaints of an intolerable and inusual Tax lately imposed upon them by a decree enacted by the great Coudcil of Poland who seeme to have assessed them in the Tenth part of their Estates with a designe of applying the same to tâ—…e support of our enemy the King of Scots Which as it is an act standing indirect opposition to the Laws of Nations to treat Merchants and sttangers after a method of this Make it is also as pregnant with injustice to force such to contribute to the maintenance of one abroad from whose Tiranny divine providence has so lately delivered them at home and consequently do not doubt but that as we know you to be a free People you will not abide or give way to the laying of such Impositions upon Persons whose correspondence and traffique has for several yeares past been of no small advantage to your Citty If therefore you will protect them as Merchants and strangers it is no less then what we may undoubtedly expect as being a thing becoming your justice and prudence and no less suitable to the dignity of your splendid Corporation and what our endeavours shall render you sensible of our acknowledgment of as often as any of your People or Ships which often happens shall need the friendship of our Ports Dated at Westminster February 6. 1650. To the Portugal-Envoy YOurs of the 15. current were delivered us at Hampton Court signifying your being sent from the Crowne of Portugal with a message to the Representatives of the Common-wealth of England but take no notice under what Character whether of an Agent Embassadour Envoy or what which pray resolve us in by remitting us with as much speed as you can Coppys of such Letters and Credentials as accompany you from your King together with an account whether you come with full power to repair such injuryes and makeing Amends for such Damages as your King has been the occasion of involving this Commonwealth in in protecting all the last sumer within your harbours our enemies and Rebels against the assault of our fleet while on the other hand they were at liberty to invade us If you say that you come with full power and directions to answer all these points and that you send the aforesaid Coppies care shall be thereupon taken for your publick and safe accesse unto us who when we peruse the King's Letters shall direct liberty to be given you of expounding the Errand you are sent upon The Representatives of the Commonwealth of England To the most Serene Prince D. FERDINANDO the second Great Duke of Toskany MR Almerico Salvetti your Resident here hath delivered us your Highnesse's Letter dated at Florence the 22. of Aprile plainly shewing the value your Highness retains for the English Nation confirmed by the account we have not onely from such of our Merchants as have for several years lived as Traders iâ—… your Ports but also young Gentlemen of our best Nobility who have had the experience of your Country either by travelling throw or liveing there to gaine the education thereof Which as it is a thing that cannot misse of ouf gratefull approveall so we earnestly pray that you do not withdraw or discontinue the like to such of our Merchants or other our Subjects as may for the future have occasion of travelling thro your Highness's Dukedome Assureing you that as far as it concerns the Parliament nothing shall be wanting that may conduce to the fortifying establishing the commerce and mutuall affection with has time out of minde united both Nations which we truly desire and wish may be perpetually maintain'd with all true endeavours and mutuall observance of both hands reciprocally Westminster 20. January 1651. Subscribed by William Lenthale Speaker to the House of Commons whose Seale he fixed hereto The Parliament of England to the Illustrious and Magnificent Senat of Hamburgh Most magnificent Noble worthy Gentlemen dearest Friends THE Parliament of England to evidence their great disposition to the inviolable observance of the mutual correspondence and commerce antiently held between England and your Corporation hath lately deputed thither Richard Bradshaw Esq to reside with you under the Character of their Resident who among other tâ—…ings relating thereto has it in expresse commands from them to demand Justice upon certain of your People who made an attempt upon the Person of the Minister belonging to the English Company there with a designe we understand of murthering him as also their Deputy who had violent hands laid upon as well as some of the chiefest of the Merchants themselves whom they dared to offer the like affront unto by spiritting them on board a certain Privateer c. And albeit the said Resident hath upon his first Entrance after he had audience given him made
to you whose prudence and known integrity shew how much he deserves the honour of your present favour to him Dated at Westminster Aprill Anno Domini 1652. Sign'd and sealed pursuant to the authority of Parliament by the speaker The Representatives of the Comon-wealth of England to the Illustrious and noble Corporation of Hambroug greeting Most noble renowned and Worthy Gentlemen Dearest Friends THE Representatives of the comonwealth of England have received and perused your Letters dated at Hambrough the â—…5 of January last brought them by a noble Gentleman Mr Leo ab Aisem who stiles himselfe under the character of yours and the rest of the Hanseatique Cittys Resident who has had audience allowed him pursuant to the Import of the said letteas and what he had further in comand on the particular behalfe of your Citty transmitted to â—…he Councill of State whom having directed to receive such proposalls as he had to offer and transact with him forthwithabout such thing as shoud consist with equity Justice treated with him since accordingly And as the Parliament has demonstrated the just regard that shoud be always had to such things as came from you and testified it's singular affection to your City in the appointment of a Resident sent to reside there so it canot but depend upon and justly challenge a suitable returne to such practicable proposalls as their said Resident either already hath or which he may for the future make in their name to your Citty so long in amity and confederacy with us Westminster April 1652. Subscribed ut supra The Council of State c. To the most Serene Prince FERDINANDO the II. Great Duke of Toskany greeting WHereas Charles Longland Sollicitour for the English Merchants at Livorne having advised thence that upon the arrival there of a fleet consisting of about fourteen Sailes of Dutch men of warr publickly declareing that the Errand they came upon was to burne within your Port or otherwise destroy such English Ships as they found there Your Highness was upon application made on behalfe of the English pleased to disappont the said Designe by recommending them to the protection of your Governour there The Council of State has judgedit becoming her duty and office to observe unto Your Highnesse how gratefully that kindnesse and protection so seasonably and curteously done the English Merchants is accepted of by the Republick of England promising and engageing unto Your Highnesse that the Memory of this good turne has made such an impression as is never to be forgot and their Readinesse to improve all opportunities that may offer of effectually returning Your People the like frindship and office and performing all other things that may conduce to the support of the usual benevolence and commerce of this and Your Nation And whereas the Dutch Fleet have even while conferences of their owne dictation concerning an alliance were under debate made perfidious attempts upon ours and that not onely in our owne harbours even in which wicked attempt God as a most just Arbitrator prevented their wickedness but in forreign Ones also where they would take or sinke our Merchant Men We have thought it necessary to transmit unto Your Highnesse this Paper on behalfe of the Parliament of England which some controversies lately arisen between this Government and Holland have occasioned the sending of Whereby how much the iniquity of that people in their behaviour to this Republick has been and how void of regard to all Justice and the Law of Lands themselves is what may be very obvious to your Highnesse and how studious the Parliament's endeavours have been to shew their Tenderness to the publick peace coud the former friendship and society of that people be any way continued Dated at Whitehall July 29. 1652. Signed and sealed by the President of the Councill To the Spanish Embassadonr THE Council of State having considered the two Memorials exhibited thereto by your Excellency the one dated the 6. of June or 27. May and the other the 6 or 16. current return the following Answer to both that the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England is very wâ—…ll disposed towards the continuance of that Amity and well constituted peace now in Existency between this Republick and the King of Spaine's Royal Majesty since Your Excellency has intimated that to be the Bent of his said Majestiâ—… too and that all imaginable Readiness should be met with of improving the same to the common Good of both Nations The which the Council of State has in the Name and by the direction of the Parliament so often demonstrated in their written replys to Your Excellency and particularly in conformity to Your Excellencies desire has appointed a Comittee to give Your Excellency a meeting and receive such proposals as you had to offer conduceing to the aforesaid End Which meeting afterwards has in liew of other expectations produced some things Consisting in general Tearmes and as it were previous to a future conference which the Council believed the Parliament had in former replies made plaine its opinion concerning Yet to give further satisfaction and to remove any doubt which Your Excellency may pretend to remaine under concerning the particular Instances of the Overtures you then made the Councils Reply of the 31. March or 10. April shewes that when all steps necessarily previous thereto such as what Your Excellency had to offer on behalfe of his said Royal Majesty in reference to the sormer as any other stricter alliance to be entered into on the one hand as what we should exhibit on behalfe of this Republicke were discoursed about determined on the other hand yea when all things were truely debated as they ought to be and that Your Excellency came to confer accordingly they were ready To which Your Excellency made no reply nor proceeded further in the matter these almost two months past And Your Excellencie's of the 27. May or 6. June 52. is the first that the Council heard of since that time which seemes to signify no more then to desire that the Articles of peace and alliance entered into by Charles the late King and your Master dated the 6. or 16. of November 1630. might be reviewed and such alterations made in the heads thereof in reference to an addition to or diminution therefrom as the frame of the government and time now alter'd should call for which as it amounted to no more then what we in our aforesaid Reply of the 10. Aprile or 31. March fully and plainly signified the Council did ere this expect some application from Your Excâ—…llecy with an account of those particular Articles and alterations which you mention you would have made in the League considering that it is otherwise impossible for us to give any other Reply different from what we have already done But whereas Your Excellency seemes by your late Memorial to lay the fault at our doore the Conncil therefore resolved made a fresh inspection into your said
has exposed 'em to upon the account of their Religion Wee have also seen a copy of the Letter which your Embassadours sollicitours and other persons present at the late Peace at Pinaroll writ to the Duke of Savoy and the Praesident of his Councill wherein they shew evince that all the conditions of peace broke as soon as made tended ratherto amus impose upon the poore people then provide in any sense for their security The violation of which following upon the veryheeles of the grant of the peace is to this day continued their suâ—…ferings likely to grow worse If they do not submit patiently if they do not prostrate cast themselves downright to be kicked have the Dirt strained thrô their bodies forsake their Religion the same calamity still hang's over their heads the same Massacre which has raced afflicted them their wives children most lamentably but three yeares a goe is still in view which if they undergo again will destroy 'em stock and branch What will you have the Wretches doe on whose behalfe no prayers can prevaile no Ease can be had no Refuge yet open for they have to do with wild beasts and Furyes whom the memory of former slaughters canot call to the grace of Repentance nor pitty towards their Countrymen quench their Thirst of shedding inocent blood These things are not in plain Termes to be boarn vvith if we either bear any love to the safety of our Brethren so anâ—…ient adherers to the Orthodox Religion or if we tender the safety of Religion it selfe Wee have albeit at this great distance already done it shall not forbear our cordiall supplying of what we can either of help or subsistence towards their Reliefe You that are not onely within call of the Groanes clamours of your Brethren but also stand in the mouth of their Enemyes fury looke about you in the name of the Imortal God and see timelily what you ought to do on your part Advise with your owne prudence piety and courage and consider what you can or ought to contribut of help or protection towards the support of your perishing neighbours and Brethren You may certainly assure your selves that the very same Enemy woud for the very same reason being Religion rejoyce at your destruction too yea consume your confederates in the flames of an 〈◊〉 warr the very same time of the aâ—…oresaid year The power next to God seemes to remain in your hand of preventing the ultimat decay of the reformed Religion in the ashes of that remaining scantleing of antient fidelity vvhom if you novv neglect in the height of their distresse take care that the next Turne prove not your ovvne that in little time While vve are employing our selves in the promoteing of these persvvasions as Brethren and plaine Dealers they languish What vve can do at this great distance tovvards the purchase of the safety of the afflicted as vvell as easeing the vvant of the needy vve have and shall do all vve can God provide us both that tranquility and peace at home and put our affaires in such a conditiou of settlement as that vve may employ all our povver and strength and affection for the dâ—…fence of his Church against the fury and Rage of the Enemy Dated at Westminster May An. Dom. 1658. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine greeting Most Eminent Sir THe inclosed to his Royall Majesty as well as the other to your Eminency are the effects of the intollerable calamityes and most cruel Massacre lately exercised by the Duke of Savoy upon such of his Subjects as professe the Protestant Religion And albeit I canot judge so uncharitably as not to believe that to a most Glorious King such barbarous proceedings of destroying the Inocency and helpesnesse of people must imply much displeasure and offence yet I am of opinion that what I move about on behalfe of their condition which is miserable may not misse of your furtherance favour towards the procureing of its end â—…t being a very plain thing that nothing can goe further towards the establishing a good opinion of France in the harts of her Protestant neighbours abroad then to assert the grant of the Liberty and Priviledges settled upon 'em by the publick acts of former times And truly this was among other considerations a Maine One to induce this Republicke to engage in an Alliance and League with France Previous to the establishment of which his Majesties Embassadour has sollicitted here for a considerable time and things seem now to draw towards a conclusion The singular sincerity moderation which in the conduct of the considerable concernes of the Kingdome you have testified to the Protestants of France doth truly induce me to hope for and rely upon this and from which a bottome will be also laid by your Excellency â—…or the raiseing an alliance upon of stricter friendshipp between England and France and oblige me in particular to the makeing all imaginable Returnes of friendshipp and kindnes and woud have your Excellency think soe Your Eminency's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Lewis King of France Most Serene and Potent King Friend and August Confederat ALbeit the affability of his society coud scarce suffer me to give way to the departure of Thomas Vicount Falkonbridge my Son in Law who bent upon a present Visit into France desired to beenabled to testify the duty and reuerence he beares your Majesty by haveing a view of and kissing your Royall hand yet I did not thinke fit to baulke or withstand his said purpose or decline his request When I canot doubt but that upon his Returne after little time from the Court of so great a King where the conversation of so many very prudent and valiant men is to be had he may come back better instructed and as it were perfected in all manner of good accomplishments And albeit he is if I mistake not one who carries his owne Recomendation wherever he goes yet if he finds himselfe the more so upon my account I shall reckon the favour done my selfe God preserve your Majestys safety and long continue our friendshipp steddy for the Comon Good of all Europe Dated at our Court at Westminster May An. Dom. 1651. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To His Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most eminent Lord. HAveing recomended Thomas Vicount Falconbridge my Son in Law now bound for France to the most Serene King I coud not decline â—…omunicateing the knowledge thereof with a repetition of the like trouble to your Excellency as being unignorant of the weight and moment the same May be of to the former one The benefit which he proposes to himselfe from his stay among you and he hopes this may be no small one he canot but own the most part of to your favour and kindnesse whose Judgment and vigilance alone beare so great a share