MILTONS REPUBLICAN-LETTERS OR A Collection of such as were written by Comand of the LATE COMMONVVEALTH OF ENGLAND from the Year 1648. to the Year 1659. Originally writ by the learned JOHN MILTON Seecrtary to those times and now translated into English by a Wel-wisher of Englands honour Printed in the Year 1682. Curteous Reader WHEN these following Letters came first to my hand in Latine I began to question with myselfe whether the usurpatious proceedings of their authors had not rather fitted them for the fire then reading But considering that whatever their proceedings previous to their obteining the Goverment might be that when obtein'd the support thereof obliged them to consult the inclinations of the people and square their actions by the most honourable of their humours I adventured and in their peruseall found the true Spirit of the English Nation soe livelyly displayed that I was not onely glad I was swayed to their reading but Resolved for the comon benefit of my Country to translate them into English that they might see how Zealous our predecessors have been in ascertaining and maintaining the liberty property both of the Civill and religious Rights not onely of themselves but also their Allies Confederates whensoever invaded though by the most potent of their Enemies And of what necessity they then found a protestaut Union to be may easily be guest at by their continued Cares and endeavours for the obteining and strengthening the same both at home and abroad And in what degree of honour our Nation must then have stood when their Resolutions were a Ballance to the actions of Europe Nor will it be unworthy of Consideration that soe farr was the french King then from dareing to offer such violence to his Protestant Subjects as of Late he hath that he at our Desire became Mediator with the Duke of Savoy on behalse of his Whom that Prince for their close adherence to the Reformed Religion hath so barbarouâ—…y butchered Et Readily Disclaimâ—…d the aâ—…ions of such of his Forces as were Co-acters in that Cruelty as done vvithout his consent or privity Neither rested he â—…ere but uudertooke vvith that Prince for the future fidelity and obedience to Goverment of those persecuted people Novv that the consider aeion of these things may stirr up â—… Zeal in every individuall Englishman to be so farr as in his station he legally may an augmentor or at least a Preâ—…erver of those Libertyes Priviledges and honours vvhich our vvorthily Renâ—…ned Predecessors transmitted to 〈◊〉 Not onely to secure us in a happy enjoyment of our Lives and propertyes but also in Trust for the Generations unborn And in what dishonerable Characters those our Posteritys will be inforced to vvrite our memory if vve prove so faithless in our Trust as to leave them onely â—… bare Report of vvhat our Progenitors have purchased for us and them and to their irrepairable vvrong and our Everlasting Infamy â—…ave imbezilled is that vvhich no true English â—…eart â—…ut must tremble at the very thought of Fare well LETTERS From the COMMON-WEALTH of ENGLAND To forreign Princes c. The Parliament People of England to the most Noble Senat and Corporation of Hamburgh greeting WEE doe unanimously acknowledge the antiquity of and shall be 〈◊〉 willing also to revive the Correspondence which has been upon severall good inducementâ—… erected and established by our Praedecessours and to this day continued between this Government and your most noble Corporation And haveing by yours of the 25. of June understood of some alteration in the comportment of some of our people who do not it seemes behave themselves with that punctualyty and integrity they formerly did among you we did immediatly thereupon truly consult with some Persons of judgment in the point whom we charged to inquire narrowly among the Clothiers and the rest of the people concerned in that manufacture assureing you withall our further carâ—… such to be as may render you sensible of all our genuine inclination and affection towards you But some thing also there appeares which not onâ—…ly we but equity and â—…ason it selfe calls for from you and that is that some care Suitable to the dignity of your Citty be taken of the security of the Priviledges Lives and â—…ortunes of such of our Merchants as are present Liverâ—… aâ—…ong you Which as it has been the main purport of our former letters so the dâ—…yly complaints brougâ—…t us on behalfe of the said Merchants and Estates all at stake render it necessary that this repetition of the said Letter of ours be looked upon as comeing with suitable earnestnesse For albeit they seeme to owne the Recept of some Ease as to time from our former interposition on â—…heir behalfe and a proportionable Breathing from the offensive villany of their Enemies yet since thâ—… arrivâ—…le of Cochrane of whom our former complaints made mention who pretends I know not what of an Embassy from Charles the Son of the late deceaâ—…ed King they seem to complaine of the want of that protection which they were formerly wonâ—… to receive upon demand made tâ—…erof against some late indecencies and mortal assaulâ—…s made upon them And that to such adegree that when one or more of the said Merchants together with the Governour of the Company himselfe were by fraude seduced on board a certain Privateer and thereupon applying to you for reliefe they were deyed so that the Merchants themselves were by force of armes constrained not without hasard of their lives to rescue their friends from out of the hands of their Enemies and that at your very doore Whom when by good fortune they brought home and as if it were râ—…cued from slavery thro meere strength and delivered tâ—…e Piraâ—…s alsoe into custody â—…uch has been the insolent pâ—…oceedings of that vagabonde and Rebell Cochrane we understand as to require not onely the discharge of the said Rovers but the surrender of the said Merchants as his Prisoners Wee therefore with all earnestness pray and desire that if you are such as you â—…eeme to be inclinable to the inviolable support of those contracts alliances and commerce for along time observed beâ—…ween us our people may be at some certainty to be at length relied upon in your faith prudence and authority and that in Order thereto you he prevailed with to assigne them afair hearing in reference as well to Cochrane and Party concern'd in this fact as such also as were concern'd in the yet un-accounted for affront tendered the Curate whom we expâ—…ct you woud see Right done unto by exposeing to prosecution and seeing brought to condign punishment those that abetted in that assault or expelling them your â—…urisdiction and do not thinke that people under their circumstances and banished like Tarquins are preferrable to the amity and power of England For if you do thinke fit to suffer our Enemyes to practise what they list upon our Merchants in your Citty consider among your selves how unsafeand dishonourable it
me by the quickness by Your Majesty 's so Illustrious an Embassy as it has testified your singular goodness and Grandeur of mind so it has laid open not onely to me but all England also the height of the regard you bear to my honour and dignity For which I do in theirs and my ovvne name render aâ—… I ought you very great thanks I wish you Joy of that signall victory which God and our aid has blessed you with over your Enemy and looke upon it as a thing of utmost acceptance to us to find that our people have not in that battle been wanting to your help the warlike Glory of their Ancessors nor their owne former valour As to Dunkirk and the hopes your write to be under of haveing it soone surrendered it adds to my content to be able to take notice in writeing so soone of its capture Hopeing vvithall that the double fraud of the Spaniard may be punished beyond the loss of a single Citty that the takeing of another Citty may furnish your Majesty with an occasion of being as quick in your Reply hereto concerning the takeing of another As to what you add of your Intentions towards my concernes that is a thing I no was distrust as haveing the word of so good a King confirmed by so worthy a Noble maâ—… as Captain Crequi's your Envoy for it And do wish that the Almighty High God may endow your Majesty and the Affaires of France with prosperity both at home and abroad Dated at Westminster Jun. An. Dom. 1685. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To his Eminency Cardinall Mazarine Most Eminent Sir IN the comunication of my acnowledgments to the most Serene King by Letter who to give me the honour of a salute and an account of his late most noble victory dâ—…spatcht hither a most splendid Embassy I shoud own the guilt of Ingratitude if I failed in 〈◊〉 your Eminency mutuall payment of my acknowledgment in the same Metâ—…od who to testify your good disposition towards me and stâ—…dy of doing me all the honour lying within your power have sent your nephew a veâ—…y worthy exquisit Gentleman adding that if you had a neerer relation or whom you esteem'd more you would not fail of â—…aveing sent him to choose To which consideration adding also that the comeiâ—…g under the approveal of the judgment of so 〈◊〉 a man is a thing which I deeme for no small honour or ornament unto me namely that the nearest of your relations shoud in the payment of their respâ—…cts and kindnes to me follow the patterne of your Excellency They may its probable looke upon this example of your worthynes Candor and friendshipp in loveing of me as none o the least others they may find in you which for great vertue and prudence are farr fitter to be imitated as leading to the knowledge oâ—… Governing and manageiâ—…g the Reins of State affaires Your Eminencie's long and happy conduct of which the comon Good of the Kingdome of France the intire Christian Republick and your owne reputation are instances vvhich vve vvish all happyness unto From our Court of Westminster June An. Dom. 16â—…8 Your Eminency's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Potent Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland c. Most Ssrene and Potent King Friend and dearest Confedâ—…rate AS often as the councels and various artifices of the comon Enemy of Religion come under our deliberation soe often do vvee enter into a consultation vvith our selves and calculate hovv necessary and hovv conduceing to the future vvelfare of the Chriâ—…ian vvorld it vvoud be if the Protestant Princes did among themselves and more especially your Majesty and this Republick engage in a very strict alliance in order to the easy disappointing of the projects of the adversary The subject of our conversation vvith your Embassadours ever since first they came hither to treat about this busynesse has evidenc'd unto'em hovv earâ—…estly and painfully have our vvishes been and withall hovv much it vvoud have ansvverd our aime if ours and the Concernes of Sweedland were putt into such a condition and posture as that the said alliance might be settled under such an establishment as might answer both partys expecta tions equally and enable'em to be in a capacity of supplying each other with timely help upon any emergent occasion Nor were they wanting on their parts who exercised that prudence and dilligence in this which they usually observed in all the rest of their sollicitations But we have been soe taken up in looking aâ—…ter the Treachery of some insolent people at home who tho often forgiven yet imbark upon new attempts and desist not in conjunction of Rebells and those Spaniards too to venture upon Resolutions wherein they were often shaken defeated that employed in removeing of Domestick dangers we coud not hitherto apply that care which vve wished we might or intire help to the comon defence of Religion Yet what we coud have done we have as farr as we were able carefully perform'd before and if vve are apprehended capable of conduceing Ought that may be thought of future service to Your Majesties affaires vve shall be not onely vvilling but also ready to joyne vvith you to the utmost upon any occasion in the promotion of it Wee do in the mean time congratulate and from our hearts vvish you Joy in your most prudently and resolutely managed enterprizes and continue our constant prayers to God that he vvoud be pleased to enable your course of felicity and victory to be permanent to the service of his Glory Dated at our Court at Westminster June An. Dom. 1658. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince the King of Portugal Most Serene King Friend and Confederate JOhn Buffield of London Marchant complains of his haveing deliver'd in the Year 1649. certain Comodities to Antony Jones Manuel Ferdinand â—…astaneo of Tamarin to be by them disposed of by sale and to be accordiâ—…g to the custome among 〈◊〉 accounted for with him That Fallinâ—… in his way to England into the hands of Pirats and sufficiently damaged the said Anthony and Manuel upon an account had thereof and beleeveing that he was dead looked upon the said Goods as their owne and accordingly retaine 'em hitherto denying to come to any account for 'em And subsequent to this fraud exposed the said English Goods to open sale the better to paliate their designe Of his being himselfe forc't at length to repair in the depth of last Winter to Portugal to challenge his owne but in vaine for that he cou'd not prevaile with these Persons to returne him either Goods or Money But found them which is to be wondered at justifying the private possession of these Goods with the pretence of their being the result of a publick sale Being a stranger and haveing to do with a People in their owne Câ—…untry which
Lisbonemarket our Merchant men and Goods loaded thereon To your timely prevention of which practice and to the end our desireof an alliance may appear more visible we have sent your Majesty Charles Vane a very noble Gentleman under the figure of our Embassadour with Comands and Credential letters testifiing our said Trust committed to his Care And do therefore pray that your Maj. may be pleased to admit hear him Courteously and make all becomeing provision for his honour and safety thro out the extent of your Empire All which shall be kindly acknowledged by us from whom your Majesty may depend upon suitable returnes when occasion shall seeme to call for it Dated at Westminster February 4. 1642. To the King of Spaine DAYLY almost and most lamentable complaints are brought us against certain Masters and Pilots who being English men and revolting from us the last year carrying away villanously and treacherously ships committed to their care as Masters at length went off from that part in Ireland where they were all last sumer besieged and have scarce escaped the reproofe due to their wickednesse but they betake themselves to the port of Lisbone planting themselves at the mouth of the River Tagi where they exercise wiâ—…hout controul piracy upon all Engâ—…ish Merchant men tradeing to and again thither infesting and renderiug infamous by Robbers all the neighbouring as well as the sea berdering upon the streights of Gibraeltaer To the speedy prevention and removeall of which practice if there be not some sudden remedy applyed who cannot but discerne the drooping decay of the great Trade now carryed on between us and Portugall and which intrinsically consist of vast advantage to both Nations Wee therefore again and again pray that you will forthwith Issue your commands for the speedy suppressing of our said Revolters and Rebells causeing them to be with all imaginlble speed rooted out and banished the Confines of Portugall And if in case there be any false conterfeited Embassadour resideing there from Charles Stuart you vouchafe him no hearing or take any other notice of him but rather looke upon us as those to whom the Government of England is thro Gods decree descended and that you woud not Suffer the River and port of Lisbone to be blockt up against a people who reckon the Intrest of England and that of their yours as One. To the King of Spaine YOUR Majesties and Don Alphonso de Codenas your Embassadours Letters have demonstrated the quality and degree of your Majesties resentment of the most wicked murther of our Embassadour Anthony Ascane and what has been hitherto done towards the punishment of those that are suspected to have had a hand in his death Yet when we seriously consider upon that act and that it removes and â—…estroyes the very foundation of entering into or manteining a correspondence when the Right of Embassadours most sacred among all Nations shall be found to suffer so great an affront we cannot decline the repeating our instant Pressures unto your Majesty for due and speedy punishment to be exercised upon those Parricides and that your will not suffer justice to be further suspended thro any deferrence to or Restraint of Religion And albeit we very much admire the friendship of a most potent Prince yet we reckon it a breach of our duty to spare any endeavours tending to the reduceing to just acknowledgment the Authors of so great a Villany Wee kindly thanke your Majesty for that kindnesse which it has commanded to be shewen our people in the Ports of Spaine and the great signification of your affection received by the conveyance of your Embassadour nor will it be less pleasant unto us to meet with an opportunity that may furnish us with a capacity of makeing you suitable returnes But if justice be further resoited as we have for a long time sollicitted that it shoud not we cannot apprehend any foundation to eâ—…ect a sincere and dureing alliauce upon towards the support of which tâ—…ere shall not be however any honest occasion slipt on our parts and are of opinion that the presence of an Embassadour from you here may not contribute a little thereto To the Spanish Embassadour THE Councill of State have as soone ever as the other more weighty affaires of the Nation coud permit them presented the Parliament with the four memorialls which your Excellency gave in thereto upon the 21. of December last and in answer to the first paragraph thereof relateing to the wicked Murther of Mr Ascane their late Embassadour are commanded to offer the following reply viz. That the Parliament haveing so long so often and so justly called for Justice against the said persons judge it an act of superfluity to add any further sollicitation thereto especially when as your Excelleuâ—…y well observed his Majesties owne honour was so much concern'd to do it without importunity and â—…thing which if not complyed with will certainly defeat the foundation upon which humane society is erected Nor can it be truly underastood by any argument borrowed from Religion why innocent blood basely drawen ought not to be vindicated Therefore the Parliament seemes earnestly to require and no less to depend upon an effectuall compliance with their former Demands in referrence to a thro satisfaction to be given for the losse of their subject To the most serene Prince LEOPOLD Arch Duke of Austria Praesident to King PHILIP in Flanders WHEN we were not without great Clamour made acquainted with the stealth of Jeane Puccheringam a maiden Gentlewoman of good extraction plentifull fortune and an heiresse who yet under age and consequently the care of a Guardian has been seised upon not far from the place of her habitation at Greenwich forced on board a vessell ready at hand for that purpose and suddainly hurried away out of the hands and embraces of her friends by the contrivance of one Walsh who since used indirect meanes such as the Terrour of death c. to freight the wealthy girle into a marriage with hm We did immediatly thereupon previous to the stopping the successe of a villany fo cruel un heard of direct some persons to apply to the Governours of Newport Oostend to one of which two places shee was reported to have been Snatched on behalfe of her freedome out of the hands of her Ravishers who both acted suitable to persons of singular integrity upright dealings to wards the reliefe of the poor captive thus felloniously hurried from home But shee s to escape in the mean time the violence of these villans retreating unto a Nunnery as a sequestred person the said Walsh to force her thence brings his action at Law in the spirituall Court at Ipre where in his declaration he lays his claine to her by Contract of Marriage Now in regard the Thiefe and the Heiresse are both our people and that it by good evidence appeares that this outrage has been commmitted within our Dominion and withall that the considerable
Corporations a considerable Reliefe advantage in a matter of this consequence as being truly bent upon all opportunity administred by God which we shall not thro the good help of the 〈◊〉 God decline the doing our part in the improvement of We cannot in the mean time without very great griefe observe unto Your Highnesse with what inclemency the Duke of Savoy persecutes such of his Subjects as inhabitingabout the Alps professe the Protestant Religion and whom he has not onely 〈◊〉 as many of as denyed to embrace the Roman Religion to quit their nature Country and abandon all their Possessions but also set upon them with his Forces who exposed many to most cruel murthers dispatched others with barbarous and invented Tortures and drove great Multitudes of 'em into the mountains there to be consumed with hunger and cowld having sett fire to their Houses and goods if these Butchers did chance to leave any unplunderd for want of conveyance And are very apt to believe that Your Highnesse could not decline being much displeased at so great a cruelty when first you heard it which I presume may be some time past and that you did what you could towards the Reliefe assiâ—…tance of those miserable wretches if inhuman Murthers and Miseries have left any surviveing We have writ to the Duke of Savoy to divert his Rage from off his People as also the King of France that he might do so too together with the neighbouring Protestant Princes to let them understand how we resented so inhumane an instance of cruelty Which albeit it was begun upon these needy wretches yet its designe seemes to extend to all that are of the same Judgment in Religion And so heightens the necessity conveyed unto them so much the morâ—… of taking care of hemselves and consulting the welfare of all their Friends Which pursuant to that light which God has inspired us with shall always be the very levell of our pursuit A thing Your Highness may depend upon the sincerity of as that of our love and affection wherewith we heartily wish you a properous issue in all things Praying that all Your Enterprises and Approaches towards the asserting the Liberty of the Gospel and its adherents may determine happily Whitehall May 1655. OLIVER Protector c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweedland Greeting YOur Majesty has ere this and to Your great trouble we presume had an account of that most bitter Proclamation reported to have bâ—…en lately published whereby the Duke of Savoy has afflicted to the marrow such of his Subjects inhabiting about the Alpes as stile themselves Reformed Protestants and directed that if in case they did not renounce their owne and embrace the Roman Catholick Religion within twenty dayes they should be rooted out of their Native Country habitations so that after the murther of many the rest plunder'd exposed to invented Deaths they wander now with their Wives and small Children over the wild Mountains in a continual Winter Consum'd witâ—… hunger and cowld For the universall hatred of the contrary party even unto all Protestants Demonstrates that albeit they differ in some frivolus things among themselves their cause and intrest yet in the main ought to be the same and almost one And there is none but knowes that how upon all occasions the Kings of Sweedland have joyned with the Reformed and powred their Forces into Germany to defend without distinction the Protestant Religion there Wee therefore and that with more then ordinary earnestnesse pray that Your Majesty would in the first place if You have not already done it in imitation of Us and other Protestant Republicks write to the Duke of Savoy concerning this matter and endeavour to reverse if it be possible by the interposition of Your Authority the severitd of this so cruel a proclamation from off of a People that are innocent as well as religious For these so cruel beginnings what do they mean what may they threaten Us all is a thing which we judge very unnecessary to advise Your Majesty of If this man will sligth all our prayers to gratify his owne peevish humour truly we shall after haveing first conâ—…ulted with Your Majesty and the rest of the Protestant Princes as we ought â—…f there be any obligation any love or community of Religion to be regarded or observed fix upon some speedy resolution that may serve timelily to prevent the miserable destruction of a multude of our most innocent Brethren destitute of all help Which as vve do not in the least question to have beeu Your Majesties sense and resolution too nothing can in our opinion be more adviseable in this point than that vve all vvithout the least losse of time unite our povver Council Purses and if there be any thing else that can be judged to stop the further groâ—…vth of this evil In the mean time we heartily recommend Your Majesties to the Tuitionof the most great omnipotent God OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England to the high and mighty Lords the States Generall of the united Provinces RUmor and the frequent advices and Tideings which letters bring you from your correspondents abroad have ere this we judge informed you of the Duke of Savoyê°s late proclamation issued against such under his subjection about the Alpes as have been antient professors of the Protestant Religion by verture of which proclamation they unlesse they embrace the Roman Catholick Religion â—…ithin twenty daâ—…s are comanded to quit their Lands and houses being first stript of all they have besides â—…nd with what cruelty the Authority â—…f tâ—…at Edict has tyranyzed over inocent persons and which very much concernes us our helplesse friends and Brethren in Christ. Many of them being destroyed by a Limb of his forces appointed to that purpose the rest plundred forc't from home so that they with their wives and smalle Ones have been for some time driven into the roughest of mountains covered with continual snow where they now labour under the oppression of hunger cowld But your concernednesse whereat how you Symphathyzed these calamities of our Brethren is a thing we can easily guesâ—… at by our own griefe which is truly very great For we that are but One as it were in point of Religion why should not we be equally such in our concernednesse at so unworthy a misuseage of our Brethren And truly many are the experiences of your apparent piety to the Orthodox people in times of oppression and no lesse favourable to many Ecclesiasticall difficultys and adversitys As for my part I had if I know my owne mind rather been outon in any thing elce then in love and charity to Brethren labouring under affliction and persecution upon the account of their Religion For that I would freely give way to the health repose of the Church in preferrence to my owne par ticular safety What we coud therefore hitherto act in it was to writ
study the Peace of both Nations appointed to inquire into this affront whereby the whole may receive a thro inspection and the Authors of the villany and those that employed'em punisht with the great or severity the better For without which it will 〈◊〉 raine your Majesty laws of â—…njustice nor will the reputation of this Republick be vindicated nor can any true friendshipp subsist between both Nations without its correction We wish Your Majesty all felicity and good luck remaining Erom our Court at Westminster August 1656. Your Maiesties most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most â—…llustrious Lord Connt Mariano S. D. Most illustrious Sir THE indication of Your singular Love both to me and this Republick contained in Your Letter of the 25. of June last to me as also the import of others sent me from Phillip Meaddow whom I sent to the King of Portugal to treat with him about the conclusion of a Peace wherein he gives us a full account of your extraordinary Parts and endeavour in the Transaction thereof has obliged us very much by what I 〈◊〉 from the Import of the said Letters This last consirmation I have received with very much content and am so farr satisfied in the Issue of things as that you shall never have cause to repent of whatever you have 〈◊〉 contributed 〈◊〉 the promotion of this Peace 〈◊〉 your sincerity to the English nor of your faithfulness exerted in this point to His Majesty It 〈◊〉 thro Gods assistance to be hoped that this Peace may be very advantagious to both Nations as well as of contrary effects to the Enemy All the misfortune and ill luck that attended thiâ—… affair consists in that wicked attempt basely projected against our Envoy Philips Meaddow Against whose unknowne Authors there ought to be no lesse care taken then in Instances of manifest Roguery Nor 〈◊〉 I doubt of Your Kings Justice and severity in punishing soo deepe a piece of villany nor of your 〈◊〉 promotion thereof in particular as one whose practice is Justice and Piety and make it your businesse to continue both Nations in amity and peace Which can no way subsist if such wicked attempts shall be suffer'd to escape unpunishd and unvindicated But your knowâ—… detestation of that villany renders it unnecessary for me to enlarge any further upon it for the present As I have therefore assured you how ready I shall at all times be to demonstrate my sincerity towards you That that remains is to let you know of my haveing recommended very fervently both you and all yours to the favour and protection of the Almighty From our Court at Westminster August 1656. Yours c. OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Charles Gustavus King of Sweedland Gothes and Vandals c. Most Serene King Friend and dearest Confederated WHen I consider that Your Majesty and I concur both in disposition and resolution in reference to the defence of the Protestant Religion against it s now if never before malignant Enewys Thence it comes to passe that as your prosperous Successes Tideings of your dayly almost Victories adds to our satisfaction so I am very much troubled at that one thing which disquiets and destroys this our united content and that is to hear among other news that your former understanding with the States of Holland doth not stand as well as it did and that things 〈◊〉 carry'd to that State 〈◊〉 you 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Zea especially as to draw seemingly towards a Rupture The causes I know not I must confesse I visibly see that without it please God divert it it will very much devolve the Protestant Intrest Wherefore we thought it becomeing that neerest relation wherein we are united to you both and pursuant to that love and affection to the Reformed Religion which ought to be a principall inducement to us all to repeat unto Your Majesty now those perswaâ—…ions which we highly pres'st upon the States of Holland to listâ—…n unto of Peace and Quietnesse Every Corner swells with Envy against the Protestants they seeme to have conspired our destruction as being never pregnant with more malice Witnesse Piedmont loaded but yesterday as it were with the blood and Massacre of those miserable wretches Germany quashed by the late Edicts and proscriptions of the Emperour witnes Switzâ—…rland What need there many words to overhall the memory and griefe of so many fresh calamity's Who knowes not but that those Massacres Distractions and Vexations to which the Protestants were for three Yeares together exposed were the effects of Spanish Couucils and those of Roman Pontificates If to so many mischiefs a civill dissention among Protestant Brethren be added among you more especially in whose Power Riches and constancy the greatest safety left to the Reform'd Churches is as farr as human help is to be depended upon lodged It vvill unavoidably hasard the Reform'd Religion it selfe plunge it into the depth of danger Whereas on the other side if the Protestants universally joine in that brotherly unity vvhich becomes them to doe vve neede fear nothing that the arts or povver of our Enemy's can doe to hurt us vvhom our Concord alone vvill baffle and disappoint I therefore in an extraordinary manner pray and beseech Your Majesty that you vvould be pleased to apply a vvilling and vvell disposed mind to the confirming the former understanding vvith the States of Holland if in any point the same bâ—… slacken or abated If in any thing my endeavour faith diligence can be thought of use towards an accommodation I do promised and tender you the same God in the mean time bless and prosper the success of vvhat I vvish vvhich is that Your Majesties affaires may prosper and run in an interrupted stream of felicity From our Court at Westminster August 1656. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the States of Holland High and mighty Lords dearest Frirnds WIlliam Cooper a Londoneâ—… and our Subject made his complaint that John la Mair an Amsterdamer his father in Law did about thirty yeares agoe invent a meanes of raiseing the Revenue of your Republick â—…arr higher then it was and that without any extraordinary burthen to the people and made a Covenant with one John van den Brooke importing that upon some consideration between 'em he should receive the moity of such 〈◊〉 as should redound from the said Invention which was the 〈◊〉 of the small seal in the Provinees In consideration of which your mighty Highnesse were pleased to settle the yearly allowance of three thousand Guilders which amounts to three hundred pounds in English money to be paid annually to the said van den 〈◊〉 and posterity But now albeit the said Invention of the small seal has
by planting them in so remote and inhumane a place the escape of any who might by a declaration of the fact hurht him For he did owne that he had no directions to meddle either with the English or others which he might have troubled before and with all that he was not ignorant of the English and French's being at Peace at that vety time But designing to revictual at Portugal but was prevented therein by contrary Winds was necessitated to supply his Wants with what he found in that Ship That he moreover believed he might content the Owners thereof in what damage they didthem Which by sworne Testimony will appear to amount to above sixteen thousand Pounds damage to the Merchants But yet if People will upon such slender temptations venture upon the rash violation and turn into scorne as it were the Decrees of Princes whose force ought to be of utmost weight so as to exercise 〈◊〉 licentiousnesse upon Merchants to serve their own Ends it truly acts towards a totall dissolution of the Ty of alliances for the future the word and authority of Princes will decline and signify just nothing We do therefore not onely pray but â—…udge it very much concerning Your Majesty's Intrest that those who have dared to make so slight a matter of being the first Breakers of their King's Contract and most sacred Word have speedy punishments executed upon them suitable to the nature of their perfidiousnesse and insolency and that the Owners of the said Ships do in the mean time make our Merchants full satisfaction for the damage and prejudice which this act has injuriously exposed 'em unto Gods care be Your Majesties continual Guard and become the defence of the affaires of France against both our comon Enemy From our Court at Westminster August An. Dom. 1656. Yâ—…ur Majesty's most affectionally OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c To Cardinal Mazarine Most Eminent Sir WHen the imporatance of any affair gives me a necessary Invitation of writeing to the King I do judge the same expediently to include an occasion of doing the like to your Excellency for to conceale from his knowledge whose singular prudence alone moderates with suitable fidelity advice and vigilancy the weightyest affaires of France what I write about is apoint I reckon ' of utmost Inconsistency That Treaty most strictly establisht by you whose sinceriry were a sin to dispute we complain of the violation and contempt of and that thro the Meanes of a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 called Egidius who with his Abettors broake the same the very sameday almost of its confirmation as our Letters to the King and the applications from the Merchants themselves can make appear to your Excellency who must in particular know how much it concernes not onely the Magistrates but his Majestys owne Intrest to see the originall Infringers of this Contract brought to Justice But these perhaps upon their arrivall in the Indies whether they went may looke upon the Goods of our Subject seised upon upon the heeles if so fresh an alliance contrary to all Justice and truth as Prised Goods lawfully forc't from the Enemy That that we woud have your Excellency in the mean time do amounts to no more then that 〈◊〉 Owners of the said shipps woud make good the promise of this Comander in chiefe in returning to our people that that may be equivalent to what he has taken from 'em to supply the necestary occasiâ—…ns oâ—… his voyage wherein we understand Your Excellency to be able to do much by vertue of Your Authority From our Court at Westminster August A. D. 1656. Your Eminency's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the High and mighty States of the united Provinces High and mighty Friends and dearest Confederates WEE doe not truly doubt but that all persons will say that nothing has been more the designe of our making Friends abroad then in order to the raising of them as such for the Intrest of the Protestant Religion nor that has appear'd more the subject of our aim then the uniteing of their hearts who either were Friends and champions for the Protestants or who were not their Enemys at least Which raises our griefe and trouble of mind so much the higher when we heare of their suspecting and entertaining of suspitions and animositys against each other who as Protestant Princes and Republicks ought to Cherish one another in all imaginable Sincerity especially You and the Kingdome of Sweedland two of the principallest Defenders of the Protestant Religion and the best Friends this Republick hath not to have that confidence in each other whick you were wont to have yea to â—…et appear signes either of a growing difference or an evident decay of your Friendship What the causes were or how farr this alienation of mind has extended of either hand are things which we profess our ignorance of We coud not neverthelesse but be much troubled at these thô never so inconsiderable sparcks of disagreements between Brethren which must necessarily convey a deal of inconveniency to the repose of the Protestant Religion's Intrest and whichif sufferd to goe on which God Farbidd how will it endanger the Reform'd Churches how will the Enemy swell and tryumph thereat the spaniards more especially is a thing that canot escape the prudent Ey of one of your experience The Spaniard will certainly so swell and swagger hereat as not to faile of rendering it the business of his Embsssadour with you to obtrude his advices and that more Confidently upon you to be guided by and with the apprehension of raiseing new warr partly and by the prospect of a false advantage partly tempt to sollicit you to forsake at his Instance your old and faithfull Friends the French English and Sweedes and engage in a very strict fellowshipp with one formerly your Enemy and Tyrant thô now a seeming Friend and which is much to be feared a a conterfeited One. Truly he who from a most canker'd Enemy shall upon so slight an occasion presse of a sudden to become your Councellour what is it that such a Man will not assume unto himselfe what confidence will he raise to if he can but once see with his Eys such things as are now onely the bâ—…re conceptions and imaginations of his heart namely to plant discord and civill Warr amongst the Protestant Confederates Wee know that you often pursuant to your wisedome take the State of all Europe and the condition of the Protestant Religion more especially into your consideration that such of the Cantons of Switzerland as profess the Orthodox faith are amused â—…nd grow pregnant with the apprehension of new troubles from their neighbours the Papists wâ—…le yet scare cowld from the heat of that Wart levyed upon them by the Spaniard upon the bare score of their Religion who haveing inflamed and kindled that warr supplyed their
Enemys with men and Money that the Massacre aâ—…d destruction executed the last year upon the Protestant Inhabitants of Piedmont were the effects of Spanish Influences that the Protestants of Germany under the subjection of the Emperour underwent intollerable disquiets and with much difficulty held their native habitations That the King of Sweedland whom God we hope raised as a most curagious champion for the Protestant Religion was exposed to the necessity of maintaining with the strength of his whole Kingdome a fowle aud rigid Warr against the most powerfull Enemy that the Reformation has extant how your own Provinces are threatend by the malicious confederacy lately struck by your Neighbours the Papists who are the King of Spaine's Subjects And sinally we who are taken up by the warr declared against the King of Spaine If while things stand thus a misunderstanding shoud happen to arise between you and the King of Sweedlâ—…nd what a sad and lamentable condition shoud Protestancy fall under all Europe over being subjected to the cruelty and fury of inhuman Enemys The consideration of which doth not a little trouble us and believe you to be of the same mind and that you will withall pursuant to the great affection you always expressed on behalfe of the Protestant cause in generall and disposition to the maintaining uninterupted the peace of such as are 〈◊〉 both in their Judgment and desires accommodate your counsells to these considerations which are preferrable to all others whatever and that you will not decline the doing of ought that may conduce to the establishing of a peace between you and the King of Sweedland Wherein 〈◊〉 we can â—…e of any service what ever opinion you may entertaine of our Authority or Intrest we most freely offer you the tender of our endeavour with the same readynesse which we do it to thâ—… King of Sweedland to whom we designe likewise to send an Embassy out of hand to let him know our opinion of this affair And â—…ope that God will incline your minds on both sides to moderat Couucills and prevent the falling out of any thing that may give cause of offence on either hand or carry things to an extremity But that contrarywise both partys endeavour to remove what may offend or Administer matter of Iealousy to to'ther Which if you concurr to you will â—…oth disappoint your Enemys and become a comfor't to your Friends and finally provide plentifully for your owne and the safety of the Republicke And do pray you to rest likewise very confident in this that we as often as we are supplyd with an opportunity for it shall employ our endeavour towards the rendering the united Provinces sensible of the great affection and love we bear 'em Sollicitting God witâ—…all with our dayly prayers that he woud be pleased to bless your Repulick with a flourishing peace riches Liberty and more especially love and true worshipp to the Christian faith From our Court at Westminster August 1656. Your c. OLIVER Protector OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince John King of Portugall Most Serene King THomas Maynard has upon the 11. of July last old stile delivevered into our Receipt your Majesties Ratification of the peace concluded by your Embassador at London as well as of the private and preliminary articles thereof and by letters then transmitted hither from Phillip Meaddaw our Envoy at Lisbona understand that he has deliver'd your Majesty ours likewise pursuant to our direction to him on that behalfe the aforesaid Instruments of Ratification being about the beginning of June last interchanged So that a most firme Peace is confirmed between both Nations From which peace we have derived no small pleasure for that we judged that as it bespeakes a general advantage to both so it doth a proportionable detriment to the comon Enemy Who as they have been the first Inventers of meanes to interrupt the former alliance so they have lefr nothing unattempted to prevent its renovation novv Nor do vve doubt of their slipping any occasion that can be improved tovvards the creating matter of suspicion and offence between Us. Which vve have truly resolved to employ our utmost endeavours and constancy in opposition of yea it 's our earnest desire that the alliance may strengthen our confidence in each other dayly more and more so as to reckon those our Enemys vvho by any artifices shall appear to employ any project tovvards the lesseningh our friendship among ourselves and those contain'd in this Ratification and are verily persvvaded that Your Majesty is much of the same mind And vvhereas Your Majesty has been pleased in it's Letters to Us under the 24. of June nevv Stile and delivered unto our Envoy some days after the mutual exchange of the Instrument concerning the establih't Peace to mention some Clauses of this Treaty vvhich you vvould have alter'd as things vvhich thô of small moment to this Republick in Your Majesties opinion yet of very great consequence to the Kingdome of Portugal We shall be found ready to treat apart about such things as shall be propound on Your Majesties behalfe and settleing such things as shall seeme to either party to conduce to the further strengthening or binding the same Wherein we shall observe such measures as may equally conduce to the satisfaction of Your Majesty and People as our owne and referr to your choice where you will have all these things debated either at London or Lisbona But this Treaty being already confirm'd passed the lawfull Firme of both Nations and mutually interchanged to alter any part of it were to destroy the whole which we know is a thing far from Your Majesties seeking We wish Your Majesty all prosperiâ—…y and happiness From our Court at Westminster August 1656. Your Majesties most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most serene Prince John King of Portugal S. D. WEE have had an account of that base and wicked attempt made towards the Murther of Phillip Meadowes sent hence under the Character of our Envoy to treat with you touching a peace The cruelty of which has appeared so great that his escape is the sole effect of God providence and care of him And do by your Majestys Letters of the 26. of May delivered by Thomas Maynard understand that your Majesty moved at the indignity of the Fact Issued your comands in pursuit of the Assacinates in order to their being brought to condign punishment but do not yet heare of the apprehension of any of them nor that your Comands concerning them signified any thing We have therefore thought fitt to declare openly how much we resent that base and barbarous attempt and the approach it made towards its designe And require that due punishment â—…e executed upon the Authors Confederates and Instruments concern'd in that Villany And the sooner its done and People of honesty utmost integrity aud who
of that importance as we hope we may in very little time Wee did in the mean time judge it inconsistent with conveniency to suspend any longer the letting you know for a truth how much our thoughts and Care are taken up and that in an imoderat measure for the present State of Europe Wee haveing from severall Yeares observation collected to our great 〈◊〉 matter enough to inferr from that the principall Protestant Princes and Corporations who out of regard to their comunity in Religion and its support ought to use all meanes tending to its confirmation and defence grow dayly more and more animated against each other and suspect or put an ill meaning upon whatever the rest attempt or project freightening their friends while on the contrary they dictat hopes to the Enemy of ensuing Enmity and dissent in this Bent of affaires rather then a firme union of minds to the mutuall safeguard and defence of each other And truly this anxiety made the deeper figure in our minds and continues to gaine daily from some sparkes of Jealousy which seem to remain unquelled between Your Majesty and the King of Sweedland or at last from your being at greater distance in your minds then our comon love and affection to the Orthodox Religion seemes to call for whilest your Majesty entertains by what fate I know not a Jealousy that the Trade of your Kingdome may receive some prejudice from the King of Sweedland who is likewise little better satisfied but that you may aggravat the warr wherein he is now engaged and render the Termes of peace which he might otherwise make more intricat Your Majesty canot but from that great prudence exerted in all your affaires know how much it will expose the protestant Religion if such suspition continues long among you and how much more if which God forbidd any token of hostility shoud breake out However these things stand we as we have earnestly sollicitted both the King of Sweedland and States of Holland to peace and moderat resolutions and shou'd be extraordinarily gladd to see you reconciled to peace and concord the States haveing sent us the heads of that league so we reckon'd it our part and very consistent with our friendshipp not to coâ—…ceale from your Majesty what ever we thought of this matter especially when we consider the most friendly invitation given us by your Majesties Letters so to do a thing we looke upon to be a singular argument and embrace it as one of your good disposition towards us And lay before your Majesty what a charge divine providence has laid upon the professors of Protestancy of maintaining peace among our selves when our Enemyes now especially if never before seeme so violent against us as to have conspired as it were from all places to our destructiom It helps not to overhall the Blood and Massacre wherein these at Piedmont lately Swam nor those of Germany tore to pieces by the Edicts and proscriptions of the Emperour nor finally the furious assaults of the Popish Swittsers upon their Protestant Neighbour If to these misfortunes a falling ouâ—… among protestant Brethren be added as Oyle to quench fire especially among you who are so great a part of our strength and in whom so much oâ—… the Protestant Protection and strength is reposed in tickelish times Reformation must as farr as human power can reach go downe and be destroyed When on the contrary if you cherish peace among your selvas as Neighbours and the rest of the Protestant Princes if brotherly concord be of all hands studyed we shall have no reason to fear with Gods help what the artifice or force of our enemy can do Us. The dissipation of whose designes depending wholly upon our agreement Nor do we truly fear but that your Majesty will contribute all it can and that 's much towards that end Wherein I shall my selfe be very ready to joyne Issue with your Majesty as a Professor of true friendshipp and one whose study shall be not only in maintaining the peace already so happily establisht but also go as farr as God shall be pleased to suffer me to go towards the improveing that now existent God in the mean time bless and prosper all your undertakeings Iam in friendship alliance and affection From our Court at Westminster Decemb. An. Dom. 1656. Your Majesties most affectionately OLIVER Protector of the Republick of England c OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene and Illustrious Prince and Lord the Lord William Earle of Hasnia Prince of Herefield Counte in Cattimelibock Decia Lingehain Nidda and Schaumburgh c. Most Serene Prince WEE woud not have respitted the answering your highnesses Letters so long of which we are almost ashamed did not many other affairs of utmost importance truly which our charge in the administration of this Government wou'd not suffer us to deferr the dispatch of much against our inclination prevent it For what Letters ought I to entertaine with more regard then such as come from a most vertuous Prince and related to a Race suitably Religious and which concerne nothing so much as the Repose of Religion and the reconcileing of Curches to concord and which also not onely in your but in the opinion and judgment of the Christian world ought to be generally attributed unto me as an honour to be the promoter of the Christian peace And truly what we have endeavoured'd towards it thro these three formerly Kingdomes what have we accomplished thro divine help by perswadeing suffering and conquest is a thing not unknowne to most of our owne people and that which they are very sensible of in the great tranquility of their conscience We have studyed the repose of all the Churches thro out Germany more especially where they have been most and longest at variance and have been for a considerable time past wanting in nothiâ—…g that coud contribure thereto We continue the same inclination still We wish the said churches may be united among themselves in brotherly charity But we are to our very great griefe more then sensible how difficult a Taske he undertakes who takes upon him the reconciliation of such as pretend onely to be Sons of peace For it is a thing to be scarce hoped ever to see the Resormed and Augustins brought to one Church nor preaching nor writeing will be able to reconcile their opinion nor prohibitted without violence But violence is a thing inconsistent with the peace of the Church dissenters may be prevailed upon by Prayers to act more meekly and moderately at least nor ought they to grow the cowlder among themselves Differing not as enemys but friends 〈◊〉 at variance in frivolous matters yet most united in the main point of Faith We shall never own our selves weary in the repeating and perswadeing of these things which the strength nor councell of man can exceed God whose peculiar worke it is will in his time do it You have in the
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
16â—…7 OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Noble Corporation of Lubeck Most Noble Magnificent and worthy Gentleman Dearest Friends WIlliam Jepson Knt a very worthy person and a Member of our Senat proceeds under the character of our publick minister to the most Serene King of Sweedland's Court held not farr distant from yours Do therefore pray that while his Journey happens to continue within the limits either of your Citty or Jurisdiction our alliance and comerce may be inducements to you to aid if need be and protect him We moreover directed him to salute you in our name very kindly and invite you to an assurance of our Clear disposition of mind and 〈◊〉 towards you From our Court at Westminster August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Noble Magistrates and Senators of the Citty of Hambrugh S. P. D. Most Noble Magnificent and worthy Gentlemen Dearest Friends PHillip Meddow who brings you this takes your Citty in his way to Denmarke whether wee have sent him as our Embassadour to the most Serene King of that Câ—…ntry Whom we earnestly recomend to your favour if in any thinâ—… he may judge it needfull to make use of your Authority or help Praying that our Recomendation be of no less weight now than it was always wont to draw with you who shall 〈◊〉 of nothing from us of an acknowledgment upon a like occasion From our Court at Westminster August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Frederick Heir of Norway Duke of Slesvice Holsatia Flormaria Ditmarsia Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorst WEe have sent William Jepson to the most Serene King of Denmarke being a Gentleman of a noble Family member of our Parliament to treat with him as our Embassader about an affair that concernes the felicity and prosperity of the peace of Christendome And have among other things directed him to visit and salute in his way shither your in our name and make mention of our former kindness and most constant affection And desire that your Authority may be employed to secure and 〈◊〉 his Journey thrô your Country In which your Highness will oblige us and ours in a more speciall manner to suitable Returnes From our Court at Whitehall August An. Dom. 1657. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince Ferdinando Great Duke of Toskany Most Serene great Duke Dearest Friend APplication has been made unto us by petition in the names of severall Merchants tradeing to the Levant Seas setting forth that one William Ellis master of a certain shipp called the Little Lâ—…wis being by an Otoman Peere hired in the 〈◊〉 of Alexandria to carry Rice Suggars with other comodities thenceâ—… Constantinople or Smirna there to be disposed of to his directions the said person withdrew from the 〈◊〉 fleet and contrary to his Trust 〈◊〉 the said 〈◊〉 to Livorne where he disposes of it as prized Goods Which misbehaviour as it is of utmost 〈◊〉 example of great infamy to the name of Christians and a passage that may expose the fortunes of such English Merchants as live in the Ottoman Empire to Reprizall Wee desire that your Highnese woud Issue your Comands for the apprehension and laying up of the said perfon secureing in the mean time the said shipp and Goods till intimation be transmâ—…tted hence to the said Ottoman Prince of the care taken of the Reâ—…titution of his said Goods Promiseing that if your Excellency shall happen to need the like from us in any Instance of this kind we shall be as ready to answer it as we are now to aske From our Court at Westminster An Dom. 1657. Your Highness's most affectionatly OLIVER Protector of England c. OLIVER Protector of the Republ. of England c. To the most Serene Prince and Lord the Lord Frederick William Duke of Brandeburgh c. Most Serene Prince Friend and dearest Confâ—…derate OUR last to Your Highnesse by William Jepson who either already has or soone may deliver'em will shew you what errand we have sent him upon and how that we could not have done the same without doing you the Justice of inserting som mentions of your vertues and the affection we bear you But to prevent any mans thinking that our notice of these great obligations of yours conferr'd upon the Protestant Interest and celebrated as such in the Report of all Men is the slight effect of ordinary Custome we must â—…ay hold upon the same argument now where tho we cannot be more sincere yet a little more large we have thought fit to be then we have been in our expressions towards Your Serenity And not without cause truly considering that we are dayly told that notvvithstanding all the attempts that are made upon you by the supple address of Trick and artifices yet your constancy and loyalty is found to give no way nor be perswaded to part from the friendship of a most couragious King and Confederâ—…t and that at a time when the condition of Sweedland is such as that it is manifest that your regard to the welfare of the Protestant Religion in general is the onely inducement that keepes you to their Society and no privat end of your owne As also when hem'd in and as it were besieged by private as well as publick enemy peeping from every Corner to continue neverthelesse that steddynesse and comanding-vertue as that the Judgment of the whole matter the Issue of this very great Warr seeme to acquiesce in whatever your shall determine Wherefore your Highnesse has no reâ—…son to question but promise it selâ—…e any thing that may be expected from our friendshipp who woud arraign our selfe of all Delinquency if we did seeme to entertaine cheaper thoug 〈◊〉 of your fidelity constancy and other Merits or seeme less in our acknowledgments to your particular Government upon the comon account oâ—… Religion As to the delay met with by John Frederick 〈◊〉 your Councellour and Embassadour here and our respitting hitherto that reply which according to our inclinations we ought to have made to his proposalls we pray that our Highnesse woud impute the same to the condition 〈◊〉 our affaires and not the said person whose Industry and diligence act and contend for it and rest assured that we looke upon nothing more dear or desireable then to be serviceable and assisting to your affaires so inseperable from the Intrest of the Protestant Religion Wee in the mean time pray in our prayers to to the most Great and Omnipotent God that your apparent vertue and courage may never saile fall under oppression or misse of its due reward and praise From onr Court at Westminster September An. Dom. 1657. Your Highnes's most affectionately OLIVER Protector of England c. To the most Excellent Lord Monsieur de Bourdeux Embassadour extraordinary from his most Serene Majesty the King