Letters of State, Letters 1 – Letters 2

Letters of State · Letters 1 – Letters 2

p. 1LETTERS Written in the Name of the Parlament.

The Senate and People of England, to the moſt Noble Senate of the City of Hamborough.

FOR how long a ſeries of paſt Years, and for what important Reaſons the Friendſhip enter'd into by our Anceſtors with your moſt Noble City has continu'd to this day, we both willingly acknowledge, together with your ſelves; nor is it a thing diſpleaſing to us, frequently alſo to call to our remembrance. But as to what we underſtand, by your Letters dated the 25th. of June, that p. 2ſome of our People deal not with that Fidelity and Probity, as they were wont to do in their Trading and Commerce among ye; we preſently referr'd it to the conſideration of certain Perſons well skill'd in thoſe matters, to the end they might make a more ſtrict enquiry into the Frauds of the Clothiers and other Artificers of the Woollen Manufacture. And we farther promiſe, to take ſuch effectual care, as to make you ſenſible of our unalterable intentions, to preſerve ſincerity and juſtice among our ſelves, as alſo never to neglect any good Offices of our kindneſs that may redound to the welfare of your Commonwealth. On the other hand, there is ſomething likewiſe which we not only require, but which Equity it ſelf, and all the Laws of God and Man, demand of your ſelves, That you will not only conſerve inviolable to the Merchants of our Nation their Privileges, but by your Authority and p. 3Power defend and protect their Lives and Eſtates, as it becomes your City to do. Which as we moſt earneſtly deſir'd in our former Letters, ſo upon the repeated Complaints of our Merchants that are daily made before us, we now more earneſtly ſollicite and requeſt it: they complaining, That their ſafety, and all that they have in the world, is again in great jeopardy among ye. For although they acknowledge themſelves to have reap'd ſome Benefit for a ſhort time of our former Letters ſent you, and to have had ſome reſpite from the Injuries of a ſort of Profligate People; yet ſince the coming of the ſame Coc—m to your City (of whom we complain'd before) who pretends to be honour'd with a ſort of Embaſſy from— the Son of the lately deceas'd King, they have been aſſaulted with all manner of ill Language, Threats and naked Swords of Ruffians and Homicides, and have wanted your accuſtom'd p. 4Protection and Defence; inſomuch, that when Two or Three of the Merchants, together with the Preſident of the Society, were hurry'd away by ſurprize Aboard a certain Privateer, and that the reſt implor'd your Aid, yet they could not obtain any Aſſiſtance from you, till the Merchants themſelves were forc'd to embody their own ſtrength, and reſcue from the hands of Pyrates the Perſons Seiz'd on in that River, of which your City is the Miſtreſs, not without extream hazard of their Lives. Nay, when they had fortunately brought 'em home again, and as it were by Force of Arms recover'd 'em from an Ignominious Captivity, and carry'd the Pyrates themſelves into Cuſtody; we are inform'd that Coc—m was ſo audacious, as to demand the Releaſe of the Pyrates, and that the Merchants might be deliver'd Priſoners into his hands. We therefore again, and again, beſeech and adjure ye, if it be your intention that p. 5Contracts and Leagues, and the very ancient Commerce between both Nations ſhould be preſerv'd, the thing which you deſire, That our People may be able to aſiure themſelves of ſome certain and firm ſupport and reliance upon your Word, your Prudence and Authority; that you would lend 'em a favourable Audience concerning theſe matters; and that you would inflict deſerved Puniſhment as well upon Coc—m, and the reſt of his Accomplices in that wicked act, as upon thoſe who lately aſſaulted the Preacher, hitherto unpuniſh'd, or command 'em to depart your Territories; nor that you would believe that expell'd and exil'd Tarquins are to be preferr'd before the Friendſhip, and the Wealth, and Power of our Republick. For if you do not carefully provide to the contrary, but that the Enemies of our Republick ſhall preſume to think lawful the committing of any Violences againſt us in your City, how p. 6unſafe, how ignominious the Reſidence of our People there will be, do you conſider with your ſelves. Theſe things we recommend to your Prudence and Equity, your ſelves to the Protection of Heaven.

Weſtminſter, Aug. 10. 1649.

To the Senate of Hamborough.

YOUR conſpicuous Favour in the doubtful condition of our Affairs, is now the reaſon, that after Victory and proſperous Succeſs, we can no longer queſtion your good will and friendly inclination towards us. As for our parts, the War being almoſt now determin'd, and our Enemies every where vanquiſh'd, we have deem'd nothing more juſt, or more conducing to the firm Eſtabliſhment of the Republick, then that they who by our means (the Almighty being always our Captain and Conductor) have either recover'd p. 7their Liberty, or obtain'd their Lives and Fortunes, after the pernicious Ravages of a Civil War, of our free Gift and Grace, ſhould teſtifie and pay in exchange to their Magiſtrates Allegiance and Duty in a ſolemn manner, if need requir'd. More eſpecially, when ſo many Turbulent and Exaſperated Perſons, more then once receiv'd into Protection, will make no end, either at home or abroad, of acting Perfidiouſly, and raiſing new Diſturbances. To that purpoſe we took care to enjoin a certain form of an Oath, by which all who held any Office in the Common-wealth, or being fortify'd with the Protection of the Law, enjoy'd both Safety, Eaſe, and all other Conveniences of Life, ſhould bind themſelves to Obedience in words preſcrib'd. This we alſo thought proper to be ſent to all Colonies abroad, or where-ever elſe our People reſided for the convenience of Trade; to the end that the Fidelity of thoſe over p. 8whom we are ſet, might be prov'd and known to us, as it is but reaſonable and neceſſary. Which makes us wonder ſo much the more at what our Merchants write from your City, that they are not permitted to execute our Commands by ſome or other of your Order and Degree. Certainly what the moſt Potent United Provinces of the Low Countries, moſt jealous of their Power and their Intereſts, never thought any way belonging to their inſpection, namely whether the Engliſh Foreigners ſwore Fidelity and Allegiance to their Magiſtrates at home, either in theſe or thoſe Words, how that ſhould come to be ſo ſuſpected and troubleſome to your City, we muſt plainly acknowledge that we do not underſtand. But this proceeding from the private inclinations or fears of ſome, whom certain Vagabond Scots, expell'd their Countrey, are ſaid to have enforc'd by Menaces, on purpoſe to deter our Merchants p. 9from Swearing Fidelity to us, we impute not to your City. Moſt earneſtly therefore we intreat and conjure ye (for it is not now the intereſt of Trade, but the honour of the Republick it ſelf that lies at ſtake) not to ſuffer any one among ye, who can have no reaſon to concern himſelf in this Affair, to interpoſe his Authority, whatever it be, with that Supremacy which we challenge over our own Subjects, not by the judgment and opinion of Foreigners, but by the Laws of our Country; for who would not take it amiſs, if we ſhould forbid your Hamburghers, reſiding here, to Swear Fidelity to you that are their Magiſtrates at Home? Farewel.

Jan. 4. 1649.

p. 10To the Moſt Serene and Potent Prince Philip the Fourth, King of Spain. The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, Greeting.

WE ſend to your Majeſty Anthony Aſcham, a perſon of Integrity, Learned, and Deſcended of an Ancient Family, to Treat of matters very advantageous, as we hope, as well to the Spaniſh, as the Engliſh Nation. Wherefore in freindly manner, we deſire that you would be pleas'd to Grant, and Order him a Safe and Honourable Paſſage to your Royal City, and the ſame in his return from thence, readily prepar'd to repay the kindneſs when occaſion offers. Or if your Majeſty be otherwiſe inclin'd, that it may be ſignify'd to him with the ſooneſt, what your Pleaſure is in this particular, and that he may be at Liberty to depart without Moleſtation.

Feb. 4. 1649.

p. 11To the Moſt Serene and Potent Prince, Philip the Fourth, King of Spain. The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, Greeting.

WHAT is the condition of our Affairs, and by what heinous Injuries provok'd and broken, at length we began to think of recovering our Liberty by force of Arms; what Conſtituted form of Government we now make uſe of, can neither be conceal'd from your Majeſty, nor any other Perſon who has but caſt an impartial Eye upon our Writings Publiſh'd upon theſe Occaſions. Neither ought we to think it a difficult thing, among fit and proper judges of things, to render our Fidelity, our Equity, and Patience, manifeſt to all men, and juſtly meriting their Approbation, as alſo to defend our Authority, Honour, and Grandeur, againſt the infamous Tongues of Exiles and Fugitives. p. 12Now then, as to what is more the concern of Foreign Nations, after having ſubdu'd and vanquiſh'd the Enemies of our Countrey through the Miraculous Aſſiſtance of Heaven, we openly and cordially profeſs our ſelves readily prepar'd to have Peace and Friendſhip, more deſirable then all enlargement of Empire, with our Neighbour Nations. For theſe reaſons we have ſent into Spain to your Majeſty, Antony Aſcham, of approv'd Dexterity and Probity, to treat with your Majeſty, concerning Friendſhip and the accuſtom'd Commerce between both Nations; or elſe, if it be your Pleaſure, to open a way for the Ratifying of new Articles and Alliances. Our requeſt therefore is, that you will grant him free Liberty of Acceſs to your Majeſty, and give ſuch Order, that care may be taken of his Safety and his Honour, while he reſides a Publick Miniſter with your Majeſty; to the end he may freely propoſe what he has in charge p. 13from us, for the Benefit, as we hope of both Nations; and certifie to us with the ſooneſt, what are your Majeſty's ſentiments concerning theſe matters.

Weſtminſter, Feb. 4. 1649.

To the Moſt Serene Prince, John the Fourth, King of Portugal. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Greeting.

AFTER we had ſuffer'd many, and thoſe the utmoſt Miſchiefs of a Faithleſs Peace, and inteſtine War, Our being reduc'd to thoſe Exigences, that if we had any regard to the ſafety of the Republick, there was a neceſſity of altering for the chiefeſt part the form of Government, is a thing which we make no queſtion is well known to your Majeſty, by what we have both publickly Written and declar'd in juſtification of our Proceedings. To which, p. 14as it is but reaſon, if credit might be rather given, then to the moſt malicious Calumnies of Looſe and Wicked men; perhaps we ſhould find thoſe perſons more amicably inclin'd, who now abroad have the worſt ſentiments of our actions. For as to what we juſtifie our ſelves to have juſtly and ſtrenuouſly perform'd after the Example of our Anceſtors, in purſuance of our Rights, and for recovery of the native Liberty of Engliſh-men, certainly it is not the work of Human force or wit to eradicate the perverſe and obſtinate Opinions of People wickedly inclin'd concerning what we have done. But after all, in reference to what is common to us with all Foreign Nations, and more for the general intereſt on both ſides, we are willing to let the world know, that there is nothing which we more ardently deſire, then that the Friendſhip and Commerce which our People have been accuſtom'd to maintain p. 15with all our Neighbours, ſhould be enlarg'd and ſettled in the moſt ample and ſolemn manner. And whereas our People have always driven a very great Trade, and gainful to both Nations, in your Kingdom; we ſhall take care, as much as in us lies, that they may not meet with any Impediment to interrupt their dealings. However, we foreſee that all our Induſtry will be in vain, if, as it is reported, the Pyrates and Revolters of our Nation ſhall be ſuffer'd to have Refuge in your Ports, and after they have taken and plunder'd the Laden Veſſels of the Engliſh, ſhall be permitted to ſell their Goods by Publick Outcries at Lisbon. To the end therefore that a more ſpeedy remedy may be apply'd to this growing Miſchief, and that we may be more clearly ſatisfy'd concerning the Peace which we deſire, we have ſent to Your Majeſty the moſt Noble Charles Vane, under the Character of our Agent, with Inſtructions and a p. 16Commiſſion, a plenary Teſtimonial of the Truſt we have repos'd, and the employment we have conferr'd upon him. Him therefore we moſt earneſtly deſire your Majeſty graciouſly to hear, to give him Credit, and to take ſuch Order, that he may be ſafe in his Perſon and his Honour within the bounds of your Dominions. Theſe things, as they will be moſt acceptable to us, ſo we promiſe, whenever occaſion offers, that the ſame offices of kindneſs to your Majeſty ſhall be mutually obſerv'd on all our parts.

Weſtminſter, Feb. 4. 1649.

To the Moſt Serene Prince, John the Fourth, King of Portugal. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Greeting.

ALmoſt daily and moſt grievous complaints are brought before us, that certain of our Seamen and p. 17Officers, who revolted from us the laſt year, and Treacherouſly and Wickedly carry'd away the Ships with the Command of which they were entruſted, and who having made their eſcape from the Port of Ireland, where being blockt up for almoſt a whole Summer together, they very narrowly avoided the puniſhment due to their Crimes, have now betaken themſelves to the Coaſt of Portugal, and the mouth of the River Tagus; that there they practice furious Pyracy, Taking and Plundering all the Engliſh Veſſels they meet with Sailing to and fro upon the account of Trade, and that all the adjoining Seas are become almoſt impaſſible by reaſon of their notorious and infamous Robberies. To which increaſing Miſchief, unleſs a ſpeedy Remedy be apply'd, who does not ſee but that there will be a final end of that vaſt Trade ſo gainful to both Nations, which our People were wont to drive with the Portugueſes? Wherefore p. 18we again and again requeſt Your Majeſty, that you will command thoſe Pyrates and Revolters to depart the Territories of Portugal: And that if any pretended Embaſſadors preſent themſelves from * * * * * * * that you will not vouchſafe to give them Audience; but that you will rather acknowledge us, upon whom the Supream Power of England, by the Conſpicuous Favour and Aſſiſtance of the Almighty, is devolv'd; and that the Ports and Rivers of Portugal, may not be barr'd and defended againſt your Friends and Confederates Fleet, no leſs ſerviceable to your Emolument, then the Trade of the Engliſh.

p. 19To Philip the Fourth, King of Spain.

HOW heinouſly, and with what Deteſtation your Majeſty reſented the Villanous Murder of our Agent, Anthony Aſcham, and what has hitherto been done in the Proſecution and Puniſhment of his Aſſaſſinates, we have been given to underſtand, as well by your Majeſty's own Letters, as from your Embaſſador Don Alphonſo de Cardenos. Nevertheleſs, ſo often as we conſider the horridneſs of that bloody Fact, which utterly ſubverts the very Foundations of Correſpondence and Commerce and of the Privilege of Embaſſadors, moſt ſacred among all Nations, ſo villanouſly violated without ſeverity of puniſhment, we cannot but with utmoſt importunity repeat our moſt urgent Suit to your Majeſty, That thoſe Parricides may with all the Speed imaginable be brought to Juſtice, and that you p. 20would not ſuffer their merited Pains to be ſuſpended any longer by any delay or pretence of Religion. For tho moſt certainly we highly value the Friendſhip of a Potent Prince; yet it behoves us to uſe our utmoſt endeavours, that the Authors of ſuch an enormous Parricide ſhould receive the deſerved Reward of their Impiety. Indeed, we cannot but with a grateful mind acknowledge that Civility, of which by your Command, our People were not unſenſible, as alſo your ſurpaſſing Affection for us, which lately your Embaſſador at large unfolded to us: Nor will it be diſpleaſing to us to return the ſame good Offices to your Majeſty, and the Spaniſh Nation, whenever opportunity offers. Nevertheleſs, if Juſtice be not ſatisfy'd without delay, which we ſtill moſt earneſtly requeſt, we ſee not upon what foundations a ſincere and laſting Friendſhip can ſubſiſt. For the preſervation of which, however, we ſhall omit p. 21no juſt and laudable occaſion; to which purpoſe we are likewiſe apt to believe that the preſence of your Ambaſſador does not a little conduce.

To the Spaniſh Embaſſador.

Moſt Eccellent Lord,

THe Council of State, ſo ſoon as their weighty Affairs would permit 'em, having carried into Parlament the four Writings, which it pleas'd your Excellency to impart to the Council upon the 19th of December laſt, have receiv'd in Command from the Parlament to return this Anſwer to the firſt Head of thoſe Writings, touching the villanous Aſſaſſinates of their late Agent, Anthony Aſcham.

The Parlament have ſo long time, ſo often, and ſo juſtly demanded their being brought to deſerved Puniſhment, p. 22that there needs nothing further to be ſaid on a thing of ſo great importance, wherein (as your Excellency well obſerv'd) his Royal Majeſty's Authority it ſelf is ſo deeply concern'd, that unleſs Juſtice be done upon ſuch notorious Offenders, all the foundations of Humane Society, all the ways of preſerving Friendſhip among Nations, of neceſſity muſt be overturn'd and aboliſh'd. Nor can we apprehend by any argument drawn from Religion, that the Blood of the Innocent, ſhed by a propenſely malicious Murder, is not to be aveng'd. The Parlament therefore once more moſt urgently preſſes, and expects from his Royal Majeſty, according to their firſt demands, That ſatifaction be given 'em effectually, and ſincerely in this matter.

p. 23To the Moſt Serene Prince Leopold, Archduke of Auſtria, Governor of the Spaniſh Low-Countries, under King Philip.

SO ſoon as word was brought us, not without a moſt grevious complaint, that Jane Puckering, an Heireſs of an Illuſtrious and Opulent Family, while yet by reaſon of her Age, ſhe was under Guardians, not far from the Houſe wherein ſhe then liv'd at Greenwich, was violently forc'd from the Hands and Embraces of her Attendants; and of a ſudden in a Veſſel to that purpoſe ready prepar'd, carri'd off into Flanders, by the treachery of one Walſh, who has endeavour'd all the ways imaginable, in contempt of Law both Human and Divine, to conſtrain a Wealthy Virgin to marriage, even by terrifying her with Menaces of preſent Death. We deeming it proper to apply ſome p. 24ſpeedy remedy to ſo enormous and unheard-of a piece of Villany, gave order to ſome Perſons to treat with the Governours of Newport and Oſtend (for the Unfortunate Captive was ſaid to be landed in one of thoſe two places) about reſcuing the Free-born Lady out of the Hands of the Raviſher. Who, both out of their ſingular Humanity and Love of Virtue, lent their aſſiſting aid to the young Virgin in ſervitude, and by down-right Robbery rifl'd from her Habitation: So that to avoid the violence of her Imperious Maſters, ſhe was as it were depoſited in a Nunnery, and committed to the charge of the Governeſs of the Society. Wherefore the ſame Walſh to get her again into his Clutches, has commenc'd a Suit againſt her in the Eccleſiaſtical Court of the Biſhop of Ypre, pretending a Matrimonial Contract between him and her. Now in regard that both the Raviſher and the Raviſh'd perſon are Natives of p. 25our Countrey, as by the Witneſſes upon their Oaths abundantly appears; as alſo for that the ſplendid Inheritance after which moſt certainly the Criminal chiefly gape, lies within our Territories; ſo that we conceive that the whole cognizance and determination of this Cauſe belongs ſolely to our ſelves. Therefore let him repair hither, he who calls himſelf the Husband, here let him commence his Suit, and demand the delivery of the Perſon whom he claims for his Wife. In the mean time, this it is that we moſt earneſtly requeſt from your Highneſs, which is no more then what we have already requeſted by our Agent reſiding at Bruſſels, that you will permit an afflicted and many ways miſus'd Virgin, Born of Honeſt Parents, but Pyrated out of her Native Countrey, to Return, as far as lies in your power, with Freedom and Safety home agen. This not only we, upon all opportunities offer'd, p. 26as readily prepar'd to return the ſame Favour and Kindneſs to your Highneſs, but alſo Humanity it ſelf, and that ſame hatred of Infamy, which ought to accompany all perſons of Vertue and Courage, in defending the Honour of the Female Sex, ſeem altogether joyntly to require at your hands.

Weſtminſter, March 28. 1650.

To the Moſt Serene Prince, John the Fourth, King of Portugal.

UNderſtanding that Your Majeſty had both Honourably receiv'd our Agent, and immediately given him a favourable Audience, we thought it became us to aſſure your Majeſty without delay, by ſpeedy Letters from us, That nothing could happen more acceptable to us, and that there is nothing which we have decreed more ſacred, then not to violate by any word or deed of ours, p. 27not firſt provok'd, the Peace, the Friendſhip and Commerce, now for ſome time ſettl'd between us and the greateſt number of other Foreign Nations, and amongſt the reſt with the Portugheſes. Nor did we ſend the Engliſh Fleet to the Mouth of the River Tagus with any other intention or deſign, then in purſuit of Enemies ſo often put to flight, and for recovery of our Veſſels, which being carry'd away from their Owners by Force and Treachery, the ſame Rabble of Fugitives conducted to your Coaſts, and even to Lisbon it ſelf, as to the moſt certain Fairs for the Sale of their Plunder. But we are apt to believe that by this time almoſt all the Portugheſes are abundantly convinc'd, from the Flagitious manners of thoſe People, of their Audaciouſneſs, their Fury and their Madneſs. Which is the reaſon we are in hopes that we ſhall more eaſily obtain from your Majeſty; Firſt, That you will, as far as in you lies, be aſſiſtant to the p. 28moſt Illuſtrious Edward Popham, whom we have made Admiral of our New Fleet, for the ſubduing thoſe deteſted Freebooters; and that you will no longer ſuffer 'em together with their Captain, not Gueſts, but Pyrates; not Merchants, but the Peſts of Commerce, and Violaters of the Law of Nations, to Harbour in the Ports and under the ſhelter of the Fortreſſes of your Kingdom; but that where-ever the Confines of Portugal extend themſelves, you will Command 'em to be Expell'd as well by Land as by Sea. Or if you are unwilling to proceed to that extremity, at leaſt that with your leave it may be lawful for us with our proper Forces to aſſail our own Revolters and Sea Robbers, and if it be the pleaſure of Heaven, to reduce 'em into our Power. This, as we have earneſtly deſired in our former Letters, ſo now again with the greateſt ardency and importunity we requeſt of your Majeſty. By this, whether p. 29equity, or act of kindneſs, you will not only enlarge the fame of your Juſtice over all well Govern'd and Civil Nations, but alſo in a greater meaſure bind both us and the People of England, who never yet had other then a good opinion of the Portugheſes, to your ſelf and to your Subjects. Farewel.

Weſtminſter, 27. April. 1650.

To the Hamburghers.

MORE then once we have Written concerning the controverſies of the Merchants, and ſome other things which more nearly concern the Dignity of our Republick, yet no Anſwer has been return'd. But underſtanding that Affairs of that nature can hardly be determin'd by Letters onelyonly, and that in the mean time certain Seditious Perſons have been ſent to your City by * * * * * * * Authoriz'd with no p. 30other Commiſſion then that of Malice and Audaciouſneſs, who make it their buſineſs utterly to extirpate the ancient Trade of our People in your City, eſpecially of thoſe whoſe fidelity to their Countrey is moſt conſpicuous; Therefore we have commanded the worthy and moſt eminent Richard Bradſhaw to reſide as our Agent among ye; to the end he may be able more at large to Treat and Negotiate with your Lordſhips ſuch Matters and Affairs, as are interwoven with the Benefit and Advantages of both Republicks. Him therefore we requeſt ye, with the ſooneſt to admit to a favourable Audience; and that in all things that Credit may be given to him, that Honour paid him, as is uſually in all Countries, and among all Nations paid to thoſe that bear his Character. Farewel.

Weſtminſter, April 2. 1650.

p. 31To the Hamburghers.

Moſt Noble, Magnificent, and Illuſtrious, our deareſt Friends.

THAT your ſedulities in the Reception of our Agent were ſo cordial and ſo egregious, we both gladly underſtand, and earneſtly exhort ye, that you would perſevere in your good Will and Affection toward us. And this we do with ſo much the greater vehemence, as being inform'd that the ſame Exiles of ours, concerning whom we have ſo frequently Written, now carry themſelves more inſolently in your City then they were wont to do, and that they not only openly Affront, but give out threatning Language in a moſt deſpiteful manner againſt our Reſident. Therefore once more by theſe our Letters we would have the ſafety of his Perſon, and the honour due to his Quality, recommended to your Care. On p. 32the other ſide, if you inflict ſevere and timely Puniſhment upon thoſe Fugitives and Ruffians, as well the old ones as the new comers; it will be moſt acceptable to us, and becoming your Authority and Prudence.

Weſtminſter, May 31. 1650.

To Philip the Fourth, King of Spain.

TO our infinite ſorrow we are given to underſtand, That Antony Aſcham, by us lately ſent our Agent to your Majeſty, and under that Character moſt Civilly and Publickly receiv'd by your Governours; upon his firſt coming to your Royal City, naked of all defence and guard, was moſt bloodily Murther'd in a certain Inn, together with John Baptiſtade Ripa his Interpreter, Butchered at the ſame time. Wherefore we moſt earneſtly requeſt your Majeſty, That deſerved Puniſhment may be ſpeedily inflicted upon thoſe Parricides p. 33already apprehended, as it is reported, and committed to Cuſtody, who have not only preſum'd to wound our ſelves through his ſides, but have alſo dar'd to Stabb, as it were, to the very heart▪ your Faith of Word and Royal Honour. So that we make no queſtion but what we ſo ardently deſire would nevertheleſs be done effectually by a Prince of his own accord ſo Juſt and Pious, though no body requir'd it. As to what remains, we make it our farther ſuit, That the breathleſs Carkaſs may be deliver'd to his Friends and Attendants to be brought back and Enterr'd in his own Countrey, and that ſuch care may be taken for the ſecurity of thoſe that remain alive, as is but requiſite, till having obtain'd an Anſwer to theſe Letters, if it may be done, they ſhall return to us the Witneſſes of your Piety and Juſtice.

Weſtminſter, June 28. 1650.

p. 34To the moſt Excellent Lord, Anthony John Lewis dela Cerda, Duke of Medina Celi, Governor of Andaluſia. The Council of State conſtituted by Authority of Parliament: Greeting.

WE have receiv'd Advice from thoſe moſt Accompliſh'd Perſons, whom we lately ſent with our Fleet into Portugal in purſuit of Traytors, and for the recovery of our Veſſels, that they were moſt civilly receiv'd by your Excellency, as often as they happen'd to touch upon the Coaſt of Gallaecia, which is under your Government, and aſſiſted with all things neceſſary to thoſe that perform long Voyages. This Civility of yours, as it was always moſt accept…ble to us, ſo it is now more eſpecially at this time, while we are ſenſible of the ill will of others in ſome places towards us without any juſt cauſe giv'n on our ſide. p. 35Therefore we make it our requeſt to your Illuſtrious Lordſhip, that you will perſevere in the ſame good Will and Affection to us, and that you would continue your Favour and Aſſiſtance to our People, according to your wonted Civility, as often as our Ships put in to your Harbours: and be aſſur'd that there is nothing which we deſire of your Lordſhip in the way of Kindneſs, which we ſhall not be ready to repay both to you and yours, whenever the like occaſion ſhall be offer'd us.

Weſtminſter, Nov. 7. 1650. Seal'd with the Seal of the Council, J. Bradſhaw, Preſident.

To the Illuſtrious and Magnificent Senate of the City of Dantzick.

Magnificent and Moſt Noble Lords, our deareſt Friends,

MAny Letters are brought us from our Merchants trading upon the Coaſt of Boruſſia, wherein p. 36they complain of a grievous Tribute impos'd upon 'em in the Grand Council of the Polanders, enforcing 'em to pay the Tenth part of all their Goods for the Relief of the King of Scots, our Enemy. Which in regard it is plainly contrary to the Law of Nations, that Gueſts and Strangers ſhould be dealt withal in ſuch a manner; and moſt unjuſt that they ſhould be compell'd to pay publick Stipends in a Foreign Commonwealth to him from whom they are, by God's Aſſiſtance, deliver'd at home; we make no queſtion but that out of reſpect to that Liberty, which as we underſtand you your ſelves enjoy, you will not ſuffer ſo heavy a Burthen to be laid upon Merchants in your City, wherein they have maintain'd a continual Amity and Commerce, to the extraordinary Advantage of the place for many years together. If therefore you think it convenient to undertake the Protection of our Merchants trading among p. 37ye, which we aſſuredly expect as well from your Prudence and Equity, as from the Dignity and Grandure of your City; We ſhall take that care, that you ſhall be ſenſible from time to time, of our grateful Acceptance of your Kindneſs, as often as the Dantzichers ſhall have any dealings within our Territories, or their Ships, as frequently it happens, put into our Ports.

Weſtminſter, Febr. 6. 1650.

To the Portugal Agent.

Moſt Illuſtrious Lord,

WE receiv'd your Letters dated from Hampton the 15th of this Month, wherein you ſignify, That you are ſent by the King of Portugal to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England; but ſay not under what Character, whether of Embaſſador, or Agent, or Envoy, p. 38which we would willingly underſtand by your Credential Letters from the King, a Copy of which you may ſend us with all the ſpeed you can. We would alſo further know, whether you come with a Plenary Commiſſion, to give us ſatisfaction for the Injuries, and to make Reparation for the Damages which your King has done this Republick, protecting our Enemy all the laſt Summer in his Harbours, and prohibiting the Engliſh Fleet, then ready to aſſail Rebels and Fugitives, which our Admiral had purſu'd ſo far; but never reſtraining the Enemy from falling upon ours. If you return us word that you have ample and fu…l Commiſſion to give us ſatisfaction concerning all theſe matters, and ſend us withal a Copy of your Recommendatory Letters, we ſhall then take care, that you may with all ſpeed repair to us upon the Publ…ck Faith: At what time, when we have read the King's Letters, you p. 39ſhall have liberty freely to declare what further Commands you have brought along with you.

The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene Prince D. Ferdinand, Grand Duke of Tuſcany, &c.

WE have receiv'd your Highneſs's Letters, dated April 22. 1651. and deliver'd to us by your Reſident, Signor Almerick Salvetti, wherein we readily perceive how greatly your Highneſs favours the Engliſh Name, and the value you have for this Nation, which not only our Merchants, that for many years have traded in your Ports, but alſo certain of our young Nobility, either Travelling through your Cities, or reſiding there for the improvements of their Studies, both teſtify and confirm. Which as they are things moſt grateful and acceptable p. 40to us, we alſo on our parts make this requeſt to your Highneſs, that your Serenity will perſevere in your accuſtom'd good Will and Affection towards our Merchants, and other Citizens of our Republick, Travelling through the Tuſcan Territories. On the other ſide we promiſe and undertake, that as to what concerns the Parlament, That nothing ſhall be wanting which may any way conduce to the Confirmation and Eſtabliſhment of that Commerce and mutual Friendſhip that now has been of long continuance between both Nations, and which it is our earneſt wiſh and deſire ſhould be preſerv'd to perpetuity by all Offices of Humanity, Civility and mutual Obſervance.

Weſtminſter, Jan. 20. 1651. Seal'd with the Seal of the Parlament, and Subſcribed by William Lenthal, Speaker of the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England.

p. 41The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Illuſtrious and Magnificent Senate of the City of Hamborough.

Moſt Noble, Magnificent, and Illuſtrious, our deareſt Friends.

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, out of their earneſt deſire to continue and preſerve the Ancient Friendſhip and mutual Commerce between the Engliſh Nation and your City, not long ſince ſent thither Richard Bradſhaw, Eſquire, with the character of our Reſident; and among other Inſtructions tending to the ſame purpoſe, gave him an expreſs Charge to demand Juſtice againſt cert in perſons within your Juriſdiction, who endeavour'd to Murther the Preacher belonging to the Engliſh Society, and who likewiſe laid impious hands upon the Deputy Preſident, and ſome of the principal Merchants of the p. 42ſame Company, and hurri'd 'em away aboard a Privateer. And although the aforeſaid Reſident upon his firſt Reception and Audience made known to your Lordſhips in a particular manner the Commands which he receiv'd from us, upon which it was expected that you would have made thoſe Criminals ere this a ſevere Example of your Juſtice; yet when we underſtood our expectations were not anſwer'd, conſidering with our ſelves what danger both our People and their Eſtates were in if ſufficient proviſion were not made for their Security and Protection againſt the malice of their Enemies; we again ſent Orders to our afore ſaid Reſident to repreſent to your Lordſhips our Judgment upon the whole Matter; as alſo to exhort and perſwade ye in the name of this Republick to be careful of preſerving the Friendſhip and Alliance contracted between this Commonwealth and your City, as alſo the Traffick p. 43and Commerce no leſs advantagious for the Intereſt of both; and to that end, that you would not fail to Protect our Merchants, together with their Priviledges from all Violation, and more particularly againſt the Inſolencies of one Garmes who has carry'd himſelf contumeliouſly toward this Republick, and publickly cited to the Chamber of Spire certain Merchants of the Engliſh Company reſiding in your City, to the great contempt of this Commonwealth, and trouble of our Merchants; for which we expect ſuch Reparation, as ſhall be conſentaneous to Equity and Juſtice.

To Treat of theſe Heads, and whatever elſe more largely belongs to the common Friendſhip of both Republicks, we have Order'd our Reſident aforeſaid to attend your Lordſhips, requeſting that ample credit may be p. 44given to him in ſuch matters as he ſhall propoſe relating to theſe Affairs.

Weſtminſter Mar. 12. 1651. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal, and Subſcrib'd. Speaker, &c.

The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene Chriſtiana, Queen of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals, &c. Greeting.

Moſt Serene Queen,

WE have receiv'd and read your Majeſty's Letters to the Parlament of England, dated from Stockholm the 26th. of September laſt, and deliver'd by Peter Spering Silvercroon; and there is nothing which we more vehemently and cordially deſire, then that the ancient Peace, Traffick and Commerce of p. 45long continuance between the Engliſh and Swedes may prove diuturnal, and every day encreaſe. Nor did we queſtion but that your Majeſty's Embaſſador was come amply Inſtructed to make thoſe Propoſals chiefly which ſhould be moſt for the Intereſt and Honour of both Nations, and which we were no leſs readily prepar'd to have heard, and to have done effectually that which ſhould have been thought moſt ſecure and beneficial on both ſides. But it pleas'd the Supreme Moderator and Governour of all things, that before he had deſir'd to be heard as to thoſe Matters which he had in Charge from your Majeſty to propound to the Parlament, he departed this Life (whoſe loſs we took with that heavineſs and ſorrow, as became perſons whom it no leſs behov'd to acquieſce in the Will of the Almighty) whence it comes to paſs that we are prevented hitherto from knowing your Majeſty's pleaſure, and that p. 46there is a ſtop at preſent put to this Negotiation. Wherefore we thought we could do no leſs then by theſe our Letters, which we have given to our Meſſenger on purpoſe ſent with theſe unhappy Tydings, to ſignifie to your Majeſty, how acceptable your Letters, how grateful your Publick Miniſter were to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England; as alſo how earneſtly we expect your Friendſhip, and how highly we ſhall value the Amity of ſo great a Princeſs; aſſuring your Majeſty, that we have thoſe thoughts of encreaſing the Commerce between this Republick and your Majeſty's Kingdom, as we ought to have of a thing of the higheſt importance, which for that reaſon will be moſt acceptable to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England. And ſo we recommend your Majeſty to p. 47the Protection of the Divine Providence.

Weſtminſter, March—1651. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal, and Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene and Potent Prince, Philip the Fourth, King of Spain, Greeting.

THE Merchants of this Commonwealth who Trade in your Majeſties Territories, make loud Complaints of extraordinary Violence and Injuries offer'd 'em, and of new Tributes impos'd upon 'em by the Governors and other Officers of your Ports and Places where they Traffick, and particularly in the Canary Iſlands, and this againſt the Articles of the League which both Nations have Solemnly Ratifi'd upon p. 48the account of Trade: the truth of which Complaints they have confirm'd by Oath. And they make it out before us, That unleſs they can enjoy their Privileges, and that their Loſſes be repair'd: Laſtly, That except they may have ſome certain Safeguard and Protection for themſelves and their Eſtates againſt thoſe Violences and Injuries, they can no longer Traffick in thoſe Places. Which Complaints of theirs being duly weigh'd by us, and believing the unjuſt proceedings of thoſe Miniſters either not at all to have reach'd your knowledge, or elſe to have been untruly repreſented to your Majeſty, we deem'd it convenient to ſend the complaints themſelves, together with theſe our Letters to your Majeſty. Nor do we queſtion but that your Majeſty, as well out of your love of Juſtice, as for the ſake of that Commerce no leſs gainful to your Subjects then our People, will command your Governors to deſiſt p. 49from thoſe unjuſt Oppreſſions of our Merchants, and ſo order it that they may obtain ſpeedy Juſtice, and due Satisfaction for thoſe Injuries done 'em by Don Pedro de Carillo de Guzman, and others, and that your Majeſty will take care that the Merchants aforeſaid may reap the fruit of thoſe Articles; and be ſo far under your Protection, that both their Perſons and their Eſtates may be ſecure and free from all manner of Injury and Vexation. And this they believe they ſhall for the greateſt part obtain, if your Majeſty will be pleas'd to reſtore 'em that Expedient, taken from 'em, of a Judge Conſervator, who may be able to defend 'em from a new Conſulſhip more uneaſie to 'em; leaſt if no ſhelter from Injuſtice be allow'd 'em, there ſhould follow a neceſſity of breaking off that Commerce which has hitherto brought great Advantages to both Nations, while the Articles of the League are violated in ſuch a manner.

Weſt. Aug.—1651.

p. 50To the Moſt Serene Prince the Duke of Venice, and the Moſt Illuſtrious Senate.

Moſt Serene Prince, Moſt Illuſtrious Senate, our deareſt Friends,

CErtain of our Merchants, by name John Dickins, and Job Throckmorton, with others, have made their Complaints unto us, That upon the 28th. of November, 1651. having Seiz'd upon a hunder'd Butts of Caveare in the Veſſel call'd the Swallow, Riding in the Downs, Iſaac Taylour Maſter, which were their own proper Goods, and Laden Aboard the ſame Ship in the Muſcovite Bay of Archangel, and this by the Authority of our Court of Admiralty; In which Court, the Suit being there depending, they obtain'd a Decree for the delivery of the ſaid Butts of Caveare into their Poſſeſſion, they having firſt given ſecurity to abide by the Sentence of that p. 51Court; And that the ſaid Court, to the end the ſaid Suit might be brought to a concluſion, having Written Letters, according to cuſtom, to the Magiſtrates and Judges of Venice, wherein they requeſted liberty to cite John Piatti to appear by his Proctor in the Engliſh Court of Admiralty, where the Suit depended, and prove his Right, nevertheleſs that the ſaid Piatti and one David Rutts a Hollander, while this Cauſe depends here in our Court, put the ſaid John Dickins, and thoſe other Merchants to a vaſt deal of trouble about the ſaid Caveare, and ſolicite the Seizure of their Goods and Eſtates as Forfeited for Debt: All which things, and whatever elſe has hitherto bin done in our foreſaid Court, is more at large ſet forth in thoſe Letters of Requeſt aforemention'd; which after we had view'd, we thought proper to be tranſmitted to the moſt Serene Republick of Venice, to the end they might be aſſiſtant p. 52to our Merchants in this Cauſe. Upon the whole therefore, it is our earneſt Requeſt to your Highneſs, and the Moſt Illuſtrious Senate, That not only thoſe Letters may obtain their due force and weight, but alſo that the Goods and Eſtates of the Merchants which the foreſaid Piatti and David Rutts, have endeavour'd to make lyable to Forfeiture, may be diſcharg'd; and that the ſaid Defendants may be referr'd hither to our Court, to try what Right they have in their Claim to this Caveare. Wherein your Highneſs, and the Moſt Serene Republick will do as well what is moſt Juſt in it ſelf, as what is truly becoming the ſpotleſs Amity between both Republicks; and laſtly, what will gratefully be recompenc'd by the good Will and kind Offices of this Republick, whenever occaſion offers.

White-Hall, Feb.—1652. Seal'd with the Seal of the Council, and Subſcrib'd, Preſident of the Councel.

p. 53To the Spaniſh Embaſſador.

Moſt Excellent Lord,

THE Council of State, according to a Command from the Parlament, dated the 2d. of March, having taken into ſerious deliberation your Excellencies Paper of the 15th. of February, deliver'd to the Commiſſioners of this Council, wherein it ſeem'd good to your Excellency to propoſe that a Reply might be given to Two certain Heads therein ſpecify'd as previous, returns the following Anſwer to your Excellency.

The Parlament when they gave an Anſwer to thoſe things which were Propos'd by your Excellency at your firſt Audience, as alſo in thoſe Letters which they Wrote to the moſt Serene King of Spain, gave real and ample demonſtrations how grateful and how acceptable that Friendſhip p. 54and that mutual Alliance which was offer'd by his Royal Majeſty, and by your ſelf in his Name, would be to 'em; and how fully they were reſolv'd, as far as in them lay, to make the ſame returns of Friendſhip and Good Offices.

After that, it ſeem'd good to your Excellency, at your firſt Audience in Council upon the 19th. of December, Oldſtile, to propound to this Council, as a certain ground or method for an Auſpitious commencement of a ſtricter Amity, that ſome of their body might be nominated, who might hear what your Excellency had to propoſe, and who having well weigh'd the benefit that might redound from thence, ſhould ſpeedily report the ſame to the Council. To which requeſt of yours that ſatisfaction might be given, the Council appointed certain of their number to attend your Excellency, which was done accordingly. But inſtead of thoſe things which were expected p. 55to have bin propounded, the Conference produc'd no more then the abovemention'd Paper, to which the Anſwer of the Council is this.

When the Parlament ſhall have declar'd their minds, and your Excellency ſhall have made the Progreſs as above expected, we ſhall be ready to confer with your Excellency, and to treat of ſuch matters as you ſhall propoſe in the Name of the King your Maſter, as well in reference to the Friendſhip already concluded, as the entring into another more ſtrict and binding; or as to any thing elſe which ſhall be offer'd by our ſelves in the Name of this Republick: And when we deſcend to particulars, we ſhall return ſuch Anſwers as are moſt proper, and the nature of the thing propos'd ſhall require.

White-Hall, March 21. 1652.

p. 56The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene Prince, Frederick the Third, King of Danemark, &c. Greeting.

Moſt Serene and Potent King,

WE have receiv'd your Majeſty's Letters, dated from Copenhagen the 21ſt. of December laſt, and deliver'd to the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England by the Noble Henry Willemſem Roſenwyng de Lynſacker, and moſt gladly perus'd 'em, with that affection of mind which the matters therein propounded juſtly merit, and requeſt your Majeſty to be fully perſwaded of this, That the ſame inclinations, the ſame deſires of continuing and preſerving the ancient Friendſhip, Commerce, and Allyance for ſo many years maintain'd between England and Danemark, which are in your Majeſty, are alſo in us. Not being ignorant, that though it has pleas'd Divine p. 57Providence, beholding this Nation with ſuch a benign and favourable Aſpect, to change for the better the receiv'd Form of the former Government among us; nevertheleſs, that the ſame Intereſts on both ſides, the ſame common Advantages, the ſame mutual Allyance and Free Traffick which produc'd the former Leagues and Confederacies between both Nations, ſtill endure and obtain their former Force and Virtue, and oblige both to make it their common ſtudy, by rendring thoſe Leagues the moſt beneficial that may be to each other, to eſtabliſh alſo a nearer and ſounder Friendſhip for the time to come. And if your Majeſty ſhall be pleas'd to purſue thoſe Counſels which are manifeſted in your Royal Letters, the Parlament will be ready to embrace the ſame with all Alacrity and Fidelity, and to contribute all thoſe things to the utmoſt of their Power, which they ſhall think may conduce to that end. And they perſwade p. 58themſelves that your Majeſty for this reaſon, will take thoſe Counſels in reference to this Republick, which may facilitate the good ſucceſs of thoſe things propounded by your Majeſty to our ſelves ſo deſirous of your Amity. In the mean time the Parlament wiſhes all Happineſs and Proſperity to your Majeſty and People.

Weſtminſter, April—1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament, and Subſcrib'd in its Name and by the Authority of it, Speaker, &c.

p. 59The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the moſt Illuſtrious and Magnificent the Proconſuls and Senators of the Hanſe-Towns, Greeting.

Moſt Noble, Magnificent, and Illuſtrious, our deareſt Friends,

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has both receiv'd and perus'd your Letthrs of the 16th. of January laſt, deliver'd by your Publick Miniſter Leo ab Ayſema, and by their Authority have given him Audience; at what time he declar'd the cordial and friendly Inclinations of your Cities toward this Republick, and deſir'd that the ancient Friendſhip might ſtill remain on both ſides. The Parlament therefore, for their parts, declare and aſſure your Lordſhips, That they deem nothing more grateful to themſelves, then that the ſame Friendſhip and Allyance which has p. 60hitherto bin maintain'd between this Nation and thoſe Cities, ſhould be renew'd, and firmly ratify'd; and that they will be ready upon all occaſions fitly offer'd, what they promiſe in words ſolidly to perform in real deeds; and expect that their ancient Friends and Confederates ſhould deal by them with the ſame Truth and Integrity. But as to thoſe things which your Reſident has more particularly in Charge, in regard they were by us referr'd entire to the Council of State, and his Propoſals were to be there conſider'd, they tranſacted with him there, and gave him ſuch Anſwers, as ſeem'd moſt conſentaneous to Equity and Reaſon, of which your Reſident is able to give you an Account; whoſe Prudence and Conſpicuous Probity proclaim him worthy the Publick Character by you conferr'd upon him.

Weſtminſter, April,—1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament, in the Name, and by the Authority of it, Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

p. 61The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Illuſtrious and Magnificent Senate of the City of Hamborough, Greeting.

Moſt Noble, Magnificent, and Illuſtrious, our dearſt Friends,

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has receiv'd and perus'd your Letters, dated from Hamborough the 15th. of January laſt, and deliver'd by the Noble Leo ab Ayſenia, yours and the reſt of the Hanſeatic Cities Reſident, and by their own Authority gave him Audience, and as to what other particular Commands he had from your City, they have referr'd 'em to the Council of State, and gave 'em Orders to receive his Propoſals and to Treat with him as ſoon as might be, concerning all ſuch things as ſeem'd to be Juſt and Equal: Which was alſo done accordingly. And as the Parlament has made it manifeſt, p. 62that they will have a due regard to what ſhall be propos'd by your Lordſhips, and have teſtify'd their ſingular good Will toward your City, by ſending their Reſident thither and commanding his Abode there; ſo on the other ſide they expect and deſervedly require from your Lordſhips, that the ſame Equity be return'd to them, in things which are to the Benefit of this Republick, either already propos'd, or hereafter to be propounded by our ſaid Reſident in their Name to your City, anciently our Friend and Confederate.

Weſtminſter, April,—1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament in the Name, and by the Authority of it, Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

p. 63The Council of State of the Republick of England, to the Moſt Serene Prince Ferdinand the Second, Grand Duke of Tuſcany, Greeting,

THE Council of State being inform'd by Letters from Charles Longland, who takes care of the Affairs of the Engliſh in your Highneſſes Court of Leghorne, That lately Fourteen Men of War, belonging to the Vnited Provinces, came into that Harbour, and openly threatned to Sink, or Burn the Engliſh Ships that were Riding in your Port; but that your Serenity, whoſe Protection and Succour the Engliſh Merchants implor'd, gave Command to the Governour of Leghorn, That he ſhould Aſſiſt and Defend the Engliſh Veſſels; they deem'd it their duty to certify to your Highneſs how acceptable that Kindneſs and Protection which you ſo favourably afforded the Engliſh Nation, was to this Republick; p. 64and do promiſe your Highneſs that they will always keep in remembrance the Merit of ſo deſerving a Favour, and will be ready upon all occaſions to make the ſame returns of Friendſhip and Good Offices to your People, and to do all things elſe which may conduce to the preſervation and continuance of the uſual Amity and Commerce between both Nations. And whereas the Dutch Men of War, even in the time of Treaty offer'd by themſelves, were ſo highly perfidious, as to fall upon our Fleet in our own Roads, (in which foul Attempt, God as a moſt Juſt Arbiter, ſhew'd himſelf Offended and Oppoſite to their Deſign) but alſo in the Ports of Foreigners endeavour'd to Take or Sink our Merchants Veſſels; we thought it alſo neceſſary to ſend this Declaration alſo of the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to your Highneſs, the Publiſhing of which was occaſion'd by the Controverſies p. 65at preſent ariſen between this Republick and the Vnited Provinces. By which your Highneſs may eaſily perceive how unjuſt and contrary to all the Laws of God and of Nations thoſe People have acted againſt this Republick; and how cordially the Parlament labour'd, for the ſake of publick Tranquility, to have retain'd their priſtin Friendſhip and Allyance.

White-Hall, July 29. 1652. In the Name, and by the Authority of the Council, Subſcrib'd, Preſident.

To the Spaniſh Embaſſador.

Moſt Excellent Lord,

THe Council of State, upon mature deliberation of that Paper which they receiv'd from your Excellency, p. 6627 May 6 of June 1652. as alſo upon that which your Excellency at your Audience the 6/16 of this Month deliver'd to the Council, return this Anſwer to both thoſe Papers. That the Parlament, &c. was always very deſirous of preſerving the firm Friendſhip and good Peace ſetled at preſent between this Republick and his Royal Majeſty of Spain, from the time that firſt your Excellency ſignify'd the tendency of his Majeſty's Inclinations that way, and was always ready to ratify and confirm the ſame to the Benefit and Advantage of both Nations. And this, the Councel of State in the Name, and by Command of the Parlament, in their Papers oftimes made known to your Excellency; and particularly, according to your Excellency's deſire, made choice of Commiſſioners to attend and receive from your Excellency ſuch Propoſals as might conduce to the ſame purpoſe. At which meeting. inſtead of p. 67making ſuch Propoſals, it ſeem'd good to your Excellency onelyonly to propound ſome general Matters, as it were previous to a future Conference, concerning which it ſeem'd to the Council that the Parlament had in former Papers fully made known their Sentiments. Nevertheleſs, for more ample and accumulative ſatisfaction, and to remove all ſcruples from your Excellency concerning thoſe matters which they at that time propos'd, the Council in that Paper, dated 31 March, 10 April, declar'd themſelves ready to come to a Conference with your Excellency concerning thoſe things which you had in charge from his Royal Majeſty, as well in reference to the priſtin Amity, as to any farther Negotiation; as alſo touching ſuch matters as ſhould be exhibited by us, in the name of this Republick; and when we came to ſuch particulars as were to the purpoſe, and the nature of the thing p. 68requir'd, then to give convenient Anſwers. To which it ſeem'd good to your Excellency to make no Reply, nor to proceed any farther in that Affair for almoſt Two Months. About that time the Council receiv'd from your Excellency your firſt Paper, dated 27 May, 6 June, wherein you onelyonly made this Propoſal, That the Articles of Peace and League between the Late King Charles and your Maſter, dated the 6/16. of Novemb. 1630. might be review'd, and that the ſeveral Heads of it might be either enlarg'd or left out according to the preſent condition of times and things, and the late Alteration of Government. Which being no more then what we our ſelves briefly and clearly ſignify'd in our foreſaid Paper of the 31 March, 10 April, the Council expected that ſome particular Articles would have bin Propounded out of that League, with thoſe Amplifications and Alterations of which you made mention; p. 69ſince otherwiſe it is impoſſible for us to return any other Anſwer concerning this matter then what we have already given. And whereas your Excellency in your laſt Paper ſeems to charge us with delay, the Council therefore took a ſecond review of your foreſaid Paper of the 27 of May, 6 of June, and of what was therein Propounded, and are ſtill of Opinion, That they have fully ſatisfy'd your Excellency in that former Paper, to which they can only farther add, That ſo ſoon as your Excellency ſhall be pleas'd, either out of the Leagues already made, or in any other manner, to frame ſuch conditions, as ſhall be accommodated to the preſent ſtate of Things and Times, upon which you deſire to have the foundations of Friendſhip laid on your ſide, they will immediately return you ſuch Anſwers as by them ſhall be thought Juſt and Reaſonable, and which ſhall be ſufficient p. 70Teſtimonials that the Parlament ſtill perſeveres in the ſame deſires of preſerving an untainted and firm Amity with the King your Maſter, and that on their parts they will omit no honeſt endeavours, and worthy of themſelves, to advance it to the higheſt perfection.

Furthermore the Council deems it to be a part of their duty, That your Excellency ſhould be put in mind of that Paper of ours, dated Jan. 30. 1651. to which in regard your Excellency has return'd no Anſwer as yet, we preſs and expect that ſatiſfaction be given to the Parlament, as to what is therein mention'd.

p. 71The Anſwer of the Council of State to the Reply of the Lords Embaſſadors Extraordinary from the King of Danemark and Norway, deliver'd to the Commiſſioners of the Council, to the Anſwer which the Council gave to their Fourteen Demands.

TO the end that ſatisfaction may be given to the foreſaid Lords Embaſſadors in reference to the Anſwer of the Council to the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eigth and Ninth Article, the Council conſents that this following Clauſe ſhall be added at the end of their Anſwers: That is to ſay, Beſides ſuch Colonies, Iſlands, Ports and Places under the Dominion of either Party, to which it is by Law provided that no body ſhall reſort upon the account of Trade or Commerce, unleſs upon ſpecial leave firſt obtain'd of that Party to which that Colony, Iſland, Port or Places belong.

p. 72The Receiving of any perſon into any Ship that ſhall be driven in by ſtreſs of Weather into the Rivers, Ports or Bays belonging to either Party, ſhall not render that Veſſel lyable to any Trouble or Search, by the Anſwer of the Council to the Eleventh Article, as the foreſaid Lords Embaſſadors in their Reply ſeem to have underſtood, unleſs it be where ſuch a Receiving ſhall be againſt the Laws, Statutes, or Cuſtom of that Place where the Veſſel put in; wherein it ſeems to the Council, That there is nothing of ſeverity ordain'd, but what equally conduces to the ſecurity of both Republicks.

As to the proving the Property of ſuch Ships and Goods as ſhall be caſt aſhore by Shipwrack, the Council deems it neceſſary that an Oath be Adminiſtred in thoſe Courts which are already, or ſhall hereafter be conſtituted, where the Claimers may be ſeverally heard, and every p. 73Body's Right be determin'd and adjudg'd; which cannot be ſo clearly and diſtinctly done by Written Certificates, whence many ſcruples and doubts may ariſe, and many frauds and deceits creep into that ſort of proof, which it concerns both Parties to prevent. The Council alſo deems it juſt, that a certain time be prefix'd, before which time whoever does not prove himſelf the lawful Owner of the ſaid Goods, ſhall be excluded, to avoid Suits. But as to the manner of putting Periſhable Goods to Sale that are caſt A ſhore by Shipwrack, the Council thinks it meet to propoſe the way of ſelling by Inch of Candle, as being the moſt probable means to procure the true value of the Goods for the beſt Advantage of the Proprietors. Nevertheleſs, if the foreſaid Lords Embaſſadours ſhall propoſe any other method already found out which may more properly conduce to this end, the Council will be no hinderance, p. 74but that what is juſt may be put in practice. Neither is it to be underſtood, that the conſideration of this matter ſhall put any ſtop to the Treaty.

As to the Puniſhment of thoſe that ſhall violate the propounded Treaty, the Council has made that Addition which is mention'd in their Anſwer to the Fourteenth Article for the greater force and efficacy of that Article, and thereby to render the League it ſelf more firm and laſting.

As to the laſt Clauſe of the Fourteenth Article, we think it not proper to give our Aſſent to thoſe Leagues and Alliances, of which mention is made in the foreſaid Anſwers, and which are only generally propounded, before it be more clearly apparent to us what they are. But when your Excellencies ſhall be pleas'd to explain thoſe matters more clearly to the Council, we may be able to give a more expreſs Anſwer to thoſe Particulars.

p. 75A Reply of the Council of State to the Anſwer of the foreſaid Lords Embaſſodours, which was return'd to the Six Articles propounded by the Council aforeſaid, in the Name of the Republick of England.

THE Council having view'd the Commiſſions of the foreſaid Lords Embaſſadors, giving them Power to Tranſact with the Parlament or their Commiſſioners, concerning all things expedient to be Tranſacted in order to the reviving the old Leagues or adding new ones, believ'd indeed the foreſaid Lords to have bin furniſh'd with that Authority as to be able to return Anſwers, and Negotiate all things, as well ſuch as ſhould be propounded by this Republick, as on the behalf of the King of Danemark and Norway, and ſo did not expect the Replies which it has pleas'd the foreſaid Lords Embaſſadors to give to the Firſt, Second, p. 76Third and Fifth demand of the Council; whereby of neceſſity a ſtop will be put to this Treaty, in regard it is but juſt in it ſelf, and ſo reſolv'd on in Council, to comprehend the whole League, and to Treat at the ſame time as well concerning thoſe things which regard this Republick, as thoſe other matters which concern the King of Danemark and Norway. Wherefore it is the earneſt deſire of the Council, That your Excellencies would be pleasd to return an Anſwer to our Firſt, Second, Third, and Fifth demand.

As to the Fourth Article concerning the Cuſtoms of Gluckſtadt, in regard they are now aboliſh'd, as your Excellencies have mention'd in your Anſwer, the Council preſſes that their Abrogation may be ratifi'd by this Treaty, leſt they ſhould be reimpos'd hereafter.

As to the Sixth Article concerning Pyracy, the Counil inſerted it, as equally appertaining to the benefit of p. 77both, and to the eſtabliſhing of Trade in common, which is much diſturb'd by Pyrates and Sea-Robbers. And whereas the Anſwer of the Lords Embaſſadors, as to this Article, relates onelyonly to Enemies, but makes no mention of Pyrates, the Council therefore deſires a more diſtinct Reply to it.

And whereas the foreſaid Lords Embaſſadors in their Reply to the Anſwer of the Council, have paſs'd over both their Tenth Article and the Anſwer of the Council to it, the Council have thought it neceſſary to add this following Article to their following Demands.

That the People and Inhabitants of the Republick of England Trading into any Kingdoms, Regions, or Territories of the King of Danemark and Norway, ſhall not for the future pay any more Cuſtoms, Tribute, Taxes, Duties or Stipends, or in any other manner, then the People of the Vnited Provinces, or any other Foreign p. 78Nation that pays the leaſt, coming in or going out of Harbour; and ſhall enjoy the ſame and as equally ample Freedom, Privileges and Immunities, both coming and going, and ſo long as they ſhall reſide in the Countrey, as alſo in Fiſhing, Tradeing, or in any other manner, which any other People of a Foreign Nation enjoys, or may enjoy in the foreſaid Kingdoms, and throughout the whole Dominions of the ſaid King of Danemark and Norway. Which Privileges alſo the Subjects of the King of Danemark and Norway ſhall equally enjoy throughout all the Territories and Dominions of the Republick of England.

p. 79The Council of State of the Republick of England, to the moſt Serene Prince, Ferdinand the Second, Grand Duke of Tuſcany, Greeting.

Moſt Serene Prince, our deareſt Friend,

THE Council of State underſtanding as well by your Highneſs's Agent here reſiding, as by Charles Longland, chief Factor for the Engliſh at Leghorn, with what Affectiou and Fidelity your Highneſs undertook the Protection of the Engliſh Veſſels, putting in to the Port of Leghorn for ſhelter, againſt the Dutch Men of War threatning 'em with nothing but Ranſack and Deſtruction, by their Letters of the 29th. of July (which they hope are by this time come to your Highneſs's hands) have made known to your Highneſs how grateful and how acceptable it was to 'em; and at the ſame time ſent to your Serenity a Declaration of the Parlament of the Commonwealth p. 80of England concerning the preſent Differences between this Republick and the Vnited Provinces. And whereas the Council has again bin inform'd by the ſame Charles Longland, what further Commands your Highneſs gave for the ſecurity and defence of the Engliſh Veſſels, notwithſtanding the oppoſite endeavours of the Dutch, they deem'd this opportunity not to be paſs'd over, to let your Highneſs underſtand once more, how highly they eſteem your Juſtice and ſingular Conſtancy in defending their Veſſels, and how acceptable they took ſo great a piece of Service. Which being no mean teſtimony of your ſolid Friendſhip and Affection to this Republick; your Highneſs may aſſure your ſelf, that the ſame offices of Kindneſs and good Will toward your Highneſs ſhall never be wanting in us; ſuch as may be able to demonſtrate how firmly we are reſolv'd to cultivate both long and conſtantly, p. 81to the utmoſt of our Power, that Friendſhip which is between your Serenity and this Republick. In the mean time we have expreſly commanded all our Ships upon their entrance into your Ports not to fail of paying the accuſtom'd Salutes by Firing their Guns, and to give all other due Honours to your Highneſs.

White Hall, Sep.—1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal, and Subſcrib'd. Preſident.

To the Spaniſh Embaſſador, Alphonſo de Cardenas.

Moſt Excellent Lord,

YOUR Excelleny's Letters of the 1/11 of November, 1652. deliver'd by your Secretary, together with Two Petitions inclos'd, concerning the Ships, the Sampſon and p. 82Sun Salvadore, were read in Council. To which the Council returns this Anſwer, That the Engliſh Man of War meeting with the foreſaid Ships, not in the Downes, as your Excellency Writes, but in the open Sea, brought 'em into Port as Enemies Ships, and therefore Lawful Prize; and the Court of Admiralty, to which it properly belongs to take Cognizance of all Cauſes of this nature, have undertaken to determin the Right in diſpute. Where all Parties concern'd on both ſides ſhall be fully and freely heard, and you may be aſſur'd that Right ſhall take place. We have alſo ſent your Excellency's requeſt to the Judges of that Court, to the end we may more certainly underſtand what progreſs they have made in their proceeding to Judgement. Of which ſo ſoon as we are rightly inform'd, we ſhall take care that ſuch Orders ſhall be given in this matter, as ſhall correſpond with Juſtice, and become the p. 83Friendſhip that is between this Republick and your King. Nor are we leſs confident, that his Royal Majeſty will by no means permit the Goods of the Enemies of this Commonwealth to be conceal'd and eſcape due Confiſcation under the ſhelter of being own'd by his Subjects.

White-Hall, Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Council Seal, and Subſcrib'd, William Maſham, Preſident.

To the Spaniſh Embaſſador.

Moſt Excellent Lord,

BUT lately the Council has bin inform'd by Captain Badiley, Admiral of the Fleet of this Republick in the Streights, that after he himſelf, together with three other Men of War, had for two days together p. 84engag'd Eleven of the Dutch, put into Porto Longone, as well to repair the Damages he had receiv'd in the Fight, as alſo to ſupply himſelf with Warlike Ammunition; where the Governor of the Place perform'd all the good Offices of a moſt juſt and courteous Perſon, as well toward his own, as the reſt of the Men of War under his Conduct. Now in regard that that ſame Place is under the Dominion of the Moſt Serene King of Spain, the Council cannot but look upon the ſingular Civility of that Gariſon to be the copious fruit of that ſtricter mutual Amity ſo auſpiciouſly commenc'd; and therefore deem it to be a part of their duty to return their thanks to his Majeſty for a Kindneſs ſo opportunely receiv'd, and deſire your Excellency to ſignify this to your moſt Serene King, and to aſſure him that the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England will p. 85be always ready to make the ſame returns of Friendſhip and Civility upon all occaſion offer'd.

Weſtminſter, Nov. 11. 1652. Seal'd with the Councel Seal, and Subſcrib'd, William Maſham, Preſident.

The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene Prince, Ferdinand the Second, Grand Duke of Tuſcany, Greeting.

Moſt Serene Prince, our deareſt Friend,

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has receiv'd your Letters dated from Florence, Auguſt 17. concerning the reſtitution of a certain Ship laden with Rice, which Ship is claim'd by Captain Cardi of Leghorn. And though the Judges of our Admiralty have already pronounc'd Sentence in that Cauſe againſt the foreſaid Cardi, p. 86and that there be an Appeal depending before the Delegates; yet upon your Highneſs's Requeſt, the Parlament, to teſtify how much they value the good Will and Alliance of a Prince ſo much their Friend, have given Order to thoſe who are entruſted with this Affair, that the ſaid Ship, together with the Rice, or at leaſt the full Price of it, be reſtor'd to the foreſaid Captain Cardi; the fruit of which Command his Proctor here has effectually already reap'd. And as your Highneſs by favourably affording your Patronage and Protection to the Ships of the Engliſh in your Port of Leghorn, has in a more eſpecial manner ty'd the Parlament to your Serenity; ſo will they, on the other ſide, take care, as often as opportunity offers, that all their Offices of ſincere Friendſhip and good-will toward your Highneſs may be ſolidly effectual and permanent; p. 87withal recommending your Highneſs to the Divine Benignity and Protection of the Almighty.

Weſtminſter, Nov. 1652. Seal'd with the Seal of the Common-wealth, and Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene and Potent Prince, King of Danemark. &c.

Moſt Serene and Potent King,

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England have received Information from their Admiral of that Fleet ſo lately ſent to Copenhagen, your Majeſty's Port, to Convoy our Merchants homeward bound, that the foreſaid Ships are not permitted to return along with p. 88him, as being detain'd by your Majeſty's Command; and upon his producing your Royal Letters declaring your Juſtifications of the matter of Fact, the Parlament denies that the Reaſons laid down in thoſe Letters for the detaining of thoſe Ships are any way ſatisfactory to 'em. Therefore that ſome ſpeedy Remedy may be appli'd in a matter oſ ſo great moment, and ſo highly conducing to the proſperity of both Nations, for preventing a greater, perhaps, enſuing miſchief, the Parlament have ſent their Reſident at Himborough, Richard Bradſhaw, Eſquire, a Perſon of great Worth and known Fidelity, with expreſs Commands to Treat with your Majeſty, as their Agent alſo in Danemark, concerning this Affair. And therefore we entreat your Majeſty to give him a favourable Audience and ample Credit in whatever he ſhall propoſe to your Majeſty on our behalf, in p. 89reference to this matter. In the mean time recommending your Majeſty to the Protection of Divine Providence.

Weſtminſter, Nov. 6. 1652. Under the Seal of the Parlament, and in their Name, and by their Authority, Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

The Parlament of the Commonwealth of England, to the Moſt Serene Prince the Duke of Venice, Greeting.

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England has receiv'd your Highneſs's Letters, dated June 1. 1652. and deliver'd by Lorenzo Pallutio, wherein they not onelyonly, gladly perceive both yours, and the cordial Inclinations of the Senate toward this Republick, but have p. 90willingly laid hold of this opportunity to declare their ſingular Affection and good Will toward the Moſt Serene Republick of Venice; which they ſhall be always ready to make manifeſt both really and ſincerely, as often as opportunity offers. To whom alſo all the ways and means that ſhall be propounded to 'em for the preſerving or encreaſing mutual Friendſhip and Alliance, ſhall be ever moſt acceptable. In the mean time we heartily pray that all things Proſperous, all things Favourable, may befall your Highneſs and the Moſt Serene Republick.

Weſtminſter, December, 1652. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal, and Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

p. 91The Parlament of the Republick of England, to the Moſt Serene Prince, Ferdinand the Second, Grand Duke of Tuſcany, Greeting.

ALthough the Parlament of the Republick of England ſome time ſince redoubl'd their Commands to all the chief Captains and Maſters of Ships arriving in the Ports belonging to your Highneſs, to carry themſelves peacefully and civilly, and with becoming obſervance and duty to a moſt Serene Prince, whoſe Friendſhip this Republick ſo earneſtly endeavours to preſerve, as having bin oblig'd by ſo many great Kindneſſes; an Accident altogether unexpected has fallen out, through the Inſolence, as they hear, of Captain Appleton in the Port of Leghorn, who offer'd Violence to the Sentinel then doing his Duty upon the Mole, againſt the Faith and Duty which he ows this Republick, and in contempt p. 92of the Reverence and Honour which is juſtly owing to your Highneſs: the relation of which Action, as it was really committed, the Parlament has underſtood by your Letters of the 7th. and 9th. of December, dated from Florence; as alſo more at large by the moſt Worthy Almeric Salvetti, your Reſident here. And they have ſo ſincerely laid to heart your Highneſs's Honour, which is the main concern of this Complaint, that they have referr'd it to the Council of State, to take care that Letters be ſent to Captain Appleton, to come away without ſtop or ſtay by Land, in order to his giving an Account of this unwonted and extraordinary Act (a Copy of which Letters is ſent herewith enclos'd) who ſo ſoon as he ſhall arrive, and be accus'd of the Fact, we promiſe that ſuch a courſe ſhall be taken with him, as may ſufficiently teſtify that we no leſs heinouſſy brook the violation of your Right, then the Infringement p. 93of our own Authority. Moreover, upon mature debate concerning the recover'd Ship, call'd the Phoenix of Leghorn, which Affair is alſo related and preſs'd by your Highneſs and your Reſident here, to have bin done by Captain Appleton, contrary to promiſe given, whereby he was oblig'd not to fall upon even the Hollanders themſelves within ſight of the Lanthorn; and that your Highneſs, truſting to that Faith, promis'd ſecurity to the Hollanders upon your word; and therefore that we ought to take care for the ſatisfaction of thoſe who ſuffer damage under the Protection of your Promiſe; the Parlament begs of your Excellency to be aſſur'd, That this Fact, as it was committed without their Advice or Command, ſo it is moſt remote from their Will and Intention that your Highneſs ſhould undergo any Detriment or Diminution of p. 94your Honour by it. Rather they will make it their buſineſs, that ſome Expedient may be found out for your ſatisfaction, according to the nature of the Fact upon Examination of the whole matter. Which that they may ſo much the more fully underſtand, they deem it neceſſary that Captain Appleton himſelf ſhould be heard, who was bound by the ſame Faith, and is thought by your Excellency at leaſt to have conſented to the violation of it; eſpecially ſince he is ſo ſuddenly to return home. And ſo ſoon as the Parlament has heard him, and have more at large conferr'd with your Reſident concerning this matter of no ſmall moment, they will pronounce that Sentence that ſhall be Juſt, and Conſentaneous to that extream good-will which they bear to your Highneſs, and no way unworthy the favours by you conferr'd upon 'em. Of which, p. 95that your Highneſs might not make the leaſt queſtion in the mean time, we were willing to certify your Highneſs by this Expreſs on purpoſe ſent, that we ſhall omit no opportunity to teſtify how greatly we value your Friendſhip.

Weſtminſter, Dec. 14. 1652. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal, and Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

The Council of State of the Republick of England, to the moſt Serene Prince, Frederick, Heire of Norway, Duke of Sleſwick, Holſatia, Stormaria, Ditmarſh, Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhort, Greeting.

THough it has pleas'd the Moſt Wiſe God, and Moſt Merciful Moderator of all things, beſides the Burthen which he laid upon us in p. 96common with our Anceſtors, to wage moſt juſt Wars in defence of our Liberty againſt Tyrannical Uſurpation, ſignally alſo to ſuccour us with thoſe Auſpices and that Divine Aſſiſtance, beyond what he afforded to our Predeceſſors, that we have bin able not only to extinguiſh a Civil War, but to extirpate the Cauſes of it for the future, as alſo to repel the unexpected Violences of Foreign Enemies; Nevertheleſs, with grateful minds, as much as in us lies, acknowledging the ſame Favour and Benignity of the Supreme Deity toward us, we are not ſo puft up with the ſucceſs of our Affairs, but that rather inſtructed in the ſingular Juſtice and Providence of God, and having had long experience our ſelves, we abominate the thoughts of War, if poſſible to be avoided, and moſt eagerly embrace Peace with all men. Therefore as hitherto we never were the firſt that violated or deſir'd the violation of that Friendſhip, or thoſe p. 97ancient Privileges of Leagues that have bin ratifi'd between us and any Princes or People whatever; ſo your Highneſs, in conſideration of your ancient Amity with the Engliſh, left us by our Anceſtors, may with a moſt certain aſſurance promiſe both your ſelf and your People all things equitable, and all things friendly from us. Laſtly, as we highly value, which is no more then what is juſt and reaſonable, the teſtimonies of your affection and good offices offer'd us, ſo we ſhall make it our buſineſs that you may not at any time be ſenſible of the want of ours either to your ſelf or yours. And ſo we moſt heartily recommend your Highneſs to the Omnipotent Protection of the Almighty God.

White-Hall, July—1653. Seal'd with the Council-Seal, and Subſcrib'd, Preſident.

p. 98To the Count of Oldenburgh.

Moſt Illuſtrious Lord,

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England have receiv'd an extraordinary Congratulation from your Excellency, moſt kindly and courteouſly deliver'd to us by word of mouth by Herman Mylius, your Councellor and Doctor of Laws; who wiſh'd all things Lucky and Proſperous, in your Name, to the Parlament and Engliſh Intereſt, and deſir'd that the Friendſhip of this Republick might remain inviolable within your Territories. He alſo deſir'd Letters of ſafe Conduct, to the end your Subjects may the more ſecurely Trade and Sail from place to place; together with our Orders to our publick Miniſters abroad, to be Aiding and aſſiſting to your Excellency and your Intereſts with their good Offices and Counſels. To which Requeſts of his we willingly p. 99conſented, and granted both our Friendſhip, the Letters deſir'd, and our Orders to our Publick Miniſters under the Seal of the Parlament. And though it be ſome Months ago ſince your Publick Miniſter firſt came to us, however that delay neither aroſe from any unwillingneſs on our part, to aſſent to the requeſt made in your Excellency's Name, or that your Deputy was at any time wanting in his Sedulity (whoſe Solicitations were daily and earneſt with all the Diligence and Importunity that became him, to the end he might be diſpatch'd) but onelyonly it happen'd ſo, that at that time the greateſt and moſt weighty Affairs of the Republick were under Debate and ſerious Negotiation. Of which we thought meet to certifie your Illuſtrious Lordſhip, leſt any body through a falſe conſtruction of this delay, ſhould think thoſe Favours unwillingly or hardly obtain'd, which were moſt gladly granted by p. 100the Parlament of the Commonwealth of England. In whoſe Name theſe are commanded to be Sign'd,

Henry Scobel, Clerk of the Parlament.

To the Moſt Illuſtrious and Noble Senators, Scultets, Landam., and Senators of the Evangelick Cantons of Switzerland, Zurick, Bern, Glaris, Bale, Schaffhuſen, Appenzel, alſo of the Confederates of the ſame Religion in the Countrey of the Griſons, of Geneva, St. Gall, Mulhauſen and Bienne; our deareſt Friends.

YOUR Letters, moſt Illuſtrious Lords and Deareſt Confederates, dated December 24. full of civility, good-will, and ſingular affection toward us and our Republick, and what ought always to be greater and more ſacred to us, breathing Fraternal and truly Chriſtian p. 101Charity, we have receiv'd. And in the firſt place we return Thanks to Almighty God, who has rais'd and eſtabliſh'd both you and ſo many noble Cities, not ſo much intrench'd and fortifi'd with thoſe encloſures of Mountains, as with your innate Fortitude, Piety, moſt prudent and juſt Adminiſtration of Government, and the Faith of mutual Confederacies, to be a firm and inacceſſible ſhelter for all the truly Orthodox. Now then that you, who over all Europe were the firſt of Mortals who after deluges of barbarous Tyrants from the North, Heaven proſpering your Valour, recover'd your Liberty, and being obtain'd, for ſo many years have preſerv'd it untainted, with no leſs Prudence and Moderation; that you ſhould have ſuch noble ſentiments of our Liberty recover'd; that you, ſuch ſincere Worſhippers of the Goſpel, ſhould be ſo conſtantly perſwaded of our Love and Affection p. 102for the Orthodox Faith, is that which is moſt acceptable and wellcome to us. But as to your exhorting us to Peace, with a Pious and Affectionate intent, as we are fully aſſur'd, certainly ſuch an Admonition ought to be of great weight with us; as well in reſpect of the thing it ſelf which you perſwade, and which of all things is chiefly to be deſir'd, as alſo for the great Authority which is to be allow'd your Lordſhips above others in this particular, who in the midſt of loud tumultuons Wars on every ſide, enjoy the ſweets of Peace both at home and abroad, and have approv'd your ſelves the beſt example to all others of embracing and improving Peace; and laſtly, for that you perſwade us to the very thing which we our ſelves of our own accords, and that more then once, conſulting as well our own, as the intereſt of the whole Evangelical Communion, have begg'd by Embaſſadors, and other publick Miniſters, p. 103namely, Friendſhip and a moſt ſtrict League with the Vnited Provinces. But how they treated our Embaſſadors ſent to 'em to Negotiate, not a bare Peace, but a brotherly Amity and moſt ſtrict League; what Provocations to War they afterwards gave us, how they fell upon us in our own Roads in the midſt of their Embaſſadors Negotiations for Peace and Alliance, little dreaming any ſuch Violence, you will abundantly underſtand by our Declaration ſet forth upon this ſubject, and ſent you together with theſe our Letters. But as for our parts, we are wholly intent upon this, by God's aſſiſtance, though proſperous hitherto, ſo to carry our ſelves, that we may neither attribute any thing to our own Strength or Forces, but all things to God alone, nor be inſolently puft up with our Succeſs; and we ſtill retain the ſame ready Inclinations to embrace all occaſions of making a Juſt and Honeſt p. 104Peace. In the mean time your ſelves, Illuſtrious and moſt Excellent Lords, in whom this Pious and Noble Sedulity, out of meer Evangelical Affection, exerts it ſelf, to reconcile and pacifie contending Brethren, as ye are worthy of all applauſe among men, ſo doubtleſs will ye obtain the Celeſtial Reward of Peace-makers with God; to whoſe Supreme Benignity and Favour we heartily recommend in our Prayers both you and yours, no leſs ready to make returns of all good Offices both of Friends and Brethren, if in any thing we may be ſerviceable to your Lordſhips.

Weſtminſter, October, 1653. Seal'd with the Parlament Seal, and Subſcrib'd, Speaker, &c.

To the Spaniſh Embaſſador.

Moſt Illuſtrious Lord,

UPON grievous Complaints. brought before us by Philip p. 105Niel, John Godal, and the Society of Merchants of Foy in England, that a certain Ship of theirs, call'd the Ann of Foy, an Engliſh Ship by them fitted out, and laden with their own Goods, in her return home to the Port of Foy about Michaelmas laſt, was unjuſtly and without any cauſe ſet upon and taken by a certain Privateer of Oſtend, Eraſmus Bruer Commander, and the Seamen unworthily and barbarouſly us'd; The Council of State wrote to the Marquis of Leda concerning it (a copy of which Letter we alſo ſend enclos'd to your Excellency) and expected from him, that without delay Orders would have bin given for the doing of Juſtice in this matter. Nevertheleſs after all this, the foreſaid Noel. together with the ſaid Company make further heavy complaint, that altho our Letters were deliver'd to the Marqueſs, and that thoſe Merchants from that time forward betook themſelves to Bruges to the Court there p. 106held for Maritime Cauſes, and there aſſerted and prov'd their Right and the Verity of their Cauſe, yet that Juſtice was deni'd 'em; and that they were ſo hardly dealt with, that though the Cauſe had bin ripe for Tryal above three Months, nevertheleſs they could obtain no Sentence from that Court, but that their Ship and Goods are ſtill detain'd, notwithſtanding the great Expences they have bin at in Proſecuting their Claim. Now your Excellency well knows it to be contrary to the Law of Nations, of Traffick, and that Friendſhip which is at preſent ſettl'd betwen the Engliſh and Flemings, that any Oſtender ſhould take any Engliſh Veſſel, if bound for England with Engliſh Goods; and that whatever was Inhumanly and Barbarouſly done to the Engliſh Seamen by that Commander deſerves a rigorous Puniſhment. The Council therefore recommends the whole matter to your Excellency, and makes it their p. 107requeſt that you would Write into Flanders concerning it, and take ſuch ſpeedy care, that this buſineſs may no longer be delai'd; but that Juſtice may be done in ſuch a manner, that the foreſaid Ship, together with the Damages, Coſts and Intereſt, which the Engliſh have ſuſtain'd and bin out of purſe, by reaſon of that Illegal Seizure, may be reſtor'd and made good to 'em, by the Authority of the Court, or in ſome other way; and that care be taken that hereafter no ſuch Violence may be committed, but that the Amity between our People and the Flemings may be preſerv'd without any Infringement.

Sign'd in the Name, and by the Command of the Council of State, appointed by Authority of Parlament.

To the Marquiſs of Leda.

GREAT Complaints are brought before us by Philip Noel, John Godal, and the Company of Foy Merchants, p. 108concerning a Ship of theirs, call'd the Ann of Foy, which being an Engliſh Veſſel, by them fitted out, and laden with their own Goods, in her return home to her own Port about Michaelmas laſt, was taken unawares by a Freebooter of Oſtend, Eraſmus Brewer Commander. It is alſo further related, that the Oſtenders, when the Ship was in their Power, us'd the Seamen too inhumanly, by ſetting lighted Match to their Fingers, and plunging the Maſter of the Ship in the Sea till they had almoſt drown'd him, on purpoſe to extort a falſe Confeſſion from him, that the Ship and Goods belong'd to the French. Which though the Maſter and the reſt of the Ship's Crue reſolutely deni'd, nevertheieſs the Oſtenders carri'd away the Ship and Goods to their own Port. Theſe things, upon ſtrict enquiry and examination of Witneſſes have bin made manifeſt in the Admiralty Court in England, as will appear by the Copies of the p. 109Affidavits herewith ſent your Lordſhip. Now in regard that that ſame Ship, call'd the Ann of Foy, and all her lading of Merchandize and Goods belongs truly and properly to the Engliſh, ſo that there is no apparent reaſon why the Oſtenders ſhould ſeize by force either the one or the other, much leſs carry away the Maſter of the Ship, and uſe the Seamen ſo unmercifully; and whereas according to the Law of Nations, and in reſpect to the Friendſhip between the Flemings and Engliſh, that Ship and Goods ought to be reſtor'd, we make it our earneſt requeſt to your Excellency, that the Engliſh may have ſpeedy Juſtice done, and that Satisfaction may be given for their loſſes, to the end the Traffick and Friendſhip which is between the Engliſh and Flemings may be long and inviolably preſerv'd.

p. 110To the Spaniſh Embaſſador.

THE Parlament of the Commonwealth of England underſtanding that ſeveral of the People of this City daily reſort to the Houſes of your Excellency and other Embaſſadors and Publick Miniſters from Foreign Nations here reſiding, meerly to hear Maſs, gave Order to the Council of State to let your Excellency underſtand, That whereas ſuch Reſort is prohibited by the Laws of the Nation, and of very evil Example in this our Republick, and extreamly Scandalous, that they deem it their duty to take care that no ſuch thing be permitted henceforward, and to prohibit all ſuch Aſſemblies for the future. Concerning which, 'tis our deſire that your Excellency ſhould have a fair Advertiſement, to the end that henceforth your Excellency may be more careful of admitting any of the People p. 111of this Republick to hear Maſs in your Houſe. And as the Parlament will diligently provide that your Excellencies Rights and Privileges ſhall be preſerv'd inviolable, ſo they perſwade themſelves, that your Excellency, during your abode here, would by no means that the Laws of this Republick ſhould be violated by your ſelf or your Attendants.

A Summary of the particular real damages ſuſtaiu'd by the Engliſh Company, in many Places of the Eaſt-Indies, from the Dutch Company in Holland.

1. THe Damages comprehended in Sixteen Articles and formerly exhibited, Amounting to 298555 Royals ½ which is of our Money— 74638 l. 15 s. 00 d.

2. We demand Satisfaction to be given for the incomes of the Iſland of Pularon, from the year 1622. to p. 112this time, of Two hundred thouſand Royals ½, beſides the future Expence, till the Right of Juriſdiction over that Iſland be reſtor'd, in the ſame condition as when it was wreſteſt out of our hands, as was by League agreed to, amounting of our Money to—50000 l. 00 s. 00 d.

3. We demand Satisfaction for all the Merchandize, Proviſion and Furniture taken away by the Agents of the Dutch Company in the Indies, or to them deliver'd, or to any of their Ships bound thither, or returning home; which Sum amounts to 80635 Royals, of our Money— 20158 l. 00 s. 00 d.

4. We demand Satisfaction for the Cuſtoms of Dutch Merchandize laden on board their Ships in Perſia, or landed there from the year 1624, as was granted us by the King of Perſia, which we cannot value at leſs then Fourſcore thouſand Royals,— —2000 l. 00 s. 00 d.

p. 1135. We demand Satisfaction for Four Houſes Maliciouſly and Unjuſtly Burnt at Jocatra, together with the Warehouſes, Magazines and Furniture, occaſion'd by the Dutch Governour there, of all which we had Information from the Place it ſelf, after we had exhibited our firſt complaints; the total of which damage we value at— 50000 l. 00 s. 00 d.

We demand Satisfaction for 32899 Pound of Pepper taken out of the Ship Endymion in 1649, the total of which damage amounts to— 6000 l. 00 s. 00 d. —220796 l. 15 s. 00 d.

p. 114A Summary of ſome particular damages ſuſtain'd alſo from the Dutch Eaſt-India Company.

1. FOR Damages ſuſtain'd by thoſe who Beſieg'd Bantam, whence it came to paſs that for Six years together we were excluded from that Trade, and conſequently from an opportunity of laying out in Pepper Six hundred thouſand Royals, with which we might have laden our homeward bound Ships, ſor want of which lading they rotted upon the Coaſt of India. In the mean time our Stock in India was waſted and conſum'd in Mariners Wages, Proviſion and other Furniture; ſo that they could not value their Loſs at leſs then Twenty hunder'd and four thouſand Royals— 600000 l. 00 s. 00 d.

2. More for Damages by reaſon of our due part loſt of the fruits in the Molucca Iſlands, Banda and Amboyna, p. 116from the time that by the ſlaughter of our men we were thence expell'd, till the time that we ſhall be ſatisfi'd for our Loſs and Expences, which ſpace of time from the year 1622. to this preſent year 1650. for the yearly Revenue of 250000 lib. amounts in 28 years to— 700000 l. 00 s. 00 d.

3. We demand Satisfaction for one hunder'd and two thouſand nine hunder'd fifty nine Royals, taken from us by the Mogul's People, whom the Dutch protected in ſuch a manner, that we never could repair our Loſſes out of the Money or Goods of that People which lay in their Junks, which we endeavour'd to do, and was in our Power had not the Dutch unjuſtly defended 'em. Which loſt Money we could have trebled in Europe, and value at— 77020 l. 00 s. 00 d.

4. For the Cuſtoms of Perſia, the half part of which was by the King of Perſia granted to the Engliſh, p. 116Anno 1624. Which to the year 1629. is vrlued at Eight thouſand Royals, to which add the Four thouſand Lib. which they are bound to pay ſince 1629. which is now One and twenty years, and it makes up the Sum of—84000 l. 00 s. 00 d. —From the Firſt Account 220796 l. 15 s. Sum Total—1681996 l. 15 s.

The Intereſt from that time will far exceed the Principal.

p. 117LETTERS Written in the Name of OLIVER the Protector.

To the Count of Oldenburgh.

Moſt Illuſtrious Lord,

BY your Letters, dated January 20. 1654. I have bin given to underſtand, That the Noble Frederick Matthias Woliſog, and Chirſtopher Griphiander were ſent with certain Commands from your Illuſtrious Lordſhip into England, who when they came to us, not onelyonly in your Name Congratulated our having taken upon us the Government of the Eogliſh Republick, but alſo deſir'd that you and your Territories might be comprehended in the Peace which we are p. 118about to make with the Low Countries, and that we would confirm by our preſent Authority the Letters of ſafe Conduct lately granted your Lordſhip by the Parlament. Therefore in the firſt place we return your Lordſhip our hearty thanks for your Friendly Congratulation, as it becomes us; and theſe will let you know that we have readily granted your two Requeſts. Nor ſhall you find us wanting upon any opportunity, which may at any time make manifeſt our Affection to your Lordſhip. And this we are apt to believe you will underſtand more at large from your Agents, whoſe Fidelity and Diligence in this Affair of yours, in our Court, has bin eminently conſpicuous. As to what remains, we moſt heartily wiſh the Bleſſings of Proſperity and Peace, both upon you and your Affairs.

Your Illuſtrious Lordſhip's moſt Affectionate, Oliver Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c.